Gangsta: Cursed., Vol. 1

Gangsta:Cursed.: EP_Marco Adriano #1

by Kohske (Original Creator), Syuhei Kamo (Illustrations)

A spin-off series from the hit manga Gangsta that tells the backstory of Marco Adriano.

The man named Marco Adriano is a loyal and beloved member of the Cristiano Family, helping them protect the persecuted Twilight population in the city of Ergastulum. But he was once a boy codenamed Spas, raised as a Hunter and assigned to the Destroyers Second Group for a single purpose: to track down and kill Twilights.
Killing is all Spas has ever known, and he does it without doubt or remorse. Taught to believe he s ridding the world of monsters, he sees the extermination of the Twilights as a necessary step toward making Ergastulum a safer place. Until the day when he s forced to confront the horrifying truth that the real monster might be him."

Genres: Manga, Seinen, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Urban Fantasy, Comics, Action

194 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 2015

About the author

Associated Names:
コースケ
Ko-suke
Kosuke
Koosuke

Kohske made her manga debut in 2009 with the short story "Postman" in Shonen GanGan magazine. Her first ongoing serial, GANGSTA., began in 2010. Her second series, DOODLE, began serialization in 2013. She currently resides in Hokkaido and owns a pet java sparrow named Fumi.

Reviews

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to climb back into this world and see these characters again!

It's so much fun seeing people we knew as adults now in their teens and how their relationships have changed over time.

The actions scenes are absolutely superb, I think the fact that each of the destroyers has a unique weapon gives Kamo so much to play with and it's really easy to see what's going on - an empty stomach is definitely advisable!

Very emotional about this series so I'm really looking forward to the others.

[Pluto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought this was the first book and read this instead of the actual first book... Oops

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

With cursed, Kohske's former assistant Syuhei Kamo takes the reins to create an origin/background story for the human Marco Adriano. Although Kohske is the inspiration, Kamo does a superb job of capturing the look and especially feel of the Gangsta world. Indeed, I had no idea it was done by someone other than Kohske until the end where Kamo talks about his process. As such, I can safely say that those who like the superb Gangsta series will also greatly like Cursed.

Story: Spas has understood one thing in his young life - the Twilights are a curse and must be removed in order to ensure humanity's safety. Talented with wires, he is recruited into a group of human hunters who enter Ergastulum in order to destroy as many Twilights as possible. And the group is effective, slaughtering by the hundreds on their death spree. But Spas (who will one day become Marco) soon begins to doubt what he is doing as he sees families and children wholesale murdered for the crime of being a Twilight.

Kamo cleverly gives us little vignettes of quite a few Gangsta characters since this takes place well before the events in Gangster. It gives a better understanding of the various characters and their motivations/fears once they are older. But the focus is still Spas/Marco as he enacts his terrifying violence.

The drawing is assured and full of the nuances Kamo must have learned under Kohske. Panels are dynamic and perhaps the one difference between Kamo and Kohske is that Kamo focuses more on the violence than the pathos. Cursed is non-stop action as new and creative deaths are conceived. Kamo drives the story forward with the violence where Kohske used it to highlight the emotional resonance of the characters.

In all, another great entry in the Gangsta world. And although I received this as a digital review copy from the publisher, I will be purchasing the paperback as soon as it is released. Truly, one of the best series out there for its layers, nuanced storytelling, and superb art. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[usagi ☆ミ · Rating 4 out of 5]

can't wait for the next volume!

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this, I briefly wondered why Kohske didn't put the effort into the main series but then I soon learned that having to include the information and backstories of the hunters in the main story wouldn't have fit. It would've been forced. And this series adds a great amount of context to the hunters, to Marco and Connie, and adds more to our favorite characters.

Plus I love that Kohske collaborated with her assistant to create this. It's perfect and gives me more insight to the creators behind these wonderful stories that I get to read throughout my day.

[piratesPencil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This spin-off series does a great job of keeping true to the aesthetic and feel of the original series. I'm really excited to see more of the Gangsta world from a different point of view, and this volume did a really good job of highlighting each of the Hunters' different motivations... I'm excited to see more of them in this compelling (although very dark) series.

[Zian B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that despite this being a series focused on Spas aka Marco, we get to see glimpses of other character from the main/original Gangsta series.
I’m anxious but excited to read how exactly Spas (Marco) meets Connie.

[Iqra M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW/CW: PTSD, blood & gore, body horror, graphic violence, mass murder, strong language, brainwashing

This is a spin-off of Gangsta. It can be read as a standalone, but there are some spoilers. We see the original characters from the series as well as some cool new ones! Such amazing character designs!!! I am not surprised but am genuinely impressed!!!

A load of emotional damage is what this volume is. So depressing yet incredibly fast-paced. Thank you, Kohske, for the amazing story and Kamo for bringing it to life with your Art. Love that she keeps true to Kohske’s art style.

Goodness me. The blood and gore? Chef’s kiss! The story’s development? Fantastic. The fight scenes? Perfect. This series definitely helped me understand the current arc a lot better too. I want to continue immediately. 🫠

[Ilaria Vigorito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Io odio gli Esminets. È difficile che mi pronunci in maniera tanto negativa verso un gruppo di personaggi ma penso che Kohske sia riuscita a incarnare, attraverso di loro, quanto faccia schifo il genere umano. La sensazione d'impotenza che ti coglie leggendo questo volume è più che palpabile e striscia sottopelle insieme alla realizzazione sempre più prepotente di Marco che quello che sta facendo non è giusto, non è pulito, non è umano.

