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閻鐵花 #1
Yan Vol. 1
From the award-winning writer of Baby and The Hidden Level, Chang Sheng now delivers an action-packed and genre-bending thriller.
Compelling characters and a suspenseful story force readers to choose between order or the supernatural, and peace or vengeance.
Immerse yourself in a riveting tale of mystery and horror with Yan Volume 1, a masterpiece by the award-winning writer and artist Chang Sheng.
Embark on a journey of suspense and action, as the mystery of Yen Tieh-hua’s return leaves a trail of death and destruction. Despite having been declared dead ten years prior, in prison records, she is now back and seeking vengeance for her family’s massacre, the same crime that she was imprisoned for.
Accompany Detective Lei on his mission to shine a light on cold cases from the past, so he can solve current crimes and murders. We also witness the detective’s struggle to grasp the supernatural revelations that he comes across throughout his investigation.
This is no ordinary horror story, with a savage monster for readers to hate and fear. While she may be feared, we learn so much more about Yen Tieh-hua and her companion Higa Mirai (a chess prodigy who possesses the power of precognition) on their violent quest for justice.
For fans of Chang Sheng’s acclaimed works like Baby and The Hidden Level, Yan Volume 1 offers a new side to the creator’s innovation through a thrilling blend of genres, combining Sci-Fi concepts with a traditional horror story.
Yan Volume 1 also poses the reader with moral dilemmas throughout. Amidst the action-packed battles, tense moments of dread, and intricate puzzles and mysteries to be solved, readers must decide whether they accept one’s motives for revenge, or if the supernatural should be shunned to maintain peace.
Compelling characters and a suspenseful story force readers to choose between order or the supernatural, and peace or vengeance.
Immerse yourself in a riveting tale of mystery and horror with Yan Volume 1, a masterpiece by the award-winning writer and artist Chang Sheng.
Embark on a journey of suspense and action, as the mystery of Yen Tieh-hua’s return leaves a trail of death and destruction. Despite having been declared dead ten years prior, in prison records, she is now back and seeking vengeance for her family’s massacre, the same crime that she was imprisoned for.
Accompany Detective Lei on his mission to shine a light on cold cases from the past, so he can solve current crimes and murders. We also witness the detective’s struggle to grasp the supernatural revelations that he comes across throughout his investigation.
This is no ordinary horror story, with a savage monster for readers to hate and fear. While she may be feared, we learn so much more about Yen Tieh-hua and her companion Higa Mirai (a chess prodigy who possesses the power of precognition) on their violent quest for justice.
For fans of Chang Sheng’s acclaimed works like Baby and The Hidden Level, Yan Volume 1 offers a new side to the creator’s innovation through a thrilling blend of genres, combining Sci-Fi concepts with a traditional horror story.
Yan Volume 1 also poses the reader with moral dilemmas throughout. Amidst the action-packed battles, tense moments of dread, and intricate puzzles and mysteries to be solved, readers must decide whether they accept one’s motives for revenge, or if the supernatural should be shunned to maintain peace.
Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
7 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Sheng Chang
35 books15 followersName (in native language) : 常勝
Zodiac : Sagittarius
Blood type : O
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/jlcomic/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 10, 2025
EN Since I saw this book being showcased by Comix Zone, I’ve been very interested in it. The art looked fantastic, and it turns out it truly is.
"Yan" is a Thai manga. I’m not entirely sure if *manhua* is the correct term to use here, but you get the idea.
Yan is the sole survivor of her family’s murder, a crime for which she was accused. Three decades later, she’s back and seeking revenge.
I loved every aspect of this read. The artwork is stunning, making me wonder how much time the author must have spent on some of the panels. Chang Sheng is every bit as skilled as the Japanese artists. I hope Comix Zone or another publisher brings more of his works, though it seems he only has one other title.
Highly recommended. One of the best mangas I’ve read this year.
--
PT Desde que vi este livro a ser divulgado pela Comix Zone, fiquei muito interessado nele. A arte parecia fantástica, e afinal é mesmo.
"Yan" é um manga tailandês. Não tenho a certeza se manhua é o termo correto a usar aqui, mas percebes a ideia.
Yan é a única sobrevivente do assassinato da sua família, um crime do qual foi acusada. Três décadas depois, ela está de volta e em busca de vingança.
Adorei todos os aspetos desta leitura. A arte é deslumbrante, fazendo-me questionar quanto tempo o autor deve ter gasto em algumas das pranchas. Chang Sheng é tão talentoso quanto os artistas japoneses. Espero que a Comix Zone ou outra editora publique mais obras dele, embora pareça que ele só tem mais um título.
Altamente recomendado. Um dos melhores mangas que li este ano.
"Yan" is a Thai manga. I’m not entirely sure if *manhua* is the correct term to use here, but you get the idea.
Yan is the sole survivor of her family’s murder, a crime for which she was accused. Three decades later, she’s back and seeking revenge.
