Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 1: The Assassin's Road (Lone Wolf and Cub (Dark Horse))

(Note: For reader convenience, Western nomenclature is used - given name first, family name last.)The Western world's exposure to the Samurai culture has been rather limited - the most popular venues to the mass public have been the movies *Shogun Assassin* and *The Seven Samurai*. Both are fine examples of the film genre, but because the nature of film, neither really delves into the bushido mindset as deeply as I would like.It is in the arena of the comic book that the best explorations of the samurai legend have been achieved. Two titles come to mind - Stan Sakai's *Usagi Yojimbo* and Kazuo Koike's *Lone Wolf and Cub* (*Shogun Assassin* was based on the latter's film adaptation).The title reflects the content manner - Itto Ogami, the protagonist, is a highly-skilled ronin who travels with his toddler son, taking assassin's work whenever it comes but always assuring (sometimes indirectly) that the job upholds his strict sense of bushido.Some might say that the idea of an assassin with bushido is self-contradictory. However, under the skillful pen of Koike, Ogami's methods allow him to follow his chosen path and hold on to his honor simultaneously. His requirements regarding his assignments are simple - cash money and complete disclosure about the nature of the assignment, including the often compromising details.In this first volume (~300 pages of more than 8000), we are treated to tales of Ogami's skill and prowess as a swordsman and strategist. His is an unorthodox approach to the samurai arts, and he is absolutely merciless to his victims. His son often collaborates in the assignments, usually as a set-up ploy. While ruthless to his opponents, he is also capable of great compassion and does have a very human side; one chapter, in particular, explores the reasons he left the prestigious post of the Shogun's personal executioner (the one chosen to assist in ritual suicide by decapitation) in order to journey down `the path to Hell.'Those familiar with manga will no doubt find the ink stylings of Goseki Kojima familiar; it is similar to that of Sanpei Shirato's *The Legend of Kamui,* but Kojima's work is more articulate. Eschewing typical manga character design and expanding on traditional concepts of sequential movement, Kojima draws sensitive and articulate portraits while simultaneously transporting us directly into the middle of dramatic battle. Horror; amusement, contempt, compassion; anger; longing - none are beyond the reach of his pen.I recommend *Lone Wolf and Cub* to any who wish a good read. With much to offer a diverse audience - drama, mystery, action, plot, and character development - it is a series that reads and presents itself well. You need not be a comics enthusiast or a Japanophile to enjoy this work - its execution is that well wrought. Drawing on historical fact, East Asian military classics, an eye for detail, and an innate sense of drama, Koike and Kojima give us something that will surely become a great classic.

I've known about the existence of Lone Wolf and Cub for a long time. After all, it's one of the most famous comics, eastern or western, in existence. But I hadn't gotten the chance to read it until now, and I am blown away by how good it is.Lone Wolf and Cub tells the story of Itto Ogami and his son, Daigoro. Ogami is a Ronin in circa 1600 Japan, making his living as an assassin. And even with his son to take care of, his effectiveness is not dulled. In fact, he finds constantly finds ways to use his son to his advantage. Each chapter in this manga is a different battle, telling you more and more about Ogami's personality, as well as shedding light on what's it's like to live in the time period.To give a summation, Lone Wolf and Cub reads like the best aspects of Frank Miller and Grant Morrsion. The Frank Miller is obvious, seeing as this is what inspired a good deal of his work. Koike draws wonderful cinematic action, and fills his work with vibrant personalities to contrast against the unforgiving, dog-eat-dog world they inhabit. As for Morrison, his characters don't have dialogue, they have conversations. I'm always disappointed by how few words modern comics have per page, and Koike has characters give long speeches to flesh them out as people.All in all, this was a fantastic read, and I have no trouble seeing how this became a classic. I look forward to reading more of it.

Phenomenal story, beautiful art in black and white, engrossing story, looking forward to continue with the next novel in line….

Lone Wolf and Cub is a famous manga from the 1970s and would go on to influence comic artists on both sides of the Pacific. Thus I figured that I would take a look at it. How was the first volume?This manga takes place during sometime during the Tokugawa Shogunate, and the designs (and even the drawings, relying on much dark ink and evoking old Japanese brushwork) are based on extensive research into that period. The shogun’s former executioner travels around the country on many violent adventures as an assassin. The ronin’s small son comes along for the ride—hence the names “Lone Wolf and Cub” given by other characters.Other than hoping to eventually take revenge on a rival clan that wronged him, there isn’t much of an overall plot. What we see here is a series of more-or-less independent adventures. The stories are effective in their coherent plotting and their little twists.There are times when the ronin comes off as a kind of invincible “Gary Stu”, but there are also times when he shows a very real and very genuine bond with his child, especially with the mother gone. There are also times when the violence is over-the-top, though perhaps that should be expected when Japanese blades are famous for being able to easily dismember and decapitate. One might also question whether the nudity and sex scenes are needed, though they never approach pornographic and one does play a role in one story.The artwork is very good. The extensive black ink that I mentioned earlier gives it a certain character. Also mentioned earlier is the “production design” that gives a real feel for the time of the Shogunate. The scenery is often atmospheric. The characters are drawn in a naturalistic style very fitting to the tone.I may consider downloading more volumes later. I already added some more to my wishlist on Amazon while wrapping up this post. I don’t recommend this series for everyone, but this looks like it would be a solid series.

From the art style to the narrative it's engaging and compelling to the end. Wouldn't want to miss this. It's awesome.

The two creators (particularly the artist) create an amazing mood and the choreography is such that your mind's eye sees the movement suggested. Fans of westerns and the japenese films that influenced them will be at home here.Sometimes the story can feel a little repetitive (protagonist appears, antagonists established, protagonist defeats antagonist) and occasionally I lose track of who's who but it's one of those rare occasions where it doesn't matter to me because the mood/tone is so good.

A classic of the genre and required reading for any comic fan; this defines and extends what the graphic novel is.

I am currently on volume 11 of this series, and what an amazing trip it has been. The art work is splendid, the writing is very skillful and the plots and sub-plots that evolve (usually unseen at first) are masterful. This volumne is an excellent start, and I am delighted that it is possible to return to re-read each volume and find little nuances that I hadn't noticed the first read or perhaps had forgotten about.

First came across this story as a movie back in the 80s. I did not know that movie was cut from a TV series. Then I learned it was a popular manga. The manga is even better than the film. Recommended reading.

What else is there to say when i read the pages I can hear the narrator of the film of "Baby Cart at the River Styx" fantastic art work and good storyline