By Kiminori Wakasugi
Viz Media, 195 pp.
Rating: Mature (18+)

Inspired by the older days of Alice Cooper and Kiss, Detroit Metal City (a.k.a. DMC) takes the stage as one of Viz’s newest additions to their Signature line. The story centers on Soichi Negishi, a sweet young flower shop employee who enjoys Swedish pop music and keeping up with the latest fashions and music scenes. Beneath this sweet, creampuff exterior is a dark and terrible secret that Negishi struggles daily to hide. Enter Krauser II, a death metal god (imagine a scarier Gene Simmons), complete with glowing demon armor, crazy face paint and the symbol for “kill” on his brow. Though Negishi tries to hide his identity from friends and family, the band is growing more popular by the day and when he is thrown into situations where he needs to be Krauser, he really becomes icon people make him out to be.

In terms of comedic writing, this book has probably some of the more ridiculous setups you will ever see. It’s like taking Spinal Tap, Detroit Rock City, and a year’s subscription to Heavy Metal, blending them, and then deep frying the concoction. There are a lot of mature themes in this book (abuse, killing, rape, blood, sacrifices) but luckily the editors didn’t make too many changes to the source material. The book really wouldn’t work or make sense without the adult themes and though it can be gruesome at times, the themes are meant to be jokes and remain as such. Soichi’s absolute denial of who he really is the grand prizewinner for the comedy. It makes you feel a bit bad for the character at first; he gets so overwhelmed with the world of metal around him. When he turns into Krauser II, you feel good, not only because it is funny but also because he is getting his aggression out. The minor characters also play a huge role comedy-wise. Camus the drummer is strong and silent, only speaking to say obscenely sexual comments to the women around him. Their manager also turns the sexual language up loud, talking endlessly about her private area.

Artistically, DMC is nothing to write home about. The book offers a very sketchy set of drawings, but this isn’t a bad part of the book. The sketchy art style that Kiminori Wakasugi offers really drives home the humor. The drawings are also very well detailed, especially the performance scenes. Additionally, the characters and their costumes designs are very well crafted. The emotions come across the characters’ faces easily and don’t feel forced. They give a lot of life to the writing and I think this type of humor would be lost without this almost childish style of drawing.

All in all, I am glad Viz was able to put out DMC and that I was able to review it. The book is honestly and very refreshing look at modern manga, especially in terms of gag manga. The most interesting aspect about it is that the jokes transcend Japanese culture entirely, allowing anyone and everyone around the world to enjoy the stylings of Krauser II. Another great aspect of the book: temporary tattoos. Though you have to be 18 to purchase said book, it becomes all that more worth it when you read the front cover to see that there is a fun little treat inside. Incidentally, I covered myself in them. Kudos to Viz for giving their fans what they want, with a little something extra!

Volume one of Detroit Metal City is available now.