Parasyte #9

Rating:
Summary: Things are getting interesting...
Review: It has to be said you can't just pick this series in the middle. It's like picking up a Stephen King novel dead center and missing all the character build up. It's worth reading just to watch Shin evolve and wonder at all the pain and loss he endures. Read the other 8 if you haven't already, because this isn't an American comic. This is some of the best manga writing I've read in a LONG time. It's about survival of the fittest, evolution at its strangest, what makes us human, and why that's a good thing. It does it without being preachy or asinine, which I love even more. This is the stuff that makes you THINK.

ANYWAY:
With the death of Kana, Shin finds strength in his resolution to kill Parasytes. The chink in his armor, as ever, is Tamara Rockford, the inquisitive Parasyte. She is the one Parasyte who questions the Parasyte origins and tries to figure out how the are meant to survive.

But Tamara has given birth to a human baby, and she is stricken with "feelings" she cannot identify herself. In #9, Tamara and Shin have a final showdown, and there is inner squabbling amongst the Parasytes. Sara, constantly worried for Shin, sees a side of him she hadn't seen before, and the police recognize him as the "friend" who helped the Private Detective.

This is purposely vague on my part, since I think it is the fine details of this manga that keep me glued to it. I've read this manga since its original debut in "TokyoPop" magazine, and I just can't get enough of it, despite the so-so drawing style.
READ IT! It's WORTH it!

Rating:
Summary: The Climax?
Review: Things begin to move fast as we near the end of the Parasyte manga by Hitosi Iwaaki. By this time, I highly suggest you read these books over a few times in order to understand everything. I guarantee that if you haven't read the preceeding volume (which I personally haven't) you will be very confused for a while. But on to the specifics... (spoiler alert!!)

Shin comes to a crossroads where he finally faces Tamara Rockford for what may be the last time. He, Sarah, Tamara, and Inspector Hirama all gather at a park.... that is, at the end of the book. Before that we must cover an interesting but somewhat unnecessary fight between Tamara and a few Parasytes, while Kuramori writes up a report on the Parasytes and Sarah follows Shin. We're treated to a few pictures of Shin as a kid as Tamara checks into Shin's house when he's away, and Shin struggles with himself again, although not as bad this time. My personal favorite part is when....well, I don't want to spoil it for you than I already have.

All in all, it's a pretty good volume, but not as good as some earlier ones such as volume 3.