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Knights Vs. Samurai #5 – A Bold Alliance is Forged to Conquer A Dragon

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In ‘Knights Vs. Samurai,’ Sir Charles and Lord Okashiro form a precarious alliance to combat the fearsome dragon, Gin Kiyohime. Additionally, as they navigate the Wakkanai Forest’s mystical dangers, they confront monstrous foes and cultural barriers. Consequently, their battle against mythical forces hinges on understanding and unity for survival. With gripping action and cultural depth, this issue skillfully melds ancient legends with epic battles!

Read Knights Vs. Samurai #4 Here

Cover 0f Knights Vs. Samurai Issue #5
Credit: Image Comics

Written by David Dastmalchian

Art by Fede Mele

Colors by Ulises Arreola

Letters by AndWorld Design

Consultant Thersa Matsuura

Creative Director Todd McMarfane

Editor-in-Chief Thomas Healy

Published by Image Comics

***Possible Spoiler Warning***

Plot Summary

In Issue #5, Sir Charles and Lord Okashiro forge a fragile alliance to battle dragon Gin Kiyohime, despite language barriers. Okashiro’s wizard advises seeking the Yammauba (witches) in the Wakkanai Forest for crucial dragon parts. Amidst the fiery aftermath, a band of samurai and shackled knights, led by a free Charles, head into the forest. They encounter enormous Oni (Demons/ trolls) and engage in a fierce battle that compels Okashiro to release the knights. Meanwhile, Baggi, along with his naive squire, plunders for Shakh. Baggi gets captured, and his ability to speak the native tongue is discovered by Godwin.

Hallucinations of his deceased brother continue to torment Sir Charles. This leads to a bizarre moment where he encounters a half-cat humanoid demon seducing Okashiro’s wife. The issue climaxes with this chilling encounter and concludes with a haunting glimpse of forest witches.

The Art And Letters

Fede Mele’s artwork in this issue brilliantly captures the shift from a blazing town to the eerie Wakkanai Forest. The character designs, particularly of the demons and witches, are terrifyingly detailed and aptly nightmarish. Being Japanese myself, I find the depiction of Japanese characters could be more culturally authentic. However, the overall visual storytelling is powerful and fairly accurate.

One aspect I absolutely love about this series is the inclusion of hiragana and katakana with English in the speech bubbles. This innovative approach not only enhances the authenticity of the dialogue, but also distinctly separates the conversations among various characters. Such details enrich the narrative, making it uniquely engaging and visually striking read.

The Writing

David Dastmalchian excels at crafting a narrative rich with cultural alliances and miscommunications. By avoiding the easy magical fix of universal understanding, he practices wonderful restraint. This approach injects a sense of realism into the interactions. A startling twist towards the issue’s end deepens the intrigue, setting the stage for much-anticipated revelations in subsequent issues.

In this specific issue, the factions begin to coalesce, giving the story a unique vibe. The continued absence of magic as a solution for overcoming the communication barrier is particularly commendable. It layers misunderstanding, compelling characters to use judgment and non-verbal cues to decipher the opposing side’s actions. This dynamic increases the narrative tension and complexity, enriching the plot.

Just as the team seems to find their footing, unexpected and peculiar incidents disrupt their progress. These anomalies leave readers eagerly awaiting explanations, promising exciting developments in future issues!

Overall Thoughts

As a huge fan of David Dastmalchian’s film work, which I view as highly underrated, I find his venture into comic book writing equally compelling. This series, much like his performances, may be flying under the radar but it deserves widespread recognition. His ability to weave intricate narratives shines in this issue, blending well-crafted miscommunications and alliances.

Knights Vs. Samurai Issue #5 is a standout in the series for me! With its dynamic blend of action, folklore, and character development, it lands in every way. The uneasy alliance and the visceral combat scenes make this issue a thrilling read. I’m keenly awaiting the next chapter to see how this uneasy alliance withstands their current perilous situation.

Overall Grade: 9.0/10

This review was written by Thomas Craig of The Joy Schtick Show, where three friends from Hawaii explore the movies, TV shows, comics, and pop culture bringing us JOY! For more reviews and to catch up on all our episodes, head to linktr.ee/TheJoySchtickShow


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