Comics / Manga

D.Gray-Man: Volume 17

By Leroy Douresseaux
May 17, 2010 - 11:56

D.Gray-Man Volume 17 cover image is courtesy of barnesandnoble.com.

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

The world of Allen Walker is essentially an alternate version of our world’s 19th century.  The 15-year-old Walker roams his world searching for a substance called “Innocence,” some of which has bonded with his left arm to form a bladed weapon.  Allen is an Exorcist, one of many fighting the evil Millennium Earl (who resembles a caricature of a Victorian gentleman) and his minions, the demons known as “Akuma.”

As D.Gray-man, Vol. 17 opens, Allen and the other members of the Black Order are in the midst of moving to new headquarters.  However, a virus known Komuvitan D has turned many members of the order into zombies, which is further complicating an already complicated move.  It is up to Komui, the creator of the virus, to stop it, but he doesn’t know where to begin.

Once at the new headquarters, the focus shifts to Allen and the revelation that his body is now host to the memories of the Fourteenth, a notorious Noah.  Because of this, some in the Black Order are plotting to kill him, and Allen meets face to face with his mentor, General Cross Marian.

THE LOWDOWN:  It is disappointing that the 17th volume of D.Gray-man is such a mixed bag.  The conclusion of the Komuvitan D virus storyline is all slapstick – slapstick action and slapstick comedy.  When it moves to the new Black Orders’ headquarters, the story returns to its core, which is, of course, solid dark fantasy and shonen superhero action.  This is when D.Gray-man is as good as the best superhero comic books in the U.S.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for action/fantasy will enjoy D.Gray-man.

B+

 

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12