Madam Samurai, Vol. 1
Written by Gary Young
Art & Cover by David Hitchcock
Edited by Shane Chebsey
Scar Comics
Price: $12.99
Release Date: June 11, 2010

Madam Samurai is the interesting story of an unnamed, mute girl who learns the ways of the samurai from a ronin, or masterless samurai. The story begins in Victorian-era London, but then jumps back to 19thcentury Japan, where we see a young boy named Kazuo watch his mother commit a ritualistic suicide to honor the memory of her dead husband. Kazuo is taken in by another samurai and quickly becomes rivals with his biological son, Toshiro. Their sibling rivalry sets in motion the events that lead to the birth of Madam Samurai.

The writing in Madam Samurai is very captivating and cinematic. Gary Young‘s screenwriting background was very beneficial to the pacing of the story. Despite several flashbacks, the story does not get bogged down or obstructed by this device. In fact, every scene in the story was essential, which is a testament to the editing work of Shane Chebsey. The young Madam Samurai is an interesting protagonist, and we are able to watch her transformation from mute peasant girl to samurai’s pupil to would-be defender of the less fortunate in old London.

David Hitchcock‘s art, though black and white, is very vivid and vibrant. Hitchcock’s swordfights are very fluid, to the point where the reader may recall some of the classic works of Akira Kurosawa or other Asian filmmakers from that period. Since Madam Samurai is mute, her expressions speak for her, meaning that Hitchock’s art is the only way to convey her thoughts and ideas to the audience. Hitchcock stepped up to this challenge and his art really shines in the closeup panels of Madam Samurai. The reader can almost feel her determination and frustration on each page.

Madam Samurai is a unique twist on the classic samurai story and definitely deserves a wide audience. Fans of old Asian cinema, samurai enthusiasts, and lovers of interesting comics are in for a treat. Madam Samurai was originally conceived as a feature film before the comic was created. Fortunately, Scar Comics saw the great potential in this story as an ongoing comic series. Hopefully, the film will eventually be greenlit and produced. Until then, however, we have this unique comic that sets up Madam Samurai and her world and is a great read on its own, film or no film.