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Last Man #1-2
Lastman, Volume 1
The hit French fight comic comes to Skybound!
Adrian Velba has trained all year to fight in the Valley of the Kings' legendary tournament. However, despite his ambition, he has no chance of winning. Not only is his partner unable to compete, but at 12 years old, Adrian is the longest of longshots. That is, until a mysterious, powerful stranger enters town, offering to join forces with Adrian. But who is Richard Aldana? And why in a world of magic does he rely solely on his fists?
The multi-volume, action-packed LASTMAN series starts here! Perfect for readers of INVINCIBLE and ULTRAMEGA!
Adrian Velba has trained all year to fight in the Valley of the Kings' legendary tournament. However, despite his ambition, he has no chance of winning. Not only is his partner unable to compete, but at 12 years old, Adrian is the longest of longshots. That is, until a mysterious, powerful stranger enters town, offering to join forces with Adrian. But who is Richard Aldana? And why in a world of magic does he rely solely on his fists?
The multi-volume, action-packed LASTMAN series starts here! Perfect for readers of INVINCIBLE and ULTRAMEGA!
416 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 25, 2022
A young boy dreams of competing in a magical martial arts tournament. But when the next tourney rolls around, his partner suddenly drops out - until a mysterious stranger appears in town who wants to compete too but needs a partner. Who is this person and do they have what it takes to win the tournament?
Skybound/Image are reissuing this French martial arts comic with Lastman, Book 1 collecting the first couple volumes. Despite some elements not working for me because they’re either underwritten or cliched, I really like martial arts comics (hence the Goku avatar) and Lastman is pretty damn good once it gets into the tournament stages.
The worldbuilding is lacking. We’re in a fantasy world reminiscent of Renaissance-era Europe with kings and queens etc. except quite a bit of the society revolves around martial arts for some reason. And also Last Airbender-style element magic exists, but so do motorcycles and cigarettes, and Richard Aldana is clearly from a contemporary era, so is he a time-traveller, or is this some weird alternate universe…? Maybe all that stuff is explored later in the series, and it’s not like it impinges on the main story, but it still felt a little contrived.
The fights themselves though are really interesting, featuring a cast of colourful characters, and it’s fun to learn about the characters’ abilities, as well as the tourney’s rules, through the fights. There are some entertaining twists, as in one fight Adrian gets taken out so Richard has to defeat two opponents, and later on vice versa.
That said, some of the fight resolutions are a bit silly/too easy (Adrian v Elorna, Alyssa v Aldana), and the overall story is predictable in how well Richard and Adrian do, as well as the Han/Leia thing Richard and Marianne have going on. I wasn’t that taken with the go-nowhere subplot of Mr Jansen being in love with Marianne, and Lord Cudna is one-dimensionally evil for seemingly no reason other than to give the story a big bad.
Bastien Vives’ art is very fluid which works well for the fast-paced action, and the body language has real power behind it. I also liked the menacing design of the defending champion, Cristo Canyon, who reminded me slightly of Vega from Street Fighter 2.
It’s not without its faults but the writing, art and story isn’t bad and I enjoyed it fairly well - if you like martial arts comics, Lastman is a pretty decent take on the genre.
Skybound/Image are reissuing this French martial arts comic with Lastman, Book 1 collecting the first couple volumes. Despite some elements not working for me because they’re either underwritten or cliched, I really like martial arts comics (hence the Goku avatar) and Lastman is pretty damn good once it gets into the tournament stages.
The worldbuilding is lacking. We’re in a fantasy world reminiscent of Renaissance-era Europe with kings and queens etc. except quite a bit of the society revolves around martial arts for some reason. And also Last Airbender-style element magic exists, but so do motorcycles and cigarettes, and Richard Aldana is clearly from a contemporary era, so is he a time-traveller, or is this some weird alternate universe…? Maybe all that stuff is explored later in the series, and it’s not like it impinges on the main story, but it still felt a little contrived.
The fights themselves though are really interesting, featuring a cast of colourful characters, and it’s fun to learn about the characters’ abilities, as well as the tourney’s rules, through the fights. There are some entertaining twists, as in one fight Adrian gets taken out so Richard has to defeat two opponents, and later on vice versa.
That said, some of the fight resolutions are a bit silly/too easy (Adrian v Elorna, Alyssa v Aldana), and the overall story is predictable in how well Richard and Adrian do, as well as the Han/Leia thing Richard and Marianne have going on. I wasn’t that taken with the go-nowhere subplot of Mr Jansen being in love with Marianne, and Lord Cudna is one-dimensionally evil for seemingly no reason other than to give the story a big bad.
Bastien Vives’ art is very fluid which works well for the fast-paced action, and the body language has real power behind it. I also liked the menacing design of the defending champion, Cristo Canyon, who reminded me slightly of Vega from Street Fighter 2.
