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Summary: Don't hestitate! Draw out your wallet!
Review: This is by far the best manga I have ever read. I've enjoyed Koike and Kojima's work in other manga -- but these stories are incredible. I couldn't put the book down. If you're reading this review, thinking about buying the book -- just proceed to checkout. It is worth the purchase.One reviewer commented on how the stories from the Dark Horse comics were different. The guys at my comic store set me straight: the owners of the series only allowed Dark Horse to reprint it in paperback if they did it THEIR way, by presenting the material exactly how it is sold in Japan (format, sequential order, etc.). So you're really getting an incredible work of artistry here, held up to high standards. The translation and notes (useful!) are really quite good. I love the manner the original Japanese is handled and am in awe. This is an awesome import from Japan. My favorite story is the 7th, Gomori-juku Hot Springs. Incredible mix of psychology and action.
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Summary: about this manga
Review: This is the MANGA of all Manga. It is the culmination of the lives of two master artisans and is better than any book (of any sort) i have ever read. Visually stunning and masterfully writen this book has brought me to levels of thought never achieved before with any novel (again, of any sort)-buy it, then buy the rest of the series.
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Summary: cutting-edge entertainment
Review: Though this diminuative-yet-thick book is the first in a 28-volume series, don't be discouraged by the price. It's not necessary to read every book in the series; each one can be enjoyed on its own (though the epic thread running throughout is worth every penny). This first volume serves as a solid primer to the larger story, but is just as satisfying as a stand-alone tale. Despite some minor missteps, this is one of the finest pieces of fiction out there, comic book or otherwise. It's easy to see how this series inspired descendants as diverse as Wolverine and "Road to Perdition." The depth of character, the kinetic artwork, and the richness of period detail established this as the pinnacle of the medium. There's a reason this series is legendary. See for yourself.
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Summary: Magnificent, a manga essential!
Review: Well, what can I say that the other reviewers haven't said already? This is a monumental graphic achievement, a must-have for lovers of any form of graphic narrative.The art is the best I've seen in manga, the pacing is perfect, and it is basically grounded in reality. It is fiction, but historical figures and details pop up constantly. It's so realistic, it's almost a textbook on the Japanese culture, philosophy, and bushido of the past. Hell, even a few of the sword schools & techniques are real! An absolute must.
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Summary: the arnold schwarzenegger of the eastern world
Review: What more could I ask for in a samurai epic? absolutely nothing, I tell you. Like some other people whose reviews of the book that I've read, the art did take a bit of getting used to for me, but sometimes it takes a while to recognize beauty beneath a rough surface. And the story -- well, the story takes no adjustment period in order to appreciate it. It presents Ogami Itto, master swordsman and the shogun's disgraced executioner, driven on a blood-soaked quest for revenge. With him is his downright loveable son, Daigoro. When I first heard that this samurai carried around his little kid, I thought, "Well, this is going to be stupid." Surprisingly, though, the kid is an irreplaceable piece of the story that makes it more than it would have been without his involvement. He is an indespensible part of his father's "business" and -- as is noted by several minor characters -- just as much a wolf as his father with the way that his innocent demeanor is used to deceive his father's enemies. The action scenes are better than any in Spandex World, and the violence, while explicit to the extreme, is not without purpose. While I read it, my mind was actually reset to ancient Edo-period Japan, and I couldn't wait to go out and get the other volumes. Ogami is a great action hero, with all the invulnerability of Arnold Schwarzenegger and much of the inventiveness of a 007 flick, without all the implausibility of either. Take my advice, if you like Japanese period pieces and action, buy these like they won't be there tomorrow.
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Summary: A big surprise in a small book....
Review: When I first saw the book, it looked so harmless. But the 300 plus pages are FULL of great artwork, truly amazing writing and samurai stories as good as any on the big screen (or the TV screen). NOT for the weak of heart. LOTS of blood and sword fighting, but also lots of great lines. And Cub is kind of cute too. Great bang for your buck.
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Summary: Lone Wolf and Cub--Absolutely Divine
Review: Who would think that a little browsing at the local bookstore could turn up such a gem? With deft skill, Koike and Kojima bring to life the travels of the Lone Wolf, Itto Ogami, and his Cub, Daigoro, seeking the next destination where money and blood flow freely. The stories are short, but well-paced, full of action and intrigue, with everything from the machinations of feuding clans to exquisite duels between sword masters. Kojima's art is fluid and expressive, if not breathtaking and cinematic, reminding one of a Kurosawa samurai film. Lone Wolf and Cub is a must-get manga for anyone who likes Japanese culture and history.
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