Masque of the Red Death Vol: 1
Wendy Pini
Publisher: Go Comi
ISBN:10: 1605100293
Release Date: Out now!
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes
"But the Prince was happy and dauntless and sagacious…a bold and robust man. He had a fine eye for colours and effects. He disregarded the decorum of mere fashion." – Edgar Allan Poe.
Step closer into the future with this bold retelling of a classic horror story with decadent Prince Anton Prosper. Born into wealth through his father who observed the shining new automated city of Sivarsi One, now with the conception of Sivarsi Nine, the previous city pales in comparison to what it once was. He tells Anton he will soon inherit the house and business, even the city, but he does not really know what he will be taking on in his father's absence.
Old friend Tono Trankule knows of his fathers plans to build a new medical science and research centre, but he decides he will stand against his son due to him having most of the planning commission in his pocket. Not that Anton lets that stop him from taking on his father's dreams. When Madame Kabala enters his home with her beautiful son, Steffan who takes an instant liking to much to his mother's delight as she plans on using him as bait to make sure they will have a permanent part in the Prosper dynasty if he falls for Steffan's beauty and feminine wiles. For all Steffan's interest in Anton, the Prince hides a deep secret that could destroy his and the boy's future with him if he chooses to allow him into his life.
Daring and fresh with its interpretation, Wendy Pini has written an erotic drama worthy of Edgar Allan Poe's original short story, setting it in a far future of DNA splicing and the hope of eternal life where Prince Prosper could find love if he wanted to, yet he feels he can never love another, suggesting he has not met a man he would devote even a moment of his time to. Steffan has been a pawn in his mother's game for most of his young life, laying in the bed chambers of the world's most influential men, never finding love – until now. The story has been transformed into a sensual one with the characters brought up-to-date in a sci-fi style reminiscent of a Hollywood movie setting. It is lavishly told from the heart by the lady who brought fans Elfquest for the younger generation, 'Masque,' is more for the adult-minded with Shonen-Ai male-on-male sexuality introduced into its pages with ease.
Wendy has exhibited her humorous way with words in this first novel in a three novel series, and fans will like the acidic, witty interaction of the characters throughout. The only criticism to point out are the characters who seem far too tall and in many instances the proportions can be interpreted as too slim and excessive, such as extremely narrow waists on Steffan and Prince Prosper, but that is a small criticism of such a fabulous piece. For those who are well versed with Poe's story they will enjoy how Wendy has interpreted the different coloured rooms with her own art and influence using them as the means to lure Steffan into his own world. One aspect of the Manga that would be noticed is the way in which it is digitally coloured, as it could very easily become an anime movie if Wendy wanted it.
This series is certainly one to watch out for as it has such potential, and with one volume being released a year it will be worth the wait. Bonus material in this novel is an Art Gallery of sketches called, 'The Masque Sketchbook,' 'Character Evolution: From Mind to Paper,' of Anton Prosper, Steffan Kabala, Daryel and Fronda in pencil, colour and ink beautifully realised. Also included is a short Bio of Wendy Pini that rounds of the entire book perfectly.
Verdict: From the first page to the last this has best-seller written all over it. Lavish, lustful, indulgent and a perfect present for the season – this is a Yaoi manga fanatic's dream.
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