Comic books in 'Manga'

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HIROAKI SAMURA FOR MATURE READERS On sale August 13, b&w, 32pg, (one-shot), $2.99 Those lucky enough to read Blade of the Immortal regularly are aware of creator Hiroaki Samura's penchant for a good plot twist. This issue is no exception. Fresh from a dramatic wedding that brought another sword school under his command, anti-villain Anotsu Kagehisa is on his way back to Edo. Accustomed to surprises on the road, Anotsu won't be fazed to encounter a strange combination of people in his path, all trying to stop him from moving forward, and all in big trouble when they face him. But the important thing about this issue is that Rin is back in the picture! Let's see how long she'll last this time. Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. Cover price $2.99.

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On sale December 8, b&w, 32pg, $2.99 HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) Trying to recover from a Mugai-ryü ambush, Anotsu assembles a colorful group, his finest surviving Itto-ryü warriors, to re-affirm loyalties and focus their anger. Once again, revenge-lust hangs heavy in the air, as Anotsu sets his followers against the man he feels is responsible for crippling his sword school. Reunited and recovering from their last ferocious battle, Manji and Rin rest at an idyllic cabin. Rin hones her swordfighting skills and drops a huge surprise on Manji. Their break from the fray may be short-lived, however, as the bald, spectacled Giichi arrives with an unsettling proposition. ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. ? TWELVE volumes of this modern classic available in the Dark Horse backlist! FOR MATURE READERS Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA FOR MATURE READERS On sale December 10, b&w, 32pg, (1 of 3), It's the return of Makie! The fan favorite female killer is back. It may not be a happy moment, in fact, it's quite sad, but what do you expect from Hiraoki Samura? Once again, two of the most deadly people in Japan, a man and a woman, will be face to face. Sound exciting? Well, if they didn't love each other, it might be. But this meeting could be a bit morose instead. This is a story of beauty and pain, of suffering and love and tortured souls. But don't forget, these two could cut you to ribbons and smash your skull to oblivion, and you'd never understand how, such frail and beautiful people. Rejoice, Makie's back! And that means Blade of the Immortal is moving into a period of intense action! Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Eisner Award. Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA On sale July 9, b&w, 32pg, (one-shot), $2.99?MATURE READERS Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal has gained world-wide recognition for its rough yet graceful art, its modern attitude coupled with a detailed, archaic setting, and uncertain innocence mixed with brutal bloodletting. This issue brings the reader into the midst of something out of the ordinary for Blade of the Immortal?a highly detailed traditional Japanese ceremony. These hidden politics, this tentative romance, age-old traditions, surprises, heartbreak, anger, fear?so much emotion packed into a single issue! And not a single sword is drawn. But that doesn't mean the tension and action are not present; rather they are hidden, gestating behind thin veils and quiet patience. This issue, as well as #79, are the crux of a long, mysterious story?a winding path that will soon begin its descent into the complex chaos you've come to expect from Blade of the Immortal! Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS Well, those of you who waited through issue after issue of travel drama, Manji's recovery, and Hyakurin's torture are awarded with yet another fantastic sword battle. This time it's the long awaited revenge match between Magatsu and Shira, and the funny thing is...Shira only wanted to get back at Manji. How foolish. Oh well, maybe he'll pay for his hard-headedness. But you won't find out until you cut through at least a couple of issues of pure, bloody sword fighting. On the side, you get a little slapstick thanks to the chumps Shira hired as distractions. It's back to the way things used to be in Blade of the Immortal, so feel free to breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy another blood bath. FOR MATURE READERS On sale February 12 b&w, 32pg (4 of 6) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS From the dark recesses of her memory comes the story of Hyakurin, full of tragedy, blood, and mystery. Learn how Hyakurin came to be the killer