Review by Ian Keogh
There has been an alien invasion by fearsome, yet still humanoid creatures. Former policeman Ayumi Mashiro has found himself occupying the body of the most brutal of the invaders, and can’t persuade the authorities or superheroes of his good intentions. He’s also discovered the invaders weren’t actually aliens, but technology constructed by the NAST corporation, a secret they want to keep, so it’s been publicly revealed Mashiro is now Zero. That particularly affects Akari Jinno, Mashiro’s former partner, whose sister was killed by the original Zero. Mikumo Seto told you all about it in Villain Actor 01.
Mashiro’s situation means he’s targeted by superheroes, and although as Zero he’s stronger than most, he’s also hampered by not wanting to injure or kill them, a limitation they don’t share. Their locating him means the opening chapter doesn’t play to artist Kentaro Harada’s strengths. He’s a good artist and designer, but his flaw is a lack of clarity when choreographing action scenes, which are very difficult to follow, and occupy this volume’s first third. As seen on the sample page of Jinno cornering Mashiro, though, he supplies full emotional rage.
Perhaps sensing a plot of Mashiro constantly on the run has its limitations, Seto broadens the cast by introducing the relief and twist of help for Mashiro, but also complicates the series. It was established in the first volume that Jinno’s somewhat the superhero enthusiast, and the rankings and classifications she’s so aware of now take on a greater relevance.
Until now NAST has been rather faceless, but Seto now provides a controlling entity and focal point for the true villainy. The introductory meeting is well handled for the extra emotional investment, but Harada’s confusing art then diminishes the resulting combat.
As this volume ends, a power-up makes Mashiro more efficient, and over a selection of smartly designed sequences he’s received greater insight into the way the world is. It’s an intriguing broadening of possibilities and sees Villain Actor remain strong going forward.
