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Samurai Jack (IDW)
Samurai Jack, Vol. 1: The Threads of Time
The legendary samurai known only as "Jack" is stranded in a strange future ruled by the demonic wizard, Aku. His quest to return back to the past has tested him many times, but now the stakes are higher than ever. Can an ancient relic known as the Rope of Eons finally take him home? Collects issues #1–5.
120 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
About the author
Jim Zub
864 books278 followersJim Zub is a writer, artist and art instructor based in Toronto, Canada. Over the past fifteen years he’s worked for a diverse array of publishing, movie and video game clients including Disney, Warner Bros., Capcom, Hasbro, Bandai-Namco and Mattel.
He juggles his time between being a freelance comic writer and Program Coordinator for Seneca College‘s award-winning Animation program.
He juggles his time between being a freelance comic writer and Program Coordinator for Seneca College‘s award-winning Animation program.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 18, 2014
I’ve never seen the TV show or read any Samurai Jack books so I don’t know much beyond the fact that the protagonist is a samurai called Jack - I guess you could say I don’t know “jack” about this title (thank you, thank you! I’ll accept the Obvious Pun Award!) - but this book wasn’t bad.
Jack’s stranded in this weird future world by an evil wizard called Aku. To get back home Jack needs to collect the Threads of Time which, when brought together, will enable him to use chronomagic to return to where he wants to be. The setup reads a bit like a computer game which is to say its a simple, serviceable idea that gives you the bare bones of what you need to know and then throws you straight into the action.
Which is fine as the overarching and straightforward storyline of getting the various threads leaves writer Jim Zub open to write all kinds of stories within that framework, and the stories are varied and decent. To name just a few: Jack fights a bunch of monsters in a gladiatorial pit, frees people kept down by a crazy witch, and puts to rest a troubled ghost of a lost civilisation.
I wouldn’t say these are the most challenging stories and you do notice they become fairly formulaic as you go - Jack’s gonna fight and win then get the thread and move on by the end of each issue - but they’re totally fine for a simple adventure story and the writing is never offensively stupid.
I’ve seen a few pics from the TV show and Andy Suriano’s art matches the style so I’m sure fans will appreciate that. As a non-TV show fan, I liked the art - it’s got thick lines, Suriano’s characters are very expressive, and there’s real energy in the action scenes. The style is refreshingly down and dirty at times which makes a change from other mainstream comics that adopts a cleaner approach.
The ending is a bit unsatisfactory but then it’s an ongoing storyline so it needed to be open-ended rather than definitive. So did this book make me a Samurai Jack fan? I’m not going to seek out episodes of the TV show but if and when Volume 2 comes out, I’ll definitely give it a shot. Zub and Suriano are a strong creative team and together they’ve produced a pretty decent Samurai Jack book. And if you're already a fan, you'll probably love this.
Jack’s stranded in this weird future world by an evil wizard called Aku. To get back home Jack needs to collect the Threads of Time which, when brought together, will enable him to use chronomagic to return to where he wants to be. The setup reads a bit like a computer game which is to say its a simple, serviceable idea that gives you the bare bones of what you need to know and then throws you straight into the action.
Which is fine as the overarching and straightforward storyline of getting the various threads leaves writer Jim Zub open to write all kinds of stories within that framework, and the stories are varied and decent. To name just a few: Jack fights a bunch of monsters in a gladiatorial pit, frees people kept down by a crazy witch, and puts to rest a troubled ghost of a lost civilisation.
I wouldn’t say these are the most challenging stories and you do notice they become fairly formulaic as you go - Jack’s gonna fight and win then get the thread and move on by the end of each issue - but they’re totally fine for a simple adventure story and the writing is never offensively stupid.
I’ve seen a few pics from the TV show and Andy Suriano’s art matches the style so I’m sure fans will appreciate that. As a non-TV show fan, I liked the art - it’s got thick lines, Suriano’s characters are very expressive, and there’s real energy in the action scenes. The style is refreshingly down and dirty at times which makes a change from other mainstream comics that adopts a cleaner approach.
The ending is a bit unsatisfactory but then it’s an ongoing storyline so it needed to be open-ended rather than definitive. So did this book make me a Samurai Jack fan? I’m not going to seek out episodes of the TV show but if and when Volume 2 comes out, I’ll definitely give it a shot. Zub and Suriano are a strong creative team and together they’ve produced a pretty decent Samurai Jack book. And if you're already a fan, you'll probably love this.
