Overgeared is a Korean Webtoon written by Park Saenal and drawn by Team Argo. It was published as manwha, a comic book, by Ize Press.

Youngwoo Shin is a deadbeat college student trying to pay off his loans and finds his only escape is a VR fantasy game called Satisfy which he dreams of becoming a pro gamer from within as his persona Grid. Despite this, he struggles in the game until he unlocks an item called the he tome of a legendary blacksmith which allows him to forge weapons in-game, but immediately afterward, he fails a mission, causing him to be reset below level one. Now he must work hard within the game and learn the skills of a blacksmith.

The artwork is top-notch. Team Argo truly makes it pop and captures the ordinary life as well as the activities of the in-game world. They are very talented and it shows.

Granted this is only the first volume, but I did not enjoy it. It has a compelling premise, interesting lore, and I like the VR game aspect. The problem lies with its protagonist. Youngwoo is not an interesting hero and, in fact, the story seems to go out of its way to make him unlikable.

Now, I have watched and read similar stories where the hero is incredibly flawed, but you still cheer for him or her either because they have a great redemption arc or a certain charm. You feel no compulsion to cheer for Youngwoo as he seems to be a grifter trying to make it big. This major flaw kept me from enjoying it and I do not plan, thus far, to continue the story.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or anime you would like me to review. While you are at it, check out my reviews of Doom Breaker Volume 1 and Dean Cain: All-American Lawman. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

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