Le Chevalier d'Eon, Volume 1

June 11, 2007
A gruesome cult of villains and the murder of dozens of beautiful young women spread fear through the streets of 18th-century Paris. This intricate gothic fantasy manga is adapted from a popular anime, which in turn was loosely based on the real life Chevalier d'Eon, a spy who lived the second half of his life as a woman. In this tale, a group of possessed poets hunt beautiful young virgins to write their dark poetry in fresh blood on the palms of their victims. Only D'Eon de Beaumont can hunt these vicious murderers. A bumbling yet discreet police officer by day, he is secretly a member of his majesty's private police by night, and with the help of his sister Lia de Beaumont, D'Eon fights the Palms. Lia, also known as the Sphinx, is one of the killer's victims, but her soul enters her brother's body to extract vengeance and help bring salvation to Paris. The popular and award-winning SF writer Ubukata creates fantasy within reality. The deeply involved world of the manga is both gruesome in its content and beautiful in its art, and should draw fans into a seedy historical underworld.

November 15, 2007
The real 18th-century Chevalier d'Eon was in fact a cross-dressing secret agent of Louis XV and a superb swordsman. Korean Japanese sf novelist Ubukata re-envisions him in a similar context, but he's now possessed by the spirit of his sister Lia to avenge her murder and the murder of other young women at the hands of a bizarre cult of poets who use the blood of virgins for ink. And, voilà, he becomes the Chevalier Sphinx, a superhero in gorgeous drag, in this tale of sword fights on the rooftops-type exploits infused with gruesome supernatural horror and more than a bit of humor as d'Eon's cover persona as a slacker dragoon gets him in constant hot water. Yumeji's skillful lolli-Goth art has a heaviness closer to the feel of "Hellsing" successfully bridging the thematic content of beauty and blood. So far, the kinds of deeper themes and character relationships found in, say, "Cantarella "Vol. 6, "LJ"3/15/07), don't seem to be developing"Chevalier"is lighter fare. With plenty of action and ruffles, this title should appeal to shojo and gender bender fans as well as fight-manga aficionados. Up to three volumes in Japan and still running; includes translation notes. Rated ages 16+ for moderate gore.M.C.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.