Published by Saturday AM, Clock Striker's debut volume is a hit that manga fans in America should take note of. The story features the first Black female hero in shonen manga - Cast. She is a heroine that readers need to meet, as she has all the best qualities of a shonen hero while adding a lot to manga as a medium.
Created by American writer Frederik L. Jones and Nigerien artist Issaka Galadima, the story of Clock Striker follows Cast's dream of becoming a Smith. She is set apart not just by her initial appearance, but also by the fact that she is disabled. Like Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist, she has a prosthetic arm, although how she lost her arm is not known. This does not get her down, as she uses old parts to provide herself with not just a new arm, but a new way of fighting the evildoers blocking her path. Cast is not a traditional manga heroine on the surface, but she shares a lot of similarities with some of the best in the industry.
Clock Striker Features One of Manga's Most Original Heroes in Years
Clock Striker Vol. 1 opens with adventure, provides Cast's origin story, and then reveals her adventure following her new apprenticeship to Philomena Clock, a Smith. The Smiths in this shonen manga used to be legendary engineers and fighters who have largely disappeared. Their apprentices are known as strikers, which Cast becomes. Her origin involves doing her best to help care for her family, facing a prominent figure in her life who wants to take advantage of her family, and the biggest threats to her future. It is a strong start to the series that blends elements of steampunk and cyberpunk.
Clock Striker's Fist Volume is a Must Read for Shonen Manga Fans
Inspired by manga and anime, SaturdayAM founder Frederik L. Jones has created a publishing company that seeks to provide readers with a Shonen Jump style magazine experience. Thus far, the group has provided its readers with comics from around the world, including American comic Bully Eater, Hungarian comic Saigami, and Nigerian comic Apple Black. The company endorses the blend of anime/manga art styles with diversity in storytelling. Clock Striker is a perfect example of this, as the Black, female, disabled lead surpasses the challenges placed in front of her with strength, intelligence, and empathy - all qualities of the best heroes within American comics and manga.
Manga's characters have diversified a lot over the past several decades, with Black male and female characters making appearances. These have included Soul Eater's Kilik Rung, Naruto's Karui, One Piece's Daz Bones, My Hero Academia's Rock Lock, and Yaruichi Shihouin and Kaname Tōsen from Bleach, among others. However, none of these characters have been the lead heroes of their respective stories. Cast is changing things up and stealing the spotlight within her story. Clock Strikers Vol. 1 is a fast-paced, thrilling adventure full of mystery in a fascinating world with a great heroine.
Volume 1 of Clock Striker is available for purchase now!