GRIMM SPOTLIGHT: MASUMI, from Zenescope Entertainment on 6/7/23, puts the titular demon hunter on the trail of a demonic assassin with a score to settle.
The Details
- Written by: David Wohl
- Art by: Saint Yak
- Colors by: Leonardo Paciarotti
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Jeff Spokes (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: XJune 7, 2023
Is It Good?
Exciting, action-packed, brutal, and thoroughly engaging – GRIMM SPOTLIGHT: MASUMI is all of the above and more. David Wohl delivers one of the better Zenescope Spotlight one-shots in ages, and this comic does exactly what it should do – leave you wanting more.
Wohl’s script centers on Masumi, a demon hunter with mystical swords designed to sniff out demonic activity. When a demon assassin arrives in town to wipe out Yakuza leaders, ignoring the deaths of innocents caught in the crossfire, Masumi steps in to stop the assassin before it acquires a powerful artifact that will ensure an even greater death toll.
This Spotlight is better than most Zenescope offerings for a number of reasons. First, Wohl’s writing is gritty and super tight. New readers get a full introduction to Masumi with little snips of narration, while the action takes place, so this issue makes for an excellent primer to the character, and you get plenty of thrills for your dollar without losing any excitement to lengthy exposition or flashbacks.
Next, the plot works as a complete thriller to demonstrate Masumi’s prowess, but the ending sets up a ready-made conflict for future adventures against a solid antagonist with tons of motivation. Revenge is a powerful motivator for a villain, and revenge denied throws gas on an already-roaring fire, so the ending builds significant anticipation for a follow-up.
Last but not least, Saint Yak’s artwork is phenomenal. This issue deviates significantly from the standard Zenescope house style, but that’s a net positive. Yak’s line work isn’t super clean, but the rough lines add to the grittiness of the action. Also, the lines may be “scratchy,” but Yak’s figure work and facial acting are fantastic. Leonardo Paciarotti’s amazingly detailed coloring takes Yak’s pencils/inks even higher for one of the best-looking Zenescope titles we’ve seen in some time.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a heavily-guarded penthouse in San Francisco. Sato is a high-level figure in the Yakuza, and the guards are protection against a killer reported to be working its way through the crime organization. Today is their last day alive for Sato and his family.
Later, Yakuza leaders assemble in Japantown with their demon bodyguards to discuss the killings and plan the next steps. Suddenly, a half-human/half-demon breaks through the meeting room door and lays waste to the Yakuza leadership inside. Before the last crome boss dies, the assassin demands information about a mystical crown that will allow her to decimate the Yakuza within their headquarters.
Before the assassin can give the final killing stroke, Masumi arrives to stop her. We conclude the issue with a family reunion, a long chase, and the power that comes with spilled blood.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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GRIMM SPOTLIGHT: MASUMI is a fast-paced, action-packed, gritty, crim thriller wrapped in a world of demons and magic. This issue serves as an excellent primer to get to know the titular demon hunter, and the art is some of the best we’ve seen from Zenescope in some time.
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