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97th out of 1,514 books
—
3,103 voters
Ronin
by
Frank Miller
Frank Miller wrote and illustrated this tale of a silent, unstoppable warrior from 13th-century Japan who is reborn into 21st-century New York City to do battle with his ancient demonic enemy.
Paperback, 302 pages
Published
March 1st 1995
by DC Comics
(first published 1983)
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This was absolutely fantastic, a mindbending, ecelectic mix of a Lone Wolf and Cub style Samurai epic, thrown in with a little bit of 2001: A Space Odyssey, with a pinch of demonic horror, just for good measure. All wrapped up in Frank Miller's first original outing, a story for which I find incredibly hard to believe I went this long without hearing any praise.
It follows a dishonored, masterless, 13th century Japanese warrior, a Ronin, who has failed his master in battle, leaving the Ronin to w...more
It follows a dishonored, masterless, 13th century Japanese warrior, a Ronin, who has failed his master in battle, leaving the Ronin to w...more
1 like · like · see review
view all 4 comments
This was an amazing book. Even though i thought it was very confusing the pictures told the story for me. Ronin was a the main character that was played in the story. He is looking for revenge for his master. His master was killed by a Demon. This story was very adventurous, a lot of blood and killing. The story itself is traveling back and forth and being told in 2 places. One in the fantasy world and another in the real world. i was confuse if the settle for the real world was high tech or not...more
This, my first time reading Frank Miller, is perhaps colored overmuch by the man's recent notoriety. Many of my favorite writers have revealed themselves as nutcases only after I had enjoyed their works (Orson Scott Card, Dan Simmons, and Larry Niven among them). But with Miller's new Holy Terror removing the ambiguity of 300's xenophobia, perhaps I'm unfairly turning my nose up at material my adolescent self would dig (Why I didn't click with this when I loved the first few volumes of Preacher...more
I think I purchased this book either late in junior high or early in high school, but haven’t actually gotten around to reading it till now. I’m not sure why I waited so long to read it. I certainly remember flipping through the book a number of times; I even started and stopped reading it a number of times. I guess after 10 years of it sitting on a shelf I thought I should finally read it.
The best thing I like about this book is that it’s nearly impossible to sum it up with just one sentence....more
The best thing I like about this book is that it’s nearly impossible to sum it up with just one sentence....more
This is an often overlooked classic. It's difficult to emphasize how radical this book was when it appeared. Well before Miller did the Dark Knight returns, he realized, here, most of his well-known tropes---from the apocalyptic Nazi dominatrix to the CHUD to the samurai to the hero who is haunted by his past, to the point of incapacitation---and then driven to act by the evil in the world. If you read this after reading his other work, it's like a Rosetta stone to everything he made afterward....more
May 24, 2011
Julian
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
graphic-novels,
library
I am uncertain about my feelings for this book. I enjoyed it, and I didn't enjoy it. I suppose that would be what's called conflicted. I usually judge my enjoyment of books by how quickly I burn through them coupled with how easily or often I fall asleep reading something. This book is only 304 pages and I read it over the course of about 5 days. Too long, in my mind, so I started to wonder why.
The ideas I liked: the severely deranged and developmentally challenged telepathic/kinetic man fascina
This is an overlooked classic. It's difficult to emphasize how radical this book was when it appeared. Well before Miller did the Dark Knight returns, he realized, here, most of his well-known tropes---from the apocalyptic Nazi dominatrix to the CHUD to the samurai to the hero who is haunted by his past, to the point of incapacitation---and then driven to act by the evil in the world. If you read this after reading his other work, it's like a Rosetta stone to everything he made afterward.
Narrat...more
Narrat...more
okay, so, i liked it.
i have to say that i dont think everyone would like this, though. it is almost a strange mix, blending samurai with sci-fi, but i thought it was entertaining enough. the art was pretty good--not miller's best, but still pretty good. obviously, he took a lot of influences from japanese manga in this, and you could tell that because DC was looking over his shoulder, her couldnt draw everything he wanted. and i think you know what i mean if you've seen any of his other stuff. i...more
i have to say that i dont think everyone would like this, though. it is almost a strange mix, blending samurai with sci-fi, but i thought it was entertaining enough. the art was pretty good--not miller's best, but still pretty good. obviously, he took a lot of influences from japanese manga in this, and you could tell that because DC was looking over his shoulder, her couldnt draw everything he wanted. and i think you know what i mean if you've seen any of his other stuff. i...more
Sep 08, 2009
Dave Maddock
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
graphic-novels,
sci-fi
The first Frank Miller book I've read. The fact that it happens to be early Miller wasn't intentional. I enjoyed the writing, but didn't love the art. The "bubbly" design and sickly coloring used for the bio-circuitry future was god-awful. The regular two-page spreads showing the growth of the Aquarius complex worked conceptually, but again the art wasn't great. Multi-page spreads need to be worth the extra real estate and these weren't; they were scribbly and ugly, but not in an intentionally g...more
Frank Miller is not a name that carries the connotation it used to hold. Once considered one of the greats of the comic world, his work had plummeted into what can only be described as the depths of hell (his last graphic novel "Holy Terror" can only be described as a work so awful its existence has damaged the entire medium of comics). But early in his career, when he still had artistic merit, he created "Ronin." This graphic novel is... Bizarre to say the least (it was the prime inspiration fo...more
Seperti kebanyakan karya Frank Miller yang lain, graphic novel ini gelap dan sangat sinis. Di akhir cerita, ada sebuah twist yang cukup menarik, sehingga mengubah konsep dasar dari cerita ini. Kabarnya, film animasi Samurai Jack banyak terinspirasi dari graphic novel ini... pantas saja kemiripannya banyak terlihat.
