SOUL BEAT Volume 1: The Payback, first in the AM TANKS / Soul Beat series

SOUL BEAT Volume 1: The Payback
MORGANNE WALKER
Rockport Publishers (series via Saturday AM)
$13.99 trade paper, available now

Rating: 4* of five

The Publisher Says: Soul Beat, Volume 1 tells the story of a promising boxer who takes on the challenge of destroying the Devil by finding a series of ancient artifacts.

In Soul Beat, Volume 1, after a fateful encounter to save his friend, pro-boxer and 70s-loving soul brother Dante Alfonse will pursue his toughest challenge yet: defeat the Devil himself—or die trying!

Dante Alfonse is a promising boxer who’s more than capable of taking on any opponent, inside or outside of the ring. Whether it’s a bully in his neighborhood or even stopping a robbery, he’s quick to step in and hold down his city. Of course, when your name means “to endure," being an unstoppable force for good comes naturally! But sometimes, good deeds attract unwanted attention…

Such is the case when Dante tries to defend his friend and mentor, Ben, from being killed by the worst person imaginable: the Devil himself! Now targeted by the forces of evil for his interference, Dante must use the knowledge his mentor left him and hone his newfound spiritual powers, not only to save his own life but to destroy the Devil before more lives are ruined.

To his surprise, he’s not alone. A centuries-long feud between Heaven and Hell begins to surface in the Mortal World, and both sides have their reasons for wanting Dante on their side of the fight. Caught in the crossfire, he’ll have to figure out which side he’s on, uncover the truth surrounding his mentor’s mysterious past, and ultimately show the afterlife what it really means to have soul!

Soul Beat is rated T for Teen, recommended for ages 13 and up.

Saturday AM, the world’s most diverse manga-inspired comics, are now presented in a new format! Introducing Saturday AM TANKS, the new graphic novel format similar to Japanese Tankobons where we collect the global heroes and artists of Saturday AM. These handsome volumes have select color pages, revised artwork, and innovative post-credit scenes that help bring new life to our popular BIPOC, LGBTQ, and/or culturally diverse characters.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: I grew up in the 70s. I don't believe in the Devil, or the christian theology it springs from. I don't like reading comics.

What the ever-lovin' hell is a four-star rating doing up there?! A black man fighting evil in the 70s is a message I'd like to amplify; a struggle against the whole world towards self-belief, ditto; stareable, emotionally charged artwork completes my trifecta of reasons. I also realize when I'm not the target audience, and judge things by a more accepting standard. No, I won't but one for myself; I *would* buy one for my (age-appropriate, thirteen up) grand.

I think these three spreads will tell you what you want to know in advance of ordering a gift for the teen boy (I don't know any girls likely to enjoy this, of any age; it's violent and male-centered, so not really something I myownself would give to a girl). The message of self-belief and not listening to the naysayers is probably most well-suited to the teen boy in a social environment of deep negativity and racial prejudice.