Book Description
Yagyu Retsudo is a man on fire. For years he`s been planning the destruction of Ogami Itto, the Lone Wolf. Ogami is a one-man army, having cut down all of Yagyu`s sons -- except one, who`s been sent to avenge his brothers or die trying! Meanwhile, the toughest cop in Edo, now retired, has the chance to take in the killer of a lifetime, Ogami himself. But is he up to the task? And Daigoro, the Wolf`s cub, finds himself in adventures of his own, befriending a rich family and their spoiled son, and mysterious female falconers! It`s all in a day`s work for Lone Wolf and Cub... Don`t miss out on the best-selling graphic novels of the year and a series that belongs on every bookshelf!
Customer Reviews:
Yagyu Retsudo renews the quest to kill Ogami Itto & Daigoro.......2002-11-22
The Yagyu letter continues to gnaw at Yagyu Retsudo who gives ample proof in Volume 13 of the Lone Wolf & Cub saga, "The Moon in the East, the Sun in the West," that he will go to any length to get his revenge on Ogami Itto. In the five chapters of the manga epic included in this volume is the most shocking act of violence we have yet wetness in this bloody saga:
(64) "The Moon in the East, the Sun in the West" has Retsudo ruminating on how he has sent all of his legitimate sons to be slaughtered by Ogami Itto. But the old man has an illegitimate son and daughter, and horrible plans for them both.
(65) "'Marohoshi' Mamesho" is another one of the fascinating characters created by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. This time around the title character is an old policeman from the capital on the verge of retirement who stumbles across Ogami Itto being commissioned for his next act of assassination. "Marohoshi" has spent his life protecting people and he is not going to let this ronin continue on the assassin's road.
(66) "Spoiling Daigoro" is an offbeat story where the family that hires Ogami Itto persuades him to let Daigoro stay with them while he goes off to do his job. They have a son who is a coward and a weakling with no friends, and the boy's father thinks that having Daigoro around might be good for Suzunosuke. Ogami Itto agrees and thinks go well for a while, but Suzunosuke soon grows tired of hearing his parents praise Daigoro day and night.
(67) "The Hojiro Yaguy" finds Retsudo's illegitimate son planning on using poison darts that can stop a charging horse to slay Lone Wolf. It looks like there is no way on earth Ogami Itto can escape, but, of course, he always has something up his sleeve. Warning: The ending of this one is unexpectedly brutual and shocking.
(68) "The Bird Catchers," is another episode where Lone Wolf and Cub are spectators for the most part as they come across a group of female falconers preserving a dying way of life. But what makes this tale of some significance, especially as the last one in this volume, is that in the eyes of his son, it seems Ogami Itto might have finally gone too far.
"The Moon in the East, the Sun in the West" is another superb collection of stories in the Lone Wolf & Cub saga. Koike and Kojima still manage to provide a new twist and turn in every volume while stringing us out as long as possible with both the short term mystery of the Yagyu letter and the long term quest of Ogami Itto to get his vengeance on the entire Yagyu clan. I read one episode a night right before bed and am almost always surprised to see what new direction each night's story might take. This has to be one of the ten greatest comic epics of all time.
Ogami Itto is hired for several intriquing assassinations.......2002-11-17
The mystery of the Yagyu letter is apparently forgotten in the five Lone Wolf and Cub tales told in Volume 12, "Shattered Stones." However, one thing that really stood out in these stories is that since he was reunited with his father after they were separated by circumstances, Daigoro has been smiling a lot more:
(59) "Nameless, Penniless, Lifeless" is one of the most disturbing stories in the Lone Wolf and Cub saga. It begins with a woman putting on a sex show for peasants. But what is even more shocking is that the woman has lost her mind and that her husband, whose face is half scared by terrible burns, is the one who talks her into her displays. There is more here than meets the eye, as is often the case in these stories, and the way in which the truth is revealed might remind you of part of Shakespeare's "Hamlet."
(60) "Body Check" is another one of those tales in which Ogami Itto has to use his brains to put himself in a position to use his sword for his next assassination.
(61) "Shattered Stones" begins with one of the most different ways that Ogami Itto has met someone who wanted to hire him for an assassination. On top of that the rules of the assassination are quite different (again, I am reminded of a Western parallel in the novel "Sophie's Choice").
(62) "A Promise of Potatoes" is an amusing little change of pace story for this series. Daigoro is off by himself again, being beaten up by a group of kids, when he is rescued by a con artist who teaches the boy to sit by a bowl looking pitiful as a way of making money. But where there is Cub can Lone Wolf be far behind...
(63) "Wife Killer" is a wonderfully ironic title, which we learn is used to describe somebody who gives away the tricks of magicians, who are known as "hand wives." Noronji Hoya, the Princess of Magicians, who has been using a delighted Daigoro as her "assistant," is about the encounter the "wife killer," an old saki-sotted magician who travels with two thugs who extort money from magicians: pay up or have your secrets revealed. But Noronji Hoya has a better proposition: she will perform a trick and if the old man can reveal her secret she will kill herself; if not, then she will take the old man's eyes.
Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima are back to telling tales in which Ogami Itto is more often than not more of a spectator to the action in which other characters carry the stories. One of the testaments to the greatness of this manga epic is that the title character can be almost incidental to the story and it is still completely riveting. Here we are, not even halfway through this saga, and they are still coming up with new and intriguing variations on the basic themes they established early on. The fact that they can maintain this high level certainly justifies the exalted status Lone Wolf & Cub has in the international world of comics.
At long last, Ogami Itto gets emotional over Daigoro.......2002-11-12
"Talisman of Hades" is a nice title, but "Thirteen Strings" is the one you are not going to forget of the four stories collected in Volume 11 of the "Lone Wolf & Cub" magna epic. We had been confronted with a major development in the story as Ogami Itto stole the Yagyu letter. All pretenses were dropped as Reshido Yagyu declared open war on Ogami Itto, but Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima were showing the same sort of audacious subterfuge as their heroic creation, for as Ogami and Reshido crossed blades, Daigoro lost is hold on his father's shoulders and literally fell over a cliff. Suddenly the mystery of the Yagyu letter has become secondary because father and son have become separated. Their search for one another continues in these stories and for the first time we see Ogami Itto express emotion for his son:
(55) "Talisman of Hades" finds Ogami Itto is now putting up pictures of a baby cart where once he had pasted the talismans of meifunado to invite clients of death and assassination. A group of young students on their way to an academy stumble upon the mystery of the signs and when they see the strange ronin slay a "priest" (another Yagyu assassin in disguise of course), they decide they must intervene, forcing Lone Wolf to teach them a valuable lesson.
(56) "Ailing Star" has Daigoro finding a place to stay with an old granny who lives under a rotted bridge in danger of collapse. The locals keep trying to convince the old lady to leave, but she refuses. "Ailing Star" forms an interesting counterpart to "Talisman of Hades" as Daigoro has his own little lesson to impart.
(57) "Thirteen Strings" is an 118-page story where Koike and Kojima come up with their own version of a Kurosawa film experience (the rain during the last acts of the story is a clue). When we come to end of this epic tale, surely "Thirteen Strings" will be one of the most memorable episodes. A runaway horse is about to trample a child in the road when Ogami Itto intervenes. The horsewoman turns out to be the Lady Kanae, Daughter of the Go-Jodai of Odawara Han, and a spoiled brat who fancies herself a samurai. Ogami also learns of a larger conflict between the Go-Jodai and the farmers. Drought has blighted the harvest for four years and the Go-Jodai has tightened the screws on the farmers, who "hire" Ogami to attend a meeting between the two sides (because if anything happens to Chosuke, the leader of the farmers, Lone Wolf will bring word back to the farmers). Go-Jodai has his own agenda for implementing fundamental agricultural reform. Meanwhile, his headstrong daughter seeks revenge on the ronin who has insulted her. But then the rains bring a sudden flood that changes absolutely everything. This is a memorable story of surprising depth, showing that Koike and Kojima are absolute masters of their craft.
