Ratman Vol. 1 (Manga)
Publisher: Tokyopop
Release date: April 2010
Price: $10.99
Creator: INUI Sekihiko
Format: 208 pgs.
ISBN: 9-781-42781-745-7
Age Rating: 16+
ICv2 Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 5
Ratman is that rarest of birds--an actual superhero manga. The story takes place in a world where technology has advanced to the point where superhuman abilities can be granted, albeit with difficulty and cost. One natural offshoot is the idea of heroes with corporate sponsorship, and those heroes become spokesmodels as well as crimefighters.
Shuto is a superhero fan. He really wants to be a superhero when he grows up... and at under five feet tall, that will take some growing. A bizarre adventure ensues as he stumbles across a villain’s evil minions who are... feeding kittens? Things take a turn for the strange as Shuto falls victim to an evil plot, or does he? Nothing is guaranteed to be what it seems. Think of a superhero origin as seen through a funhouse mirror, and it will give you some idea.
The artwork is good, and the evil minions are truly inspired comic relief, rather like slightly-evil mimes. The dialogue is over the top in just the right places with lines like “Welcome to the abyss... a crevasse at the bottom of reality…” Blended with the humor is the idea that there might really be issues of good and evil being fought over, with commercialism confusing the battle.
For older teens, mostly due to partial nudity, along with a bit of violence and fanservice.
--Nick Smith: Librarian Technician, Community Services, for the
