Story of the Tao

    (ComicsOne, 2002-2004)
™ and © ComicsOne

In the videogame tradition of relentless fisticuffs and soul-shattering body blows, comes this story of the travels of Datura, a boy destined to become the next Buddha. His father, Master Man, confers on him the mantle of becoming the leader of the Warrior Buddhist Sect and the destiny to unite the other three religious orders — Taoism, Mysticism, and Shingon — against the evil Queen Arctic. Along the way, naturally, comes a slew of cacophonous combat.

Meanwhile, the sly teen-age girl Zhu and her disciples battle her sinister brother “Death Sovereign” and his crew of the undead. How can she live up to her nickname of “Evil Taoist,” if she allows Death three unanswered strikes against her? Elsewhere, can Datura save a beautiful princess from being kidnapped by the tricky YinYang?

Typical of Hong Kong comics, the fighting characters look great. However, you’ll get as dizzy as they, if you try to follow the convoluted storyline, unless you’re an East Asian scholar. Like fans of rollercoasters and arcade action, if you can forget about your destination, you’re more likely to enjoy the ride.

— Oliver Chin
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