Ares - The Vagrant Soldier #1

Three young warriors — a spiky blond, a hooded figure clutching what appears to be a blade, and a red-capped companion — stand shoulder to shoulder before the imposing stone walls of a fortress flying a skull-marked banner, their expressions guarded and resolute. It's a striking opening image for Ryu Geum-Chul's manhwa series, projecting the grim camaraderie and wandering-soldier spirit that the subtitle *The Vagrant Soldier* promises. For fans of fantasy action with a grounded, mercenary edge, this 2011 Booken Manga release makes a confident first impression.