Review by Ian Keogh

Taka is referred to as a notorious delinquent several times over the opening few pages, and after growing up on the streets there’s no doubt she can handle herself, yet Ryan Jampole begins by showing there are forces in the universe that should never be unleashed. Guess what? In her hunt for a golden mekku Taka unleashes them. The threat is d-spikes turning angry people into near-invincible robots, but thanks to new friend Meg the last of the Science Priests, Taka has an opportunity to become the Mech Fighter and put things right again.

Jampole’s going for light comedy adventure with Taka, and immediately sets the right tone by characterising Taka herself beautifully. Despite her grumpiness, the vulnerability is evident, making her an appealing personality, and her likeability is sustained throughout as Jampole plays her off cheerfully innocent friends. While Taka is influenced by Japanese comics, Jampole’s art holds greater detail than most, embedding Taka in a viable world.

With a number of d-spikes out there, the possibilities of repetition are apparent, but although people are always transformed into robot animal forms, the way Jampole approaches the encounters ensures variety, and all the while the threat of the robot spider hangs over the story. It almost killed the original Mech Fighter. Unusually, Taka isn’t greatly concerned with keeping her other identity a secret, and her forceful character is surely why the graphic novel is titled after her rather than the Mech Fighter.

The art is excellent, offering character, good designs, and well choreographed action. The energy leaps from the pages and Jampole has a whole drawer full of grumpy expressions for Taka.

What at first seem a supporting cast lacking depth come to work well alongside Taka, particularly well-intentioned journalist Star, amusingly apologising for Taka’s past misdeeds even as she puffs up the heroism. That comes with a few restrictions introduced as more pages turn, but Taka’s unconventional form of heroism is a constant delight. Not for her the polite walk away if she can extract a freebie.

Taka is a sizeable graphic novel, but Jampole keeps the interest high until the end, having a storyteller’s instinct about good twists and the the necessary softening of Taka’s character. This is a lot of fun.