January 1, 2015
ARC provided by IDW Comics through Netgalley
Of course I, like most people of my generation, was addicted to Cartoon Network, so I followed Samurai Jack's adventures, and even subscribed to the theory that Samurai Jack was set in the dystopian future of Powerpuff Girls' Townsville.
above: things that ruin your childhood, part the trillionth
For those unfamiliar with the story, Samurai Jack is stranded in a post-apocalyptic future ruled by the demon wizard Aku. His quest is to go back to his own time, defeat the demon wizard Aku, and thus prevent the terrible future he has witnessed.
In this volume, which comprises 5 issues, Jack starts searching for the Threads of Time, which are the shreds of the Ropes of Eons, used by the gods to mark the passage of time when the universe was formed, and torn by the demon wizard Aku once he mastered the sorcery of time travel.
If Jack can find a single strand of the Threads of Time, it'll lead him to the others and then send him back to his own time.
Will Jack finally be able to defeat the demon wizard Aku?
I really enjoyed the premise, it's original and the writing captures the tone of the show, right down to its most humorous aspects.
The artwork was pretty good, faithful to the show's distinctive style, especially when it came to action scenes.
As always, my only complaint is to do with IDW Publishing's poor quality of the ARC, but since the lettering and artwork in this volume were quite bold, it wasn't as difficult to read as previous ARCs from that publisher.
A must read for all fans of Samurai Jack who, like me, were left hanging when the show was cancelled!
September 19, 2016
A pretty cool continuation of the cartoon! If I'm being honest, my rating is a bit biased because the art is a little confusing at times (it is exactly like it is in the cartoon, but because these images are static, the action/movement lines make it a bit messy. However, having seen the cartoon, I can figure them out), but I love the ip too much to not give this one a five stars.
May 13, 2014
A fun little read, this graphic novel is a follow up to the Cartoon Network show, of which I admit I was a fan. As a graphic novel I still find it enjoyable, though not quite as fun as the animated series. As a short, take-a-short-break piece of visual fiction, it's perfect.
Cartoon Network's child-friendly stamp is definitely on these pages. There are moments when the story is obviously reiterated (for an audience who's reading the single issues) or where a moment is pointed out or simplified, likely intended for an audience not in-tune with subtlety. It follows Jack through a small series of adventures on his eternal quest to return to his own time and defeat his enemy, which is expected but satisfying for a follower.
The animation, also used in the show, is a good mix of contemporary anime influences and I quite enjoy it. The cast of characters is at times erratic, likely since it's intended for a young audience who will find the random funny. Read it with your young cousins.
Cartoon Network's child-friendly stamp is definitely on these pages. There are moments when the story is obviously reiterated (for an audience who's reading the single issues) or where a moment is pointed out or simplified, likely intended for an audience not in-tune with subtlety. It follows Jack through a small series of adventures on his eternal quest to return to his own time and defeat his enemy, which is expected but satisfying for a follower.
The animation, also used in the show, is a good mix of contemporary anime influences and I quite enjoy it. The cast of characters is at times erratic, likely since it's intended for a young audience who will find the random funny. Read it with your young cousins.
May 4, 2019
Read like an episode: gets one back to the status quo and you Jack gets to be awesome.
January 1, 2017
Fun book! When Samurai Jack the tv series (helmed by the legendary Genndy Tartakovsky) was cancelled over a decade ago, every fan despaired. The series hinges on a question - does Jack get Back to the Past™? Now, we'd never know. And still, that was ok - the (multiple Emmy winning) show we got was amazing unto itself; a masterclass in minimalist storytelling with fantastic art direction, even if it would remain open-ended.
But now, we've been gifted with not one but TWO unexpected surprises - the most recent being the news that the tv series proper is returning later this year, Genndy himself at the wheel, but no less welcome was the launch of this ongoing book, in 2013.
Back when there was no continuation of any kind in sight, this series, written by Jim Zub, drawn by a litany of artists, and blessed/overseen by Genndy, was conceived in order to try and answer the aforementioned question in an entertaining way while remaining faithful to the original vision. I can say that at least within this first volume, they seem to have succeeded.
