SHI NO KAGE #6 – Review

SHI NO KAGE #6, from Blackbox Comics on January 26th, 2022, finds Hachiro recovering after his devastating defeat against Red Hand. Stronger than ever, can he bring Kazu down?

The Details

• Written By: Neil Davis
• Art By: Gus Mauk
• Colors By: Michael Yakutis
• Letters By: Gus Mauk
• Cover Art By: Gus Mauk
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: January 26, 2022

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Was It Good?

The Shi No Kage series has been a pleasant surprise so far with its mix of Samurai lore and the supernatural. Every issue produces some key element for the readers to grab onto that vividly marks a milestone in the main character’s journey and drops a powerful nugget at the end as a cliffhanger. SHI NO KAGE #6 is no exception on both counts, and that’s what makes it an excellent issue.

The milestone for Hachiro in this issue is his rebirth after a terrible defeat by Red Hand. To get behind a journey, to feel a hero is worthy of the title, he’s got to get beaten down so he can build himself back up. We get the aftermath of the last issue’s beatdown, and we see the satisfying result of how much better/stronger/faster Hachiro has become.

The powerful nugget is the last panel twist that completely changes the stakes of Hachiro’s quest. Once you see it, it’s a gut-punch moment and it builds excitement for the confrontation to come. It’s easy to forgive small flaws and foibles in the writing when you’re hit with big moments that are so powerfully executed.

As for the art, GMauk and Yakutis turn out a fine piece of work with a fair bit of emotional acting combined with bloody action scenes. We always appreciate an art team that isn’t afraid to get gory when it fits the tone of the story, and in this case, the violence builds up the main character by showing just how deadly precise he’s become.

SHI NO KAGE #6 is another fine entry in the series that serves as a perfect model of the archetypal “Hero’s Journey” with the last page twist that builds heaps of anticipation for the next issue.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

If you’re wondering what happened during Hachiro’s first encounter with Red Hand, first read our SHI NO KAGE #5 review.

We begin with Hachiro and Daisaku sparring to sharpen the young warrior’s skills and ensure he’s fully recovered from his defeat at the hands of Red Hand. As their training progresses, Daisaku acknowledges Hachiro is the best swordsman alive. Suddenly, Makato returns from her recon mission to inform the others she’s found the construction site of Kazu’s prison compound and that Red Hand is overseeing the construction. They devise a plan to attack that night.

After dark, Daisaku and Makato watch the prison from a high point along the wall while Hachiro enters in disguise through the front gate. Before he gets too far, a guard pulls off his disguise and Hachiro begins to decimate the rush of guards with his superior sword skills. Soon, Daisaku joins in with unique skills of his own.

When the lesser guards are dead, Red Hand appears for a rematch. A rematch that ends with a very different outcome. Before the attack on the prison can continue, Daisaku is shot down by an arrow from the revealed traitor, Makato. Hachiro defends Daisaku from further attacks and injures Makatao with a throwing knife before she flees.

We conclude the issue with Makato explaining herself to her allies (and the readers), a new plan for the villains, and the return of a surprise character.

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