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Zombie Powder #3
Zombie Powder: Pierce Me Standing in the Firegarden
Somewhere in the desert lies the world's greatest treasure: the 12 Rings of the Dead, the only source of the mysterious substance "Zombie Powder," which can raise the dead and give the living eternal life. Now, a small broup of super-skilled hunters has gone in search of the rings, against an army of crooks, killers, and madmen...
PIERCE ME STANDING IN THE FIREGARDEN
When the prize is a Ring of the Dead, murder is a small price to pay! Stealing the comatose body of Wolfina's brother (and the Ring buried inside it), Balmunk the mystic lures our heroes to his deadly circus, where fire-breathers and knife-throwers await them. Has master swordsman Gamma Akutabi finally met a foe worthy of his skills? As the circus train races across the desert, Wolfina struggles to free her brother's body before it becomes an ingredient in Balmunk's recipe for immortality. But the ride isn't over yet... Includes a special bonus story, "Rune Master Urara"!
PIERCE ME STANDING IN THE FIREGARDEN
When the prize is a Ring of the Dead, murder is a small price to pay! Stealing the comatose body of Wolfina's brother (and the Ring buried inside it), Balmunk the mystic lures our heroes to his deadly circus, where fire-breathers and knife-throwers await them. Has master swordsman Gamma Akutabi finally met a foe worthy of his skills? As the circus train races across the desert, Wolfina struggles to free her brother's body before it becomes an ingredient in Balmunk's recipe for immortality. But the ride isn't over yet... Includes a special bonus story, "Rune Master Urara"!
208 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2000
5 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 6, 2024
This volume was better than the second in my opinion. Mostly because I actually liked the bonus story in this on, whereas the bonus story in the previous volume was just not that great. I'd actually love to read more about people sealing demons into runes tattooed onto their body.
As for the main story, I'm very confused about the powers of the different characters. Does the magician dude use some weird tricks or is it actual magic? The knife throwing bad guy with all the sisters... do the sisters get hurt when they're hit in the stomach? And why do they make it sexual?
As for the main story, I'm very confused about the powers of the different characters. Does the magician dude use some weird tricks or is it actual magic? The knife throwing bad guy with all the sisters... do the sisters get hurt when they're hit in the stomach? And why do they make it sexual?
November 11, 2020
I hadn't forgotten this volume was practically nonstop action, but woof, is it one thing to remember and quite another to jump back in and experience it! Seriously, if you've been intrigued about this short little series for a while, I can promise you things really start coming to a head in this volume, and it's so unexpectedly dark and macabre for what it is (which I personally enjoy about it.)
I can't say much else that isn't laced with spoilers, but if you've read my reviews for either of the first two volumes, you are well aware by now how much I love this little series. (Also, the 4-panel koma at the back are pretty fun!)
[Additionally, I did not re-read the short story at the end of this volume that was wedged in for page count, and I doubt I'll read whatever was wedged in at the end of volume 4. I just don't have the patience or energy to read those and write up reviews for them at this point in time.]
I can't say much else that isn't laced with spoilers, but if you've read my reviews for either of the first two volumes, you are well aware by now how much I love this little series. (Also, the 4-panel koma at the back are pretty fun!)
[Additionally, I did not re-read the short story at the end of this volume that was wedged in for page count, and I doubt I'll read whatever was wedged in at the end of volume 4. I just don't have the patience or energy to read those and write up reviews for them at this point in time.]
October 23, 2024
Non-stop action and I have to say this volume was better then the second one. I also love the extra story that was in this one. Very awesome plot and amazing artwork!!!!
September 16, 2016
This volume starts off with Chapter 15: Divisions.
I'll write more when my editing mode hits.
Happy Readings!
Fly my Pretties! Fly!
I'll write more when my editing mode hits.
Happy Readings!
Fly my Pretties! Fly!
September 1, 2024
I noticed that people have tagged this as zombie, but... there aren't any? It's just the name of the MacGuffin, not an actual zombie apocalypse or anything. It could easily have been called "Lifeforce Powder," except that's not as catchy.
This is an okay installment, with the usual random fight scenes with the whole, "Haha, I have the upper hand! ...wait, what are you doing— *dead*" schtick going on. I don't know that it's compelling as such outside of the fact of it being a prototype Bleach, and I'll definitely forget about it since this is the last volume I have on hand (and I'm out of the habit of special-ordering books I specifically want, since I'm reading SO MANY these days). I hear the final book is pretty lackluster, though, so it might be for the better that I just imagine what the ending could be.
