Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Vol. 1

Rating:
Summary: The very best kung fu comics in the market......
Review: "CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON VOL. 1-4" TPs by Andy Seto. Superior..., a pillar in kung fu comicbook series dramatization. Superbly executed with customary attention to period detail & cinematic plenitude of point of view. This hubris of a series are all incontrovertibly delectable to relish, & positively, an approbatory title to embark your kung fu readership.

This swooning, grandeur of a graphic novel was rudimentarily extracted from the long-deceased author Wang Du Lu original wuxia prose novel. Still and all, fancying to tender the imprint for the turning contemporary, comes this reconstructed rendering via a comicbook format, re-interpreted & drawn both by Andy Seto. Wang Du Lu (1909-1977), a celebrious Hong Kong wuxia(kung fu) novelists, his "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" was considered by many his crest of a tour de force. In fact, this toiler was basally gathered from a sequence of five books collectively known as "Crane-Iron pentalogy". Crouching tiger.... was based on the fourth book of this pentalogy.

As much as I could as to construe Andy Seto's words with fitting deferrence, from his missive which is included inside the books. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon vol. 1-4 compose the maiden & the very first storyarc, & more importantly, was stylized-- analogous to a cinematic flick. The skeletal framework of this arc was hammered as follow. Vol. 1 is begin; vol. 2 is continue; vol. 3 is change; & vol. 4 is conclude.

Venting my one cent or two with a succint synopsis & a lenghty critique. This arc is purposively a character study exposition more than a plot-centric aim, so to speak. Yet this arc was filled with layers and layers of sub-plots, still it is extremely easy to read. The central plot is about a one-of-a-kind sword names the green destiny, it was thieved, & the owner employing every plausible means, leaving no stones unturn, to single-mindedly retrieve this precious sword back to his possession.

The two protagonist-- Li Mu Bai & Yu Shu Lien, are verily engaging characters to follow. The twosome are virtuous, heroic & loyal, yet subtly distant in respect to each other individuality. They are 2 of the best characters I love I ever came across in comics. Also, else supporting casts merit mentioning about are Grand Yu (father of Shu Lien), Golden Spear Cheung (main villain), & Little Lubu (anti-hero).

Though, it plows strongly towards to narrative dramatization & to characterization bent, rather than transfixing on the ancillary gait--- which is the frenetic, rapid-fire, customary Chinese kung fu tableau. Yet this title is absolutely not wanting in actions, it is loaded actually. Vol. 1 & 2 partial more to the soap opera-like recounting & characterization spotlight, while vol. 3 & 4 bend towards to frenzied kung fu.

A forewarning, as much as it differ my taste from other people's--- a sprinkling & sundry comic aficionados may ought to be put off by the book Asian & Chinese flavors. Otherwise, a must read series.

The artwork came out as beauteous as humanly can be, yet one considerable fault is transparent. Andy Seto lacks a general knowledge of laying out exact kung fu fights, such as the basic stances, movements, sequence, etc. He hinges massively as a form of compensation to the familiar speed lines & elegant art. An immense a fault as it is, it still an obligatory reading for lovers of wuxia. Somehow, with oodles of good things in concern to his art on his side, he manages to atone himself, as he intended it to be.

For those who look to agree with my mind. Another wuxia title "the Legendary Couple" TP by Tony Wong, composes a series of graphic novel volumes & also underlies the placid dramatization & exciting kung fu just like this title. Yet unlike in one way, that the author/artist Tony Wong renders the kung fu better & the art is as pretty as this one.

MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful.. Delicate work¿
Review: Beautiful.. Delicate work...

In what I hope is going to be a long run of books, Andy Seto takes Wang Du Lu's classic martial arts series "The Iron/Crane Pentalogy" and transfers them into some beautiful Chinese manga.

If you ever wondered what happened before and after the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" this will be the series to watch.

Up until now Wang Du Lu's books have never been translated into English. Seto does an excellent job with the translation and captures the look, romance and spirit of the film with his outstanding delicate art.

This is a MUST buy for anyone who loved Crouching Tiger and would like to know more about the characters and story.

Excellent read. Flawless art.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful artwork and an interesting story
Review: Contrary to what most people seem to think, this comic is not based on the movie of the same name. The movie was based on the fourth in a series of five novels by Wang Du Lu. The comic begins with by adapting book three and, if I've heard correctly, will adapt all the way through book five.
Anyway, the comic itself is definitely a sight to behold. There is so much detail and the art is so fluid and the colors are so vivid it just demands a second read to take everything in. The story is very interesting, beginning with two thieves attempting to steal the Green Destiny (a sword with great power) which of course results in some truly beautiful fight sequences. The pacing is perfect. It never seems rushed or too slow. Once you sit down and start reading, you won't stop until it's finished. And that leads me to my only complaint: it's too short, especially for the price. Though it is a very entertaining read and the production values seem to be pretty high (it is in full color) the story itself is only about 80 pages long, and those 80 pages go by really fast. I finished it in only about 20 minutes, maybe less.
Overall, an excellent and entertaining graphic novel. I'm highy anticipating the next volume.

Rating:
Summary: Great Gag Gift
Review: If you have friend who's a Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fanatic, manga/comic book lover, this would be a great gag gift. Page after page of hilariously bad dialogue. Spitting out horrible line after horrible line. The drawing isn't the greatest either. the characters have huge foreheads and bodies sometimes out of proportion. If nothing else, the only redeeming quality about this horrible exploitation of a movie franchise, is the main male character proclaims something along the lines of: 'She is sixteen, She is Perfect!'

Rating:
Summary: If only I could give a zero
Review: The translation was melodramatic at best. The cultural note stating that an ancient chinese coin was worth about $1.40 was painful. My question was: "Is that in Ancient American Dollars?"
The artwork was good, but could not compensate for the piss poor narration and atrocious dialogue. I did not find the action to be particularly imaginative.

Rating:
Summary: beautiful graphic novel: chinese flavor
Review: This book is the first of four books comprises the first story-arc.This book largely, about introductions to the main protagonists.The first part of the book delves to the character Yu Shu Lien, the female protagonist ,introducing us to her upbringings,her parents,& her background, etc. The later chapter of the book, introduces us to the male protagonist who is the main character lead ,named Li Mu Bai.

The book is simple to read and generally, easy to follow even though the story tells a lot of backgrounds pertaining to chinese cultures and heritage. To the non-chinese, you might get confused initially, because of unfamiliarity to chinese ways of life.I assume , as your reading progresses the book will prove to be ultimately, easy to understand and an enjoyable read.Also, though action-oriented on its genre,it tries to be subdue,in regards to the whole book as opposes to have mere subdue moments, by trying to put a lot of solemn and talky moments.This first volume more or less introduces us & deliberately explores the main protagonist characters.Andy Seto, the writer/artist of the series should be commended. The book is apparently, meticulously researched ,for example such as the characters ways of life during that era, the story setting, etc.,as the book is well-crafted as evidently manifested primarily on Andy Seto excellent artwork technically on his line work,the vast amount of details, and his eye-pleasing layouts.

Overall, this book is a good buy.Highly recommended. It still resonates in the back of my mind after reading it, but be caution,again, this book may not be appreciated by a non-chinese or a non-asian.

By the way, to avoid confusion, this review Im referring about is for "Crouching tiger,hidden dragon vol. 1" GN. The one whose cover is a man(Li Mu Bai) and a woman(Yu Shu Lien) standing side-by-side with their back against each other. The 1 (vol.1) is indicated on the above left hand-corner, near Li Mu Bai's face.

Rating:
Summary: Top of the list of best movie-based graphic novels.
Review: This is a stunning example of Andy Soto's dedication to both his art and the material. The result is profound, inspiring and a delight to read.

Mr. Soto excels under the pressure from meeting the Author's wife to research the book. This dynamic approach to interpreting the material provides a fresh story. Soto's illustrations create an intricate level of character design and rendering.

This is only book one. I greatly anticipate book two, but worry that this isn't being marketed to the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon movie fans.