Utopia’s Avenger, Volume 1

Utopia's Avenger, Volume 1

Created by Oh Se-Kwon (TOKYOPOP)
ISBN: 978-1-59816-670-5

This rip-roaring fantasy fight-fest has all the traditional hallmarks of what we westerners consider classic manga – although this is technically a manhwa thriller (i.e. a product of South Korea). In a world where flying bikes and feudal overlords co-exist bounty-hunter Hong Gil-Dong and his acolyte Danu rescue the abducted daughter of a merchant. As they conduct the beautiful Ju Sanghui back to safety they encounter bandits, assassins and monsters, and she realises that there is more to these rough capable men than at first appears.

Can Gil-Dong actually be the legendary fighter who founded and failed to save the fabled kingdom of Yuldo? If his claims are true and he is growing younger with each passing day will he have time to re-establish his kingdom before it’s too late? Or will the mysterious forces stalking him end his quest before he even has the chance?

Fast, furious, beautifully illustrated and untroubled by complexity, this is just plain fun to read. It ends in a cliff-hanger though so if you’re interested best pick up the next volume at the same time…

© 2004 Oh Se-Kwon, DAIWON C. I. Inc. English text © 2006 TOKYOPOP Inc. All Rights Reserved.