Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Vol. 8

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon #8

by Andy Seto, Wang Dulu

No one realized that one could learn kung-fu skills from the two volumes of "Book of Sacred Form" independently of each other. Surprisingly, Long Gao practices his skills only by following the first volume, and yet his sword skills are astonishing and swift. Long Gao's skills seem to be as good as Li Mu Bai's. But who really has the better skills? Is it Li Mu Bai, who undergoes traditional training and practices meditation? Or is it Long Gao, who learns his skills only by practicing? Who will be defeated? Why can the menu of Wudan be practiced in different ways? This volume will reveal the long awaited outcome

Genres: Graphic Novels, Manga

120 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2004

About the author

Andy Seto (司徒剑侨 simplified chinese, 司徒劍僑 traditional chinese) has worked in comics for nearly 20 years. In 1989, he joined Freeman Publications Limited, and created Sword Kill followed by the famous Gambling Saint. During 1993, He made his first big series Cyber Weapons Z with writer Chris Lau. It was later adapted into an animation series.
Upon its creation, he became the star of the comics world in Hong Kong. Fast forward a few years, in 1997, he served as illustrator for Story of the Tao, which was originally a novel. Then he went to establish his own company - Neo Company Limited. Over the following couple of years Seto and Neo Company Limited acquired the copyrights to illustrate The King of Fighters Z, and Saint Legend, both of which were well received.

Seto has always been inspired by Japanese manga writer and 'Venus War' and 'Orion' creator Yasuhiko Yoshikazu.

In 2002 Seto took on the challenge of producing the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon series adapted from Ang Lee's movie. In 2003 Andy Seto has adapted in a full colour 128-page graphic novel the multi-award winner Soccer - Kung Fu flick Shaolin Soccer by Stephen Chow Sing-chi.
Creations:
-Sword Kill
-Gambling Saint
-Cyber Weapons Z
-Story of the Tao
-The King of Fighters Z
-Saint Legend
-Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
-Shaolin Soccer

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for volumes 5-8

These volumes are where the graphic novels kind of cross paths with the first movie. Governor Yu and Jen make their appearance. So does Dark Cloud and his desert raiders. Jade Fox is married to Mr. Gao, a mentor to Jen and a servant to Governor Yu. The big difference between the comics and the film is Mr. Gao. He is the hidden kung fu master that betrays Jade Fox. He and Mu Bai have a series of fights that eat up a lot of pages. Like A LOT. Short fights with explanations of the techniques are fun. Two volumes full of fighting, with play-by-plays of the action, eh?

There is one good thing about being 8 volumes in; you can start seeing the parallels between the characters. The forbidden love between Shu Lien and Mu Bai is similar to Jen and Dark Cloud. The quest for vengeance from, well, pretty much everyone. I'm not sure if it's bad storytelling, sharing the same stories with several characters, or if its great storytelling? But, outside of the fight scenes, I enjoyed getting to know these character better.

Many other reviewers warn me away from the next 4 volumes. I've heard a variety of reasons why the quality drops off. My guess is that Seto was getting worn out. The story is there, written already by Wang Du Lu. The artwork is always impeccable. Beautiful, immaculate, magical. I don't know if anyone could keep that up for years and years.

Maybe I will see if I can get the books on amazon? Who am I to not finish a story?

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

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