Ronin Island #1
Recap
After a mysterious attack wipes out the major cities of 19th century Japan, Korea, and China, survivors from all three lands find refuge on a hidden island and build a new society.
Hana, the orphaned daughter of Korean peasants, and Kenichi, son of a great samurai leader, have little in common except for a mutual disdain for the other. But these young warriors will have to work together when an army invades the island with shocking news: there is a new Shogun and the Island is expected to pay fealty in exchange for protection from a new enemy...a mutated horde that threatens to wipe out all humanity.
Review
To start this review, I would like to explain that I feel I wasn’t the right person to review this book. I absolutely loved the book but I feel that there is a cultural significance that I couldn’t possibly grasp in full as it is not my culture.
Providing an entertaining opening to could easily be a great series, this issue starts out seeming like it could easily be a simple slice of life or coming if age story but then ups the ante before truly kicking it into high gear.
The story creates an interesting world where survivors from three different cultures have to live together after a great tragedy. The combination of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cultures melding into a single society creates an interesting dynamic and then the drama builds when the Shogun, believed to have not existed for 30 years, shows up to demand fealty in exchange for protection from a new great threat. This issue provides a truly fascinating story with a good flow as well as as masterful world building despite all taking place on a single island.
The art is beyond perfect for the story; with obvious inspirations from traditional Asian art without being to specific to one culture. The pencils and colors both have an odd tranquility to them while still portraying action in a real and dramatic way.
This isn’t a typical story I would expect from a comic book but it is done amazingly and has a very natural feel in all ways. This is sure to be a great series.
Final Thoughts
A truly unique book that presents a great blend of Asian culture before providing a very interesting source of conflict.
Ronin Island #1: Together in Strength
- Writing - 9.5/109.5/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Art - 9.5/109.5/10
- Color - 9.5/109.5/10
- Cover Art - 9.5/109.5/10