Books: Ronin

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Ronin
By Frank Miller
1984





Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/


No. Shut up. Frank Miller is a stone-cold genius. And - damnit - one of the best story-tellers of recent times: (and I'm not just talking about comics). Ok?

(Reaches for the music metaphors) like Bleach was to Nevermind, Definitely Maybe was to What's The Story (Morning Glory) and Spice was to Spiceworld: this (Ronin) is to the ever-so mighty Dark Knight Returns - the plucky, noisey and rowdy predecessor that might not be as poised and polished as what came after: but is still infused with the same golden touch (and - obviously - a small sub-section of fans who mistakenly think that's it's somehow superior - but whatever).

A brilliant mash-up of samurais and science-fiction with a solid steel grasp of what makes a story pop and explode in all the right way (the first chapter is an absolute masterclass in how to set up a world in a fun, dynamic, no nonsense way: trimming out all the unnecessary expository fat and leaving only the lean, mean action muscle).

Oddly reminiscent (or is this just me?) of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics (who must surely owe this book's mix of the far east and evil cybernetic baddies (set in a sprawling and filthy modern day New York) a debt of gratitude): this has the rollicking action and extreme passion for moody sword -wielding heroes and verbose evil do-ers that burns in the heart of every teenage boy all over the world: but contained and directed in expert and precise blasts in everything from it's panel construction to it's wild use of colour (mainly - it must be said - in green, green and more green). A book that's basically a joy to read from start to finish with a particularly devilish sense of humour ("Give you... ...my hands?").

Like it says: "It's the twenty-first century. Try to have an open mind."

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Links: Comic Book Resources Article, 4thletter Review, An Existential Nightmare Review, Uncharted Territory Review, Sean T Collins Review, The Comics Journal Article: Run of the Miller.

Further reading: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Akira, Hard Boiled, The Life and Times of Martha Washington in The Twenty-First Century, 300.

Profiles: Frank Miller.

All comments welcome.