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Ghost
in The Shell 2 - Man Machine Interface
2 [of 11]/FEB/2003
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Masamune Shirow
Pencils: Masamune Shirow
Inks: Masamune Shirow
Colors: Masamune Shirow
Letters: Tom Orzechowski & Dan Jackson
Price: $3.50/R43.00 SA
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The continuing multimedia experience that is Ghost in the
Shell: Man Machine Interface rolls on with a vengeance
in its second release. Motoko investigates an attack by the HLF[Human
Liberation Front] on a manufacturing plant and must stop
an ‘e-attack’ by HLF hackers.
If you thought the effort and diligence put into the first issue
was insane just wait until you open this one up. The attention to
detail and jaw dropping mix of 3-D computer art mixed with Manga
continues.
In this second issue the relationship between Motoko and her other
‘bodies’ is delved into a bit deeper.
Slowly I am beginning to get a grasp on how it all works. Shirow
is most definitely an artist and storyteller who follows the adage
of ‘God is in the details’. He doesn’t
leave a thing out in dialogue or graphics. You can read this book
twice over and still find minute details in the imagery and text
which help further explain the highly advanced world of Ghost
in the Shell.
The story in this issue focuses mainly on ‘E-Terrorism’
and virus planting/killing. Motoko hunts down terrorists in ‘cyberspace’
and in reality. This provides stunning artwork on two entirely different
levels. We see Shirow’s [Appleseed,Ghost
in the Shell]masterful renditions of the cyber-world inside
the ‘e-brain’ as well as the outside world. A prime
example is the awesome city scene with canals and buildings which
have been rendered in 3-D to create an original environment, which
has a blend of both the past and the future in it.
The only downside in terms of art that I can mention here would
have to be on the lettering front. The letters can look very cheesy,
almost cartoony and unpolished. This is especially the case with
sound effects. The speech bubble design is awesome on the other
hand, particularly the blue balloon outline technique that Shirow
employs. This use of colour to differentiate character speech balloons
definitely helps to break the confusion in dialogue heavy sections
of this issue.
The overall story is still somewhat of a mystery but this issue
helps us to slowly understand what Motoko is all about and her role
in the story. The complexities continue and expect to spend a few
hours re-reading this to grasp some of the more ‘out there’
ideas that Shirow offers up. All in all another satisfying chapter
in Man Machine Interface.
Score 8/10
Reviewed By:Iain Duncan
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Comic Reviews