I loved every aspect of this read. The artwork is stunning, making me wonder how much time the author must have spent on some of the panels. Chang Sheng is every bit as skilled as the Japanese artists. I hope Comix Zone or another publisher brings more of his works, though it seems he only has one other title.
Highly recommended. One of the best mangas I’ve read this year.
--
PT Desde que vi este livro a ser divulgado pela Comix Zone, fiquei muito interessado nele. A arte parecia fantástica, e afinal é mesmo.
"Yan" é um manga tailandês. Não tenho a certeza se manhua é o termo correto a usar aqui, mas percebes a ideia.
Yan é a única sobrevivente do assassinato da sua família, um crime do qual foi acusada. Três décadas depois, ela está de volta e em busca de vingança.
Adorei todos os aspetos desta leitura. A arte é deslumbrante, fazendo-me questionar quanto tempo o autor deve ter gasto em algumas das pranchas. Chang Sheng é tão talentoso quanto os artistas japoneses. Espero que a Comix Zone ou outra editora publique mais obras dele, embora pareça que ele só tem mais um título.
Altamente recomendado. Um dos melhores mangas que li este ano.
August 20, 2025
3.5 stars✨ Not gonna lie, I was very confused about what was going on up until the epilogue at the end that helped clear it up😭 The art style for this is interesting and I’m for sure going to read the next volume!
May 29, 2025
What grabbed my attention was the striking cover. It features the main protagonist, Yan Tieh Hua, wearing traditional Chinese opera makeup.
Yan is the sole survivor of the massacre that took out her entire family. She's framed for the murder and swears vengeance on the people who orchestrated the downfall of her family.
Thirty years later, Yan re-surfaces and sets out to get her revenge. This story is exciting! Yan Tieh Hua is a morally grey baddie, and I definitely have a crush on her. It's gearing up to be an exciting sci-fi vigilante thriller, and I'm hype to see how this story unfolds.
Yan is the sole survivor of the massacre that took out her entire family. She's framed for the murder and swears vengeance on the people who orchestrated the downfall of her family.
Thirty years later, Yan re-surfaces and sets out to get her revenge. This story is exciting! Yan Tieh Hua is a morally grey baddie, and I definitely have a crush on her. It's gearing up to be an exciting sci-fi vigilante thriller, and I'm hype to see how this story unfolds.
July 2, 2025
I'm weak to a pretty cover, so I knew I'd be picking this up. And it was okay, not great, but enjoyable. It reads like a western superhero comic with traditional Taiwanese elements and has the advantages and disadvantages of the genre. It features bold art and detailed action scenes, but also very superficial characterization. I'm still intrigued and will check out at least one more volume, but I'm hoping I can connect with these characters soon.
January 3, 2025
C'est la lecture la plus wtf de mon année pour le moment
March 11, 2025
De très beaux graphismes pour ce premier tome mais j’avoue que je suis un peu confuse avec la direction que prend l’histoire 🤔
January 26, 2026
I picked up this book at the library on a whim. The large book format and beautiful art caught my eye and I thought "what the heck."
What I expected was a supernatural murder mystery. What I got was a mind-bending science fiction tale blending so many genres in innovative and curious ways. The art is also wonderful, a realistic style with some lovely quiet moments. I cannot remember the last time I was so delightfully surprised by a comic.
It is important to note that this manga is for adults and includes swears violence, and some nudity (although, the nudity is not graphic and didn't feel like fan-service to me).
I really can't say anything more without spoiling a fascinating little book. Just read it. It's worth an afternoon.
What I expected was a supernatural murder mystery. What I got was a mind-bending science fiction tale blending so many genres in innovative and curious ways. The art is also wonderful, a realistic style with some lovely quiet moments. I cannot remember the last time I was so delightfully surprised by a comic.
It is important to note that this manga is for adults and includes swears violence, and some nudity (although, the nudity is not graphic and didn't feel like fan-service to me).
I really can't say anything more without spoiling a fascinating little book. Just read it. It's worth an afternoon.
June 13, 2023
Ho appreso che sono 6 volumi, non vedo l'ora di leggerli tutti 😍
Questo è l'inizio: si spiega un po' cos'è successo alla protagonista trent'anni prima e presenta il "fantasma" che dieci anni dopo la sua morte è tornato per avere vendetta.
Davvero un sacco bello, alcune scene mi piacerebbe vederle animate. La storia ci lascia indizi per come andrà avanti, incuriosendo il lettore ma lasciando spazio ad ipotesi. Ve lo consiglio tantissimo 💗
Questo è l'inizio: si spiega un po' cos'è successo alla protagonista trent'anni prima e presenta il "fantasma" che dieci anni dopo la sua morte è tornato per avere vendetta.
