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I'm writing this review early as an apology for least week's super late one. Cold Days was great by the way. If anybody is ever looking for a good book you should join me in the land of Dresden addiction.
The poll last week was on whether people were glad that Raizel used his powers. It was dead even too; much to my delight. I read the opinion as being pretty conflicted on this, since there is so much good and bad. Raziel needs to selflessly use his power to be Raizel, and looks awesome when he does it, but at the same time every time he does it's like we're watching him die a little.
Onto the review!
This week starts out with the 10th Elder on his knees trapped inside Raziel's blood field and stunned to discover that there was somebody even stronger than Seira here. Faced with a bad situation he give a little evil monologue which boils down to "The Nobles cheated by being so damn good." Regis is irritated by this and points out that trying to use hostages is what "he" calls cheating. The elder answers by saying that is natural for such peons to sacrifice themselves for their betters, which pretty much lays out the difference between Nobles and Union for all to see.
Deciding there is no way out, the 10th charges Raizel with a suicide attack in hopes of dragging him along to hell. Things don't go as planned though, as Raizel stops him and dissipates the explosion; expending more power than Franky is comfortable with in the process.
Then Raizel turns his attention to Bonerre and somehow knows that he is the one with the information they need. At this point Franky tells Regis and M-21 to take Raizel home, as he has expended a great deal of power. Raizel reluctantly goes, but instructs Franky to bring Tao and Takeo home "without fail".
Meanwhile, off in a warehouse somewhere, Tao and Takeo are getting the crap kicked out of them by Yuri. Who seems to be less interested in getting information than he is enjoying himself. Cryptically saying "You'll spit out everything you know once 'he' deals with you.".
As he continues the beatdown he complains about his work and daydreams about Seira a little. Which draws a comment from Takeo which elicits more beating. Eventually Yuri turns to go and as he leaves mentions to them that needles in their handcuffs release a cell destroying substance so they may die even before their true interrogator gets there. Shortly after, Yuri leaves he see moving through the city he sees Bonerre flanked by Franky and Seira; and for once he doesn't look amused.
Meanwhile, back at the house Regis serves Raizel coffee and finds that Raizel's hand can no longer seem lift the cup. But before Regis can fully absorb this M-21 bursts in and tell them M-24 has vanished.
Substance
Three Union Elders down, ten to go. In hindsight, both were something of a letdown for me but their removal allows us to focus on the possibility of Franky or Seira smashing Yuri into paste; which makes me smile. His creepiness is starting to wear thin with me.
As for the other two Union guys, Bonerre seems to understand he's totally outgunned but even so he's being pretty cooperative; which makes me wonder if he's leading Franky and Seira into a trap of some sort. M-24, for his part, seems to have gotten what he was after and gotten out clean. My guess is that he will turn out to be "Mr. Interrogator" as well. Seems like that would be fitting.
The cell destroying poison thing that Tao and Takeo have apparently been dosed with is interesting. Could they actually die here? I doubt it. But it wouldn't surprise me if Raizel is forced to save them by trying that awakening thing, which takes a ton of his power. That would also seem fitting.
Presentation
Art was a shade above average. Detail was hit and miss again but at the same time it all looked all clear and was especially easy to understand. The backgrounds weren't always impressive but they were always there when they needed to be and good enough not to stand out in a negative way.
On a more general note I'm really liking the "energy lines" thing which have become the new standard method for displaying mid to low level currents of supernatural energy. It's appearance is somewhere between an aura and an electrical current. I'm a fan.
Pacing seemed a little off to me. It was solid from the part with Franky on the roof top all the way through Yuri's part but then, at the end, Raizel's part seemed awkwardly tacked on; with him just suddenly home drinking coffee. I realize this was show the effects of his power usage but it just seemed awkward to jump to those events there so quickly in pace with everything else.
Overall Rating
A solid fight wrap up, which keeps things moving with a rescue mission in progress. Unfortunately, I was left feeling that it tried to do a little too much too quickly.
I give it a 3 out of 5
New Prediction
Old Predictions: (20 Wins/ 22 Losses)
"The 10th Elder will die and the Bonerre will be "persuaded" to tell them where Tao and Takeo are." - Win
I guessed this one perfectly. (It happens once a year
)
The poll last week was on whether people were glad that Raizel used his powers. It was dead even too; much to my delight. I read the opinion as being pretty conflicted on this, since there is so much good and bad. Raziel needs to selflessly use his power to be Raizel, and looks awesome when he does it, but at the same time every time he does it's like we're watching him die a little.
Onto the review!
