by Kagen McLeod
Top Shelf Productions
Top Shelf Productions
I forgot how good long works of comic books could be. It’s been too long reading individual issues of 32 pages where an idea or two gets presented and then you need to wait another 30 days for the next installment. But recently, my library picked up Infinite Kung Fu by Kagan McLeod and published by Top Shelf. With 464 pages of Kung Fu goodness mixed with zombie, western, soul vibe, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Infinite Kung Fu tells the story of Lei Kung. A lowly soldier at the start of the book, he is selected by the leader of the Eight Immortals to be his student. Each Immortal has taken on an apprentice to pass along their kung fu styles. But a group of students learned forbidden “poison” kung fu and are now employed by the Emperor to retrieve the lost parts of his armor. As Lei Kung advances in knowledge and as his kung fu gets stronger, he ultimately faces the Emperor in battle for the fate of the world.
Full of fighting, magic, eastern thought and zombies, Infinite Kung Fu is a fun read. With many characters, the story clips along at a fast pace. Flashbacks are not ponderous as we learn the back story of all the apprentices. Much like watching a Bruce Lee movie, action is interspersed with Buddhist though with a little 1970’s soul mixed in.
In the introduction, we learn that he started working on this series over 10 years ago. And from chapter to chapter, there are some subtle differences in the artwork. However, the black and white artwork has a consistent fluid look to it. The zombies have a decay that would look good in the Walking Dead comic. The fights sequences have all the action and poses that a good action manga would display. The sound effects and chapter titles are pretty cool. With some off-kilter brush style, at first glance they look like to Chinese calligraphy. But after a half second, you see that they are English letters. And the storytelling of the clear; each panel advances the plot.
The story itself is a fun tale that might have been lifted from a 70’s kung fu movie. Martial arts masters each trying to get stronger. Ultimate evil and ultimate good battling. The hero, starting out on his quest, has to overcome obstacles (both external and internal) to finally win in the end. And of course the love interest. If I had to quibble, the last third of the book was too compact. McLeod tried to reconcile too many plot points too quickly. The speed of the narrative was too fast and points that seemed important were resolved quickly while other minor points grew into full chapters.
However, this is an enjoyable book and worthy of any library collection. I would hesitate to recommend it to young patrons. But anyone age 13 or more should enjoy reading this book. Especially if they are into kung fu.
Infinite Kung Fu tells the story of Lei Kung. A lowly soldier at the start of the book, he is selected by the leader of the Eight Immortals to be his student. Each Immortal has taken on an apprentice to pass along their kung fu styles. But a group of students learned forbidden “poison” kung fu and are now employed by the Emperor to retrieve the lost parts of his armor. As Lei Kung advances in knowledge and as his kung fu gets stronger, he ultimately faces the Emperor in battle for the fate of the world.
Full of fighting, magic, eastern thought and zombies, Infinite Kung Fu is a fun read. With many characters, the story clips along at a fast pace. Flashbacks are not ponderous as we learn the back story of all the apprentices. Much like watching a Bruce Lee movie, action is interspersed with Buddhist though with a little 1970’s soul mixed in.
In the introduction, we learn that he started working on this series over 10 years ago. And from chapter to chapter, there are some subtle differences in the artwork. However, the black and white artwork has a consistent fluid look to it. The zombies have a decay that would look good in the Walking Dead comic. The fights sequences have all the action and poses that a good action manga would display. The sound effects and chapter titles are pretty cool. With some off-kilter brush style, at first glance they look like to Chinese calligraphy. But after a half second, you see that they are English letters. And the storytelling of the clear; each panel advances the plot.
The story itself is a fun tale that might have been lifted from a 70’s kung fu movie. Martial arts masters each trying to get stronger. Ultimate evil and ultimate good battling. The hero, starting out on his quest, has to overcome obstacles (both external and internal) to finally win in the end. And of course the love interest. If I had to quibble, the last third of the book was too compact. McLeod tried to reconcile too many plot points too quickly. The speed of the narrative was too fast and points that seemed important were resolved quickly while other minor points grew into full chapters.
However, this is an enjoyable book and worthy of any library collection. I would hesitate to recommend it to young patrons. But anyone age 13 or more should enjoy reading this book. Especially if they are into kung fu.