she is today. Reel with the knowledge of why she killed her husband. And gasp as you find out. . .who she works for...Maybe! But what's important is that she's been rescued from the torturous grasp of those Ittö-ryu outlaws. Now she's resting with Giichi by her side and wandering through the past, darkly. It's another issue of mysteries revealed and brutalities uncovered. Strong characters, slowly revealing their true nature, and a setting that takes its time showing you the gritty back alleys. More of what you've come to expect from award-winning, long running series, Blade of the Immortal. FOR MATURE READERS On sale September 11 b&w, 32pg (7 of 7) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS From the dark recesses of her memory comes the story of Hyakurin, full of tragedy, blood, and mystery. Learn how Hyakurin came to be the killer she is today. Reel with the knowledge of why she killed her husband. And gasp as you find out. . .who she works for...Maybe! But what's important is that she's been rescued from the torturous grasp of those Ittö-ryu outlaws. Now she's resting with Giichi by her side and wandering through the past, darkly. It's another issue of mysteries revealed and brutalities uncovered. Strong characters, slowly revealing their true nature, and a setting that takes its time showing you the gritty back alleys. More of what you've come to expect from award-winning, long running series, Blade of the Immortal. FOR MATURE READERS On sale September 11 b&w, 32pg (7 of 7) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS Anotsu's trip to Kaga has taken an unexpected and unpleasant turn. Ibane, the head of the Shingyoto-ryu sword school, may be a master martial artist ? but it's becoming increasingly clear that he has some trouble with telling the truth. Anotsu can't deny that Ibane's men are worth adding to his Itto-ryu gang, and that Ibane's daughter Hisoka holds a strange, seductive attraction... FOR MATURE READERS On sale December 12 b&w, 32pg (one-shot) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS The torture of Hyakurin continues. It's amazing that anyone could live through the brutality subjected to Hyakurin by these merciless Itto-ryü monsters, but she's holding her tongue like a pro. But sheesh, the girl's in trouble. How will she get out of this painfully dire situation? Fortunately, the agony of so much pain allows Hyakurin to slip deep into her mind, thinking of poor, dead Shinriji, and how they ended up on this path together. Slowly, teasingly, information about the Mugai-Ryü is bubbling up, and the ferocious Giichi, with a weapon like an oversized, razor sharp handcuff, will soon pay another visit. MATURE READERS On sale June 12 b&w, 32pg (one-shot) (4 of 7) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS Well, those of you who waited through issue after issue of travel drama, Manji's recovery, and Hyakurin's torture are awarded with yet another fantastic sword battle. This time it's the long awaited revenge match between Magatsu and Shira, and the funny thing is...Shira only wanted to get back at Manji. How foolish. Oh well, maybe he'll pay for his hard-headedness. But you won't find out until you cut through at least a couple of issues of pure, bloody sword fighting. On the side, you get a little slapstick thanks to the chumps Shira hired as distractions. It's back to the way things used to be in Blade of the Immortal, so feel free to breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy another blood bath. FOR MATURE READERS On sale February 12 b&w, 32pg (4 of 6) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS Anotsu's trip to Kaga has taken an unexpected and unpleasant turn. Ibane, the head of the Shingyoto-ryu sword school, may be a master martial artist ? but it's becoming increasingly clear that he has some trouble with telling the truth. Anotsu can't deny that Ibane's men are worth adding to his Itto-ryu gang, and that Ibane's daughter Hisoka holds a strange, seductive attraction... FOR MATURE READERS On sale December 12 b&w, 32pg (one-shot) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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The Gathering: Part 8 of 15 - Story and art by Hiroaki Samura. Blade of the Immortal reaches its landmark 50th issue with a new chapter of "The Gathering"! Ittö-ryü swordsmen, masters of dirty fighting, have strung Manji up in a tree with barbed spikes! Handa and Uruma are more than ready to find out just how immortal Manji is -- by chopping him into little pieces! With his body pierced by Uruma's spikes, and two trained assassins ready to use every trick in the book to kill him, matters couldn't get much worse. All the samurai has to save him is his ingenuity and the supernatural bloodworms that keep him alive. But this time, will he have a body left for the worms to knit back together...? 