It’s not without its faults but the writing, art and story isn’t bad and I enjoyed it fairly well - if you like martial arts comics, Lastman is a pretty decent take on the genre.
March 26, 2023
I’ve never been much of a martial arts tournament guy. As these go I can’t say this volume was bad but I can’t say it was mind-blowing either.
Characters are mostly unidimensional so far. Richard is the charismatic rogue, Adrian- who bears a striking resemblance with SnK’s Armin Arlelt- the cute runt sized sidekick, etc.
Whatever draws Richard in this weird universe (magical Renaissance but contemporary stuff like motorbikes is there too so travel between dimensions is probably the key) is barely hinted at and not an issue for now so it remains a basic tournament with its inherent usual twists and turns.
That being said it is rather well done. As basic as they are the characters work and you end up (dis)liking them as you’re supposed to without effort. The storytelling is very dynamic and the action scenes easy to follow. Art is apparently bare basic but clearly mastered. No fluff and stuff but efficience throughout.
So, as far as this type of story goes it remains perfectly enjoyable if not unforgettable.
Characters are mostly unidimensional so far. Richard is the charismatic rogue, Adrian- who bears a striking resemblance with SnK’s Armin Arlelt- the cute runt sized sidekick, etc.
Whatever draws Richard in this weird universe (magical Renaissance but contemporary stuff like motorbikes is there too so travel between dimensions is probably the key) is barely hinted at and not an issue for now so it remains a basic tournament with its inherent usual twists and turns.
That being said it is rather well done. As basic as they are the characters work and you end up (dis)liking them as you’re supposed to without effort. The storytelling is very dynamic and the action scenes easy to follow. Art is apparently bare basic but clearly mastered. No fluff and stuff but efficience throughout.
So, as far as this type of story goes it remains perfectly enjoyable if not unforgettable.
February 3, 2023
A bit childish, but starts to get interesting towards the end. Will come back for the new issues.
April 19, 2024
So exciting!! Rereading this to catch up to the rest now they're all in English!
April 22, 2024
I can't even begin to describe my enthusiasm in reading this series again for the first time in like...10 years? When the english translations for these books suddenly stopped being printed around the halfway point in the series, I was completely crushed, so hearing that the whole thing will be translated was one of my most ecstatic comic book moments ever. In the meantime, I watched the 2 seasons of the animated series which completely fleshed out the world in ways I could not begin to expect, answering so many huge questions I had during my first read, so re-reading now with all the new context is a completely new and even more satisfying experience. Trying to savour this instead of rushing to get to the newest volumes that I haven't read, but the incredible pacing and nonstop kinetic action makes it a breeze to fly through these books in a day.
November 24, 2022
A French comic that reads like a Manga. It's about a martial arts tournament in Medieval times. A young man named Adrian who isn't very good is not going to be able to compete in the tournament until a stranger, Richard Aldana, shows up at the last moment who is fantastic. He's clearly somehow from the future, but one of the few people in the tournament who doesn't use magic. It's pretty standard Manga type stuff for the most part.
Some of the art looks really unfinished in places, especially the fight scenes early on. But it does get better as it goes along. If more gets translated to English, I'll probably tag along. It was a quick, easy read.
Some of the art looks really unfinished in places, especially the fight scenes early on. But it does get better as it goes along. If more gets translated to English, I'll probably tag along. It was a quick, easy read.
July 6, 2023
So glad Skybound decided to translate all the books. Can't wait for them to all come out.
Until then, I'm so glad I watched the prequel series, season 2 was some of the best TV I've ever seen.
It also adds a lot to the books, feel like many moments hit way harder already knowing the characters.
Truly impressed with the draftsmanship here, extremely simple and beautiful. I want to study these panels.
Reminds me Hunter x Hunter, the highest praise I can give
Until then, I'm so glad I watched the prequel series, season 2 was some of the best TV I've ever seen.
It also adds a lot to the books, feel like many moments hit way harder already knowing the characters.
Truly impressed with the draftsmanship here, extremely simple and beautiful. I want to study these panels.
Reminds me Hunter x Hunter, the highest praise I can give
December 2, 2022
Really liked. Simple but nice to read flows very well.
September 5, 2024
I think the story was kind of basic, but not bad. The characters weren't that interesting either, but the art was beautiful.
October 14, 2024
Amazing! This is so many things Iove wrapped in one. Fantastic world building, magic, martial arts and a truly fun narrative. The art is a little cartoony but serves well to tell the story.
October 15, 2025
french comics got me shook to my core
February 26, 2025
I have a history of hating everything I've read from Bastien Vivès.
But I also love everything I've seen from Balak.
I will read this for Balak.
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Okay this story slaps. Thank you, Balak.
But I also love everything I've seen from Balak.
I will read this for Balak.
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Okay this story slaps. Thank you, Balak.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews