Imagine a world where honor is the dominant currency, betrayal is an anticipated part of life, and where the only motivation is revenge. This is the world where I found myself this week when I read Image Comics new series entitled "Samurai Blood." It follows a land under the rule of a powerful dynasty that finds itself under a bit of a personnel swap. From the onset, this book's narration paints a picture that the way of the samurai is the way of death, and that there is no price higher than one paid with honor.
The main story of the books however lies with the last of that clan, three teenagers, as they fight their way out of the burning remains of their village. It is a story of revenge, of fate, and of the lasting resonance of a family's lineage. No one is spared in this opening chapter, and Owen Wiseman is building characters that can hardly be said to fit into cookie cutters of the genre. The sequence of events is told in a circular fashion, the first few pages being the same chronologically as the last, but as the events that lead up to it unfold, there is a sense of continuity that gives the story extra punch.
The art style was picturesque, evoking the kind of feel that anime can provoke, and considering the content, I feel that this similarity is beneficial. Throughout the stories brutal and bloody first chapter, there are ample opportunities for the artistic team to stretch their muscles, and the visuals look top notch.
This is a book to check out, but it is not without its flaws. The characters could use more realistic dialog, and a samurai story of revenge isn't exactly the freshest angle, but I am willing to give Wiseman at least another month's worth of anticipation. Let's all hope he does his clan proud.
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