Priest Volume 1 – Review

Issue: Priest Volume 1
Writer & Artist: Min-Woo Hyung
Translator: Jessica Kim
English Adaptation: Jake Forbes
Cover Artist: Raymond Swanland
Editor: Jake Forbes
Publisher: Tokyopop
Release Date: July 2003
Pages: 176
Price: $9.99

“Ivan Isaacs was once a priest. Devoted to his faith he would have given up anything for it. Then the establishment he believed in turned on him, sending him headlong into Hell. Now, he’s back. With the priesthood now corrupt with demons, the undead and black prayers, he has returned with the help of the demon Belial, a voice in the darkness who offered Ivan a chance at vengeance, in exchange for his soul. With his six-shooter, a bowie knife at his side and the white collar of his former life adorning his neck he is a lost pale rider in a barren wild west where past and future collide.“

Artwork: 3.5 out of 5.0
The absence of color really adds to this good looking book. I think that it helps add a great mood to the atmosphere that is filled with monsters and demons. While you don’t get the most in depth look to the characters they are nice and consistent from page to page. Plus I am in love with the look of the undead, as they are a mix of zombie’s and Jason Voorhees. While some may just dismiss this genre of art I think that this issue is fluid in that it feels like your watching an anime. Plus you get some cool death scenes and in a horror filled world that’s what I want.

Story: 3.5 out of 5.0
This is my first real attempt at reading Manga and I liked it. The story can seem to have a little strange dialogue from time to time, but overall I think it translates well. This entire volume covers a small backstory on the title character but seems to focus more on what is going on in his world. Nice action takes place and I think it is needed to get readers in, and then in later volumes start to really go into depth on who he really is. Overall it was fun and I will be reading more.

Dying Breath: 3.5 out of 5.0

So how did I enjoy my first step into a new genre of horror? I liked it. Sure this is probably just a monster killer book, but it seemed to have some good things going for it. Kind of like a tadpole that starts of swimming and then slowly grows it’s legs so it can climb into the big pool. Keep this in mind though, for 176 pages it is a quick read. It probably took me a half hour from start to finish. High on action with some “killer” artwork makes this one a solid read.

If you would like to buy or know more about Priest Volume 1 please go to http://www.tokyopop.com.

Tagged: From the Tomb Magazine, Horror Comics, Min-Woo Hyung, Monsters, Priest Volume 1, Tokyopop, Vampires

Posted in: Reviews