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Rated “YA” for “Young Adults 16+”

Since the publication of his novel Vampire Hunter D in 1983, Japanese horror author, Hideyuki Kikuchi has published 16 more novels chronicling the adventures of his monster-killing dhampir (half-human/half-vampire).  A few years ago, Kikuchi and Digital Manga Publishing (DMP) joined to create manga adaptations of the Vampire Hunter D novels.

In late 2007, DMP published the first manga, Vampire Hunter D, Vol. 1, adapted and illustrated by Saiko Takaki.  Vol. 1 introduces “D,” the lone, mysterious vampire hunter, who wanders the post-apocalyptic Earth of the year 12,090 A.D.  In this age, a race of vampires known as the “Nobility” rule, and humans live in fear of them.  Once bitten by a vampire, a human is cursed to become a member of the undead.

Enter D.  He comes to the aid of a young woman named Doris Lang, who has been bitten by the vampire lord, Count Magnus Lee.  D takes up Doris’ cause, determined to deliver her from the cursed fate of becoming the undead and perhaps bringing her salvation.  Standing in D’s way are Count Lee and his daughter, Larmica.  However, the human population also hunts Doris.  Led by Rei Ginsei, a vicious and powerful hunter, and Greco, the mayor’s son, local villagers plot to imprison Doris and her little brother, Dan.  Can D take on some many adversaries?

THE LOWDOWN:  Adapting a book with a cult following into another medium can be a thankless task.  Sometimes, even involving the original creator in the adaptation will not reduce the criticism, skepticism, and concerns of fans.  Digital Manga Publishing and Vampire Hunter D creator Hideyuki Kikuchi made an excellent choice in picking Saiko Takaki, known primarily for his amateur work, to adapt D into manga.

Takaki’s adaptation of the prose into comics is truly a visual experience.  The story is less about the logical progression of a narrative and more about emotions, feelings, impressions, and sensations invoked by the art.  Takaki’s art is wild and untamed – a fierce windstorm of line work that is stylish and quirky.  The inking practically pulsates with life, like blood rushing so obviously beneath a surface.

Takaki leaves no doubt about it; the vampires and creatures that populate this story are like a force of nature, so when they use their power, Takaki reflects this by drawing in a whirlwind of unruly penciling and windswept brushstrokes.  He makes the terrifying beautiful; he even draws his humans as a rustic, hardy lot, for only such mortals could live so near such devastatingly dark forces.

No doubt, there may be Vampire Hunter D purists who can find fault with this manga, but Saiko Takaki’s work here stands in the very small circle of great vampire comics.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of horror comics that have exceptional art (EC’s horror titles of the 1950 and Marvel Comics’ horror titles of the 1970’s) will like this.

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