Orphan Blade

Orphan Blade #1-5

by M. Nicholas Almand, Jake Myler (Illustrations)

Hadashi is a boy with simple dreams... but his life changes when a horrific accident maims his hand! Unable to hold a sword, he's kicked out of his dojo home. But the Orphan Blade is no ordinary sword. When Hadashi comes across the abandoned blade, he finds that not only is he able to wield it - the sword seems to be wielding him! He's not the only one interested in the Orphan Blade, though, and his ownership draws the attention of the Five Fingers of Death - a deadly group of mercenaries who have their own magical and deadly weapons.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult, Horror, Adventure, Comics, Teen

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 26, 2014

Reviews

[Kuroi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I downloaded Orphan Blade with a bunch of other graphic novels on a whim, just because they were available on Netgalley. Plus I've reading a bunch of graphic novels lately, so I thought I'd continue the streak.

Anyway, the book is difficult to rate since I have no idea what it really wants to be. I started off thinking it was middle-grade or aimed at early teens - the writing is simplistic and aiming for dramatic flair. Midway through, it turned into a real gore fest with a ton of body horror thrown in and I decided it must be for older readers. But the plot was unfolding as a typical quest for humanity story, as if the author decided to condense every anime he saw into 200 pages, so I went with middle grade again. But then, the book ended with the lead couple kissing and they were not a boy and a girl. So I was left with a book that wouldn't fit into any slot or suit any reader.



Admittedly, in this day and age, younger children could probably handle a gay couple without blinking and while the reciprocation of the romance came out of nowhere, it was nice to see this kind of subversion. If it was intended for juvenile readers, this is a good way of spreading awareness. But I don't believe anyone under the age of 15 or so could handle those cannibalism scenes without screaming. Even I felt my stomach turn a bit. Just a bit.



The art is whimsical and cutesy. Uncluttered lines yet detailed backgrounds bring the world of Orphan Blade to life. Even the kaiju are rather adorable, and I think that's what makes the violence even more shocking.



I have to note a complaint though: the font is incredibly hard to read. I had to keep zooming in to differentiate letters, which would lead to the art appearing all blurry. I'm guessing it's not going to get any easier in the physical version.

So the verdict would be that this book would make a good read for younger readers, if they don't get freaked out by blood and won't have nightmares about various body parts lying strewn over the floor.

*ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Get this review and more at:

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost 2.5 stars but not quite there. I wanted to like this, I really did. The artwork is fun and playful and reminded me a bit of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Sadly the story did not live up to it's end...

The first thing that hurt this was right at the beginning. The prologue. I could not read it! The font style and size caused my eyes so much pain attempting to read it I just skipped it. So this comic and I were not off to a good start. One I get past that however, it seems to pick up. Playful artwork, expressive characters....I was happily reading along for awhile

Then things get very muddled and violent. Habashi, our main character, gets a short that he uses to defeat monsters and suddenly he is wanted by a deadly assassination team. Now I am a manga fan, as many may know from my other reviews, but this is some far fetched violence even by those standards. I mean, one girl can have body parts removed (including her head) and still be alive and fighting! The children assassins are probably the most twisted and disturbing. I mean, these are young kids (maybe 10 years old) off killing people in a horrible, nightmarish manner while their parents stand by, cheering them on. Crazy!

The setting of this book seems to be more a feudal era of Japan based on artwork, but we have characters of all nationalities. It is honestly an impressive blend in a way yet is seemed more like overkill. I got the feeling it was done to as a stance to the no one can take offense and so the author would not be viewed as potentially prejudice. It just didn't fit to the rest. Same with the very last scene of the book. Suffice to say I didn't see that coming nor did it fit. I felt it was more a statement over anything else. Also the style of speak often did not fit to the time period. I hate seeing modern expressions where they do not belong.

So ultimately I felt this books purpose, age group, time era, era was a jumbled mix. We went from what started to look like a middle grade comic to a violent 'Battle Royale' feeling that is for older teens/adults. So many other things just did not piece together in my mind. So many things went by unexplained properly and I ended up having more questions than answers. The reason it ALMOST gets 2.5 stars (verses only 2 stars) was the artwork. It is well done.