Davvero un sacco bello, alcune scene mi piacerebbe vederle animate. La storia ci lascia indizi per come andrà avanti, incuriosendo il lettore ma lasciando spazio ad ipotesi. Ve lo consiglio tantissimo 💗
June 3, 2025
A fairly basic story about a young woman’s journey for revenge that is ultimately bogged down by hackneyed cliches that sort of drag manga down as a whole. Remove those elements and there’s a better story here.
The artist seemingly has used Krysten Ritter and Amy Lee as references and it’s not that subtle…
2/5
The artist seemingly has used Krysten Ritter and Amy Lee as references and it’s not that subtle…
2/5
January 20, 2022
4.5/5
plot twists, plot twists everywhere!! so excited for the next one!!!!
plot twists, plot twists everywhere!! so excited for the next one!!!!
October 15, 2025
初登場真的太驚艷了，完全沒有搜尋故事介紹真是對的選擇，居然還可以看到市政府站陷入機器人攻擊我真的是非常驚喜。
March 8, 2026
Despite having been declared dead a decade prior (in prison records), Yen Tieh-Hua is back and seeking vengeance for her family's massacre - the same crime she was imprisoned for. There's a trail of bloody dead bodies pointing to her but is she responsible for all of them? Detective Lei (newbie to the supernatural) is pulled from retirement on a mission to shine a light on cold cases in order to solve current crimes. Machinations are in motion behind the scenes and Yen Tieh-Hua gets a sidekick that may give her an edge in stopping the bad things looming on the horizon. Very enjoyable read and will continue the series.
June 5, 2024
Depuis quelques temps, Glénat semble lui aussi, comme d’autres éditeurs, revenir sur ses premières années comme éditeurs de manga. Retour de DragonBall en version intégralement colorisé, réédition de Ryoichi Ikegami avec ses célèbres Crying Freeman et Sanctuary. Yan qui vient de débarquer est complètement pour moi un hommage à ce dernier univers très violent, très cinématographique, très posé et j’adore !
Manhua que l’on doit à Chang Sheng, déjà croisé sur le court Oldman chez feu Kotogi, Yan est un triptyque aussi beau qu’excessif, aussi percutant que foutraque, aussi attendu qu’inattendu. Il est clairement marqué par l’école graphique chinoise avec son trait très posé, ses noirs et blancs profonds, sa narration moins fluide qu’un manga et surtout ses scènes de combat très chorégraphié comme dans un de ces films d’arts martiaux chinois. Si on aime, c’est vraiment un régal et ce dès la couverture malgré son rose très criard, qui rappelle un peu d’ailleurs le jaune de Tarantino dans Kill Bill dont il est un bel écho.
C’est en effet également une histoire de vengeance avec une femme qui a été lésée qu’on nous propose ici. Très classique au début avec la rencontre d’une ex-artiste de l’opéra de Pékin qui cherche à faire payer à ceux qui ont massacré sa famille 30 ans plus tôt. On découvre au fil des chapitres, au tempo haletant, une histoire aux ramifications plus nombreuses que cela et surtout un scénario assez imprévisible. J’ai eu l’impression que l’auteur mettait ici tout ce qui lui faisait plaisir, tout ce qu’il aimait, avant de le passer au blender et de nous en donner à boire le résultat. Surprenant !
Comme dans un Tarentino, c’est violent, épique, sans concession, mais en prime, on a ici de la SF qui sort de nulle part, un complot politico-médical avec manipulation génétique (?) et bien sûr une belle bavure policière. Les influences fusent et le scénario rebondit sans cesse dans une direction improbable avec toujours en fil rouge cette héroïne vengeresse en tenues ultra moulantes inspirées des montes en l’air et de l’Opéra de Pékin. L’auteur ne se gêne pas d’ailleurs pour nous imposer son male gaze gênant et bien sûr totalement inutile, comme dans un Ikegami… quand je dis que je sens un hommage ^^!
Je suis incapable de dire à ce stade où ira l’histoire tant les croisement et rencontres sont improbables. J’aime la folie et la violence de cette oeuvre fort divertissante. Je trouve cependant le scénario un peu léger pour le moment dès qu’on creuse. Tout reste en surface : personnages comme intrigues, qui sont justes de bons gros archétypes chargés de nous secouer et nous distraire, le tout avec de beaux dessins. C’était déjà le cas dans Oldman. Si vous êtes adepte de série B avec beaux dessins à la clé, ne boudez pas votre plaisir. Si vous cherchez plus, pas sûre que les 3 tomes vaillent l’investissement mais je ne demande qu’à voir.
Article complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
Manhua que l’on doit à Chang Sheng, déjà croisé sur le court Oldman chez feu Kotogi, Yan est un triptyque aussi beau qu’excessif, aussi percutant que foutraque, aussi attendu qu’inattendu. Il est clairement marqué par l’école graphique chinoise avec son trait très posé, ses noirs et blancs profonds, sa narration moins fluide qu’un manga et surtout ses scènes de combat très chorégraphié comme dans un de ces films d’arts martiaux chinois. Si on aime, c’est vraiment un régal et ce dès la couverture malgré son rose très criard, qui rappelle un peu d’ailleurs le jaune de Tarantino dans Kill Bill dont il est un bel écho.
C’est en effet également une histoire de vengeance avec une femme qui a été lésée qu’on nous propose ici. Très classique au début avec la rencontre d’une ex-artiste de l’opéra de Pékin qui cherche à faire payer à ceux qui ont massacré sa famille 30 ans plus tôt. On découvre au fil des chapitres, au tempo haletant, une histoire aux ramifications plus nombreuses que cela et surtout un scénario assez imprévisible. J’ai eu l’impression que l’auteur mettait ici tout ce qui lui faisait plaisir, tout ce qu’il aimait, avant de le passer au blender et de nous en donner à boire le résultat. Surprenant !
Comme dans un Tarentino, c’est violent, épique, sans concession, mais en prime, on a ici de la SF qui sort de nulle part, un complot politico-médical avec manipulation génétique (?) et bien sûr une belle bavure policière. Les influences fusent et le scénario rebondit sans cesse dans une direction improbable avec toujours en fil rouge cette héroïne vengeresse en tenues ultra moulantes inspirées des montes en l’air et de l’Opéra de Pékin. L’auteur ne se gêne pas d’ailleurs pour nous imposer son male gaze gênant et bien sûr totalement inutile, comme dans un Ikegami… quand je dis que je sens un hommage ^^!
Je suis incapable de dire à ce stade où ira l’histoire tant les croisement et rencontres sont improbables. J’aime la folie et la violence de cette oeuvre fort divertissante. Je trouve cependant le scénario un peu léger pour le moment dès qu’on creuse. Tout reste en surface : personnages comme intrigues, qui sont justes de bons gros archétypes chargés de nous secouer et nous distraire, le tout avec de beaux dessins. C’était déjà le cas dans Oldman. Si vous êtes adepte de série B avec beaux dessins à la clé, ne boudez pas votre plaisir. Si vous cherchez plus, pas sûre que les 3 tomes vaillent l’investissement mais je ne demande qu’à voir.
Article complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
June 7, 2025
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Yan Vol.1, by Chang Sheng
★★★★☆
This was such an interesting concept. We see the life of Yan Tieh-Hua, who is a Peking Opera performer with her mother. They don't get along, but one day while Yan is at school, she senses something is wrong and rushes home to find her entire family – everyone at the Opera house – murdered, including her mother. Through news footage, we see that she confessed to killing them, even though we – the reader – know that she wasn't even there. Mystery 1: why did she confess?
Yan is arrested and taken to a research facility, where she vows to find out who did this to her family. Mystery 2: did she even confess at all?
Then it jumps to 30 years later and Yan is performing the Peking Opera for a livestream. She looks no different to before, but as she's ending her performance, she shoots and kills the Councillor's son, and people online go wild. Mystery 3: why does she look exactly the same as she did when she was just 15? She should be 45 by now!
Once the livestream goes out, events conspire to bring Yan into the orbit of a grizzly police officer, who once worked her original case but who is now retired, and a young girl who can see 5 minutes into the future. With their help, she'll face an even tougher challenge than the last 30 years have offered.
Mystery 4: what happens next?
I really liked the artwork of this book. It was gritty, really suited the action of the plot, and yet it was also beautiful. Whenever Yan came into the scene, she was always well presented, beautiful without being smutty, never made into this pin-up version that sometimes happens in comic books. She was a tough, but wounded girl who was fighting for justice.
I loved the idea of the plot, however once it got near the end of Vol. 1, I do feel that they tried to put too many things into it. The mystery of Yan's family and existence was good enough, but then came the girl who see into the future, the grizzly cop, the dead girl assassin concept, a giant robot attacking the city, a mysterious research facility and a potential apocalyptic future. It eventually felt like too many ideas had been crammed into the book, when the original idea was good enough to stand on its own.
Right now, I'm torn on whether I'll read the next volume or not. Maybe if it's on sale or available through Netgalley, I'll give it a go, but I'm not sure it's one that I'd religiously follow.
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Yan Vol.1, by Chang Sheng
★★★★☆
This was such an interesting concept. We see the life of Yan Tieh-Hua, who is a Peking Opera performer with her mother. They don't get along, but one day while Yan is at school, she senses something is wrong and rushes home to find her entire family – everyone at the Opera house – murdered, including her mother. Through news footage, we see that she confessed to killing them, even though we – the reader – know that she wasn't even there. Mystery 1: why did she confess?
Yan is arrested and taken to a research facility, where she vows to find out who did this to her family. Mystery 2: did she even confess at all?
Then it jumps to 30 years later and Yan is performing the Peking Opera for a livestream. She looks no different to before, but as she's ending her performance, she shoots and kills the Councillor's son, and people online go wild. Mystery 3: why does she look exactly the same as she did when she was just 15? She should be 45 by now!
Once the livestream goes out, events conspire to bring Yan into the orbit of a grizzly police officer, who once worked her original case but who is now retired, and a young girl who can see 5 minutes into the future. With their help, she'll face an even tougher challenge than the last 30 years have offered.
Mystery 4: what happens next?
I really liked the artwork of this book. It was gritty, really suited the action of the plot, and yet it was also beautiful. Whenever Yan came into the scene, she was always well presented, beautiful without being smutty, never made into this pin-up version that sometimes happens in comic books. She was a tough, but wounded girl who was fighting for justice.
I loved the idea of the plot, however once it got near the end of Vol. 1, I do feel that they tried to put too many things into it. The mystery of Yan's family and existence was good enough, but then came the girl who see into the future, the grizzly cop, the dead girl assassin concept, a giant robot attacking the city, a mysterious research facility and a potential apocalyptic future. It eventually felt like too many ideas had been crammed into the book, when the original idea was good enough to stand on its own.
Right now, I'm torn on whether I'll read the next volume or not. Maybe if it's on sale or available through Netgalley, I'll give it a go, but I'm not sure it's one that I'd religiously follow.
December 28, 2025
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
When she wasn't going to school and trying to pretend to be a normal teenager, young Yan Tieh Hua performed with her family in a classic Chinese theater or learning her family's signature fighting style. Little did she know that an all-out battle on stage with her mother during a performance, begging for the opportunity to be normal for a moment, would be the last before her entire world would turn upside down. Yan would be framed for murder, sent to a secret, high-security prison for 30 years, and presumed dead. Detective Lei, the lead investigator for Yan, gets dragged into the case once more as a viral video of Yan committing a new murder dredges everything up again and uncover new mysteries far beyond the local police.
This larger format, 10"+ sized manga is the perfect way to appreciate Sheng's gorgeously detailed illustrations and intense fighting throughout volume one. From the very first page, Sheng draws the reader in with a dark, viral moment that resonates with readers who are often caught in a cycle of scrollable content on their own devices. These reels often start off innocuous, just as Yan's did. Once we are hooked with this dark setting, Sheng doesn't let up with twist after twist of beautifully realized and choreographed fights. The mystery builds steadily and new characters are introduced skillfully and brought in with distinguished personalities, movements, and voicing. From start to finish, this was a wild, entertaining, beautiful ride, and the ending promises even more outlandish fun to come.
Titan suggests this title for Mature Readers. There is a lot of physical violence with plenty of bloodshed, and folks are murdered directly on the page. Gun violence is prevalent, as well as physical violence through Yan's martial arts fighting style. There is also plenty of strong swearing. The female form is celebrated and slightly exploited through a few fan-service type poses, but Yan is more so using her sexuality rather than the artwork feeling grotesque or voyeuristic.
Sara's Rating: 10/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12, Adult
When she wasn't going to school and trying to pretend to be a normal teenager, young Yan Tieh Hua performed with her family in a classic Chinese theater or learning her family's signature fighting style. Little did she know that an all-out battle on stage with her mother during a performance, begging for the opportunity to be normal for a moment, would be the last before her entire world would turn upside down. Yan would be framed for murder, sent to a secret, high-security prison for 30 years, and presumed dead. Detective Lei, the lead investigator for Yan, gets dragged into the case once more as a viral video of Yan committing a new murder dredges everything up again and uncover new mysteries far beyond the local police.
This larger format, 10"+ sized manga is the perfect way to appreciate Sheng's gorgeously detailed illustrations and intense fighting throughout volume one. From the very first page, Sheng draws the reader in with a dark, viral moment that resonates with readers who are often caught in a cycle of scrollable content on their own devices. These reels often start off innocuous, just as Yan's did. Once we are hooked with this dark setting, Sheng doesn't let up with twist after twist of beautifully realized and choreographed fights. The mystery builds steadily and new characters are introduced skillfully and brought in with distinguished personalities, movements, and voicing. From start to finish, this was a wild, entertaining, beautiful ride, and the ending promises even more outlandish fun to come.
Titan suggests this title for Mature Readers. There is a lot of physical violence with plenty of bloodshed, and folks are murdered directly on the page. Gun violence is prevalent, as well as physical violence through Yan's martial arts fighting style. There is also plenty of strong swearing. The female form is celebrated and slightly exploited through a few fan-service type poses, but Yan is more so using her sexuality rather than the artwork feeling grotesque or voyeuristic.
Sara's Rating: 10/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12, Adult
May 27, 2025
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
This was fantastic - the visuals were amazing and the story itself engrossing. I was hooked from the first page and didn't want it to end.Story: The Yan family perform old fashioned Chinese opera in Taiwan. Teen Yan Tieh Hua may fight with her mother all the time and certainly is sick of the opera tradition but she loves her family. Then she comes home one day to find everyone slaughtered - leaving her the sole survivor of the Yan opera troupe. Framed for the murder, she is sent to prison and never seen again. That is, until some 30 years later she appears again, looking the same age and out for blood.
