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Reviewed by Steven Mortiboy The story begins in the blackest and darkest location of all - an American High School. We are introduced to Evil twins Shawn and Sam Stronghand who’re the new kids in school. But their first day doesn’t last long. After a lunch tray assault the twins are kicked out of school and dragged by their foster mother to face the horrors of the mall. The mother is a priceless character - she is clueless to the boys’ behaviour and attitude, and has a heart of gold. In the mall the plot thickens when the boys discover a righteous black metal album by the band Frost Axe. They return home where they power up the gargantuan stereo and sample the delights of their discovery. Within this blackest metal they hear a dark prophecy (let’s just say that there are demons and a sword that can end a war) so the guys set off to fulfil this destiny, along with a handful of side characters - but I’ll leave the rest for you for you to read. Once the ground is laid for this fantasy quest to fulfil the prophecy. Black Metal becomes less…metal. It’s solid enough, a quest into hell with a really big sword. But I couldn’t help longing for the idiosyncratic action at the start of the book. I really enjoyed the rocktastic attitude of the book; the fact that the plot is introduced from a black metal album is genius. But I have to admit that this probably is not for everyone. It’s through the interaction of characters and their dialogue that the book finds its flair: “Shawn, I’m kidding. I never wash my hair” … “But, wait how do you keep bugs and the like out of your hair?” “My deal is to live and let live” “So you’ve got bugs in there?” “Probably” “You’re awesome” The art suits the subject matter very well. The lines are as black as a goth’s wardrobe and just as thick as eyeliner. This book is American, but is strongly influenced by manga; it’s from the same publisher as Scott Pilgrim (there is even a cheeky reference). If you enjoyed Scott Pilgrim (who didn’t?) but you fancy it mixed with a Melvins album, give this a shot. Also, I’m sure there are some fans out there that will adore the fantasy stuff, it’s just not my bag. Comment on this review of Black Metal v1 on the Manga Life Forums. |
6 October 2009
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