Shion

A hero emerges from childhood cruelly and incomprehensibly maimed. He travels in search of a way to heal his wound, inflicted by his own father. The father intended thereby to seal a sinister pact with dark forces, which would ever after lie in wait along the son's path. The hero rides astride a trustworthy and magical mount and provides from the aid of a god. Between 1990 and 1991, Viz experimented with a graphic novel line called the Viz Spectrum imprint. At launch, they published three titles aimed at a male audience, featuring genres like science fiction and historical themes. The Spectrum graphic novels are typically around 70 pages each, equivalent to two comic book issues. They are deluxe, large-format editions, yet still portable, with particular attention to presentation. The books are printed on parchment-like paper, bound with vinyl covers, and some feature hot-stamped prints. Each volume also includes an engaging essay related to the content or the artist, adding depth to the reading experience.