Drawn in a style that emulates the show's, but isn't afraid to make its own identity, this comic also manages to emulate that particular blend of humor that was unique to the show. I should mention that while the television series was largely episodic, each 20 minute block its own self-contained story, Zub starts this series a little differently. Each of the 5 issues collected here reads like an episode of the show, but are linked together by an overarching story to form a mini-arc. It's a good choice, and helps the reader get back into the swing of things before things revert to the more traditional episodic style, as detailed by Zub in the Afterward.
But there's the all-important question, about the BIG question: does this series finally bring closure to everything, specifically Jack's story? Frankly, I have no idea yet. This is only 5 issues in, and no one (that I know of) has any idea of what the returning show will turn out to be, whether it will pick up where this series ends, or strike out on its own. However, even though this is only a sampling, I would not consider this a cheap offshoot or easy cash grab in any shape or fashion. As Phil LaMarr (the voice of Jack) writes in the Forward, "this is not a 'comic book adaptation' of the animated series; this is the story of the Samurai - continued." Lots of love went into this thing, and it shows. Definitely pick this one up if you're a fan from way back when.
But now, we've been gifted with not one but TWO unexpected surprises - the most recent being the news that the tv series proper is returning later this year, Genndy himself at the wheel, but no less welcome was the launch of this ongoing book, in 2013.
Back when there was no continuation of any kind in sight, this series, written by Jim Zub, drawn by a litany of artists, and blessed/overseen by Genndy, was conceived in order to try and answer the aforementioned question in an entertaining way while remaining faithful to the original vision. I can say that at least within this first volume, they seem to have succeeded.
Drawn in a style that emulates the show's, but isn't afraid to make its own identity, this comic also manages to emulate that particular blend of humor that was unique to the show. I should mention that while the television series was largely episodic, each 20 minute block its own self-contained story, Zub starts this series a little differently. Each of the 5 issues collected here reads like an episode of the show, but are linked together by an overarching story to form a mini-arc. It's a good choice, and helps the reader get back into the swing of things before things revert to the more traditional episodic style, as detailed by Zub in the Afterward.
But there's the all-important question, about the BIG question: does this series finally bring closure to everything, specifically Jack's story? Frankly, I have no idea yet. This is only 5 issues in, and no one (that I know of) has any idea of what the returning show will turn out to be, whether it will pick up where this series ends, or strike out on its own. However, even though this is only a sampling, I would not consider this a cheap offshoot or easy cash grab in any shape or fashion. As Phil LaMarr (the voice of Jack) writes in the Forward, "this is not a 'comic book adaptation' of the animated series; this is the story of the Samurai - continued." Lots of love went into this thing, and it shows. Definitely pick this one up if you're a fan from way back when.
December 5, 2017
Ahhhhh this brought back memories of the show's heyday. Fun read, if formulaic.
August 9, 2019
Samurai Jack was my favorite show growing up. The creativity of story, art and character defied the norms of most animation – from its borderless characters to its imaginative science fiction/fantasy premise, to minutes of silence at a time, to the range of episodes. (I even took a break from comics to review the episodes of Jack’s final season, which you can find on my blog, Reading Art.)
Zub and Suriano’s first volume of Samurai Jack feels like it was lifted from an original episode’s storyboards – the pacing, Jack’s dialogue, and the range of villains he meets along the way. The panels and colors are especially nostalgic (even with the character outlines) with some frames pulled directly from the show. There’s not much serenity, which can be hard to capture in panels, but the artistic tone is there – such as silent panels of Jack walking through different landscapes to communicate the length of his journey, a sequence used many times in the show.
Folks familiar with Jack will immediately understand the premise, and if not, a one-page summary paying homage to the animated show’s opening title will catch up new readers. As for the narrative, Jack’s quest to return to the past leads him to collect the threads of time, and he finds one in each issue. This structure also resonates with the show – more often than not, Jack sought portals and collected magical items to succeed in his journey, while helping villages and passersby along the way.
However, I’m not sure if this book is for adult fans who loved the show almost 20 years ago, (oh wow I’m going to pretend I didn’t write that,) or kids who are newcomers to Jack’s world who may have also seen the new final season. The villains are very cheesy, there’s unnecessary body humor, and the over exaggerated art often adds to the cheesiness instead of lifting up what made it unique in the first place. Many times it feel sloppy and unfinished rather than pushing the boundaries of creativity. (Aku was the most disappointing part of this, more on him later.) And yet, the book goes to great lengths to follow the pacing and feel of the animated show, sometimes too much – the ending is very disappointing and inherits the all or nothing aspect of the show and Jack’s mission.
