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Clock Striker #1
Clock Striker, Volume 1: "I'm Gonna Be a SMITH!"
Clock Striker, now in graphic novel format, follows Shonen manga’s first Black female lead hero, Cast, in her quest to become a member of the SMITHS, the legendary warrior engineers.
Cast dreams of being a SMITH, and though she’s rather handy with her tools, no one in her small town ever realizes their dreams. Besides, these legendary warrior engineers haven’t been seen in years and were never known for having female members. Fortunately, Cast meets one surviving member named Ms. Philomena Clock, who agrees to take her on as her apprentice, or striker.
Now Cast is thrust into one deadly adventure after another! From cybernetic desperadoes to technology thieves and more, Cast has to use her mind and her remodeled robotics-lab prosthetic hand, which offers unfathomable offensive power in the form of scientific experiments. Need lightning? Cast can generate it from her hand! Cast’s mentor seeks to uncover an ominous mystery that explains what happened to the SMITHS and shines a light on a hidden power that may be within Cast herself.
Can Cast become a new member of the SMITHS? More importantly, can Cast survive the process to become a SMITH?
Clock Striker is rated T for Teen, recommended for ages 13 and up.
Saturday AM, the world’s most diverse manga-inspired comics, are now presented in a new format! Introducing Saturday AM TANKS, the new graphic novel format similar to Japanese Tankobons where we collect the global heroes and artists of Saturday AM. These handsome volumes have select color pages, revised artwork, and innovative post-credit scenes that help bring new life to our popular BIPOC, LGBTQ, and/or culturally diverse characters.
Join in even more adventures with the other action-packed Saturday AM TANKS series:Apple Black, Gunhild, Hammer, Henshin!, The Massively Multiplayer World of Ghosts, Oblivion Rouge, Saigami, Soul Beat, Titan King, Underground, and Yellow Stringer.
Cast dreams of being a SMITH, and though she’s rather handy with her tools, no one in her small town ever realizes their dreams. Besides, these legendary warrior engineers haven’t been seen in years and were never known for having female members. Fortunately, Cast meets one surviving member named Ms. Philomena Clock, who agrees to take her on as her apprentice, or striker.
Now Cast is thrust into one deadly adventure after another! From cybernetic desperadoes to technology thieves and more, Cast has to use her mind and her remodeled robotics-lab prosthetic hand, which offers unfathomable offensive power in the form of scientific experiments. Need lightning? Cast can generate it from her hand! Cast’s mentor seeks to uncover an ominous mystery that explains what happened to the SMITHS and shines a light on a hidden power that may be within Cast herself.
Can Cast become a new member of the SMITHS? More importantly, can Cast survive the process to become a SMITH?
Clock Striker is rated T for Teen, recommended for ages 13 and up.
Saturday AM, the world’s most diverse manga-inspired comics, are now presented in a new format! Introducing Saturday AM TANKS, the new graphic novel format similar to Japanese Tankobons where we collect the global heroes and artists of Saturday AM. These handsome volumes have select color pages, revised artwork, and innovative post-credit scenes that help bring new life to our popular BIPOC, LGBTQ, and/or culturally diverse characters.
Join in even more adventures with the other action-packed Saturday AM TANKS series:Apple Black, Gunhild, Hammer, Henshin!, The Massively Multiplayer World of Ghosts, Oblivion Rouge, Saigami, Soul Beat, Titan King, Underground, and Yellow Stringer.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2023
11 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
March 10, 2023
tl;dr
With fun characters and clean art, Clock Striker is an ode to the classics of shonen manga while retaining a spirit and vibrance all its own.
Thoughts
High school me would have been ALL about this. Current me is pretty invested, too, if we're being honest. This has all the shonen manga goodness that I love: shadowy organizations, a badass sensei, fighters who shout attacks, super powers, mysterious pasts, and a spunky hero with a heart of gold to hold it all together. And Cast really does hold the story together. Her enthusiasm for learning and her love of helping people are infectious, and I was cheering for her the whole way through. Her teacher Ms. Clock is a delightful enigma, equal parts proper and sinister, with some of the coolest panels in the whole book. Clock Striker's first volume covers a lot of ground, often using interwoven storylines and flashbacks to get to the meat of the plot faster. The fast pace means world building isn't as in depth as it could be, but I suspect we'll get a lot more detail in the future, especially with an incredible end of book stinger (be sure to read past the credits!). Art is equally excellent. Character designs are consistent, with clean line art, strong expressions, and dynamic fight scenes, making this a very easy read. Strong recommend for anyone who likes shonen manga.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
UPDATE: I have bought the physical copy of my own volition, and I feel like I need to inform everyone there are color inserts, and the cover has spot gloss! It's absolutely beautiful!
With fun characters and clean art, Clock Striker is an ode to the classics of shonen manga while retaining a spirit and vibrance all its own.
Thoughts
High school me would have been ALL about this. Current me is pretty invested, too, if we're being honest. This has all the shonen manga goodness that I love: shadowy organizations, a badass sensei, fighters who shout attacks, super powers, mysterious pasts, and a spunky hero with a heart of gold to hold it all together. And Cast really does hold the story together. Her enthusiasm for learning and her love of helping people are infectious, and I was cheering for her the whole way through. Her teacher Ms. Clock is a delightful enigma, equal parts proper and sinister, with some of the coolest panels in the whole book. Clock Striker's first volume covers a lot of ground, often using interwoven storylines and flashbacks to get to the meat of the plot faster. The fast pace means world building isn't as in depth as it could be, but I suspect we'll get a lot more detail in the future, especially with an incredible end of book stinger (be sure to read past the credits!). Art is equally excellent. Character designs are consistent, with clean line art, strong expressions, and dynamic fight scenes, making this a very easy read. Strong recommend for anyone who likes shonen manga.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
UPDATE: I have bought the physical copy of my own volition, and I feel like I need to inform everyone there are color inserts, and the cover has spot gloss! It's absolutely beautiful!
February 26, 2023
This really exceeded my expectations! Excellent character designs with deeply engaging action and strong bonds of friendship and family that pulled me in very quickly and kept my attention the whole way through. The story is very unique, but also gave me a little bit of Fullmetal Alchemist vibes, which I wasn't expecting (but made me really happy!). Would definitely recommend this if you enjoy FMA, strong and daring characters, and very clean art!
January 8, 2023
I keep hearing about this manga on Twitter and Tiktok, and you know what? The hype was correct 100%!!
The storyline is amazing (I can't wait for Cast to reach her goal and defeats all her foes on the way, she is so dedicated). The art is amazing. A nice change of pace from your typical shonen manga, like having a girl as the main character, a racially diverse one at that. Goes to show that there needn't be one script for shonen and shojo manga to follow. I will continue to follow this series, and kudos to Frederick L. Jones who has done and is doing an amazing job promoting this on Twitter!
The storyline is amazing (I can't wait for Cast to reach her goal and defeats all her foes on the way, she is so dedicated). The art is amazing. A nice change of pace from your typical shonen manga, like having a girl as the main character, a racially diverse one at that. Goes to show that there needn't be one script for shonen and shojo manga to follow. I will continue to follow this series, and kudos to Frederick L. Jones who has done and is doing an amazing job promoting this on Twitter!
March 26, 2024
Now I want to build something cool.
January 7, 2023
Holy shit, this is SO GOOD!
Thank you, Quarto Publishing Group –Rockport Publishing & NetGalley, for the access to volume one of this wicked series and for allowing me to share my honest thoughts and opinion on the work.
Our main character is a genius, young black girl with a physical disability that wants to become a SMITH, a legendary warrior engineer. However, Cast proves that her dedication, intelligence and sense of right & wrong will prove others who doubt her wrong.
THIS IS DRAWN SO WELL, and the story's potential, the characters' development, and the mystery at hand show incredible promise for this series! Also, I love the fact that the side characters have storyline mysteries of their own in this volume.
THIS IS ONE TO WATCH AND KEEP WATCHING, FOLKS!
Thank you, Quarto Publishing Group –Rockport Publishing & NetGalley, for the access to volume one of this wicked series and for allowing me to share my honest thoughts and opinion on the work.
Our main character is a genius, young black girl with a physical disability that wants to become a SMITH, a legendary warrior engineer. However, Cast proves that her dedication, intelligence and sense of right & wrong will prove others who doubt her wrong.
THIS IS DRAWN SO WELL, and the story's potential, the characters' development, and the mystery at hand show incredible promise for this series! Also, I love the fact that the side characters have storyline mysteries of their own in this volume.
THIS IS ONE TO WATCH AND KEEP WATCHING, FOLKS!
February 11, 2023
Best manga I've read all year! I loved the characters, the fight scenes and even the foreshadowing for future reveals! The plot was evenly paced and well done while still fast. There was never a spot for a dull moment. My favorite part was when Cast was getting her hair done and we got to see some authentic black hair care tools and style. It was small but that representation felt huge to me. I felt so seen. I'm hoping to learn more about the characters in the next volume. Who is Madame C really and who is Cast's father? So many secrets! Hopefully we won't have to wait too long.
January 23, 2023
This was a lot of fun!
It feels like a proper shonen manga, but it's read Western style (left to right), is written by an American, and is illustrated by Nigerian artist living in France.
The great representation doesn't stop there, as the lead protagonist is a young Black female with a disability and a genius level intellect, and she's accompanied by an older lady that becomes her mentor.
This would make a great introduction to manga for a young person, but also I think there's enough here for a more experienced reader too.
I thought Cast was a brilliant character and really easy to like from the outset. When Ms. Clock joins, she brings along some serious intrigue about who she is and what her purpose really is, something I hope we find out more about in a volume 2.
The action scenes are fast and furious, and my one criticism is that I wasn't always 100% sure what was happening in certain action panels, but I could still follow it well enough.
The concept of the technology almost being used like it's a form of magic was very cleverly done, and again I think that is something that will be explored and fleshed out in future volumes.
If you're a fan of shonen manga, or you're looking to get a young person into reading manga, then this book is well worth checking out.
It feels like a proper shonen manga, but it's read Western style (left to right), is written by an American, and is illustrated by Nigerian artist living in France.
The great representation doesn't stop there, as the lead protagonist is a young Black female with a disability and a genius level intellect, and she's accompanied by an older lady that becomes her mentor.
This would make a great introduction to manga for a young person, but also I think there's enough here for a more experienced reader too.
I thought Cast was a brilliant character and really easy to like from the outset. When Ms. Clock joins, she brings along some serious intrigue about who she is and what her purpose really is, something I hope we find out more about in a volume 2.
The action scenes are fast and furious, and my one criticism is that I wasn't always 100% sure what was happening in certain action panels, but I could still follow it well enough.
The concept of the technology almost being used like it's a form of magic was very cleverly done, and again I think that is something that will be explored and fleshed out in future volumes.
If you're a fan of shonen manga, or you're looking to get a young person into reading manga, then this book is well worth checking out.
July 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this! The vibe, the art, and the characters were great! I knew nothing about this going in and was surprised this also has disability rep.
Cast is such an adorable character and I’m always a sucker for stories centering protagonists that just want to make the world a better place. I love how her refusal to accept that they can’t save everyone inspires Philomena Clock to try the impossible. Ms. Clock is a total badass, too! I’m interested in where this story with Klaus and the bandits will go, too.
All in all, this also reminded me of how much I love Fullmetal Alchemist and I definitely think Cast, Eric, Alphonse and Winry would get along well!
cw: ableism
Cast is such an adorable character and I’m always a sucker for stories centering protagonists that just want to make the world a better place. I love how her refusal to accept that they can’t save everyone inspires Philomena Clock to try the impossible. Ms. Clock is a total badass, too! I’m interested in where this story with Klaus and the bandits will go, too.
All in all, this also reminded me of how much I love Fullmetal Alchemist and I definitely think Cast, Eric, Alphonse and Winry would get along well!
cw: ableism
February 28, 2023
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
Cast's dreams of being an engineer and leaving her small hometown are realized when the mysterious Ms. Clock takes her on as a striker, or apprentice SMITH. Cast has struggled for recognition of her skills despite the fact that she only has one hand. Ms. Clock recognizes Cast's abilities. When Cast joins Ms. Clock she signs up for helping people no matter what, just like any proper SMITH, and mysteries that seem to follow Ms. Clock.
I thought that the story was good, as was the art. My problem was with the pacing. There is a large flashback section that could have just been the introduction, with everything else following chronologically. Sometimes it was difficult to tell what was happening when, and I think that is the fault of the order of events as they are told in the book.
This is a good story for those who enjoy a more science-fiction based action story.
Cast's dreams of being an engineer and leaving her small hometown are realized when the mysterious Ms. Clock takes her on as a striker, or apprentice SMITH. Cast has struggled for recognition of her skills despite the fact that she only has one hand. Ms. Clock recognizes Cast's abilities. When Cast joins Ms. Clock she signs up for helping people no matter what, just like any proper SMITH, and mysteries that seem to follow Ms. Clock.
I thought that the story was good, as was the art. My problem was with the pacing. There is a large flashback section that could have just been the introduction, with everything else following chronologically. Sometimes it was difficult to tell what was happening when, and I think that is the fault of the order of events as they are told in the book.
This is a good story for those who enjoy a more science-fiction based action story.
December 17, 2023
“No one comes from a perfect background but, it’s how we handle the obstacles in
our lives that determine how far we can go.”
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Tik Tok Striker Clock 💁
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: Cast
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Easy
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Comic
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Adventure, sci-fi
4.8/𝟱
🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Amazing action panels
~ MC with a missing limb (she lost her hand)
~ Well seasoned inequalities & repercussions
~ Well-rounded characters
~ Believable villains
Cast, little girl from an impoverished town, is determined to become SMITH - a super engineer super hero, who is capable of providing for her ailing mother & her brother. Although she has amazing talent, situations (lying teachers, underserved school districts & lack of resources) try to hold her back - UNTIL a fateful meeting with ‘Ms. Clock’ brings much needed change. Finally able to study under a SMITH, Cast becomes a Striker, & so begins her journey to becoming the leader of the SMITHS & uncovering their secrets.
✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.
🦖 This really worked for me. I loved how they treated topics such as educational differences, hidden potential vs. opportunity, physical disability/ability & the importance of dreams & goals at all ages. A fun read. I’d love to keep reading the series.
🌱THE MEH
~ 🤔 some of the panels were a bit ‘much’? Movement-wise… hummm
♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)
our lives that determine how far we can go.”
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Tik Tok Striker Clock 💁
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: Cast
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Easy
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Comic
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Adventure, sci-fi
4.8/𝟱
🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Amazing action panels
~ MC with a missing limb (she lost her hand)
~ Well seasoned inequalities & repercussions
~ Well-rounded characters
~ Believable villains
Cast, little girl from an impoverished town, is determined to become SMITH - a super engineer super hero, who is capable of providing for her ailing mother & her brother. Although she has amazing talent, situations (lying teachers, underserved school districts & lack of resources) try to hold her back - UNTIL a fateful meeting with ‘Ms. Clock’ brings much needed change. Finally able to study under a SMITH, Cast becomes a Striker, & so begins her journey to becoming the leader of the SMITHS & uncovering their secrets.
✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.
🦖 This really worked for me. I loved how they treated topics such as educational differences, hidden potential vs. opportunity, physical disability/ability & the importance of dreams & goals at all ages. A fun read. I’d love to keep reading the series.
🌱THE MEH
~ 🤔 some of the panels were a bit ‘much’? Movement-wise… hummm
♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)
January 24, 2024
if naruto was a black girl and jiraiya was a white woman, we would have, cast and ms. clock. this was everything i ever needed as a black manga/anime weeb.
when it comes to graphic novels and comics that have black mcs i get super skeptical. the illustrations sometimes give anti-black and the plot focuses too much on black trauma…we’re tired. give us something new. give us something fresh. give us something like…CLOCK STRIKERS!!
clock strikers is receiving good ratings for a reason! the pace, the story, the action, the REPRESENTATION (black disabled girl league STAND UP) it’s all there!!
i absolutely will be shoving this down everyone’s throat :3
when it comes to graphic novels and comics that have black mcs i get super skeptical. the illustrations sometimes give anti-black and the plot focuses too much on black trauma…we’re tired. give us something new. give us something fresh. give us something like…CLOCK STRIKERS!!
clock strikers is receiving good ratings for a reason! the pace, the story, the action, the REPRESENTATION (black disabled girl league STAND UP) it’s all there!!
i absolutely will be shoving this down everyone’s throat :3
January 26, 2023
Fast and furious, this is an exciting read, which holds the amazingness of shonen manga but intricates a Western style and adds a more diverse world.
Cast is at her wit's end. She is beyond determined to enter the upcoming contest to become a striker, the long-honored engineer-warriors, who have saved the world. But her teacher refuses, reminding her that their town is trash and not interested in math or science. Of course, this isn't enough to make her give up, especially since her mother's health and brother's well-being depend on her success. Although she's already convinced she's proven her tinkering and tech skills to her teacher, she takes things one step further and fixes up as well as adapts an old AI hand. Not only will this enable her to do lab work but proves him wrong that a girl with a disability can't handle it. Well, plus she's a girl, and Strikers are never girls.
This is a read to sit down with, get lost in, and reach the end without realizing it. Every moment packs something to drive this one forward, whether intriguing backstory or action pure. It begins with a grabbing seen before introducing Cast and her Striker, and first then, does it head back to tell Cast's tale, before launching forward again. And it works well.
Cast is an interesting character and not because of her diverse aspects. These simply enhance her already strong and focused personality. She's a heroine to root for with a big heart. But then, Ms. Clock, her Striker, is a enigma and fits perfectly to Cast as they battle all sorts of evil, too.
The illustrations are well done, letting the action fly while never growing confusing. Especially the scenes with Ms. Clock offer excitement...and the tech is simply a treat.
It will be fun to see where this series goes from here. I received a DRC through Netgalley and enjoyed the well-done action and plot.
Cast is at her wit's end. She is beyond determined to enter the upcoming contest to become a striker, the long-honored engineer-warriors, who have saved the world. But her teacher refuses, reminding her that their town is trash and not interested in math or science. Of course, this isn't enough to make her give up, especially since her mother's health and brother's well-being depend on her success. Although she's already convinced she's proven her tinkering and tech skills to her teacher, she takes things one step further and fixes up as well as adapts an old AI hand. Not only will this enable her to do lab work but proves him wrong that a girl with a disability can't handle it. Well, plus she's a girl, and Strikers are never girls.
This is a read to sit down with, get lost in, and reach the end without realizing it. Every moment packs something to drive this one forward, whether intriguing backstory or action pure. It begins with a grabbing seen before introducing Cast and her Striker, and first then, does it head back to tell Cast's tale, before launching forward again. And it works well.
