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Title: Time and Again Vol 1

Author: JiUn Yun

Publisher: Yen Press

ISBN: 9780759530584

May Contain Spoilers

Baek-On is an exorcist, but he’s also a drunk, and he is lazy, and dependant on Ho-Yeon to protect him when things get dangerous.  The two travel the countryside, performing exorcisms for pay.  Banishing grudges and ghosts is hard work, especially when they are confronted with hostile, murderous spirits.  Will they survive each job long enough to collect their fee?

I am torn over this one. I liked the book better when Baek-On wasn’t in it.  His character is a bit abrasive and he’s usually only interested in taking care of himself.  While I admit that being able to battle ghosts is a heavy burden, and probably scary, too, Baek-On excels at putting, not his best face forward, but his worst.  He can be pompous and rude, but at the same time, he does try to steer people away from an outcome that he knows will only bring them sorrow.  Perhaps he is just jaded, exhausted from trying to save people from their own selfish desires. 

Time and Again is comprised of episodic chapters, most featuring supernatural elements.  There is a mixed bag here, and it falls prey to one of the shortcomings of these types of series; the individual chapters need to be strong enough to stand up to examination on their own, and not all of them are equally as compelling.  The opening chapter introduces Baek-On, putting his weakness of character out for display.  He arrives at a job drunk and indifferent, though considering the two shrews he’s working for, I guess I can’t blame him.  His solution for ridding their house of a vengeful spirit doesn’t have the outcome they would expect, and this sets the tone for the set of the book.  Irony is the name of the game, and the overall tone is far from uplifting.  Feel good this book is not.

My favorite chapter was “Bird,” which had no supernatural elements.  It’s sad and melancholy, about a woman who is all but forgotten by everyone save for her bodyguard.  The understated art is especially effective in this chapter, showing the forbidden glimpse of a hand here, the forlorn blink of an eye there.  The cinematic flow of panels is moving and engaging, thundering to a climax of swords and blood. 

The series has piqued my interest, and I’m curious to follow along for more of the journey.  There are moments when both the illustrations and the story dazzle,  but for the most part, it fails to live up to its promise.

Grade: B-

Review copy provided by Yen Press