Trace
Title: Trace
Type: Manhwa, Korean Webtoons
Artist(s): Go Yeong-Hun (NastyCat)
Status in Home Country: Complete (7 Volumes)
Scanslation Status: Complete, Ch 182
Scan Groups: MidnightMoon Scans, CrazyApple Scans
Genre(s): Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Summary: The story is set in contemporary South Korea. 30 years ago, unidentified creatures appeared out of nowhere and started attacking people. They have caused massive destruction wherever they go since then. The monsters are called "Trouble", and the world has fallen into chaos because of them. Along with the first appearance of the "Troubles", some number of humans were born with or developed supernatural abilities. These mutants called "Trace" are the only ones who can fight off the "Trouble". The "Trace" are also considered freaks and generally shunned by the community because some of them misused the powers for their own interest.
The plot revolves around two main characters. Sah Gang-kwon, a high school student born as a "Trace" who attempts to hide his ability. The other is Kim Yun-Seong, who developed his "Trace" abilities during his early 30s. Soon after, his wife and daughter were taken from him for experimental purposes.
`Trace` won the first prize and Netizen's Choice Award at the 1st SICAF International Digital Cartoon Competition held in 2006. Mr. Go was awarded with ten million won. The panel stated that they easily reached to choose it as the grand prix because not only it scored the highest point in the netizens' recommended works but also it fully meets the required criteria; characteristics of web manhwa technique, and artistic features.
Review: I read this pretty much from dawn to dusk. It’s a great series and I can’t wait for the author to try and complete another season of it. It sounds like it might take a while though. The artwork is nice, but gets better and better as the series progresses. The coloring was also pretty as well. It really did look like an anime quality sometimes.
At first it was a little strange because a series of chapters would be from a certain character’s POV, then in the next couple of chapters it would be from a totally different POV not even related to the previous character. In the end, all the characters come together so it makes sense in the end.
I have to admit, I got a bit teary eyed in a lot of different chapters. There’s a lot of tragedy in the series, but that was the point in making all the characters stronger. I also liked that each character was very distinct in personality.
The one thing I didn’t like was the fact that too many flashbacks were used. Maybe ¼ or 1/3rd of the panels were flashbacks which kind of irritated me to some extent. The ending was a bit confusing, and supposedly a second season would clarify the questions some more. In one sense, I liked the quasi happy ending but in another sense it negates some of the tragedy that set up the plot from the beginning. The other issue I had was that some of the form changes towards the end looked a bit strange and too sci-fish making some of the characters look like cyborgs.
In any case, it’s a great series, and I actually feel like rereading the whole thing again if it weren’t so late in the morning. None of the mysteries get revealed until the very end, but it makes everything intriguing and entertaining. Everyone’s fighting each other, yet you know from the various POVs that everyone is not a bad guy and they all have their own reasons. I loved all the characters from the “Beggar’s Team”. I hope they will all get their powers back to normal by the next season.
Rate: 8/10