The title Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai tells you most of what you need to know about this comic. He’s a ronin, he’s Robin Hood, he’s a samurai. The ronin were masterless samurai who lost their status by through the death or disgrace of their master or through their own actions. Some ronin we’re respected, other’s considered outlaws. There’s a particularly famous group of 47 ronin that, in a massive demonstration of loyalty and honor, fought to avenge their dead leader and then committed mass suicide. This comic recreates that legend, only with a Robin Hood theme. The story moves fast and loose without much character or plot development. The art is fairly fast and loose as well. (And reminds me more than a little of the art from Disney’s Mulan.) All in all, while the idea of retelling the Robin Hood legend in this context is an intriguing one, the execution isn’t particularly grabbing. Everything feels a little too rushed an sloppy. The most interesting part of this comic were the two illustrations by David Mack at the end. Honestly, I wish Mack had written and drawn the comic too. It couldn’t have hurt.
Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai
by Jeff Amano, Craig Rousseau
ISBN: 9781582405551
Image Comics, 2005
