6. The Boxer by JH
For Those Who Like Sports
“The enigmatic Yu lives his life without joy or purpose. All aspects of the young man are a mystery to those around him…save for his superhuman athletic abilities. Yu has rhythm, grace, and power on the level of the top pound-for-pound fighters, and his potential is too much for the legendary Coach K to ignore. Taking the young prodigy under his wing, the two shock the world of boxing, fight by fight, as Coach K attempts to make Yu the greatest of all time. But what exactly compels Yu to keep entering the ring…?” (Ize Press)
Visually, JH's style is not as technically clean or polished as a lot of other popular manhwa titles. Still, this grittiness adds a humane aspect to an art style often dominated by a feeling of artificiality in the digital art process. Consequently, the art feels unique to JH. In contrast, regardless of how well executed it is, other manhwa titles in the Ize Press line-up present themselves as interchangeable–this is the first artist with instant recognition through their art. The artist's ability to capture motion for a sports manga will always be a key element. Thankfully, JH's loose visual style flows seamlessly into explosive action sequences where every dodge and punch is animated and easy to follow. Looking at single panels within “The Boxer” won't evoke a sense of awe. Still, as the book starts to flow together, the visual presence becomes one of its defining attributes.
7. The Restorer's Home by Sang-Yeop Kim
For Those That Love the Supernatural
“High school freshman Sung-woo lives alone in a big traditional Korean house inherited from his grandfather. He has a great skill to restore objects such as antiques to their original condition. He also has a supernatural ability to see souls, which are sometimes tied to these objects. Trying not to reveal his ability, he secretly helps friends and people around him fix their broken stuff.” (ABLAZE Publishing)
“The Restorer's Home” has a relatively relaxed pace where the focus on antiquity and the restorer's job becomes the central focus. At the same time, fantasy and comedy complement the book's exploration of artifacts. By focusing on the history of Korea, including elements of mythology, the manhwa will appeal to readers who like learning about cultural aspects interwoven with light entertainment. Notably, Sung-woo's power to look at a broken item and explore its history to be able to fix it is, easily, the most rewarding aspect of “The Restorer's Home.”
8. The Remarried Empress by Alphatart, SUMPUL & HereLee
For Those Who Love Historical Romance
“Navier Ellie Trovi was the lifelong companion of Sovieshu, the emperor of the Eastern Empire, with whom she spent her youth discussing the empire they would build together. She was intelligent, compassionate, and courageous. She was the perfect empress of the Eastern Empire, until the day Sovieshu fell for another woman, demanding a divorce. However, it was Navier who shocked Sovieshu, his beloved mistress, and a speechless court as she coldly declared: “I accept this divorce…and request an approval of my remarriage!” (IZE Press)
“The Remarried Empress” is impressive in its writing, and Navier is one of the more admirable characters you will come across in the historical fiction genre. This an easy recommendation for those looking to get into WebToons who enjoy historical, romance, and drama comics. While the visual flair may be slightly lacking outside of the gorgeous costume design, the dialogue is gripping, and the story is engaging from the onset.
9. Jack the Ripper: Hell Blade by Je-tae Yoo
For Those Who Love Horror
“Jack the Ripper is not what he seems–but the truth may be more terrible than anyone imagined. A young police detective from Scotland Yard struggles to unravel the mystery behind the brutal slayings that grip 19th Century London. What he learns will turn his world upside down, and pit him face to face against the Ripper himself. But is Jack his savior or destroyer?” (Seven Seas Entertainment)
While horror releases in print have been slightly behind the fantasy and action-heavy titles, “Jack the Ripper: Hell Blade” offers a nice mix of gothic horror and action. The biggest draw is the consistently flashy art style, as the book wastes no time getting into the nitty gritty and exploring the dark creatures plaguing London. Horror fans may want to dig into the depths of WebToon for more horror-focused titles, but the mix here should still be enough to satiate those looking for a bit of blood and chaos.
10. The Horizon by JH
For Those Who Love Getting Drawn Into Tragedy
“A world where everything has been lost. A boy and a girl, alone together. A spark of hope, kindled between them. All they can do is move forward. But against broken adults and devastating despair, how long will they be able to keep going…?” (Ize Press)
A meditation on suffering, JH's “The Horizon” moves at a considered pace, following the lives of two young kids who have survived a horrific, world-ending disease. The series thrives under its minimalistic approach; pages are left dialogue-free to capture the anxiety and fear of the children as they navigate an uncertain landscape. “The Horizon” is equal parts bleak and tragic, and under the expert guidance of its creator, the manhwa stands as one of the most masterfully told stories to grace the medium.
11. The World After The Fall by Undead Gamja, singNsong & S-Cynan
For Those Who Love Sharp Visuals
“A tower one day appeared in the skies, standing out as a beacon of chaos and apocalypse. A heroic and powerful lot known as Walkers cleared the tower floors in order to save humanity, until the day that the Stone of Regression was discovered. Walkers could now “return” to the past, and slowly, everyone left. The brave few who remained formed Carpe Diem, a group of people who refused to abandon the world and represented humanity's last hope. But once the last Walker reached floor 100, he no longer knew what to believe…” (Ize Press)
“After the Fall” is an engaging page-turner, as its frantic pace is matched with a quickly delivered narrative focused on what key components the reader needs to know. The series, admittedly, lacks depth, but this is of little concern with how well-executed the action is. Personally, it has been a while since I read a full-color comic that tapped into what first attracted me to the superhero genre. While my preferences have changed over the years, the joy I felt reading “After the Fall” caught me pleasantly off-guard. If you are looking for fast-paced action that aims to entertain, give this one a shot.