A Samurai Jack book for young readers isn’t a worthless endeavor. It originally lived as a show that was meant for kids – and had quite a bit of silly humor. (All you need to say to a fan is “Jack and the Dragon” or “Jack in Wonderland” to get a lovely eye roll and accompanying groan in response) – I was one of those kids who simply loved it. And I completely accept that not all comics will be written with my age group in mind. But the comic book leans so far into that humor, it loses what made the show also accessible to adults, now the age group of folks who watched the series. (And I’m truly not sure if the comic is meant for kids who haven’t seen the show and how successful that model is.) Like Pixar, it’s possible to cater to multiple age demographics in one story, but it just isn’t done here. And I don’t see any adult reading this comic book and wanting to see the series; it’s not a faithful portrayal of it.
On a positive note, the best issue by far has Jack finding what looks like an ancient Greek city, and its hero named Gloer the Great; it hit the dark emotional notes from the show perfectly. (Aesthetically, it was also very similar to the Jack and the Spartans episode.) But the rest was very repetitive, not to mention predictable as hell if you are a fan of the show – oh and we can’t forget how the only woman in the whole book is a self centered queen who uses her beauty to stay in power. YIKES.
Aku finally arrives in the final issue, and my biggest grievance is how he’s so messily drawn – Aku is not an easy character to draw, but his flaming eyebrows, horns and curved teeth, not to mention shapeshifting black body, allowed for so many visual and almost visceral opportunities in the show. They are completely missed here. The feeling of true evil, the wow factor of his demonic powers is totally gone, and instead the fifth issue feels completely rushed instead of a climax worth reading up to. For a book that seemed to be crafting an homage to the series, this move undermined all of that work almost completely.
While it was a nostalgic read to be sure, I’d much prefer a more grown up book for original fans that the show couldn’t do on Cartoon Network. There are commentaries about dictatorships, loneliness and mental health, and the environment that were finally touched on in the last season, but the creators were too focused on wrapping up the series to bring those out. Or maybe Zub and Suriano can continue this one and IDW can hire me to write the grown up series 😉 I did write Samurai Jack fanfiction back in the day…
Zub and Suriano’s first volume of Samurai Jack feels like it was lifted from an original episode’s storyboards – the pacing, Jack’s dialogue, and the range of villains he meets along the way. The panels and colors are especially nostalgic (even with the character outlines) with some frames pulled directly from the show. There’s not much serenity, which can be hard to capture in panels, but the artistic tone is there – such as silent panels of Jack walking through different landscapes to communicate the length of his journey, a sequence used many times in the show.
Folks familiar with Jack will immediately understand the premise, and if not, a one-page summary paying homage to the animated show’s opening title will catch up new readers. As for the narrative, Jack’s quest to return to the past leads him to collect the threads of time, and he finds one in each issue. This structure also resonates with the show – more often than not, Jack sought portals and collected magical items to succeed in his journey, while helping villages and passersby along the way.
However, I’m not sure if this book is for adult fans who loved the show almost 20 years ago, (oh wow I’m going to pretend I didn’t write that,) or kids who are newcomers to Jack’s world who may have also seen the new final season. The villains are very cheesy, there’s unnecessary body humor, and the over exaggerated art often adds to the cheesiness instead of lifting up what made it unique in the first place. Many times it feel sloppy and unfinished rather than pushing the boundaries of creativity. (Aku was the most disappointing part of this, more on him later.) And yet, the book goes to great lengths to follow the pacing and feel of the animated show, sometimes too much – the ending is very disappointing and inherits the all or nothing aspect of the show and Jack’s mission.
A Samurai Jack book for young readers isn’t a worthless endeavor. It originally lived as a show that was meant for kids – and had quite a bit of silly humor. (All you need to say to a fan is “Jack and the Dragon” or “Jack in Wonderland” to get a lovely eye roll and accompanying groan in response) – I was one of those kids who simply loved it. And I completely accept that not all comics will be written with my age group in mind. But the comic book leans so far into that humor, it loses what made the show also accessible to adults, now the age group of folks who watched the series. (And I’m truly not sure if the comic is meant for kids who haven’t seen the show and how successful that model is.) Like Pixar, it’s possible to cater to multiple age demographics in one story, but it just isn’t done here. And I don’t see any adult reading this comic book and wanting to see the series; it’s not a faithful portrayal of it.
