P
Punch
Guest
Welcome everyone to the inaugural issue of The Probe! In this series we'll be taking a look at some of the comics I've read, doing a brief synopsis and review. Please give your feedback below, as well as any suggestions for future issues. If i have access to a comic, i'll be more than happy to give it a shot!
Without any further to do, let's get right into it true believers!
Issue #1: 47 Ronin
Published by Dark Horse Comics in 2014
Written by Mike Richardson
Art by Stan Sakai
47 Ronin is the retelling of an 18th century historical event and legend known as The Genroku Ako Incident. Legend tells of a group of loyal retainers, who after their diamyo's compulsion to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) sought out revenge upon the man who they felt was responsible for their lord's death.
Our story begins December 14th, 1703 in the peaceful garden of the Sengaku-Ji temple. An older man who is for all appreances a samurai comes to pray in the temple. A monk notices his disheveled appearance and offers to bring him some water from the well. The man finishes his prayers, apologizes to the monk for his silence and introduces himself as Murakami Kiken. The two begin to have a philosophical conversation about faith and Murakami begins to tell the monk his tale.
He tells of how a diamyo by the name of Asano Takumi-Naganori was summoned from his lands by the Shogun Tokugowa Tsunayoshi to entertain envoys from the visiting emperor. Lord Ansano says goodbye to his family in what appears to be a very beautiful, and foreshadowing farewell. Asano leaves his chief retainer Oishi in charge until his safe return.
After his arrival and a settling into his duties, Lord Asano begins to come into conflict with a court official by the name of Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshinaka. Kira, a man who's scruples clash with Asano's, demands a bribe. Asano refuses and the stage is set for their confrontation. Through a series of escalating events Asano is finally enraged enough by Kira to draw his sword in anger and attack Kira in the Shogun's palace, a crime punishable by death.
Asano is brought before the Shogun, and making no excuse for his actions he is ordered to commit seppuku.
It is not until some time later that word of the incident reaches Asano's retainers and family. Oishi begins immediately rallying the remaining retainers who are made aware that their lands and titles are now forfeit, making them ronin (masterless samurai, a position of much less honor). Oishi learns the exact details of what happened to his daimyo and begins making plans to enact revenge upon Kira. In the meantime he petitions the Shogunate to install Asano's younger brother as head of the clan.
Oishi invites the 321 retainers that were in the service of lord Asano, and over 100 accept coming together to plan their next course of action. He says there will be no immediate retaliation and asks that the men sign a blood oath to follow his orders. Many refuse, calling him a coward and dishonorable as they go. One man even kills himself in response. Oishi dismisses the remaining men and quietly makes plans to arm them all heavily.
The Shogun's agents arrive, declare Asano's clan banished, and order them to lay down their arms. All of Asano's lands are then transferred to the Shogunate. Oishi accepts this without a fight.
Months go by, and Kira is still worried about retaliation from the former Asano clan. He petitions the Shogun constantly for protection. The Shogun assures Kira through a messenger that his spy network is keeping a close eye on Oishi and his men. Oishi is brought word that the Shogunate has denied placing Asano's younger brother as the head of the clan. Escaping the watchful eyes of the Shogun's spy network, Oishi says a tearful goodbye to his wife and sets himself on the road to revenge.
Oishi meets with the men who signed the blood oath and tells them the time to strike will be coming soon. He states that it will mean death to all men who remain from this point forward and asks anyone not willing to make that sacrifice that they are released from the blood oath and to leave. 47 remain.
Oishi then takes steps toward the next phase of his plan. To throw off any suspicion of retaliation towards Kira, he and the rest of the ronin are to behave dishonorably. Taking upon the roles of drunkards and lowlifes, the ronin begin to throw the Shogunate's spies off their trail.
Passed out from drinking Oishi is about to be robbed and another samurai stops the thief. The second samurai then berates him for his dishonorable actions in front of the townsfolk, spits on him, and takes his swords. Oishi's family comes to beg him to return home, to which Oishi replies by ordering his son to stay with him, and publicly divorcing his wife on the spot. The spies see all of these things and report back to the Shogun. The trap is beginning to close as Kira's security is significantly lightened.
Oishi fills his son in on what is about to happen and they meet with his men again in secret. Then they are all armed with a significant amount of weaponry. They feast and prepare themselves mentally for what is to come.
Oishi and the rest of Asono's men surround the home of Kira and warn the members of the household who are innocent as to what is about to happen. Some leave and others stay to defend their master with their lives. A bloody battle ensues with Oishi's men trying desperately to find Kira. They finally locate him hiding, and frightened. Oishi offers Kira an opportunity to retain some of his honor by committing ritual suicide. Kira attempts to order them all to leave his home but to no avail. Kira refuses, and Oishi then kills him in a rather horrific manner by sawing his head off with lord Asano's wakizashi.
Their revenge complete, the remaining ronin parade Kira's head through the city's streets on their way to Sengaku-Ji temple. They place the head of Kira at the grave of their master Asano. Oishi refuses his men the option to commit seppuku right then and there, stating that the honorable thing to do will be to turn themselves in. The Shogun weighs their actions, and allows them to retain their honor by ordering them to commit ritual suicide which is carried out with no interruptions.
The story comes to a close by going back to the beginning scene where the man telling the story to the monk is reveled to be the samurai who took the swords of Oishi and spat on him in the streets. He places the swords at Oishi's grave, prostrates himself, and prays for forgiveness.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought that this was a very well paced story. The art is somewhat crude, but easy on the eyes. It's not too long, it's straightforward, and does a very good job of explaining the particulars to those who may not be aware of the terminology of feudal japan. All in all, I'd say it is a wonderful tale of revenge and redemption. I recommend this comic to anyone who likes stories like that. Good read, and one you could blast out easily in a lazy afternoon. I'd rate this comic at a solid 7/10.
Please let me know what you thought about the story below, and i apologize for any difficulties in reading my review. I am by no means a professional writer, just a really big fan. Thanks for reading The Probe!
Without any further to do, let's get right into it true believers!
Issue #1: 47 Ronin
Published by Dark Horse Comics in 2014
Written by Mike Richardson
Art by Stan Sakai
47 Ronin is the retelling of an 18th century historical event and legend known as The Genroku Ako Incident. Legend tells of a group of loyal retainers, who after their diamyo's compulsion to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) sought out revenge upon the man who they felt was responsible for their lord's death.
Our story begins December 14th, 1703 in the peaceful garden of the Sengaku-Ji temple. An older man who is for all appreances a samurai comes to pray in the temple. A monk notices his disheveled appearance and offers to bring him some water from the well. The man finishes his prayers, apologizes to the monk for his silence and introduces himself as Murakami Kiken. The two begin to have a philosophical conversation about faith and Murakami begins to tell the monk his tale.
He tells of how a diamyo by the name of Asano Takumi-Naganori was summoned from his lands by the Shogun Tokugowa Tsunayoshi to entertain envoys from the visiting emperor. Lord Ansano says goodbye to his family in what appears to be a very beautiful, and foreshadowing farewell. Asano leaves his chief retainer Oishi in charge until his safe return.
After his arrival and a settling into his duties, Lord Asano begins to come into conflict with a court official by the name of Kira Kozukenosuke Yoshinaka. Kira, a man who's scruples clash with Asano's, demands a bribe. Asano refuses and the stage is set for their confrontation. Through a series of escalating events Asano is finally enraged enough by Kira to draw his sword in anger and attack Kira in the Shogun's palace, a crime punishable by death.
Asano is brought before the Shogun, and making no excuse for his actions he is ordered to commit seppuku.
It is not until some time later that word of the incident reaches Asano's retainers and family. Oishi begins immediately rallying the remaining retainers who are made aware that their lands and titles are now forfeit, making them ronin (masterless samurai, a position of much less honor). Oishi learns the exact details of what happened to his daimyo and begins making plans to enact revenge upon Kira. In the meantime he petitions the Shogunate to install Asano's younger brother as head of the clan.
Oishi invites the 321 retainers that were in the service of lord Asano, and over 100 accept coming together to plan their next course of action. He says there will be no immediate retaliation and asks that the men sign a blood oath to follow his orders. Many refuse, calling him a coward and dishonorable as they go. One man even kills himself in response. Oishi dismisses the remaining men and quietly makes plans to arm them all heavily.
The Shogun's agents arrive, declare Asano's clan banished, and order them to lay down their arms. All of Asano's lands are then transferred to the Shogunate. Oishi accepts this without a fight.
Months go by, and Kira is still worried about retaliation from the former Asano clan. He petitions the Shogun constantly for protection. The Shogun assures Kira through a messenger that his spy network is keeping a close eye on Oishi and his men. Oishi is brought word that the Shogunate has denied placing Asano's younger brother as the head of the clan. Escaping the watchful eyes of the Shogun's spy network, Oishi says a tearful goodbye to his wife and sets himself on the road to revenge.
Oishi meets with the men who signed the blood oath and tells them the time to strike will be coming soon. He states that it will mean death to all men who remain from this point forward and asks anyone not willing to make that sacrifice that they are released from the blood oath and to leave. 47 remain.
Oishi then takes steps toward the next phase of his plan. To throw off any suspicion of retaliation towards Kira, he and the rest of the ronin are to behave dishonorably. Taking upon the roles of drunkards and lowlifes, the ronin begin to throw the Shogunate's spies off their trail.
Passed out from drinking Oishi is about to be robbed and another samurai stops the thief. The second samurai then berates him for his dishonorable actions in front of the townsfolk, spits on him, and takes his swords. Oishi's family comes to beg him to return home, to which Oishi replies by ordering his son to stay with him, and publicly divorcing his wife on the spot. The spies see all of these things and report back to the Shogun. The trap is beginning to close as Kira's security is significantly lightened.
Oishi fills his son in on what is about to happen and they meet with his men again in secret. Then they are all armed with a significant amount of weaponry. They feast and prepare themselves mentally for what is to come.
Oishi and the rest of Asono's men surround the home of Kira and warn the members of the household who are innocent as to what is about to happen. Some leave and others stay to defend their master with their lives. A bloody battle ensues with Oishi's men trying desperately to find Kira. They finally locate him hiding, and frightened. Oishi offers Kira an opportunity to retain some of his honor by committing ritual suicide. Kira attempts to order them all to leave his home but to no avail. Kira refuses, and Oishi then kills him in a rather horrific manner by sawing his head off with lord Asano's wakizashi.
Their revenge complete, the remaining ronin parade Kira's head through the city's streets on their way to Sengaku-Ji temple. They place the head of Kira at the grave of their master Asano. Oishi refuses his men the option to commit seppuku right then and there, stating that the honorable thing to do will be to turn themselves in. The Shogun weighs their actions, and allows them to retain their honor by ordering them to commit ritual suicide which is carried out with no interruptions.
The story comes to a close by going back to the beginning scene where the man telling the story to the monk is reveled to be the samurai who took the swords of Oishi and spat on him in the streets. He places the swords at Oishi's grave, prostrates himself, and prays for forgiveness.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought that this was a very well paced story. The art is somewhat crude, but easy on the eyes. It's not too long, it's straightforward, and does a very good job of explaining the particulars to those who may not be aware of the terminology of feudal japan. All in all, I'd say it is a wonderful tale of revenge and redemption. I recommend this comic to anyone who likes stories like that. Good read, and one you could blast out easily in a lazy afternoon. I'd rate this comic at a solid 7/10.
Please let me know what you thought about the story below, and i apologize for any difficulties in reading my review. I am by no means a professional writer, just a really big fan. Thanks for reading The Probe!
Last edited by a moderator:
