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Yi Soon Shin: Warrior and Defender HC
Publisher: Onrie Kompan Productions
Writer: Onrie Kompan
Artist: Giovanni Timpano
Cover: Giovanni Timpano

Yi Soon Shin: Warrior and Defender is a fantastic historical retelling of Korea’s hero as he defends his country from Japanese invaders and internal struggle. The story itself is filled with political intrigue, deception, rich characters, and some of the most brutal and spectacular battles on the open sea to appear in comics. It’s this combination of great writing and jaw dropping artwork that pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the last page.

If you were one of the unfortunate individuals who did not pick up the single issues, then here is your chance to get them all, plus extras in the form of bios and artwork. There are several interviews with the creative team that give some background on how this story came together. It’s pretty detailed and very honest, but you can tell that everything was worth it after you read the finished product. Onrie’s dedication to this story and the effort put forth in the research really helps to flesh these characters and events out. From the relationships between Yi Soon Shin and his men to the political climate of the country, you will be immersed in a very perilous time in Korea’s history.

Giovanni Timpano’s artwork may not be known to many, but your eyes will kindly thank you for the introduction. There is a level of detail with the backgrounds and the characters themselves that lessens the need for captions and word balloons. Some panels will shock and disgust you, but in the good way that an excellent visual storyteller should be able to do. The battles aren’t filled with over the top stylized shots, but grounded in reality, and Timpano makes each one look like it belongs on the big screen. Adriana De Los Santos’s colors are amazing, and do nothing but compliment Timpano’s artwork.

There is something to be said about a labor of love like this that delivers on every level. Onrie also has more in store for readers, as this is the first in a trilogy about Yi Soon Shin. So whether you are just a history buff, comic reader, or enjoy a very good story, you should give Yi Soon Shin: Warrior and Defender a read. Then go back and read it again!

Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net