Biomega, Vol. 1

The art. Yes, it is difficult to interpret sometimes, because it is hazy and dark and sketchy. But it is also really impressive, sometimes lovely, and there are a couple grotesque panels that I thought were amazing and want on my wall.

The storytelling and dialogue are scant and rough, just enough to give you a hint of the zombie apocalypse unfolding. And we all know zombies terrify me only slightly less than Deliverance storylines. There is also a talking, gun-toting bear who guards a young girl who apparently might hold the key to humanity surviving the zombie apocalypse.

I'd forgotten about this manga. I hadn't wanted to read it long ago. Now is the right time.

Biomega reads a lot like a late '80s-early '90s OVA, in the sense that the manga has an incredibly tight focus on action. While there is a narrative there, the story spends more time on the action sequences. To be fair, there isn't anything wrong with that - the manga gives the action sequences the time they need to flow properly, and allow the reader to keep track of everything. There are a lot of manga artists who could probably learn something form Nihei.