On a positive note, the best issue by far has Jack finding what looks like an ancient Greek city, and its hero named Gloer the Great; it hit the dark emotional notes from the show perfectly. (Aesthetically, it was also very similar to the Jack and the Spartans episode.) But the rest was very repetitive, not to mention predictable as hell if you are a fan of the show – oh and we can’t forget how the only woman in the whole book is a self centered queen who uses her beauty to stay in power. YIKES.
Aku finally arrives in the final issue, and my biggest grievance is how he’s so messily drawn – Aku is not an easy character to draw, but his flaming eyebrows, horns and curved teeth, not to mention shapeshifting black body, allowed for so many visual and almost visceral opportunities in the show. They are completely missed here. The feeling of true evil, the wow factor of his demonic powers is totally gone, and instead the fifth issue feels completely rushed instead of a climax worth reading up to. For a book that seemed to be crafting an homage to the series, this move undermined all of that work almost completely.
While it was a nostalgic read to be sure, I’d much prefer a more grown up book for original fans that the show couldn’t do on Cartoon Network. There are commentaries about dictatorships, loneliness and mental health, and the environment that were finally touched on in the last season, but the creators were too focused on wrapping up the series to bring those out. Or maybe Zub and Suriano can continue this one and IDW can hire me to write the grown up series 😉 I did write Samurai Jack fanfiction back in the day…
July 15, 2017
Ooo - this was good! I didn't realize how much I would enjoy a continuous story arc for Samurai Jack until I had it!
November 21, 2017
I had the theme song stuck in my head the whole time I was reading it.
October 14, 2017
I can keep this short, because this one is working on many levels, and it also falls short a bit--to no fault but the medium itself.
First, the art is great. While different from the show, it feels right and true. I loved it.
Second, the writing and story arc is perfect. I can totally see this as a series of episodes, and Zub does a great job capturing the world, and adding both some darkness and also some more humor.
So why four instead of five stars?
Well, Samurai Jack works so well as a show because of the pacing it can create. The stillness it invokes and juxtaposes with the action sequences are fantastic. Unfortunately, though, the graphic medium just can't capture that without hundreds of pages.
Admittedly, Zub does the best job possible, as I think these are well paced for comics; they just aren't the traditional "Jack" pace (if that makes any sense).
There's plenty to like here, and it's a definite read / buy for fans, but just be warned that it won't quite feel "right"--regardless of how great it is.
First, the art is great. While different from the show, it feels right and true. I loved it.
Second, the writing and story arc is perfect. I can totally see this as a series of episodes, and Zub does a great job capturing the world, and adding both some darkness and also some more humor.
So why four instead of five stars?
Well, Samurai Jack works so well as a show because of the pacing it can create. The stillness it invokes and juxtaposes with the action sequences are fantastic. Unfortunately, though, the graphic medium just can't capture that without hundreds of pages.
Admittedly, Zub does the best job possible, as I think these are well paced for comics; they just aren't the traditional "Jack" pace (if that makes any sense).
There's plenty to like here, and it's a definite read / buy for fans, but just be warned that it won't quite feel "right"--regardless of how great it is.
June 8, 2020
I've never seen the cartoon, but it feels like that medium is better suited for the story. There are plenty of battles and hordes of monsters, but nothing for the 14+ reader. The values showcased in the main character's quest are respectable - courage, dedication, honor, hard work. Unfortunately, there is little for the fans of true samurai, excepting the sword and some poses. It feels a bit like a waste of time.
Samurai Jack is sent into the future by the evil wizard Aku who has shredded the Strands of Time to the four winds. Jack must retreive the Strands to return to his time and defeat the wizard. He gets the first thread after facing several enemies in an arena. Their attacks are either dodged by Jack or directed into their own comrades who never faught side by side. The thread directs Jack to the other Strands.
Samurai Jack is sent into the future by the evil wizard Aku who has shredded the Strands of Time to the four winds. Jack must retreive the Strands to return to his time and defeat the wizard. He gets the first thread after facing several enemies in an arena. Their attacks are either dodged by Jack or directed into their own comrades who never faught side by side. The thread directs Jack to the other Strands.