Konsep biocircuitry sangat menarik. Di sebuah masa depan khayalan, Amerika sudah hancur dan satu-satunya tempat berlindung yang aman adalah di Aquarius. Sebuah benteng yang dibangun se...more
Konsep biocircuitry sangat menarik. Di sebuah masa depan khayalan, Amerika sudah hancur dan satu-satunya tempat berlindung yang aman adalah di Aquarius. Sebuah benteng yang dibangun se...more
Aug 19, 2011
Rajesh.amigos
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Graphic Novel Fans, Frank Miller Fans
Shelves:
graphic-novels
I dont really know how to rate this book; but since it is such a great book I will give it a try :)
First of all, the reason why I dont rate this book as a must read; after reading it I felt cheated.
Ronin is not really a book the cover, name or even the reviews suggest. It has ALMOST nothing to do with Samurai, or to be precise Ronin.
To give it it's due credit; this is a fiendishly clever but twisted piece of Science Fiction.
It is not an easy book to read, but once you get the hang of it, one jus...more
First of all, the reason why I dont rate this book as a must read; after reading it I felt cheated.
Ronin is not really a book the cover, name or even the reviews suggest. It has ALMOST nothing to do with Samurai, or to be precise Ronin.
To give it it's due credit; this is a fiendishly clever but twisted piece of Science Fiction.
It is not an easy book to read, but once you get the hang of it, one jus...more
This is a very fun story, well-written and engaging -- but what really blew me away was the artwork. When drawing images of an imaginary future, people tend to pull from sterotypes in design, but Miller has created a new visual world, unlike any other. His interpretation of what a bio-mechanical city would look like is unique -- but also, simply the way he is using pen and ink to make the images on the pages is exhilarating.
When reading Ronin, it's important to remember that it was published 30 years ago, a full year before Gibson's seminal Neuromancer and years more before cyberpunk reached mainstream cultural consciousness. With that in mind, it really was ahead of it's time in its presentation and the incorporation of Asian elements into a science fiction motif.
While I've only given it two stars, both are for it's outstanding artwork: the color palette and textures are gorgeous, and Miller has a flair for the ci...more
While I've only given it two stars, both are for it's outstanding artwork: the color palette and textures are gorgeous, and Miller has a flair for the ci...more
A classic, often eclipsed by Frank Miller's more prominent work. First one of his books I ever read, before I was old enough to know who he was. Incredible artwork and an amazing story that is begging for the big screen treatment, like Kurosawa-meets-Blade Runner!
This is pretty much summed up as Samurai Jack for adults. Which is amazing when you really think about it. The beginning of this graphic novel starts out as a pretty standard story of a samurai who had the luck of failing his master. Before you know it, the excitement sets in and there is a heavy battle going on in every page. The words are written in a stream of conscious style with enough inner turmoil filling each page so that you're satiated until the very end. Certainly not for everyone, bu...more
...In this graphic novel about the 13th century warrior,Ronin, Ronin is given a second chance to avenge his master's death. He finds himself reincarnated in a 21st century corrupt New York City. His stubborn self finds that the only way to avenge his master is to defeat his master's killer, the reincarnated ancient demon Agat. In a foreign place he is out matched and at risk at losing his life.
...This graphic novel deals with the idea of a second chance and being able to do what you weren't ab...more
An earlier Frank Miller work, I consider this inessential, but not a total waste of time. Great visuals and some interesting science fiction concepts, but presented in such a way as to be difficult to follow, despite being not all that complex. Seeds of Miller's current full-blown reactionary politics are hinted at here, but one might think from reading this that the author was politically progressive. Also on display are some of the artistic, aesthetic, and storytelling talents which are better...more
A brilliant piece of story telling, that had an element of suspense–with an unexpected twist–I did not expect. The way in which Frank Miller uses the comic page shows his mastery not only of narrative fiction, but narrative fiction in this particular medium. Yes, this is a cliche, but the story did pull me in, and is crafted in way that you become engrossed it in immediately, as if it is actually happening. The visual dimension of this story adds to that, increasing the efficacy of the story's a...more
Art wise not near the high levels of his seen in Sin City,The Dark Knight Returns,Daredevil,300.
