Uzumaki Vol. 1by Barb Lien-CooperReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 7 I checked out this graphic novel because I love horror novels, comics, anime, and manga. The Japanese have a way with horror in their manga and anime that puts American authors and film makers to shame. Just check out Blood: The Last Vampire if you doubt me. I also decided to read this manga because the Tarts, even a Tart or two that didn’t think they liked manga per se, loved this book.Uzumaki is a Lovecraftian tale of psychological horror. You know how Lovecraft liked to use things like weird architectural angles to bring about demons from other dimensions and madness in the characters? Uzumaki understands that concept all too well and makes hay with it, in its own way. The set up: Kirie lives in a nice, isolated mountain town where evil, horror, and weirdness seem a million miles away. Shuichi, an old friend of Kirie’s, is freaking her out by constant talk of evil in the form of spirals. Yes, the town is haunted by geometry, folks! You’d think it would make the story ridiculous, but instead, it makes you very, very paranoid. Horror is like that. Things that sound silly when summarized become truly horroric in the hands of a good author. For instance, Clive Barker’s work sound stupid when summarized, but they’re actually fun reads. It all comes down to execution and authorial talent. The art is clean and simple. It works to help maintain the paranoia. The tone and pacing of this story are also just right. Altogether, one of the better horror stories I’ve read this year. Written: January 8, 2002
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