Akira Volume 2
Akira Volume 2, by Katsuhiro Otomo, Dark Horse
THIS IS an excellent example of how to collect part-works in comics.
A high class piece of design work opens over a two page spread to give international credits and copyright notices on its left hand side, while the right gives an in depth and precise précis of the story revealed in its first volume (as previously reviewed at COMIC TIME) along with head shot illustrations of all the main characters. It’s welcoming, informative and prepares us for the just under 300 pages of comic story that follows.
The back cover blurb reads like it's Lovercraft’s Cthulu mythos gone cyberpunk, telling us how Tokyo got blown up by a massive outburst of psychokinetic power, and now government officials stand watch lest the being that is Akira wakes from frozen stasis to do so once more, while a youth named Tetsuo thinks he can defeat the titular character at their own game... It certainly catches your attention.
The actual comic book pages bring all the characters from the previous collection back, digging into the characters deeper, extending the depth of the plot, and throwing more twist and turn chase scenes than a truckload of 80s action movie DVDs.
Otomo shows that length should be dictated by what you have to say not commercial constraints: this is a long story for a reason, at least so far, and its pages do not drag.
Sponsored by Target Media.