Nov 10, 2012
k.wing
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Frank Miller fans, comic book fans
I'm just going to go ahead and assume that all of the plot points of Ronin have already been shared in other reviews, so I can just jump right in to the good stuff.
Ronin is classic Frank Miller in two ways: 1. Great story with some twists, and 2. The hero constantly gets the shit beat out of him. Personally, I thought the middle dragged a bit, but the end of the story makes everything worth it.
If I may make a suggestion: read the biggest (I mean largest surface area) copy of this you can find....more
Ronin is classic Frank Miller in two ways: 1. Great story with some twists, and 2. The hero constantly gets the shit beat out of him. Personally, I thought the middle dragged a bit, but the end of the story makes everything worth it.
If I may make a suggestion: read the biggest (I mean largest surface area) copy of this you can find....more
a wonderfully bizarre blend of 'Yojimbo; 'Blade Runner' and the 'Matrix', written and drawn by frank miller, before he became FRANK MILLER!
Amazing art and story where frank was pushing the boundaries of what you could do with a comic book. Blew me away when I first read it, back in the dark ages, because there was nothing like it, and time and re-readings has done nothing to diminish it.
more than anything else that frank has does, Ronin is the one that gets frank on the genius list, and helps ke...more
Amazing art and story where frank was pushing the boundaries of what you could do with a comic book. Blew me away when I first read it, back in the dark ages, because there was nothing like it, and time and re-readings has done nothing to diminish it.
more than anything else that frank has does, Ronin is the one that gets frank on the genius list, and helps ke...more
I really wanted to like this, since I do enjoy most of Frank Miller's other work, but in the end, it just quite did not work for me. The premise of a feudal samurai transported to the future to confront his nemesis was an awesome one. The future dystopic setting was pretty good as well I thought, and the way the spirit of the ronin samurai taking over the limbless test subject was pretty good too. However, a lot of the plot is a pretty disjointed mess, and the art at times is extremely cluttered...more
I read that this is the precursor to The Dark Knight Returns, where Miller found his footing as a writing. It's got all the elements of Miller's writing and Lynn Varley's art - noir, violence, amazonian women, sharp lines and edges - that is familiar now from 300, Sin City, etc. Bewildering story, something about a 13th century ronin brought to a futurist 21st century post-apocalyptic NYC by a paraplegic telekenetic man-child. But who cares, it's good fun.
Just ok... I don't understand how some reviews are just dying over the art work. It looked as if a 12 year old drew it. Seriously. There were some decent scenes but that's about it. To compare this work to Sin City or DKR is just ludicrous. I hear they are making a movie of it which should be pretty cool. Just don't read this thinking you're gonna be nail biting it every page like Sin City or staring at amazing art like in DKR. Just good. Sketchy storyline.
2 likes · like · see review
Ronin has all the elements that grabbed my attention, sustained it and pleased. Excellent story telling and art work. One of the strongest temptations when telling any story in the future that involves robots is getting distracted by the technology and losing touch with the human components. Ronin never gave in to that temptation and remained solidly human through-out. This could make a great movie if the right director comes along.
Eh. Unlike Blue Monday I do know that I'm the target audience for a story about a Samurai warrior sent to a dystopian future to fight a demon written by Frank Miller but this didn't quite work for me, I liked it but I wanted to love it.
I'm a big Frank Miller Fan, I'm the kind of guy who can't wait to buy All Star Batman And Robin the two times a year it comes out (It's HILARIOUS, like John Waters wrote a comic book, c'mon!) and his art here is fantastically rough and dynamic. And I still say Fra...more
I'm a big Frank Miller Fan, I'm the kind of guy who can't wait to buy All Star Batman And Robin the two times a year it comes out (It's HILARIOUS, like John Waters wrote a comic book, c'mon!) and his art here is fantastically rough and dynamic. And I still say Fra...more
I will freely admit that I love the Absolute editions DC creates of their works. When I was 6 or 7, I remember getting an oversized -- GIANT was the words on the cover if I recall correctly -- of JSA Allstar comics. It' was the same size as the DC/Marvel team ups of the 70's. It was perfect for laying down on the floor and pouring over each frame. At the time, my reading skills weren't that good, but I remember the pictures. That's what the Absolute editions mean to me -- they make me feel like...more
Came highly rated but not exactly my type of graphic novel I guess. Reminds me of Quentin Tarantino movies which also I am not a fan off. Superb concept but meanders too much making it far to complex for me to really follow. Scope was definitely there but not fulfilled. TDKR was far superior but maybe that was it based on an existing character. Ronin was not given enough depth for me to get a feel of him.
Opinion of this one is mixed with many people not thinking as highly of it as of Miller's other work (Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, 300). I read this when I was young and reading mainly Daredevil and the X-Men. I was shocked by the tone and the "adultness" of it and still consider it a favorite. I read it again years later and still enjoyed it.
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Frank Miller is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. His most notable works include Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One and 300.
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