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zombieking's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nolansmock's review
4.0
I took my sweet time reading this series. The way I look at it is that it was published over five years, so I don't want to finish it in a few weeks. I think I've taken close to a year, but have finally arrived at the end (canonically) a quarter of the way through this volume and where it leaves off has me positive I want to read the follow-up series, 'Last Order', at some point. I wasn't sure about it because there's no way a series running thirty years can keep being this good, right? Well, now I realize I don't care I just want more Alita.
The rest of this volume is like bonus tracks tagged onto a record reissue, but they're good ones. The sudden ending Yukito Kishiro put together when he was so burned out he decided to finish the series is surprisingly beautiful, but also an info dump of many, many, ideas that feel disorienting. Clearly Kishiro had no clue he was going to continue this story. The 'Ashen Victor' pulp-noir is a cool bonus as well, a styilized and lean short series set in the 'Alita' universe. Finally, the interviews explain why this volume is all over the place but every time they start to discuss 'Last Order' I skipped over it to avoid spoilers.
All in all, the deluxe edition is still the best and least expensive way to enjoy this series in a physical format, especially if you can find it on sale.
The rest of this volume is like bonus tracks tagged onto a record reissue, but they're good ones. The sudden ending Yukito Kishiro put together when he was so burned out he decided to finish the series is surprisingly beautiful, but also an info dump of many, many, ideas that feel disorienting. Clearly Kishiro had no clue he was going to continue this story. The 'Ashen Victor' pulp-noir is a cool bonus as well, a styilized and lean short series set in the 'Alita' universe. Finally, the interviews explain why this volume is all over the place but every time they start to discuss 'Last Order' I skipped over it to avoid spoilers.
All in all, the deluxe edition is still the best and least expensive way to enjoy this series in a physical format, especially if you can find it on sale.
zare_i's review
5.0
Conclusion of the original Battle Angel Alita story line.
As is always the case, heroes in epic stories like this cannot make it out unscathed. Book has two endings - first one is pretty much in line with what one might call realistic ending. After all after surviving the madness at the hands of Dr. Nova, Alita (very like Nicholas Cage in 8mm) tries to find place of love and peace. But as it is usually the case in world driven by madness it is very difficult to escape. So this one was quite a surprise for me, quite dark ending that is the only to be expected considering that Alita cannot discern friends from enemies any more, since everyone seems to have secret agenda or two.
We are given details of the very disturbing torture of Alita herself, not unlike Neo's isolation on ghost sub station. She is aware that she is forced to live in the "dream" somehow constructed by Dr. Nova. And this is where we can see how Alita has become true human - because even aware that what she sees around is not real she takes refuge in this fantasy because it is so good to see back the people she loves. For people who think this real-or-not aspect is silly, trust me there is nothing more cruel than skewering ones view of reality.
Second ending is more of a link-up to spin off volumes. Only way to save the Scrapyard is to sacrifice oneself so that Zalem does not fall on it and destroys it. Alita accepts this and in unselfish sacrifice for all means and purposes becomes the rock on which new world blossoms. ending is touchy but would resonate with anyone who read old legends and myths. Through sacrifice comes transformation and new world follows immediately after. Through exposure of Zalem's great secret (purge of GIB was truly a twist) both Scrapyard and Zalem finally link to the outer space and there is future for for both sky-dwellers and ground dwellers.
What resonates with current times is reaction of Zalem's youths when they are told they can continue as independent personas, true human beings. Enslaved by years of tyrannical world of utility-means-life they are terrified of the prospect of making decisions on their own. Dystopia at its best. And also what we find about about Alita shows us that she was a zealot at one time, uncompromising and blood-thirsty. And man, how changed she became since Ido found her in the waste pile.
Art as always is excellent, everything I said before remains the same. Pure joy for the eyes.
I cannot wait to start on follow up volumes :)
Highly recommended to fans of SF dystopia and pure SF/cyberpunk action.
P.S.
This volume also contains SF noir story Ashen Victor. Centered around motorball player Snev story is placed in the Alita universe but it is standalone story without usual Alita cast. Snev is motorball player that continuously ends up destroyed on the tracks. His career is in the air when suddenly his friend, prostitute named Beretta ends up murdered in a most gruesome way. Soon, story takes a twist that includes motorball league, club management and various crime elements.
Art approach here is different from the usual Alita art - it is more akin to the Sin City, large black and white panels with constant dance of the shadows. In my opinion here we have much more realistic figures (Sin City was full of abstract forms like in Mignola's work) and this makes it much more enjoyable for me. In any case as a standalone story I guess it would be for people that need to have every issue for completeness sake. For other I would recommend it but keep in mind this is standalone story that is in no way related to main (or any follow up) Alita volume.
As is always the case, heroes in epic stories like this cannot make it out unscathed. Book has two endings - first one is pretty much in line with what one might call realistic ending. After all after surviving the madness at the hands of Dr. Nova, Alita (very like Nicholas Cage in 8mm) tries to find place of love and peace. But as it is usually the case in world driven by madness it is very difficult to escape. So this one was quite a surprise for me, quite dark ending that is the only to be expected considering that Alita cannot discern friends from enemies any more, since everyone seems to have secret agenda or two.
We are given details of the very disturbing torture of Alita herself, not unlike Neo's isolation on ghost sub station. She is aware that she is forced to live in the "dream" somehow constructed by Dr. Nova. And this is where we can see how Alita has become true human - because even aware that what she sees around is not real she takes refuge in this fantasy because it is so good to see back the people she loves. For people who think this real-or-not aspect is silly, trust me there is nothing more cruel than skewering ones view of reality.
