Apocrypha: The Legend of BABYMETAL

by The Prophet of the Fox God, Greg Chomichuk (Artist)

Discover the myth of the worldwide music sensation BABYMETAL. Tasked with defeating the forces of darkness and division, the metal spirits must travel through a variety of eras of time, assuming different forms and identities. What we are seeing is not the BABYMETAL of the present. It's the original story based on BABYMETAL you've never heard before. The long-hidden metal spirit's apocrypha of the METAL RESISTANCE will emerge.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Music, Graphic Novels Comics

144 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2018

Reviews

[Lia Preston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars purely for the artwork, which was strangely beautiful and expressive. The story however... yeesh.

[David Cirone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apocrypha: The Legend of BABYMETAL expands the epic, mysterious mythology of BABYMETAL at possibly the most turbulent moment in the group’s history. Artist GMB Chomichuk’s illustrations create a netherworld of scary action sequences and intensely emotional moments, but a few critical story choices cause the graphic novel to fall just short of a tale worthy of BABYMETAL’s incredible music achievements.

Full review:
http://jrock247.com/2018/11/apocrypha...

[Andrew Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story and the direction it took, it had a bit of a Highlander feel to it. The writing and Greg Chomichuk's art were excellent and complimented the band's mythology. My only issue I had was although for most of the book the pace was good the ending felt a little abrupt and could have been a little more fleshed out and climactic to me. Maybe one or 2 moments in the book where I didn't know what was happening due to the art being a little vague. Overall though this was a fun book to read

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a Babymetal fan, I have always enjoyed the lore behind their band. Being driven on by the Fox God, a mission greater than themselves... but this graphic novel tries to explain how the three metal spirits of air, ice, and fire are trying to free the spirit of the Fox God, to stop the apocalypse. Beginning with Miko, Sayo, and Yoshino in feudal Japan, and continuing on through the ages till Su-metal, Moametal, and Momometal, the servants of the Fox God still endure.
The art style is very unique and reminds me of historic Japanese scrolls combined with watercolor bleeding. Enjoyable story overall.
Recommend for fans of the band, otherwise you might want to skip this.

[Piper Winchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different than what I expected.
Sumetal, Yui metal and Moametal aren't in it but we need 3 different girls who are just as amazing.
You can enjoy this even if your not a fan of Babymetal.
Packed with action.
the whole book is beautiful

[Dannica · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art in this graphic novel is kind of interesting, and in theory the concept of three women being sort of reincarnated in different places and times to continue fighting one enemy is interesting too. But what frustrates me is that neither the art nor the narrative do a good job of establishing a concrete setting for most of the book. Scenes take place with no background, which sort of defeats the "cool" factor of having these characters travel through time. So that was disappointing.
However, I got this book as souvenir merch, not so much for the reading experience, so I'm kind of chill with it.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I really understood the what and why of this one at all, but it was certainly packed with interesting art and a story that's crying out for interpretation. I'm glad I gave it a shot, but unless you're into somewhat creepy comic art with bold colours and nebulous story-lines it's difficult to recommend.

[Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of Babymetal and I am not sure if a lot of people here in Goodreads know about them. But just to describe the band, I'll use one YouTuber's (@GOTGames) description: the band is like chips (or fries) dunked in a milkshake (or sundae) -you'll never know how good they are until you try it, and that their genre is a weird combination (of Japanese Pop and Metal) that works really well.

So as a fan, I bought a physical copy of this graphic novel and read it in one sitting. My initial reaction to this is that it is but a homage to the already mysterious lore of Babymetal. But looking back through the pages, in some way, this also tries to give meaning to the antics of the band on stage.

The novel is simple, really. It began with the ladies being sent by the Fox God on a mission. They then travel through time to complete this. And when they did, they ended up with an important realization at the end (which I would not spoil).

So now, why am I just giving a three? It is a good graphic novel that I have no intent to re-read. Of course, as a fan, the intrinsic value is more than that. If I am just going to be perfectly objective about this, it is alright. If you're not a fan, you can skip. But if you are, then it would be a solid addition to your keepsakes.

[Timothy Grubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure what I just read, but at least it was fun…the secret of Babymetal!!!

Apocrypha: The Legend of Babymetal tells the history of the legendary music trio…and it’s not what you expected…

The fox god once walked among humanity…and due to a terrible mistake agreed to exile itself from human affairs.

Unfortunately the Vulture has returned…and the Fod God’s agents are tasked with collecting the pieces of a powerful talisman across time so they can defeat it…

Travelling across three separate centuries…including the French Revolution to British Columbia to the dawn of the computer age…the trio must defeat the Vulture and bring peace back to time and space…

At least I think that’s roughly what the story is…

[Dani Kass · Rating 1 out of 5]

giving this one star pains me because i had been looking forward to it so much, but this was impossible. the images were almost impossible to make out, which would have been fine if the text provided enough context, which it did not. the overarching moral and human nature text was pretty good at times, but i left each chapter more and more confused. i was also hoping for something more explicitly babymetal

[Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5* The only reason I'm not giving it top marks is how confusing the story is. It's a shame, because ultimately it's fairly straight forward once you have an overview. I just think that they tried to rush the story, which is unfortunate.

I absolutely loved the art style, it looks like some sort of artistic collage. It also supports the story really well.

[Viggo Pedersen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hmmmm.
I like the music of BABYMETAL.
This comic book on the other hand, is definitely one of the weirdest and most pointless books ever made! The art is .... well art. And not good art! I just ...... NO!!

[PJ Ebbrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think part Eternal champion, part Buffy and part Fox God. An enjoyable romp, but needs a long series, I thought. I loved the art, but it is not to everyone's taste. Will there be more stories..........only the Fox God Koba knows......

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up. This was interesting enough, and perhaps there's more lore out there in the Babymetal fandom, but I didn't feel enough of a connection with the band while reading this. And while the story and art were decent, I found it ultimately forgettable.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story is an extension of the Babymetal mythology, so it is of course completely nonsensical. The art looks like it was meant to approximate Sienkiewicz, but was then run through a copier a few times to blur our the similarities.

[Matt Riddell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very strange graphic novel. Great images, a vulture of death fighting a trio of warriors throughout time. The actual plot was a bit messy, part captain planet, part WEREWOLF THE APOCALYPSE. Dark and strange and hopeful and somehow about a japanese metal band.

[Josh Frankel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book that is better than almost any other licensed band book I have read

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

...wut? Did I miss a book before this or something? It made no sense at all.

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't get it. Interesting but ridiculously obsure. What's Babymetal? Ha

[Keane Ingram · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's very silly although I'd be disappointed if it wasn't! A bit too short though.

[Samm Serrinnitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Melissa Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent - bought as a gift for a friend

[BleedingPages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different style of art that I'm used to seeing but a great book overall

[Art the Turtle of Amazing Girth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2

How fascinating a concept!!

Travelling through time fighting for the future of mankind.

The Vulture God is wicked and I'd like to hear more.

Can't say too much else without spoilage.