Asiatika editions made us travel with "Cassandra", a high-level graphic novel, and the four seasons of Tida, a very nice artbook. They now offer us to discover "Lucifer", a manga by the young and talented Shana. Justfocus has ventured into his universe where feelings, betrayal and humor mingle …
The author:
Shana Maidon is a twenty-year-old artist passionate about literature and drawing. The mangaka, follower of Yaoi, never ceases to amaze us. Today, and despite her young age, she already has eight manga on her counter! Pro-active and hardworking, it is certain that Shana will seduce the followers of the genre with her touch of freshness and her mischievous pen. In addition, it undeniably has the qualities to make people talk about it in the years to come.
The story:
You'd think Yuu and Renzo are young men like any other. This is far from being the case. The first is a vampire horrified by the taste of blood, the second, a wolf. The two, lifelong friends, are affected by Lucifer's curse. One day, Renzo disappears without warning. Determined to find him, Yuu goes in search of him. Quickly, he is immersed in an adventure that will allow him to open his eyes to his forgotten past.
At first glance, the story is interesting and well found. This first volume plunges us into the lives of two very contradictory characters. Yuu, the naïve, and Renzo, the beautiful dark. The protagonists are sympathetic and intriguing, as is this powerful bond between them. Their beautiful friendship turns out to be a true love story that can not leave indifferent. The feelings, although hidden, are revealed over the pages. The relationship of these two is one of the assets of this colorful manga, as well as this constant search for the truth! Lucifer, little present, weighs on our heroes. His shadow is constantly felt and it is undeniable that without him, this work would be bland and tasteless – so much the theme of forbidden love is taken up. The desire to discover it more pulls the reader until the end. When it finally appears, the action can begin… But it is at this strategic moment that the first part of this work concludes!!
Bingo! Impossible not to want to read more after this welcome little coup de théâtre and the appearance of Lucifer, a character who may well please us by his character and his sweet madness.
On the way to hell….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mX1xYFzLMM
Like Yuu, we go in search of answers. Like him, we are waiting for the evolution of his relationship with Renzo but also to know if he will finally drink blood. And so, give in to his demons… Accompanied by a few teammates with various profiles, he goes on an adventure blindly, without really knowing where it will lead him. The characters are very numerous for a first volume. Some seem useless to the original plot, yet if the author has placed them on the road to Yuu, it is because there is a reason …. Reason that will probably be revealed as the story progresses! However it is important to note that at the first reading, it is possible to get lost as the resemblance is striking especially between the two blondes of the story.
The author's universe is refined and this is a real plus. Impossible to dwell on unnecessary details. Simplicity is often good. The drawing, although beautiful, is sometimes disturbing in the proportion or shape of the faces (Let's take the cover as an example). However, it is far from bad. The talent of the author is present and it is certain that it will assert itself in the years to come. There is real potential both technically and creatively. The young mangaka adds her touch of humor, some embarrassing scenes as if to break the cliché of the vampiric work often dark and deep.
JustFocus' opinion:
A nice work to discover but that I had to reread to situate things and differentiate the characters. At first glance, it is easy to get lost but with hindsight, the story may become interesting. This first volume does its job. It presents, introduces, explains, surprises but the best is yet to come thanks to the appearance of Lucifer…. I was not stunned but I must say that my curiosity will push me to read the next publications. There is so much to see and discover that to dwell on these first chapters would be a shame. It is true that some defects are present and can disturb the reader but some criticisms of this work are far too virulent. They leave no chance to this young author and crush her without restraint under a flood of scathing words. The qualities are present and in large numbers: The drawing, the humor, this pretty naivety, this sympathetic cutting …. The best is probably to make your own opinion! Your heart won't necessarily throb, but you may have a good time.
Yaoi enthusiasts and other curious people, to your reading!
The positives:
The history of vampires revised and revisited
The Shadow of Lucifer
Some drawings that are worth a look.
Asiatika gives young Mangakas a chance
Negatives:
Some plates seem much less worked than others of the same work.
A difficulty in cutting the work, understanding and situating certain characters.
Another cover would have been better. This one seems to have bad reception.
The Lucifer sequel is expected to be released by next year. JustFocus will be there to make you discover the rest of this romantic-vampire story!
