Heaven Official’s Blessing

STARember’s stylish manhua debut, an adaptation of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s Chinese webnovel, is more satisfying to look at than read. In a lush fantasy historical version of China reminiscent of wuxia movies, Prince Xie Lian achieves divinity as a reward for his heroic deeds. For as-yet-undisclosed reasons, however, he loses the favor of the gods. He’s banished back to the mortal world, where his repeated efforts to regain his heavenly status by humble deeds (busking on the streets, collecting trash) make him “the laughingstock of the three realms.” Subsequent serialized plots feature Xie Lian and other earthbound immortals recruited by the gods to deal with supernatural troubles plaguing humanity. In this opening volume, they investigate the mystery of a “ghost groom” who abducts brides from their wedding processions. The lavish painted art is rife with lithe figures in flowing silks surrounded by butterflies, blossoms, eerie lights, and dramatic shadows. The script, unfortunately, is mired in confusing info dumps and wonky asides on heavenly bureaucracy. Additionally, the action can be hard to follow visually, in part because the many attractive, elegant characters look so much alike. (At least the young man with disfiguring “human face disease” stands out.) This eye-catching confection lacks flavor. (Dec.)