GRAPHIC NOVELS

Search and Destroy, Vol. 2

Fantagraphics. Mar. 2025. 224p. tr. from Japanese by Ben Applegate. ISBN 9798875000522. pap. $14.99. SF
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Kaneko continues his dystopian, cyberpunk reimagining of Tezuka’s classic Dororo. This second installment finds massively powerful cyborg Hyaku continue on her ultraviolent quest to reclaim her stolen humanity and introduces a fascinating twist: as she replaces more and more of her cyborg body with flesh and blood, Hyaku suddenly begins to fear that becoming human will make her too weak to complete her mission. What does Hyaku really want—revenge or restitution? Kaneko delves deep into the nuances of his protagonist’s existential dilemma, raising interesting questions about identity and sacrifice. Allowing the typically merciless Hyaku to reveal some vulnerability adds fascinating layers to her character, but that doesn’t mean she’s any less ferocious. Kaneko’s breakneck plotting propels her through some of the series’ most viscerally thrilling action sequences thus far. While it’s unlikely that this retelling will ever eclipse Dororo in the canon, Kaneko’s focus on identity makes his version of the story both timely and far more psychologically complex.
VERDICT Kaneko’s kinetic illustration, dynamic sense of page design, and emotionally charged storytelling combine for a gripping and intellectually provocative exploration of what it truly means to be human.
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