Legends of the Pierced Veil: The Mask of Fudo

The Mask of Fudo #1-4

by Saverio Tenuta

Mythical tales of bloodshed set in a Feudal Japan that runs rampant with spirits both demonic & heroic fighting for the fate of their world, from acclaimed creator Saverio Tenuta.

3 VOLUMES RELEASED - INDEPENDENT STORIES.

At the dawn of time, the nature spirits called Kami created the Kamigakushi, a magical veil that hid them from the impure eyes of man. Now that veil has been pierced, and the human and spirit worlds will never be the same...

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2023

About the author

Dopo aver conseguito il diploma all'accademia di Belle Arti di Roma in pittura, iniziò a lavorare come grafico pubblicitario e incisore. Esordì come autore di fumetti nel 1992, collaborando con diversi editori, fra i quali Cierre per Arthur King, Casa Editrice Universo per Intrepido, RCS, Phoenix e altri. Con Phoenix pubblicò Cold Graze - risvegli di ghiaccio e Gli Incubi tecnologici di Saverio Tenuta. Lavorò anche negli Stati Uniti con Dolls per la Sirius, su testi di Lorenzo Bartoli, pubblicato successivamente anche in Italia, tratto dal libro Bambole edito da Fanucci. Collaborò poi anche con la Event Comics. Dal 2003 lavorò sia per il mercato italiano (ad esempio con uno speciale di Morrigan) che USA, per la DC Comics e con la rivista Heavy Metal. Nel 2006 iniziò la collaborazione con l'editore francese Les Homanoïdes Associés, per il quale pubblicò La Légende des Nuées Écarlates, in quattro volumi, e che verrà poi tradotta in italiano (La leggenda delle nubi scarlatte), in tedesco, in spagnolo e in inglese. Nel 2007 una sua storia venne pubblicata sulla rivista giapponese Mandala, edita da Kōdansha. Nel 1995 iniziò a insegnare fumetto e tecniche di disegno in scuole di settore e nel 2010 costituì il Daishō Studio, un atelier dove seguì i suoi allievi e sviluppò nuovi progetti di fumetto e illustrazione.

Reviews

[Tawfek · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Mask of Fudo came out today)

What we are is our deepest secret, concealed behind a face we dare not look at...For fear we may discover that our mask does not exist.

I have received a copy of this Graphic novel ARC, in exchange for an honest review, Eternally grateful for Saverio and Humanoids for the pleasure of reading More Legends of the pierced veil.


This Graphic novel will come out 19 September it presents us with even more Supernatural tales, from the kingdom of the rising sun, The Writer comes up with these, as per Izuna, You can't really track what's really part of the mythology and what's not, but i would take this over the real thing anytime, of any century!
If you don't like Stories that use flashback a lot this is not for you, luckily i don't have that issue, when it's used as beautiful as it was here, While this shares the Name Legends of the Pierced veil, As Izuna, the two stories are not tied by any character or by any event, you don't need to read Izuna before or after this, But read it anyway it's beautiful!

Things taste better when we eat them from something beautiful we've made with our hands.

Saverio WOW, and what a pleasant surprise this was, It should be illegal to be this talented, i saw first hand in Izuna, what a talented writer Saverio was, i made Izuna join my all time favorites shelf, But here we are introduced to his talent as an artist, and boy oh boy, he is good, as good as Carlita in Izuna.


Shinobi and Samurai all day, This is a tale about a mask possessed by a god, and what it will eventually turn a man into, can he remain pure despite the evil supernatural mask, can he resist the allure of power? Will he lose himself or will he prevail?

She would only marry a man whose face expressed sincerity, kindness, altruism, and the noblest of virtues

Good luck with that i am not holding my breath...


I want Kaida to kill me, her flying in the air, with these long beautiful legs, and kicking me in the head, that's the way to go, she is obviously crazy, but cute crazy, not i ll kill you while spouting nonsense about Mr. J crazy.
Also u didn't just read that, it's an illusion.
And if you think i am crazy, you are probably right, but i ll deny.

Saverio is one of the living gods of storytelling, with words, and art to contend with all others, Please Write Legends of the Pierced Veil forever!

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great graphic novel!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are in the Shōgun era of Japan. The plot idea is pretty simple… at first. The sister of the MC is taken, the MC embarks on a lifelong quest of violence and revenge to find her. His story is told in two timelines, from the taking of his sister to the final conflict.

The present: The Shōgun is getting married. The town is preparing to celebrate, when a group of four suspicious shinobi (ninja) show up, invited by the Shōgun to his nuptials. But one of them, Nobu Fudo, is here for revenge.

The timeline of the past gives us the backstory of Nobu Fudo‘s youth, how he came by his mask and his thirst for revenge.

The metamorphosis of Shinnosuke into Master Fudo is quite heart breaking. The last third of this was very gory and a bit too chaotic for my taste. The final twist was a surprise though. Didn’t see that one coming.

Ultimately I liked this, the art work was very good. However, the excessive violence of last third took away from my enjoyment, it was a bit too much.

Content warning: violence, blood, gore, dismemberment.

3.5/5 — 🥷🥷🥷½

[Senga krew_w_piach · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Maska Fudo” to prequel innej serii komiksowej włoskiego rysownika Saverio Tenuty „Legendy o szkarłatnych obłokach”, opowiadający o losach jednego z jej bohaterów. Polska edycja zawiera kompletną opowieść o Nobu Fudo, pierwotnie składającą się z 4 odrębnych zeszytów.
To opowieść o młodym chłopcu Shinnosuke, przedstawicielu najniższej japońskiej kasty Hinnów, który marzy o zostaniu samurajem, co z jego urodzeniem jest niemożliwe. Pewnego dnia znajduje tajemniczą maskę, która założona na twarz daje mu nadludzkie siły. Jednak nic nie jest za darmo, maska karmiona nienawiścią powoli odbiera bohaterowi ludzkie oblicze i zamienia go w demona. A powodów do nienawiści ma wiele, bo spotyka go strata, z którą nie umie się pogodzić. Ostatecznie okazuje się, że nic w jego życiu nie dzieje się przypadkiem, a przeistoczenie w Nobu Fudo ma coś wspólnego z pradawną przepowiednią i jest częścią większego planu.
Historia jest oparta na popularnym motywie - niewinny bohater, który przegrywa walkę wewnętrzną z ciemnymi mocami - Shinnosuke mógłby być Darthem Vaderem. Ale Saverio Tenuta umieścił ją w ciekawym uniwersum japońskiego fantasy mocno opartego na wierzeniach i tradycjach dawnego Cesarstwa Kwitnącej Wiśni. Fabuła nie jest linearna, zmiany planów czasowych początkowo mogą konfundować, ale szybko zaczynamy orientować się w kolejności zdarzeń. Jest brutalnie, momentami mocno gore, krew się leje wodospadem, ale są też chwile wypełnione emocjami, momentami nawet czułe. Tym, co świadczy o sile tego komiksu przede wszystkim jest warstwa graficzna. Rysunki są zachwycające, dynamiczne, piękne kolory, wszystko zmienia się w zależności od rodzaju scen i sposobu opowiadania historii. Majstersztyk!
„Maska Fudo” to pierwszy komiks Tenuty, który czytałam, na szczęście w bibliotece są też pozostałe opowieści z tego świata, z przyjemnością sięgnę po nie wszystkie. Solidna rozrywka.

[Christa (The Book Trope) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legends of the Pierced Veil: The Mask of Fudo is a visual feast that transcends the boundaries of traditional graphic novels. The illustrations in this book are nothing short of spectacular, breathing life into the gruesome and visceral narrative with each meticulously crafted panel. Tenuta's ability to capture the essence of the story through his artwork is remarkable, and the attention to detail immerses readers in a world that's both haunting and beautiful, making it an unforgettable visual experience.

While the artistry of "The Mask of Fudo" is undeniably its standout feature, some readers might find themselves occasionally disoriented by the alternating timelines within the story. The narrative shifts between different points in time, which can be a bit challenging to follow. However, despite this minor drawback, the overall experience is still highly enjoyable. If you're a fan of graphic novels that push the boundaries of storytelling through exceptional artwork and mythical tales of bloodshed set in a Feudal Japan, then Legends of the Pierced Veil: The Mask of Fudo is a must-read that offers a captivating blend of the macabre and the mesmerizing.

Thank you to Humanoids, Inc. and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in return for a review.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a brilliant graphic novel. Set in feudal Japan, it tells the story of the warrior Nobu Fudo who wears a mask. As a poor child when his sister is attacked he puts on the magical mask which he finds and he becomes a vengeful warrior, but unbeknownst to him greater forces are at work and as he hunts for his sister he unwittingly fights against dark powers that threaten Japan, including the dark powers wielded by his own mother.

The storytelling is pure excellence and very gripping. At times I wasn’t sure what was happening but as the story unfolded I was gripped by the battles, the spirits, the powers and the twists and turns of the story. It had a very satisfying ending which drew all the strands of the story together.

The artwork is phenomenal. Another excellent graphic novel from the publishers, Humanoids. This should be made into a film. It is just that excellent!

Copy provided by publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[KaWoodtiereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I requested an ebook copy of this graphic novel from Netgalley because the art looked amazing. This was an entertaining story of a boy who finds a mask and becomes a strong samurai in exchange for his soul. I enjoyed the story yet was sometimes confused as it moves back and forth in time and rushes to describe politics and ancient prophecy that I am not familiar with. The artwork is gorgeous and does a great job of carrying the story forward, so I didn't get lost. I don't know if the author will create more for this character, but I am intrigued by Shinnosuke and his future, especially after such an abrupt yet revelatory ending.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley. This does not influence my opinion.

This graphic novel was very interesting and fast-paced. While the different timelines may confuse some readers, I found all storylines easy to follow.
Sadly, it was hard to connect to the characters or emphasize with them. Also, the women in this book, while smart and scheming and often very capable, were almost exclusively used as plot devices to further the MCs story and character development.
The art style was very fitting and detailed though, I enjoyed it.
All in all not a bad read, but also not completely convincing.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this graphic novel we follow a young boy named Shinnosuke as he goes on a quest for revenge. After his sister is attacked and taken, Shinnosuke vows to get her back and exact his revenge on the people that took her. He uses the power of a mysterious mask to defeat his enemies as he searches for his sister. Over the course of the book we see Shinnosuke transform into a fearsome warrior called Nobu Fudo. Will he be able to find his sister and exact his revenge?

This book was very good. I love anything about Feudal Japan so this was right up my alley. The artwork however, was some of the best that I've seen in a graphic novel. It blew me away.

[Krystian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prequel "Legendy o Szkarłatnych Obłokach" i kolejna obok "Izuna" historia w tym uniwersum. Przepięknie narysowana, niesamowita opowieść z pogranicza japońskiej fantastyki i baśni. Lektura niełatwa bo wymagająca skupienia i za drugim razem czyta się łatwiej. Dzięki niej łatwiej też czyta się "Legendę o Szkarłatnych Obłokach", choć ta powstała przed "Maską Fudo". Dla osób lubiących te klimaty pozycja obowiązkowa. Polskie wydanie dzięki wydawnictwu Lost in Time to klasa sama w sobie i warte ceny.

[Emir · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a decent and interesting story. A bit hard to follow at times but overall good. A quick read.

[V.M. Sawh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Humanoids, Inc for advanced copy of this graphic novel set in feudal Japan featuring creatures of myth and legends, along with an evil far older than man, in this tale of revenge.

There was a time in Japan when demons and mythical creatures traversed the landscapes, causing mischief for some, pain for others, and lots of violence and death. Cursed objects were the bane of many an innocent person, a gift that turns dark and evil corrupting sometimes so slowly that one is unaware of the changes, until it is too late and blood has been drawn. Legends of the Pierced Veil: The Mask of Fudo is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel written and illustrated by Italian artist Saverio Tenuta, and is a tale of blood, revenge, and lots more blood set in same world as the Izuma and The Scarlet Blades.