I can't decide whether I want to deduct or ADD a star for the fact that the last THIRD of the book is for bonus material, including a standalone story, "Rune Master Urara," which reads sort of like a more adult (or "older teen," anyway) version of Pokémon, but with demons and tattoos that can store said demons. It's... just a *little* weird, haha.
I don't know. Recommended for completionists, MAYBE? I think reading Bleach is preferable to this on the whole; even though I don't hate the story, I'm going to forget it entirely once it's out of sight.
This is an okay installment, with the usual random fight scenes with the whole, "Haha, I have the upper hand! ...wait, what are you doing— *dead*" schtick going on. I don't know that it's compelling as such outside of the fact of it being a prototype Bleach, and I'll definitely forget about it since this is the last volume I have on hand (and I'm out of the habit of special-ordering books I specifically want, since I'm reading SO MANY these days). I hear the final book is pretty lackluster, though, so it might be for the better that I just imagine what the ending could be.
I can't decide whether I want to deduct or ADD a star for the fact that the last THIRD of the book is for bonus material, including a standalone story, "Rune Master Urara," which reads sort of like a more adult (or "older teen," anyway) version of Pokémon, but with demons and tattoos that can store said demons. It's... just a *little* weird, haha.
I don't know. Recommended for completionists, MAYBE? I think reading Bleach is preferable to this on the whole; even though I don't hate the story, I'm going to forget it entirely once it's out of sight.
September 20, 2023
3.5/5
I sought after this series only because I adored reading Bleach and Burn the Witch.
If you are not a fan of Tite Kubo or you haven't read/watched Bleach, I don't think you'll enjoy this series too much and I suggest reading Bleach before looking for Zombie Powder. However if you have read/watched Bleach I recommend this series to you.
I loved Bleach's funky cool characters and its story so I chased after anything from Kubo for another taste of that. While I enjoyed this short series it still left me craving something fun like Bleach again.
The characters are cool (as always from Kubo) and the story was alright, it definitely could've been better in many aspects but I didn't hate it. Worth a read if you like the bad-ass and goofy that Bleach has!
I sought after this series only because I adored reading Bleach and Burn the Witch.
If you are not a fan of Tite Kubo or you haven't read/watched Bleach, I don't think you'll enjoy this series too much and I suggest reading Bleach before looking for Zombie Powder. However if you have read/watched Bleach I recommend this series to you.
I loved Bleach's funky cool characters and its story so I chased after anything from Kubo for another taste of that. While I enjoyed this short series it still left me craving something fun like Bleach again.
The characters are cool (as always from Kubo) and the story was alright, it definitely could've been better in many aspects but I didn't hate it. Worth a read if you like the bad-ass and goofy that Bleach has!
October 12, 2017
Definitely not the best in the series so far. Not terrible, but not the best. The action scenes were fun, but the story itself was a bit weak. And while I thought the bonus story at the end was well-written, it just felt like a stereotypical manga story, and I wasn't super invested in it.
Also, it bugged me a little that the "Day in the Life..." bonus content featured characters from part 4, even though this is part 3. Why wouldn't you just save this until part 4??
Also, it bugged me a little that the "Day in the Life..." bonus content featured characters from part 4, even though this is part 3. Why wouldn't you just save this until part 4??
April 8, 2021
As this arc continues, we're treated to an entire volume of fights! Elwood gets a fight where he actually looks impressive, Smith gets to... have a gun... and we get Gamma looking all menacing! It's neat. That's all there is to say, good balance of cast members and an alright story.
May 30, 2025
Balmunk, as were his minions, were an interesting bunch.
Further the backstories of our heroes a bit too was pretty cool, especially Wolfina and Gamma.
The Rune Master short was pretty fun too though shame it was just a one-shot and Kubo has, seemingly, never explored it further.
Further the backstories of our heroes a bit too was pretty cool, especially Wolfina and Gamma.
The Rune Master short was pretty fun too though shame it was just a one-shot and Kubo has, seemingly, never explored it further.
July 20, 2025
2.5 & idk how this is gonna get wrapped up
February 16, 2026
The circus freaks are really interesting 🤣
December 29, 2012
28 December 2012
C.T. Smith is badass. There just isn't enough of him in these books. Need more Smith!
I've been trying to refrain from comparing this to Bleach, but there were many elements in Zombie Powder, Vol. 3 : Pierce Me Standing in the Firegarden that had me constantly thinking of Bleach. I wish I didn't do that, but I just can't help it.
Balmunk reminds me of a cross between Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Szayelaporro Grantz. I don't care much for those characters, so needless to say, I'm not fond of Balmunk. The fight scenes between Balmunk and Gamma were confusing, which seems to be Tite Kubo's trademark style.
Although the fight scenes were sometimes hard to follow, I did enjoy them. Gamma has a Hollow Ichigo moment, and Smith encounters opponents with tatoos à la Espada style. Elwood even kicks some butt. While I still enjoy this series, it borders a bit too much on the ridiculous for my taste.
I really enjoyed the bonus short story "Rune Master Urara." I'm crossing my fingers that Tite Kubo turns it into a full manga series. It even has a character with super powers that controls ice and water (sound familiar?).
I have no idea how this series is going to wrap up with one more volume left. I'm looking forward to reading the next one, which I hope has more Smith in it!
C.T. Smith is badass. There just isn't enough of him in these books. Need more Smith!
I've been trying to refrain from comparing this to Bleach, but there were many elements in Zombie Powder, Vol. 3 : Pierce Me Standing in the Firegarden that had me constantly thinking of Bleach. I wish I didn't do that, but I just can't help it.
Balmunk reminds me of a cross between Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Szayelaporro Grantz. I don't care much for those characters, so needless to say, I'm not fond of Balmunk. The fight scenes between Balmunk and Gamma were confusing, which seems to be Tite Kubo's trademark style.
Although the fight scenes were sometimes hard to follow, I did enjoy them. Gamma has a Hollow Ichigo moment, and Smith encounters opponents with tatoos à la Espada style. Elwood even kicks some butt. While I still enjoy this series, it borders a bit too much on the ridiculous for my taste.
I really enjoyed the bonus short story "Rune Master Urara." I'm crossing my fingers that Tite Kubo turns it into a full manga series. It even has a character with super powers that controls ice and water (sound familiar?).
I have no idea how this series is going to wrap up with one more volume left. I'm looking forward to reading the next one, which I hope has more Smith in it!
April 12, 2011
Not that the concept isn't weird enough, a trio of people chasing after the mythical (and dangerous) Rings of the Dead, which when put together make powered life force that can make a person immortal, but in this volume things get really weird as Gamma (S-class criminal and chainsaw sword wielder), Elwood (former thief and knife thrower on a mission to bring his older sister back from the dead) and Smith (mysterious, gun slinging, suit wearing master fighter) face down the weirdest troupe of circus performers ever over the body of a boy playing host to one of the evil rings. Foes in this action-packed manga include an undead box, a deadly assassin and his human target sisters and a magician who can bend space and time.
Zombie Powder #3 is very strange, but it continues to deliver the same strong characterization, western-theme and doles out the tidbits of mystery at a pace perfect to keep readers involved. Plus this volume contains a Kubo “bonus short” for die hard fans. Recommended for manga collections because when combined with the bonus shorts these books give a fine idea of the story spectrum available in manga.
Contains: cartoon-like violence, implied sexual threats and off-color relationships
Zombie Powder #3 is very strange, but it continues to deliver the same strong characterization, western-theme and doles out the tidbits of mystery at a pace perfect to keep readers involved. Plus this volume contains a Kubo “bonus short” for die hard fans. Recommended for manga collections because when combined with the bonus shorts these books give a fine idea of the story spectrum available in manga.
Contains: cartoon-like violence, implied sexual threats and off-color relationships
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April 11, 2011Not that the concept isn't weird enough- a trio of people chasing after the mythical (and dangerous) Rings of the Dead, which when put together make powered life force that can make a person immortal- but in this volume things get really strange. Gamma (S-class criminal and chainsaw sword wielder), Elwood (former thief and knife thrower on a mission to bring his older sister back from the dead), and Smith (mysterious, gun slinging, suit wearing master fighter) face down the weirdest troupe of circus performers ever, over the body of a boy playing host to one of the evil rings. Foes in this action-packed manga include an undead box, a deadly assassin and his “human target” sisters and a magician who can bend space and time.
Zombie Powder #3 continues to deliver the same strong characterization and Western theme. It doles out the tidbits of mystery at a pace perfect to keep readers involved. As a plus, this volume contains a Kubo “bonus short” for diehard fans. Recommended for manga collections. When combined with the bonus shorts, these books give a fine idea of the story spectrum available in manga. Grades 9-12.
