Bushido: The Way of the Warrior #1
There are few things as interesting to me as Samurai culture. From a very young age I have been fascinated with their discipline and, to be frank, their awesome swords. Long story short, I don’t have enough Samurai content in my life-- Samurai Jack on Netflix aside. So when I heard that Top Cow was releasing a new Samurai centric story, I jumped at the chance to review it. Luckily for me, Bushido managed to live up to my expectations.
Bushido #1 is not your typical Samurai story for one major reason—Vampires. Yes, the book is at its core a Samurai Vs. Vampire book and while that may turn some off, the gimmick adds a supernatural element that will undoubtedly help to elevate the book further down the line. In the meantime, there is a story to tell and the hero of ours is named Kichiro, the sole survivor of a high-seas vampire attack who washes up on feudal Japan soil is adopted by a Samurai warrior. Raised as a Samurai, yet knowing full well a gaijin will never be one of the clan, Kichiro decides to set out on his own path. Yet after a chance encounter with a group of vampires, Kichiro must decide between a house that can never be home, or a fate worse than death.
Rob Levin, working from an unproduced screenplay, manages to capture the cinematic tone of the story expertly, yet it’s not without its faults. The issue reads like a summer blockbuster however because of the cinematic aspects, the quieter moments needed for character development gets pushed to the side. Yet, after blowing through all the exposition, Bushido #1 leaves the reader at a good spot for the following issue which, in itself, is a good thing.
The digital painting effect really helps to accentuate the cinematic feel, offering up big budget action in the palm of our hands. Sutthi’s recreation of feudal Japan is astounding; it’s one of those rare books where you find yourself marveling over the architecture despite a Vampire being beheaded in the foreground. The only criticism that comes with the digital painting technique is the inorganic lettering. Unlike the effects added in by Sutthi, the dialogue and captions stand-out and negatively detract from the art, though this is a minor gripe and in no way detracts from the experience.
Bushido: The Way of the Warrior #1 is the start of an exciting new series that is loaded with potential. By showing respect to both Japanese culture and cinematic story-telling, Bushido could be the sleeper hit of the year.
Bushido: The Way of the Warrior #1
Writer: Rob Levin
Artist: Jessada Sutthi
Art Director: Skan Srisuwan
Letter: Troy Peteri
Based on the screenplay ‘Rising Son’ by Shahin Chandrasoma
Publisher: Top Cow
Purchase: http://www.thetopcowstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BUS001
Bushido #1 is not your typical Samurai story for one major reason—Vampires. Yes, the book is at its core a Samurai Vs. Vampire book and while that may turn some off, the gimmick adds a supernatural element that will undoubtedly help to elevate the book further down the line. In the meantime, there is a story to tell and the hero of ours is named Kichiro, the sole survivor of a high-seas vampire attack who washes up on feudal Japan soil is adopted by a Samurai warrior. Raised as a Samurai, yet knowing full well a gaijin will never be one of the clan, Kichiro decides to set out on his own path. Yet after a chance encounter with a group of vampires, Kichiro must decide between a house that can never be home, or a fate worse than death.
Rob Levin, working from an unproduced screenplay, manages to capture the cinematic tone of the story expertly, yet it’s not without its faults. The issue reads like a summer blockbuster however because of the cinematic aspects, the quieter moments needed for character development gets pushed to the side. Yet, after blowing through all the exposition, Bushido #1 leaves the reader at a good spot for the following issue which, in itself, is a good thing.
The digital painting effect really helps to accentuate the cinematic feel, offering up big budget action in the palm of our hands. Sutthi’s recreation of feudal Japan is astounding; it’s one of those rare books where you find yourself marveling over the architecture despite a Vampire being beheaded in the foreground. The only criticism that comes with the digital painting technique is the inorganic lettering. Unlike the effects added in by Sutthi, the dialogue and captions stand-out and negatively detract from the art, though this is a minor gripe and in no way detracts from the experience.
Bushido: The Way of the Warrior #1 is the start of an exciting new series that is loaded with potential. By showing respect to both Japanese culture and cinematic story-telling, Bushido could be the sleeper hit of the year.
Bushido: The Way of the Warrior #1
Writer: Rob Levin
Artist: Jessada Sutthi
Art Director: Skan Srisuwan
Letter: Troy Peteri
Based on the screenplay ‘Rising Son’ by Shahin Chandrasoma
Publisher: Top Cow
Purchase: http://www.thetopcowstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BUS001
A Look Inside
