Copyright Date:
2023
Edition Date:
2023
Release Date:
07/25/23
Illustrator:
Draper-Ivey, Nikolas,
Pages:
199 pages
ISBN:
1-427-87329-1
ISBN 13:
978-1-427-87329-3
Dewey:
Fic
Dimensions:
19 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
Publishers Weekly
(Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
Pro basketball player and Noir Caesar founder O’Bryant teams up with comics newcomer McIntosh and Draper-Ivey (Static: Shadows of Dakota) for a layered coming-of-age martial arts drama, the first title from Bryant’s BIPOC manga imprint. In 2069 New York City, 15-year-old Darius Smith, a creative teen who loves to draw, struggles to survive in a metropolis packed with gangs. Video of him standing up to bullies goes viral, leading to a once in a lifetime opportunity: meeting Mustafa, owner of one of the most successful XOGenaSYS teams in the country. The cruel gladiatorial sport comes complete with tricked-out future-tech suits that enhance the wearer’s fighting capabilities. Playing with familiar but effective tropes, the story follows Darius as he reluctantly enters the arena, forced to fight to protect and provide for his mother and sister, and prodded by the memory of his deceased father, who told him to look after his family. Draper-Ivey’s artwork gears toward gritty black-and-white with striking action scenes. It’s a slow burn, but readers will easily root for the underdog protagonist as he battles his way out of poverty. Fans of shonen manga will line up for the next volume. (July)
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Publishers Weekly
(Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
The future has grown into a decadent, overcrowded gang-ridden cesspool. If you're not living uptown, you might as well be dead. Such is the case of Darius Smith, an artistic youth living in the hood, doing his best to avoid trouble and live life. Unfortunately, Darius has a hidden talent -- he's an explosive fighter! This makes him the target of several gangs and pits him in many brawls, landing him in the sight of the honorable Timothy Mustafa, a powerful prince. XOGENASYS is a successful gladiator sport fought with powered exoskeletons, and as the owner of one of the most successful teams in the country, Mustafa wants Darius to become his newest fighter. Can Darius become the next champion? Or will he fall like so many before him? "This is an underdog tale, and one that is effectively told; it feels reminiscent of a sports biopic with narrative. Something about the execution of this story feels raw and relatable. It might be the expressiveness in the art, or the way the dialogue matches how real people speak to each other. Regardless, XOGENASYS Volume 1 is a rousingly successful debut for Noir Caesar-I am fully invested for the ride and eagerly awaiting more." -- Marion Pena, The Comics Beat "Draper-Ivey's artwork gears toward gritty black-and-white with striking action scenes. It's a slow burn, but readers will easily root for the underdog protagonist as he battles his way out of poverty. Fans of shonen manga will line up for the next volume [of XOGENASYS]." -- Publishers Weekly