32 pages, B&W. Mature Readers Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS It could be any peaceful morning in Edo. The beautiful Hyakurin's taking care of her hair in the bath; her assistant Shinriji's trying to sneak a peek. But this isn't a casual visit the pair is preparing for. They're off to see Master Sori the painter and his special houseguest ? the horribly mutilated immortal samurai, Manji. So far, he hasn't regained consciousness. But will Hyakurin be ready for his first words when he does...? FOR MATURE READERS On sale October 10 b&w, 32pg (4 of 4) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) On sale October 13, b&w, 32pg, $2.99 Hiroaki Samura's Last Blood story line comes to its conclusion! With revenge-lust hanging thick in the air, our main event is the deadly showdown between the starving and weakened Anotsu and his crazed, quick Shingyötö-ryü opponent, Iriya. Makie has evened out the playing field in a bloody flurry that puts Kill Bill Vol. 1 to shame, while Manji and Magatsu try to survive separate dogfights with Shingyötö-ryü swordsmen on the sidelines. Manji battles in order to be reunited with his beloved Rin, Magatsu engages his opponent in order to defend Anotsu, and any survivors of these gory encounters will face each other and their own shifting, uneasy alliances! This issue's dramatic cover mirrors the intensity inside, as Samura continues to reinvent the bushidö grudge match with a sharp, modern edge. FOR MATURE READERS Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA FOR MATURE READERS On sale August 13, b&w, 32pg, (one-shot), $2.99 Those lucky enough to read Blade of the Immortal regularly are aware of creator Hiroaki Samura's penchant for a good plot twist. This issue is no exception. Fresh from a dramatic wedding that brought another sword school under his command, anti-villain Anotsu Kagehisa is on his way back to Edo. Accustomed to surprises on the road, Anotsu won't be fazed to encounter a strange combination of people in his path, all trying to stop him from moving forward, and all in big trouble when they face him. But the important thing about this issue is that Rin is back in the picture! Let's see how long she'll last this time. Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS Ah, revenge. It's funny how the path to revenge only leads to another of the same. It never seems to end. And this time it's Hyakurin's turn. The victim of cruel torture, thinly veiled as a ploy for extracting information, Hyakurin endured days of the worst kinds of pain imaginable. But the sadistic Itto-ryü killers are about to learn a lesson in inefficiency, and it just may be their last. You see, the time these guys took to subject Hyakurin to terrible torture and humiliation was all Giichi needed to find our blonde anti- heroine, and now the man with the killer head-cuff and John Lennon-style spectacles is not only on the scene, he's feeling mean! FOR MATURE READERS On sale August 14 b&w, 32pg (6 of 7) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS Ah, revenge. It's funny how the path to revenge only leads to another of the same. It never seems to end. And this time it's Hyakurin's turn. The victim of cruel torture, thinly veiled as a ploy for extracting information, Hyakurin endured days of the worst kinds of pain imaginable. But the sadistic Itto-ryü killers are about to learn a lesson in inefficiency, and it just may be their last. You see, the time these guys took to subject Hyakurin to terrible torture and humiliation was all Giichi needed to find our blonde anti- heroine, and now the man with the killer head-cuff and John Lennon-style spectacles is not only on the scene, he's feeling mean! FOR MATURE READERS On sale August 14 b&w, 32pg (6 of 7) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS Nastier opponents and meaner battles are the two things that come to mind when trying to describe this story arc. You'd think by now Manji would have sliced his way through the most sinister personalities of feudal Japan. But instead of thinning out the vicious herd, removing the worst and most depraved, he's only shaken loose the meanest characters. And it looks like Manji and Magatsu are in for a killer collision with one of the baddest. They've been hunting down Shira, but they're not the only ones on the prowl. The hunters have become the hunted and Shira has nothing but dishonorable intentions for his prey. The fuse is burning fast on this