Cast is an interesting character and not because of her diverse aspects. These simply enhance her already strong and focused personality. She's a heroine to root for with a big heart. But then, Ms. Clock, her Striker, is a enigma and fits perfectly to Cast as they battle all sorts of evil, too.
The illustrations are well done, letting the action fly while never growing confusing. Especially the scenes with Ms. Clock offer excitement...and the tech is simply a treat.
It will be fun to see where this series goes from here. I received a DRC through Netgalley and enjoyed the well-done action and plot.
January 19, 2023
I heard about this series several months ago on Twitter and have been interested in reading it since then; the premise, art, and characters all seemed a perfect mix to hold my attention.
This initial assessment was correct! I sat down this morning to read the ARC and didn't stop until the comic was finished. Cast's struggle to be heard in the flashback and the way her teachers dismiss her for factors outside her control are familiar, even if I don't share the exact circumstances myself.
I'm excited to see how and where the Nextkin plot thread develops!
Given the chance I'm looking forward to being able to collect and read this series when it releases, and will be recommending the title to friends.
This initial assessment was correct! I sat down this morning to read the ARC and didn't stop until the comic was finished. Cast's struggle to be heard in the flashback and the way her teachers dismiss her for factors outside her control are familiar, even if I don't share the exact circumstances myself.
I'm excited to see how and where the Nextkin plot thread develops!
Given the chance I'm looking forward to being able to collect and read this series when it releases, and will be recommending the title to friends.
January 31, 2023
ARC provided by NetGalley.
I originally heard about this manga from a session with Saturday AM and was absolutely THRILLED to see it on NetGalley. It is geared more middle grade/lower high school but I think it’ll thrive in my high school. I love the disability rep (although a bit tropey with her mechanical arm), a Black female lead as well as her absolute love and knowledge of math and science. #womeninstem Cheesy at times, this new manga really touches on a lot of what anime and manga fans love. I’m really excited for Saturday AM in general gracing my library and think this was a phenomenal first book. I really look forward to reading the rest of the series. We love diverse manga!!!
I originally heard about this manga from a session with Saturday AM and was absolutely THRILLED to see it on NetGalley. It is geared more middle grade/lower high school but I think it’ll thrive in my high school. I love the disability rep (although a bit tropey with her mechanical arm), a Black female lead as well as her absolute love and knowledge of math and science. #womeninstem Cheesy at times, this new manga really touches on a lot of what anime and manga fans love. I’m really excited for Saturday AM in general gracing my library and think this was a phenomenal first book. I really look forward to reading the rest of the series. We love diverse manga!!!
February 21, 2023
Cast is Striker (apprentice) to Ms. Clock, a Smith. They fight bad guys together, and work to save those who need help. But just a little while ago Cast was a poor girl with only dreams of being a Smith. She’s had the science and tech skills, but her teacher refused to let her take the test to become one. Little did Cast know that her teacher had his own agenda, and had her brother Fender in his clutches. When Ms. Clock, a new teacher, was added to the school Cast finally finds someone who believes in her. She finds a mechanical hand just prior to that so she can better manipulate things in the lab too. Uncovering the corruption in the town and school was Cast’s first team up with Ms. Clock.
Cast’s world is very interesting. It’s a post robot/tech war world with Victorian touches in which the average citizen no longer has access to all the tech, but it is still out there for those who know where to look and the scavengers. Some of the characters have a bionic limb (like Cast, who only has 1 hand), and some of the characters are mostly robotic or nanotech. There appears to be a vast divide between rich and poor, and corruption appears to be rampant. So Cast is like a steampunk tech wiz heroine who doesn’t fit the Smith mold. She’s told most smiths are men, and it is implied that not many Black people are Smiths either. But Ms. Clock encourages Cast to not listen to other people. It threw me at first that the text bubbles and pages are read left to right as opposed to the right to left of most manga. That will make it more accessible to a wider range of readers but long time manga readers may take a moment to adjust. Hand this to action hero adventure fans and steampunk/dystopia fans, but know the reader you hand this to (see content notes).
Notes on content [based on ARC]: About 45 minor swears. No sexual content. There are a lot of fight scenes. But fight sequences are mostly either zoomed way out or obscured by noise words and clouds and most of the people getting shot are cyborgs, robots, or some other form of mostly machine.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cast’s world is very interesting. It’s a post robot/tech war world with Victorian touches in which the average citizen no longer has access to all the tech, but it is still out there for those who know where to look and the scavengers. Some of the characters have a bionic limb (like Cast, who only has 1 hand), and some of the characters are mostly robotic or nanotech. There appears to be a vast divide between rich and poor, and corruption appears to be rampant. So Cast is like a steampunk tech wiz heroine who doesn’t fit the Smith mold. She’s told most smiths are men, and it is implied that not many Black people are Smiths either. But Ms. Clock encourages Cast to not listen to other people. It threw me at first that the text bubbles and pages are read left to right as opposed to the right to left of most manga. That will make it more accessible to a wider range of readers but long time manga readers may take a moment to adjust. Hand this to action hero adventure fans and steampunk/dystopia fans, but know the reader you hand this to (see content notes).