February 21, 2019
Werepenguin Productions Remarks:
We were pleasantly surprised by how well this graphic novel captured the feel of the cartoon. Many of the panels are beautiful traveling scenes or utilize non verbal/vocal storytelling just like the cartoon.
Keywords: Time Travel, Twin Villains, Artistic
Content Description:
Violence and Gore: minor realistic (blood from cuts, nosebleeds, split lips, bruises) – Samurai Jack as a series uses robotic and magical villains to sidestep gore and killing and keep things more family friendly. A robot may be cut in half, or decapitated, etc. and there may be oil splatter or blood analogues.
Profanity: G
Sex and Nudity: None
Content descriptions are provided without value judgments. We want to maximize the fun and success rates of finding a new fandom. Since audiences vary in age, culture, and comfort levels we want to help people connect with something they’ll enjoy the most. To learn more about our content description writing process click here.
https://www.werepenguinproductions.or...
We were pleasantly surprised by how well this graphic novel captured the feel of the cartoon. Many of the panels are beautiful traveling scenes or utilize non verbal/vocal storytelling just like the cartoon.
Keywords: Time Travel, Twin Villains, Artistic
Content Description:
Violence and Gore: minor realistic (blood from cuts, nosebleeds, split lips, bruises) – Samurai Jack as a series uses robotic and magical villains to sidestep gore and killing and keep things more family friendly. A robot may be cut in half, or decapitated, etc. and there may be oil splatter or blood analogues.
Profanity: G
Sex and Nudity: None
Content descriptions are provided without value judgments. We want to maximize the fun and success rates of finding a new fandom. Since audiences vary in age, culture, and comfort levels we want to help people connect with something they’ll enjoy the most. To learn more about our content description writing process click here.
https://www.werepenguinproductions.or...
January 24, 2019
Samurai Jack animasyon filmlerini bilmeyen var mı? İnternete baktım, Cartoon Network kanalında 2001-2004 yılları arasında yayınlanmış ve 4 Emmy Ödülü kazanmış bu kısa çizgi film serisi. Türkiye'de de bir aralar yayınlanıyordu bu seri televizyonda.
Kısaca anlatırsak, Jack büyük bir imparatorun oğludur. Babası kullandığı sihirli kılıç ile Şeytan Aku'yu yenmiştir. Ancak Aku güçlenerek geri döner. Babasının başladığı işi tamamlamak Jack'in görevidir artık. Ancak Aku güçlerini kullanır ve Jack'i geleceğe, kendisinin hakim olduğu geleceğin dünyasına ışınlar. Jack de yapması gerekeni yapacak, sihirli kılıcı ve edindiği tecrübelerle yeni müttefikler edinip Aku'ya karşı savaşacaktır.
Kitaptaki hikaye hızlı, didaktik ve tarzı yüzünden oldukça sert, köşeli bir şekilde işlenmiş. Dizinin hatırına okuyun. Ya da önce bunu okuyun sonra diziyi izlemek için sebep olsun.
Kısaca anlatırsak, Jack büyük bir imparatorun oğludur. Babası kullandığı sihirli kılıç ile Şeytan Aku'yu yenmiştir. Ancak Aku güçlenerek geri döner. Babasının başladığı işi tamamlamak Jack'in görevidir artık. Ancak Aku güçlerini kullanır ve Jack'i geleceğe, kendisinin hakim olduğu geleceğin dünyasına ışınlar. Jack de yapması gerekeni yapacak, sihirli kılıcı ve edindiği tecrübelerle yeni müttefikler edinip Aku'ya karşı savaşacaktır.
Kitaptaki hikaye hızlı, didaktik ve tarzı yüzünden oldukça sert, köşeli bir şekilde işlenmiş. Dizinin hatırına okuyun. Ya da önce bunu okuyun sonra diziyi izlemek için sebep olsun.
April 29, 2022
3.5:
This review is coming from someone who has only watched a few episodes of Samori Jack.
Jack must find the threads of time so he can reverse the damage that Aku has caused. He must Journey all over the world in hopes of finding these various threads.
THE GOOD: The action in this volume was amazing. I mean, who doesn't want to see a samurai, beat up a bunch of monsters. The art style and colors go very well with the tone of the story.