(58) "A Poem for the Grave" has Ogami Itto seeking help in finding the secret of the Yagyu letter. This turns into another assassination job, which results in an encounter with another honorable soul who seeks to turn Lone Wolf from the Assassin's Road. The question is whether things might be different this time because of Ogami Itto's separation from Diagoro.
I am in awe of Koike and Kojima maintain this level of excellence through a story that is not even halfway over by this point in the telling of the tale. I continue to savor one story each night at bedtime so that I can think about how it fits into the big picture and the ebb and flow of the story. An absolute masterpiece, not just as a comic book, but as an epic narrative.
The reprints end here.......2001-12-17
Back in the late 80's and early 90 I owned a comic book store. This was one of the items I looked forward to every month. The writing was incredible and the artwork supurb. Out of dozens of issues I can only think a one or two that weren't worth my time.
When I first saw these book at the local comic store I ignored them. After all I had all of the issues and didn't need to spend money on smaller reprints even if they were in the origional format. However with the middle of this issue we have stories that were never published in America before.
It didn't hurt that one of the best stories (and the last) story of the full sized comic was here "Mazohoshi Maeesho" For people who don't know the series that story will say it all. The intro story also paints a path for those unfamilar with the series.
It would frankly be a waste of verbage to describe each story. The quality level is as always so high and the stories so interesting that there is little more to say.
If you never read this series start with #1 and enjoy. If you like me didn't buy it because they were reprints then go wild.
The epic continues..........2001-08-22
I happen to be quite a fan of big, sprawling epics, no matter what the medium may be. "Lone Wolf And Cub" is certainly turning out be quite an interesting one indeed. Continuing the plot from the previous volume, samurai-for-hire Ogami has been seperated from his son Daigoro during a brutal attack by his former masters, the Yagyu. As we begin this book, Ogami is on the search for Daigoro, but on his way he will run afoul of assassins and lone samurai. This volume lays out some great stories, as well as new developments in the series that will keep me reading indefinitely. For those unfamiliar with the series, it's best to start back at the first volume. For me (entrenched in the series already), this is another piece in Ogami's search for vengeance and another piece in the big puzzle of Lone Wolf And Cub.
Average customer rating:
- Graphic SF Reader
- anime
- But is it art?
- Re: Lone Wolf and Cub
- Great story and artwork. Too bad about the size.
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Lone Wolf and Cub Vol. 1: The Assassin's Road (Lone Wolf and Cub (Dark Horse))
Kazuo Koike , and
Goseki Kojima
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1569715025 |
Book Description
Dark Horse Comics is proud to present one of the authentic landmarks in graphic fiction, Lone Wolf and Cub, to be published in its entirety for the first time in America. An epic samurai adventure of staggering proportions -- over 7000 pages -- Lone Wolf and Cub (Kozure Okami in Japan) is acknowledged worldwide for the brilliant writing of series creator Kazuo Koike and the groundbreaking cinematic visuals of the late Goseki Kojima, creating unforgettable imagery of stark beauty, kinetic fury, and visceral thematic power that influenced a generation of visual storytellers both in Japan and in the West. Don`t miss this monumental monthly release, twenty-eight volumes, with each collection approximately 300 pages!
Customer Reviews:
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
An samurai of superb skills, because of political reasons, goes his own way, and takes his kid with him, partly to stop him from being murderered.
Along the way, of course, you will get all the sword slinging, head slicing samurai action you could want.
A grim, uncompromising and violent man, this is not your fluffy kids manga, so worth a look from that point of view. Not too many of those around in English, with an art style that is more likely to appeal.
anime.......2007-02-19
I like this book. It is well written and one can see where the cause is comming from. Unfortunatly I would recomend seeing the DVD, since these are awesome martial arts film. These books also explain some questions that are left unexplain in the movie (or the english caption in the movies)since my Japanese is limited to a few words.
But is it art? .......2007-01-11
First, I have to admit, I'm not a big manga fan. Though I love some anime onscreen and dig the comics, this is not what I had in mind.
Found out about Lone Wolf through a parody in Usagi Yojimbo and if that's enough to make me a wannabe just stop reading, cause I really hated this little book. The artwork was so gritty and coarse that you could barely tell what was happening and then everyone was dead. Wasn't difficult, wasn't artistic, just some blurs and then everyone is dead again. Plot? Near as I can tell its a guy and his kid who kill everyone they meet. That's it.
Takes a lot to make me not finish a book, especially a comic. I made it maybe 15 pages into this one.
Re: Lone Wolf and Cub.......2006-08-03
One of the best pieces of literature I've ever read. The fact that it's a "comic" book kills the chance of it being read by a much larger audience. Most people who wouldn't give comics a chance would be surprised at how much they would like this story.
The story is as tragic as they come. Honor and revenge take Ogami and his son, Daigoro, down a path that no child should ever have to live or experience. The hardships of the child touched me the most.
If anything, the story is very educational. Kozure Okami's research and insight into Edo was very thorough. I learned alot about that time period. It was an excellent learing tool.
I you get the first volume, you'll never stop until you get all 28 volumes.
Great story and artwork. Too bad about the size........2006-07-20
There's no doubt that this is a great series with excellent stories and artwork. My only complaint is about the 6" by 4" size. One of the consequences is that the text is very small and bound to induce eye strain in readers (especially those who are over the age of forty).
Average customer rating:
- Right Winged Radical
- AUTHOR IS INCORRECT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ASHEVILLE
- The life and times of Eric Rudolph.....portrait of an emigma.
- On the edge of my seat
- Lone Wolf by Maryanne Vollers
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Lone Wolf: Eric Rudolph: Murder, Myth, and the Pursuit of an American Outlaw
Maryanne Vollers
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 006059862X
Release Date: 2006-11-07 |
Book Description
He was supposed to be dead. Five years after Eric Rudolph escaped into the mountains of North Carolina, the FBI had long since abandoned the largest manhunt ever launched on U.S. soil. The fugitive accused of bombing the Atlanta Olympics, a gay bar, and two abortion clinics, leaving a trail of carnage across the southeast, had become a figure of folk legend. Many of his pursuers thought he had either skipped the country or crawled into a cave to die. In fact, Rudolph had been haunting the mountains and towns he knew best, pilfering food, stealing trucks, stalking the men who hunted him, and keeping his secrets buried in the woods. Then one night Rudolph got careless, and a rookie cop captured him a few miles from where he had first disappeared. But even in custody, Rudolph remained a mystery.
In Lone Wolf, Maryanne Vollers brings the reader inside one of the most sensational cases of domestic terrorism in American history. In addition to her unprecedented correspondence with Rudolph, Vollers had access to the FBI, the ATF, federal prosecutors, members of Rudolph's defense team, and his family to re-create the story in all its sweeping breadth and complexity.
Lone Wolf asks the inevitable questions: Who is Eric Rudolph, and why did he kill? Is he the hate-filled neo-Nazi described by federal agents, or is he the passionate, curious, and engaging man described by his lawyers and his family? Can both personalities exist in one rare, complicated, and deadly individual?
The profilers and psychologists Vollers interviews identify Rudolph as a "lone offender," a self-appointed avenger with no real alliances and no meaningful social ties. It puts Rudolph in the same category as Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, and Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber. The "lone wolf" believes history will judge him to be a hero. Society judges him to be a monster. Without losing sight of the hideous violence of his crimes, Lone Wolf seeks to put a human face on this iconic killer as it explores the painful mysteries of the human heart.
Customer Reviews:
Right Winged Radical.......2007-06-29
I enjoyed Maryanne Vollers' book entitled Ghosts of Mississippi and thought I'd give her effort on bomber Eric Rudolph a try. I found the book worth my time, but felt disgust for Eric Rudolph's twisted logic. He claims his actions in bombing abortion clinics were consistent with his beliefs. He can't understand why other pro-lifers don't act in a similar way. As an analogy he states Thoreau was imprisoned for abolitionist activities. When Emerson asked him why he was in prison, Thoreau stated for being anti-slavery. "The real question, Emerson, is why aren't you in here with me?" Pro-lifers who don't advocate violence to end abortion would be despised by Eric Rudolph. The time that Rudolph was hiding in the woods he was practically under the noses of the authorities as Rudolph observed them from his post in the hills. I especially enjoyed the section of the book that tried to explain the mind of Eric Rudolph. He currently resides in the supermax prison nicknamed "Alcatraz of the Rockies" in Florence, Colorado, with other notorious characters such as spy Robert Hanssen, "shoe bomber" Richard Reid, terrorist Zacharias Moussaoui, and Ramzi Yousef who planned the first World Trade Center bombing.
AUTHOR IS INCORRECT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ASHEVILLE.......2007-06-06
THE AUTHOR'S DESCRIPTION OF ASHEVILLE NORTH CAROLINA IS NOWHERE NEAR HISTORICALLY CORRECT AND IS MISSING SEVERAL KEY POINTS. THE AUTHOR WRITES, IN HER BOOK, THAT ASHEVILLE IS A TRENDY MOUNTAIN BOOM TOWN WHICH IS CORRECT. HOWEVER, SHE FURTHER WRITES THAT ONLY A GENERATION AGO ASHEVILLE NC WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A BUCOLIC BACKWATER TOWN, BEST KNOWN AS THE SITE OF THE BILTMORE ESTATE AND FORMER PLAYGROUND OF THE VANDERBILT FAMILY AND HOME OF THOMAS WOLF. THE FACT IS THAT ASHEVILLE HAS ALWAYS (AT LEAST SINCE 1895) BEEN A SOPHISTICATED LITTLE CITY AND WAS LABELED "PARIS OF THE SOUTH" IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY BECAUSE IT WAS SO WELL KNOWN FOR ITS THEATRE, OPERA, AND ELECTRIC STREET CARS. ASHEVILLE WAS THE SECOND CITY IN THE UNITED STATES TO HAVE ITS OWN ELECTRIC STREET CARS, RICHMOND, VA. THE FIRST.
THE AUTHOR DID NOT DO HER RESEARCH ON ASHEVILLE SO HOW CAN I KNOW THAT THE REST OF HER BOOK IS AUTHENTIC?
The life and times of Eric Rudolph.....portrait of an emigma........2007-02-12
It is really quite frustrating. After spending the last few days virtually spellbound by the improbable story of Eric Robert Rudolph I come away with the feeling that I really don't understand the man any better than I did before. This is not to fault author Maryanne Vollers. "Lone Wolf" grabbed my attention very early on and just never let go. Here is a man you might enjoy having as your next door neighbor who at the same time has a dark side capable of killing totally innocent people. For reasons still not entirely clear to her, Maryanne Vollers was contacted by Eric Rudolph shortly after his capture. Rudolph had decided that it would be Vollers he would confide in. Make no mistake about it. Eric Rudolph is a pretty smart cookie and he was bound and determined to tell his side of the story. And as you will see in "Lone Wolf" he has lots of fascinating tales to tell.
Just in case you were living in a cave back in 1996 and 1997, Maryanne Vollers does a credible job of recalling the gruesome events that occured at Centennial Park in Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympics. She also describes in vivid detail the explosion that took place just a year later at an abortion clinic in Birmingham. After the Birmingham bombing, Rudolph quickly realized that he had been spotted and was considered the prime suspect. And so it was that Eric Rudolph disappeared into the woods of Western North Carolina. He would survive in these woods for the next five years!!! "Lone Wolf" goes into considerable detail describing Rudolph's lifestyle during these years. You really cannot help but admire the man for his ingenuity and cunning during this extended ordeal. But "Lone Wolf" is not just about Eric Rudolph. Maryanne Vollers spends considerable time portraying the folks from the FBI, ATF and other government agencies involved in the massive manhunt for Eric Rudolph. You will discover the strategies that were being employed and learn about the inevitable tensions that occur when several government agencies are involved in an investigation. You will also be introduced to the members of Eric Rudolph's defense team and discover just how the final resolution of this case came about.
If you are anything like me, "Lone Wolf" will hold your interest from cover to cover. This is an engaging and superbly written narrative. Just don't expect an answer to the question "Why?" Recommended.
On the edge of my seat.......2007-02-06
I was highly impressed how the author Maryanne Vollers represented the Murphy, NC area in her book Lone Wolf. I had follwed the search and capture of Eric Rudolph closely and she was right on the money with her story of this area. I was on the edge of my seat as I read through this captivating book. I couldn't put the book down once I began reading it! I had read the book from cover to cover in less than three days. I was most interested in the time Eric Rudolph spent in the mountains of Murphy and the surrounding areas. As I read the words in this book, it was almost like I was there!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys entertaining reading material. Again, thank you to the author Maryanne Vollers for such wonderful writing!
Lone Wolf by Maryanne Vollers.......2007-01-11
This is an interesting and straight forward book about the Atlanta Olympic and Birmingham Abortion bombings.The author does a great job bringing all the people involved together and their stories in this sad epic of Eric Rudolph's inhumane action to his fellow man and society.
Average customer rating:
- Simple Complexity
- Spanish version is better
- Astoundingly Well-Done!
- Insights into why Lone Wolf & Cub walk the Assassin's Road
- Incredible art, translated properly
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The Flute of the Fallen Tiger (Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 3)
Kazuo Koike ,
Goseki Kojima , and
Dana Lewis
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1569715041
Release Date: 2001-07-10 |
Book Description
Join renegade samurai Itto Ogami and his infant son, Daigoro, in five more adventures on the dark road to Hell. What do three mysterious Shogunate assassins, a street entertainer, and the crests of the dead have in common? The Baby Cart Wolf continues his dealing of death for gold and encounters one ronin who is bent on putting a stop to his journey. Will he succeed? Follow the monthly adventures of Lone Wolf and Cub, one of the true classics of comics literature, available in America for the first time in over a decade!
Customer Reviews:
Simple Complexity.......2007-07-22
These elegant short stories are deceptive. On the surface hardly anything seems to "happen" in each "episode" other than a sword fight or two. Actually there is a LOT going on. Koike is in touch with humanity in ways many of us never will be.
Lone Wolf & Cub artwork is anything but simple. These stories are CARRIED by the masterful drawings. I am constantly amazed.
The main storyline continues to build from volumes 1 & 2. I highly recommend ALL THREE books, and I also suggest you read them in order.
Spanish version is better.......2007-07-16
I had bought before the Volume 1 in Spanish of this saga and I have to say that both translation and edition looks better in the Spanish version. Also the size of the book is slightly bigger and they have kept the left to right way of reading it.
I'm gonna buy the spanish version again
Astoundingly Well-Done!.......2003-01-29
With Flute of the Fallen Tiger, Volume 3 in the epic Lone Wolf and Cub saga, creators Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima take the series from mere greatness to a whole new level of perfection. Assassin-for-hire Ogami Itto and his infant son Daigoro continue to travel the assassin's road, meeting new friends and foes, most of whom wind up dead in short order. My favorite tale in this volume was "Half Mat, One Mat, A Fistful of Rice", where Father and Son meet a mysterious street beggar who implores Itto to spare Daigoro from a life of killing and hatred; He's so determined to save Daigoro that he's willing to gamble his own life. Another story, "The White Path Between the Rivers", tells of the birth of Daigoro and the events that led Father and Son to travel the assassin's road.
There are some really memorable stories here, and somehow the creators manage to make each installment better than the last; It's tough to believe that there are 25 more volumes left; I for one can't wait to see what comes next. I highly recommend Lone Wolf and Cub; Not just for a good read, but also for it's fascinating insights into Japanese history and culture.
Insights into why Lone Wolf & Cub walk the Assassin's Road.......2002-10-06
I am working my way through the manga epic Lone Wolf & Cub one chapter at a day and have now completed Volume 3, "The Flute of the Fallen Tiger." Through these five stories writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima slowly expand the breadth an depth of their story: (15) "The Flute of the Fallen Tiger"would not have been my choice for the volume's titular story (I would definitely have gone with #17), but it does look at some very different ways of fighting for Ogami Itto to deal with in this episode. (16) "Half Mat, One Mat, A Fistful of Rice" is not the most significant story in this volume, but definitely the most interesting as Lone Wolf & Cub encounter Shino Sakon, a Mijin school master who has become a beggar ronin and who tries to talk Ogami Itto out of walking the Assassin's Road. The climatic and bloody swordfights that usually constitute the climax of these stories are never my favorite part, but in this one we have the novel approach of Lone Wolf thinking through a series of attacks, looking for one that can end with him winning. I found this a very interesting approach, more so than the usual hacking off of limbs and such.
(17) "The White Path Between the Rivers" provides a rare but tantalizing look at the backstory of Lone Wolf and Cub, wherein we find out the grim details of Daigoro's birth and learn how Ogami Itto became the target of political intrigue. In helps answer why, in part, he refuses to stop walking the Assassin's Road. Koike and Kojima had been stingy with this look at the ronin's motivation, which is what makes these stories all the more special. (18) "The Virgin and the Whore" plays off the standard formula of these Assassin's Road stories as Ogami takes up the cause of a young prostitute. Of course, appearances are almost always deceiving in this stories. This is also one of those stories where the attention to historical detail is impressive, this time with regards to the practice of prostitution during Japan's Edo Period. (19) "Close Quarters" provides an assignment for the assassin that hinges on the economics of a han controlling a forest and presents another clever use of Diagoro by his father. The back of the volume includes the next installment of "The Ronin Report" by Tim Ervin-Gore looking at "bushido," the code of the warrior by which Lone Wolf lives his life.
Incredible art, translated properly.......2001-10-29
I love this series and have started collecting the books as I find them. The artwork is incredible and the format is great for just taking with you if you know you're gonna need a quick read somewhere. Something to keep in mind - asian books are read right to left. To preserve the flow, the art was flipped during the conversion to english. In feudal Japan, there were few if any left-handed samurai, but in the series everyone seems to be left handed. Took me a bit to figure out why that was happening.
Book Description
Readers of the Lone Wolf series were launched into an odyssey spanning 28 game books, 12 novels, and countless related works. The hero for most of that work was Lone Wolf, a Kai Lord and the readers' alternate identity when traveling through the complex and often lethal world of Magnamund. The last survivor of the Kai, it was his self-appointed duty to seek vengeance for the deaths of his brothers and sisters. Through it all, readers of the Lone Wolf game books followed along with every step, every sword blow, and every use of his incredible powers. This book is the definitive guide to the world of Magnamund and the many roleplaying possibilities it provides.. If you can imagine an adventure, it awaits you somewhere on the face (or in the dark caverns) of Magnamund. There is a gazetteer section with maps, images, and detailed descriptions of the many realms that make up Magnamund. Notes on cultures, monsters, and the inevitable dangers of the land will be at your fingertips. The gazetteer will also provide Games Masters with statistics for dozens of terrible beasts and vile henchmen to throw at those foolish enough to oppose the rise of the Darklords What you will not find in these pages are overly complicated or burdensome rules. The combat of Lone Wolf is quick and simple, with greater emphasis placed on the descriptions and action of titanic conflict rather than the dice rolls involved. The real battle should be against the Darklords, not the rules involved to doing so. The basic rules of Lone Wolf are just that- basic. They provide the foundation for all action in Magnamund without getting in the way of the saga that is your campaign.
Customer Reviews:
Lone Wolf returns.......2006-01-19
Lone Wolf makes his most daring journey yet... into the 21st century! This book heralds the return of this fabulous series, and has turned it into a not-so-bad RPG. Now, briefly, the good and the bad.
The good:
The information. This book is a veritable gold mine of Lone Wolf history and setting. The whole book is worth it just for that.
The ease of combat. Combat is much easier to resolve than it is in D and D, without losing any of the excitement or diversity.
Character creation. Character creation has been simplified, still giving you tons of room to customize, but without making you fliip through hundreds of pages to see what stats a Half Dwarven Bard raised by humans would have.
True to the original world. This feels like Magnamund. Hell, it IS Magnamund. Fans of Lone Wolf must get this or feel forever cheated by Fate. Okay, maybe an exageration, but... I digress.
The bad:
First and foremost, crappy index. For a book with as much information as this book has, it really needs a better way to find stuff quickly.
Clarity. Some rules haven't been clarified well at all, and GMs will find they have a lot of room for interpretation concerning magical combat. At the same time, some of the rules have been overdone, and make it clunky, especially item creation.
Balance. Some characters defenitely seem to have an advantage over others, and some classes are lacking in abilities that would really round them out. Many classes have glaring weaknesses to exploit, and some would have a really hard time in a small group.
Misinformation. Despite August Hahn's attention to detail, there are some things that are in contradiction with the gamebooks. Nothing glaring, mind you, and much of it is fine. Still, the fact that there are any inconsistencies had to be noted.
Lack of supplemental material. While there have been two excellent supplements released, it is unlikely that more will be released any time soon. However, there is a large fan base which occasionally puts out their own material, and thus there is a lot of player support for this product.
All in all, this is a must have for fans. Players of RPGs will also find the system interesting, as it has removed some of the more hated aspects of D and D without adding any complications. Beginner role players will be drawn in by the rich setting, but may be confused by some of the less clarified rules. To them I have this advice: just use what you think works best. One of the nice things about the Lone Wolf system is that it is easily adaptable.
If you are not familiar with Lone Wolf (or even if you are), go to www.projectaon.org, where the original books have been legally reprinted in html format and check them out. It's well worth it.
At long last, our prayers are answered!.......2005-08-24
Many of us hardcore fans have waited a long time for this kind of book. No longer must we attempt in vain to create a format for a Kai Lord player character for our D&D adventures now that August Hahn's adaptation has hit the shelves for our gaming delight.