confrontation and it's anyone's guess who will be left standing after it explodes. FOR MATURE READERS On sale December 11 b&w, 32pg (2 of 6) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) MATURE READERS On sale February 11, b&w, 32pg (3 of 3), $2.99 MIRROR OF THE SOUL: Part 3 (of 3)?The "Mirror of the Soul" storyline concludes, as Makie, wayward swordswoman of the Ittö-ryü, lies emotionally wasted and ready to die. Will her precarious relationship with Anotsu lead her back into the land of the living? The fate of her hated father is revealed, as Makie questions her own future and faces a crippling vice. With the surviving members of Kensui's Shingyötö-ryü clan on his heels as he flees to Edo, Anotsu doesn't have much time to spare...but he makes time to possibly save the woman he truly loves and respects. The fan-fave female warrior is back! Questions are answered and heartaches abound, as major players in this torrent of action begin to converge yet again. Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS Oh, the horror! We don't want to reveal storylines or dead characters before an issue prints, so let's just briefly go over what horrible things are in store for Blade of the Immortal readers. One surprise, no one dies. But someone wishes she was dead, considering the torture she's being subjected to: bondage, hot water, hanging from the rafters, bamboo beneath the fingernails, hot spikes being driven into legs, and then there's the standard beatings and humiliation. One wouldn't guess that these elements might be sales points, but then again, this is Blade of the Immortal, and these aren't your regular comic-book readers. FOR MATURE READERS On sale May 8 b&w, 32pg (3 of 7) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS The Itto-ryu have had their day with Hyakurin, and she hasn't broken. Now it's time to off her for good. Except their days and nights of torture have given Giichi time to track them down. The bespectacled killer with the decapitating head-cuff is hot on their trail, and hungry to take out a few more Itto-ryu bad guys. They don't know it yet, but there' s going to be hell to pay. Lot's of "killer" characters are coming back to Blade, as grudge matches galore line up for continuous bloody swordplay. FOR MATURE READERS On sale July 10 b&w, 32pg (5 of 7) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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On sale December 8, b&w, 32pg, $2.99 HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) Trying to recover from a Mugai-ryü ambush, Anotsu assembles a colorful group, his finest surviving Itto-ryü warriors, to re-affirm loyalties and focus their anger. Once again, revenge-lust hangs heavy in the air, as Anotsu sets his followers against the man he feels is responsible for crippling his sword school. Reunited and recovering from their last ferocious battle, Manji and Rin rest at an idyllic cabin. Rin hones her swordfighting skills and drops a huge surprise on Manji. Their break from the fray may be short-lived, however, as the bald, spectacled Giichi arrives with an unsettling proposition. ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. ? TWELVE volumes of this modern classic available in the Dark Horse backlist! FOR MATURE READERS Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA FOR MATURE READERS On sale October 8, b&w, 32pg, (one-shot), $2.99 Anotsu Kagehisa and Asano Rin have followed separate paths in search of revenge. Now they find themselves travelling the same path together. Each of them will come to learn that they have been walking in circles. And because of another's quest for vengeance, Anotsu will lose someone who is very dear to him and one of the fiercest warriors to ever spill blood between the pages of Blade of the Immortal will die. Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA FOR MATURE READERS Manji's fiercest and sexiest combatant returns! When they fought in the "Dreamsong" storyline, Makie Otono-Tachibana, as swordswoman of the Ittö-ryü, left our near- immortal hero lying helpless in bloody dirt. Now, Anotsu finds her in a small town as he flees Kaga, and she's a run-down husk of the warrior she once was. What brutal and unfortunate circumstances drove her to hate...and hunt...her own father? When she finally found him, something happened to turn her into a quivering, suicidal wreck. Will Anotsu's love for both Makie the woman and Makie the warrior still hold true after he sees the physical scars of her despair? ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Eisner Award. ? Ten volumes of fantastic translated works in the Dark Horse backlist! Cover price $2.99.

