Comics
Review: ‘Saga’ #16
It’s my favourite time of the month again as BKV and Fiona Staples roll out another issue of their science fiction/fantasy epic, “Saga”. The plot has come around full circle as Prince Robot IV is nearing his destination, this books ending tee’s the up the December issue perfectly leaving little doubt that shit will hit the fan.
WRITTEN BY: Brian K. Vaughan
ART BY: Fiona Staples
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: 2.99
RELEASE: November 27, 2013
The last story arc left off with Prince Robot IV arriving on Quietus and having an old fashion laser cannon arm fight, leaving a just a bit of a cliff hanger ending. Finally over the course of this arc as we are got up with Alana and Marko’s as well as The Will and Gwendolyn’s movements prior to this eventual altercation. Similarly, the plot of the two tabloid reporters continues as they poke and prod at Alana’s story, where most of the mystery resides; will they break Marko and Alana’s lovers’ flight story or will they just end up in a body bag?
This book is filled with so much creativity. BKV has truly fashioned a world of his own using influences from many different genres to create something unique. The book is loaded with many themes relevant, hotly debated in the media, yet he is able to infuse the script with such raw comedy that all flows together so seamlessly. This craftsmanship is prevalent throughout the issue making this style of writing so appealing to the reader.
Fiona Staples does masterful work as she is able to combine extreme fantasy with an certain degree of realism. Similar to BKV’s style of writing, Staples puts mature and often raunchy material on the page, giving the book exactly what it needs. Whether it’s an old Cyclops reading a kids book, or a child stomping a stabbed throat, the atmosphere is captured within the art work.
Every issue is a genuine pleasant surprise. This one is no different and I can guarantee the next will be even more extreme.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – GreenBasterd
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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