Notes on content [based on ARC]: About 45 minor swears. No sexual content. There are a lot of fight scenes. But fight sequences are mostly either zoomed way out or obscured by noise words and clouds and most of the people getting shot are cyborgs, robots, or some other form of mostly machine.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2023
An advanced time with a good strike!!!
A nice introduction to the story with the protagonist with limitations, along with her making mistakes but learning from them. It also shows different characters while showing distinct and intricate plot points. I can't wait for the next volume and that it's a good impression of a sci-fi story. I might even consider it for my favorites in the future!!!
A nice introduction to the story with the protagonist with limitations, along with her making mistakes but learning from them. It also shows different characters while showing distinct and intricate plot points. I can't wait for the next volume and that it's a good impression of a sci-fi story. I might even consider it for my favorites in the future!!!
February 11, 2023
I really enjoyed this manga and was surprised that majority of it was in black and white. It did not take away from the story, it was still enjoyable and was purely captivating.
February 25, 2023
The best shonen-like I've read in years. Not only are the characters diverse and interesting, the world and the story are exciting, mysterious and there's a ton of action.
March 16, 2023
I haven't read a physical copy of a manga for ages, but I had to get my hands on this book! It's action packed, beautifully drawn and such a refreshing read!
June 1, 2023
Good anime nostalgia vibes loved it
January 24, 2023
When I saw the description for Clock Striker, Vol1 "Clock Striker, now in graphic novel format, follows Shonen manga’s first Black female lead hero, Cast, in her quest to become a member of the SMITHS, the legendary warrior engineers." I was all in on reading this mange.
IT. DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT!
I literally sat down and read the whole thing in one sitting.
The main character is a genius, black girl with a physical disability ... Yes I was here for ALL of that. that wants to become a SMITH, a legendary warrior engineer. She existed in a world where she was both supported and judged at the same time. She shines with true black girl magic and proved that her mind was stronger than those who doubted her.
This well drawn Volume was filled with new friends, a mystery and a well told back story. I cannot wait for Vol. 2!!!!
IT. DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT!
I literally sat down and read the whole thing in one sitting.
The main character is a genius, black girl with a physical disability ... Yes I was here for ALL of that. that wants to become a SMITH, a legendary warrior engineer. She existed in a world where she was both supported and judged at the same time. She shines with true black girl magic and proved that her mind was stronger than those who doubted her.
This well drawn Volume was filled with new friends, a mystery and a well told back story. I cannot wait for Vol. 2!!!!
February 11, 2023
Best manga I've read all year! I loved the characters, the fight scenes and even the foreshadowing for future reveals! The plot was evenly paced and well done while still fast. There was never a spot for a dull moment. My favorite part was when Cast was getting her hair done and we got to see some authentic black hair care tools and style. It was small but that representation felt huge to me. I felt so seen. I'm hoping to learn more about the characters in the next volume. Who is Madame C really and who is Cast's father? So many secrets! Hopefully we won't have to wait too long.
January 25, 2024
Oooo, what's a Nextkin?!?! And betrayed them?! How?!?! And did she really?
Who wants the young Prince and why?! And why was he running? What was his father researching?
Who wants the young Prince and why?! And why was he running? What was his father researching?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2024
Such a fun adventure manga with a lovable main character and a fun supporting cast I enjoyed this!
November 12, 2023
A young girl named Cast is growing up in a small, podunk town that doesn't have a lot of resources. She wants to be out there putting things together, tinkering with science and magic, but her teacher consistently tells her that her dreams of becoming a SMITH will never come true because 1) no one in her town is worth anything and 2) she's a girl. But Cast is determined to prove her teacher and everyone else wrong. She's given a prosthetic hand to tinker with and she manages to make it work just as a real-live SMITH comes to town. And not just any SMITH, a woman named Ms. Clock who is absolutely impressed by Cast's skill and takes her on as an apprentice.
Chaos is unleashed as Cast and Ms. Clock proceed to take down villains who are working real hard to try and uncover deadly weapons that were hidden long ago during the robot wars.
There was a really fast pace to the story that reminded me of anime that I watched in the TOONAMI days. It was reminiscent of Bleach and Fullmetal Alchemist with the over-the-top characters and fight scenes. There was some worldbuilding dabbled throughout, but you got the sense that there is definitely more to explore, which I'm glad they didn't just try to infodump the whole world in one volume or do a really boring lead up to the action.
