Saiyuki

    (Tokyopop, 2004-2005)
™ and © 2004 Kazuya Minekura
reads right to left; graphic novel; b&w

Journey into the West, a masterpiece of Chinese literature, gets an extreme makeover treatment in this epic fantasy set in a misty, magical world that still has such modern conveniences as guns and a Jeep.

But it’s far more road trip than sacred mission that propels the gang of misfit pretty-boy heroes to travel to India to stop the resurrection of an evil demon king. All the way there, they squabble and reveal all sorts of unpleasant personal habits.

Since it’s based on a classic, many readers have seen it all before (it’s been adapted several times as manga and anime, most notably as Dragonball). Nevertheless, it’s how you tell the story that matters, and Minekura knows how to tell a story. It’s got all the ingredients: great art, cool action, tough-looking monsters, and beautiful (if gratuitous) female nudity.

And, proving that not only DVDs can have “extras,” this volume includes four color pages, a stunning wraparound cover, a helpful introduction, translator notes, a glossary for the Japanese sounds, and a guide to the main characters.

— S.A. Bennett
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