Non sapevo cosa aspettarmi da un flashback sulla serie principale di "Gangsta" ma questo spin-off ha il merito di portare alla luce i fatti che stanno venendo paventati proprio adesso nella serie principale, quelli che richiamano il nuovo massacro che rischia di scatenarsi di nuovo a Ergastulum per colpa della terza ondata degli Esminets. E devo fare i complimenti anche a Syuei Kamo - i cui siparietti a fine volume sono stati carinissimi ♥ - perché è riuscito a rendere bene lo stile di Kohske senza generare quel brutto effetto di "scopiazzata" che rende solitamente gli spin-off disegnati da altri autori abbastanza "derp".

Devo recuperare gli altri due volumi, assolutamente.

[Maisie Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actaul Rating: 3.8/5

This is the story about
a young mobster named Marco and
his shattered childhood as the Nortious Destroyer
Spas.

Blood, guts a younger Nic and Worrick. This volume had everything.

The Artwork was decent and I could tell that while Kamo did a great job copying Kosuke's artwork that was still minute details that I could see that differentiated the styles.

[Vernieda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Technically a reread. This is the prequel to the main Gangsta series, focusing on Marco's backstory when he ran with the Second Destroyers--specifically the time they wreaked havoc on Ergastulum. Lots of good action but it lacks the subtle characterization of the main series. Still worth a read though if you want more insight into the Destroyers.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been years since I read manga. I bought this randomly while at Forbidden Planet, and I wasn’t expecting much from it. But after just a few pages I was hooked, and now I’m craving more manga.
Good read, I’ll get the second volume when I get a chance.

[Mahdiye HajiHosseini · Rating 4 out of 5]

واقعا لازم بود به نظرم وقتی سری اصلی رو میخوندم که بدونم دقیقا چی شده، صرفا در این حد که کلیت نه چندان کاملی رو بدونی اشاره میکرد و یه کم رو مخ بود. من همیشه نسبت به بک استوری‌ها کنجکاوم و تا اینجا راضی بودم ازش

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much plot. Lots of pages to say very little.

[Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit slow

[Christine Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have the parent story so, I read this instead.

[Gavi Figueroa · Rating 5 out of 5]

La calificación es por toda la historia.
Pronto reseña

[Delia Balas · Rating 5 out of 5]

So explicitly brutal

[hyevinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connie Marco forever 💘

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 4,5 stars!

This is so graphic and brutal and gut-wrecking and I couldn't stop reading it until the end.
The title "Cursed" is very fitting.
I was pleasantly surprised by the plot and the focus of the story. This volume is very intense and action-packed.

What made the volume 4,5 stars is the point of view from hate-group, a very violent and agressive hate group that consists of trained killers ( a member of that hate group, young and mislead yet a boy). It's so easy to get down the road of "sympathizing" to villains in fiction. This is not the case at all! With every page their bullshit beliefs were destroyed and presented as what they are. ( I mean it is Kohske's story, I didn't expect anything less tbh).
Spas slowly got rid of the smoke that covered his mind and polluted his thoughts. And it was beautifullly made. In this violent murderous way that is fitting to the story.

The art! I must admit I'm not a big fan of mangas and the main reason for this is because art isn't usual breathtakingly beautiful. I know many manga authors publish an issue per week and it's a tremendous job to do, I realize this, but still. Artwork is the second most important thing for me in graphic novels (after plot&characters), this artwork is detailed and brilliant and it's truly the best drawn manga i've ever read. I love it okay?okay.

Special shout out for baby Worick and Nicolas, and Connie...baby Connie

All in all, Gangsta: Cursed.:Ep_Marco Adriano is a must read for fans of original Gangsta series and for those who love action-packed, intense, brutal story with strong political undertones and incredible artwork.
I'm looking forward to reading vol.2.

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gangsta. Cursed is a spin off for the GANGSTA series. So far, at least, it doesn't seem like a lot of knowledge about the original series is necessary for the spin off. I hardly remember much about the original series at this point since it's been so long between volumes other than the bare bones, but I was able to follow this for the most part.

This first volume is a prequel to Gangta proper, and it is a blood bath. No time is wasted getting to the murder and the fights and no time is spent on the characters. I suspect that's because we're supposed to know who all these people are from the main series, but as I said, I don't remember much about it.

It's okay so far, but other than seeing some familiar faces at a much younger age, it doesn't do as much for me as the main series once did. I'll give the next volume a shot, but unless things change, I don't think I'll go much farther on this one.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read the first couple of volumes of Gangsta so am not "in" on all the characters and stuff, but this takes place before that series so hopefully, I'll be able to comprehend it. So far, so good. This first volume introduces us to a bunch of characters, young men and women, who are hunting twilights. These twilights have super-strength and abilities not really explored but they are different and the hunters (humans) want to annihilate them. Of course, not everybody does and people hide them and help them. Our main character Marco (nicknamed Spas) is a hunter but is starting to feel like he's been lied to about the twilights. Most of the book is spent trying to figure out the good guys from the bad guys but by the end, I've come to think that the twilights are being persecuted and Spas has got himself mixed up with the wrong people. A very violent book, for mature audiences.

[Lilivette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pain. . .it's so real.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not great.

[Susan]

It is very good at what it is trying to do, but what it's trying to do has left me sick and sad, so...