Manga Review: Variante Volume Four

[Jason]

Title: Variante
Volume: 4
Mangaka : Igura Sugimoto
Publisher: CMX
Originally Serialized In: Monthly Dragon Age
Genre: Horror, Suspense, Sci-fi
Rated: Mature (18+)
Price: $12.99/US

It’s hard to review the final book of a series. What is there to say that doesn’t ruin it? I know, let’s recap what’s led up to this point:

Aiko, a young girl, woke up in a hospital with giant holes in her memory and a monstrous right arm where her normal arm should be. Her parents were slaughtered by something known as a ‘chimera’ and her arm is also now chimeric in nature. An organization, known as Atheos, has roped her into working for them, (aka, be their hired killer). Aiko has some friends looking to rescue her, and help her bring down Atheos, notably Agent Sudo who started out investigating her and is now helping her instead.

This is pretty much the end of a bloody road. Aiko, confronted with her true nature, goes catatonic, leaving much of the early action to Sudo and his companions. This is where we learn the full history of Atheos and their plans, plus all the secret players. Things begin to go badly for Sudo, waking Aiko out of her stupor, and the bloody final battle begins. Is it a happy or sad ending? Well, telling you would spoil it, but it seems to be a fitting ending.

The final volume balances emotions fairly well as the plot wraps up. The art is very good, and occasionally a touch gruesome. As seems to be CMX’s way, the Japanese sound effects are removed and replaced with the English. For those having gotten this far in the series, the finale of Variante should probably satisfy them.

Reviewer: D.M. Evans
Proofed and Edited By: Lissa Pattillo