Banya: The Explosive Delivery Man

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Banya: The Explosive Delivery Man
Manga: Banya: The Explosive Delivery Man
Author Kim Young-Oh
Publisher Flag of South Korea Haksanpub
English publisher Flag of the United States Dark Horse Manhwa
Demographic 16+
Magazine Booking (부킹) (bi-weekly)
Original run August 17, 2004 – March 4, 2006
Volumes 5

Banya: The Explosive Delivery Man (폭주배달부 반야, Pok Ju Baedal Bu Banya, lit: "Hell’s Angel Delivery Man Banya") is a manhwa (or, South Korean comics and animation) by Kim Young-Oh. In the Shōnen mold of manga intended for boys, it was first published in September 20, 2006 becoming a huge success in Korea becoming one of the top 10 selling titles in the country and is now published by Dark Horse Comics in the U.S.A.

Contents

[edit] Production and background

Kim Young-Oh's fast-paced action stories of Banya include amusing moments. The comics series is presented in Korean format translated into English by the mother/son team of Taesoon Kang and Derek Kirk Kim and produced by Dark Horse Comics in the U.S.A. Lettering is by Steve Outro.

One reviewer observed that the art is in two styles, one "is the more polished and detailed 'epic' style, like the material in the opening battle and on the cover" and the other, more casual for the comedy situations.[1]

Aimed at the age group mainly for 16 and over, the series follows the adventures of the main character Banya, a feisty teen-age delivery man with a reputation for being unstoppable. Banya is characterised as being loyal to no-one: to no religion or country, but only to the motto of the Gaya Desert Post Office: "Fast. Precise. Secure."[2] which is the thrust of his delivery work and sets the tone of the action. His apolitical position generally creates the conflict and tension driving the stories. For example, in Volume 3, he "finds himself in the middle of a mysterious dispute at the heart of a sacred temple – trapped between devout warrior-priests" and the vicious, ruthless opponents called the "Torren".

A cross between Dune, Mad Max, and Lord of the Rings,[3] Banya combines the post-apocalyptic aesthetic with science fiction, action and fantasy genres. From the outset it engages in a desert battle between human soldiers and a horde of Tolkein-esque monsters called Torren. Out of this chaos a lone figure emerges: a brash young mail carrier named Banya who continually outwits the Torren.[3]. As the "Postman of the Wastleland" he likes to be paid.[1] and is generally in flat pursuit of his goal, with his own set of rules.

There are currently five volumes of Banya: The Explosive Delivery Man. All have been published in English by Dark Horse Manhwa.[2]

[edit] Storyline

With a widespread war raging between humans and the monstrous Torren, the young delivery men of the Gaya Desert Post Office do not pledge allegiance to any country or king. They are banded together by the pledge to deliver "Fast. Precise. Secure." Throughout a variety of missions and adventures in the face of overwhelming odds, and it is Banya's ingenuity, flexibility and resourcefulness that carries them to successful outcomes.

[edit] Plot

The craziest and craftiest of the Gaya Desert Delivery Service personnel, Banya, renowned for his risk-taking, bold resolve, and impeccable record, will stop at nothing to get the job done.[1] In Volumes 1 and 2, Banya agrees to complete a wounded soldier's mission to transport a parcel of great importance – not knowing what dangers lie in store for him and his friends. As their arduous journey begins, Banya promises, "There isn't a delivery I can't make. I always deliver."

[edit] Characters

Banya

Is the main character. In the shōnen style of the savvy boy hero, he is scruffy, wild and a known risk taker, proudly asserting, "There isn't a delivery I can't make!" while the story is told from his point of view.

Mei

Is a female delivery girl and supplies the team's conscience.[3] She knows Banya from a long time ago. In the manhwa it is not clear when exactly but shows her meeting Banya when she was much younger.

Kong

Is the younger delivery boy and Baya's cohort. As a foil for the main character, he is shown to be naive and sometimes arrogant. The source of his confidence is Banya.

[edit] Minor characters

Mister

Appearing in Volume 1 and 2, this character's name is not revealed but always referred to as Mister in the manhwa. Mister is a young male soldier found injured in the desert. He was to deliver a scroll to save Gaya, but failed, so Banya takes up the mission. As Banya leaves, the men following Mister find him. With Kong and Mei he tries to fend the men off, but dies in the end.

Jiahn

This character has been imprisoned at a shrine for an unspecified period of time and is released from prison after receiving the scroll Banya promised to deliver, as shown in Chapter 17 of Volume 3. When introduced, Jiahn is in a robed outfit and appears male, but after defeating enemies attacking the prison, the robe is damaged and Jiahn's gender is revealed to be female.

[edit] Torren

The Torren is a fearsome army, who had been fighting with the shrine for years. They were the ones responsible for Jiahn to be imprisoned for so long. The Torren had the advantage for many of those years.Their armor was made completely of leather except for the armored chest piece that goes right above their chest. The leather suit of armor they wear consist of leather shorts and leather straps going across the body. Others wore what appeared to be a leather halter top. The Torren are large and bulky. They look monstrous and not human. They were destroyed in Chapter 17 Volume 3.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Serdar Yegulalp 2007
  2. ^ a b Dark Horse Comics
  3. ^ a b c Review by Katherine Dacey 2006

[edit] Sources