*I was loaned a digital copy of this comic in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy named Hadashi who after getting his hand bitten off by a hungry haikju monster ends up getting kicked out by the karate teacher who took him in as an orphan. When he is taken in by a young ninja boy named Katz and a young woman named Soyako, Hadashi has finally found a new home. It is only when he steals a magical blade known as the Orphan Blade that his adventures truly begin. Will he survive? Read on and find out for yourself.

This was a pretty good read that I had gotten at the dealer's room at MTAC from The Great Escape Comic Store for $7. If you like fantasy action adventure anime graphic novels, be sure to check this book out at your local comic book store and online where graphic novels are sold.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Longtime comics author Marcus "Nick" Almand tragically passed away due to cancer this year but Oni Press has released one of his works, Ophen Blade, a collaboration with Jake Myler. The story is a feudal type fantasy with a Japanese manga and culture-influenced feel. The book is bright and colorful, easy to follow, and features a young anti-hero protagonist.

Story: Sorcerers have unleashed monsters, Kaijuu, from another dimension. They are nearly indestructible - it is only until one of the last remaining sorcerers figures out a way to create weapons based from their bones that humanity has a chance to fight back. But once the creatures are gone, what is to stop the humans from using these devastating weapons on each other? Young Hadashi works at a dojo learning sword art. He is irresponsible, irrepressible, and a challenge to his Sensei. But that fecklessness causes an accident in which he loses all but two fingers on one hand. Thrown out of the dojo, he is trying to survive when he finds a strange blade. It molds itself to him and seems to have a will of its own - a Kaiju will.

The book has a colorful set of characters and weapons. Reminiscent of Kubo Tite's Bleach manga, each of the weapons has its own personality, strengths, and ever debilitating drawbacks. It was fun to see all the different Kaiju weapons as well as the different Kaiju themselves. The book has an exuberance of spirit and personality that comes through in every page.

Some of the issues I had with the title is the uneveness of the story and tone as well as a fairly unlikeable hero that everyone adores inexplicably. As well, in this first volume, several important points were never really explained, just dumped out there and then abandoned. That lack of coherency, as well as the somewhat middle grade story and art sprinkled with very adult situations. I would love to have shared this with my 12 year old daughter but there were scenes in there that precluded that - despite the tone feeling so much like a middle school adventure.

So although a mixed bag for me, I did enjoy reading it and give it a 3.5 star rating.

Reviewed from an ARC.

[Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving Orphan Blade by M Nicholas Almand four stars but don't be fooled, there is room for a lot of improvement in this book. The artwork is not consistent and may have been better served as a Manga styled novel and the characters themselves could have better served with a stronger back story. But as a beginning to a series this one is very strong right out of the gate.

Sorcerers and Holy men believing they had the power to reach the heavens instead open a portal into another dimension from which flooded monstrosities that would be called the Kaiju. The Kaiju set upon destroying all the cities until one day a dead Kaiju is found and from its remains weapons are forged to battle the remaining monsters until finally all were destroyed.

Time passes and a young orphan student named Hadashi is learning the art of fighting. But Hadashi is a poor student and given to long lapses of daydreaming. It is in one of these moments that he becomes a thief and in a tragic attack loses three fingers from his right hand. Here he is turned out and must become a thief to survive.

Hadashi is commissioned to secure a particular fish and in doing so comes upon the forgotten weapon made from the remains of the Kaiju; the Orphan Blade. He also comes to the attention of Lord Chigiri and his band of assassins knows as the Five Fingers of death.

Hadashi must find a way to control the Orphan Blade and save himself and his friends from Lord Chigiri and the Five Fingers of Death. But yet there is a bigger danger, for the Orphan Blade and all weapons made from the remains of the Kaiju call to one another. They call to be reborn.

The story, would it continue and be detailed out is a very good one and the growth of Hadashi from foolish boy into young warrior is done very well as well as the relationships between himself and his young friends. Unfortunately with the passing of M Nicholas Almand this may never be realized in its true form.

On its own though, the Orphan Blade is a very good read.

[Darcy Roar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird little book. The art is nice and vibrant, especially the sections in the blighted areas, but the plot is all over the place. Like the opening is about a Kaiju (which sounds way more interesting honestly) Then we jump to students in a dojo where the master is drunk all the time for about 20 pages. Then we do thief stuff, then bounty hunters show up, and it's all a big mess. The character's relationships are all donked up to, character change sides for seemingly no reason and I think 2 of the main character kiss at the end with no warning or lead up. Overall, quite Meh.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really turned off by the amount of swearing in this kids graphic novel. Also, the plot felt a bit disjointed.

[Gryphon · Rating 2 out of 5]

It just fell kind of flat for me. Nothing particularly spectacular about it.

[Devon Munn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought this would be a book targeted towards a younger demographic but the surprising amount of violence definitely showed that this was meant for an older audience.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

All right. Author back story: Almand passed away, but his comic was published and released. That in itself is a great accomplishment and that's an amazing testament to his friends and fans. Unless you knew him beforehand, you don't get that tidbit until the end. That influences my review because while it might not have been my cup of tea, it has a place out there, and hopefully this review will help.

Where the appeal lies:



1)The ambiguity romance. I found it fascinating that this would have made a great GLBTQ romance where there is no "identity" crisis in the world, they just are--or were---or sorta kinda going that way. It was refreshing to see the unexpected pairing at the end.

2)The book pace & ease of understanding. This comic was filled with an ease and fluidity in reading about this world and came jam packed with interesting characters, weaponry, and world-building elements that morphed into this quick adventure. The concept while thought out (as much as it could be) was a fun.

3) The Disability & Characterization. Sooooo you don't have an hand anymore? It doesn't mean you're not a badass! I liked the concept that while you may have to adjust to a new style of fighting (people may be quick to discard you), you'll find where you fit in, and more importantly, you are still a strong force to be reckon with!

That being said----the only thing I couldn't find appealing was the art. I'm not opposed to violence (that sounds terrible) but i've read plenty of comics that are just as explicit and horrific. I honestly think it was the monsters and the blood, and it was so completely unexpected (and I was eating at the time)---so I



Yet, I think my horror readers would love it. I'm a super baby when it comes to seeing blood----I'm not sure if I shuddered more at the monsters---typing this out, I think what I couldn't handle was the blood. It was like watching an exploitation film grace the pages, and while I can close my eyes, or squint at the screen when it comes on, strangely I found that I couldn't look away because I'm trying to read the text bubble and yet, I'm trying to close my eyes:



I'm glad I read it, and I'm glad Almand's work was realized, I just wish I could be more of a fan. :(

Thanks for the ARC NetGalley!

[Sarah Maddaford · Rating 2 out of 5]

This graphic novel starts off with a fairly interesting premise: alchemists open a rift that calls beings from another world that almost destroy all of humanity and civilization. Even the process of killing these beings known as kaiji, using their remains to make weapons, leaves carcasses and desolate areas that are largely uninhabitable. Into this world, the author introduces a young kid who is determined to be a ninja and is more curious and daring than his circumstances should allow. He gets into trouble looses most of the fingers on one hand and joins a street gang. Then the real trouble starts, he steals from a band of mercenaries. The sword, one of the weapons made from the kaiju, protects the owner. He and two of his fellows try to run from the mercenaries whose current employer is trying to gather all of the weapons made from one kaiju. In the end, the kid manages to do it by accident, but nothing feels ended despite the impression that there won't be another book.

The action was a bit disjointed. There were plot elements that didn't entirely make sense largely because they felt like they were part of something that was incomplete. Things also felt a bit rushed.

Finally, I had trouble deciding what age group this was targeting. Some of the elements and art style seemed to be aimed at 9-12 year olds, but the severity of the violence and gore was definitely intended for older readers no matter the style. The language and the colors are unusual for comics for older readers, but the content is just not suitable for younger readers. Even if the book felt completed or I thought there might be a sequel, I wouldn't know who to recommend it to so I don't feel comfortable putting it in the library. It really wouldn't appeal to our adult graphic novel readers and our YA readers mostly like manga.

[Melissa Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley for this free eARC.

I had a really hard time getting through the first couple pages because the font was sooo small and eligible. I had to blow up the images 200% just to be able to read what was going on. I was worried because each page took a good five minutes to scroll through. I finally gave up and decided that I would just squint and read/guess what the words were. After a few pages the font and illustrations became much larger and more visible.

