Zombie Powder #2

Zombie Powder: Can't Kiss the Ring (of the Dead)

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Somewhere in the desert lies the world's greatest treasure: the 12 Rings of the Dead, the only source of the mysterious substance Zombie Powder, which can raise the dead and grant eternal life. Now a small group of super-skilled hunters has gone in search of the rings, against an army of crooks, killers and madmen...

CAN'T KISS THE RING (OF THE DEAD)
A knife-thrower. A sharp-shooter. A martial artist with a metal hand. And now...a journalist?! Meet the newest member of Gamma Akutabi's gang, the amazing Wolfina, as deadly with a camera as her friends are with a gun. Their goal is to find the Rings of the Dead...but only Wolfina knows the Rings' true twisted nature firsthand, having seen them turn her her brother into a mindless husk. Does the secret of eternal life now dwell in her brother's body? And what kind of human vultures would pry the secrets from his remains? Includes a special bonus story, "Ultra Unholy Hearted Machine"!

182 pages, Paperback

First published April 9,2000

Series

This edition

Format
182 pages, Paperback
Published
December 5, 2006 by VIZ Media LLC
ISBN
9781421501536
ASIN
1421501538
Language
English

About the author

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Noriaki Kubo, known professionally as Tite Kubo ( 久保帯人), is a Japanese manga artist and character designer. His manga series Bleach (2001–2016) had over 130 million copies in circulation as of 2022.

Community Reviews

Rating(4.3 / 5.0, 32 votes)
5 stars
16(50%)
4 stars
8(25%)
3 stars
8(25%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
32 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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Only one word for it: awesome. I have an absolute passion for the art and the characters in this work. However, it's a bit unfortunate that there wasn't a significant presence of CT Smith in this particular installment. But for once, a truly strong female character was introduced, and she is not only strong but also incredibly cool! Kudos to Tite Kubo for this wonderful addition. I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of Volume 3, eager to see what new adventures and developments await the characters. The art style continues to be visually stunning, captivating my attention from the very first page. The characters are well-developed and have their own unique personalities, making them easy to root for. I can't wait to see how the story progresses and how the new female character will fit into the overall narrative.

July 15,2025
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3.5/5


I was drawn to this series solely because I had a deep love for reading Bleach and Burn the Witch.


If you're not a devotee of Tite Kubo or haven't delved into Bleach through reading or watching, I don't envision you deriving a great deal of enjoyment from this series. I would strongly suggest perusing Bleach first before embarking on Zombie Powder. However, if you have indeed experienced Bleach, I wholeheartedly recommend this series to you.


I adored the funky and cool characters in Bleach, along with its captivating story, which led me to pursue anything by Kubo in search of another dose of that same magic. While I did find this short series enjoyable, it still left me yearning for something as entertaining as Bleach once more.


The characters are, as always with Kubo, extremely cool, and the story was decent. It certainly had the potential to be enhanced in numerous aspects, but I didn't despise it. It's well worth a read if you have a penchant for the bad-ass and goofy elements that Bleach so effectively presents!
July 15,2025
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I was a bit disappointed when I found out that there are four books in the series, as Kubo mentioned in the author blurb that it would end in Weekly Shonen Jump once this volume was released. However, the free library only had three. It's not that I can't special order the fourth book, but I already have a huge list of titles to backorder.

Granted, at least with this series, I know it's only one book I'm missing. We'll see. I've already spent a lot of money in the past few days (not on books, unfortunately).

Anyway, Wolfina seems like a prototype of Orihime, at least in terms of body type. Once again, the main character seems oblivious to the busty girl's potential back problems, so I wonder if Kubo was ordered to include some eye candy. I don't go out of my way to look up what the artists I follow are like in their private lives, as that often leads to disappointment. At least she can fend for herself most of the time.

What surprised me was that the "black" characters were mostly respectfully handled. The gangsters seemed like a palette swap, but Dr. Roscoe was treated delicately while providing non-white/non-Japanese representation without being a caricature. I'm not of African descent, so I can't say for sure, but he seems better treated than Simon in Durarara!!.

There's also a large bonus in the form of Kubo's first short story, "Ultra Unholy Hearted Machine." It's extra violent and continues the theme of regrets about a tragedy. It's an okay read for a short story about drugs and politics.

On the whole, I don't know. I don't hate the series, but it's not going to be at the forefront of my mind. I'm usually like that with Bleach too, so it's not a negative criticism as much as an awareness of how many books I'm reading and which ones stand out to me.
July 15,2025
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This was indeed fun and entertaining, much like with the conclusion of the previous events of the volume. The situation of Wolfaira and her little brother added an interesting layer to the story.

