RESENTER: Gigi Murakami’s Pulpy Dive

Article by August Tales

Grit Meets Ghosts

Once upon a time, pulp fiction birthed crime and horror stories enveloped in sensationalism and violence. These narratives explored the shadowy corners of the human mind. Naturally, moral issues took center stage. Characters often had the means and audacity to extinguish lives for personal reasons, or some skewed concept of societal good. A genre mashup was inevitable. Horror and crime intersected in dark alleys, like a demonic banker striking a deal with an earthly thief.

Beyond the Pulp

Then Gigi Murakami appeared in this grim landscape. She realized the potentials of the genre, and introduced her grim masterpiece, Resenter. This manga-inspired pulp horror tale narrates a fascinating tale from a black woman’s perspective. Depicting a high-octane story of revenge, the book spins tradition on its head. It proudly shows off its myriad influences, while also breaking ground in its own unique direction.

A Vengeful Tale

The story takes off with the chilling murder of black heroine, Jackie Moreaux. Soon, we are in the throes of The Death Zone, a liminal space. Here, Jackie meets a peculiar being, Rhea. This ‘Ripper’ is somewhat of an avenging spirit, offering murder victims a shot at retaliation. The catch? Their killers’ lives are at stake. Cleverly, Rhea presents a few convincing alternatives, rendering one particularly hard to resist.

Manga-Pulp Fusion

Murakami’s unique blend of manga and pulp creates a literary class of its own. The story’s resonant tone and rhythm are testament to her skilful blend of these two styles. Although dialogue-rich, Resenter never rushes the story. From introducing startling plot elements and constructing an immersive world, to understanding Jackie fast enough, the manga maintains a steady pace.

Yet, each panel and character interaction bristles with the energy of manga’s rapid sequences. Fluid dialogues make the reading experience gripping, with every detail carrying weight. Nothing is left to chance, and every element reverberates with purpose.

Bold Inks and Grave Undertones

Resenter heavily leans on its monochromatic design, particularly inks, to a haunting effect. The ingenious pulp-manga blend becomes strikingly evident here. Jackie and Rhea don the stereotypical black trench coats and hats of classic gumshoe detectives. The noir aesthetic is accentuated by the graphic portrayal of The Death Zone, a spectral haven with ghostly faces hidden beneath a thick fog. It echoes the eerie visuals of iconic manga artist Junji Ito, intensifying the surrounding atmosphere.

Morality in Question

Murakami thoughtfully explores revenge, justice, and their inherent moral dilemmas through Jackie’s alliance with the Ripper. The narrative grows more layered, with contemplation on violence against women. Jackie, a black woman grappling with posthumous decisions, ignites an urgent conversation on these pivotal issues, spawning sinister, innovative horror sequences.

With only one issue out, Resenter fits snugly in your reading list, primed for the following releases. Murakami’s tale is a sharp reminder of the freshness that genre mashups can bring to storytelling. It’s an important, insightful, challenging and downright scary ride. In essence, it’s worth every bit of your attention.