Tag Archives: noir caesar

Noir Caesar and Tokyopop announce Try Again

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Try Again is the latest Noir Caesar graphic novel to join the Tokyopop catalog, which also includes the coming-of-age martial arts drama, Xogenasys, and the sci-fi adventure, Primus 7.

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. The story is by Marcus-Kwaben Johnson and John Lawrence with art by Win Delores. It comes to shelves on November 14th.

Try Again Vol. 1

Xogenasys Vol. 1 kicks off the future of gladiatorial sports

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Xogenasys Vol. 1

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 several gangs and pits him in many brawls, landing him in the sight of the honorable Timothy Mustafa, a powerful prince. Xogenasys Vol. 1 introduces us to the future where a new gladiatorial sport provides a possibly even more brutal path for Darius.

With a concept by Johnny O’Bryant III and written by Tre McIntosh, Xogenasys Vol. 1 is an intriguing start that mixes a few different concepts. We’re given just breadcrumbs when it comes to what this future is like. The story takes place in 2069 and there’s a clear disparity between the people. Darius attempts to do the right thing but his defending himself is spun into assault by the police sending Darius down a difficult path. When in reality, Darius is attempting to defend himself, and his neighborhood, against local gangs. But, that puts him on a path to be a fighter.

There’s a lot to chew on with just that tidbit. There’s a reflection of the modern slave pipeline of the police trumping up charges to deliver new workers to those who exploit them. But, Darius exploitation still comes in the form of another path with a deal that’s too good to be believed. And likely is too good to be believed. Building wealth off of the work of certain groups, whether in prison or sports, is an idea that’s worthy of exploration and Xogenasys Vol. 1 feels like it dances around the concept.

For those that don’t want to go that deep in their entertainment, it also provides the sport itself. A MMA like entertainment, Xogenasys is a combat sport that adds in powered exoskeletons into the combat. Will Darius become a champion, living up to the potential he’s shown. For those that want to focus on that, there’s more than enough there to entertain.

With art by Nikolas Draper-Ivery, Xogenasys Vol. 1 is visually intriguing. The comic is inspired by manga with a lot of the visual queues that genre takes. There’s some moments where the art looks a little rough and unfinished but it also feels like it fits the story overall. The design of the world is nice. While it is in the future, and things are still rather shitty, the world still feels familiar. It doesn’t take the concept of the future too far, even when it comes to its exoskeleton fights. It’s almost reserved in a way.

Xogenasys Vol. 1 shows off a lot of potential in its story and its underlying themes. It’s entertaining for those who just like sports like MMA and delivers a little more under the surface. Overall, one to check out if you haven’t heard of it before.

Concept: Johnny O’Bryant III Story: Tre McIntosh Art: Nikolas Draper-Ivey
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Tokyopop provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Amazon – Bookshop

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: Yeehaw Blue #3

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Yeehaw Blue #3

The way the world forces certain people into our lives is almost always remarkable.  It is also befuddling why certain people you meet, you really ever get along with. Case and point, a job I was recently at, this one person, where we were the same age, same situation and yet we did not connect. Then it dawned on me exactly why and I now consider that a blessing.

As I soon realized this person was of low character and often was considered one of the organization’s “snitches”. On the same token, someone who came at me with initial apprehension at a different job became one of my best friends.AS who gets dropped into your life is both a wondrous and beautiful coincidence of living. In the third issue of Yeehaw Blue, Reya meets someone who will become one of her best friends.

We find Kia Johnson, an unassuming young woman, at school where some of the mean girls are trying to have their fun with her, something that they would come to regret. We also find Reya back at school in Ms.Blikeson’s office, where her nonconformist attitude gets her in trouble. Both Kia and Reya meet and get along famously. By the issue’s end, though both of them end up at the Dean’s office, they find a similar spirit in each other.

Overall, an enjoyable episode that injects some levity into the story. The story by the creative team is exhilarating. The art by Jones is striking. Altogether, a story that shows that even misfits are only that to people who don’t understand.

Story: Shay Jones, Johnny O’Bryant, Marcus Johnson, and Corey Mikkell Art: Shay Jones
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Yeahaw Blue #2

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Yeehaw Blue

As a fan of the show, Supernatural, I have always loved when they poked fun at themselves. The Winchester Brothers, from the very start, have always been the Luke Skywalker and Han Solo of monster hunting. As Dean’s cynicism is always matched with Sam’s righteousness. Through the show’s 11 seasons, it has always found a way to make the siblings relatable yet stoic in some aspect.

The show has always endured because the brothers with the help of their winged friend, Castiel, and occasionally from their father figure, Bobby, are all of us. We are not one thing because of our family but are many things because of those we call friends. In an episode in the previous season, we saw, the Brothers play out their own version of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. In the second issue of Yeehaw Blue, Reya much like the Winchesters must recover to persevere.

We find Reya, shortly after her fight with a Teras, as she recovers in the school infirmary. As we soon find out that Reya and Boonie were both burnt, and neither of them nor the school knows how a Teras could breathe fire. As the nurse and the headmaster discuss the implications of what may come from the incident, they soon realize the school may have been underestimating Reya’s skills. By the issue’s end, Reya’s family heirloom seems to be more a knickknack, as it causes eerie visions that only Boone can see when holding it.

Overall, it’s a fun chapter that dives a bit into character exploration. The story by the creative team is exciting. The art by Jones is stunning. Altogether, a story that gives a different look at the underdog.

Story: Shay Jones, Johnny O’Bryant, Marcus Johnson, and Corey Mikkell Art: Shay Jones
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Bu

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: Xogenasys #4

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XOGENASYS #4

In the remake of The Karate Kid, we get the same story but actually much better. As the same trope of “fish out of water” is still the same. Where it differs, is that it shows how the protagonist, is everyone’s journey. As we mostly hope we know who we are.

As the remake showed just how difficult it is to learn something new. It ingratiated the protagonist in the viewers’ imaginations, by showing no matter the odds, you just stay the course and persevere. Jackie Chan playing the role that Pat Morita played, made the movie, even more authentic. In Xogenasys #4 we find Darius learning how hard training is

We find Darius fighting with his trainer in a practically no holds barred sparring match that leaves him humble.  Eventually  the gym owner, stops the fight before it becomes dangerous to either of them. As he implores to Darius , just how disciplined he needs to be, to become the best. By issue’s end,  Darius finally gets his first match scheduled

Overall, Xogenasys #4 is a great chapter that endears Darius to the reader. The story by Corey Mikell is stupendous. The art by Sebastian Riera is elegant. Altogether, Xogenasys #4 is an entry that gives us some greater insight into the story and world.

Story: Corey Mikkell Art: Sebastian Riera
Story: 8.8 Art: 9.1 Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

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