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The Gathering: Part 8 of 15 - Story and art by Hiroaki Samura. Blade of the Immortal reaches its landmark 50th issue with a new chapter of "The Gathering"! Ittö-ryü swordsmen, masters of dirty fighting, have strung Manji up in a tree with barbed spikes! Handa and Uruma are more than ready to find out just how immortal Manji is -- by chopping him into little pieces! With his body pierced by Uruma's spikes, and two trained assassins ready to use every trick in the book to kill him, matters couldn't get much worse. All the samurai has to save him is his ingenuity and the supernatural bloodworms that keep him alive. But this time, will he have a body left for the worms to knit back together...? 32 pages, B&W. Mature Readers Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) FOR MATURE READERS On sale June 9, b&w, 32pg, (1 of 5), $2.99 It's the reunion we've all been waiting for! Sporting one of the most heart-wrenching covers Blade fans will ever see, this issue delivers both the emotional impact of Manji and Rin's much-anticipated reunion and the harrowing beginning of another Samura-style sword fight. The surviving members of the Shingyötö-ryü clan have also caught up with Rin and her strange companion, Anotsu. Will Rin finally turn against Anotsu, giving him up to Iriya? The only certainty is that, if he has to, Manji will cut his way through these revenge-hungry swordsmen to get to his dear "little sister!" ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. ? Ten volumes of fantastic translated works in the Dark Horse backlist! ? Look for our Essential Manga reading list on page 27. Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS The Itto-ryu have had their day with Hyakurin, and she hasn't broken. Now it's time to off her for good. Except their days and nights of torture have given Giichi time to track them down. The bespectacled killer with the decapitating head-cuff is hot on their trail, and hungry to take out a few more Itto-ryu bad guys. They don't know it yet, but there' s going to be hell to pay. Lot's of "killer" characters are coming back to Blade, as grudge matches galore line up for continuous bloody swordplay. FOR MATURE READERS On sale July 10 b&w, 32pg (5 of 7) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS Oh, the horror! We don't want to reveal storylines or dead characters before an issue prints, so let's just briefly go over what horrible things are in store for Blade of the Immortal readers. One surprise, no one dies. But someone wishes she was dead, considering the torture she's being subjected to: bondage, hot water, hanging from the rafters, bamboo beneath the fingernails, hot spikes being driven into legs, and then there's the standard beatings and humiliation. One wouldn't guess that these elements might be sales points, but then again, this is Blade of the Immortal, and these aren't your regular comic-book readers. FOR MATURE READERS On sale May 8 b&w, 32pg (3 of 7) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS As you sow, so shall you reap. Hyakurin has put a lot of Itto-ryu swordsmen under the dirt, but when her sadistic partner, Shira, reappears out of the blue with an enigmatic warning, it's time to pay the piper. Hyakurin and Shinriji prepare to flee, but the enemy's already at the gates ? a band of Itto-ryu killers, hot for revenge. Backed into a corner, how will the two escape the vengeful swords of the enemy? Chances are, they won't! FOR MATURE READERS On sale March 13 b&w, 32pg (1 of 7) Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS The torture of Hyakurin continues. It's amazing that anyone could live through the brutality subjected to Hyakurin by these merciless Itto-ryü monsters, but she's holding her tongue like a pro. But sheesh, the girl's in trouble. How will she get out of this painfully dire situation? Fortunately, the agony of so much pain allows Hyakurin to slip deep into her mind, thinking of poor, dead Shinriji, and how they ended up on this path together. Slowly, teasingly, information about the Mugai-Ryü is bubbling up, and the ferocious Giichi, with a weapon like an oversized, razor sharp handcuff, will soon pay another visit. MATURE READERS On sale June 12 b&w, 32pg (one-shot) (4 of 7) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA FOR MATURE READERS On sale October 8, b&w, 32pg, (one-shot), $2.99 Anotsu Kagehisa and Asano Rin have followed separate paths in search of revenge. Now they find themselves travelling the same path together. Each of them will come to learn that they have been walking in circles. And because of another's quest for vengeance, Anotsu will lose someone who is very dear to him and one of the fiercest warriors to ever spill blood between the pages of Blade of the Immortal will die. Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A). b&w, 32pg, $2.99 Magatsu, licking his wounds after last issue's bloody showdown, plays samurai detective after he journeys to the site of an Ittö-ryu massacre. In a weird turnaround, it's a batch of new Ittö-ryu warriors who are massacred! Crossbow expert Hyakurin is also convalescing, under Giichi's protection while she slowly becomes battle-ready. A heartbreaking conversation provides some insight into Giichi's character, and the ever- present Blade cliffhanger leaves us wondering about Hyakurin's future. Gracing this issue are two stellar pinups by rising comic book stars Jonathan and Joshua Luna! FOR MATURE AUDIENCES Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA FOR MATURE READERS On sale December 10, b&w, 32pg, (1 of 3), It's the return of Makie! The fan favorite female killer is back. It may not be a happy moment, in fact, it's quite sad, but what do you expect from Hiraoki Samura? Once again, two of the most deadly people in Japan, a man and a woman, will be face to face. Sound exciting? Well, if they didn't love each other, it might be. But this meeting could be a bit morose instead. This is a story of beauty and pain, of suffering and love and tortured souls. But don't forget, these two could cut you to ribbons and smash your skull to oblivion, and you'd never understand how, such frail and beautiful people. Rejoice, Makie's back! And that means Blade of the Immortal is moving into a period of intense action! Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Eisner Award. Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) On sale October 13, b&w, 32pg, $2.99 Hiroaki Samura's Last Blood story line comes to its conclusion! With revenge-lust hanging thick in the air, our main event is the deadly showdown between the starving and weakened Anotsu and his crazed, quick Shingyötö-ryü opponent, Iriya. Makie has evened out the playing field in a bloody flurry that puts Kill Bill Vol. 1 to shame, while Manji and Magatsu try to survive separate dogfights with Shingyötö-ryü swordsmen on the sidelines. Manji battles in order to be reunited with his beloved Rin, Magatsu engages his opponent in order to defend Anotsu, and any survivors of these gory encounters will face each other and their own shifting, uneasy alliances! This issue's dramatic cover mirrors the intensity inside, as Samura continues to reinvent the bushidö grudge match with a sharp, modern edge. FOR MATURE READERS Cover price $2.99.

