365 Days of Manga, Day 127: Junk: Record of the Last Hero

JUNK: RECORD OF THE LAST HERO • Kia Asamiya • DrMaster (2007-2008) • Akita Shoten (Champion Red, 2004-2007) • 7 volumes • Shônen Tokusatsu Action Drama • 16+ (language, graphic violence, explicit nudity, sex)
A borrowing/processing of American comic themes, Junk is an interesting but disappointing record in the career of the artist who worked on Uncanny X-Men and Batman: Child of Dreams. Hiro (”hero?”), a socially withdrawn, idol-singer-obsessed teenage shut-in, receives a mysterious tokusatsu-style superhero suit in the mail, which he uses to indulge his whims and beat up bullies. At first completely unsympathetic and unlikeable, Hiro gradually learns that (to quote Spider-Man) “with great power comes great responsibility,” and he starts using his powers for good. Meanwhile, other users of “Junk” suits appear, and journalists and police speculate on the identity of all these vigilantes, until finally the military, politicians, and a stereotypical evil corporation are involved. Like the grim and gritty superhero comics of the ’90s, Junk tries to be deep but instead just comes off as trashy. In between copious violence and even more sex, characters deliver tedious speeches and debate horribly translated superhero-philosophy (”Acting simplistically without thinking about others…should not be done!”). Asamiya tries to contrast Hiro’s youth and apathy with the idealism of his elders, but the result is pretentious and predictable. On the upside, Asamiya’s processed art is a good fit for the cold, inorganic story; for once, his inability to draw faces is an advantage, and the cityscapes and backgrounds carry the tale.

Today’s winner is Alex T. of Illinois. Congratulations, Alex!