Thank you, Manta Comics, for an early look at the first eight episodes of A Hard Day in return for an honest review.
When I first started reading webcomics, I leaned toward romance and fantasy series. They are typically what I enjoy across all mediums: TV, movie, book, games, etc. But as I expanded my reading, I found other genres I didn’t know I would enjoy. This is what brings us to Manta Comics’ A Hard Day. The popular webcomic app is known for their romance. The new series falls into the action-thriller category and is helping to expand Manta Comics’ library of genres. And when trying to break out into something new, one really needs a great series to help carry it.
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A Hard Day is an adaptation of Kim Seong-hun‘s 2014 Korean film of the same name. While some changes were made for the adaptation, it follows the same path. Our main protagonist, Ko Gunsoo, is a female detective in this version. On the night of her mother’s funeral, she rushes out to head to the police station when she accidentally hits a homeless person with her car. To protect herself and her daughter, she hides the body to avoid a manslaughter charge. But when a mysterious stranger arrives and claims to know what she has done, Gunsoo is led down a dark path embroiled in a shady police corruption scandal.
So, does it do justice to not only the source material but also to expanding Manta Comics’ action-thriller category? So far – yes, and yes. Going from movie to webcomic has its advantages and disadvantages. Some action-related scenes look better when being able to watch them live. But A Hard Day does a terrific job of showcasing the action through the art. I could feel the tension and suspense while reading. And while many of the first few chapters set up the story and mystery, it gives a good feeling about what will come later.
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But, the real draw of A Hard Day is the story itself. Gunsoo isn’t a likable character, and she isn’t meant to be. We can understand where her choices come from, but we still know that the ones she makes aren’t good. But that didn’t stop me from wanting to know what would happen next. No spoilers here, but let’s just say she doesn’t make the smartest choices. And the further down the rabbit hole she gets, the worse things become. And that’s even before the mysterious stranger arrives. Plus, the side characters have just as much weight in the story as Gunsoo. And I am a sucker for a strong ensemble cast.
The opening eight chapters of A Hard Day make a strong selling point for the series. It doesn’t take long to set up the story and provides enough mystery to keep us invested and gives us a taste of that sweet, sweet action. Of course, it’s important to say that things can change as the story goes forward. The action could not meet our expectations when presented in later chapters, or the story and mystery could go stale. But, with what has been provided thus far, this will be an incredible ride.
A Hard Day will drop on Manta Comics’ platform starting October 18, 2022. Be sure to add it to your list and check it out! Are you excited about the adaptation? Let us know in the comments below and on social media!
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/webtoon-fall-vibes/
Who I Am: A nerd by the strictest definition. I enjoy diving straight into my favorite fandoms without a care in the world. I live on video/board games, fantasy movies and TV, and all things geeky.
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