Hana Attori #1

The opening volume of Tony Valente's Hana Attori arrives with a cover brimming with personality — a confident young girl in a red skirt and white top takes center stage, twin blades in hand and a sly grin on her face, while a colorful cast of companions fans out behind her: a white-haired figure, a dark-skinned warrior woman, an elderly man, a boy, and even a grinning skull. Subtitled Irréductibles Ninjas, this 2008 Soleil release promises a lively, action-tinged adventure that wears its manga influences proudly. It's a spirited introduction to what looks like a very fun ensemble.