In my youth, I spent many a magnificent time watching my favorite cartoons as I did (and still do, for that matter). All the while I cared not for the hours that passed, the TV set a ripple in time and space where all else is still in a universe, containing naught but myself and the beautiful animations before me. Amongst this choice selection of cartoons, which I hold very close to my heart, was Samurai Jack, an epic tale, if ever there was one, of a samurai who must go back in time in order to defeat a vivacious villain and save his homeland from utter destruction. As I grew, so did the plotline and my attachment to Samurai Jack, yet ill were the fates as my episodic love never came to its most deserved conclusion, and the future of Samurai Jack still hung suspended in the airs of uncertainty, viewers wondering were his road would lead. Unfortunately, we would never know…. Until now!
With the combined support of IDW and Cartoon Network, creator Genndy Tartakovsky has brought Samurai Jack back into the spotlight of awesomeness by continuing the series and bringing us ever-closer to the much anticipated resolution of this gloriously tragic marriage of joy and misery. Through the writing of Jim Zub and the iconic art style carried through by Andy Suriano, Samurai Jack seems to have been resurrected in a manner that transcends its original with a new set of adventures and stories to unravel, without ever coming across as dependent on the franchise’s former glory. Instead, what we find in the first volume is an expansion upon the intricately laid foundation that embraces the feel of its predecessor whilst charging creatively forward into a new era of the life of Jack, or so he’s called.
This first volume of Samurai Jack, in all its ‘paper and ink’ splendor, entails the series’ first major story arc; the Threads of Time. Here, he who is referred to as Jack (side note: it would be interesting to see a thorough Samurai Jack origin story told in never-before-seen exquisite detail) continues his journey to go back in time, seeking the Rope of Eons to send him back and finally defeat Aku. However, it was Aku who previously used and exploited the powers of the Rope of Eons, eventually destroying it to prevent others from sharing his marvelous fate. Fortunately, a seer informs Jack that its threads, the Threads of Time, still exist and, more importantly, each contains a segment of the rope’s time-warping magic. Thus, Jack pushes forward over the course of six issues, putting together the eight Threads of Time in order to reconstruct the Rope of Eons. As finely stated by the comic’s own, Jim Zub, “each [issue] will have its own challenges (physical, mental, and emotional) for Jack to overcome,” and indeed Jack finds that each encounter demands a distinct form of individual growth in order to achieve success. Without giving too much of the story away, Jack faces a gladiator setting led by a monster by the name of Dreezun, a mischievous and malevolently formidable duo, a man doomed by his hopes (I will say no more!), a beauty-obsessed queen and, as anticipated, Aku.
Where the future of Jack is concerned, that is up to you to figure out, but I will say that I absolutely enjoyed reading Volume 1 of Samurai Jack and duly lie awaiting the next; anxious to read on and see what happens next. It would be dishonest of me to state that my joy in reading this comic was unaffected by my childhood pleasures, especially as the experience transported me to an earlier time, breaching the barriers of tangible comic book matter to place me in front of the very same TV set of my earlier years. That said, it was a fabulous read in and of itself that combined both the intense, nitty-gritty action and the charming humor, which comes naturally to the franchise, in various new settings while embracing the truly iconic, beautiful art style.
I don’t exaggerate when I say that the visual component to this piece, which is so integral to its awesomeness, is sincerely gorgeous. To those that have not had the pleasure of witnessing the aesthetic appeal at its animated origin, this rendition is special for the following reasons: while it may not be the most realistic depiction of a time-travelling, sci-fi-meets-martial-arts-frenzy scenario, unless an alternate dimension indeed follows these cartoony wonders, it is sufficient to not only define the setting and notable characteristics (where characters, environments, etc. are concerned) but also leave room for the imagination to take hold of the reigns and run free. Also, the striking usage of color, with plentiful contrast, richness and sharpness, or lack thereof, complements the narrative wonderfully with a synergy of words and pictures to form the foundation for a masterpiece, if executed correctly. This isn’t to say that the writing was lacking, rather that the possibilities are endless, and doors have been opened to the continuation of a Samurai Jack universe that seems to only expand in depth and greatness.
In speaking on the depth and greatness of Jack and his adventures, it must be said that not all tales are created equal, and, as expected, some are more lavish and exquisite than other, slightly less ravishing features. The issue that stood out most to me in this volume, whilst wholly attempting to withhold vital plotlines, was that of the man who longed for home- does it seem familiar? Here, Jack’s own dilemma is mirrored through the voice of another, thus providing a reflection through which to grow and mature. In the aforementioned issue, the enemy Jack faces is not a mindless, albeit magnificent set of killer drones, or the cunning wickedness of Aku, but an idea; and as fabulously summarized in the V for Vendetta movie, ideas are paramount and limitless. To face a man is one struggle, but to overcome ideologies proves to be a learning ground even for our beloved disciplined samurai. I, personally, appreciate thoughtful intricacies in character development, in their mental and emotional growth as we delve deeper and deeper into their true selves that lie beyond the superficiality of the medium. However, there were some less thoughtful issues in this volume, not to say that they were bad, rather they were ‘off the hook’ and exciting in their own right. And hey, once you see that look in Jack’s eyes, that just screams defiance and masterful aggression, you know things are getting intense, and intensity is one thing Samurai Jacks never fails to deliver.
Looking forward, I am incredibly excited for future editions, and anxious to see how the fates will treat ol’ Jack. With each and every step bringing us closer to the dreaded yet anticipated finale, I hope to see this series continue to push the boundaries of our expectations and drive the story forward, and so far, IDW and Cartoon Network are doing just that- keeping Samurai Jack awesome. Speaking on the now, however, it’s clear that grander adventures are in store for our favorite samurai, and Aku will always be present to foil Jack’s attempts at redemption. I completely recommend picking this up to everyone, with or without prior knowledge of the universe, right now. I’m not even kidding, you need to read this. What are you waiting for? Go on. That’s it. You won’t regret it!
