cover image RULER OF THE LAND: Volume 1

RULER OF THE LAND: Volume 1

Jeon Jin Keuk, Keuk-Jin Jeon, . . ADV Manga, $9.99 (200pp) ISBN 978-1-4139-0031-6

Comedy and martial arts meet in this crowd-pleasing Korean manga. Bi-Kwang is a handsome young warrior who becomes a drooling mess whenever he sees a pretty girl. Out on the road he meets an extraordinary swordfighter with no name who is searching for a legendary master warrior. Bi-Kwang promises to aid the swordfighter if he lets Bi-Kwang meet his beautiful sister. Of course, it turns out the swordfighter is the sister, Hwa-Rin Dahm, and she must switch identities to keep the plot moving along. Bi-Kwang is immediately smitten, and thus we have a triangle involving only two people. Yet another manga that uses cross-dressing as a plot device, Ruler has the wit to poke fun at the absurdity of the convention: Hwa-Rin is astounded by Bi-Kwang's stupidity in being fooled by her masquerade. Indeed, Bi-Kwang goes to unbelievable but funny lengths to explain away every piece of evidence that the "swordsman" is a woman. This unlikely pair is hunted by many enemies, although the greatest danger to Bi-Kwang is probably getting beaten up for taking liberties with the ladies. Yang draws powerful battle scenes, but handles the humorous elements deftly, too. Writer Jeon adds a level of vulnerability to Hwa-Rin, but keeps the rest of the story moving with a brisk mix of hardcore action and screwball comedy. (May)