THE BAD: The overall story is very straightforward. Don't go into this book thinking your going into a complex story. Afterall, this book is for kids. Also, it can get a bit repetitive, and the ending felt a bit rushed.
Ultimately I am able to forgive these problems, because of the fun I had reading this.
This review is coming from someone who has only watched a few episodes of Samori Jack.
Jack must find the threads of time so he can reverse the damage that Aku has caused. He must Journey all over the world in hopes of finding these various threads.
THE GOOD: The action in this volume was amazing. I mean, who doesn't want to see a samurai, beat up a bunch of monsters. The art style and colors go very well with the tone of the story.
THE BAD: The overall story is very straightforward. Don't go into this book thinking your going into a complex story. Afterall, this book is for kids. Also, it can get a bit repetitive, and the ending felt a bit rushed.
Ultimately I am able to forgive these problems, because of the fun I had reading this.
June 6, 2017
Episodio Extra di Samurai Jack ambientato dopo il finale della serie animata originale ma prima del finale della serie prodotto da adult swim.
In questa nuova avventura Jack scopre un nuovo modo per tornare indietro nel tempo ed annullare il dominio di Aku sul futuro, ma per completare la sua missione dovrà affrontare diverse avventure in diversi angoli del mondo e, in fine, affrontare il signore del male in persona...
Il volume presenta uno stile visivo incredibilmente fedele alla serie originale e assolutamente affascinante, ma purtroppo questo fa da cornice ad una storia decisamente troppo prevedibile, sopratutto nel finale, ma comunque estremamente godibile per i fan della serie.
In questa nuova avventura Jack scopre un nuovo modo per tornare indietro nel tempo ed annullare il dominio di Aku sul futuro, ma per completare la sua missione dovrà affrontare diverse avventure in diversi angoli del mondo e, in fine, affrontare il signore del male in persona...
Il volume presenta uno stile visivo incredibilmente fedele alla serie originale e assolutamente affascinante, ma purtroppo questo fa da cornice ad una storia decisamente troppo prevedibile, sopratutto nel finale, ma comunque estremamente godibile per i fan della serie.
June 12, 2017
So, I never had cable as a kid and only got to watch a couple of episodes of Samurai Jack....wow was I missing out on something spectacular! I'm watching it recently (I'm on Season 2) since it returned to adult swim. This book is really nice, I feel like the art style vivid colors are beautiful and the few panels really have the Samurai Jack feel to them. A couple of the stories have the same vibe of the episodes. Sometimes I feel this book looks really busy. If I see the next graphic novel I will probably pick it up. ~Ashley
September 1, 2018
Just the art warrants a five star review. I usually sell back trades to,the used book store but I hang onto the exceptional ones. This is an exceptional one.
Jack continues his quest to go back in time and undo Aku’s evil. He discovers an artifact called ‘The Rope of Eons’ that has the ability to undo Aku’s treachery once and for all but there is a terrible price to pay for it.
Great story boarding and storytelling. A must read for fans of the animated series.
Jack continues his quest to go back in time and undo Aku’s evil. He discovers an artifact called ‘The Rope of Eons’ that has the ability to undo Aku’s treachery once and for all but there is a terrible price to pay for it.
Great story boarding and storytelling. A must read for fans of the animated series.
July 20, 2022
Cartoon Network always SLAPS!
Samurai Jack was a captivating show when I was younger with a different style and story I have been obsessed with since then, and this story proves how amazing the storytellers are!
Samurai Jack was a captivating show when I was younger with a different style and story I have been obsessed with since then, and this story proves how amazing the storytellers are!
May 16, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up.
I remember watching Samurai Jack growing up and when I saw this graphic novel, I couldn’t resist reading it. Fantastic art, characters, and stayed true to the original source material.
I remember watching Samurai Jack growing up and when I saw this graphic novel, I couldn’t resist reading it. Fantastic art, characters, and stayed true to the original source material.
June 28, 2017
it was pretty good. I'd say it consisted of one or two episodes worth of story.
July 8, 2017
As a fan of the show, I was excited when I saw this on the bookshelf. The story is much like the iconic cartoon and didn't disappoint. The art work is amazing and enhances the story.
November 27, 2017
i never watched this cartoon growing up, but i enjoyed it in this format
April 21, 2018
Loved it so much!!!! Must read if you love the series!!