Using the popular d20 system (D&D 3rd edition) rules, this book allows players to make characters such as the Kai Lord, Brother of the Crystal Star, and even a Gunner of Bor! The combat system is a "watered-down" version of the normal d20 system, omitting such things as feats and attacks of opportunity, but for those fans of D&D 2nd edition, this may be a welcome event.
The magic system greatly differs from the 3rd ed D&D rules, but is very pertinent to the world of Magnamund and has the flavor of the game books from the 80's & 90's. Similarly, the advent of psychic combat is simple, yet very functional.
The "Gazeteer" section of the book could be considered a treasure trove of Magnamund history, and those who have ever owned the elusive "Magnamund Companion" (out of print) book,you will be especially delighted to see descriptions of ALL of the countries and elaborations of the Magnamund timeline far beyond what that book provided. Also, for those who own the "Companion", you may get a little "giddy" at the mechanics of the Crystal Star mage and how similar the powers and progression of the character type are compared to the mini-adventure at the end of the "Companion".
On the negative side of things, I found the artwork lacking in content. Although not horrible, a trained eye will notice inconsistencies in the physics and shadows. Its good, but not great. Another thing is that not all of the creatures described in the "Gazeteer" section have an illustration, which would have been useful for those of us who may never seen the illustrations found in the game books.
All in all, I found that this book is great for anyone wanting to revisit the elaborate and sprawling world of Magnamund, or is perfect to adapt items within to any existing D&D campaign.
Great depite a long wait!.......2004-06-06
There are those within the RPG community who have waited for nearly 20 years for such an event. Wait no longer. August Hahn's adaptation of Joe Dever's original award winning series fully captures the essence of this dramatic world of Magnamund. Using the ever-popular d20 mechanic, August and his fellows and Mongoose stripped down the mechanics in efforts to make it more "friendly" towards first time players. d20 enthusiasts might be put off by a lack of old standards to the system such as Feats, Attacks of Opprotunity, and specific spell lists. The lack of these elements dramatically decreases any slow-downs to game play, maximizing how much enjoyment is gotten from actual game play.
The book includes scaled-down and simplified combat (d20, of course), a complete Gazetteer of various nations and regions around Magnamund, a choice Bestiary of some of the more notorious fiends within the realms, and a beautiful full-color map in the back of the book: be warned - the map is attached by glue to the book itself and not easily removed. This feature does prevent loss of the map....
As for the lack of feats, after a close look at the core classes, one can easily see that bonuses similiar to those received from feats are built in and automatic at every level up.
There are few negative things to be said about the book: there is some substandard art, especially compaired to the original gamebooks by Mr. Dever. The core classes are limited to those of heroic stature - there are no rogue-like classes, no clerics, only regional-specifics like the Kai Lords, Magicians of Dessi, etc.
But for pure entertainment, this book has it in droves. It is, in my opinion, a great introduction to both Magnamund and d20 role-playing as well. Enjoy it as a Core d20 game (as it is intended) or as a world setting for your existing campaigns!
At last! Its own role-playing game!.......2004-06-05
Fans of Lone Wolf have been cobbling together rules to fit Kai Lords into their fantasy campaigns for nearly two decades. Now that the rulebook for role-playing in Joe Dever's setting has finally come to print, fans of the series can show their friends the richness and diversity of Magnamund to their gaming group.
There are seven classes available in the core rule book: Brotherhood Mage, Kai Lord, Telchos Warrior (much like an amazon), Shadaki Buckaneer, Dwarven Gunner of Bor, Magician of Dessi, and Sommerlund Knight of the Realm. The seven classes are well thought out and immediately playable, each having a very satisfying progression as they level up. Like one who is familiar with the game books would expect, new abilities are gained every level, whether it be Kai disciplines, Brotherhood spells, Dwarven gun tricks, etc.
Also included in the rulebook are creatures and equipment unique to Magnamund, details on each country in both northern and southern Magnamund, and tips for role-playing in this world.
The combat system is simplified from D&D to allow a quicker resolution of combat. Those who enjoy the level of detail in D&D may miss this, but it holds true to the 'feel' of the game books of the '80s (including using the same 'Lone Wolf' font; people familiar with the original books know what I mean). In addition, psychic combat is a strong factor in the rules, as Magnamund's population has a high percentage of psychic abilities.
About the only negative thing I could think to mention is the lack of art, though it could be argued that more artwork would take space away from the content.
All in all, I find that the 20 year wait was well worth it in the end. If you're as much of a fan as I am, there's no reason to not get a copy.
Average customer rating:
- Ogami Itto and Daigoro continue on the path to Edo
- You have read this far....why stop.
- And you thought it couldn't get sadder.
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Lone Wolf and Cub, Volume 18: The Last Kurokuwa
Kazuo Koike , and
Goseki Kojima
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1569715904 |
Book Description
The Shogun himself has given Retsudo a stern warning: do something about Itto Ogami, the Lone Wolf, or the Yagyu clan will fall out of favor. Now Retsudo must turn to the Fire Watchers, a select band of warriors, for help - as well as the last surviving members of the legendary Kurokuwa ninja clan! As death stalks him, Ogami is confronted by desperate, impoverished peasants who want him to share his fortune with the suffering. With Ogami's cub, Daigoro, caught in the middle, what will he decide? Find out what everyone can't stop talking about.
Customer Reviews:
Ogami Itto and Daigoro continue on the path to Edo.......2002-12-16
It seemed that with the death of his children and the Kurokuwa that Retsudo Yagyu had run out of pieces to put into play against Ogami Itto, but that proves not to be the case in "Twilight of the Kurokuwa," Volume 18 of the Lone Wolf and Cub manga epic by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. For the first time in the series the Shogun makes an appearance (although we never see his face), and we can only speculate as to what impact this will have on the blood feud;
(88) "Firewatchers of the Black Gate" finds Retsudo Yagyu leading the Shogun's annual pilgrimage to the family mausoleum. As part of this ritual we learn about the Shogun's bodyguards, the Firewatchers (the Kemuridome-Shu), who are also the warriors assigned to ensure all fires are out along the route; each carries a section of ladder that can be joined together with others. The Shogun, concerned that Ogami Itto's actions are eroding the Shogunate, tells Retsudo to solve this problem within a month or forfeit his own life. Retsudo then orders the Firewatchers to kill Ogami Itto, and in this story we see their first attempt.
(89) "The Immortal Firewatchers" continues the quest of the Firewatchers to kill Ogami Itto, who is trying to get to Edo by water. However, as such things often do, this fight comes down to a duel between Ogami Itto's Suio-Ryu and Habrui Genbu, Kuromon Kemuridome-Shu.
(90) "Paper Money" brings together several themes we have seen in earlier stories. Again, rather than helping to slay Ogami Itto, there is someone who want's Lone Wolf's help. However, this time, it is not his sword that is desired, but rather the money he has collected on the Assassin's Road.
(91) "Lifeline" finds Daigoro once again separated by his father because he had been distracted. Now Daigoro struggles to catch up with his papa, following the two tracks of the baby cart that Lone Wolf pushes across the sandy beaches. This is another one of the classic stories in this series where the dialogue is at a minimum and it is Goseki Kojima's drawings that carry the story.
(92) "Twilight of the Kurokawa" reveals that not all of the Kurokawa ninja have been slain by Ogami Itto. Retsudo Yagyu visits the retirement home of the Kurokawa, where there are five old men who had served their code for fifty years and now live out their final years in Kurokuwa village. Retsduo relates what Ogami Itto has done (represented by Kojima's artwork) and "asks" for these old men to use their famous sword wheel, which has never been defeated, to kill Lone Wolf and Cub.
After the bloody two-parter that begins this collection, the final trio of stories suggests a quiet before the storm, or at least a significant lull in the action. The ebb and flow of this grand saga is part of its strength, for this is not a bloodbath from start to finish. In fact, the fights are the least compelling part of the narrative for me. Instead, I focus on the character development, the historical detail, and, of course, the relationship between father and son. I am now two-thirds of the way through the Lone Wolf & Cub story and continue to look forward to reading the next episode each night before retiring. As soon as I finish I will probably start it over again, to better appreciate how Koike and Kojima put their masterpiece together.
You have read this far....why stop........2002-05-09
If you are reading this review then you have most likely read the past 17 or so books in this series and are hopelessly lost in the tale. Will the wolf win? If so, will he live? You know these answers from the very begining so don't bother asking now. At this point I think we must ask...if the wolf and cub correct in continuing? Don't say YES without thinking. The wolf is no longer killing the guilty or those he is paid to. Now he is fighting people with hearts as good as his, and samari that follow the code of the sword as closely as him. How much is one mans revenge worth? Read on my friends we shall know the answer soon.
And you thought it couldn't get sadder........2002-04-16
The Shogun himself enters into the story, imploring Retsudo to remove the wolf plaguing the landscape. The Yagyu are already mocked at court for their failure, and the Shogun makes it clear that the Yagyu honor is at stake. He lends Retsudo his elite group of firewatchers- unparralleled fighters under the direct service of the Shogun.
In the second half of this volume, a desperate and half-blinded Retsudo calls upon the true last of the Kurokawa - a retired group of ninja, now aged and crippled, but still deadly. They have fulfilled their years of servitude to the Yagyu, but Retsudo insists that they perform one last mission: Kill Ogami Itto!
As this series progresses, and spirals further into the depths of sacrifice for duty, the whole concept of Ogami vs Retsudo fades, as does good vs evil. They both seem to be men trapped by their roles, trapped by their obligations, destined to agony by their senses of responsibility- Itto to his road of hell, and Retsudo to his blood line.
If you are interested in a critique of Budo, and a sharp critical gaze into the intricacies of Japanese origins of honor and duty, you must read these books.
Average customer rating:
- Simple Complexity
- Another Amazing Volume!
- The unforgettable "Parting Frost" story of Daigoro
- A great manga to collect
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Lone Wolf and Cub 4: The Bell Warden
Kazuo Koike ,
Goseki Kojima , and
Dana Lewis
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Lone Wolf and Cub Vol. 1: The Assassin's Road (Lone Wolf and Cub (Dark Horse))
ASIN: 156971505X |
Book Description
Dark Horse continues its presentation of the entirety of Japan`s Lone Wolf and Cub, one of the unquestioned landmarks of graphic fiction, packaged in the digest format preferred by creator Goseki Kojima. The fourth volume of this ambitious monthly program collects four classic Lone Wolf tales, including one never before seen in America, where little Daigoro searches for his lost father while amazing a well-known samurai with his warrior`s eyes and cool demeanor. Also, the Lone Wolf takes on the sons of the war-bell warden, legions of organized crime bosses, and a mysterious tattooed lady with a dark story and impeccable killing skills. It`s bloody and romantic...and among the best the comics medium has to offer.
Customer Reviews:
Simple Complexity.......2007-07-22
These elegant short stories are deceptive. On the surface hardly anything seems to "happen" in each "episode" other than a sword fight or two. Actually there is a LOT going on. Koike is in touch with humanity in ways many of us never will be.
Lone Wolf & Cub artwork is anything but simple. These stories are CARRIED by the masterful drawings. I am constantly amazed.
The main storyline continues to build from volumes 1 to 3. I highly recommend ALL FOUR books, and I also suggest you read them in order.
Another Amazing Volume!.......2003-05-12
I've been so blown away by the work Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima
that I decided to wait until the entire series was released to finish reading it. After the first three volumes, I didn't really believe they could keep up the same level of quality, and it turns out I was right.
Volume 4 blows the previous three away.
It's worth reading just for the heartbreaking Daigoro solo story, "Parting Frost", where the toddler sets out in search of his father and makes a very powerful enemy of his own. The other three stories are nothing to sneeze at either, and in addition to great entertainment, the creators also provide some important lessons about the history and culture of Japan in pain-free ways that don't even give you time to realize you've been learning; Perfect for Gaijin's like me!
I can't imagine how this series can possibly get any better. Stay tuned.....
The unforgettable "Parting Frost" story of Daigoro.......2002-10-08
This fourth volume in the manga epic "Lone Wolf & Cub" manages to transcend the previous volumes. Kazuo Koike's stories not only continues to mine the history of Edo-period Japan for fascinating narrative settings and details, but Goseki Kojima continues to try different art styles dependent on the story being told. This volume offers up the next four stories of Ogami Itto's journey along the Assassin's Road:
(20) "The Bell Warden" gives its title to the volume, but it is the third best story in the volume. The current bell warden of the capital's nine bells wants the assassin to cut off the right arm of his three successors as a test. Each of the three is an expert with a different weapon, but also weapons that are different from anything we have seen to date. (This volume's "Ronin Report" essay by Tim Ervin-Gore in the back is "Weapons Glossary: Part One," which helps to explain more about these weapons). This story becomes a series of three fights, albeit unlike what we are used to it the series.
(21) "Unfaithful Retainers" sets the tone for the other three stories in this volume in which Ogami Itto becomes something of a secondary character for most of the story. This tale involves the new class of Orisuke that arose during this period to serve samurai families without sharing the values of samurai society. The assassin has a mission regarding the Orisuke, but when he encounters two young girls about to kill themselves. Curious about what they would do so, he listens to their story and then comes up with a startling suggestion. The climax involves another one of Lone Wolf's complex strategems to put his prey where he wants him.
(22) "Parting Frost" is the most unforgettable story in this volume. Left to wait patiently for the return of his father, Daigoro has run out of food and decides to search for Lone Wolf. Going to a Buddhist temple because his father often meditates at such place, Daigoro finds a samurai who is stunned to see "Shishogan," the eyes of a swordman alive in the moment between life and death (i.e., Ogami's eyes). Seeking to solve the mystery of how such eyes could belong to a child, the samurai observe Daigoro's actions. A stunning story, totally unforgettable. But this is only Volume 4 and the thought that there are stories down the road that might be better than this one is mind-blowing. But every time I think I have read the best "Lone Wolf and Cub" story, there is one even better in the next volume. Daigoro says little, but Koike shares with us the child's thoughts and we discover what he has learned from watching his father. A fascinating character study made all the more poignant by Daigoro's ability to remain in some ways a child, despite all he has seen and endured.
(23) "Perfomer" offers an intriguing mystery regarding a woman whose body is tatooed in a most eye-catching way. The woman also happens to be an expert sword fighting and apparently the next target of Assassin Lone Wolf and Cub. But once again, there is more to meet the eye regarding this situation. These stories started off with a key element being the brilliant strategems by which the Assassin gained access to his victim. But by this point in the epic the situations are becoming equally complex as Koike and Kojima take their stories to the next level. This is the second best story in this volume, which continues the amazing progression that each is superior to its predecessor.
I continue to read these stories, one a night before going to sleep. These stories live up to their well deserved reputation as one of the great efforts in the history of comics.
A great manga to collect.......2001-05-15
I just love these mangas of Itto Ogami and his son. I use to collect the old comics that First Comic published, then I heard that Dark horse was republishing them So I just had to get it. These books are suggested for mature readers only because they have some sex, lots of violence, and bad language. But it perfectly shows feudal Japan in the Edo state.
Average customer rating:
- Encounters with the Yagyu Grass for Lone Wolf & Cub
- Another comic masterpiece
- Amazing series.
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Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 15: Brothers of the Grass
Kazuo Koike , and
Goseki Kojima
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1569715874 |
Book Description
The legendary saga of Lone Wolf and Cub passes the halfway mark with this stunning volume. Watch as Ogami Itto, the Lone Wolf, comes face-to-face with his arch-enemy, Yagyu Retsudo, in a tale of dark ambition and political intrigue. Witness the tragic tale of the Women of Sodeshi. Stalk alongside a deep-cover ninja as he chases his brother who has fled his station, while a group of shadow warriors prepare for a suicide mission to find a secret gold mine - guarded by the Lone Wolf! America's best-selling graphic novel series continues to gain legions of fans. Don't miss the largest volume of LW&C yet, for the same low price!
Customer Reviews:
Encounters with the Yagyu Grass for Lone Wolf & Cub.......2002-11-30
"Brothers of the Grass," Volume 15 in the "Lone Wolf and Cub" manga epic by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, finally offers up the episode I have been awaiting for sometime, namely one in which the title characters do not appear. The story, of course, does serve the purpose of introducing us (eventually) to a character who will provide one of the greatest challenges to Ogami Itto as he and Diagoro walk the Assassin's Road together. Meanwhile, the importance of the Yagyu Letter continues to motivate the actions of Yagyu Retsudo, even more so than his desire to see Ogami Itto dead, which is itself something of a clue. However, Koike and Kojima are obviously in no hurry to reveal all. We must continue to read these stories in patience, understanding that with this volume we have passed the halfway mark in the saga:
(73) "The Castle of Women" offers up another interesting test for Ogami Itto to face before being hired for a task. Sixteen men walk the roads wearing the mark of Gozumezu, each carrying 100 ryo and the next part of the story behind the job their lord wants Lone Wolf to do. The story is indeed worth the hearing, but this is but a complex opening gambit in a much larger game.
(74) "The Women of Sodeshi" finds Lone Wolf and Cub visiting a fishing village where there are only women, brought there by a tragic song. Yet even this distant, strange little village has its secrets.
(75) "Brothers of the Grass" tells the story of two brothers who have been planted in deep cover by the Yagyu. One of them, Getsugyoku, whose particular talents and peculiar nature would be suited to bringing down Lone Wolf, has disappeared, and the Yagyu force the one brother to track down the other.
(76) "Five Wheels of the Yagyu" is the showpiece story in this volume as Getsugyoku uses the five wheels of the Yagyu grass: joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure, and fear to try to kill Ogami Itto, retrieve the Yagyu letter, get back his human face. A very different type of "duel," than we are use to seeing in these stories, which only serves to make it all the more memorable.
(77) "Incense of the Living" introduces us to yet another fascinating type of shadow warriors, the Yama-Shu, one of the Shogun's special detachments. At the age of 42 they have a "living funeral," say farewell to their family and friends, and are buried alive, only to be dug up and given a new name as a member of the Shibito-Metsuke (Ghost Inspectors). After this ritual we find these warriors have been given the task of finding a secret gold mine. Of course, you know who has been hired to defend the mine.
This is one of the most thematic volumes in the "Lone Wolf and Cub" series, with four of the five stories devoted to the Grass, the deep-cover ninjas of the Yagyu. The ability of Koike and Kojima to enrich their epic with virtually every story is really astounding. The period detail is fascinating, but it is the grand scope of the overall story, as well as its individual chapters, that makes this one of the greatest comic books in the history of the entire world. Very few Western comic books were coming up with stories this good when they got to their seventh year (unless they already had a major dry spell and had a new team take over the book).
Another comic masterpiece.......2002-04-25
Another batch of chapters of the finest comic saga from Japan that I can remember.
After 30+ years of collecting comics there are only three current titles that I still collect. GROO (the joke is still funny after all these years) Usagi Yojimbo (a classic series of stories with a bit a humor as well.) and Lone Wolf and cub. (I know these are reprints but the issues since 13 were never published in English so as far as I'm concerned it is new.)
More interesting that the stories themselves (and they are plenty interesting) is the look at the psyche of Nippon. Brothers of the grass is a great example. By any modern stardard the "grass" have an unstable obsession, however duty overrides all, but can even these great warriors in hiding for years overcome the Lone Wolf and his quest for revenge? Keep reading
Amazing series........2002-02-05
Ogami Itto's endless trek of destruction continues in number 15.
By now followers of the series have gone beyond the visceral thrill of Ogami's martial prowess, and have absorbed the shocking horror of what Lone Wolf's destiny really is. A truly masterful graphic novel.
Average customer rating:
- Best manga series I have read .
- Six tales of the winter of Ogami Itto's discontent
- The masterpiece of Japanese manga
- "truly an assassins blade"...
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Lone Wolf and Cub 8: Chains of Death
Kazuo Koike , and
Goseki Kojima
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Lone Wolf and Cub 7: Cloud Dragon, Wind Tiger
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Lone Wolf and Cub 5: Black Wind
ASIN: 1569715092 |
Book Description
The journey of vengeance in blood and honor continues. Under the itinerant thumb of Yagyu Retsudo, the Shogun`s secret ninja warriors, the Kurokuwa clan, attempt to ensnare Ogami. Can the Lone Wolf break the chains? If so, there are many in line behind Yagyu waiting to challenge the masterful swordsman, such as a vengeful widow, numerous police, and the freezing cold of winter itself. Plus, read the story of Ogami`s rise to the position of the Shogun`s Officer of Death, feel the seething root of Retsudo Yagyu`s bitterness against Ogami, and watch Ogami teach a proud thief about true honor and the wages of deception. Five action-packed chapters, including never-before-translated material, are included in the latest volume of this classic series. Read it on the bullet train to Edo!
Customer Reviews:
Best manga series I have read . .......2006-03-16
The stories of lone wolf and cub are masterfully crafted . I would recommend them to anyone . The stories are easily related to modern times and creat a great historical depiction of the japanese time period . Even if you know nothing of japanese culter it is very easy to pick up on the details . BUY THESE BOOKS !! =)
Six tales of the winter of Ogami Itto's discontent.......2002-10-29
"Chains of Death," Volume 8 in the Lone Wolf and Cub manga epic by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, offers something of a change of pace as Ogami Itto's walk on the Assassin's Road has several diversions:
(39) "Tidings of the Geese" is a short tale in which one of the Shogun's inspectors informs Ogami Itto that the Yagyu have sent assassins to kill Lord Hotta. The fight sequence involves a desperate ploy by the Yagyu. Lone Wolf is not an assassin in this one, for, as he observes: "So long as the Yagyu scheme in the shadows of the shogunate, there can be no return to enlightened rule. Nor any end to our quest."
(40) "The Frozen Crane" has Lone Wolf and Cub coming upon a woman and her dead husband's younger brother who have finally avenge his death. Ogami Itto refuses to bear witness to what has happened and has to teach the woman a lesson about the true quest for vengeance.
(41) "Chains of Death" has the Yagyu using the Kurokuwa clan to try and kill Lone Wolf and Cub. This episode becomes a series of battles in the snow with Kojima's artwork carrying pretty much the entire story. The fact that Kurokuwa have finally submitted to the Yagyu is not lost on Ogami Itto. Visually the best story in this volume, the tale that gives the volume its title is not one of the more significant stories.
(42) "The Infinite Path" tells the complete story of the duel that earned Ogami Itto the position of Kogi Kaishakunin. We knew the basics of the tale, but this telling involves a duel between Lone Wolf and Restsudo Yagyu. The flashback makes it clear that the reason why the Yagyu were so desperate to be Kogi Kaishakunin could offer Lone Wolf an end to his quest.
(43) "Thread of Tears" finds Ogami Itto meditating at a temple while Daigoro meets a young widow. However, this is no chance meeting for Lone Wolf had killed her husband and she has been waiting to cross his path to ask for a duel. While watching the duel Daigoro has his own, rather chilling test.
(44) "Beku-no-ji" is the only tale in this volume where the story deals with Lone Wolf being hired as an assassin. The job offer is as much of a focal point of the story as the assassination at the end. Again, Ogami Itto's sense of honor provides insight into his walk on the assassin's road.
One other thing that most of these stories have in common is that most of them take place in winter. I am not sure at this point how much we are supposed to pay attention to the turning of the seasons; then again, perhaps I am wrong to assume that these stories are being told in chronological order. I will have to contemplate this in the silence of my room after I read tonight's episode. The ability of Koike and Kojima to maintain this high quality of graphic narrative is most impressive. This manga deserves every accolade it has received.
The masterpiece of Japanese manga.......2002-08-03
The saga of Lone Wolf and Cub should be in the collection of anybody with an interest in Bushido, the Japanese warrior philosophy. Goseki Kojima's powerful storytelling and the late Kazuo Koike's brutal visuals have captured the essence of the quest of an honourable man in the cruel world of Shogun-era Japan. There are many manga series, but none better than Lone Wolf and Cub.
"truly an assassins blade"..........2001-08-23
This is a pivotal volume in the tale of 'Lone wolf and Cub'. Previous volumes have given sketchy details as to Ogami Itto's history, how he was drawn into conflict with the Yagyu - but in this episode the nature of his rise to the position of Executioner for the Shogun is described. This key element to the tale makes clear why the Yagyu harbor against him a burning fury. Itto and Diagoro will face the Yagyu again, as they fling more resuorces against him - the tension is eased as several other small vignettes tell tales of others with whom he comes into contact with. Critical to the series, this is again, the continuation of a fabulous tale...
Average customer rating:
- Brilliant compact stories
- Ogami Itto comes closer to the secret of the Yagyu letter
- It brought me to tears.
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Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 14: Day of the Demons
Kazuo Koike , and
Goseki Kojima
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1569715866 |
Book Description
As the flames draw nearer, the fire gets hotter. Ronin assassin Ogami Itto seeks to learn what's written on the secret messages from the corrupt Yagyu clan to the Shogun, and leaves a river of blood in his path. Elsewhere, a shamed woman attempts to force her husband to name his own child, but his job and honor stand in the way. Daigoro makes a new friend in another samurai fated to seppuku - ritual suicide - and defends the honor of a young playmate. The world keeps turning as the Lone Wolf and his Cub wander the land seeking revenge and answers, the questions to which are written in blood and ink.
Customer Reviews:
Brilliant compact stories.......2005-02-16
Although I've reviewed other LWC books on amazon, I took off for a while from reading them; I came back to the series with 13 and 14; 14 is especially good.
What is nice is that the reader gets a gritty sense of history all the while sensing the greatness of the characters. I would loan this out to friends who hadn't read the whole series -- friends who NOT might read all 28 volumes, but still want a good manga read.
The historical details really add to the impact of the individual stories as well as the full arc of this epic. O-Shichiri (the runner) is awesome tale.
Ogami Itto comes closer to the secret of the Yagyu letter.......2002-11-26
Sometimes it is hard to remember that Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima are maddening slow in parceling out clues about the secret message hidden in the Yagyu letter because our attention is always riveted on the particular tale being told in the manga epic of Lone Wolf & Cub. Volume 14 of the saga, "Day of the Demons," offers up the next four episodes of Ogami Itto's path along the Assassin's road:
(69) "One Rainy Day" is another poignant tale that takes place while Daigoro is waiting for his father to return from an assassination. A samurai renders the judgment of the people of twenty-six villages and slays the Daikansho, a corrupt local official. By taking responsibility for the killing, Harada Zenbe spares the peasants from being punished. After the official investigation, he will be allowed to commit seppuku. While waiting under house arrest, he encounters Daigoro--but only on days when the sun shines.
(70) "O-Shichiri Man" refers to the special runners who delivered letters written by the lord of Han, each of whom is assigned a shichiri (17 miles) over which to run. They are granted the samurai right to kill (up to three people) to make sure the mail is delivered. However, this particular O-Shichiri has to contend with the hatred of his wife because of something he has done. Eventually Ogami Itto becomes involved in the matter--after a really neat demonstration of his skill with a sword--until the tale reaches the twist at the end that we have come to expect in such tales.
(71) "The Kyushu Road" is over 100-pages long and finds Ogami Itto beset by masked assassins, including the spear instructor for Kuroda Han. The question becomes why the Kuroda are aiding the Yagyu, and Ogami Itto is invited to ask that question of Lord Kurdo himself. In doing so, we learn a bit more about the Yagyu letter.
(72) "Day of the Demons" is a story of the persecution of Christians in Japan during this period. Daigoro finds a young girl to play with, but when she and her family are rounded up as Christians, he stands by his new friend. Given a charge by the girl's dying mother, Daigoro is asked by his father: "You want to finish what she asked of you?" We know the answer to that question and we suspect the sort of heartbreak we will find at the end of this unforgettable story."
Once again I marvel at the way Koike and Kojima weave together all sort of different stories as they prolong our enjoyment of the journey Ogami Itto and Diagoro take as they life in Meifumado, at the juncture of the six paths and the four lives. For me the violence and the sex are so secondary to the character studies being offered up in these stories. Koike and Kojima are able to give the characters who appear in single episodes a sense of depth that makes their lives (and usually their deaths) a rich part of the tapestry. I have been reading one episode a night before I go to bed and I will probably start all over again once I finish "Lone Wolf and Cub" to better appreciate the grand design of this epic comic.
It brought me to tears........2001-12-17
Lone wolf and cub is a fantastic set of stories. Here we have another collection of great stores from the classic Japanese series.
It's usually hard to comment on these stories uniquely. They all reflect and explain Japanese culture and for that reason alone are a fine addition to any person collection or bookshelf. The storytelling is fantastic and the artwork first rate.
The second story in the segment WAS available in regular comic book form. I suspect there may have been some change in order in printing. If you like me thought the series was totally published in order, it may force you to check out some eariler issues to make sure you missed nothing.
As for the tears, they involve the last story. It deals with an encounter with a group of Japanese Christians who were hunted down, bounties offered on them and given the choice of denying Christ and Mary or death. Any faithful Catholic reading this story will be moved particularly when you consider events in Indonesia and China these days. It brings to mind the passage: "Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me bofore others , I will deny before my heavenly Father" (Mt. 10:32-33) Of course nobody familar with the culture of Japan will be shocked since faithfulness unto death to any cause is a part of the culture.
Reguardless of the reason you buy it, buy it.
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Lone Wolf and Cub 8: Chains of Death