Second ending is more of a link-up to spin off volumes. Only way to save the Scrapyard is to sacrifice oneself so that Zalem does not fall on it and destroys it. Alita accepts this and in unselfish sacrifice for all means and purposes becomes the rock on which new world blossoms. ending is touchy but would resonate with anyone who read old legends and myths. Through sacrifice comes transformation and new world follows immediately after. Through exposure of Zalem's great secret (purge of GIB was truly a twist) both Scrapyard and Zalem finally link to the outer space and there is future for for both sky-dwellers and ground dwellers.
What resonates with current times is reaction of Zalem's youths when they are told they can continue as independent personas, true human beings. Enslaved by years of tyrannical world of utility-means-life they are terrified of the prospect of making decisions on their own. Dystopia at its best. And also what we find about about Alita shows us that she was a zealot at one time, uncompromising and blood-thirsty. And man, how changed she became since Ido found her in the waste pile.
Art as always is excellent, everything I said before remains the same. Pure joy for the eyes.
I cannot wait to start on follow up volumes :)
Highly recommended to fans of SF dystopia and pure SF/cyberpunk action.
P.S.
This volume also contains SF noir story Ashen Victor. Centered around motorball player Snev story is placed in the Alita universe but it is standalone story without usual Alita cast. Snev is motorball player that continuously ends up destroyed on the tracks. His career is in the air when suddenly his friend, prostitute named Beretta ends up murdered in a most gruesome way. Soon, story takes a twist that includes motorball league, club management and various crime elements.
Art approach here is different from the usual Alita art - it is more akin to the Sin City, large black and white panels with constant dance of the shadows. In my opinion here we have much more realistic figures (Sin City was full of abstract forms like in Mignola's work) and this makes it much more enjoyable for me. In any case as a standalone story I guess it would be for people that need to have every issue for completeness sake. For other I would recommend it but keep in mind this is standalone story that is in no way related to main (or any follow up) Alita volume.
thebookwyrm400's review
I was hoping for closure... I got a WTF ending. Yeah, I have to read Last Order now. There were some problems that were happening outside of the manga to make this ending what it is, and the bonus material (while not canon) is very nice, it wouldn't surprise me if The Animatrix was inspired by some of it.
emilyparagraph's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
cherokeewinslow's review
4.0
Just so stinking good! The thing that makes this 4/5 rather than 5/5 was the abrupt redirection that Last Order is canonical and the ending here is original but not canon. It caught me off guard. The ending presented here definitely feels rushed and not quite fully fleshed out. I’m definitely going to read Last Order because I’m hooked.
a_h_haga's review
1.0
So... That happened.
While I feel that the original story wasn't quite finished, I didn't mind how it ended. It fit with the story, and so I had rather mixed feeling about reading the aditional issues.
That's partly because one of my pet peeves: authors that don't finish their series because they get a shiny idea.
While the author/artist here was struggling with his health at the time - as far as I can tell - he also wanted to focus on Last Order, and so he rushed the ending of Battle Angel.
Then there was the actual aditional issues. The art wasn't what I expected, using a lot more dark ink and contrasts that I wasn't a fan of, and it felt like the story just dragged out
What I'm trying to say is that the canon ending works for me, even being as short and fast as it was, while the "made for fans" does not.
Not to mention the logical trouble with the ending. I mean, if the secret of the Zalemites is what it is, how can he copy it into his stomach and then be himself? Like he did in the end? Again, it feels like a rushed ending.
While I feel that the original story wasn't quite finished, I didn't mind how it ended. It fit with the story, and so I had rather mixed feeling about reading the aditional issues.
That's partly because one of my pet peeves: authors that don't finish their series because they get a shiny idea.
While the author/artist here was struggling with his health at the time - as far as I can tell - he also wanted to focus on Last Order, and so he rushed the ending of Battle Angel.
Then there was the actual aditional issues. The art wasn't what I expected, using a lot more dark ink and contrasts that I wasn't a fan of, and it felt like the story just dragged out
What I'm trying to say is that the canon ending works for me, even being as short and fast as it was, while the "made for fans" does not.
Not to mention the logical trouble with the ending. I mean, if the secret of the Zalemites is what it is, how can he copy it into his stomach and then be himself? Like he did in the end? Again, it feels like a rushed ending.
theaudioauditor's review
5.0
Paper book review.
I am so conflicted, but I still loved every page of this book!
I'm not sure how I feel about the official ending of this series. Definitely feels unfinished, which makes sense, given the author's follow up notes and interviews.
I also wish the unofficial alternate ending were actually official, because everything about Zalem would suddenly make sense! I am craving more world-building, because this world is fascinating!
I also like the included secondary story in the motorball world. Would absolutely recommend this edition to anyone who loves the series! I will definitely be continuing on with Last Order shortly.
I am so conflicted, but I still loved every page of this book!
I'm not sure how I feel about the official ending of this series. Definitely feels unfinished, which makes sense, given the author's follow up notes and interviews.
I also wish the unofficial alternate ending were actually official, because everything about Zalem would suddenly make sense! I am craving more world-building, because this world is fascinating!
I also like the included secondary story in the motorball world. Would absolutely recommend this edition to anyone who loves the series! I will definitely be continuing on with Last Order shortly.