I can't emphasize enough how good the black and white illustration work is (you get a good idea from the cover image). The expressions, paneling, and everything is evocative and emotive. The story itself is a bit of a mind warp as we try to figure out how Tieh Hua is still alive and why a mysterious Japanese Go prodigy who disappeared recently is suddenly following her. Tieh Hua wants revenge, of course, and will come under the radar of a retired detective - who when he was young was involved in her arrest.
The story flows well and there are many elements of supernatural and a bit of horror. From this first volume, we learn that things had been done to Tieh Hua in the prison (and perhaps to Go prodigy Mika Higa as well). This provides the avenue for quite a lot of interesting people to appear and great twists in the future.
I will gladly pick up the next volume when it becomes available. I am greatly reminded of classics like Akira when reading this title. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
August 6, 2025
The art in this is amazing!!! The movement and the often times gaudy often times terrorizing beauty of the art had me wanting to take a photo of every page. I'm quite intrigued to see where the story is going as well. There is a lot that could happen based on where we left off in the narrative. I think I'm going to retire my idea that I'm not into sci-fi. I love love love messing with the time. I've loved it ever since I was 10 and cracked open my first Micheal Crichton mass market paperback 'Timeline' and forced my dad with an engineering degree to explain quantum mechanics to me. I think my issue with the sci-fi genre lies solely with the sub-genre of space opera. I really don't like space operas, I'm too Earth-pilled.
I really enjoyed the bits and pieces of characterization that we got. I'm so excited to see how these characters are going to be working together throughout the rest of the series when they are extremely different. I am of course very partially to the disillusioned retired/almost retired detective taking one more crack at a case.
Overall what I liked the most about this work is how it inspired me to learn more about Peking Opera and specifically women's role in it. I already knew about Peking Opera in general and about men in the Opera. I was so fascinated to learn that the banning of women from the Opera was a fairly recent thing (in the grand scheme of history. But also China has such a rich history that bans starting in the late 1600s is super recent). (Women were prohibited from being on stage with men during the Qing dynasty. This is the last dynasty before the 1911 Revolution, the World Wars, and the Chinese Civil War thrusts history forward).
I really enjoyed the bits and pieces of characterization that we got. I'm so excited to see how these characters are going to be working together throughout the rest of the series when they are extremely different. I am of course very partially to the disillusioned retired/almost retired detective taking one more crack at a case.
Overall what I liked the most about this work is how it inspired me to learn more about Peking Opera and specifically women's role in it. I already knew about Peking Opera in general and about men in the Opera. I was so fascinated to learn that the banning of women from the Opera was a fairly recent thing (in the grand scheme of history. But also China has such a rich history that bans starting in the late 1600s is super recent). (Women were prohibited from being on stage with men during the Qing dynasty. This is the last dynasty before the 1911 Revolution, the World Wars, and the Chinese Civil War thrusts history forward).
August 25, 2025
A tense, grim volume, Yan sees its titular character drag the past kicking and screaming into an unprepared present. From the moment of her introduction as she livestreams her first act of vengeance, I was enthralled. The bombast of so public a performance promised thrills that would have made any revenge an enticing read, but Yan is a slow layering of mystery upon mystery that tangles you up in its intrigues and dances with other genres, wondering where it will take you next.
Yan brings violence that could pass for cartoonish in its extremity, and a sense of something wrong that sends Yan running to the carnage upon which she swears revenge, but as with its bold opening, it isn’t afraid to throw you into the depths. It makes masterful use of flashbacks, each time re-orienting your understanding of the world and its happenings. The one exception to this is Miku Higa’s disappearance, reported twice, in consecutive chapters. Admittedly, it’s difficult to keep hold of that fact in the face of a talking origami dinosaur and the revelation that ghosts exist.
It isn’t only the piling mysteries and action that thrill, however. From the shadows around Tieh Hua’s mouth as in that grin, or the way light reflects in an eye, Yan is gloriously expressive.
The one unfortunate element is the way that Tieh Hua’s body is presented. While I wouldn’t appreciate it, I would understand if the profusion of crotch shots were meant to be titillating. However, reasons aside, her suit shouldn’t be so revealing that I can see the exact shape and depth to her navel.
That aside, I still find myself incredibly excited at the prospect of reading the next volume.
Yan brings violence that could pass for cartoonish in its extremity, and a sense of something wrong that sends Yan running to the carnage upon which she swears revenge, but as with its bold opening, it isn’t afraid to throw you into the depths. It makes masterful use of flashbacks, each time re-orienting your understanding of the world and its happenings. The one exception to this is Miku Higa’s disappearance, reported twice, in consecutive chapters. Admittedly, it’s difficult to keep hold of that fact in the face of a talking origami dinosaur and the revelation that ghosts exist.
It isn’t only the piling mysteries and action that thrill, however. From the shadows around Tieh Hua’s mouth as in that grin, or the way light reflects in an eye, Yan is gloriously expressive.
The one unfortunate element is the way that Tieh Hua’s body is presented. While I wouldn’t appreciate it, I would understand if the profusion of crotch shots were meant to be titillating. However, reasons aside, her suit shouldn’t be so revealing that I can see the exact shape and depth to her navel.
That aside, I still find myself incredibly excited at the prospect of reading the next volume.
January 21, 2025
Pretty good manhua overall! The art is gorgeous and we all love a good revenge story. It throws you right into the action, which was nice.
The switches between action and comedy felt weird and sudden; I like a good comedic relief as much as anyone, but some of it was out of both character and place.
Still, it was enjoyable and I'm glad the amazing cover convinced me to give it a chance. I doubt I'll pick up the sequels, but I don't regret my read.
The switches between action and comedy felt weird and sudden; I like a good comedic relief as much as anyone, but some of it was out of both character and place.
Still, it was enjoyable and I'm glad the amazing cover convinced me to give it a chance. I doubt I'll pick up the sequels, but I don't regret my read.
September 3, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Titan Manga for this manga!
I'm not a big fan of live Chinese opera but I really loved the cover of this book and I've not read many Taiwanese mangas before.
In this manga we meet a 15 year old teenager Yan Tieh Hua, who is a Chinese Opera singer and seeks revenge on those who killed her family. She is sent to prison and falsely accused of killing her family.
She's back after 30 years with a spirited origami dinosaur now frog who's her ancestor. But the plot twist is that she died 10 years prior in a research facility. Hmm, interesting.
Yan Tieh Hua is followed by a 16 year old Go player, and a police officer who originally arrested Yan Tieh Hua 30 years ago. They become an interesting 3 person crew.
This is a very futuristic manga with a Chinese Opera Singer superhero. I loved the plot, love the non cutesy drawings and I can't wait to read the next volume
I'm not a big fan of live Chinese opera but I really loved the cover of this book and I've not read many Taiwanese mangas before.
In this manga we meet a 15 year old teenager Yan Tieh Hua, who is a Chinese Opera singer and seeks revenge on those who killed her family. She is sent to prison and falsely accused of killing her family.
She's back after 30 years with a spirited origami dinosaur now frog who's her ancestor. But the plot twist is that she died 10 years prior in a research facility. Hmm, interesting.
Yan Tieh Hua is followed by a 16 year old Go player, and a police officer who originally arrested Yan Tieh Hua 30 years ago. They become an interesting 3 person crew.
This is a very futuristic manga with a Chinese Opera Singer superhero. I loved the plot, love the non cutesy drawings and I can't wait to read the next volume
June 21, 2023
閰鐵花 (1、2). YAN (1、2)
AI機器人和幾名擁有超能力的人類，為人類的存亡而對戰。
主角是生在京劇世家的少女閰鐵花，因為超能力而被某軍火組織公司製造滅門慘劇而擄去。10年前趁組織實驗室大火而逃出。仍擁有少女容貌的她，矢志要找出陰謀和主使者。
比嘉未來。來自沖繩的日本混血兒，打敗電腦的天才棋手的秘訣是她可以預知五分鐘的未來。
兔子 何洛克。同樣從實驗室大火中逃出，擁有隨意前往平行時空的能力。
對於一個門外漢而言，漫畫的畫工只有好不好看，順不順眼，情節還是最能抓得住眼睛的東西。不過這本以台北為背景的故事，還是有好幾處讓急著「接下來呢」的閱讀停格的部分，像大機器人轟炸台北市府，像俯瞰台灣欒樹夾道的敦化南路，還有老記者和老刑警對話隔著公寓慣見的鐵門……，這就不是幻想能夠掰出來的畫面了，寫實到會嘴角微微一笑。
作者似乎準備畫個三集，第一集是鋪陳主角和其他正派角色的厲害；第二集正邪開始消長，壞人得壞到最高點才行，這樣到了第三集才能增加邪不勝正的困難度，也才能讓讀者始終為正方加油。
可惜圖書館沒進第三集，結局可能要等幾年後才會知道了。
AI機器人和幾名擁有超能力的人類，為人類的存亡而對戰。
主角是生在京劇世家的少女閰鐵花，因為超能力而被某軍火組織公司製造滅門慘劇而擄去。10年前趁組織實驗室大火而逃出。仍擁有少女容貌的她，矢志要找出陰謀和主使者。
比嘉未來。來自沖繩的日本混血兒，打敗電腦的天才棋手的秘訣是她可以預知五分鐘的未來。
兔子 何洛克。同樣從實驗室大火中逃出，擁有隨意前往平行時空的能力。
對於一個門外漢而言，漫畫的畫工只有好不好看，順不順眼，情節還是最能抓得住眼睛的東西。不過這本以台北為背景的故事，還是有好幾處讓急著「接下來呢」的閱讀停格的部分，像大機器人轟炸台北市府，像俯瞰台灣欒樹夾道的敦化南路，還有老記者和老刑警對話隔著公寓慣見的鐵門……，這就不是幻想能夠掰出來的畫面了，寫實到會嘴角微微一笑。
作者似乎準備畫個三集，第一集是鋪陳主角和其他正派角色的厲害；第二集正邪開始消長，壞人得壞到最高點才行，這樣到了第三集才能增加邪不勝正的困難度，也才能讓讀者始終為正方加油。
可惜圖書館沒進第三集，結局可能要等幾年後才會知道了。
September 7, 2024
On dirait un vieux comic d'espions bien ringard. Pas du tout la vibe à laquelle je m'attendais et j'aime pas vraiment.
