 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | DARK HORSE | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | KAZOU KOIKE / GOSEKI KOJIMA | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | JAPANESE / B&W | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 304 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | 18+ | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 02/13/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 05/19/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | SCOTT CAMPBELL |
Path of the Assassin is published in the popular pocket-sized manga format, just like the very well known manga, Lone Wolf and Cub (created by the same author/artist). Path of the Assassin contains boundless historical fiction and fine art that is at a fairly different level than the majority of manga now being released in the present. This classic samurai series from the masters of samurai manga, Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, is sure to entertain the mature reader and fan of Japanese samurai epics. This series of books is unique because it is being published in a smaller than usual format. The books are all slightly smaller in overall size than most manga, but is awesome because they still contain an average of a whooping three hundred pages and they are still reasonably priced. You would be hard pressed to find too many other three hundred paged books at the low price of $9.95 US. So the reasonable cost factor is certainly there, and especially so because the series is such a work of art as well as being entertaining. The art is of a very mature, classically artistic style. The attention to detail is amazing, especially since the artist sometimes delves into a more loose, impressionistic way of portraying the imagery. The people characterized in the book are fairly realistic, fairly human like. There emotions come across without an manga style sweat drops or super deformed funny stuff – there’s simply none of that to be found here. As much as we all appreciate a good laugh, it’s also just as nice to read a serious story with real depth and totally respectable art. That kind of manga is perhaps more difficult to find these days, so it’s great that this classic is being made available to North America and beyond. In volume nine, the world of samurai and ninja is not just killing, politics, intrigue and action. It's also about family, spirit, love and sex. If there were ever an issue of Path of the Assassin that could be entitled "the sex issue," this would probably be it. Not just the act of sex, but the feelings, doubts, methods, results and politics of sex. The results can mean a son or daughter fated to the politics of advantage and danger. The doubts can lead to an unfocused mind. The methods can be a result of doubt, but can be there own distraction as well. The feelings can be good, bad, and ugly. And all of these elements amount to the politics of sex. However, if you fear that all this talk of sex means this volume of Path of the Assassin lacks the expected swordplay, gushing blood, and drama you've come to love, well please don't worry. Rather the sexual portions only provide a framework for those standards, making for an oddly exciting volume of our samurai/ninja tale of conquest. The back stabbing and plotting is so quintessential in these sorts of Japanese samurai epics, and Path of the Assassin creates this aura at a respectable high. The story is very intelligent and therefore very involving.
IN SUMMARY:
The compelling art and engrossing story supported by very realistic characters and motivations drive this series home, and make it a true classic. As far as samurai and ninja epics go, path of the Assassin is one of the best!
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