Contains: cartoon-like violence, implied sexual threats and off-color relationships
August 6, 2010
Tite Kubo, Zombiepowder, vol. 3: Pierce Me Standing in the Firegarden (ViZ, 2000)
I was quite fond of the first two volumes of Tite Kubo's short-lived first manga, Zombiepowder, but the penultimate volume gets kind of derailed. It's still interesting in the sense that in some of the new enemies, you can see ideas that he would end up reviving a few years later in Bleach (specifically, some of the enemies here reminded me of folks who showed up in the soul society), but Kubo already knew, I think, that Zombiepowder was on its way out by the time he was halfway through this volume's chapters (there are some snarky comments in the sidenotes about how page constraints kept him from introducing a subplot or two, as well as at least one character). The volume ends with an even earlier one-shot, Rune Master Urara, which Kubo says in the sidenotes he's considering reviving. It'd be an interesting experiment; he's gone a very different way since, and I think he could do something good with a story that is currently confusing and immature. We'll have to wait and see. ** ½
I was quite fond of the first two volumes of Tite Kubo's short-lived first manga, Zombiepowder, but the penultimate volume gets kind of derailed. It's still interesting in the sense that in some of the new enemies, you can see ideas that he would end up reviving a few years later in Bleach (specifically, some of the enemies here reminded me of folks who showed up in the soul society), but Kubo already knew, I think, that Zombiepowder was on its way out by the time he was halfway through this volume's chapters (there are some snarky comments in the sidenotes about how page constraints kept him from introducing a subplot or two, as well as at least one character). The volume ends with an even earlier one-shot, Rune Master Urara, which Kubo says in the sidenotes he's considering reviving. It'd be an interesting experiment; he's gone a very different way since, and I think he could do something good with a story that is currently confusing and immature. We'll have to wait and see. ** ½
March 11, 2014
Este tomo me gusta bastante más porque Eliwood deja de ser un inútil. Típico que tienes el amigo al que siempre tienes que salvar, pero aquí Eliwood se encarga de deshacerse de su propio estigma. El niño pelea y gana, digo, ya era ganancia que supiera arrojar cuchillos, pero que además sea listo el muchacho... Sigue el arco del circo que esta bastante interesante pero muy largo y con muchos personajes que se ven ligeramente geniales pero que solo salen medio segundo porque o mueren o desaparecen. Lo bueno es que esta por terminar y parece que el final se va a poner bueno.
January 10, 2013
Only 1 more volume to go and then it's over.
Things with Gamma are just getting interesting, with him turning into something in the middle of a fight. Each member of our group has a battle to overcome and we are left with a cliffhanger during Wolfina's fight.
I liked that Elwood showed compassion during his fight and put the fire out before it consumed his enemy. And can I just say, I think that C.T. Smith should have his own series?? He's so badass!
Things with Gamma are just getting interesting, with him turning into something in the middle of a fight. Each member of our group has a battle to overcome and we are left with a cliffhanger during Wolfina's fight.
I liked that Elwood showed compassion during his fight and put the fire out before it consumed his enemy. And can I just say, I think that C.T. Smith should have his own series?? He's so badass!
June 9, 2012
I didn't like this one as much as Volumes 1 and 2. It seems like less happened in this volume. There was a lot more action, which was sometimes kind of hard to understand. C.T. Smith wasn't in it as much either, though Elwood did have a very awesome scene.
Of course, it certainly wasn't -bad-. I still love the series, the art, and the characters. Looking forward to the final installment!
Of course, it certainly wasn't -bad-. I still love the series, the art, and the characters. Looking forward to the final installment!
January 28, 2025
Was nothing but straight action. Still meh compared to other Shonen, because it really didn't have any cool powers that was displayed. This is what makes Bleach (BANKAI!), Naruto (jutsu), and One Piece (devil fruit); so interesting.
VOLUME 3 - has a early work of Tite Kubo's called, "Rune Master Urara."
VOLUME 3 - has a early work of Tite Kubo's called, "Rune Master Urara."
December 5, 2021
What's The Insurance Like On This Circus?
I loved this volume! The action is amazing, we see how Elwood has evolved, and we're left with some serious questions about Smith! Also the art style is just as eye-catching as usual.
I loved this volume! The action is amazing, we see how Elwood has evolved, and we're left with some serious questions about Smith! Also the art style is just as eye-catching as usual.
July 14, 2009
I really enjoyed Bleach, Tite Kubo's other manga, but I wasn't as impressed. However, I do really love the artwork.
November 30, 2009
Really enjoying this - especially the little minor character profiles at the end of each chapter, which are cracking me up. One more volume to go. :(
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June 17, 2010F KUB
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January 7, 2014
The action is getting better in the third volume.
September 22, 2014
In this volume, Tite Kubo's message starts to appear in the same way it does in Bleach. Do you know what it is?
September 23, 2014
This was slow getting into but okay.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews