Graphic Novel Reviews: The Breaker Omnibus 1

Wrap your fists and hide your lunch money!

There are no cowards allowed in The Breaker Omnibus 1.

High schooler Si-Woon cannot catch a break. Repeatedly beaten up by bullies, he falls into the depths of cowardice and despair until he learns that the new substitute teacher is a martial arts expert who could teach him an almost magical control of his internal energy or qi. Too bad for Si-Woon, his would-be mentor, Chun-Woo, is more interested in women than training a kid. Chun-Woo is, in fact, a member of a clan and has enemies of his own as he tries to lay low in town.

The artwork is mostly black and white. Exaggerated angles add visual interest to fights and make most of the women into pinups. The depictions of bullying and the victim’s desperation are unsettling to read. Most of the action in this omnibus centers on the intense bullying Si-Woon endures. In a genre-defying twist, this graphic novel seems to focus more on the reluctant mentor than the determined but feeble trainee.

Although set in high school, this graphic novel is for mature audiences only. Highly sensual, sexual innuendo and promiscuity is used for cheap humor. This graphic novel also grapples with serious topics such as persistent and violent school bullying and suicide attempts. 

This graphic novel is for fans of The Matrix, Street Fighter, and Fight Club.

The Breaker Omnibus 1 ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared to purchase future installments.

– Angela Dabrowski, Senior Library Assistant