Reading up on the Saturday AM company that produced this manga-inspired comic was really neat. The group of people found that, even though there is a large swath of people of color who love anime and manga, there wasn't a lot of representation in the genre. So, they decided to make it happen, which is really awesome. I will definitely be picking up the next in the series and also looking into more being published by Saturday AM.
Chaos is unleashed as Cast and Ms. Clock proceed to take down villains who are working real hard to try and uncover deadly weapons that were hidden long ago during the robot wars.
There was a really fast pace to the story that reminded me of anime that I watched in the TOONAMI days. It was reminiscent of Bleach and Fullmetal Alchemist with the over-the-top characters and fight scenes. There was some worldbuilding dabbled throughout, but you got the sense that there is definitely more to explore, which I'm glad they didn't just try to infodump the whole world in one volume or do a really boring lead up to the action.
Reading up on the Saturday AM company that produced this manga-inspired comic was really neat. The group of people found that, even though there is a large swath of people of color who love anime and manga, there wasn't a lot of representation in the genre. So, they decided to make it happen, which is really awesome. I will definitely be picking up the next in the series and also looking into more being published by Saturday AM.
May 30, 2023
Thank you so much NetGalley and Quatro Publishing Group for access to this exciting arc!
5/5 stars!!
This graphic novel was just so exciting! I loved this from front to back. The characters were all well rounded and unique, making the story even more enthralling as I got absorbed into Cast's dreams of becoming a SMITH and annoyed with all the villains! I love how smart and quick witted Cast is, and I can't wait to see how her story plays out.
I've already ordered this in for the bookstore I work for, and I can't wait to hand sell this to teens this summer!
5/5 stars!!
This graphic novel was just so exciting! I loved this from front to back. The characters were all well rounded and unique, making the story even more enthralling as I got absorbed into Cast's dreams of becoming a SMITH and annoyed with all the villains! I love how smart and quick witted Cast is, and I can't wait to see how her story plays out.
I've already ordered this in for the bookstore I work for, and I can't wait to hand sell this to teens this summer!
July 26, 2024
Thank you Quarto Publishing Group - Rockport Publishers and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this great book. I really enjoyed this graphic novel with a Black girl main character who is aspiring to become a SMITH — a legendary warrior engineer. Wonderful, fast-moving plot, sci-fi elements, and great characters make this an enjoyable read. It is rated T (13+). I would gladly recommend it to any teen who enjoys fast paced action with elements of sci-fi.
August 29, 2023
No matter how many times we hear the I-IV-V chord progression, we can't seem to get enough of it. Ozzy, the Beatles, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, and on and on and on all used the same three chords to crank out hit after hit after hit. In the same vein, no matter how many times we see the classic shonen manga formula, we can't seem to get enough.
Which is to say that Clock Striker doesn't do anything you haven't seen before. If you've seen or read a shonen manga in the last 20 years, all the familiar tropes are here: a protagonist who dreams of being the best ___, a mentor figure who believes in them when no one else would, hints that the protagonist's family isn't quite what we think they are, and a rotating carousel of big bombastic fight scenes, adorable comic relief, and sincere heartfelt emotional beats. It's all here.
Light spoilers ahead
But like any of the musicians listed above, what makes the progression a distinct style and a memorably different song are the ways we embellish around the skeleton of the chord progression. Boasting the first black female protagonist of a shonen manga is a good start, making her an amputee was surprising, and the steampunk aesthetic provides a charming combination of real world "women in STEM" and what is basically magic to really set it apart. Even better, it all works incredibly well. We show rather than tell here: only once does Cast (our protagonist) actively talk about being held back for being a girl in one of those sincere, heartfelt emotional beats. Every other time I felt the "girl power" or "succeeding with a disability" was purely because that's the story being told and it was wonderful to see manga that was actually letting the story speak for itself a bit.
Frankly, 3 stars feels a little harsh, but I can't bring myself to round it up to 4 precisely because despite its various merits, charm, and my personal affinity for it, it's just not very distinct from other shonen manga. Yes, it's quite fun and I am excited and hopeful for a vol. 2 - I'll buy it right up. But so far at least, it's only done the bare minimum: be good, be distinct. It's still missing something that makes it truly special, but there's no reason to think it couldn't get there.
Please give me more! There is a lot of potential for a truly wonderful manga.
Which is to say that Clock Striker doesn't do anything you haven't seen before. If you've seen or read a shonen manga in the last 20 years, all the familiar tropes are here: a protagonist who dreams of being the best ___, a mentor figure who believes in them when no one else would, hints that the protagonist's family isn't quite what we think they are, and a rotating carousel of big bombastic fight scenes, adorable comic relief, and sincere heartfelt emotional beats. It's all here.
