In Underground, Volume 1, Karim Yun, a biracial taekwondo fighter, pits his skills against New York's most brutal underground martial artists.

Seeking revenge against the violent gang who attacked him and ended his Olympic dreams, he's determined to battle every colorful combatant in his path.

His only obstacle is the illness brought about by the violent attack, which could kill Karim if he becomes too reckless--serving as his conscience is his nurse, who is trying to push him into changing his lifestyle but is learning more about the danger and the allure of secret mixed martial arts contests.

Created by black belt martial artist JR De Bard, this sports manga provides a detailed look into the world of underground fight clubs. Exploring fighters from various disciplines with realistic tactics and movements will thrill and educate readers.

Underground is rated OT for Older Teen, recommended for ages 16 and up for language and bloody, stylized violence.

Saturday AM, the world's most diverse manga-inspired comics, are now presented in a new format! Introducing Saturday AM TANKS, the new graphic novel format similar to Japanese Tankobons where we collect the global heroes and artists of Saturday AM. These handsome volumes have select color pages, revised artwork, and innovative post-credit scenes that help bring new life to our popular BIPOC, LGBTQ, and/or culturally diverse characters.

Join in even more adventures with the other action-packed Saturday AM TANKS series: Apple Black, Clock Striker, Gunhild, Hammer, Henshin!, The Massively Multiplayer World of Ghosts, Oblivion Rouge, Saigami, Soul Beat, Titan King, and Yellow Stringer.

Author: Jr. de Bard, Saturday Am
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Rockport Publishers
Published: 05/16/2023
Series: Saturday Am Tanks / Underground #1
Pages: 208
Weight: 0.52lbs
Size: 7.40h x 5.20w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9780760382363


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2023
Booklist 11/10/2023

About the Author
JR De Bard, known as JRamaManga, is an illustrator based in New York. He graduated from Binghamton University with a bachelor's degree in graphic design and is the creator of the popular Saturday PM series Underground. JR is a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. He's practiced mostly WT, the Taekwondo featured in the Olympics, but started with ITF Taekwon-Do. He's also done Muay Thai, Hapkido, boxing, and a bit of Ninjutsu!

Saturday AM is a unique digital comics brand featuring an ever-growing catalog of popular, exclusive and diverse action manga-style webcomics by independent creators from around the world. Among the nearly 50 visionary artists on the Saturday AM team are @WhytManga (Apple Black), @JeyOdin (Hammer), and @saigamiproject (Saigami). To learn more about Saturday AM, visit saturday-am.com, or find them on Instagram (@saturday_am), YouTube (youtube.com/user/MyFutprint), and Twitter (@saturday_am).