Battle Girlz

(Antarctic, 2002)
™ and © Antarctic Press

Antarctic Press is known for its universe of American manga. Battle Girlz expands the boundaries of that universe considerably. It is the story of Yunna Thanyori-Parne, a mecha pilot who, upon being replaced by an android, is invited to join Jasigra Sasa Rai Desperado’s eclectic group of warriors on the planet Arlan.

Among her new colleagues are the super-heroic Eevi (an A-Ko type), the sword-and-sorcery Bryndanhei, gadgeteer Su Win Fahren, and mystical Las Ferichee aka “the Temptress.” Each of the characters has a different personality to discover, once readers get past the names.

Writer and artist Rod Espinosa has placed his Girlz in a world with its own rich history and culture. The landscapes and architecture are unusual and visually exciting. Even the alphabet, while alien, is clearly legible. Espinosa also does a remarkable job of bringing us up to speed on Yunna’s backstory, in one page, without the use of an omniscient narrator.

The art is crisp and clean with sharp lines. Backgrounds range from incredibly detailed spaceports to empty white space, emphasizing foreground action.

Battle Girlz is an exhilarating new direction in American manga.

— Jack Abramowitz

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