One of my favorite movies of all time is Once Upon A Time In America. The movie gave viewers perspective on exactly how the world treats immigrants. It is often cruel and unjust to people who were not born here in the place they reside. So often, you look for those who are facing the same issues, as there  is solace in knowing you are not alone.

As some people become more focused on the meaning of life that they forget to live. As the despait tends to anchor some people down. Or as some, they turn into anger and hate,  a violent yet powerful weapon. In Noir Ceasar’s sixth chapter of Arms of the Dragon, Shou begins to become who he is without his family in his life.

We find Shou much older, and in charge despite the Shottas reach as one of the capos loses a fight to him. The kid he helps, he sees a lot of himself in, which causes him to offer him help, an offer which is quickly refused .He eventually finds Shou and grudgingly gets his help, but not without some resistance. By issue’s end, they bring him into the fold, but not without making sure he belongs

Overall, Arms of the Dragon #6 is a nice book end chapter that adds a bit of back-story. The story by Marcus Johnson and John Lawrence is rousing. The art by Chris Krad is dazzling. Altogether, an arc that a tinge of drama to an already exciting story.

Story: Marcus Johnson and John Lawrence Art: Chris Krady
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Throughout your life, things push you to go in certain directions. For some a tragedy sends some people spiraling. For others, they go through a life of denial. Then for others, they become a totally new person.

Some people become more focused on the meaning of life that they forget to live. The despair tends to anchor some people down. Or like some, they turn into anger and hate,  a violent yet powerful weapon. In Noir Ceasar’s fifth chapter of Arms of the Dragon, Shou begins to become who he is without his family in his life.

We find Shou, shortly after discovering that the girl that gave him food, had been taken by the Shotta Mafioso, leads him to track them down. He eventually gets to their hideout, where one of the capos, has just killed a pair of cops, and Shou finally finds his nerve. He gets in a skirmish with the capo who took the girl, eventually killing him. By the issue’s end, we take a leap forward, where the boys are street avengers.

Overall, a promising episode that will adds a layer of intrigue to the story. The story by Johnson and Lawrence is stirring. The art by Krady is stunning. Altogether, a story that shows sometimes tragedy makes who they were always meant to be.

Story: Marcus Johnson and John Lawrence Art: Chris Krady
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

When one suffers a tragedy, it becomes sometimes hard to get past it. As life throws you these curves and makes you question everything. It becomes sometimes untenable as to how much our heart can’t take before it goes asunder. Then that heartbreak can lead to some very dark places.

As it becomes easy to get caught up in it to the point, that you feel that the world is working against you. The truth is that you have to define what that new normal is for you. As you can become inspired or never be the same for the worst. In Noir Ceasar’s fourth chapter of Arms of the Dragon, Shou is left to pick up the pieces.

We find Shou, in shambles, as his family is now gone, and all he has left is a letter from a girl who he showed some grace. As the girl, Chizuru, left him some food, knowing that he is looking for a bit of hope. It would not be long before one of the Shottas finds out what she did and makes her an example. By the issue’s end, Shou finds out what happened to Chizuru, leaving him in a rage.

Overall, Arms of the Dragon #4 is a harrowing episode that will adds a layer of despair to the story. The story by Marcus Johnson and John Lawrence is moving. The art by Chris Krady is beautiful. Altogether, a story that digs into the evils of this world.

Story: Marcus Johnson and John Lawrence Art: Chris Krady
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

The show Hunters on Amazon was one of the most controversial shows of recent memory. Not necessarily because of the violence but of how it sought to tell a different alternative history of World War II. This is where art and fact, often conflict and where the oft-neglected uncomfortable conversations come up. This is where actual discussion should take place but instead gets ignored.

What the show does brilliantly is discuss post-traumatic stress disorder. It deftly shows how that condition is tied into the horrors of war in all its ugliness and how humanity is a concept unutilized in times like those, and to be honest, rarely today. In some very difficult, often unwatchable scenes it shows the cruelty the Nazis inflicted on different Jewish prisoners. In Noir Ceasar’s third chapter of Arms of the Dragon, Shou suffers a public indignity, one this community will not recover from.

We find Shou being made an example by the Shottas as his family restaurant burns for the whole neighborhood to see. As the leader of the gang barbed spike into Shou’s hand, everyone watches in terror as different people attempt to take out the spike only to get shot in the head if they don’t. Even his friend, Deito couldn’t pull out the spike in time suffering a similar fate. By the issue’s end, a young lady is able to pull it out in time, saving hers and Shou’s life.

Overall, Arms of a Dragon Chapter 3 is a gruesome entry that will have the reader panting. The story by Marcus Johnson and John Lawrence is affecting. The art by Chris Krady is eye-catching. Altogether, a story that doesn’t shy away from the brutality a world like this yields

Story: Marcus Johnson and John Lawrence Art: Chris Krady
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

When it comes to action stars, not many do it as good as Sammo Hung. Many people have never heard of him but if you’re a fan of Kung Fu films you would most certainly know who he is. He’s a very good friend of Jackie Chan and has starred in many films with the international action star. In fact, they can be considered Simon Pegg and Nick Frost before there was Simon Pegg and Nick Frost but instead of the comedy genre, the whole Hong Kong film industry.

One of my favorite movies by the duo is Mr. Nice Guy where the two were at the top of their form,. They often infusing comedy in this otherwise action-packed film. The movie showcased the two best friends’ chemistry in a way that most film fans wished they collaborated more. In Noir Ceasar’s second chapter of Arms of the Dragon, much like Chan and Hung, best friends must come together to move forward.

We find Tosh’s gang shortly after killing Shou’s big brother, thankfully the police arrive, but unbeknownst to Shou, they are being paid by Tosh, leaving the family vulnerable to these predators. This forces Shou’s dad, Benji, to sign this restaurant over, but right when they thought it was over, Tosh executes Benji for what he feels is a slight. Right when Shou, thought it could not get worse, Tosh’s gang kills the rest of his family and burns their family restaurant down. By the issue’s end, Shou inherits something he would never imagine.

Overall, Arms of the Dragon #2 is a heart-wrenching chapter that will have the reader gasping. The story by Marcus Johnson and John Lawrence is powerful. The art by Chris Krady is stunning. Altogether, a story that feels as raw as any crime story.

Story: Marcus Johnson and John Lawrence Art: Chris Krady
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy