Dystopias are a popular topic in literature. Currently, many projects are focusing on how technology impacts a dystopia. One of these projects is Tokyo Ghost, which can be purchased here, which focuses on a formal police constable who is immersed in technology and has escaped to Tokyo to seek peace and adventure in a foreign land. In particular the 4th issue focuses in on Led Dent’s calm being disrupted in the peaceful land of Tokyo and the consequences that occur.
The Good:
The comic captures Led Dent’s past, in particular with his father. This is his last memory of his father before he logged into the virtual world for the last time. Thus it shows us that people in the real world of Tokyo Ghost are living in such bad conditions that they are escaping into the virtual world. Furthermore, the comic captures the idea that the past always comes back to haunt you. Led is confronted by a samurai who views him as a poison to the technology free safe haven of Tokyo. This samurai and his friends who have surrounded Led are the gang that beat him up as a kid. They are the very same kids that Led tracked down as a constable and killed leaving only a few survivors. Surrounded, fighting breaks out between Led and the gang ultimately leading to Kazumi, the ruler of Tokyo, becoming injured attempting to save Led. As a result Led’s safety is put in jeopardy and he is forced to make the choice to go back to using technology in order to survive. This shows a person cannot out run their past once technology has been integrated into their life and Led goes back to using nano machines to survive.
The Bad:
The comic relies on the backstory from the previous issues, as it is a central point in the 4th issue. If you are not familiar or have forgotten Led and Debbie’s backstory this issue is confusing. Furthermore, the issue, due to the significant events that occur, feels that the writer and artist are trying to over compensate for last month’s issue. This points to the idea that the odd numbered issues are the set up while the even numbered issues are action packed and move the story along.
The Verdict:
Without a doubt this issue was better than last month’s issue. Tokyo Ghost issue 4 set out to move the story along and it succeeds as it delivers a solid story with action and consequences that leave fans wanting more. Furthermore, the comic builds upon its backstory and brings it full circle as Led Dent’s past has come back to haunt him while he is in Tokyo. This adds an interesting and unforeseeable plot twist to the comic. Tokyo Ghost is not a comic that is for everyone but for those who can live with a comic that is generally average with every few issues outstanding, showing excellent writing combined with good art. This makes it a series that should be read.
