43. King of Thorn by Yuji Iwahara

1. Bibliographic Information:
Iwahara, Y. (2007). King of Thorn (Volume 1). Los Angeles, California: TOKYOPOP Inc.
ISBN: 9781598162356
192 Pages
Action Manga

2. Plot Summary:
The Medusa Virus has become a worldwide epidemic, causing people to slowly turn to stone. There are no known cures and the dead toll is steadily rising. Kasumi, a teenage girl with the virus, has been chosen to participate in a medical study which puts her in a cryogenic sleep until doctors can find a cure. Kasumi is heartbroken, though, because her twin sister, who had also contracted the Medusa Virus, was not chosen. When Kasumi and other patients awake, she sees that the lab is destroyed. Plants are everywhere, and mysterious dinosaur-like animals roam the hallways. Kasumi and ten other patients, namely a young boy, a scientist, a senator, and a mysterious ex-con, computer whiz named Marcus Owen, begin to work together to find their way out of the laboratory. However, with these dangerous conditions and paranoia mounting, can the group work together long enough to survive and figure out what is going on?

3. Critical Evaluation:
This was my first introduction to Manga and graphic novels as a format. While reading from the back to the front, right to left took some getting used to, I enjoyed King of Thorn. The author was able to convey so much emotion and characterization through the illustrations and the captions. Though, having little experience with the format and genre, I can only assume that this is a good example of the craft. The plot itself is nothing new, especially when it comes to survivor fiction: a group of people stranded, with no apparent ways to escape, and danger lurking around every corner. Furthermore, all supporting characters seem to be stereotypes in one way or another with the mysterious ex-con, the doctor who is hiding something, and the senator who is corrupt. However, I found the story fast pace and fun. Readers who are willing to take the plotline and characters with a grain of salt and suspend belief will enjoy King of Thorn for its entertainment value.

4. Reader’s Annotation:
The Medusa Virus is threatening the world’s population. The Sir Henry Abstein Cryogenics Center has promised 160 patients to be cryogenically frozen until a cure can be found. However, something has gone deadly wrong.

5. Information about the Author
Yuji Iwahara was born in Japan. He has worked for a Marvel Comic imprint in Japan called Tsunami. King of Thorn is a six series manga. It is currently being made as an anime movie and will be released in Japan in 2010

6. Genre
Action Manga: Horror

7. Curriculum Ties:
This book could be used as an outside reading book for an English class.

8. Booktalking Ideas
-How would you feel if you were one of the few survivors of an epidemic?
-Do you trust Marcus or any of the other survivors?

9. Reading Level/Interest Age:
I think that young adults aged 15-18 would enjoy this book.

10. Challenge Issues:
I do not feel that this book would be challenged but if there were,
refer to the American Library Association’s website:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/



11. Why it was selected:
The teen librarian at my local library recommended it to me as an introduction to graphic novels.

12. Citation Page

Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

Wikipedia. (2009). Yuji Iwahara. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C5%ABji_Iwahara


Wikipedia. (2010). King of thorn. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Thorn

Picture from:
TVTropes.org (2009) King of thorn. Retrieved from http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KingOfThorn

13. Awards

ALA's 2008 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens