Time and Again: Vol. 1

A manhwa for older teens mixing history, fantasy, and horror, Yun’s latest series gets the job done. Taking place in the Tang Dynasty, this first volume of short stories features traveling exorcists for hire, Baek-On and Ho-Yeon. So far, there’s no strong plot, but it feels as if one is building. For now, the two main characters alternately run into creepy and otherworldly happenings, or have the creepy and otherworldly brought to them. Baek-On seems to like the bottle more than anything, and Ho-Yeon has a certain delicate sensitivity. It’s only when people are grappling with a malevolent spirit or terrible curse that the two exorcists become part of the tale. Things are invariably not as they first appear, as perhaps a malevolent spirit has reason for its feelings, or a curse revoked only causes worse heartache. The story of the curse is an especially intriguing and dark one, suggesting life and death questions for the reader. Yun’s schoolgirl tale, Cynical Orange , is quite different from what she’s attempting here. As a story of ironic cosmic twists, Yun gives readers a haunting tale. (Dec.)