FIRE!, Volume 1

ファイヤー! (FIRE!) #1-2

by Hideko Mizuno, Drik Sada (Translator)

Pela primeira vez no Ocidente, um clássico absoluto dos mangás shoujo! Contemple a trajetória emocionante de um astro do rock apaixonado pela liberdade!

Estados Unidos, final da década de 1960. Preso injustamente em um reformatório, o jovem Aaron encontra refúgio na música e nas mensagens de liberdade de seu colega delinqüente, Fire Wolf. Após sair de lá e conhecer um grupo de músicos em Detroit, ele decide espalhar a palavra de Wolf pelo mundo, encantando a todos com sua voz e o violão herdado de seu amigo, enquanto alcança o estrelato e estoura nas paradas de sucesso com a banda de rock Fire!

Lançado originalmente entre 1969 e 1971 na revista Seventeen, da editora Shueisha, Fire! logo se destacou entre os mangás shoujo (voltados para o público feminino jovem) de sua época, por seu estilo moderno e contestador. Repleto de mensagens libertadoras, reviravoltas surpreendentes e homenagens a grandes clássicos do rock, foi um dos primeiros quadrinhos japoneses de sucesso a abordar temas como amor e sexo, racismo contra negros, drogas e o movimento hippie, tornando-se uma febre entre adolescentes de todos os gêneros.

Agora, mais de 50 anos depois, os leitores brasileiros enfim poderão se deliciar com este clássico arrebatador, publicado em dois volumes luxuosos pelo selo Drago de mangás, com sobrecapa, miolo colado e costurado em papel pólen bold de alta gramatura e um marcador de páginas exclusivo.

Genres: Manga, Comics

460 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Alex]

This is certainly ground-breaking and at times I've been feeling a strong buyin to Aaron's narrative. I like that nothing is smooth or glossed over here, from his time in Juvey (which is a bit more histrionic than a similar story in Tomorrow's Joe) to his first time meeting women and becoming a rock star, Aaron self-sabotages opportunities and really needs to learn to grow, learn that not every obstacle is overcome by being impassioned about it. As the story progresses his world feels more real even if it's still couched in Mizuno's Fire iconography. Furthermore we get an absolutely crazy moment steeped in black power narratives of the time that I loved, and Aaron tries to refuse to engage with a culture that s**ts on black people. Good stuff.

Whatsmore I love how much Mizuno loves western counterculture rock music and isn't afraid to play around with it. Towards the end Fire outplay an early Fleetwood Mac who disband because of it (a very fun touch seeing as the direction FM ended up going in and the ludicrous fame they ended up with) and there's a backup strip showcasing Pink Floyd. Took me a while to realise that the "Fire" influence was The Doors "Light My Fire" but could also be based on The Crazy World of Arthur brown. There's a band who appear to ape an early Black Sabbath in the incomprehensibility of their vocals and desire to make noise ... but I'm not sure if Black Sabbath existed.

Nevertheless, as good fun as this all is, it's definitely a bit choppy and some parts are more readable and enjoyable than others. When it's not being great it can definitely feel overwrought and the narrative doesn't always flow superbly. Small criticisms maybe but there were stretches where I needed to buy back in ... so we go with 4.5 and not 5*

[Sai Fighter]

Found out that Volume one is actually 17 chapters. And that the other half of the series hasn't been fan-translated yet. I thought the 17 chapters was the whole series and now I am so disappointed because I NEED MORE.

I can not believe this has never been officially licensed. The art is gorgeous. There is so much emotion in every panel. The characters are interesting and it is so easy to care about them. I love Aaron, I wanna watch him grow so much. The plot is so good and all the feelings. I'm honestly overwhelmed. I have no idea how to even process this. Its just. So good. I'll write a proper review later.

[Daniel Santos]

um dos primeiros mangás que li esse ano
achei uma dinâmica lenta, quase devagar mas a ausência de pressa não significa tédio é apenas a autora desenvolvendo a sintonia entre a jornada dos personagens e sua relação com a música
uma novela japonesa se passando nos anos 50 do japão que nos leva a uma viagem muito interessante.