Light spoilers ahead
But like any of the musicians listed above, what makes the progression a distinct style and a memorably different song are the ways we embellish around the skeleton of the chord progression. Boasting the first black female protagonist of a shonen manga is a good start, making her an amputee was surprising, and the steampunk aesthetic provides a charming combination of real world "women in STEM" and what is basically magic to really set it apart. Even better, it all works incredibly well. We show rather than tell here: only once does Cast (our protagonist) actively talk about being held back for being a girl in one of those sincere, heartfelt emotional beats. Every other time I felt the "girl power" or "succeeding with a disability" was purely because that's the story being told and it was wonderful to see manga that was actually letting the story speak for itself a bit.
Frankly, 3 stars feels a little harsh, but I can't bring myself to round it up to 4 precisely because despite its various merits, charm, and my personal affinity for it, it's just not very distinct from other shonen manga. Yes, it's quite fun and I am excited and hopeful for a vol. 2 - I'll buy it right up. But so far at least, it's only done the bare minimum: be good, be distinct. It's still missing something that makes it truly special, but there's no reason to think it couldn't get there.
Please give me more! There is a lot of potential for a truly wonderful manga.
February 19, 2023
Clock Striker, now in graphic novel format, follows Shonen manga’s first Black female lead hero, Cast, in her quest to become a member of the SMITHS, the legendary warrior engineers. Cast dreams of being a SMITH, and though she’s rather handy with her tools, no one in her small town ever realizes their dreams. Besides, these legendary warrior engineers haven’t been seen in years and were never known for having female members. Fortunately, Cast meets one surviving member named Ms. Philomena Clock, who agrees to take her on as her apprentice, or striker. Now Cast is thrust into one deadly adventure after another! From cybernetic desperadoes to technology thieves and more, Cast has to use her mind and her remodeled robotics-lab prosthetic hand, which offers unfathomable offensive power in the form of scientific experiments. Need lightning? Cast can generate it from her hand! Cast’s mentor seeks to uncover an ominous mystery that explains what happened to the SMITHS and shines a light on a hidden power that may be within Cast herself. Can Cast become a new member of the SMITHS? More importantly, can Cast survive the process to become a SMITH?
I really enjoyed this interpretation of the Manga as I have yet to try any of the titles in that genre. This was an uplifting and inspiring story of how a young girl can be who she wants to be even with her limitations and people not believing that she is able to complete her dream. It follows her from school to getting an apprenticeship which leads to her being involved in fighting crime. Cast is the character which I resonate with the most and she is the one that links the story together and keeps everything cohesive. This is a fast paced story which is engaging and it has made me interested enough to continue with the series if more of it.
I really enjoyed this interpretation of the Manga as I have yet to try any of the titles in that genre. This was an uplifting and inspiring story of how a young girl can be who she wants to be even with her limitations and people not believing that she is able to complete her dream. It follows her from school to getting an apprenticeship which leads to her being involved in fighting crime. Cast is the character which I resonate with the most and she is the one that links the story together and keeps everything cohesive. This is a fast paced story which is engaging and it has made me interested enough to continue with the series if more of it.
January 19, 2025
OH GOSH I love this book so much!! It has the heart of manga but is by black creators, with a focus on a black main character with disabilities! (, which makes what she's accomplished so far AMAZING and her frustration with Mr. Tucker more than understandable)
Not to draw direct comparisons, but there's a very Fullmetal Alchemist feel to this story, between the young genius who wants to prove her skills to help her family against the sort of conspiracy that keeps them down. Also, seems to work a lot like the "alchemy" in FMA, though under different reasoning. I do love the mentor-mentee relationship between Cast and Ms. Clock, and I'm definitely looking forward to more of their adventures!
Possibly the one thing I don't like is I've tagged "LGBTQ" because the one henchwoman sort of sexually harasses the waitress. However, there's not really a lot of romance in the story for the (a?)sexuality or genders of the protagonists/regular people to be relevant. Still noting it as another point toward diversity in representation... which is still good when it's the villains! (though hopefully not ONLY the villains, since that has unfortunate implications)
Not to draw direct comparisons, but there's a very Fullmetal Alchemist feel to this story, between the young genius who wants to prove her skills to help her family against the sort of conspiracy that keeps them down. Also, seems to work a lot like the "alchemy" in FMA, though under different reasoning. I do love the mentor-mentee relationship between Cast and Ms. Clock, and I'm definitely looking forward to more of their adventures!
Possibly the one thing I don't like is I've tagged "LGBTQ" because the one henchwoman sort of sexually harasses the waitress. However, there's not really a lot of romance in the story for the (a?)sexuality or genders of the protagonists/regular people to be relevant. Still noting it as another point toward diversity in representation... which is still good when it's the villains! (though hopefully not ONLY the villains, since that has unfortunate implications)
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