Trigun Maximum

Publisher
Dark Horse
Writer
Yasuhiro Nightow
Artist
Yasuhiro Nightow
Country of origin
Japan
Year
1998

Trigun Maximum GN 3

By David Rasmussen
17th Nov 04

Publisher - Dark Horse
Age - No Rating (Teen 13+ most likely)
Published in Japan (1999)
By Yasuhiro Nightow
Dark Horse Staff
Translator - Justin Burns
Lettering - Studio Cutie
Editor - Tim Ervin & Fred Lui

Previously....
Two years have passed since the incident chronicled in Trigun GN 2.
And for all that time Vash the Stampede has been in hiding, but sooner or later that hiding had to come to an end... which it has. Seems his old nemesis is not yet done for, and the "killing game" to eliminate Vash is still on, bringing the "game" all the way back to Vash's home.

What is Vash's home? It's the ship that Vash was on when the fleet of ships arrived at this world, before they were all set to crash by the being who is Vash's (and everyone else's) nemesis.
Looks like there's nobody home but the killers (mainly the puppetmaster and the "monster").
Let's see where we are now...

Graphic Novel 3
Basically it's hell as Vash and Wolfwood end up in the fight of their lives against two of the group of killers out to get Vash. The "puppetmaster" (who seems to also be having a homecoming since he seems to be someone Vash knows), and the monstrous "Gray the Ninelives" who seems unkillable.
The book either deals with the battle itself, or the aftermath and the healing post battle.
At last we see the return of Millie and Meryl as they catch up with Vash, and come in just at the right time.
It wraps up what began last Graphic Novel, and with violent and disturbing action to boot.
We know, of course, that Vash the Stampede will overcome this... but then what?
Breakdown time.

Trigun Maximum Breakdown the 3rd
What's Hot? - Eh. It's an intense book that wraps what started last time. Very good, and hopefully now that Millie/Meryl have rejoined Vash some of the things I liked about this book from the beginning returns.

What's Not? - Nothing. It's intense but that's good.

Moments to Remember? - The return of Millie/Meryl is memorable for me. Oh, and the huge battle and all the revelations.

What to Ignore? - Nothing. It's all good.

Overall? - Once again with the return of Millie/Meryl hopefully some of the spunk and energy from before returns and this title doesn't become completely dragged down in dark conflict, action and intensity book after book. Some more lightness and humor would be nice, thanks.

-- David Rasmussen 17th Nov 04