Golgo 13 #10: Wasteland manga review
One of the first anime and manga titles that caught my attention was the story of Takao Saito’s ruthless hit man who calls himself Duke Togo but is better known by his infamous code name Golgo 13. A world-class marksman, dangerous martial artist and hardy survival expert, G13 sells his deadly skills to whoever will meet his price, including the CIA and KGB.
My introduction to G13 was via an unsubtitled videotape at some con back in the late 1980s, where I was impressed with its artistry and violence despite not understanding a line of dialogue. (Given that G13 is a man of few words, it wasn’t a serious drawback anyway.) Not long afterward, I chanced upon a rare English translation of the manga episode Into the Wolves’ Lair at my local comic book store and found that the manga was, if anything, an improvement on the anime film thanks to its deft lines and storytelling.
And why not? Manga-ka Saito had been a veteran of the gekiga (”drama pictures”) movement – as distinct from manga, which was then associated with children’s works – since the 1960s, when he created the official adaptation of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels. Saito returned to the world of international intrigue with his Golgo 13 character. Since G13’s 1969 debut, the assassin has since appeared in 137 volumes that sold more than 200 million total copies, not to mention anime, Nintendo video games and two live action movies, one starring Takakura Ken and one with the great Sonny Chiba as the hired killer.
Happily, beginning in January 2006 Viz Media has published – appropriately enough – 13 of these volumes as part of its Viz Signature imprint, which is geared towards more mature readers. I recently obtained a copy of issue #10, Wasteland, which was published in August 2007 and is still available.
Golgo 13’s exploits are set in a world of intrigue, crime, corruption and violence. Although believed to be at least part Japanese – and obviously Asian in appearance – Duke Togo’s real name and past remain a mystery even to his employers.
In marked contrast to the Japanese values of harmony and loyalty, Golgo 13 is devoted only to the job. He doesn’t espouse any ideology or philosophy, although he sometimes seems to consider some private honor code before accepting an assignment. He’s as apt to work for corporations or criminals as for a government, and wouldn’t scruple to take back-to-back jobs from rival factions. All they know is that his services cost a bundle, that he never fails to kill – almost always with a single shot, usually from a custom-made M-16 rifle – and that to betray him is deadlier than double-crossing the hero of a John Woo film.
But his character’s neutrality allows Saito to set G13’s stories anywhere in the world, drawing inspiration from current events, history and even urban legend. G13 has chased Nazi fugitives for Israeli intelligence, hunted dissidents in Tiananmen Square, dispatched Soviet generals in Afghanistan and taken out mob bosses. Sometimes the stories are told from the point of view of those who encounter G13 in the course of his work – for example, police detectives investigating a murder they’re positive he committed, though they can’t believe he could make such a seemingly impossible shot.
Issue 10, Wasteland, continues these themes. Set in California in 1984, the story revolves around the opening of a nuclear power plant. The engineers are pressured by politicians and corporate executives to get the plant online before the Los Angeles Olympics that year. Predictably, the hasty schedule results in an accident that threatens to melt down the reactor, killing the population of Los Angeles and making the city uninhabitable for 25,000 years.
Miguel Aragon, the head safety engineer, who has a strong sense of responsibility, accidentally witnesses Golgo 13 as he assassinates the head of the power company (why, and at whose bidding, is never revealed). But rather than call the cops, he realizes that the expert marksman might be the only man who can release the pressure in an otherwise inaccessible valve. Aragon offers G13 not only a hefty fee – going so far as to raid bank vaults in the evacuated town – but promises to name a witness to the previous assassination (himself, of course).
The story unfolds with the tension appropriate to such a severe situation. Saito provides background information via both dialog and expository panels. His superb artwork is a combination of extreme realism in backgrounds and props (G13’s weaponry is lovingly detailed) and, G13’s grim handsomeness aside, slightly distorted, cartoonish supporting characters reminiscent of Osama Tezuka’s.
The manga also contains a short story said to be one of creator Saito’s personal favorites. Set in a remote motel in Nevada, it contains elements of mystery and film noir, culminating in a surprising act by G13. There’s also an interview with Saito as part of the series’ information files on the popular character. The book is presented in Japanese-style right-to-left orientation.
Golgo 13 manga are certainly not for kids, but anyone who loves a well-told, action-packed spy story will love them. Wasteland is a typically entertaining example of the series. Kudos to Viz Media for bringing more of Saito’s popular anti-hero to American audiences.
Golgo 13 #10: Wasteland
Written & Illustrated by: Takao Saito
Published by: Viz Media
Related Links:
Golgo 13 Wikipedia entry
Golgo 13 series at Amazon.com
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