CENTAURS (VOL. 1), by Ablaze Publishing on 3/13/24, begins a fantasy adventure wherein a powerful centaur named Matsukaze is captured by warring humans.
The Details
- Written by: Ryo Sumiyoshi
- Art by: Ryo Sumiyoshi
- Colors by: Ryo Sumiyoshi
- Letters by: CCCI
- Cover art by: Ryo Sumiyoshi
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $12.99
- Release date: March 13, 2024
Is CENTAURS (VOL. 1) Good?
The story is set in feudal Japan, where humans previously lived in harmony with centaurs, primarily Mountain, Southern, and Field tribes. However, as humans became more powerful, they started enslaving centaurs, using them as weapons of war. Matsukaze, a powerful centaur, is captured, and his son, Gonta, manages to escape. Another enslaved centaur, Kohibari, aids in capturing Matsukaze. However, Kohibari later helps Matsukaze escape, leading to a plan to flee during a festival.
Matsukaze and Kohibari’s escape plan succeeds and they flee into the woods, running for miles before taking the time to rest and consider their next steps. Matsukaze believes his son would seek refuge with extended family near a mountain refuge many days travel from their current location.
The story turns from an escape and chase to a tale of overcoming adversity when the pair of Centaurs encounter poisonous plants, duplicitous hunters, and deadly avalanches. Emotionally, the adversity serves as the catalyst to creating an emotional bond between Kohibari and Matsukaze akin to an older and younger brother or a father and son.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump to the Final Thoughts and Score.
What did we like about CENTAURS (VOL. 1)?
Ryo Sumiyoshi’s world-building is efficiently done, seamlessly integrating centaurs into feudal Japan. The story explores themes of oppression and bonds between characters, particularly the evolving relationship between Matsukaze and Kohibari, which feels natural and organic. The emotional depth and pacing of the story are commendable, making it a compelling read, which is impressive given the volumes size (170+ pages).
What didn’t we like about CENTAURS (VOL. 1)?
There are no major flaws in the story. However, some action panels suffer from unclear choreography, making it challenging to follow the action sequences. The abundance of blur and chaos in certain panels detracts from the clarity of the artwork.
How’s the Art?
Ryo Sumiyoshi’s artwork effectively brings the world of centaurs to life, with detailed designs and expressive characters. The integration of centaurs into the feudal Japanese setting is visually compelling. However, some action panels could benefit from cleaner linework to improve clarity.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
CENTAURS (VOL. 1) offers an emotionally rich story with an interesting concept and excellent world-building. The pacing keeps the narrative engaging, although clarity issues arise in some action sequences. Overall, it’s a solid read that leaves readers eager for more.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.