During the 1970s the comic book Lone Wolf and Cub was one of the most popular manga in all of Japan. Years later in the 80s, it was given Frank Miller cover art and titled Lone Wolf and Cub in the English version. This version was published by First Publications in America before they went out of business. The comic book followed the story of Ito Igami (Lone Wolf) an out of favor master executioner for the Supreme Shogun during the Tokugawa Era of Japan. He becomes an assassin for hire wandering rural Japan with son Diagoro fighting the good fight. They are followed and harassed by the Shogun's men, ninjas, bandits and all assortment of killers.
The story is well told in the movie Shogun Assassin released in the states during the 1980s, played powerfully by Tomisaburo Wakayama. He was a great kabuki actor who actually was a master martial artist, in addition, allowing him to portray the Shogun Assassin with powerful sword strokes, realistic martial arts, and visceral dialogue. The series ran 28 manga episodes originally in Japan and was reprinted entirely by Darkhorse in 2002. This is one of those sleeper titles that when Hollywood gets tired of the superhero movies; then they will remake this story. It is that good. This is a true epic hack and slash samurai sword festival of blood and gore at unparalleled proportions.
Anyone who likes samurai movies will love this comic as it is the big showdown between Lone Wolf and the Masters of Death. The Masters of Death are three special ops ninja guys each with a certain type of unique weapon. They are campy and fun finally engaging Lone Wolf in a showdown on the high dunes of a desert, quite cinematic. If you want to see the video, which rocks by the way; then check out Shogun Assassin the movie (not easy to get your hands on). Otherwise, enjoy the comic the great comic art and storyline presented in English for America to enjoy, buy Lone Wolf and Cub #4 it actually represents a decent investment too. The last sale for (9.8) mint condition copy was $59 and if you can even find a grade (9.6) it still sold for $24.95. The return on both of these two grades deserves a strong shout of "Bonzai!"
The grade (9.8) has returned positive +21.1% and (9.6) a positive +38.6%. To quote one of the Ninja Lord, "...the well is very deep Lone Wolf..." he may as well been talking about the return potential on this property. This book represents good value, strong story and a character just waiting for a movie to be made.
The terror in these books are not the ninja men, but the ninja women. They are innocent looking and deadly as vipers. The comic book Lone Wolf and Cub #1 by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima is the first appearance in American comics of the Lone Wolf. The mint condition (9.8) for this comic is $60 FMV currently. The return on this book is a positive +43.4% return on investment for grade (9.8) mint. There have been two sales for grade 10.0; I am skeptical. How does a 30-year-old comic book retain a perfect condition? But the two sales at gem quality grade and have been as mighty as Lone Wolf's sword technique, reaching $620 in February 2018 and $500 in December 2016. Furthermore, the trend on returns for these two is positive +24% for (10.0) gem. Does someone know something we don't? Hmmm. Be that as it may, this book is a great read and should be able to be picked up for almost nothing in your local bargain bin. Yep, I have a (9.6) that I pulled out of the bargain bin in almost perfect condition for $.50 cents. Sharpen your swords and hack and slash through back issues until you rescue a copy of Lone Wolf and Cub for yourself.