Shinnosuke is eldest son of a poor but proud family, elder brother to a sister who he loves immensely. While trekking in the mountains Shinnosuke comes across a battle or massacre, Shinnosuke is not sure which, when he finds a mask that looks slightly broken, in the ruins,a pale mask that seems to draw him to it. Returning home he finds that his sister is being assaulted by the son of a local lord, who claims everything including its people as his. Shinnosuke dons the mask, and fights off the assailants, claiming to be an Oni, a Japanese demon and taking the nose of the lord's son off in the process. Shinnosuke's sister is not fooled by the mask and knows it is him, something they try to hide. The mask is giving Shinnosuke skills he should not have, skills that are a little bit more than man. However actions have consequences and soon Shinnosuke will have to follow the path of vengeance, changing his name to Nobu Fudu, and hiding behind his mask and his swift and terrible sword.

The art in this is really wonderful. Crisp images, the characters move gracefully, creatures designs really stand out, and shine. Also the violence is really well done, with panels loaded with kinetic energy and blood, and fire. The story is ok. Nothing is bad about it, it just seems familiar, with some dialogue that might be suffering from translation problems in its clunkiness. Familiarity with the story will help a lot in the enjoyment, otherwise there might be a few sections where some readers might be confused. The art though does hide a lot of this.

Recommended for manga and anime fans, of course and for fans of Izuma and The Scarlet Blades. And for people who really like Japanese style stories with beautiful art.

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gorgeously rendered tale of bloody revenge told over four arcs. Shinnosuke is a proud but poor young man who rescues his sister from an assault by the son of a prominent merchant lord. Though the man he faces is a trained samurai, Shinnosuke is aided by a mysterious mask that imbues him with supernatural powers and fighting abilities. Disfiguring the lord's son, Shinnosuke hopes that the lesson has been learnt and that his sister will be safe. But the lord doesn't take kindly to this, and forcibly takes Shinnosuke's sister away leaving him no choice but to reclaim his sister by force. Things don't go smoothly and Shinnosuke spends a significant portion of his early adult life hunting down those who have wronged him. The mystery of the mask itself is the center of the story, with Shinnosuke's own path of vengeance paralleling the original owner, a feared warrior known as Nobu Fudo.

Though the story is rather generic and drags in the back half, the artwork was workth savoring throughout. Saverio Tenuta's magnificent compositions and epic scale make for an entertaining time, with some nice variety in set pieces and such. The story may be a fair bit forgettable, but the artwork alone might make this worth it for some readers.

[Czterysta Czterdzieścicztery · Rating 2 out of 5]

Z jednej strony rysunki Tenuty tworzą świetny klimat opowieści (szczególnie kolorystyką), z drugiej strony to taki rodzaj opowieści który albo się pokocha, albo wzruszy ramionami. Niestety, ja wzruszam ramionami. Są tu elementy które bardzo lubię: feudalna Japonia, połączenie historii z fantasy, shinobi, trochę inspirowanych mitologią stworów. Natomiast niestety wszystko razem się tu nie klei, a motywacje bohaterów często nie są zbyt przekonujące.

Scenariusz: *
Rysunki: ****

[Misa · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was amazing, I just could not put it down. A great Japanese inspired graphic novel, I've already read "Legends of the Pierced Veil: Izuna"in the same world and I still have to read "Legend of the Scarlet Blades". I love the art style of Saverio Tenuta which is sad that we won't have more of his work in the future.

[Andrei · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I liked: I knew of Fudo as an antagonist from another volume in the series, but this really adds more depth to the character. It's a really tragic story, and despite his violent nature, the book manages to make you feel a little sorry for him. The art is absolutely breathtaking, can't get enough of it.

What I didn't like: The writing can be a bit meandering at times.

Overall conclusion: Wonderful picture of a feudal Japan including more mythical aspects of it. This is loosely connected to the Scarlet Blades book from the same series (which I had already read), but can easily be read and understood on its own. Even if someone doesn't like the story as much as I did, the art alone is more than enough to justify a read-through.