Jaco the Galactic Patrolman TP
Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Price: $9.99
Creator: Akira Toriyama
Format: 248 pgs., Black & White, 5"x7", Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-4215-6630-6
Age Rating: All Ages
ICv2 Rating: 3.5 Stars out of 5
This odd story is partially a prequel to the Dragon Ball stories. In fact, it explains several things which were not clear in that long-running series. The parts which make that connection are some of the strongest parts of this story.
Jaco is the weakest part of the story, unfortunately, and as the main character this is a problem. He's given tremendous power and weapons by an interstellar peacekeeping force, for no apparent reason, and seems totally inept. That wouldn't be so bad, but he claims to have the power to wipe out all of mankind. He also says he's only used that power once before, and that was by accident. This is not reassuring. Comedy with a potentially high body count is one of those parts of Japanese humor which does not always translate well.
Of course, if Jaco weren't so inept, the entire Dragon Ball story wouldn't have happened, and the Earth would have either been much more peaceful or totally destroyed. It's an interesting toss-up.
The secondary characters are much better. The scientist that Jaco drags out of retirement, as well as a young woman who is the "stunt double" for a famous pop star both turn out to be interesting and likeable characters. Also the Dragon Ball snippets will be a treat for fans of that saga.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.

ICv2 Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)
Posted by ICv2 on February 1, 2015 @ 3:40 am CT

MORE MANGA
Remake of Osamu Tezuka's 'Unico' by Samuel Sattin and Gurihiru
September 20, 2023
The first Graphix manga will be Samuel Sattin and Gurihiru's new version Osamu Tezuka's children’s manga Unico.
Powerful New Competitor for Live Selling Platforms
September 19, 2023
TikTok is adding e-commerce features, bringing its massive user base of over 150 million users in the U.S. to video selling, and competing with Whatnot, NTWRK, and other live selling platforms.
MORE NEWS
For Direct Market Summit at New York Comic Con
September 21, 2023
Digital comic reading and distribution platform GlobalComix has signed to Co-Sponsor the ICv2 Insider Talks: Direct Market Summit, to be held in association with New York Comic Con.
Eisner Winners Concoct a Supernatural Heist Story, 'Underheist'
September 21, 2023
The Eisner-winning couple are back with a new series, Underheist, that puts a supernatural spin on a popular crime genre.