Friday 25 July 2014

YAOI REVIEW: BIG DEAL VOL 1: A PACK OFJOKERS

  
Big Deal Vol 1: A Pack of Jokers
Released By: Seishin Ink
Writer and Artist: Katsura and Yuramei
Cover Art: Katsura and Yuramei
Release Date: Out now!
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

"How did it come to this my friend?"

Blurb: There is nothing more dangerous than a man with nothing to lose. In a small Scottish town, near the gateway to the Highlands, a bunch of reprobates are trying to come to terms with the return of their brutal boss. Out of the nick, and straight into the arms of a brothel keeper, Fergus Campbell is a man with a mission: To get back at the bastard who got him locked up the first place.


Will a grudge that's being stewing for five years result in the end for the Everdirge boys? Hugo, the devious alcoholic. Vinny, a heart of gold and unwaveringly loyal. And Judas MacGregor, lovable chancer and incorrigible sex-addict. Meet them all in Kastura & Yuramei's wild ride of sex, violence, black-comedy and full-on Yaoi. This book was first published in 2012 under the title “Big Deal Vol. 1: Lust for Vengeance”. This is an extensively re-edited and reworked version, presented to be in keeping with Katsura and Yuramei’s current work.

Review: First published in 2012 under the title “Big Deal Vol. 1: Lust for Vengeance," fans of yaoi can get into the sometimes dark and cruel world of the UK, this time with several men based in Scotland who all seem connected, Judas, Hugo,  and Vinny. The story starts out with Judas remembering his past with his often drunken mother, and the things she used to say to him about his name and his father, the man he never knew. While Judas is enjoying himself, Fergus calls in on his old friend and introduces himself. After so many years behind bars, Fergus doesn't want to just enjoy his newfound freedom, he wants to get back at the one who put him away. Fergus, it so happens actually adores his mother and won't hear anything said against her and is a married man who doesn't play around. He is a stark contrast to Judas who always carries a pack of condoms and a travel size tube of lube just in case.

Big Deal Volume: 1 is full of opposites, namely Judas and Fergus. Judas will lay any guy he meets in a bar or club while Fergus, who used to live with Hugo is truly fascinated by a beautiful man called Mikhail. Hugo feels alone without him and expected him to call round after he was released from prison, something which he hadn't bothered to do. Mikhail, a brothel owner enjoys Fergus's company, as it is normally he who helps other men find sexual pleasure. The characters are a good mix of cocky, savvy and cute, with some murderous and some not. Judas stands out as a comic with a naughty side to him while Fergus has his feet firmly planted on the ground as he looks for the guy who set him up. Even if he has an interest in Mikhail, he still wonders whether it could be him who caused him to have a stretch in jail for so long. Life could be hell for the Everdirge Boys, but it can also be fun too.  I liked the gritty, realism of this story and look forward to the second instalment.

Verdict: This is like Trainspotting without the heroin, instead with hot characters and even hotter sex!

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