Tag Archives: john lawrence

Tokyopop announces new Noir Caesar releases!

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ARMS OF THE DRAGON, Vol. 1

created by Marcus Kwabena and John Lawrence, written by John Lawrence, art by Chris Kady
Print SRP: $13.99 ∙ 236 pages ∙
ISBN: 978-1427873309 ∙ For Teen Readers ∙ Available Now!

Not everyone chooses the streets. Sometimes, when everything is taken away, it’s all that’s left. The slums of Shindjin have long since been the champion of poverty. Violence and extortion are commonplace, where one’s fate can literally be determined by a roll of the dice. A place where the fallout of these actions fall onto the shoulders of children. Shou and Jun are two such children, torn from the comfort of the lives they knew and thrust into an environment where organized crime is law. With nowhere to turn, they’re forced to become the very thing that ruined their lives.

ARMS OF THE DRAGON, Vol. 1

ORDINAL TEMPEST, Vol. 1

created by Marcus Kwabena, John Lawrence and Chris Krady, written by John Lawrence, art by Chris Krady
Print SRP: $13.99 ∙ 178 pages ∙ ISBN: 9781427873279 ∙ For Teen Readers ∙ Available February 27th

Humanity has discovered that it is not alone.

An anomaly once believed to be the key to understanding the secrets of the universe has instead become the catalyst for a conflict with creatures known as the Strata. It’s a conflict that threatens the existence of all life in the Universe. Piloting a towering biomechanical Symbiote known as an Intrepid, Fiora arrives on the front lines of the war against the Strata. Hoping to tuns the tide and extinguish the seemingly unstoppable blight on humanity, Fiora soon learns that a war is being waged within her as well.

ORDINAL TEMPEST, Vol. 1

TRY AGAIN, Vol. 1

created by Will Brown, story by Marcus-Kwabena Johnson and John Lawrence, art by Win Delores
SRP: $13.99 · 164 pages · ISBN: 978-1427874054 · Available Now

As a member of the Cacciatore Guild, Danielle Burroughs is one of the criminal underworld’s most renowned hitmen. Despite her success, memories from her past bleed into the present and force her to reconsider the life she now leads. Events are set in motion once she kills Emilio Francesca, her caretaker, but accidentally also kills his daughter, Lilio, in the process. She realizes that she’s had enough of this life, one now truly without meaning. Leaving it all behind, she soon realizes that even Death is no escape from her past.

TRY AGAIN is based on an original story idea created by Will Brown, a 15-year music producer with multiple award nominations for his work. His love for anime, games, and comics led him to co-found Noir Caesar Entertainment with former NBA player Johnny O’Bryant III and create this action-packed story.

TRY AGAIN, Vol. 1

Noir Caesar and Tokyopop announce a publishing partnership

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Tokyopop and Noir Caesar have announced a collaboration with the print and digital release in July of the coming-of-age martial arts drama, Xogenasys, and the sci-fi adventure, Primus 7. This will be followed in August by the launch of the gritty crime and redemption saga, Try Again. Additional new titles will be announced for release in the coming months. 

Noir Caesar Entertainment was founded by self-proclaimed “blerd,” pro athlete, and entrepreneur, Johnny O’Bryant III, who grew up a fervent lover of comics, anime, and manga. He attended Louisiana State University and was drafted into the NBA. But his passion for anime and manga never diminished and led to the founding of Noir Caesar in 2017 with a focus on bringing diversity to anime and manga and to developing original stories by BIPOC creators.

XOGENASYS Vol. 1

written by Johnny O’Bryant & Tre Mcintosh, artwork by Nikolas Draper-Ivey
Print SRP: 13.99 · 264 pages · ISBN-13: 978142787329 · Available July 25th

The future has grown into a decadent, overcrowded gang-ridden cesspool. If you’re not living uptown, you might as well be dead. Such is the case of Darius Smith, an artistic youth living in the hood, doing his best to avoid trouble and live life. Unfortunately, Darius has a hidden talent – he’s an explosive fighter! This makes him the target of many gangs and pits him in many brawls, landing him in the sight of the honorable Timothy Mustafa, powerful prince and owner of one of the most successful XOGeneSYS teams in the country. XOGenaSYS is a successful gladiator sport fought with powered exoskeletons, and Mustafa wants Darius to become the next new fighter! Can Darius become the next champion, or will he fall like so many before him?

XOGENASYS Vol. 1

PRIMUS 7, Vol. 1

written by Johnny O’Bryant, Vaughn Alexander & Marcus Johnson
Print SRP: 13.99 · 194 pages ·  ISBN-13: 9781427873286 · Available July 25th

The peace of Primordia is maintained for years by the Marine Corporation until one of its most prominent members, a man by the name of Arthur Grove, betrays the organization and those that took him in as family (Jarobi & Sevar Ajamu). 

By secretly creating a synthetic form of Orii, Arthur can obtain the power necessary to overthrow the government and install himself as dictator. A resistance movement lead by Sevar Ajamu fails stop Grove and his reign as ruler leaving behind his two sons to take his place and carry out the unfinished mission, Eliminate Arthur Grove! 

PRIMUS 7, Vol. 1

TRY AGAIN, Vol. 1

created by Will Brown; written by John Lawrence, Marcus Kwabena; artwork by Win Dolores
Print SRP: 13.99 · 194 pages · ISBN-13: 9781427874054 · Available August 22nd 

As a member of the Cacciatore Guild, Danielle Burroughs is one of the Underworld’s most renowned hitmen. Despite her success, memories from her past bleed into the present – forcing her to reconcile the life she now leads. Attempting to leave it all behind, she soon realizes that even atonement has a price.

TRY AGAIN, Vol. 1

Review: Arms of the Dragon #6

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Arms of the Dragon #6

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

Review: Arms of the Dragon #5

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Arms of the Dragon #5

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

Review: Arms of the Dragon #4

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Arms of the Dragon #4

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

Review: Arms of the Dragon #3

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Arms of the Dragon #3

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

Review: Try Again #2

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Try Again

When does your morality keep you from doing something? That is the question that idealists have asked as long as the world could dream of eloquent ideas. This what separates idealists from pragmatists. One only wishes it could be such a ways while the other knows how the world actually works. That make sthe vitriol troops got when they came home from the Vietnam War so abhorrent.

Many of those men and women who only followed orders found rebuke and death threats when they came home. The choice of not following orders is only the thing of movies and television and not how it works in the real world. A moral compass has no place in the battlefield. In Noir Ceasar’s Try Again #2, Danielle does find her moral compass but maybe to her own peril.

We find Danielle as she grapples with whom she is doing the hit for, and how she only hopes to walk away alive. When she realizes who the target is and the reasons behind it, she understands immediately why she needs to finish the assignment. Of course, nothing is easy, but being a revenant, comes with its advantages, as she swiftly executes him. By the issue’s end, Danielle uneasily completes the ritual that every revenant must do to ensure payment, a task that is more difficult than it sounds.

Overall, it’s a great chapter which is a bit different than every other entry in the genre. The story by Will Brown, Marcus Johnson, and John Lawrence is exciting. The art by Win Dolores is stunning. Altogether a story that adds some horror to the crime noir genre.

Story: Will Brown, Marcus Johnson, and John Lawrence Art: Win Dolores
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Arms of the Dragon #2

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Arms of the Dragon #2

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

Review: Try Again #1

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Try Again

When it comes to hired guns, one of the most explored archetypes just so happens to be assassins. The genre has taken on an even mythical status, with the Assassins Creed franchise. You can see the archetypes’ influence in everything from ninja movies, Westerns, to even Ray Donovan. Most of these stories go, you have a lone operator whose personal life is in shambles while their professional life is what gives them satisfaction.

My favorite “lone gunmen” were the ones who didn’t say much of anything, like Boba Fett or Duke Togo. In their worlds, both protagonists’ most redeeming quality is their steadfast obedience to the job and their lack of need for distractions. In other stories, they would be boring, but in these stories, they are intriguing. In Noir Ceasar’s take on the genre, Try Again, we meet another character whose world is more complicated than they would like to admit, as we find out in the debut issue.

We meet Danielle Burroughs, an assassin, who has just been given a job, which she has some doubts about.  As she catches up with her spotter, Damien, she espouses her guilt over killing a family man, but also one of the city’s biggest crime bosses. Just when she takes out her target, there seems to be an unintended casualty from the job. By the issue’s end, Danielle finds out her guilt is not easily escaped, as a far worst fate is waiting.

Overall, a strong debut that’s a fine entry to the hitman genre. The story by the creative team is pulse-pounding. The art by Win Dolores is beautiful. Altogether a story that will grab you and won’t let you go.

Story: Will Brown, Marcus Johnson, and John Lawrence
Art: Win Dolores
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Arms of the Dragon #1

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Arms of the Dragon Vol. 1

As a fan of the show Man in the High Castle, I was sad to see it end. The book the series was based on mesmerized me as a preteen. Philip K. Dick’s classic imagined a world where evil won and factions of good souls fought against the dying of the light. Fast forward, to today, where dystopia is no longer a farfetched concept but a relevant reflection of today’s ills.

Even something considered high fantasy like Game Of Thrones tends to speak the inextricable complexities of the human condition. This is why the show’s finale gave us a complex view of a morally bankrupt world where the lines of morality are no longer blurred but simply ignored. In today’s world this seems more reality than fiction. In one of Noir Cessar’s first offerings, we get the debut chapter of Arms Of The Dragon, where a pair of street orphans must adapt or overcome.

We meet Shou, a young kid, who is exploring life through comics, ones he got from his big brother, and whose home life seems normal, as his parents own a restaurant, where a local gang leader is trying shake his father down for protection, something, his family feeds they don’t require. We also meet his best friend, Jun, who feels more like another sibling than a friend. Things change for the family one night when the same gang looking to shake the restaurant for protection money, kills Shou’s big brother. By the issue’s end, Shou confronts the gang leader, leading to a standoff that forces Shou to grow up in an instance.

Overall, an engaging crime noir story that gives us another epic to follow. The story by Marcus Johnson and John Lawrence is well developed and harrowing. The art by Chris Krady is beautiful. Altogether, a story that separates itself from other crime stories in its first chapter.

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