![\"Phantom,](\"http:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/10\/phantom-volume-1.jpg\")
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By Ki-Hoon Lee<\/strong> & Seung-Yup Cho<\/strong> (TOKYOPOP) Sometimes you just feel the need to say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153F**k Art, Let’s Dance\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n Phantom<\/strong> has no overweening redeeming social agenda, no subtle interplay or illuminating subtext. It is, though, an old-fashioned, heavy metal-manga shoot-’em-up, executed with superb aplomb.<\/p>\n Neo Seoul, after the Age of Nations has passed. After the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Meteo Rain\u00e2\u20ac\u009d devastated the world, corporations took over society, wielding absolute executive power in a high tech world built by the lowest bidder. It is efficient, oppressive and dystopic. But the human spirit is never content to be suppressed.<\/p>\n ‘K’ is a cop, a hot-shot mecha-pilot, who drives a robot battle-suit for The City. But when his day-to-day skirmishes with \u00e2\u20ac\u0153terrorists\u00e2\u20ac\u009d open his eyes to the true nature of bosses, he is primed for a moral epiphany. But we’ll never know how he might have reacted, because his superiors chose to cut their losses by \u00e2\u20ac\u0153firing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d him, though not before torturing him and his girlfriend Yura.<\/p>\n Rescued by the Freedom Fighters, Yura is caught in crossfire and terminally injured. After massive surgery, she lives only due to technology. But the life-support tech is expensive and freedom isn’t free.<\/p>\n K might have turned into an idealist and rebel. He’s piloting an AI mecha for the opposition now. But as they’re charging him for Yura’s care, he’s billing them for every mission\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n This is a splendid slice of all-out, high-tech action hokum. It is a cynical, sardonic, high-octane thriller: fast and furious, lightning-paced and wonderfully well drawn. Load up, strap in and gun your fun-throttles. Weak-kneed sissies need not apply. Yeee-Hahh!<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a9 2004 Ki-Hoon Lee, Seung-Yup Cho, and DAIWON C.I. Inc. By Ki-Hoon Lee & Seung-Yup Cho (TOKYOPOP) ISBN: 978-1-59816-770-2 Sometimes you just feel the need to say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153F**k Art, Let’s Dance\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Phantom has no overweening redeeming social agenda, no subtle interplay or illuminating subtext. It is, though, an old-fashioned, heavy metal-manga shoot-’em-up, executed with superb aplomb. Neo Seoul, after the Age of Nations has passed. … <\/p>\n
\nISBN: 978-1-59816-770-2<\/p>\n
\nEnglish text \u00c2\u00a9 2007 TOKYOPOP Inc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"