“Set within the timeline of the original series, this brand-new Captain Harlock adventure marks the beginning of a new story arc. Planet Earth is threatened by an upcoming invasion by the Mazon and despite being banished as a pirate, Captain Harlock won’t give up trying to save the world. This time, the source of danger comes directly from Earth, not outer space. A team of scientists discovers a Mazon mausoleum where they find information about terrifying genetic manipulations and a destructive power capable of either providing the Mazon with immortality or putting an end to their civilization. The unprecedented cold spell hitting Earth might only be a taste of what this new enemy has in store…” (Ablaze Publishing)
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Space Captain Harlock has long been an iconic character within Japanese manga, and one whose influence as a stoic hero has made an impression on many creators in the genre. While there have been many iterations of the series, as well as countless appearances in pop culture, the Captain has not seen as much success here in the West as much as other iconic figures from the classic era of manga. However, European artist Jerome Alquie takes on the challenge of bringing the cult hero to a new audience while paying homage to what made the series a standout in the first place.
Notably, the story exists within the cannon of the original series–there is no experimentation with the characters or a dreaded ‘re-imagining’. The crew, lead by Harlock, face off against a new threat from the Mazon that escalates into an epic fight with towering goddesses of the alien race. At the same time, the graphic novel gives glimpses into the past of various crew so that new audiences won’t be completely lost in the content. It is a well balanced story for old and new fans, and one that is large in both scale and severity.
Capturing the chaos of large intergalactic space conflict is where the art of Alquie excels. Images of the Mazon gods swimming through the depths or emerging from the earth are wonderfully envisioned. Furthermore, the panel work is free flowing with images often bleeding into other panels in a way that heightens the visual presentation and narrative. The attention to detail is amazing, and Alquie’s faithful interpretation of the characters is bound to both appease existing fans and draw in new ones. Looking at the release as a visual experience alone, the book is an exceptional addition to the world of Captain Harlock.
The hardcover edition, which collects the entire six issue run, is complimented by showcasing the various original and variant covers. In addition, the book includes concept art that shows the process of Alquie and character bios at the end. It makes for a nice package, and for those that have not been collecting the single issues, this is the ideal way to grab the series in its entirety.
It is really exciting to see Space Captain Harlock and his crew take flight and fight once more, Jerome Alquie’s interpretation of the work feels like a love letter to the original material. Perfect for existing fans and those interested in checking out the adventures of Arcadia crew for the first time.