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(W & P) Hiroaki Samura; Known for its cast of vibrand punk rock characters, Blade of the Immortal promises a future chock full of new color with the chapter. We're introduced to bizarre, new members of the Ittoryu and thier odd hairstyles, costumes, and weapons, as players in the secret, outcast Mugairyu crew conspire in the background. Also, with their flight towards Edo interrupted by Anotsu's illness, will Rin finally take this opportunity to end his life...or will she wind up defending it? Hiroaki Samura is about to turn his Samurai epic in a strange, new direction! Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) MATURE READERS On sale February 11, b&w, 32pg (3 of 3), $2.99 MIRROR OF THE SOUL: Part 3 (of 3)?The "Mirror of the Soul" storyline concludes, as Makie, wayward swordswoman of the Ittö-ryü, lies emotionally wasted and ready to die. Will her precarious relationship with Anotsu lead her back into the land of the living? The fate of her hated father is revealed, as Makie questions her own future and faces a crippling vice. With the surviving members of Kensui's Shingyötö-ryü clan on his heels as he flees to Edo, Anotsu doesn't have much time to spare...but he makes time to possibly save the woman he truly loves and respects. The fan-fave female warrior is back! Questions are answered and heartaches abound, as major players in this torrent of action begin to converge yet again. Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA FOR MATURE READERS On sale September 10, b&w, 32pg, (one-shot), $2.99 When Anotsu Kagehisa says "Feel the weight of my Blade. Scatter like leaves in the wind," it's probably a good idea to do just that. But these secretive assassins who have closed in on him in the forest apparently don't know better. Either that, or they have a death wish. Speaking of which, Rin seems to wish for the same, having hunted him down all the way to Kaga by herself. Well, now that she's found him, she's about to find out why her quest to kill him is so pointless. Bear witness as Anotsu takes his crazy ax weapon and destroys his enemies. Find out who these mysterious assassins are, and then get ready for more drama and blood. This is a fantastic issue, and will lead into political intrigue that will flip your lid! ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. ? Ten volumes of fantastic translated works in the Dark Horse backlist! Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) FOR MATURE READERS On sale September 8, b&w, 32pg, $2.99 Stunned by conflicting emotions and indecision, Rin watches as the revenge-mad Iriya confronts Makie, the skilled angel of death. Iriya's seen what Makie can do, but with Anotsu finally within his sights, a bloody battle is unavoidable. Nearby, Magatsu and Manji cross swords with the remaining Shingyötö-ryü swordsmen. Magatsu, still recovering from his last terrible fight, tries to hold his ground against one of the Shingyötö-ryü clan's most honorable students, while Manji, eager to finally be reunited with Rin, hopes to send a few more opponents to the afterlife. As his latest dogfight gets messier, Hiroaki Samura continues to reinvent the bushidö grudge match by mixing elements of classic samurai tales and epic Western films with modern punk rock sensibilities. ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Eisner Award. ? TWELVE volumes of this modern classic available in the Dark Horse backlist! Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS Nastier opponents and meaner battles are the two things that come to mind when trying to describe this story arc. You'd think by now Manji would have sliced his way through the most sinister personalities of feudal Japan. But instead of thinning out the vicious herd, removing the worst and most depraved, he's only shaken loose the meanest characters. And it looks like Manji and Magatsu are in for a killer collision with one of the baddest. They've been hunting down Shira, but they're not the only ones on the prowl. The hunters have become the hunted and Shira has nothing but dishonorable intentions for his prey. The fuse is burning fast on this confrontation and it's anyone's guess who will be left standing after it explodes. FOR MATURE READERS On sale December 11 b&w, 32pg (2 of 6) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA FOR MATURE READERS Manji's fiercest and sexiest combatant returns! When they fought in the "Dreamsong" storyline, Makie Otono-Tachibana, as swordswoman of the Ittö-ryü, left our near- immortal hero lying helpless in bloody dirt. Now, Anotsu finds her in a small town as he flees Kaga, and she's a run-down husk of the warrior she once was. What brutal and unfortunate circumstances drove her to hate...and hunt...her own father? When she finally found him, something happened to turn her into a quivering, suicidal wreck. Will Anotsu's love for both Makie the woman and Makie the warrior still hold true after he sees the physical scars of her despair? ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Eisner Award. ? Ten volumes of fantastic translated works in the Dark Horse backlist! Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA FOR MATURE READERS On sale September 10, b&w, 32pg, (one-shot), $2.99 When Anotsu Kagehisa says "Feel the weight of my Blade. Scatter like leaves in the wind," it's probably a good idea to do just that. But these secretive assassins who have closed in on him in the forest apparently don't know better. Either that, or they have a death wish. Speaking of which, Rin seems to wish for the same, having hunted him down all the way to Kaga by herself. Well, now that she's found him, she's about to find out why her quest to kill him is so pointless. Bear witness as Anotsu takes his crazy ax weapon and destroys his enemies. Find out who these mysterious assassins are, and then get ready for more drama and blood. This is a fantastic issue, and will lead into political intrigue that will flip your lid! ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. ? Ten volumes of fantastic translated works in the Dark Horse backlist! Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A). b&w, 32pg, $2.99 Magatsu, licking his wounds after last issue's bloody showdown, plays samurai detective after he journeys to the site of an Ittö-ryu massacre. In a weird turnaround, it's a batch of new Ittö-ryu warriors who are massacred! Crossbow expert Hyakurin is also convalescing, under Giichi's protection while she slowly becomes battle-ready. A heartbreaking conversation provides some insight into Giichi's character, and the ever- present Blade cliffhanger leaves us wondering about Hyakurin's future. Gracing this issue are two stellar pinups by rising comic book stars Jonathan and Joshua Luna! FOR MATURE AUDIENCES Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS As you sow, so shall you reap. Hyakurin has put a lot of Itto-ryu swordsmen under the dirt, but when her sadistic partner, Shira, reappears out of the blue with an enigmatic warning, it's time to pay the piper. Hyakurin and Shinriji prepare to flee, but the enemy's already at the gates ? a band of Itto-ryu killers, hot for revenge. Backed into a corner, how will the two escape the vengeful swords of the enemy? Chances are, they won't! FOR MATURE READERS On sale March 13 b&w, 32pg (1 of 7) Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) FOR MATURE READERS On sale January 12, b&w, 32pg,$2.99 Giichi, a top Mugai-ryü assassin with a penchant for head collecting, has given the near- invincible warrior Manji an ultimatum: join the Mugai-ryü or die. Never one to be bossed around, Manji chooses the path of "mouthing off and fighting" with gusto. Armed with an arsenal of strange weapons and confidently relying on his mystical healing powers, Manji may be getting a little too cocky, especially since he's never had to recover from a beheading before! Within a moonlit forest, another stylish Samura skirmish begins, and two bloodthirsty fan-favorites clash! Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) On sale July 14, b&w, 40pg, $3.50 FOR MATURE READERS After last issue's jaw-dropping reunion, the surviving members of the Shingyötö-ryü clan, led by the vindictive Iriya, face off against Rin and the weakened Anotsu. Manji is back on the scene, confused by Rin's strange alliance, but willing to fight the Shingyötö- ryü swordsmen in order to be with his dear "little sister" again. Another classic, frenetic Samura-style fight begins, as two fan-favorite warriors, Magatsu and Makie, also return to Blades' pages, providing further complications and unavoidably twisted bloodshed! ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. ? Ten volumes of fantastic translated works in the Dark Horse backlist! Cover price $3.50.

