Conclusion of the original Battle Angel Alita story line.

As is always the case, heroes in epic stories like this cannot make it out unscathed. Book has two endings - first one is pretty much in line with what one might call realistic ending. After all after surviving the madness at the hands of Dr. Nova, Alita (very like Nicholas Cage in 8mm) tries to find place of love and peace. But as it is usually the case in world driven by madness it is very difficult to escape. So this one was quite a surprise for me, quite dark ending that is the only to be expected considering that Alita cannot discern friends from enemies any more, since everyone seems to have secret agenda or two.

We are given details of the very disturbing torture of Alita herself, not unlike Neo's isolation on ghost sub station. She is aware that she is forced to live in the "dream" somehow constructed by Dr. Nova. And this is where we can see how Alita has become true human - because even aware that what she sees around is not real she takes refuge in this fantasy because it is so good to see back the people she loves. For people who think this real-or-not aspect is silly, trust me there is nothing more cruel than skewering ones view of reality.

Second ending is more of a link-up to spin off volumes. Only way to save the Scrapyard is to sacrifice oneself so that Zalem does not fall on it and destroys it. Alita accepts this and in unselfish sacrifice for all means and purposes becomes the rock on which new world blossoms. ending is touchy but would resonate with anyone who read old legends and myths. Through sacrifice comes transformation and new world follows immediately after. Through exposure of Zalem's great secret (purge of GIB was truly a twist) both Scrapyard and Zalem finally link to the outer space and there is future for for both sky-dwellers and ground dwellers.

What resonates with current times is reaction of Zalem's youths when they are told they can continue as independent personas, true human beings. Enslaved by years of tyrannical world of utility-means-life they are terrified of the prospect of making decisions on their own. Dystopia at its best. And also what we find about about Alita shows us that she was a zealot at one time, uncompromising and blood-thirsty. And man, how changed she became since Ido found her in the waste pile.

Art as always is excellent, everything I said before remains the same. Pure joy for the eyes.

I cannot wait to start on follow up volumes :)

Highly recommended to fans of SF dystopia and pure SF/cyberpunk action.

P.S.

This volume also contains SF noir story Ashen Victor. Centered around motorball player Snev story is placed in the Alita universe but it is standalone story without usual Alita cast. Snev is motorball player that continuously ends up destroyed on the tracks. His career is in the air when suddenly his friend, prostitute named Beretta ends up murdered in a most gruesome way. Soon, story takes a twist that includes motorball league, club management and various crime elements.

Art approach here is different from the usual Alita art - it is more akin to the Sin City, large black and white panels with constant dance of the shadows. In my opinion here we have much more realistic figures (Sin City was full of abstract forms like in Mignola's work) and this makes it much more enjoyable for me. In any case as a standalone story I guess it would be for people that need to have every issue for completeness sake. For other I would recommend it but keep in mind this is standalone story that is in no way related to main (or any follow up) Alita volume. ( )