|
Call
Him The Wanderer... :
Vagabond #1 & 2
Viz
Manga Series Review by: Troy
Brownfield
Story
and Art by: Takehiko Inoue
Based on the Novel "Musashi" by: Eiji
Yoshikawa
More info at: http://www.viz.com
|
 It's
my extreme pleasure to introduce you to Takehiko Inoue's "Vagabond".
This beautifully drawn series has incredible action, a hint
of romance and a strong core of Japanese history. Each issue
clocks in at around a whopping 88 pages (mostly in black and
white, but when pages show up in color, they're breathtaking).
Originally published in Japan, this book now has the possibility
of taking off like a rocket with the American audience; I think
this is just the kind of book they'd embrace.
"Vagabond", like the novel "Musashi" that
serves as its inspiration, presents us with a fictional accounting
of the life of Miyamoto Musashi. Known as a "sword saint",
he authored the legendary philosophical strategy treatise "A
Book of Five Rings". In addition to his sword-skills (typified
by using the Niten Ichi style of simultaneously wielding a short
and long sword), he was a noted artist. The real Musashi lived
from 1584-1645.
The story opens just after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.
Two seventeen-year-olds, Takezo and Matahachi, have survived,
but their side has lost and their comrades have all perished.
Fleeing the victors, Takezo and Matahachi wind up protecting
a mother and daughter pair of thieves for some truly nasty wandering
brigands. Of course since this is an ongoing series and I'm
loath to give away too many plot details, let's just say that
a fierce tone of action is set with stunning visuals and adept
characterization.
This ronin's tale is immediately involving and engaged me at
several levels. Inoue is obviously a skilled storyteller, and
these first two issues only make me want more. That's definitely
something American comics could learn from.
One note: Vagabond is presented in traditional Japanese style,
meaning your read from right to left. I personally enjoy that,
as you are actually enacting a portion of the culture as you
read.
Troy
Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. He wants
to remind you that at four times the size of an American book,
$4.95 an issue is a steal. Email Troy at psikotyk@aol.com.
|
