ComicBook Review: Samurai Executioner Vol. 4
Writer: Kazuo Koike
Artist: Goseki Kojima
FOR MATURE READERS
Pub. Date: May, 2005
Format: Softcover, 304pg, b&w, 4" x 6"
Age range: 18+
Price: $9.95
ISBN: 1-59307-210-4
Inventory: In-Stock
It's violent and cool like a Quentin Tarantino movie.
I just got done reading Samurai Executioner Vol. 4. A couple of years ago Dark Horse came out with Lone Wolf and Cub which was a huge sensation. I was a big fan of the series. This is by the same creative team, still about Edo period Japan. If you enjoyed Lone Wolf and Cub you simply must buy this series too. It's about an executioner that chops off the heads of criminals on death row. Only some of it is about the killing itself. There isn't much adventure involved in killing somebody that's kneeling down.
Instead the comic has a surprisingly wide variety of "short" stories. I put short in quotes because they are longer than the ones in LW&C. This particular book has 3 long stories and one short one. A lot of the stories are character based. Often the Samurai helping somebody through his advice, his extreme sword cutting skills, his generosity, or a mix of all 3. The executioner is an enlightened and lonely guy with a traumatized childhood.
This particular book has a set of stories that deal in either companionship or violent protest against the government over money issues. Out of the 4 volumes this is the best one I've read so far. One of the things I like about this book is it's presenting of viewpoints without trying to convince you those views are correct. One particular story touches slightly on the issue of capitol punishment. People within the system say it's done as a deterrent to crime. Meanwhile others point out the crime rate keeps going up and question how much of a deterrent is it if the killing is done behind closed doors away from the public's eyes. I figured the book would be simply pro killing and leave it at that. Another unexpected story has the main character against violent displays of art and I couldn't help be a bit surprised about that too.
Anyway, I loved the book. I give it a 5 out of 5 stars. You don't need to read the first 3 if you don't want to. Go out and buy this one and enjoy it.
Also of note: Frank Miller, who did the Dark Knight Returns that was recently reviewed was heavily inspired by these creators. He did a number of the Lone Wolf and Cub covers when the were first published in NA during the mid 80s.