PRIMUS 7 (VOL. 1), from Noir Caesar Comics and TokyoPop on 7/26/23, begins a power-packed tale of vengeance when Silva and Seven train to defeat the man who killed their father.
The Details
- Written by: Corey Mikell, Nic Macari
- Art by: Sebas Riera
- Letters by: Vibrrant Publishing Studio
- Cover art by: Sebas Riera
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $12.72
- Release date: July 26, 2023
Is It Good?
PRIMUS 7 (VOL. 1) is our first exposure to Noir Caesar Comics, distributed through TokyoPop, and we couldn’t be happier with this rock-solid first impression. Corey Mikell and Nic Macari create an otherwordly mix of Manga-inspired heroics and urban grit for a unique reading experience that’s as visually unique as it is entertaining.
Mikell and Macari’s tale centers on two brothers, Seven and Silva Ajamu, who spend years training in hiding under their guardian, Viktor, after their father and leader of a resistance group is killed by the sociopathic Arthur Grove. When Sil and Seven are old enough to stop running and hiding, the net of Arthur’s years-long search to find and destroy the Ajamus forces the brothers to take action on the road to rebellion.
That description likely sounds familiar to regular Manga readers, as it rings true to so many Shonen stories popularized over the years. What sets this story apart is the eclectic collection of allies and enemies the Ajamus encounter in this first volume, characters that resemble (in look and feel) the greatest collection of characters from hard-edged urban crime dramas.
What’s great about this volume? Considering the vast array of characters, island nations, and magical rules to develop, MIkell and Macari lay out a smooth, clear narrative flow to spoonfeed (in a good way) the world-building to the readers to make it easy to get immersed. The characters are distinctive and relatable, the overall plot is clear as crystal, and the rhythm of challenges and cliffhangers hit at just the right spot.
What’s not so great about this issue? As a mild down point, the nature of the conflict and the path the boys are beginning to follow is predictable. “You killed my father, now I’ve trained to come back years later for revenge” is about as standard as it gets. In short, the story has very few surprises, relying on action and aesthetics to keep you interested.
How’s the art? Sebas Riera’s style is very good, giving you memorable character designs and hard-hitting action. That said, Riera’s lines could be cleaner, and the inks could be tighter. “Wiggly” linework can start to look sketchy after a point.
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]
If you read the review above, you’ve already got the gist of the story. Sevar Ajamu leads the Primus resistance group against an oppressive and Sevar’s brother-in-arms, Arthur Grove. During a battle of resistance against the corporation, Arthur kills Sevar, leaving Seven Ajamu as the only witness beside his unconscious brother, Silva.
Years later, Viktor, one of the few surviving members of Primus, keeps watch over and trains the Ajamu brothers until they’re ready to go after Arthur Grove. When Viktor is suspiciously contacted by an old Primus ally, he is betrayed and the hunt for the Ajamu brothers begins in earnest via Arthur Grove’s robot security forces.
We conclude the volume with the mysterious and deadly Geo, a heist, and a god unleashed.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
PRIMUS 7 (VOL. 1) begins a new tale of revenge as two boys are raised and trained in secret to destroy their father’s murderer. The unique blend of Shonen-style Manga action in an Urban aesthetic is intriguing, and the character- and world-building are excellent.
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.