December 1, 2017
When a samurai is found murdered and his wife ravaged along the road leading to a farming village in feudal Japan, Det. Heigo Kobayashi is called in to investigate. Yet, none of the witnesses tell the same story, and too many of the suspects take credit for the crime, so our hero finds himself faced with a puzzle that will test his wits and resolve and might just put his life on the line. Inspired by the classic short story by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, later made famous by the film adaptation directed by Akira Kurosawa, Santos's (Polar; Violent Love) dynamic illustration and tremendous use of color and compelling page design make this well-known tale feel absolutely fresh and relevant. Imbuing the proceedings with a noir flair, the art evokes Frank Miller's classic Sin City as well as Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima's beloved manga Lone Wolf and Cub. VERDICT Every page of this volume is stunning and should entrance fans of the original text and its famous film version as well as the uninitiated.--TB
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