NARUTO, VOL. 2

VIZ MEDIA
CARTOONIST: Masashi Kishimoto
TRANSLATION: Kaye Bridges and Mari Morimoto
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jo Duffy
ISBN: 978-1-59116-178-3; soft cover, Rated "T" for Teen
216 pp., B&W, $7.95

Uzumaki Naruto, the troublemaking , attention-seeking ninja, embarks on the greatest adventure of his young career.  With his fellow students Haruno Sakura (the object of Naruto's affection) and Uchina Sasuke (the object of Sakura's affection), Naruto is part of Team Seven, a cell of junior ninjas under the tutelage of mysterious ninja teacher, Hatake Kakashi.

While the three are full of ninja potential, their arrogance is fully developed.  Tired of menial tasks, they demand a tougher assignment and get it in the form of Tazuna, the bridge builder.  Tazuna is the target of elite ninja assassins, and Team Seven is assigned to guard him.  Kakashi has misgivings, and Tazuna hasn't been quite honest about how much danger he's in with his rivals.  When demon ninja Momochi Zabuza intercepts the five-man party, it begins an epic showdown of martial arts and arcane ninjitsu, but are Naruto and his fellow students ready to face an elite ninja?

Late in Naruto, Vol. 2 (The Worst Client), our intrepid protagonist, Naruto, declares, "I'm a superhero…"  I've long suspected that Naurto is basically superhero Manga, and though I could be wrong, half of this volume's story pages are dedicated to a martial display of superpowers.  There is so much wish fulfillment here, especially the ability to summon from within oneself awesome powers.  With the costumes, rituals, and esoteric knowledge, this could be something from Marvel or DC Comics

The ability of Manga-ka Masashi Kishimoto to mix comedy, intrigue, and teen melodrama into what is essential one long fight comic with theatrical flair is impressive.  It makes for excellent reading, and as stated before, this is a dream comic for youngish ninja fans and those young at heart.

Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for the images.