Graphic Novels Reviews: Trese 5: Midnight Tribunal

Title: Trese 5: Midnight Tribunal

Published by: Ablaze

Written by: Budjette Tan

Illustrated by: Kajo Baldisimo

ISBN: 9781684970834

Ages: 18+

Lurking in a storm may be a supernatural mafia.

Trese 5: Midnight Tribunal is the fifth volume of seven books in Trese’s main graphic novel series. Alexandra Trese is a detective who crosses the lines between the modern and supernatural Filipino worlds. Alexandra is a no-nonsense, down-to-business, unfaltering hero. She is not intimidated by the supernatural. She wields magic to her advantage with a dagger talisman and symbols on modern products such as a deck of cards. She knows how to gauge the power structures in the human and supernatural worlds. Criminals watch out.

In this volume, a supernatural judge similar in form to the anti-hero from the Doom comics smashes criminals in the supernatural and human worlds. Trese needs to track down the cause and find a way to stop this Punisher before he passes judgement on her actions as well.

Offering a smooth blend of supernatural horror and superhero action, the graphic novel is gripping. Readers familiar and unfamiliar with the Filipino mythology will enjoy the modernized interpretations. The author includes pages describing the supernatural creatures.

This city sits in the midst of violence and supernatural forces against whom humans have little defense so the city remains in a contains state of peril. The graphic novel uses fully black and white illustrations to emphasize the sinister and dangerous atmosphere although the dual tones can feel monotonous.

Trese 5: Midnight Tribunal definitely takes place in the middle of the action. Without reading the other graphic novels, readers will struggle to understand the world and the characters. This graphic novel is best for mature audiences because of nudity and violence. Decapitation and limb severing happen, but some supernatural creatures can piece themselves back together.

Purchase this for horror or fantasy fans but invest in the whole series instead of a middle issue.

For fans of graphic novels like Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter and The Breaker and movies like Odd Thomas.