Solo Leveling is a South Korean webcomic known as a manwha written by Chugong and illustrated by Dubu (Redice Studio). It was licensed in North America by Yen Press.

Sung Jinwoo is born into a world where some humans have magical abilities. These humans must battle evil forces that appear in supernatural dungeons beneath various cities. He is the weakest among them. During an expedition, his group gets cornered in a second prison where the “System” chooses him as a player. After being abandoned by his teammates, Jimwoo wakes up in a hospital and realizes he has new abilities that garner the attention of men and monsters.

Normally, I am not a fan of urban fantasy, especially ones that try to riff on RPGs. That being said, I really enjoyed this one.

To start, the artwork is fantastic. It is a shame that the original artist, Jang-Sung Rak, passed away. He was a true talent and one that will be sorely missed. His attention to detail and character designs are top-notch, bringing out the story in a powerful way.

As for the story, you are pulled in by the protagonist. He is considered the weakest of the hunters but ultimately helps keep them alive, only to be abandoned. To his shock, and the reader’s, he is rewarded for this. In this first first volume, you learn his origin story, his wants, desires, and how one moment can change your destiny. It was enthralling and I cannot wait for more.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or novel you would like me to review. While you are at it, check out my reviews for the Chuck Dixon novel Cannibal Gold and volume 3 of My Hero Academia: Vigilantes. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

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