Bushido #1 (of 5)
VAMPIRES IN FEUDAL JAPAN!
Kichiro is an outsider in feudal Japan. Lacking the Japanese blood that would allow him to become a samurai, Kichiro must fulfill his dreams of serving the shogun in a less traditional manner… by eliminating every foreign supernatural threat that rears its fangs!
Preview
See my interview with creator Rob Levin and
Bushido #1 Exclusive Preview
Review
See the Review Rating Overview page for more information on how I rate each comic
Cover & Solicit 5/5
We get a beautiful cover drawn by the extremely talented Jessada Sutthi of Studio HIVE who also does the art for the issue.
Art, Colors & Inking 5/5
As I mentioned Jessada also does art duty on this issue. His digital painting style is awesome and works very well with the theme of the book. He gives each page excellent attention to detail and makes the book almost come alive in your hands.
Layout & Flow 4/5
The book had a very good flow to it. You get a decent amount of backstory without being overwhelmed before the main story begins. The monologue by Kichiro doesn't distract from the book or get overly wordy. I did find a few areas where the pacing seemed a little off
(the bar scenes for example, I'm not sure if it was the dialogue or the scene transitions), but nothing that stands out to make the book unenjoyable.
Story 5/5
The issue is written by
Rob Levin (Mind the Gap, Witchblade, Darkness) who does an excellent job telling the story. From the first page he gets you involved in this world he is creating. The issue starts with Kichiro's background in 1663 being shipwrecked in Japan after his parents were murdered by Vampire Pirates. We then find his newly adoptive father teaching him the way of the Samurai, and are introduced to his other son Orochi. Levin does a great job of introducing these characters, providing their backgrounds, and creating an emotional bond between them. The only things Kichiro has ever wanted was to be able to be Samurai and be with the woman he loves Mitsuko. But being Gaijin
(non-Japanese, or alien) he is unable to become Samurai, and Mitsuko is now betrothed to his brother Orochi. As Kichiro leaves Edo behind new dangers awaited him in the form of Vampires. Levin tells the story well and makes you feel for Kichiro. His efforts pay off in creating an excellent tale with swashbuckling, seppuku threatening
(Samurai suicide), vampire fighting, honor, and drama. I can't wait until next week for the second issue to learn the fate of Kichiro and what tragedies await his village due to this new Vampire menace.
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