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Crossing Midnight #3
Crossing Midnight, Vol. 3: The Sword in the Soul
Toshi and Kai lead the kami armies into battle, but it may take more to determine the fate of the twins. This final volume collects issues #13-19 of the series Publishers Weekly called "solid, entertaining and brilliantly executed."
168 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2008
About the author
Mike Carey
1,287 books2,984 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Mike Carey was born in Liverpool in 1959. He worked as a teacher for fifteen years, before starting to write comics. When he started to receive regular commissions from DC Comics, he gave up the day job.
Since then, he has worked for both DC and Marvel Comics, writing storylines for some of the world's most iconic characters, including X-MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR, LUCIFER and HELLBLAZER. His original screenplay FROST FLOWERS is currently being filmed. Mike has also adapted Neil Gaiman's acclaimed NEVERWHERE into comics.
Somehow, Mike finds time amongst all of this to live with his wife and children in North London. You can read his blog at www.mikecarey.net.
Mike Carey was born in Liverpool in 1959. He worked as a teacher for fifteen years, before starting to write comics. When he started to receive regular commissions from DC Comics, he gave up the day job.
Since then, he has worked for both DC and Marvel Comics, writing storylines for some of the world's most iconic characters, including X-MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR, LUCIFER and HELLBLAZER. His original screenplay FROST FLOWERS is currently being filmed. Mike has also adapted Neil Gaiman's acclaimed NEVERWHERE into comics.
Somehow, Mike finds time amongst all of this to live with his wife and children in North London. You can read his blog at www.mikecarey.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 29, 2011
Carey did a great job wrapping up this too short series. Kai and Toshi find themselves on opposite sides of a battle on the spirit realm. The panels of the fighting were fascinating and beautiful, if maybe not quite as detailed as I think they could have been. But this is part of the beauty of this series. The art is very clean and clear, the colors bright, and the characters wonderfully and convincingly represented. I loved the ending, which was surprising in some ways. I saw it coming but I didn't really think it would happen, so it was a predictable surprise, if that makes sense.
4 1/2 stars, mostly just because volume 2 was better than this final volume and I want that distinction to be reflected in my ratings. I hope Carey decides to resurrect this series, which would be fairly easy to do considering the ending. Highly recommended for fans of dark fantasy.
4 1/2 stars, mostly just because volume 2 was better than this final volume and I want that distinction to be reflected in my ratings. I hope Carey decides to resurrect this series, which would be fairly easy to do considering the ending. Highly recommended for fans of dark fantasy.
November 16, 2008
The third book in the Crossing Midnight series - also gorgeous and compelling. In this one, the siblings end up fighting on two different sides of a war in the spirit world. This is really the story of the war planning, and it is revealed why Kai and Toshi, seemingly normal human chldren, were born with their unique abilities. And Kai tries to save Hasharito (aka Toshi) from herself. The ending of this book is kind of sad, but hopeful too - Toshi has come back to herself and shed the Hasharito identity, but still has control over her powers and the aid of her supernatural friends. She vows to make right what she has done wrong, and I assume the next books will show the story of her new quest.
January 1, 2014
Despite the fact that the build-up of the series took two volumes of strewn, disorganized circumstances, Mike Carey came up with an exceptionally good final volume. All the jumbled up pieces fit perfectly together and the broader picture became more lucid. The writer could have taken up a few more volumes since the span of the book is relatively large and the concepts in the preceding volumes could have undergone further elucidation.
April 15, 2018
The artwork took a bit of a dive in a few issues, but the story is still solid and ends in a fairly satisfying way. Every loose end is tied up, there's a really cool battle that could be won by either side, given a successful ruse and hidden ally, and several characters are killed. This is not the type of story to get a sequel.
Toshi is on Kai's tracks, seeking blood. Kai stumbles upon a brain-washed Asirosamiro right as Toshi catches up to them. The true lord of blades shatters Toshi's sword, cutting her even though normally she is impervious to edged weapons. This is only the beginning of the road to a large-scale battle between Rinjin and Aratsu that Sun Tzu would have been proud of.
Toshi is on Kai's tracks, seeking blood. Kai stumbles upon a brain-washed Asirosamiro right as Toshi catches up to them. The true lord of blades shatters Toshi's sword, cutting her even though normally she is impervious to edged weapons. This is only the beginning of the road to a large-scale battle between Rinjin and Aratsu that Sun Tzu would have been proud of.
May 22, 2017
Dois irmãos, gémeos, a partilhar uma herança sobrenatural mas com uma diferença fundamental. Ela é totalmente espírito, capaz de se mover entre os dois mundos, o nosso e o dos mitos, e cai sob a alçada de um semi-deus usurpador que a utiliza, dotando-a de poderes com lâminas, para eliminar os seus inimigos. Ele tem o poder de anular toda a magia, e tudo o que procura é o reencontro com uma irmã que nunca o reconhece, pois as suas memórias foram-lhe retiradas pelo senhor que serve. Pelo meio temos conflitos épicos no submundo sobrenatural. Mike Carey, neste título, sublima o fascínio pela mitologia japonesa, com a sua míriade de deuses, espíritos e demónios.
