Graphic Novel Review – Out From the Shadow (Wayward, Vol 3) by Jim Zubkavich, Tamra Bonvillain, Steven Cummings (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Graphic Novel/Urban Fantasy
Length: 128 pages
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: May 31, 2016
ISBN-13:978-1632157010
Stand Alone or Series: 3rd book in the Wayward series
Source: Gift
Rating: 4/5 stars
“After the massive revelations of Wayward volume two, chaos reigns. The new gods of Japan have arrived and a clash with the myths of old will change the country forever. JIM ZUB (Conan Red Sonja, Samurai Jack) and STEVE CUMMINGS (Dead Shot, Legends of the Dark Knight) continue their supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of shows like Buffy with Japan’s engaging culture and mythic monsters.”
This is the third volume in the Wayward series. This continues to be a good, but not great, graphic novel series with supernatural/urban fantasy themes that is set in Tokyo. The beautiful artwork and vivid coloring are what really make this graphic novel series stand out.
Our super-powered teens, dubbed the “new gods” of Japan are on a mission to wipe out the Yokai once and for all. The leader of the Yokai finds another teen with special powers named Segawa Touru and recruits him to his cause. Meanwhile Rori and her cohorts are joined by a Ronin katsune named Inaba. Inaba and Ayane make quite the Yokai destroying team.
Unfortunately our new gods don’t know that Rori is being controlled by a creepy spider creature…. Then to complicate matters Rori’s dad, Demot Lane, shows up to find his daughter.
This graphic novel is full of wonderful illustration and absolutely stunning and vivid color. The cast of characters is interesting but not all that well fleshed out. I also feel like the writing itself could flow a bit better; sometimes it seems a little choppy. The story is getting a lot more interesting and intense through so I am excited to see where it goes.
My favorite parts of these books are actually the additions at the end; they are so interesting. This book includes a short history of the Yokai in Japan, a history of ronin, and descriptions of the Kage Onna, Nopperabo, and Taka Onna yokai. I absolutely love all the Japanese mythology in here.
Overall a great continuation of this series. I really enjoy the beautiful coloring and the Japanese mythology throughout. Sometimes the dialogue is a little choppy and I think the characters could be a bit better fleshed out…hopefully that will come in time. I enjoyed the new characters that were added in this installment and am curious to see where the story goes.
This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– New Release Challenge
– Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge
