Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for the cover image to Claymore #12

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

Set in a medieval-like world, Claymore centers on a long war between monsters called “Yoma,” and the female warriors that fight them, called “Claymores.”  Yoma not only prey upon humans, they also live among them disguised as people.  The Claymores (named for the immense broadswords they wield) are silver-eyed warriors:  half-human, half monster, and possessing supernatural strength.  Powerful enough to fight the Yoma, Claymores must keep their savage impulses in check, or they will turn into monstrous creatures – the “Awakened Ones.”

In Claymore, Vol. 12, the spotlight shifts to a young, somewhat-of-an-outcast Claymore named Clarice.  Several years after the devastating battle of Pieta, Clarice discovers the surprising fate of Clare and some of her comrades.  And what of Clare and her plans in the Claymore/Yoma war?

THE LOWDOWN:  With his medieval-infused shounen manga (boys’ comics), Norihiro Yagi hits a somber tone.  Granted that Claymore has a fight comics style like Bleach, Yagi takes the reader deep into personalities and doomed fates of these magnificent warriors.  Yes, they engage in spectacular, soaring battles with acrobatic feats of martial prowess, but their masters use them like cannon fodder – supernaturally gifted cannon fodder, but still cannon fodder.  Yagi’s charcoal-like, textured art gives the story a burnished, gloomy mood that feels like Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films, and is appropriate for this series.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  As a “Shonen Jump Advanced” title, this is geared towards male readers, but female readers may be drawn to the strong female leads and a story that is as much drama as it is fight.

B+