Review by C.J. Bunce
In the West you’d call him a metalhead. In Japan it’s metaller. In the first volume of the manga Isekai Metaller (reviewed here), Alexi died performing at his metal band concert when his equipment electrocuted him. He found himself in a fantasy world afterlife that looked like a typical Dungeons & Dragons adventure–only with Alexi leading the way. His mission in the afterworld was the same as his mission in life: Bring peace to the world through metal music.
A transition between worlds is called isekai in Japan, hence the title. Isekai Metaller Volume 2 has arrived and its available at comic shops everywhere and here at Amazon. Rejoin Alexi, Tyro the eye-patched Beastman, Lizzy the Mage, and Tuck the Thief as they continue their journey to face off against the Demon King.
The second volume finds Alexi becoming friends with his not-so-merry new band as they encounter new creatures and minions of the Demon King. Some are barriers to moving forward, others are helpers. Fans of heavy metal will want to keep their eyes open for hidden Easter eggs on nearly every page. Some are real-life musicians Carmine Appice, Rob Halford, and Sharon den Adel, others are creatures from famous album covers, and still others are obscure references only diehard fans of Mötley Crüe will catch.
Writer-artist Kasuga Ryo again explores Alexi’s inner metal spirit rocking out as he leaves behind those he picked up on his journey who didn’t have a solid personal code. Alexi at his core is a good guy, ready to help anyone, be they human or dragon. Fantasy conventions be damned.
Kasuga’s artistic style is a little freer this time around, his action more frenetic. Tyro, Lizzy, and Tuck aren’t explored so much in this book, although Lizzy and Tuck see some personal growth. Alexi becomes more of a brow-beaten version of Keanu Reeves in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
As with the previous volume, this new English edition–the first translation in English–was translated by Motoko Tamamuro and Jonathan Clements with new lettering by Tom Williams.
It’s the 1981 Heavy Metal animated movie, only as manga updated for today–all with a reverence toward metal music, as expressed by Kasuga in an afterword. For fans of metal, fantasy, Stranger Things, anyone who appreciates a good devil’s bargain or crossroads story, and Dungeons & Dragons and other roleplaying games, get ready for metal’s next great hero. Don’t miss the second volume of Isekai Metaller. Order it from Elite Comics, your local comic shop, or here at Amazon now. It’s all a big set up for the big rock festival and a confrontation–or something else–with the Demon King in the forthcoming Volume 3.
