|
Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai
Review posted: 02 Oct 2005
Writer: Jeff Amano
Artist: Craig Rousseau
Publisher: Image Comics
4.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by John L. Daniels Jr.
|
|
Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai is a retelling of the 17th
century story about Oishi Kuranosuke who sought revenge against Lord
Kiro Kozukenosuke. Lord Kiro manipulated his samurai leader Lord
Asano into drawing his sword in the shogun’s palace. Oishi and
his forty-seven ronin (“masterless samurai”) were ordered
to perform a ritual suicide for their act of revenge.
Jeff Amano combines the English folklore story of Robin Hood with
the Japanese historical tale of the 47 Ronin. The result is a terrific
story of honor, respect, and sacrifice for the code of the samurai.
I am reminded of director Akira Kurosawa’s adaptation of this
very tale.
|
The story centers on a young and spirited samurai named Little
Thunder. Little Thunder enters an archery competition hosted by Lord
Takeda (Kiro’s cousin) to flush out Ronin Hood (Oishi). The
brazen Little Thunder joins the competition against the wishes of
Oishi, and is captured and held as bait. Lady Fujiko who is in love
with Little Thunder begs Lord Takeda to spare Little Thunder’s
life. Lady Fujiko infiltrates Ronin Hood’s camp and asks him to
rescue Little Thunder but Oishi declines. It was Little
Thunder’s own decision to enter the competition against
Oishi’s wishes so he paid with his life. In the end, Fujiko
takes three of the ronin and tries to kill Takeda but they are lured
into a trap. Oishi and his forty-seven ronin save her in time to see
Lord Takeda stumble out of the castle window to his death as he
catches his assistant Kurosage’s bloody head. Oishi fulfills his
destiny, gets his revenge on Lord Akiro, and pays the ultimate
sacrifice along with his warriors.
The battle scenes are great with plenty of detail. Craig Rousseau
brings a vibrant look to the panels. The concentration
is mainly on the characters and the panels have no or very little
background. The fantastic opening panel of Little Thunder apologizing
for taking his opponent’s life is stunning with great dialogue.
I am reminded of director Akira Kurosawa’s adaptation of this
very tale. A few of the panels even seem to reflect the retelling of
Kurosawa’s version. Kurosawa focused on the last hours as each
ronin took his own life. The viewer heard each curdling scream of the
samurai performing hari-kari. In Amano’s literary version, all
the characters from the Robin Hood tale are included in the story: a
Buddhist monk who likes wine (Friar Tuck); Genba, a giant samurai with
a hammer (Little John); and Lord Takeda (The Sheriff of Nottingham).
Oishi, the chief retainer (Ronin/Robin Hood), is noble, set on revenge, and
not concerned about the loss of a comrade.
The creative team presented a nice retelling of a Japanese classic.
The real enticing reading was the foreword by David Mack, the creator
of the Kabuki titles. Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai by Beckett
Entertainment was one of the many titles available free on Free Comic Book Day on May
7, 2005. Now months later readers are able to experience this
enjoyable book and it will make you cheer kenpai!
—CCdC— Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
|
