Karma Police

Reviews / Votes

FOREWORD -- Buddhism is the backdrop for metaphysical
excitement in Karma Police, a graphic novel that casts monks as
thoughtful enforcers. Their goal? To ease suffering without violence, if
possible-but if needed, to destroy evil spirits that perpetuate negative karma.
Here, then, is the preliminary justification for crusading monks, a
justification that is both challenged and refined as the story develops. The
premise provides a richly layered story line; reincarnation accounts for the
young protagonist's origin, while Buddhist concepts such as dakini spirit
dancers are depicted in new, contemporary ways (for example, at a strip club).
Karma Police delivers plenty of action on multiple planes of existence
and poses intriguing moral questions, in or outside the bounds of Buddhism.
Those familiar with Buddhism's three-sided dagger, demons, and the wheel of
dharma will be interested to see how Lewis incorporates them into the story, but
Karma Police is far from a slavish interpretation of Buddhism. Among
other non-Buddhist elements, it includes a masked villain who creates and
manipulates luchadores. This, and other aspects of the book's freewheeling
humor, prevent it from ever becoming a dour meditation; above all else, Karma
Police entertains. The book's art is excellent, with Jasen Smith's colors
especially noteworthy, and the story, while complex, is well managed. Karma
Police was published elsewhere digitally before finding a home at Vault
Comics; crafted with care and thoroughly engrossing, it's a quality book that
deserves a wider audience.