Better Than the Original: A Review of YI SOON SHIN: FALLEN AVENGER # 1

(Full Disclosure: a complimentary electronic copy was provided for purposes of review. My opinions are my own)

When I had the chance to get in on the ground floor of reviewing the initial Yi Soon Shin miniseries by Onrie Kompan, I was flattered and elated. Not only did I have the chance to read a great story, I often felt more "in the loop" as the series progressed.

To call the follow up Yi Soon Shin: Fallen Avenger a high-octane follow up doesn't do the series justice. It's a very high gear, high stakes story that starts strongly with a great promise of follow-through.

Five years after his initial victory, Shin finds that very little has changed, and that the Japanese are still occupying his native Korea. Both Japanese and Korean leaders regard him with varying levels of suspicion, distrust, and disrespect. The stakes are definitely much higher this time around, and as Fallen Avenger begins, there is an effortless set-up for what will prove to be a great follow-up tale.
By the way, this is a "mature" book in every sense of the word - if this were a movie, it would be rated R. Thankfully, there's a similar sensibility in how the material is presented - yes, there may be 'trailer moments', or scenes which may seem gratuitous, but be assured, they're not. This is definitely not a book for kids, but handles the material in a creative and confident manner.

As in the original series, the main star of Yi Soon Shin: Fallen Avenger is the art of Giovanni Timpano and the coloring work of Adriana De Los Santos. There's a really strong sense of composition, and the art provides an appropriate amount of atmosphere. This art makes Fallen Avenger a series that requires repeated readings - not just to enjoy the story, but to simply take in some gorgeous art.

I have been eagerly anticipating the sequel to Yi Soon Shin, and Fallen Avenger easily delivers on that promise. It's more than just a sequel or a "part two" - it's a solid start to what promises to be a great continuation of an already great series.

A Modern Take on Medieval Times

One of  great things about my escapades at C2E2 was getting to play catchup with Onrie Konpan, who writes Yi Soon Shin: Warrior and Defender. Although I had already bought issue # 3 (which was conveniently gathering dust in the to-be-read pile), I purchased another (which he graciously signed), and promised to write a review once I read it.

And quite frankly, like the previous two issues, it's a well-written, quite enjoyable read.
The centerpiece of issue #3 is a naval battle, and quite frankly, it's one of the better, more action-filled issues that I've read in awhile. (Are you reading this, Mr. Chris Sims? You should be). To the best of my knowledge, there aren't any other comics dealing with a 13th century Korean general fighting off Japanese invaders. And to make a relatively esoteric subject not only come alive, but be rather riveting and impatient for the next issue? Credit goes to Konpan's scripting - yes, it can be a little jarring to read contemporary dialogue in a medieval setting, but after three issues, it becomes much easier to take.

And as always, Giovanni Timpano's art and Adrianna De Los Santos' coloring make this book one of the most pleasant to look at as well. It straddles the line between being overly reverential towards the period and being too modern to break the spell. Kompan's use of actual journal entries from the period actually gets accented by the art - in short, this is one comic that is really worth hunting down and finding.

I also have to say that I want to take back my comments wishing that an independent would pick this up - mostly because, given the franchise-driven nature of modern comics, a tale as unique as this would get watered down. (I can only imagine Dynamite Entertainment thinking this would make some really unusual time travel mashup crossover with the Green Hornet. And I hate myself for typing that last sentence).

By going the strictly indie route, this unique book has a chance to breathe. There's no gimmick, no multiversal crossover, no big events....save for those that have already happened. It's the kind of book that makes me glad I'm a comics fan, and also has me the first in line to buy the trade to see how the story hangs together.

Do whatever you have to in order to buy and read this book. You will definitely thank me for the privilege.