By Don M. Ventura
5 Ronin #1
Marvel Comics
«««½
Peter Milligan begins a five-week mini-series with an interesting take on one of Marvel’s most recognizable heroes. Set in 17th Century Feudal Japan, a former samurai who looks (and acts) a lot like Wolverine finds himself confronted—and soon beheaded—by a mysterious samurai.
Turns out there a story about an immortal Ronin wandering the Japanese landscape and he also looks like Wolverine. Milligan uses an interesting spin on the character’s immortality, and sets up an interesting Elseworlds-style story. The remaining stories feature Psylocke, Hulk, Deadpool, and the Punisher.
Wolverine’s story does not end at the story’s close, so it would appear that the characters will all come face-to-face over the course of the tale. This was an enjoyable opener that I did not believe I would have enjoyed as much as I did. The art by Tomm Coker is striking and perfectly fitted for this type of story. Each page is gorgeous; Coker confidently draws fantastic Japanes landscapes and exciting battle scenes.
My only gripe about the book as there a few times where Wolvie is too in-character. He uses “huh” and “ain’t” a couple of times and it pulled me out of the story. A minor qualm though because this book was otherwise quite good.
