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Reviewed by Michael Aronson “Tenma is hot on Johan’s trail and he’s more determined than ever. Now in top physical condition and armed with a high-performance sniper rifle, has Tenma acquired the keen hunter’s edge necessary to bag his prey? Or will his physician’s instincts prevent him from carrying out his dreaded task?” As the above text suggests, Tenma is gradually subverting his own values for the sake of bringing Johan’s trail of terror to an end. At the same time, Inspector Lunge, on the pursuit of Tenma for the murder of which he’s been accused, tries to slip into Tenma’s mindset in order to further his hunt. And lastly, the reader finally gets a brief glimpse into the mind of Johan. It’s these transfers of roles that give this eighth volume the edge it needs to keep Monster fraught with suspense. Surprisingly, much of the volume fails to shake up the roles of the characters, as Tenma clings to his moral code and stops to save lives left and right in the midst of his pursuit and Lunge won’t accept a single word in Tenma’s defense. But each scene manages to nudge both detectives closer to the edge, bringing them closer to making more fateful decisions. The real meat of the book is the exclusive focus on Johan’s activities, as opposed to the shards of clues he usually leaves behind. The reader is that much closer not only to understanding Johan but also to discovering the meaning of the title, Monster, and how it applies to more than one character. The sluggish pace prevents an A grade, but there’s enough set in motion to anticipate in further volumes. The art is generally sharp and excels at facial expressions. Johan’s calm, unperturbed façade is utterly creepy, but the real treat is seeing him finally crack. It’s not yet clear what broke through that no other moral appeal could, but hopefully this twist will continue to unfold as the series nears its second half. Interested in writing for MangaLife? We're always looking for talented reviewers and columnists, so drop us a line! Charles Webb Editor-in-Chief, MangaLife.com |
1 September 2010
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