Hiroaki Samura's BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL

“Blade of the Immortal” is no less than an epic narrative in words and pictures told brilliantly and consistently engaging to an extent that few story lines achieve.  It has been for me one of the most complete, compelling and satisfying literary experiences I have known to date. It is on par with the greatest works of any genre or artistic form.

The series of graphic novels center around the cursed warrior; Manji an immortal that has killed hundreds of honorable warriors. His efforts are to rid himself of the gift/horror of an eternal life of fruitless blood and battle. In order to admonish himself it requires that he kill an equal number of disreputable warriors. His travels bring him together with a young girl; Rin. She wants to avenge her parent’s brutal and senseless deaths that she; by the way, was forced to witness. The murderers that Rin is seeking out; members of the group, Ittō-ryū are determined to erase the existing order by destroying every school of and ethical form of sword play in Japan. The  Ittō-ryū suite Manji’s needs to the letter as he becomes Rin’s companion and protector.     

Within the pages of this manga journey the reader finds passages of introspection, self-reflection and quiet interludes. While on the other end of human existence; along with and including anger, dismemberment, murder and shockingly, rape are elements of this novel of Feudal Japan. 

The hand drawn illustrations by artist/writer Hiroaki Samura are exquisite; achieve a rare beauty and graceful elegance. The movements of his battles are cinematic. The details of every element of the visual world he creates truly resonate and are in turn amazing. The writing of Samura is often refreshingly poetic, compelling and suspenseful. When appropriate and as needed Samura’s dialogue becomes as gritty as you might imagine in a story covering the vastness of personality types and situations depicted in this uniquely in-depth human drama.     

One of the best examples of the subtly of Hiroaki Samura’s hand is the bath sequence in Volume Nine “The Gathering II.”  It is among his most eloquent passages. The level of sequential story-telling is remarkable, the lines most intriguing. This level of achievement is rarely seen in any form; a joy to behold. As this particular book unfolds the reader becomes completely captivated. Samura’s writing is at it’s most terse, compelling and complete. If I were forced  to recommend a single volume of this series it would be this; “The Gathering Part II.”   

One aspect of “Blade of the Immortal” that might be off putting or disturbing is the Swastika that the swordsman Manji wears on the back of his kimono. It is explained by the author in “About the Translation” opening comments reprinted in each issue and abbreviated here as such:

 The Swastika was a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. It appeared on Mesopotamian coins and in multiple uses in North and South America. In Japan it has been a symbol of Buddhism since ancient times. The Japanese Buddhists called it the Sauvastika or Manji.  The main character in this narrative derives his name from the Buddhist. The Sauvastika also is a symbol of and believed to possess magical powers and probably appealed to the Nazis’ for these reasons. The origins of the Swastika as appreciated in 18^th Century Japan (the time period these writings reflect) were honorable and had no connection to the Third Reich. The author intends no pro-Nazi or anti-Semitic meaning in his story-telling or use of this symbol. The perversion and hate attached to the ancient Swastika began long after the time period depicted in this historical fiction.   

    

“Blade of the Immortal” was translated and originally published in the United States in standard monthly comic book format. Each issue represented one chapter. It has since been collected in paper-back additions by “Dark Horse” publishing with each new addition containing approximately six chapters. These collected volumes come together beautifully in this convenient form. Individually and as a whole these works are very satisfying and best read sequentially. There have been thirty of these books completing a thing epic in scope. In essence, becoming and representing the entirety and conclusion of a truly great; brilliantly crafted and lauded artistic series.

       

What the…Hellboy???

