Blank Slate, Volume 1

November 3, 2008
Kanno, creator of the popular series Soul Rescue
, brings fans a compelling story of identity and intrigue in Blank Slate
. Zen is a world-class criminal who awakens with no memory of the past. But with his boundless charisma, Zen attracts many different characters as the story progresses. Bounty hunter Russo sets out to find Zen, knowing that this kill will be his biggest yet. But instead of controlling Zen as he had planned, Russo finds himself taken in by the mysterious man and soon becomes his unwilling partner. On one caper, Zen kidnaps a general's daughter, Rian, who becomes smitten with him and feels grateful for him destroying her sheltered world. The story is very lyrical and at the same time harsh, seeming to perfectly mirror the art. Kano's art is beautiful; her characters are androgynous and soft with a truly charming aura. Their actions, though, are harsh and cruel, their demeanor aloof. Blank Slate
is unusual, a fresh and exhilarating take on the shojo formula.