YAN Vol. 3
by Chang Sheng
Available May 12
YAN has consistently been on top of my must-read list, ever since discovering it via its first volume. Volume 3 also marks the finale of Chang Sheng's action-packed series, and somehow it manages to tie up all the bizarre, multifaceted threads the story has spun so far.
What started as an unconventional superhero story bends into a time-warping narrative, and soon the many strange powers wielded by our heroes start to make a terrifying sort of sense. The story of Tien-Hua also finally comes to fruition, with her seemingly impossible past brought to light. Ancestral spirits, precognition, and an artificial intelligence that threatens to destroy the world as we know it are all in play. But even amidst the high-octane action, YAN never loses its heart or its beauty.
While the story is truly inventive, the soul of YAN has been its rooting in the world of Peking Opera. This isn't just a stylistic choice, either — although the artwork is all the more eyecatching for it. There's a deep love of art and tradition threaded through these pages.
Trying to explain YAN at all, much less in its final chapters, is a daunting task. Every panel is beautiful, and it feels more like watching an action blockbuster than reading something on the page. Do yourself a favor: start at the first volume and enjoy the ride.
TEA PAIRING: The Dragon's Flame
This sweet and spicy cinnamon tea matches the intensity of YAN, especially in its epic third act. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters Tea & Co.!
0 comments:
Post a Comment