Ronin, by Frank Miller

If my posts have seemed infrequent recently, it’s because they have been – I have been ill recently, and as such I haven’t been doing much with my life. I use this blog most self-indulgently to rant about stuff I’m feeling passionate about (and thus avoid boring my peers with whatever-it-is), but the passion has been sadly lacking recently..

Despite this, I read re-read Frank Miller’s graphic novel epic ‘Ronin’ yesterday, and holy sci-fi I’d forgotton how good it is. I know what you’re thinking – another graphic novel review/recommendation from me? Of, once again, one of the most famous graphic novels out there? That’s not useful!

Well, screw you guys.
Only joking, I love you really. But for those comic fans – or, even science-fiction fans who appreciate beautiful comic artwork – who haven’t yet had the fortune to discover Miller’s Ronin, let me introduce you to it.

It looks like a fantasy story, right?
And in some ways, it is. It does have the samurai-vibe goin’ off. Kinda.

But at it’s heart, this tale is undeniably sci-fi, set in a future-gone-apocalyptically-bad, and filled with strange technology. I don’t want to give too much away here, but the main plot device is biocircuitry – living machinary, created for the good of mankind.
The story is a convoluted journey, taking twists that you honestly wouldn’t expect on the first readthrough.
If I’m totally honest, I didn’t understand the story on the first readthrough.

It is complex, mystical, genre-crossing and best of all, the artwork is stunning.

I’m not sure why, but looking up Ronin on Google Image Search didn’t find me any pics which I felt showed off the artwork in it’s full majesty. In fact, the art looks really different on screen. Maybe it looses something in being scanned, or maybe the art is most striking over many pages, but I didn’t even recognise it on screen.

So I guess to really appreciate it you need to find a copy of the book and take a look for yourself.

If you haven’t read Ronin, and you like comics, then what are you waiting for?
If you don’t read comics but love good sci-fi, then… Well, Ronin isn’t an easy read, but it certainly might be worth a look. I have owned the book for over a year, and feel that I am only now appreciating it for the genius it is.

If you’ve read it before, go re-read it!
NOW.

It is good for you.

~ by abisnail on 15 April, 2009.