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Over the past ten years, the superhero movie genre has become oversaturated. Other than Marvel fanboys/girls everyone else is a little jaded with generic superhero media and for good reason, there are a ton of them.
This is precisely why more innovative takes on the genre, such as “The Boys” and “Invincible,” have gained widespread acclaim. They are a breath of fresh air and allow new takes and more unique stories to be told.
These shows offer a grittier, more realistic portrayal of how individuals with superpowers might behave, which instantly makes them more interesting and less generic.
Imagine if there were a manhwa with a similar theme – it would surely be a must-read.
Wait, a second! In the world’s most predictable plot twist, such a manhwa/webtoon actually exists.
It’s titled “Hero Killer” and it is an awesome read. Let’s get into it!
Setting
“Hero Killer” is set in a world in which the emergence of superheroes has caused a shift in reality. These heroes, however, are far from virtuous; in fact, they embody the adage that “absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
The heroes in Hero Killer are the central authority of their world with the power to create and enforce their rules and the slyness to manipulate reality as they see fit.
With the system completely in their favor, they are able to act as both judge and executioner, wielding their power with reckless abandon and little regard for the consequences of their actions.
Of course, there still remain shining examples that embody what a hero should be, but they are looked at as relics from an old era and as people who can’t get on with the times.
Our Mc is one of the people that suffered at the hands of those heroes, who used her sister as a hunting dog and then stabbed her in the back.
Fueled by revenge her only goal is to kill them all.
From the setting alone “Hero Killer” is close to an instant recommendation on my part.
However, thankfully this manhwa delivers an interesting and unpredictable plot, an ensemble of likable lunatics as a cast, and masterful tonal shifts from serious to lighthearted moments that make the series very enjoyable.
Plot
Hero Killer’s plot is unpredictable. It is not that they toss plot twist after plot twist to the reader, rather it is just a non-standard plot full of characters like Jinx from Arcane.
You never know who is gonna do what and how their action will affect the overarching story. Will the main character betray the villains? Is the most powerful Hero actually righteous and moral?
Is the main character’s sister secretly alive? Honestly at this point in the story, who knows?
And that is why this series is so fun to read! It is a wild journey at all times and at no point do we know anything about the destination.
But at the same time, it all sort of makes sense, with the different factions within the story trying to influence the world in their own way. It truly is a refreshing and fun manhwa to read.
World
In the aftermath of war, the heroes of “Hero Killer” have emerged triumphant over their nefarious counterparts. Though some remnants of the villainous old guard linger in the shadows, the strongest among the heroes feel like jaded rulers, and their focus on peacekeeping diminished.
The enigmatic “Iron Witch,” rumored to boast powers similar to a deity, holds sway over all, her grasp on the very fabric of the world firm.
The incorporation of a well-developed past imbues this world with a sense of realness and a lived-in quality that elevates the whole story. Finally, with the old guard jaded and weakened it is the perfect time for the “new guard” of both heroes and villains to make their mark.
Art
The art of Hero Killer is certainly special. Admittedly, it does not stand in the realm of works like Solo Leveling or Barbarian Quest, but still, Hero Killer’s art has a certain style to it, a unique identity that makes it fit the story that it depicts like a glove.
Characters
Overall, the characters in Hero Killer are half of what makes the story a top manhwa/webtoon. If I had to describe them with one word this word would be insane.
Characters in this manhwa, have a vibe that is really similar to the Joker. Most of them have at minimum some screws loose.
They are conniving, scheming, and full of surprises. Hero Killer delivers because this vibe does not feel like a gimmick rather it keeps the reader on their toes because you are never certain what this character is gonna do next.
And then, at some point we start getting to know these characters a little bit better, we learn about their motivations and suddenly a backstabbing lunatic of a character, for instance, starts making more sense.
And while Hero Killer does not have the deepest character development it still gives us enough so the characters never feel one-layered, on the contrary, the more time we spend with them the more of them we start understanding.
Protagonist
Hero Killer has a female protagonist. And she is insanely badass. A trained killer since childhood, a power-thieving menace, hungry for revenge.
I honestly was pleasantly surprised, because I cannot remember the last time that I read a manhwa with a female character so strong and compelling at the same time.
Plus, to get this out of the way, she is not weirdly sexualized at all, which honestly is a breath of fresh air. She is just that, a badass Hero Killer.
Different Factions
There is a number of different factions in Hero Killer. Don’t worry it is not like a Murim Manhwa where at some point you cannot say what person is from what sect, here they are more like 3 factions with some wildcard individuals that might form their own faction in the future.
But they are all full of compelling characters, and different ideologies and most of them have a prior history with each other.
The main villain faction for example is very reminiscent of Shigaraki Tomura’s faction from My Hero Academia. Characters within it have banter, and unique personal dynamics and they do not only feel like a group that came together for a common goal, but after a while, they feel like a weird likable dysfunctional family.
Final Verdict
Hero Killer is a true gem among manhwa and well worth reading. From its unique premise and its lovable yet unpredictable characters to its unconventional and wild plot, I highly recommend giving this manhwa a try. It truly stands out in its genre and is not to be missed.
Detailed Score:
- Art: 7/10
- Story: 8/10
- Characters: 8/10
- Final Score: 7.3/10
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