Chapter Summary
"She's only got eyes for Shin Woo.....loser"
"She's only got eyes for Shin Woo.....loser"
This week starts out with the 10th Elder on his knees trapped inside Raziel's blood field and stunned to discover that there was somebody even stronger than Seira here. Faced with a bad situation he give a little evil monologue which boils down to "The Nobles cheated by being so damn good." Regis is irritated by this and points out that trying to use hostages is what "he" calls cheating. The elder answers by saying that is natural for such peons to sacrifice themselves for their betters, which pretty much lays out the difference between Nobles and Union for all to see.
Deciding there is no way out, the 10th charges Raizel with a suicide attack in hopes of dragging him along to hell. Things don't go as planned though, as Raizel stops him and dissipates the explosion; expending more power than Franky is comfortable with in the process.
Then Raizel turns his attention to Bonerre and somehow knows that he is the one with the information they need. At this point Franky tells Regis and M-21 to take Raizel home, as he has expended a great deal of power. Raizel reluctantly goes, but instructs Franky to bring Tao and Takeo home "without fail".
Meanwhile, off in a warehouse somewhere, Tao and Takeo are getting the crap kicked out of them by Yuri. Who seems to be less interested in getting information than he is enjoying himself. Cryptically saying "You'll spit out everything you know once 'he' deals with you.".
As he continues the beatdown he complains about his work and daydreams about Seira a little. Which draws a comment from Takeo which elicits more beating. Eventually Yuri turns to go and as he leaves mentions to them that needles in their handcuffs release a cell destroying substance so they may die even before their true interrogator gets there. Shortly after, Yuri leaves he see moving through the city he sees Bonerre flanked by Franky and Seira; and for once he doesn't look amused.
Meanwhile, back at the house Regis serves Raizel coffee and finds that Raizel's hand can no longer seem lift the cup. But before Regis can fully absorb this M-21 bursts in and tell them M-24 has vanished.
Chapter Review
What a question to ask while wearing a fur thong in public.
What a question to ask while wearing a fur thong in public.
Substance
Three Union Elders down, ten to go. In hindsight, both were something of a letdown for me but their removal allows us to focus on the possibility of Franky or Seira smashing Yuri into paste; which makes me smile. His creepiness is starting to wear thin with me.
As for the other two Union guys, Bonerre seems to understand he's totally outgunned but even so he's being pretty cooperative; which makes me wonder if he's leading Franky and Seira into a trap of some sort. M-24, for his part, seems to have gotten what he was after and gotten out clean. My guess is that he will turn out to be "Mr. Interrogator" as well. Seems like that would be fitting.
The cell destroying poison thing that Tao and Takeo have apparently been dosed with is interesting. Could they actually die here? I doubt it. But it wouldn't surprise me if Raizel is forced to save them by trying that awakening thing, which takes a ton of his power. That would also seem fitting.
Presentation
Art was a shade above average. Detail was hit and miss again but at the same time it all looked all clear and was especially easy to understand. The backgrounds weren't always impressive but they were always there when they needed to be and good enough not to stand out in a negative way.
On a more general note I'm really liking the "energy lines" thing which have become the new standard method for displaying mid to low level currents of supernatural energy. It's appearance is somewhere between an aura and an electrical current. I'm a fan.
Pacing seemed a little off to me. It was solid from the part with Franky on the roof top all the way through Yuri's part but then, at the end, Raizel's part seemed awkwardly tacked on; with him just suddenly home drinking coffee. I realize this was show the effects of his power usage but it just seemed awkward to jump to those events there so quickly in pace with everything else.
Overall Rating
A solid fight wrap up, which keeps things moving with a rescue mission in progress. Unfortunately, I was left feeling that it tried to do a little too much too quickly.
I give it a 3 out of 5
Predictions Section
New Prediction
- The interrogator Yuri spoke of is Mark-24.
Old Predictions: (20 Wins/ 22 Losses)
"The 10th Elder will die and the Bonerre will be "persuaded" to tell them where Tao and Takeo are." - Win
I guessed this one perfectly. (It happens once a year
)- Rael will lose his next battle to the RK-4.
- I think Lee Youn-In is going to be more than just a soon-to-be-forgotten sub-character. I suspect she may have a role in the plot.
- Raizel will name Shin Woo his successor; resulting in him inheriting the title and power of the Noblesse.
- The female operative from the Union will eventually end up on Raizel's side, like M-21 and the others.
- Rael will show up at Raizel's school seeking revenge on him and his human friends.
- Na Yontsu will get mixed feeling about recruiting Shin Woo and Ikkan.
- Raizel will ultimately choose to use himself up completely in order to help his friends.
- The Union was originally created by the Traitorous Nobles.
- More traitors than just Roctis are in league with the Union
- M-21 and Yontsu. I think it's going to happen, even if I have no idea how.
- I expect at least one more high ranking noble from Lukedonia to show up in South Korea soon, possibly more than one.
- M-24 will die.
