Lone Wolf and Cub by Kazuo Koike

I don't want to start a huge debate about American foreign relations, but I can say that it is a shame that some Asians do not get the attention they deserve.

Before there was Jackie Chan and Jet Li and Lucy Liu, there was Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee was a monster martial artist. He trained himself in several disciplines. This included disciplines that had little to do with Kung Fu like boxing and fencing. He wanted to create what he felt was the perfect fighting system. He trained extensively and taught others when it was frowned upon to do so.

But Bruce Lee never really go this due. American television executives felt that we were not ready for Asian television stars. "They had Sulu [Star Trek: TOS], wasn't that enough?" When Bruce Lee created the television show Kung Fu, the title role was given to David Carradine, a white American. Bruce Lee was passed over for the role he was born to play and wrote for himself

I am in no way defending the television executives. Maybe they felt Pearl Harbor was too recent. Then again, Bruce Lee is not Japanese and... Well, there is just no excuse for that. David Carradine of all people?

I have to admit that television is a business and as frustrating as it may have been, I bet Bruce Lee understood that also. But if you make a decision like that, you have better be right. They were not. After 3 seasons, Carradine quit because the role was too physically taxing. Can you imagine the kind of stories and Kung Fu we would have gotten out of that show?

Because of attitudes like this we miss a lot of really good people and projects out of China, Japan, and other Asian countries.

If you have never heard of it, it is my pleasure to be the first to introduce you to Lone Wolf and Cub. Lone Wolf and Cub was created by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. These gentlemen are the grandfathers of modern Japanese comics.

But do not get me wrong, Lone Wolf and Cub is quality through and through.

The Story
A Ronin (a masterless samurai) wanders through ancient Japan with his small child in a rigged babycart. He has as sign that says "son for hire, sword for hire". He offers his unique services those who need it. Once hired, he will do anything necessary to acheive his goal. The very idea of Ogami Itto and his son Daigoro gives hope to the desperate and vengeance for the disenfranchised.

They walk the path of meifumado. A path to Buddhist hell that will lead them to achieving their personal vendetta. The first book, "The Assassin's Road" sets the tone of the series. This volume contains nine stories.
1) Son for Hire, Sword for Hire.
2) A Father knows his Child's Heart, as only a Child can know his Father's
3) From North to South, from West to East
4) Baby Cart on the River Styx
5) Suio School Zanbato
6) Waiting for the Rains
7) Eight Gates of Deceit
8) Wings to the Bird, Fangs to the Beast
9) The Assassin's Road

Why is it so good?
At 28 volumes (5-10 vignettes per volume), this story is epic. Though is sounds expensive, a reader could collect Spider-Man for a whole year, spend as much money, but never get any closure. The year starts with Mary Jane held hostage, the year ends with Aunt May held hostage. Lone Wolf and Cub as a beginning, a middle, and an ending. And what as ending it is!

One of the strengths of this series is the attention to the minor detail of ancient Japanese life and culture. Each volume contains a glossary and several asides to explain certain differences between both modern vs ancient and Eastern vs Western attitudes.

These books are not for children. They contain many adult situations and graphic sword play.

Start with the first volume and you will be hooked!