“The World’s Greatest Paranormal Investigator”

I’m sure this won’t be a huge surprise but; he’s the son of a demon and a witch. Fire red, shaved horns, cloven hooves, and tail are his signature look. His right hand (of doom) is a sort of sledge hammer and a key to opening  the Hadean Gates. Hellboy carries a very large gun “The Samaritan” that shoots his own patented fifty caliber “Demon Destroyer” bullets. His attitude; Bad...Capitol “B” Bad. There’s a small bit of a chip on his shoulder; he loves a good fight. Given this he’s actually a hero that fights the forces of evil. He has a soft spot for cats. No; he doesn’t eat them he adores them as pets and will do anything to protect them. Hellboy’s one of the good guys.

Writer/Artist Mike Mignola created Hellboy in 1993 and his creation became a hit as a comic book character almost immediately. Hellboy has been adapted to film, animation, novels and video games. His fan base continues to grow as one of the great incarnations of the imagination. Mignola’s man/creature started with the “look” from a single drawing he did for fun. The editors at Dark Horse Comics loved Mignola’s  work and talents; they urged him to create an original project for publication. Mignola choose to work from his “Hellboy” drawing and he created the themes and supporting cast around the character’s commanding presence. The Hellboy project was something that Mignola could put all of his favorite literary and entertainment influences into and use as devices. Monster films like “The Mummy” and “The Bride of Frankenstein,” gothic horror and ghost stories, pulp fiction, ancient myths legends and lore. It is even hinted at within the context of Hellboy's narrative that his mother was the descendant of Morgana Le Fey and Arthur Pendragon. Could Hellboy be the rightful heir to the British throne?

In the beginning…Professor Trevor Bruttenholm and a group of American soldiers rescued a tiny creature released from an inter-dimensional portal to a mysterious astral region opened by Grigori Rasputin and a group of Nazi’s during the Second World War. Hitler; in reality was very much interested in the occult and believed he could use it powers. The G.I.’s name the small creature with the oversized hand “Hellboy” on the spot and adopted and raised him as a human. Trevor Bruttenholm became Hellboy’s father and “The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense” (B.P.R.D.) was formed around Hellboy. He fights evil under the organizations banner.

“When things go bump in the night; we’re the ones who “bump” back.”
Trevor Bruttenholm

There have many writers and artist to imagine and contribute to the development of Mignola’s Hellboy; John Byrne, Bruce Timm, Christorpher Golden, Guy Davis and Rich Corben are a few but none are more immersed in the legend than film maker Guillermo Del Toro. The Hellboy films are rich tapestries and very faithful to the spirit of the characters and situations.

As with Mignola’s beginning the look of the movies are perfect. When Del Toro makes changes they only embellish and clarify what was previously published. The films are perfectly cast with Ron Pearlman in the lead. Pearlman is magnificent and born for the role of Hellboy. He is no stranger to heavy make up and prosthetics.  He makes it all look effortless and real as no other actor could. Most of Pearlman’s great roles have featured the actor totally immersed and hidden by masks and modifications. Vincent from television’s “Beauty and the Beast” was his first success. He was mesmerizing in that role. Pearlman is the Lon Chaney of our times; Del Toro the James Whale.

“Pan Cakes”

In conjunction with the release of the first Hellboy Movie DVD Mignola wrote a short story about the two year old Hellboy. The folks at the B.P.R.D. try to get a reluctant Hellboy to try a new treat for breakfast. He finally gives in and tastes pan cakes for the first time. He loves them. At the precise moment pandemonium breaks out in the city of Pandemonium (The Capitol City of Hell.) “It is the boy. He has eaten the pan cakes. He will never come back to us now.” A demon laments this to another minion of Hell. Hellboy has discovered what every small child knows. There is nothing so close to heaven as the pancake prepared with and given in love.

 Mignola have been honored with the top awards in the field of graphic novels and story-telling. In 2002 “Hellboy: Conqueror Worm” won the Eisner for “Best Limited series” and “The Art of Hellboy” won the 2004 Eisner for “Best Comics Related book.” The Eisner is the field’s chief award. Mignola holds his own with the all-time best.

There seem to be limitless avenues for Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. to travel. It is our pleasure to tag along for this infinite, immaculate ride.