However, it must be said that it was not quite as good as volume one. Volume one had a certain charm and excitement that was perhaps lacking in this installment.

Nevertheless, it still managed to hold the reader's attention and keep them engaged throughout. The characters were well-developed, and the plot had its moments of suspense and drama.

Overall, while it may not have reached the same heights as volume one, it was still an enjoyable read that left the reader looking forward to the next volume.
July 15,2025
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I really enjoyed Bleach, which is Tite Kubo's other manga. However, I have to admit that I wasn't as impressed with it as I had hoped. Maybe it was because my expectations were too high, or perhaps the story didn't quite capture my attention in the same way as some of his other works.


Despite this, I do really love the artwork in Bleach. Kubo's style is unique and visually stunning. The character designs are detailed and full of personality, and the action scenes are drawn with such energy and dynamism that they really come to life on the page.


Overall, while Bleach may not have been my favorite manga of Kubo's, I still appreciate the effort and talent that went into creating it. The artwork alone makes it worth checking out, and I'm sure that many fans will continue to enjoy this series for years to come.

July 15,2025
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This is one of Tite Kubo's earliest works, and it truly shows. However, there are some interesting elements at play. Gamma, a criminal, has more depth than meets the eye. For instance, he has a metal arm that seems to extend all the way to his cheek. He is intelligent and possesses some sort of magical or mutant power. He and his gang are in search of the rings of death, although their exact plans remain unclear. Naturally, there are also wicked men vying for the same rings, hoping to create zombie powder. The true nature and capabilities of this zombie powder are still not entirely understood, but it is known to be powerful. These antagonists also have unique abilities, which in a way, reminds one of Bleach, with its over-the-top fight scenes intertwined with the actual plot.

Into this mix enters an 18-year-old girl journalist named Wolfgangina, though thankfully, they refer to her as Wolfina. She, of course, has rather large breasts (H cup according to her bio), which is clearly the work of an artist who may not fully understand the physical limitations of such a physique. She becomes involved in this story for two reasons. Firstly, she despises criminals and injustice and is determined to expose them. Secondly, her brother is a victim of one of the rings.

Overall, it's not a bad story, but it's not outstanding either. Additionally, this volume features the first manga Kubo drew at the age of eighteen, which was actually quite enjoyable. It's interesting to see the evolution of his art and storytelling skills from these early works.
July 15,2025
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This is indeed a good continuation of the series.

It delves deeper into the lives of the main characters, allowing us to gain a more comprehensive understanding of who they are and the motives behind their actions.

As we follow their story, we are presented with new challenges and obstacles that they must overcome.

These challenges not only test their strength and resolve but also reveal more about their personalities.

We see their growth and development as they face these difficulties head-on and learn from their experiences.

The continuation of the series keeps us engaged and invested in the characters, making us eager to see what will happen next.

It builds on the foundation laid in the previous installments and takes the story in new and exciting directions.

Overall, it is a great addition to the series that fans will surely enjoy.
July 15,2025
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Gamma, an S-Class criminal, is in hot pursuit of the fabled 12 Rings of the Dead. When combined, these rings will create Zombie Powder, a substance composed of pure life force that has the power to either resurrect the dead or bestow immortality upon the living.


This volume focuses on Gamma, setting aside his sidekicks, Elwood and Smith, as he becomes embroiled in the drama of the small town they have reached. It is here that he encounters Wolfina, a young reporter/vigilante. She not only safeguards the town, especially the local hospital that is under siege from ring hunters, but also her comatose brother, who was a victim of unprotected contact with one of the legendary rings.


Wolfina is yet another remarkable character, bringing to light new and disturbing information regarding the perils of ring hunting. The same pattern emerges, with a combination of sketchy fight scenes and plot-advancing scenes. The fight scenes, while perhaps intended to imply intense movement, come across poorly due to being drawn in still ink rather than in an animated form. It is not overly difficult to understand what has occurred at the "pause" scenes, but the need to stop and figure it out in the first place may deter some readers. The plot, however, is highly enjoyable, featuring a genuine Western flavor set against a background where feudal Japan has been replaced by all the wild gang types one would anticipate from a manga. It is recommended for inclusion in public collections that include manga, especially for its relatively cleaner nature. Grades 9-12.


Contains: Implied rape, torture, and other criminal activity, cartoon gore.
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