Comic books in 'Samurai', graded by CBCS

Features include Halo Jones in "Occupations" (script by Alan Moore, art by Ian Gibson), Slaine (script by Pat Mills, art by David Pugh) and "Tomb of Terror" game (art by Garry Leach), Ace Trucking Co. in "The Doppelgarp" (script by Grant/Grover, art by Massimo Belardinelli), Judge Dredd in "The Seven Samurai" (script by T.B. Grover, art by Cam Kennedy), and Stontium Dog (script by Alan Grant, art by Carlos Ezquerra). Brett Ewins front cover. Gibson/Emberton back cover.

Written by Mike Richardson. Art and cover by Stan Sakai. Among the best-known tales in Japanese history, the legend of the 47 Ronin and their epic mission to avenge their disgraced master epitomizes the samurai code of honor. It has been said, 'To know the story of the 47 Ronin is to know Japan.' Recounting this sweeping tale of honor and violence in all its grandeur, chapter one details the tragic incident that would seal the fate of Lord Asano and set forty-seven of his vassals on a years-long path of vengeance! Cover price $3.99.

Written by Mike Richardson. Art and cover by Stan Sakai. Mike Richardson and Stan Sakai's breathtaking account of Japan's most famous historical legend reaches its extra-length conclusion, as Lord Asano's loyal retainers take their revenge! 32 pages, full color. Cover price $3.99.

1st printing. Written by Sean Michael Wilson. Art and cover by Akiko Shimojima. In the 18th-century, forty-seven samurai avenged the death of their master in a plot that would take over two years to complete. After succeeding in their mission, the masterless samurai, known as ronin, all committed ritual suicide. The story, which is a national legend, remains the most potent example of Japan's deeply rooted cultural imperative of honor, persistence, loyalty, and sacrifice. In The 47 Ronin, Sean Michael Wilson has created a historically factual portrait, enhanced by evocative and often lyrical drawings by Akiko Shimojima. This version stands out as being the most accurate and most compelling. Softcover, 6-in. x 9-in., 160 pages, full color. Cover price $14.95.

1st printing.

Written by Mike Richardson. Art by Stan Sakai. Cover by Stan Sakai and Lovern Kindzierski.

Japan's enduring national legend comes to comics!

The tale of the 47 Ronin and their epic mission to avenge their wronged master epitomizes the samurai code of honor, and creators Mike Richardson and Stan Sakai have done justice to their story! Meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated, this collection of the acclaimed miniseries recounts this sweeping saga of honor and violence in all its grandeur.

Opening with the tragic incident that sealed the fate of Lord Asano, 47 Ronin follows a dedicated group of Asano's vassals on their years-long path of vengeance!

Hardcover, 144 pages, full color.

Cover price $19.99.

This anthology features top stories from top talents. In "Raven's End," the warrior Muroto encounters a raven. Following the carrier bird, he is led back home to find his son was abducted by a rival clan led by a female warrior. In "Bune's World," creator Rick Johnson interweaves prominent human and non-human traits between individuals caught up in sex, violence, and dinosaurs. "Bad Santa" is a one-page farce starring Santa Claus's evil twin. "The Castaways" tells of a young man with only fifteen cents and his father's counsel trying to survive the realities of America's Great Depression. Finally, "Brent Morrigan" pays homage to famous newspaper detectives with "raygun gothic" skylines and Art Deco/Nouveau landscapes. 40 pages, B&W. Cover price $2.99.

1st printing. Story and art by Mark E. Rogers. The wildest fantasy ever written, with an unforgettable hero: Miaowara Tomokato, the finest warrior in all Japan. The awesome, the incorruptible, the invincible…Samurai Cat. Swearing vengeance on his lord's treacherous murderers, this valiant cat must face many obstacles both big and small. Softcover, 8-in. x 10-in., 128 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $8.95.

Volume 1 - 1st printing. Story and art by Takashi Okazaki. It's all about revenge - Nothing personal. In the bleak world of the swordsman, it is said that he who becomes the Number 1 samurai shall rule the world. And only Number 2 is allowed to challenge Number 1. Afro Samurai has assumed the mantle of Number 2, seeking vengeance against Number1, a gunman who killed his father years ago. But assassins lurk at every corner, seeking to rob Afro Samurai of the title of Number 2. Can Afro survive long enough to exact his revenge? Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 176 pages, B&W (with blood colored in red). Cover price $10.99.

Volume 2 - 1st printing. Story and art by Takashi Okazaki. Brutally wounded in his battle against the teddy bear-headed master swordsman Kuma, Afto awakens to find himself in the care of a village of people who have each been stricken by tragedy. Yet unlike Afro, instead of letting their lives become overpowered by the thirst of vengeance, they have embraced the teachings of The One and found inner peace. But their peaceful lives are soon to change forever - for wherever Afro Samurai journeys violence follows in his wake! Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 176 pages, B&W (with blood colored in red). Cover price $12.99.

Cover by Stan Sakai. Stories and art by Stan Sakai, Lela Dowling, and Steve Gallacci. An anthology focusing on anthropomorphic and funny-animal comics, often credited with starting that genre in indie comics. This hard-to-find issue (limited to 2000 copies) features the first-ever appearance of Sakais Usagi Yojimbo; also, an Erma Felna space adventure, and The Lion and the Unicorn. 32 pages, B&W. Cover price $1.50.

Cover art by Stan Sakai. Lone Rabbit and Child!, script and art by Stan Sakai; Usagi Yojimbo delivers the young lord safely to the capital. Untitled Erma Felna story, script and art by Steven A. Gallacci; The tensions in space grow as the DH 270 and crew follow the destruction left behind by the ILR. Article: some of the history of the conflict between the EDF and ILR is provided, along with various other background information. 36 pgs. $2.00. Cover price $2.00.

Batman and Robin must solve the mystery when a 16th century travelling exhibit from Japan comes to life in "The Ghost of Masahiko Tahara". Script by Jo Duffy, pencils by Kieron Dwyer, inks by Mike DeCarlo. Ed Hannigan/Walt Simonson cover. 1st printing. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

By Tzvi Lebetkin and Stefano Cardoselli. Within the feudal Far East of the 26th century, a cybernetic, solar-powered samurai reawakens after a 300-year forced hibernation as the clouds part following a nuclear winter. The world reduced to rubble, technology a legend, this mysterious warrior will uncover the secrets of the past, while battling to cope with an uncertain future. 24 pages, B&W. Mature Readers. Cover price $3.50.

Volume 1 - 1st printing. Story and art by Aron Lusen. A spectacularly told and illustrated tale of betrayal, lost hope, and vampire ninjas. The bodies of local samurai are found mutilated and no culprit can be discovered. Kyuzomo, a man with no memory of what he once was, struggles with the mystery as he fights to destroy an evil menace that is ravaging a village he once called home. Softcover, 48 pages, full color.

Gamestop Expo Fade Variant Cover by Greg Horn Limited to 3,000. Written by Charles Soule. Art by Steve McNiven. IT'S THE BEGINNING OF THE END - 3 MONTHS TO DIE ENDS HERE! The beginning of the end is now here ... THE DEATH OF WOLVERINE! THREE MONTHS TO DIE, the loss of Wolverine's healing factor--all led to this, the single most important X-Men event of the decade. Logan has spent over a century being the best there is at what he does...but even the best fade away eventually. Over the years, Logan has been a warrior, a hero, a renegade, a samurai, a teacher-and so much more. But now, the greatest X-Men hero will play a role he's never played before in this special weekly event. 56 pages, full color. Cover price $4.99.

Feathers of Fury: Part 4 of 4 - ((W) Bill Walsh, Paul Halas, Tom Anderson, Janet Gilbert. (A) Manuel Gonzales, Vicar, Francisco Rodriguez Peinado. (C) Amy Mebberson. After months and months of kung-fu training, Donald Duck has finally become a master of nothing. But he's not going to let that stop him from striking out on a mission to become Hollywood's latest martial arts movie star! Can the would-be web-footed warrior parlay his acting chopsticks into a life of glitz and glamour? Find out in the final chapter of 'Feathers of Fury!' Cover price $2.99.

San Diego Comic Con Exclusive "Samurai" Virgin Cover by Chris Mooneyham Limited to 50. (W) Frank J. Barbiere (A/CA) Chris Mooneyham THE FIVE TRIALS OF FABIAN GRAY' Fabian's ghostly affliction takes a turn for the worse while Iago terrorizes the Forgotten City!

Phantom Variant. Written by Frank J. Barbiere. Art by Chris Mooneyham. Cover by Pablo Rivera. LOST COASTLINES,' Part One An all-new pulp adventure begins here! Cover price $3.50.

Third Eye Comics Variant Cover by Kyle R. Strahm & Felipe Sobreiro. Written by Frank J. Barbiere. Art and Cover by Chris Mooneyham. BRAND NEW STORY ARC! 'MONSTERS & MEN' Part One The critically acclaimed award-winning series returns! Fabian travels to eastern Europe for an all-new adventure! Cover price $3.50.

(W) Jeff McComsey & Various (A) Steve Becker & Various (CA) Steve Becker History becomes even more horrifying as FUBAR returns with an all new giant-sized two issue miniseries! The second over-sized issue shows what happens when FUBAR goes feudal Japan on the living dead with five brand-new stories of zombie samurai madness! Cover price $2.99.

Cover by Sanho Kim. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, Bhob Stewart, Russ Jones, and Sanho Kim. A horror anthology from Charlton that often featured work by Steve Ditko and other comics luminaries. A struggling artist comes to resent sharing studio space with an established comic-strip artist, in a story with art by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. A Korean soldier gets supernatural assistance from twin sisters. Plus a personal note to readers from Ghostly Tales artist Sanho Kim. The Promise; A Word From Sanho Kim; Ghost Artist. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Cover by Robert Atkins. Written by Chuck Dixon. Art by Robert Atkins. SNAKE EYES and the Hard Master reunite as the JOE's silent bringer of death seeks the tutelage of his mentor. And a COBRA operative invades a college campus with deadly results for the JOES. The action builds as the M.A.S.S. Device moves closer to a reality! Cover price $3.99.

Limited 1 for 10 Retailer Incentive Variant Cover by S. L. Gallant. Written by Chuck Dixon. Art by Paul Gulacy. DESTRO MUST DIE part four! G.I. JOE brings the fight to DESTRO. Teaming up with an unexpected ally and assaulting DESTRO's Russian hideout, SCARLETT and the Special Missions team hunt down the nefarious arms-dealer… but can they find him before COPPERBACK gets her revenge? Cover price $3.99.

By Robert Rodi & Mike O'Sullivan. When Budo disappears, Jinx steps in to investigate! And when she gets entangled with a dangerous underground militia in Tokyo, getting in way over her head, she calls for help...Who responds? Gung-Ho, Wild Bill, Cluth and Rock 'N Roll?! Also contains Data Desk profiles on each of the cast! Plus: a second all-new, original story! Cover price $4.95.

"Goofy Samurai!" Written by Don Ferguson. Art by Guttenberghus. Only one man can defend the honor of the Emperor and save the Empire. Too bad that man is Goofy. Includes "G-Man Goofy!" By Scott Saavedra and Rick Hoover. And, A Goofy Look at Doors!" FC, 32 pages Cover price $1.50.

"Bushido" Written by Eric Drumm, Art by Leandro Panganiban; "Immortal Resistance" Written by Rob Anderson, Art by DaFu Yu; "Rescued by the Ripper" Written by Joshua Osborne, Art by Randy Valiente. 24 Pages, B&W. NOTE: Mature Readers Only. Cover price $3.00.

Part 4 of the 4-part "Blood of the Dragon": Shado's four targets are in a stadium in Japan, and it looks as though she may fulfill the mission forced upon her by her baby's kidnappers...until Green Arrow arrives. Written by Mike Grell, with art by Dan Jurgens, Dick Giordano and Frank McLaughlin. Cover by Jurgens and Giordano. Suggested for Mature Readers. New Format. Cover price $1.25.

(W) Ande Parks (A) Ronan Cliquet (CA) Phil Hester, Stephen Sadowski A new villain has arrived in Century City. Gravilov is a high-tech arms dealer, bent on using Green Hornet's city as a base from which to ship death worldwide. As Green Hornet and Kato try to stop Gravilov, the fight becomes very personal. Old enemies must become new allies, to save the lives of those dear to Kato. Cover price $3.99.

b&w. Cover price $2.50.

Written by JAMES ROBINSON. Art by TEDDY H. KRISTIANSEN & JAN SOLHEIM. Cover painting by KRISTIANSEN & MATT WAGNER. In the hellish heat of New Orleans, the devils meet! In pursuit of a killer, private investigator Mantovani teams up with the mysterious Calhoun, a gambler and a Grendel with a mission of his own. Unbeknownst to them, however, the ferocious Dulac is lying in wait! Meanwhile, both Gloria and Bixby have also arrived in New Orleans - ready to pay the devil his due! Not for children. Cover price $2.95.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. Groo offers to help a band of refugees flee across the sea, but Captain Ahax remembers what happens whenever Groo gets near a boat. In a backup story, Rufferto the dog starts a battle between two camps to get their food. The Promised Land; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.95.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. Arba and Dakarba get their magical powers back, which they use to transform Groo and Rufferto into many ridiculous forms in a failed attempt to prove their magical prowess. Also, Rufferto must find Groo by smell alone. The Aquelarre; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.95.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. Groo becomes the general for two different armies, which works great until they go to war with each other. Also, Rufferto's soft sleep spot turns out to be a water buffalo. The General's Hat; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.95.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. Groo tries to help a drought-stricken village and winds up destroying a dam and flooding the town. Also, Rufferto tries to decide if a cave contains a bear. A Drink of Water; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.95.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. A king's plan to start a war for political gain runs awry when he hires Groo as his general. Also, Rufferto turns an encounter with a bear to his advantage. A Little War; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.95.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. Groo is trusted with the secret recipe for gunpowder, and decides to sell it to the highest bidder. Also, Rufferto learns about the food chain. The Great Invention; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.95.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. Groo discovers the inequality of economics when he tries to help immigrant workers get better wages. Also, Rufferto sees puppies with an uncanny resemblance to Rufferto. The Plight of the Drazils; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.95.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. Groo accidentally runs afoul of a powerful khan and his tribute system from neighboring towns. Also, Rufferto de-pantses a passerby. The Pipal Khan; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.95.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. Groo and Rufferto meet Arfetto, a dog who is as cluelessly destructive as Groo himself, but looks just like Rufferto. Arfetto; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $2.25.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. A canny sea captain finds a way to make money from Groo's propensity for sinking ships, but Groo can even sink his scheme. Also, Rufferto makes a heroic gesture when a kid is trapped in a burning house.The Sinkers; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $2.25.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. Two gamblers start a lucrative game by following Groo around and betting on the destruction he will create, but Groo isn't amused. Also, Rufferto and a beaver spell bad news for a stilt-house. The Gamblers; Rufferto. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $2.25.

Story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Sword and sorcery comedy from Sergio Aragones, as Groo's skill with the sword is only exceeded by his stupidity, making him dangerous to friend and foe alike. The Pipal Khan swears revenge on Groo, but his every effort to kill him only brings more destruction on his own kingdom. Also, a Rufferto story, commentary from Evanier and Aragones on the conclusion of the Image series, and a Groo Checklist. The Revenge of Pipal Khan; Groo Checklist; Rufferto. Final issue of the series; followed by Groo (1998 Dark Horse) #1. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $2.25.

Written by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Fresh off the success of the silent, black-and-white Louder Than Words, Sergio Aragonés returns with his most famous and best loved creation -- Groo the Wanderer! If you thought Groo was a dangerous idiot, wait till you see how dangerous he is now that he's intelligent. Dark Horse Comics proves how brave it is by bringing Groo into its stable. 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Written by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Groo faces off with two of his oldest and most vile foes: Arba and Dakarba, two witches very much confused by the barbarian's newfound intelligence. A spell that could turn Groo into a wiseman could make these two into goddesses . . . but there's a catch to his impressive intellect. Sergio Aragonés, 1997 Harvey, Rueben, and Eisner Award-winner, teams with longtime accomplice Mark Evanier for a barbaric tale of temporary intelligence as only they can. 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Written by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Always working a new scam, the usually unlucky scoundrels Pal and Drumm return to try to profit from the secret behind Groo's newfound intelligence. The creators of the Eisner award-winning Sergio Destroys DC and Sergio Massacres Marvel deliver their most unlikely Groo story of all time, as the tale of the brainy barbarian nears its conclusion. 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Written by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. Groo's latest and most clever adventure comes to a typically moronic conclusion, restoring order and renewing everyone's faith in the complete stupidity of the comicdom's favorite gourd-nosed barbarian. 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.

Celebrate twenty-five years of the world's stupidest barbarian doing stupid and barbaric things! After a brief hiatus, the Champion of Cheese Dip is back to battle the menace of 'The Plague,' an all-new story by the same guys responsible for all the Groo stories for the last quarter-century, Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier. Also, thrill to The Groo Alphabet, a primer of that hero's friends and foes (mostly foes), followed by a special illustrated text story by Sergio and Mark on how this comic came to be and why it just won't go away. Plus other silly features. Celebrate twenty-five years of Groo! Cover price $5.99.

Written by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier. Art and cover by Sergio Aragones. No dog has ever been so loyal for so long to so stupid a master -- finally it pays off, and Groo's dog Rufferto gets a little of the limelight. A bad run-in with the wizard Anakrony, Master of the Chronological Sciences, tests once and for all the bond between this barbarian and his best friend. Making another accidental stand against tyranny, Groo becomes separated from Rufferto, and an entire city is made to suffer. 32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.95.