Author: Naoki Urasawa
Publisher: Viz
"Tenma springs to action when he discovers that Johan, the boy whose life he saved nine years ago, has grown up and turned into a serial killer. But when Tenma finds out that Johan has strong inside connections with government officials, he realizes that this monster is far more powerful than he could have ever imagined."
The opening chapters of Monster's second volume occupy themselves with the daily life of an ambitious, somewhat clumsy girl called Nina Fortner. We gain insight into her life at university, reflecting a bright intelligence coupled with some poor time-management skills; her hobby as a highly capable Aikido student, surpassing even her teacher who is afraid to fight her; her warm, secure family life; her circle of friends and part-time job. Not to mention the anonymous messages she has been receiving from a mysterious boy asking to meet her . . .
As a testament to Urasawa's finely tuned storytelling these opening scenes are a joy to read in-and-of themselves. Apart from being exposition for the broader picture they create a wonderfully detailed perspective, expertly presenting a self-contained, believable world full of empathetic characters. With these kind of 'picture painting' scenarios there's always the risk of creating a plasticy false world that seems perfect to a fault. Urasawa keenly avoids this, however, by planting a number of endearing, distinctly human moments into the circumstance and fashions a generally happy but credible setting.
Of course, this only represents the first three or four chapters of the book. Things take a severe twist when it’s revealed that Nina is in fact Anna, twin-sister to Johan - the manga's namesake and infamous serial killer that Kenzou Tenma has been pursuing. As we quickly understand that the messages Nina has been receiving are actually from Johan, a definite sense of danger and dread builds as their planned meeting at Heidelberg Castle draws closer. Coupled with Nina's parent's intention to tell her that she is adopted when she returns and Tenma edging closer to discovering her location, aided by chain-smoking journalist Mr. Maurer, the tension reaches fever pitch as each plot thread intersects resulting in brutal tragedy. After these traumatic events Tenma and Nina make their desperate escape as they discover that even the police can't be trusted.
The suspense is genuinely palpable in these moments, with Viz's somewhat ostentatious praise for Urasawa as 'Japan's master of suspense' ringing especially true (although I'm not sure we need to be told about it on the cover). While I still find Tenma a touch silted and naive the supporting cast, and him, I'm willing to admit, is full of character and pathos; even down to the disgraced Eva Heinemann. Each death hits hard and we sympathise greatly with the bewildered sense of loss and confusion both Nina and Tenma face. Their getaway into the woods is brief, not overplayed my Urasawa, and serves its purpose with precision and restraint.
The finer points of the story are also fantastically executed, with Nina's masterful abilities at Aikido as an important example. It suggests a capable means of defending herself, or as the manga implies, seeking vengeance on her brother. We find that Tenma has also taken precautions in the final chapter of the book, recounting his experience in arms training five months previous. It's this kind of long-term foreshadowing that elevates Monster beyond most of its peers and makes it such a compelling piece of fiction apart from merely being a comic. So much happens in volume two and yet Urasawa effortlessly sets up equal amounts of potential for the future.
In terms of art and presentation, everything is top notch. Urasawa's artwork remains expressive and capable, his character design being especially articulate and reflective of each character's personality. Viz maintains its generally high standard set by volume one and everything still rates highly. I just wish the bastards would be more humane with their release schedule!
Conclusion
Another fantastic installment to what is rapidly becoming a favourite of mine. Monster oozes sophistication in both its plot and wonderfully realised characters. Even the relatively incidental is loaded with quality and consideration. Really, what am I saying: Monster was a favourite of mine from page ten of volume one. Volume two merely serves to strengthen my adoration.
This first volume takes its time in building the scene, with most of it being set in the past as a young Kenzo Tenma copes with being an up-and-coming doctor in a foreign Germany. A victim of internal politics, Dr. Tenma's substantial talents as a surgeon are used to advance the political agenda of the hospital's director, Dr. Heinemann. Tenma's engagement to Dr. Heinemann's daughter Eva only serves to complicate matters, who seems as calculated and morally stunted as her father. Things take a turn for the worst when Temna makes the ethically correct decision to operate on a young boy over Düsseldorf's mayor, who consequently dies as a result and thus spells the end of Tenma's career.