February 17, 2021
What a great series. Everything built up to this, the final battle. A huge battle among magical beings with a somewhat tragic ending. I say somewhat tragic because the series had an open ending that may have resolved some of the tragedy.
Overall Crossing Midnight was one of the best Vertigo series I've read. I think it's up there with Sandman and Preacher, although the subject matter is a little more narrow (Japanese Mythology) so it may not appeal to as broad an audience as some of the bigger Vertigo titles.
I loved this series. Great story and great art.
Overall Crossing Midnight was one of the best Vertigo series I've read. I think it's up there with Sandman and Preacher, although the subject matter is a little more narrow (Japanese Mythology) so it may not appeal to as broad an audience as some of the bigger Vertigo titles.
I loved this series. Great story and great art.
August 7, 2017
As with the previous books in the series this one was violent with adult situations. I liked the twists and turns that the story took and although the end was not a traditionally "happy" one it was true to the spirit of the series. It was a good ending to the series and I would recommend it for the people who like fantasy based stories (be warned however it is very violent with an impressive body count).
September 22, 2025
What a lame ending.
It feels as if the author lost his spark and interest on the story after the first album. He tries one or two good issues in the second story arc and then arrives at his conclusion album and felt he had to get rid of it sooner and ended up doing a quick , illogical, dumb, completely idiotic wrap.
Kill this guy, let her live, kill the main villain, put a dumb war strategy and poof - all complete in three issues.
It feels as if the author lost his spark and interest on the story after the first album. He tries one or two good issues in the second story arc and then arrives at his conclusion album and felt he had to get rid of it sooner and ended up doing a quick , illogical, dumb, completely idiotic wrap.
Kill this guy, let her live, kill the main villain, put a dumb war strategy and poof - all complete in three issues.
October 4, 2025
This last collection of the series wrapped up the story very well, better perhaps than I expected with an ending, like much of the series, very well illustrated and told to the last page. A comic series collection I have enjoyed very highly. I recommend to those who enjoy fantasy, horror, mythology, Japanese folklore.
June 19, 2017
Excellent finale to a great little series. I can't help but think maybe that ending had been left open for the possibility of more, but it didn't feel like a cliffhanger.
February 7, 2019
Epic ending to very good series.
September 1, 2023
Toshi and Kais tale reaches its conclusion as Toshis quest to regain her memories finds her with less than happy results. A great tale by Carey and a great end to a solid story.
May 21, 2012
Waaaaauuuuuuggh!!!
That's what I shouted when I came to the end of "Crossing Midnight: Cut Here". Because it was only volume ONE of a story-arc that cuts (no pun intended) through several graphic novels- "The Sword In The Soul" was no exception, either! Amazing, Spectacular, and EXCELLENT ending, as well!!
I had to read them all, as soon as I started them!
Yes, HAD TO.
This story was REALLY well written, amazingly illustrated, and it carried me forward through the storyline with surprising ease. I was instantly invested with the Hara family and the twins problems and perils.
I can tell you very little about this story, without spoiling it. That it has to do with the supernatural, is obvious- the Kami, spirits of /things/ we use or make- like swords, or needles for sewing. That they have investment in the human world is not surprising... but watching them reach into it, and USE that investment. Well now. That is another thing entirely!
I loved this book, and am now on the prowl for the 'rest' of the story- before I go half crazy imagining the myriad of ways it could turn out.
Save yourself! Buy or check out all three, before you start reading... I hope to add them to my meager book collection... they're THAT good.
That's what I shouted when I came to the end of "Crossing Midnight: Cut Here". Because it was only volume ONE of a story-arc that cuts (no pun intended) through several graphic novels- "The Sword In The Soul" was no exception, either! Amazing, Spectacular, and EXCELLENT ending, as well!!
I had to read them all, as soon as I started them!
Yes, HAD TO.
This story was REALLY well written, amazingly illustrated, and it carried me forward through the storyline with surprising ease. I was instantly invested with the Hara family and the twins problems and perils.
I can tell you very little about this story, without spoiling it. That it has to do with the supernatural, is obvious- the Kami, spirits of /things/ we use or make- like swords, or needles for sewing. That they have investment in the human world is not surprising... but watching them reach into it, and USE that investment. Well now. That is another thing entirely!
I loved this book, and am now on the prowl for the 'rest' of the story- before I go half crazy imagining the myriad of ways it could turn out.
Save yourself! Buy or check out all three, before you start reading... I hope to add them to my meager book collection... they're THAT good.
January 15, 2012
I enjoyed this but I felt like there were still some loose ends. I'm going to get into spoilers, so beware.
