New Lone Wolf and Cub 4 review up and Snowblood Apple

I just wanted to share this review of Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 4, which is now available at our bookstore. This is an excellent series worth checking out.

Lone Wolf and Cub Vol 4: The Bell Warden

Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima

English

$9.95

Volume 4 takes Lone Wolf and Cub in some interesting and often dark directions over four fantastic stories.

In “The Bell Warden” we see how family and duty collide once again. In this story the aging warden of the large warning bell is looking to see if his sons are worthy to replace him by pitting then up against Lone Wolf. We see some new weapons (later explained in “The Ronin Report” in this volume’s final pages), and Ogami Itto’s reaction to how this father regards his sons gives some insight on his own connection with his son.

How enjoyable are some of the drawing styles seen in the second story, “Unfaithful Retainers.” Artist Goseki Kojima freely interprets ideas in ways I have never seen in other manga. This is another simple but clever revenge tale, and it is interesting to see how Ogami reacts to cries for help from the weaker members of society. The Lone Wolf is a genius at finding loopholes in the samurai code in order to bring justice to the powerless, and this story shows a great example of that.

The third story in this volume is titled “Parting Frost”. This may be the most moving story we have seen in the series so far. Often Ogami leaves Daigoro in a safe place alone when he needs to complete an especially dangerous mission. Although he is young and alone, Daigoro is never scared, and waits patiently for his father’s return. But this time something goes wrong, and the Lone Wolf doesn’t return before Daigoro runs out of food. Daigoro travels to and searches Buddhist temples, often the resting spots of his father, to little success. Each volume we are learning more about Daigoro, and this is the first time we see him work independently to solve problems. At the same time, he is a little child (maybe four-years-old?), yet has seen things most people would never see in their lifetime. A strange samurai runs into Daigoro, and comments that the Cub has “Eyes that only a swordsman who has cut through Death itself…can possess.” Again, Kojimi’s art adds much to this story, and the cinematic framing of the exciting and emotional conclusion is as satisfying as they come. (And this is only Volume 4!)

The final story is a more traditional “hunt” for Lone Wolf and Cub, with their adversary being a beautiful woman with some very evil-looking tattoos. Despite it’s simple start, this is the longest story we have seen so far, at over 100 pages. We are far beyond the simple character establishing episodes of Volume One. Koike is incorporating more twists and flashbacks in his tales to keep the readers engaged and excited.

After the rich glossary and author and artist introductions, the reader will enjoy the addition of the “Ronin Report” in this volume, a 6-page essay on some of the weapons we see in the Lone Wolf series. Especially in Volume 4, we are seeing more than just traditional samurai swords in Lone Wolf’s opponent’s hands, so being able to read about different forms of fighting in feudal Japan is quite fascinating. Dark Horse seems very aware of its audience in adding this information in a concise and entertaining format. These “Ronin Reports” are a worthy supplemental to this wonderful series.

6.0” x 4.3” , 318 pages, paperback

If you are into Japanese extreme movies, or just Asian film in general, I'd like to recommend the Snowblood Apple site. The forums are clean and very active. It's a great place to discuss everything from older movies, to upcoming releases and remakes, both Asian and otherwise.

And don't worry! I haven't forgotten about the Cut Magazine top 150 Movies...I will get some more of the list and comments up this week.