This review is for ZIGOKU’S FOREMAN. Manga Mavericks Books provided a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
As with [ALTERNATIVE], ZIGOKU’S FOREMAN is one of the early manga releases from Manga Mavericks. The one-shot retails for $23.99 USD and runs 88 pages. At the time of writing this review, it seems that the price was lowered to $9.99.
Written and illustrated by 9BANTA, ZIGOKU’S FOREMAN began as a series of short works originally posted to Twitter (now X) in 2020 before being collected into a single volume. The book opens with a character guide and a brief introductory story, quickly setting the tone for the chaos—and comedy—to come.
Readers are introduced to Mizuchi, a Foreman in Zigoku, the realm of the damned. His introduction is… memorable. Mizuchi, we’re told almost immediately, has never gotten laid. (Yes, really.) From there, the manga wastes no time establishing its sense of humor. In one early exchange, Mizuchi chats with one of his underlings, who casually mentions receiving an expensive pair of sneakers for free thanks to his modeling gigs. Mizuchi is horrified—free sneakers?!—but equally adamant that modeling is not for him. Naturally, fate intervenes when an unexpected attack on Zigoku erupts, completely incinerating the shoes. Such is life (or un-life) in hell.
That brand of absurd misfortune defines ZIGOKU’S FOREMAN. The manga maintains a consistently playful tone throughout, balancing quick-hit comedy with surreal scenarios that feel right at home in its infernal setting. Alongside the manga shorts, the volume also includes short prose stories, which help break up the pacing while expanding the world and its characters in fun, unexpected ways.
Visually, 9BANTA’s art is expressive and distinctive. It occasionally evokes the clean, character-driven style of Stan Sakai—particularly Usagi Yojimbo—while still retaining its own modern flair. The typesetting deserves special mention as well; it’s among the strongest in this publisher’s original lineup. The creative use of fonts, especially for sound effects, adds an extra layer of personality and enhances the comedic timing.
At a budget-friendly price of $9.99 (with an e-book edition available for $4.99 on Amazon), ZIGOKU’S FOREMAN is an easy recommendation. Fans of comedy manga, dark humor, and lively, character-focused artwork will find plenty to enjoy here. It’s a quick, entertaining read that doesn’t overstay its welcome—and proves that even in hell, workplace antics and bad luck are universal.
