Juror 13
by D.J. Milky
Art by Makoto Nakatsuka
This is our first exploration of a manga not translated from Japanese, but written in English for an English speaking audience. Published by TokyoPop, Juror 13 is a stand-alone book, a complete story in one volume. Writer D.J. Milky has authored several manga-style books for TokyoPop from his homebase in Tokyo.
In the story a struggling insurance claims investigator, Jeremy, finds himself called for jury duty. It doesn't help that his boss is giving him rough time at work, and he can't quite accept that his girlfriend is really through with him. The easy-going guys at the office try to keep Jeremy's spirits up, but they also seem more concerned with their own needs, especially the office playboy, Jake. Jeremy's problems escalate, and it appears his friend Jake may be more than he appears... and does this have anything to do with the unusual look on the courthouse receptionist's face when he showed up for jury-duty?
Juror 13 is rated for OT (Older Teens) mostly because of intense language, and the depth of the story is directed to that level as well. As Jeremy's paranoia mirrors the size of his growing problems, the reader feels the tension that Jeremey does. The unexpected twist at the reveals all, and it is a very satisfying finish.
Reading an American manga was a different experience. In some ways it was nice to have the sound-FX and building names in English, and a Western orientation (L to R), but those interested in Japanese culture and language might feel something is missing.
Juror 13 is a fast read, and is coupled with a 20+ page
preview of another American manga coming out, Riding Shotgun. The artwork isn't particularly unique for this genre, though there are some nice intense scenes near the end. The story relies a lot on a sense of danger and impending doom, and although Nakatsuka's art is very clean, it does deliver in unpredictable layouts that are visually pleasing.
Overall Juror 13 is a good read, but not as deep as some of the titles we have looked at recently. For those just getting into manga, it may be a good place to start. Juror 13 would also be a worthy recommendation for a mature teen interested in manga or comics.
Art by Makoto Nakatsuka
This is our first exploration of a manga not translated from Japanese, but written in English for an English speaking audience. Published by TokyoPop, Juror 13 is a stand-alone book, a complete story in one volume. Writer D.J. Milky has authored several manga-style books for TokyoPop from his homebase in Tokyo.In the story a struggling insurance claims investigator, Jeremy, finds himself called for jury duty. It doesn't help that his boss is giving him rough time at work, and he can't quite accept that his girlfriend is really through with him. The easy-going guys at the office try to keep Jeremy's spirits up, but they also seem more concerned with their own needs, especially the office playboy, Jake. Jeremy's problems escalate, and it appears his friend Jake may be more than he appears... and does this have anything to do with the unusual look on the courthouse receptionist's face when he showed up for jury-duty?
Juror 13 is rated for OT (Older Teens) mostly because of intense language, and the depth of the story is directed to that level as well. As Jeremy's paranoia mirrors the size of his growing problems, the reader feels the tension that Jeremey does. The unexpected twist at the reveals all, and it is a very satisfying finish.Reading an American manga was a different experience. In some ways it was nice to have the sound-FX and building names in English, and a Western orientation (L to R), but those interested in Japanese culture and language might feel something is missing.
Juror 13 is a fast read, and is coupled with a 20+ page
preview of another American manga coming out, Riding Shotgun. The artwork isn't particularly unique for this genre, though there are some nice intense scenes near the end. The story relies a lot on a sense of danger and impending doom, and although Nakatsuka's art is very clean, it does deliver in unpredictable layouts that are visually pleasing.Overall Juror 13 is a good read, but not as deep as some of the titles we have looked at recently. For those just getting into manga, it may be a good place to start. Juror 13 would also be a worthy recommendation for a mature teen interested in manga or comics.
posted by John T at 3:53 PM
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