As a child of the 1980s, I remembered watching the Incredible Hulk, which was one of Marvel’s first live action shows. As a kid, I always thought of him as a sad character. The character of Bruce Banner in the show is a fugitive scientist trying to keep his other self in check. For its time, it was a powerful character study, one that I would not appreciate until I became older.

The movies that came once Marvel decided to put one of their stalwart heroes to the forefront were a mixed bag. The movie with Eric Bana, didn’t quite deliver like fans would have wanted. While the movie with Edward Norton proved to what everyone hoped it would be. In the continuation of the masterful Ronin 5, the Hulk gets the spotlight in what is a unique exploration. 

In 5 Ronin #2, we’re taken to 1600 Japan, where a young man and his uncle are looking for a monk to help them with their problem, as bandits keep raiding their village. He refuses as he has taken a vow of peace, but when the villagers try to negotiate with the bandits, things start to fall apart. He comes to their aid, and mobilizes the village against the bandits, leading to a tense standoff, one which would see the village burn.  By issue’s end, then bandits are defeated, the villagers are safe and the monk returns to his quiet life in a monastery.

Overall, 5 Ronin #2 is a great issue which gives this iconic character a much deeper look. The story by Peter Milligan is fun. The art by Tomm Coker and David Aja is stunning. Altogether, a story which will remind many of Shane.

Story: Peter Milligan Art: Tomm Coker and David Aja
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle

Just like every fan of Marvel, I was quite excited when I s aw the trailer for What If? I even made a social media post when the series was announced, not only because it was a show I was excited for, but I personally collected all of the issues in the series of the second run in 1989. I loved how they put these very familiar characters in very different situations. Phase 4 of the MCU is all about how every choice leads down a different road.

This particular juxtaposition allows a world of possibilities which I believe will only leave fans more confounded in the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel. These recent onscreen interpretations reminded me of the dearth of similar explorations within their comics. One of the most celebrated ones being Neil Gaiman’s take on the X-Men, Marvel 1602. Thankfully, Marvel has been always liberal in the exploration of their canonical characters, which lead me years ago to find their masterful 5 Ronin, which puts some of their best characters in feudal Japan, starting with the X-Men’s brooding leader, Wolverine in the debut issue.

We are taken to 1600 Japan, and clans from the east and west have a standoff on the battlefield of Sekigahara and the narrator, a loyal samurai, his master falls during combat, rendering him a Ronin, left to be a sword for hire. As this samurai, who physically resembles Wolverine, is betrayed by someone who belongs to clan, who decapitates him, but weeks later, he reemerges. As his legend grows, as the “Ronin who cannot die”, but nothing is what as it seems. By issue’s end, we find out out they did not merely to belong to the same clan, but something much more, leaving fans both bewildered and entertained.

Overall, 5 Ronin #1an excellent debut issue which will have the reader wanting to put on a Kurosaka movie. The story by Peter Milligan is well researched and enthralling. The art by Tomm Coker and David Aja is beautiful. Altogether, a story which gives readers a different look at the most enigmatic hero of the X-Men.

Story: Peter Milligan Art: Tomm Coker and David Aja
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Purchase: comiXology