Puis ça se voit que c'est écrit par un homme, la tenue de l'héroïne n'est pas crédible et ce qui est censé être drôle ne l'est pas (les hommes ne sont pas drôles dsl je fais pas les règles).
Je pensais que c'était écrit par une femme, QUELLE DÉCEPTION.
Je vais lire les trois tomes parce que je les ai achetés mais si je retrouve le ticket ça repart en magasin 💀
Puis ça se voit que c'est écrit par un homme, la tenue de l'héroïne n'est pas crédible et ce qui est censé être drôle ne l'est pas (les hommes ne sont pas drôles dsl je fais pas les règles).
Je pensais que c'était écrit par une femme, QUELLE DÉCEPTION.
Je vais lire les trois tomes parce que je les ai achetés mais si je retrouve le ticket ça repart en magasin 💀
August 31, 2025
Arte é simplesmente maravilhosa. Seus detalhes são impecáveis. É muito bom ver mangaka que desenha com tanto carinho. Conta a história, ela é cheia de nuances, a qual por si só é muito emblemática te prendendo do começo ao fim. Quando você acha que o mangá está te levando pra um lado, ele na verdade estou te levando pra outro. As cenas de ação são implacáveis. E a nossa protagonista é simplesmente apaixonante.
May 3, 2025
Esthétiquement, le manga est intéressant, que ça soit au niveau des chara-designs, des scènes d'action ou de l'ambiance générale. C'est joli, dynamique et travaillé, sans être trop chargé en détails. Côté scénaristique, l'histoire est intrigante mais ça part un peu dans tous les sens, donc j'ai moyennement accroché.
December 20, 2025
4.5 rounded up
I got drawn in by the cover, because look how gorgeous.
I had no clue what this was about, and it's was a nice surprise. I like the drawing style, and the story is weird in the best way possible. And I'm always down for a revenge story with an angry badass woman.
I'm already hooked.
I got drawn in by the cover, because look how gorgeous.
I had no clue what this was about, and it's was a nice surprise. I like the drawing style, and the story is weird in the best way possible. And I'm always down for a revenge story with an angry badass woman.
I'm already hooked.
July 20, 2024
Surprenant. Et j'aime bien être surprise. Le dessin est chouette. C'est étrange.
Ça me fait pensé un peu à 20th century boys, mais plus girls, et qui tourne moins autour du pot pendant 30 plombes. Je crois que je vais bien aimer.
Ça me fait pensé un peu à 20th century boys, mais plus girls, et qui tourne moins autour du pot pendant 30 plombes. Je crois que je vais bien aimer.
June 14, 2025
Thank you netgalley for a copy of this manga.
I’m intrigued by this and I think I will keep an eye out for future volumes.
Mystery, thriller and a bit gruesome.
Girl who should be dead seems to have come back?
I’m intrigued by this and I think I will keep an eye out for future volumes.
Mystery, thriller and a bit gruesome.
Girl who should be dead seems to have come back?
July 17, 2025
I’m sorry, but I am LOCKED IN! A fucking Peking Opera actor, framed and died in a medical prison is BACK ON A REVENGE TRIP AGAINST CORRUPTION AND AI?!?! I need this so badly in my life right now, and I’m so sad I can’t devour every single volume immediately!
July 17, 2025
Goth Super Girl
Martial Arts Opera
Japanese Government - Hidden Tech Corporation Conspiracy Situation.
It's pretty easy to read, hits the beats you expect, and it's set in contemporary Japan. Feels like a good stable comic.
Martial Arts Opera
Japanese Government - Hidden Tech Corporation Conspiracy Situation.
It's pretty easy to read, hits the beats you expect, and it's set in contemporary Japan. Feels like a good stable comic.
October 7, 2025
Really good read.
Art is amazing, might be the best one I’ve ever seen in a manga. Story itself is definitely not something I would think it would be about and it takes a different spin on the genre.
Very much looking forward to vol. 2.
4.75/5
Art is amazing, might be the best one I’ve ever seen in a manga. Story itself is definitely not something I would think it would be about and it takes a different spin on the genre.
Very much looking forward to vol. 2.
4.75/5
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