Product Description

They say that if you find all twelve rings of the dead, you can obtain the power of imortailty for the living, or bring back someone from the dead. People who search for the rings are called Powder Hunters, and Gamma is one of them, searching for the power of imortality.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #181658 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Comic
• 208 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781421501529
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Gamma Akutabi is a master criminal ("class S-zero") with a chainsaw sword and a metal arm that allows him to catch bullets. He's also a Powder Hunter, which means he's chasing after the Rings of the Dead. If he finds 12 of them, he can make zombie powder, which resurrects the dead and grants the living immortality. He's joined in his quest by his partner, gun-toting, suit-wearing CT Smith, and John Elwood Shepherd, a young knife-thrower turned pickpocket who wants to resurrect his dead sister. The series originally appeared in the Japanese magazine Shonen Jump, but was canceled before it could be completed. If these first chapters are any indication, it's not hard to figure out why. Written and drawn by Kubo (Bleach!), the promising setup is little more than an excuse for a series of mindless action scenes. Kube's art begins by doing some intriguing things with grayscale and shading, but quickly devolves into generic action sequences that sacrifice clear storytelling for dramatic, anatomically impossible poses. Combined with the already chaotic plot, the overall effect is like reading a hyperactive cartoonist's book after his Ritalin has run out. (Sept.)
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About the Author
Kubo made his debut with Zombie Powder, a four-volume series for Weekly Shonen Jump.

Customer Reviews

Worth it.
I am both pleased and disappointed in VIZ's translation; however, since I rarely buy the US releases I don't really know if it is a VIZ thing, or if it just me. I've digressed.

Well, first of all, the book looks amazing. VIZ did a great job of maintaining the art quality. I have no complaints there. The cover was- eh. I think they lost some of the color depth but whatever. They made up for it inside.

The translation itself is good, not as good as I was hoping. There were instances where I felt it was translated to loosely, others where I felt it was too literal- however since I cannot read Kanji, these feelings come purely from other translations I have read. It is 100% personal preference.

More than that I really, really hated how the translation was really softened from the original. Maybe that is a VIZ thing, I dunno. I think this is the first manga I've bought from them. Anyways, instead of the coarser and more violent language I was expecting, it was bland bordering on the rediculous (Hombre? Mano a Mano? Seriously, I could NEVER have imagined Gamma saying that. Thanks VIZ.) I also got annoyed with the repetitive SFX, but I guess there isn't SO much that can be done with that. However, I don't need to see another DO - OM anytime soon.

However, if the stronger language was softened, I felt like VIZ redeemed itself in the humour. There were some comic panels that lost something (Gamma's fork in the head lost it's comedic value through the bland reactions of background characters) but most were truely funny. I found myself laughing in several places that I hadn't found humourous before.

My biggest disappointment by far were the actual characters. Akutabi Gamma is my favorite manga character ever, and I feel like I know his character very well, but VIZ's bland translation made him seem like a much weaker personality than I had imagined. I was really let down. To use an old high school turn of phrase, it never seemed like Gamma was acting in situations, only reacting to the events around him. I felt cheated, since I feel that Gamma (being the main character and all) really drives much of the storyline. VIZ's Gamma seemed along for the ride, even in later chapters.

The reader also meets Elwood and Gamma's partner in this volume. Elwood came across much more childish than I really believe him to be, but it didn't bother me much because unfortunately his childishness played well off of Gamma's boringness. Which, once again ticked me, since I felt like it was so out of character.

Gamma's partner has about five lines in volume 1 (ok, more like ten ^_- ) so VIZ didn't have much to get wrong. They remained the most true to character, in my impressions of them.

If I had one word to sum up the volume, I would say bland. It is disappointing, because I think Zombie Powder needs a bigger fanbase especially to redeem my hope of Kubo finishing it in the future. This volume doesn't do the story justice but I am not upset. I have seen other manga simply... mangled, and comparatively VIZ remained very true. I will admit as well, that Zombie Powder drags a bit through volume 1 and 2, not getting really good until three (take heart, first time readers! It was the same with Bleach, I think this is just Kubo's style) which is of course no fault of VIZ. All in all I am happy with the volume and I think VIZ has ample time to redeem the faults. Volume two introduces Wolfina, and we'll see how they do with her character. It could really go either way- I am crossing my fingers.

Now, if they will keep the battle scenes appropriately dark (The manga is marked T+ and I think they really have a little more leeway with that rating) then I will feel much better over all.

I will buy the other volumes, because I am a rabid fangirl, and I think that it is very worthwhile for other Kubo fans (Or action fans, for that matter) to add this series to their collection.

KUBO'S HIT SHOEN MANGA HITS THE STATES!
"Zombie Powder is from VIZ Communications Shoen Jump line of Manga and is written and drawn by Tite Kubo, best known for another Shoen Jump series "Bleach". Zombie Powder is a near-future action/comedy manga that's brimming with sword-chopping and bullets-blazing action. Gamma Akutabi is a legendary criminal and an even more legendary powder hunter. He seeks the 12 Rings of the Dead. The source of the mysterious zombie powder which myths say can return the dead to life, or grant immortality to the living. Gamma also is known for his metal arm and very large, chainsaw sword. He first appears in the town of Blue Note, seeking a ring He befriends a young pickpocket named Elwood and his ailing sister. His ill sister is the reason that Elwood steals, he's trying to raise money for an operation that will save her life.

A local gang led by boss Mr. Kinqro not only wants whatever Rings of the Dead that Gamma has, but there's also a hefty price on the criminal's head. The Gang attacks and Elwood's sister is shot. Elwood demands to travel with Gamma, hoping the Zombie Powder will bring his sister back to life. But all along the way, there are other Zombie Powder hunters, all seeking the same prize.

"Zombie Powder" is blended well with the action and comedic elements. Elwood provides the comic relief, dragging Gamma and later his partner Mr. Smith, into one worse predicament after another, while still managing to keep his nimble fingers in the pockets of all those around him. Gamma himself is an intriguing character with his black metal arm and the powerful sword. Gamma is a hero who loves to trash talk with his opponents, annoying them even more than with his incredible fighting skill.

Tite Kubo's art is at once graceful yet powerful, and especially stands out during the frenetic fighting scenes. The details are especially lush and striking throughout the book. Kubo also takes the time to provide profile pages on the main characters which is always a nice addition. Great Start to another hot Manga title from VIZ!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

The Greatness of Bleach, Cowboy Style
This is volume one of Tite Kubo's first series, Zombie Powder. It is one of his masterpieces and I am glad that Viz bought the rights to it. If you are a fan of futuristic cowboy animes or mangas then this is for you. Also if you are a Bleach fan then this is an absolute must. I bought all four of the Japanese mangas a while ago because I figured that it would never be brought out to the states. But I am to buy them all over again from Viz. The sad part about the series though is that it does not have an ending but that does not mean the adventure through the four is any less exciting. Maybe one day Kubo will pick up on this series again.