Add to cart Fine $3.00

HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) On sale July 14, b&w, 40pg, $3.50 FOR MATURE READERS After last issue's jaw-dropping reunion, the surviving members of the Shingyötö-ryü clan, led by the vindictive Iriya, face off against Rin and the weakened Anotsu. Manji is back on the scene, confused by Rin's strange alliance, but willing to fight the Shingyötö- ryü swordsmen in order to be with his dear "little sister" again. Another classic, frenetic Samura-style fight begins, as two fan-favorite warriors, Magatsu and Makie, also return to Blades' pages, providing further complications and unavoidably twisted bloodshed! ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. ? Ten volumes of fantastic translated works in the Dark Horse backlist! Cover price $3.50.

Add to cart Fine $3.00

HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A) FOR MATURE READERS On sale September 8, b&w, 32pg, $2.99 Stunned by conflicting emotions and indecision, Rin watches as the revenge-mad Iriya confronts Makie, the skilled angel of death. Iriya's seen what Makie can do, but with Anotsu finally within his sights, a bloody battle is unavoidable. Nearby, Magatsu and Manji cross swords with the remaining Shingyötö-ryü swordsmen. Magatsu, still recovering from his last terrible fight, tries to hold his ground against one of the Shingyötö-ryü clan's most honorable students, while Manji, eager to finally be reunited with Rin, hopes to send a few more opponents to the afterlife. As his latest dogfight gets messier, Hiroaki Samura continues to reinvent the bushidö grudge match by mixing elements of classic samurai tales and epic Western films with modern punk rock sensibilities. ? Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Eisner Award. ? TWELVE volumes of this modern classic available in the Dark Horse backlist! Cover price $2.99.

Add to cart Fine $3.00

(W & P) Hiroaki Samura; Known for its cast of vibrand punk rock characters, Blade of the Immortal promises a future chock full of new color with the chapter. We're introduced to bizarre, new members of the Ittoryu and thier odd hairstyles, costumes, and weapons, as players in the secret, outcast Mugairyu crew conspire in the background. Also, with their flight towards Edo interrupted by Anotsu's illness, will Rin finally take this opportunity to end his life...or will she wind up defending it? Hiroaki Samura is about to turn his Samurai epic in a strange, new direction! Cover price $2.99.

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by HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS It could be any peaceful morning in Edo. The beautiful Hyakurin's taking care of her hair in the bath; her assistant Shinriji's trying to sneak a peek. But this isn't a casual visit the pair is preparing for. They're off to see Master Sori the painter and his special houseguest ? the horribly mutilated immortal samurai, Manji. So far, he hasn't regained consciousness. But will Hyakurin be ready for his first words when he does...? FOR MATURE READERS On sale October 10 b&w, 32pg (4 of 4) . . . $2.99 Cover price $2.99.

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HIROAKI SAMURA On sale July 9, b&w, 32pg, (one-shot), $2.99?MATURE READERS Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal has gained world-wide recognition for its rough yet graceful art, its modern attitude coupled with a detailed, archaic setting, and uncertain innocence mixed with brutal bloodletting. This issue brings the reader into the midst of something out of the ordinary for Blade of the Immortal?a highly detailed traditional Japanese ceremony. These hidden politics, this tentative romance, age-old traditions, surprises, heartbreak, anger, fear?so much emotion packed into a single issue! And not a single sword is drawn. But that doesn't mean the tension and action are not present; rather they are hidden, gestating behind thin veils and quiet patience. This issue, as well as #79, are the crux of a long, mysterious story?a winding path that will soon begin its descent into the complex chaos you've come to expect from Blade of the Immortal! Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award. Cover price $2.99.