OneMetal.com book REVIEW:
Biomega Vol. 1

Tsutomu Nihei concocts a mind-bending new sci-fi horror that envisions humanity’s desperate future. In the hands of new wave idealists, a bleak outer space virus slashes through Earth’s landscape and corrupts healthy human beings, mutating them into zombie-like “drones” that meander hungrily and follow an unspoken code. Biomega propels readers into a dark age full of government conspiracy and media-driven health crises, and the further we explore, the more terrifyingly real and all too possible the world becomes.

Six months in the wake of a manned Mars expedition, Earth wallows in its own impending destruction by N5S virus contamination. Zoichi Kanoe, who functions according to Toa Heavy Industry’s goals, stands as one of Earth’s few remaining agents with pure intentions. Armed with a motorized bike and strapping a motley bag of survival tricks, the makeshift purification soldier infiltrates the sprawling blueprint of 9JO, an island city located in the Pacific Ocean’s middle, as his partner Fuyu transmits vital data concerning their mission and provides real-time assistance. Nihei designs truly jaw-dropping black and white art that, on the surface, conceals its sophisticated and organized depth and instead often resembles a sketchy projection as chaotic as the environment it depicts. This sometimes inhibits the visual communication, but the art still fascinates. Moreover, the velocity clearly presented in the fine, intricate panels vitalizes the manga’s fast pace, mimics Zoichi’s urgency, and recalls the planet’s violently awakening doom.

As the pages turn, the larger apocalyptic plan thickens and reveals more incriminating details in equal measure. Biomega thrives on full-throttle action but dabbles only lightly in dialog or narration. Regardless, Nihei engages and locks the reader’s attention with his absolutely mesmerizing, effortless story. What’s more, the manga supports a nice undercurrent of charm. Zoichi pursues Eon Green, a seventeen-year-old girl who carries a secret almost as dangerous as the massive drone swarms cutting a swath through Earth’s innocent population. Meaning to rescue the important, perhaps unknowing female from others’ more sinister desires, Zoichi eventually saves and befriends her protector—a talking bear, or a bear-suited man, whichever. Either way, enter the charisma.

For all Zoichi’s highly capable techniques and enviable gadgets, all the speed at his disposal barely allows him to tail Eon’s oppressors once they catch hold. The agent’s determination remains firm, but our fears echo through the book and bolster its resounding effect of panic. Nihei deserves to take his time with Biomega because the resulting tension and excellence proves that much sweeter.

Thanks to Viz Media for making this review possible. For more information regarding Biomega Vol. 1, visit vizmedia.com.

Bottom Line

A highly recommended read, Tsutomu Nihei's Biomega arrives fresh on the scene and turns starkly ordinary science-fiction dystopia upside-down and sideways.