Renowned ero-guro manga artist Suehiro Maruo is set to launch a new manga titled Satsujin 28-gou (Murder No. 28) in the November issue of Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Beam magazine, hitting shelves on November 12. The announcement comes after the conclusion of his previous work, An Gura, in the same publication earlier this year.
Satsujin 28-gou (Murder No. 28) Unveils Dark Narrative
The upcoming series, Satsujin 28-gou, promises to delve into the artist’s signature dark and grotesque themes. The story will center on a young man who narrates the tragic events of his life from within a prison-like hospital, all while his father gains notoriety as a famous freak show performer. This premise aligns with Maruo’s long-standing fascination with human oddities, deformities, and surreal, often disturbing, narratives.
A Return to Monthly Comic Beam
Satsujin 28-gou marks Maruo’s continued collaboration with Monthly Comic Beam, a magazine that has housed several of his recent works. His previous manga, An Gura (an abbreviation for “underground”), concluded its serialization in March 2023 in Monthly Comic Beam. An Gura, which launched in November 2021, explored the revolutionary subcultures of 1960s Tokyo through the eyes of an aspiring manga artist named Miguel Mizuki.
Who is Suehiro Maruo? The Master of Ero-Guro
Suehiro Maruo, born on January 28, 1956, in Nagasaki, Japan, is a critically acclaimed manga artist, illustrator, and painter recognized globally as a master of the “erotic grotesque” (ero-guro) subgenre. Since his professional debut in 1980 with “Ribbon Knight,” Maruo has carved out a unique niche with his exquisite, often shocking, and meticulously detailed imagery. His work frequently draws inspiration from Japanese artists of the Taisho and early Showa eras, infused with the erotic and horrific elements reminiscent of authors like Kyusaku Yumeno and Edogawa Ranpo.
Maruo’s Impact and Acclaim
Maruo’s distinct style, characterized by its nightmarish and surreal qualities, has garnered him an international cult following. His manga often features grotesquely dark imagery, explorations of strange sexual acts, and themes of violence. He is also known for adapting classic literature, such as Edogawa Ranpo’s “The Strange Tale of Panorama Island,” which earned him the “New Artist Prize” of the 13th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prizes in 2009.
Notable Works and English Translations
While many of Maruo’s works have primarily been published in Japan, several have received English translations, exposing his unique artistry to a broader audience.
Mr. Arashi’s Amazing Freak Show (Shōjo Tsubaki)
Perhaps one of his most well-known works, Mr. Arashi’s Amazing Freak Show (originally Shōjo Tsubaki), was first published in English in 1992. This erotic horror manga was adapted into an anime film in 1992 and a live-action film in 2017.
The Strange Tale of Panorama Island
An adaptation of an Edogawa Ranpo novella, The Strange Tale of Panorama Island was released in English in 2013 by Last Gasp Publishing and was nominated for the 2014 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.
Recent and Upcoming English Releases
Publisher Bubbles Zine recently began releasing Maruo’s 1982 work, Beautiful Monster (Barairo no Kaibutsu), in English in February, marking his first book translated into English in nearly 12 years. This anthology features sixteen short comics from 1981-1983, with an additional story from 2000.
Maruo’s prolific career continues to push boundaries, and the launch of Satsujin 28-gou is eagerly anticipated by fans of his distinctive and challenging art.