August 10, 2020
ايه اللطف دا
March 30, 2021
I watched the show casually a few years ago. I think this may be a case where the show is better than the book. The comic is fine, but it doesn't seem to improve upon the show in any way. It's been a while since I've seen and episode and I think I'll watch one soon to verify my impression.
February 1, 2024
Loved it! The art style is just as I remember it from the cartoon. The story was interesting as well, did not feel boring at all. Left me wondering about what happens next with Samurai Jack.
February 5, 2017
Words can not describe the epicness of this book!
February 7, 2022
The story and artwork was almost like watching the television show. The only thing missing was the voices, which my memory filled in as best as it could. I did appreciate that the storyline in this volume carried over through all five chapters for a complete story arc, as opposed to the vast amount of the cartoon episodes, which were discrete stories with little connection between them. As a wandering samurai, Jack has so many stories, and I'm sure there will be many more battles to come!
July 17, 2014
ARC provided by NetGalley
Jack is a legendary samurai known throughout the galaxy and universe for his bravery, courage, honor, and skill with the blade. But Jack has been stranded in a strange future ruled by a demon named Aku, who has stolen the Rope of Eons and used it to alter time. And then destroyed it so that no others may have it. In order to return home Jack must recover the strands of the Rope, unite them together, and defeat Aku. Many challenges lie in his way and there are many threads to collect. But Jack is a samurai...and he will not rest until he returns home.
Samurai Jack began life as a cartoon on Cartoon Network, and one of the best cartoons around in my opinion. Jack is one of those shows that on the surface appeared to be just another fighting warrior type show that kids would like. But Jack and the show had a depth to them that attracted a much wider audience. Some of that depth is because unlike hundreds of other characters on TV, Jack has a sense of honor and doing what is right...even at a cost to himself. And Jim captures that sense of the character very well. Although the comics are short (much to short to be honest) Jack is still familiar as are the ways in which he navigates the challenges and the people he faces as collects the pieces of the Rope. My one wish would have been that some of the journeys lasted longer, as there were characters that I would not mind seeing. The one major issue with this volume, is that you do have to know the characters to understand who Jack is and why he’s trapped out of time. I really wish there had been a comic or two before this to relate some of what happened in the comics.
Andy’s artwork is gorgeous and captures the sense and essence of the cartoon well. The cartoon was ahead of its time with its animation style, and while it is replicated often today, it is difficult to capture the feel of it well. Andy does that though and like the writing, I only wish there were more of it in the stories.
If you’re a fan of the series then you’ll love this book. If you’ve never watched it before, do yourself a favor and go pick up a few of the DVDs. Then come back and read the book. You won’t regret it in the least. 5 out of 5 stars.
Jack is a legendary samurai known throughout the galaxy and universe for his bravery, courage, honor, and skill with the blade. But Jack has been stranded in a strange future ruled by a demon named Aku, who has stolen the Rope of Eons and used it to alter time. And then destroyed it so that no others may have it. In order to return home Jack must recover the strands of the Rope, unite them together, and defeat Aku. Many challenges lie in his way and there are many threads to collect. But Jack is a samurai...and he will not rest until he returns home.
Samurai Jack began life as a cartoon on Cartoon Network, and one of the best cartoons around in my opinion. Jack is one of those shows that on the surface appeared to be just another fighting warrior type show that kids would like. But Jack and the show had a depth to them that attracted a much wider audience. Some of that depth is because unlike hundreds of other characters on TV, Jack has a sense of honor and doing what is right...even at a cost to himself. And Jim captures that sense of the character very well. Although the comics are short (much to short to be honest) Jack is still familiar as are the ways in which he navigates the challenges and the people he faces as collects the pieces of the Rope. My one wish would have been that some of the journeys lasted longer, as there were characters that I would not mind seeing. The one major issue with this volume, is that you do have to know the characters to understand who Jack is and why he’s trapped out of time. I really wish there had been a comic or two before this to relate some of what happened in the comics.
Andy’s artwork is gorgeous and captures the sense and essence of the cartoon well. The cartoon was ahead of its time with its animation style, and while it is replicated often today, it is difficult to capture the feel of it well. Andy does that though and like the writing, I only wish there were more of it in the stories.
If you’re a fan of the series then you’ll love this book. If you’ve never watched it before, do yourself a favor and go pick up a few of the DVDs. Then come back and read the book. You won’t regret it in the least. 5 out of 5 stars.
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