Manga
Jack Frost Volume 3
By Chris Zimmerman
August 9, 2010 - 10:07

Yen Press
Writer(s): Jinho Ko
Penciller(s): Jinho Ko
ISBN: 978-0-316-07786-6
$10.99 US



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In the heart of Amityville warring schools unleash supernatural students possessed of extraordinary powers in a bid to claim dominance over the territory. Noh-A is new to the school and clueless as to the happenings that go on outside the school walls. One day she awakens to find herself and her classmates killed in a battle between a rival school and Amityville’s strongest fighter Jack Frost. After suffering no less than two decapitations, she discovers she is “mirror-image”, the only one capable of handling Jack.

Volume three opens amidst a three way battle as Jack struggles against his coat’s former owner Ji-Hon, while Leopold fares even worse against the mysterious Eva. Meanwhile the hapless Noh-A finds herself on the receiving end of a killing blow from Omu whose plan to transfer her power of immortality unto himself nears fruition. Sprinkled in between is a little insight as to the inner workings of Amityville and its connection in regards to the real world. Ample amount of space is also given to Noh-A as she “awakens”, regaining her memories and saving everyone.

The resolution to the arc is quite weak, coming out of nowhere and offering little in way of a resolution or satisfaction. Readers are treated to a flashback of Noh-A and her father, though a chapter that should resonate with fans instead falls flat as a result of an apparent rush to tie up the loose threads and move on.

The second half of the book features more of the same, with otherworldly students showing up to challenge Jack and prove their superiority. Readers are also given a glance at the series’ big bad, at least for this arc, as the plot looks to develop further, though not at the risk of less action. This time the spotlight is given over to the school’s physician Jin, as she finds herself taken over by a face from the past though any momentum the arc manages to generate is quickly squandered by once again rushing through the moments that should carry depth in an effort to get to the eventual fight as quickly as possible.

Jack Frost is a fighting series and as such, there is a key focus on pitting characters against one another for several pages with little regard for the advancement of the story. While the artwork is superb and certainly a drawing point, those looking for a deep read will be sorely disappointed. From time to time, the series shows flashes of something more than the usual beat em’ up supernatural thriller but for most readers, there probably won’t be enough to keep them hooked for more than one volume.


Rating: 6/10

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Jack Frost Volume 3