*SPOILERS*
So one thing that bothered me about this last book is the implication that them having been born on opposite sides of midnight is important. It's strongly implied, but then there doesn't seem to be any followthrough. Maybe I'm missing something. It could be that the eldest twin is born the day before the "protection" begins and the second twin is born during it but why wouldn't it begin when the first child was born? They don't say. Kind of annoying.
Toshi's kind of annoying, too. She fails to clue in that the Gleaner calls her Toshi Hara and hey, that's what this boy is calling her. Her master has stolen her memories, so why would she trust him? Doesn't make much sense to me. I believe she also hurts her brother with Usotsuki, which I don't think should have worked. Shouldn't her magic have failed in the face of his abilities? Might have to go back and check.
*SPOILERS*
So one thing that bothered me about this last book is the implication that them having been born on opposite sides of midnight is important. It's strongly implied, but then there doesn't seem to be any followthrough. Maybe I'm missing something. It could be that the eldest twin is born the day before the "protection" begins and the second twin is born during it but why wouldn't it begin when the first child was born? They don't say. Kind of annoying.
Toshi's kind of annoying, too. She fails to clue in that the Gleaner calls her Toshi Hara and hey, that's what this boy is calling her. Her master has stolen her memories, so why would she trust him? Doesn't make much sense to me. I believe she also hurts her brother with Usotsuki, which I don't think should have worked. Shouldn't her magic have failed in the face of his abilities? Might have to go back and check.
June 9, 2015
This volume ends the series and it feels like the overall story was significantly abbreviated. Still, even with the quickened pace, the climax is surprising and effective. Although the opponents are only sketched in, the conflict between the twins takes center. Secondary characters from the previous volumes reappear to up the stakes and play surprising roles, and the final conclusion, while leaving an opening for future stories, closes the book on the original concept in a satisfying manner. It feels like we didn't get enough time in this very distinct and different world, but what's here is a complete, enjoyable experience.
June 22, 2015
This final volume in the series collects issues #13-19.
Kai is trying to find and save her his sister, but Toshi has had her memories erased, and has a new assignment - kill Kai. You just know this is not going to end well. We learn more about the backstory about how the twins are the way they are, and I loved the explanation. War is inevitable, and this is a fun and satisfying conclusion to this graphic novel series.
Kai is trying to find and save her his sister, but Toshi has had her memories erased, and has a new assignment - kill Kai. You just know this is not going to end well. We learn more about the backstory about how the twins are the way they are, and I loved the explanation. War is inevitable, and this is a fun and satisfying conclusion to this graphic novel series.
July 6, 2011
I really liked this series a lot in the end--pretty compelling characters, lots of violence, interesting mythology, a very fitting ending, and, of course, Sen the Superdog! Not all series this short manage to feel as full as this one does, but Carey managed admirably, and this one seemed just right. He's definitely becoming one of my favorite comic book writers.
April 15, 2010
Not my usual cup of tea: violence, fantasy. And yet, is it fantasy or legend, which I do like, and it is absolutely compelling. I have no idea what is going to happen next and I Love it! Plus the cliffhanger ending-I want more!
October 29, 2013
A solid ending to a meandering story. Having gotten maybe just too far into an obscure mythos, it brings back the story to a satisfying ending. A great story for not having many pages in which to tell.
June 1, 2014
Another tragedy? Maybe this is why I haven't been reading so much lately.
That said, a widely cast net of disparate characters finally gathered together to reach an acceptable conclusion. Room is left to continue the stories of Kai and Toshi Hara, but I will leave them be.
That said, a widely cast net of disparate characters finally gathered together to reach an acceptable conclusion. Room is left to continue the stories of Kai and Toshi Hara, but I will leave them be.
March 31, 2009
Another great addition to the series. I love the mix of the physical and metaphysical, the real world and shadow lands that Carey achieves in these books.
January 24, 2009
Well, I just couldn't get into this and then I realized it was actually volume 3!
August 10, 2009
isn't this actually called the sword in the soul?
January 18, 2011
Listen to my review on V for Vertigo, Episode 89 at http://vforvertigo.blogspot.com or on iTunes.
July 26, 2011
The story is grabbing and the art beautiful. I feel the ending is a little abrupt, though.
February 28, 2013
Oh man, so good, but the ending felt rushed. maybe vertigo said wrap it up or we cancel, I feel like there was another volume in here. I could be wrong but it really felt rushed.
May 5, 2013
19 osa pikkuseks see suurepärane jaapani vaimumaailmast rääkiv sari jäigi. Aitäh, ameerika idioodid...
June 25, 2013
A fine conclusion to the series. It didn't offer as interesting of a blend between the modern day and the fantastic as previous volumes, but it was still very enjoyable.
November 22, 2013
Excellent story that is rich with Japanese mythology and brought to life with superb first-rate art!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews