The number of manga's with a black guy as a protagonist are few enough that they can be counted on your fingers. This is not due to any outward bias, in all probability a mangaka suffer from the same prejudices that mire the rest of us men. But those few manga heroes that do break the mold and venture through are bound by none of the tropes and stereotypes that bind and chain down the Hollywood black hero. Creating something unique and worthy of study. And most importantly, something that is all out bizarre fun.
The man with no name aint even a thang!
Blaster Knuckle is one such manga. At first glance the slightly clunky art and dated look of the manga might be a turn-off for some, but those who choose to look beyond the surface will be greatly rewarded. Because this is the manga response to the entire blaxploitation genre of films.
And boy is it one helluva response!
Our hero travels from town to town epitomizing the spirit of the lone wanderer/stranger that is ever present in "Wild West" story-lines - and he has guns, loads of guns. He quests, seeking out those monsters that hide in the skins of men, monsters pretending to be men and perpetrating horrors beyond the comprehension of mortal ken.
Behold the White Devil and the vast slew of horror he has inflicted upon man.
Behold the Wild West, bathed in the blood of the innocent.
Behold the demons who hide among your kind and incite you to evil, fanning your hatreds for their own nefarious purposes.
And behold the Stranger, for he is your only succor, your only savior.
Be wary of his left hand, for the power of God rests within it. The power of a god-damned big explosion that is! With a left hand that is a modified gauntlet, our hero dispenses death in noble fashion from his fist of metal. Filled with gunpowder, the blaster knuckles explode with frightening power on every impact. Blowing up the demonic adversaries to bloody bits. No I'm not exaggerating. All that really happens.
Damn straight
The manga reminds you a lot of Berserk, it has a lot less polish of course but it reminds you of those wild, early arcs of Berserk in which anything was possible and the story burned through the pages at a frenzied pace. It reminds you of berserk in a good way.
It has a kickass plot and an awesome B grade storyline as a bonus. The gags and the innovative weapons of destruction will keep you hooked to this baby long after the chapters have run out.
Check it out from some grade 'A' manga dynamite in your face.
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