“Jungwoo Min has a special ability, one that lets him see when a path leads to a misfortune, or disaster. He uses his “Eyes of Misfortune” to spot these unfortunate events and stop them. Disguising himself as a terrorist, he begins using his power to save people from certain danger. This leads him to become feared by the people he is looking to save. Soon he discovers that the more he saves others, the unhappier he becomes. Thus unfolds the story of a hero and his struggle between happiness and despair. And the unfortunate reality of saving the world, even while becoming a supposed terrorist…or TERROR MAN!” (Abalze Publishing)
Capturing the beginnings of a new hero, Han Dongwoo & Ko JinHo's “Terror Man” is one of the most explosive and exciting manhwa titles to come to print. While this is largely due to the eccentric characters and the special abilities of its protagonist Jungwoo Min, the series excels thanks to its sleek artistic vision–a testament to the ability of digital art to be utilized in intriguing ways beyond the formulaic approach often seen in WebToons.
The visuals of “Terror Man” are sleek and action-heavy, with fights flowing in a way that oozes coolness, thanks to a clever play of transitioning and mixing black and white pallets and vivid colors throughout. What initially seems like a gimmick, becomes a considered artistic choice to highlight certain moments or actions. Furthermore, Ko JinHo's visual approach works well when the series dips into other genres, notably his ability to convey how Jungwoo Min's abilities manifestation introduces elements of fantasy and, in some cases, horror. Given the strong visual presence, the choice of Ablaze to bring the series to print proves to be a worthwhile endeavor.
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Thankfully, the visuals don't overwhelm Han Dongwoo's writing, as the origin-story of Jungwoo Min is perfectly sculpted to fit into the superhero genre–tragic background – check, desire for justice – check. This extends to the catharsis of seeing corrupt powera challenged by a hopeful youth putting his life on the line in order to save others from terrorist attacks. The other characters, especially the bad a** assassin/mentor Lillia, complement the growth of Jungwoo Min from awkward youth struggling to understand his powers to the titular “Terror Man”.
However, the inaugural release does leave a degree of reservation going for the following volumes, as a standout origin story does not necessarily equate to the longevity of a hero. Yet, given the five volumes previously released and an upcoming anime adaptation, there is certainly promise that the series will develop in a way that is bound to appease fans of superhero/action manhwa.
It is, undeniably, exciting to see how the anime adapts the visual style of Ko JinHo given the art is a major draw to the work. This further adds to the allure of the project and readers who are drawn to the genre should check out the manhwa before the adaptation drops (At the time of writing a release date has not been confirmed, though you can view a teaser here).
“Terror Man” is one of the most exciting action series to come to print, and seeing it on the page is a true treat for collectors. Whether the series maintains the momentum crafted in the origin story of Jungwoo Min, the prospect of seeing the series developed and brought over into other mediums is an exciting prospect. If you like action-heavy superhero series, grabbing “Terror Man” is a no-brainer.
