In YUKI VS. PANDA #1, available from Source Point Press on May 26th, 2021, Yuki’s ill-fated visit to a zoo gives birth to a blood feud that comes back to haunt her 10 years later.
The Details
- Written By: Graham Misiurak
- Art By: A.L. Jones
- Colors By: A.L. Jones
- Letters By: A.L. Jones
- Cover Art By: A.L. Jones
- Cover Price: $1.99
- Release Date: May 26, 2021
Was It Good?
It was okay. Really, this is a setup issue to introduce you to the assortment of characters, how they came to be in their respective positions and the background for the conflict. This issue really felt more like an extended prologue.
The art is stylish and very appealing. The colors pop, the lettering is good, and the character renderings have a highly energetic expression to them that’s almost cartoonish but still very appealing.
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Visually, the art is reminiscent of a Pixar film. It’s not CG but the designs and style give off a Pixar vibe.
Check out the art for yourself in our YUKI VS PANDA #1 preview.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
8-year-old Yuki and her Grandpa visit the zoo one day. While Grandpa is distracted wooing a pretty lady nearby, Yuki decides to get up close and personal with the panda cage where a panda cub is resting.
The panda cub takes a swipe at Yuki’s ice cream and Yuki takes a swipe right back. It’s a cute scene (the word “cute” is probably the best way to describe the whole issue), and you get a little anthropomorphic slapstick humor as this little girl and panda cub get into a literal slap fight.
Well, things escalate and get a little heated. Grandpa sees the commotion and hurries over to break up the melee, but not before Yuki bites off a chunk of the cub’s ear.
At this point, you have to make a choice. Do you go along with the silliness and suspension of disbelief over the whole scenario, or do you just go along for the ride? Sometimes it’s okay to not be picky and go along for the ride, so sure, an 8-year-old girl bit off a chunk of a panda cub’s ear, starting a lifelong feud that could end the world.
What works in this issues favor is the fun art. It’s sort of cartoonish but not to Looney Tunes level. There’s a fun charm that makes it work as long as you suspend your disbelief.
Cut to 10 years later and Yuki is entering college with a full mastery of martial arts, courtesy of her Grandpa’s training. We conclude the issue with a news report about a certain zoo resident escaping his cage.
How Does It End?
Grandpa changes his mind twice. Yuki is ready for school. “Not so fast, young lady!”
Final Thoughts
YUKI VS. PANDA #1, is a cute, charming, slightly slapstick introduction to what could be the most bizarre blood feud in history. The art is bright and appealing, and the story is most certainly original with a fun touch of weird.
Score: 8/10
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