CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON

The film version of Du Lu's novel achieved international fame. Now, the first installment of the epic martial arts tale comes to the comic world. Adapted from the novel, Seto's version features Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien, and establishes a full cast of characters. The story opens on a Beijing rooftop; masked thieves are on the run from the mighty warrior Golden Sword, who has sworn to avenge his father's death. The murderer? Grand Yu, another martial arts master—and Yu Shu Lien's father. Lingering on Golden Sword just long enough to establish that he's a dangerous man on a mission, the action then moves to Shu Lien and her father, as they set out on a cultural excursion. Naturally, Golden Sword's gang appears, intent on revenge, but Shu Lien's mighty fighting moves disperse them. Finally, readers meet Li Mu Bai, a gentle hero who spends time sitting on a rock in the middle of a river, using his mind to direct its flow. Of course, he and Shu Lien are a perfect match, but after an introductory friendly fight, readers learn Shu Lien is betrothed to another. As part one ends, Golden Sword's gang rushes off to perhaps their next battle. Seto's challenge is conveying the speed and motion of the martial arts; while the pages crackle with energy, specifics of fighting technique are simply impossible to discern from still images. Still, lines like "Golden Spear's footwork is of a violent robust type" help, and Seto's art is so glorious, readers will scarcely notice that almost nothing happens for the entire book. (June)