Heaven Sword & Dragon Sabre

(ComicsOne, 2003-2004)
™ and © ComicsOne

As with other genres, the kung fu saga has elements readers just have to take on faith, like the way there’ll be a break in the violence for a genealogical break (sometimes complete with a family tree), or how with all the fantastically named characters with incredible powers around, our hero turns out to be the dull guy.

Which is the case here. Actually, since this is an epic, the dull guy readers meet in Vol. One is actually the real hero’s father. And you’d think, given she’s a cross-dressing courtesan, the mother would be at least kind of interesting, but no such luck. No, the real breakout character here is the inexplicably blonde, insanely powerful King of Gold Lion. Morally conflicted and with motives of his own, he literally shreds the scenery and steals every scene.

The translation is above-average (the only negative; the narration drifts about in untethered word balloons instead of in boxes), with the art ranging from the just beautiful to the absolutely stunning and contains more action than any two volumes of Storm Riders.

— S.A. Bennett

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Notes

Writer

Artist

#11

November, 2004
Cover Price: $14.95
1 copy available for $12.00

Louis Cha

Wing Shing Ma