I am so happy I kept on with this graphic novel it was really good. Hadashi is one of three boys that lives at a dojo. After getting his fingers eaten by a blighted frog the sensei kicks Hadashi out.

Hadashi goes to live with Soyako a girl who lives near the blight. Hadashi meets so other characters and ends up in possession of the orphan blade a wooden sword that is super powerful and saves his life on numerous occasions.

The illustrations are very cute and cartoon-y. I loved the vivid colors and all the characters were all very unique. I felt the story line was too rushed and that is what made me sad.

As a reader you want to become invested into the characters. I felt bad for Hadashi at the beginning. The middle was interesting enough to continue reading and the middle made me want to read more. Then the end came super fast and then it was over. I don't feel like I got enough closure. I am wondering if this is going to have a sequel or what. It seems pretty open ended.

[Alice Marsh-Elmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started off interesting, but the preface story (which I found more interesting than anything that followed) simply doesn't do a good enough job of setting up this world for you. Suddenly, you're faced with a cast of characters (all introduced by age) who are fighting a group of demons--demons that legitimately seem horrific, though possibly not as horrific as our main characters drunk father figure/teacher.

It appears to be written for a YA audience, though the nearly immediate violence is sincerely off-putting. I just couldn't get interested--a kid from a broken home runs away and joins a group of orphans, then runs into another group of vigilantes, steals a weapon from them that he completely doesn't understand, and then turns around and appears to kill a bunch of kids from the group of vigilantes. And that only covers the first 100 pages. I think there's just too much going on here. It's like a comic that's written for TV--only, unlike TV, the story comes across almost entirely in dialog. I just wasn't rooting for the hero.

The one redeeming factor: Our orphan kisses a boy. LGBT in comics will always be something I root for, I just couldn't stomach the confusing violence.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Orphan Blade' is a graphic novel that looks like it's for younger readers, but it's got a level of violence that makes it not for the Avatar audience.

A world attacked by kaiju finds a way to defeat them by creating a set of weapons from their bones. Hadashi is a young boy who wants to be a warrior. When an accident maims his hand, he finds himself set on a different course. Fate has a role to play, and he finds himself the target of strange kaiju and a group of assassins. Will he be able to become the warrior he always wanted and to make the sacrifices he needs to?

I was not expecting the story in this book based on the cover. The cover looks like an animated cartoon, but contains a story that is quite dark at times. It's very violent, but I did like the use of finishing moves (like in Mortal Kombat). Art by Jake Myler is good. The book is dedicated to writer M. Nicholas Almand, who died in 2013. Overall, I liked it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[MartyAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not going to summarize this, as it would cause spoilers in so short a text. Enjoyable departure from reality. Wait. All of manga could be characterized like that! OK, ok.

Awesome manga illustrations. It seems like a story that deserves to be epic, but was left in fits and starts. The storyline is as wandering as the characters lost in blighted lands. It felt hurried at times. It could be fleshed out, honestly made into a real epic.

The characters were great. The "five fingers of death" needed some more backstory.

Knowing that one of the contributors died, I wonder if he died before the project was complete, as that would explain some of the problems with this story.

Still, the book contains all the elements to be compelling as it is.
I am very glad I requested this book. I enjoyed it.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
http://martysreads.blogspot.com/2014/...

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had some good premises, but felt unfocused. Was it an alternative history book? A coming of age story? A romance? Horror? Bad-ass combat for people who love video games? Someone overcoming a disability? It has elements of all these genres, but doesn't really incorporate them all into an effective story. It felt disjointed in both storytelling and in the intended audience. While the art, plot description, and initial story seem aimed at young teens, it makes a very abrupt turn into gore. Suddenly we're seeing over-the-top limbs being sliced off, beheadings, and cannibalism. Which just left me wondering... Who is this written for? While it wasn't for me, I think the artwork is strong and the coloring is excellent. This book showed promise, but I think it could've done with better editing and tighter writing. I was sorry to see that the author had passed away before the book was published.

[Paul Allard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comic book combines the manga comic genre with monsters born from the Blight, an event brought on by sorcerers destroying the landscape and make it very dangerous. Magic weapons are forged from the monsters when they are killed but they are not always under the control of the person wielding them.

Hadashi is the main character whose circumstances change when he is attacked by a Blighted frog. He ends up wielding the Orphan Blade, a weapon sought after by Lord Chirigi and his paid followers, the Five Fingers of Death. Other characters appear briefly without explanation and then disappear never to be seen again.

Well-written and illustrated, it is quite gory although it seems to be hard to really hurt anyone despite all the blood and I’d recommend it any comic book lover of manga and lots of fighting.

Quite enjoyable but I was hoping for more substance.

[Thomaidha Papa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

...Ah, this was an interesting title. An adventure without being one. It’s a historical Sci-Fi followed up by a post-apocalyptic theme. It was familiar is what I immediately thought. Something about the intro made me feel as if I’d read something similar before and not only till I finished did I realize that Evangelion has been one of the inspiring Animes for this author. And yes, the intro resembles Evangelion way too much. Thankfully, the rest of the plot changes dramatically once chapter one hits and the semblance diminishes quite a lot...

You can read the full review here: http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Review to follow.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have requested this on netgalley on a whim (mostly because I was curious about the plot than anything else), but I have to say that even though this is a quick read for me, but damn it was such a fun read and one that contained some really cool illustrations too not to mention that the whole read was beautifully coloured as well and was very eye-catching too. Loved it!



* Thanks to the publisher on netgalley for providing me with a review copy of this book!

4.5 stars!

[Elle Markov · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short, quick read. The art is very good, it's really impressive, however, the story left something to be desired.

The story follows an orphan boy that get's some of his fingers eaten off by a Kaiju [which is Japanese for strange monster], after that he is depressed. Eventually he finds a super-powered blade and all the troubles that go along with it.

The final conflict at the end of the story was so blah, maybe that's why it scored so low with me. We know nothing of the characters other than the right now; the only character we get some background on is Dr.Africa and he isn't really even present in the right now. If you enjoy nice art, check this one out.

Rating 3 out of 5
Read@Book

[Skye Kilaen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orphan Blade is a cursed weapon, one of many created from the dead bodies of kaiju (giant monsters) after they started appearing in humanity's world and destroying everything in their paths. Hadashi is a former sword apprentice cast out into homelessness after his dominant hand is permanently injured. When he connects with the Orphan Blade, it seems like a good thing at first... but thinks quickly spin out of control. Love the multicultural cast, love the colorful and clear art, and especially love the brief smooches at the end. Orphan Blade is a fairly bloody book, but I'm still calling it great for YA. Your mileage may vary!

Very sadly, Alamand passed away before this book was even published. He was clearly a talented writer, and cancer sucks.

[Nay Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hadashi is a young boy put in unfortunate situations. With the help of two new friends he's able to deal with life as the seven finger thief.

I loved Dr. Africa, Katze and Soyako. They were very helpful and believed in Hadashi. The five fingers of death crew was insane. I mean they couldn't really die and had sick ways of coming back to lie. Just insane.

The artwork in this graphic novel is impeccable. Absolutely adored it and I hope there is morw to come!

[Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this from NetGalley to read to my kids. Turns out it's definitely not for anyone under 18. But the awesome art and engaging story had me reading on my own. If I could change anything I'd take out the swearing and the orientation reveal at the end. I'm not a bigot, I just prefer reading about hetero protags.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in Exchange for an honest review.

A typical story with mediocre art. There are certain upsides to the story and I think the premise is very interesting. However, I was slightly bothered by the art style - many of the girls, I thought were guys.

In any case, it's a nice read. It's not amazing, but not bad either.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be more my thing if the violence wasn't so over-the-top. It was headed for a lower rating before the surprise at the very end. I'd actually kind of wondered if the story would go that way, but I didn't REALLY believe it . . . and then it did! Oh, book. That made me happy.

[Ella Preuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read! Review coming up.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought it for the library. Not in love with it. Interested to see if it finds an audience. It reads upper middle school/high school.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid manga style book featuring martial arts and kaiju.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad there won't be any more volumes - I loved the story, and I LOVED the vivid, colorful artwork like crazy.

[Jason · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting premise spoiled by uneven storyline and horribly ugly illustrations.