There's something of a resurgence of samurai fiction going on in comics right now, spurred by the success of Lone Wolf and Cub, and one example is Crossgen's The Path. Set in the same world as Way of the Rat (or vice-versa, actually, since The Path came first), this was a chance for Crossgen to branch out from the Western fantasy mold and into more of an Eastern take, blending their mythology of sigils and The First with samurai and shogun warfare. It was also the chance for Bart Sears to branch out artistically, changing his style considerably into a more ink-drenched look that suggests rather than shapes a story and which is full of ornate detail for the beautiful design of samurai armor or Eastern-style fortresses. It's a deliberately paced epic of lost faith and alien culture, and while it doesn't resonate with me as strongly as some of Crossgen's other work, it's definitely an intriguing read.
Rather than simply exploring the story of a ronin, which seems to be the fashion of most samurai epics in comics, Marz takes a slight detour in his casting. There's a slightly unreal element to his cast, which includes a barbarian, a woman and a monk who were all raised as samurai, but it also allows him to have his cake and eat it too. The fighting prowess and honor codes that are such a fascinating part of samurai can be found in the lead characters, but their origins, their gender or their chosen path all give them distinction as well. Obo-San, the monk who is the lead, is particularly interesting, torn apart when his gods betray him and he loses not only his belief system but the political system he has believed in, not to mention all of his friends.
Tragedy and honor are a big part of samurai stories, and Marz incorporates these elements deeply into The Path. It's a darker read than most of Crossgen's books, even considering the tragic beginnings that define many of Crossgen's characters, thanks to an overwhelming sense of danger and corruption in the society that the characters live in here. Corrupt empires and demonic influences abound, and the odds against Obo-San and his friend seem overwhelming. As a result, Obo-San and the friends who stand by him seem more heroic, and I especially enjoyed the reaction of the monks when Obo-San reached the monastery.
Also adding to the darkness is the artwork, which is certainly unique amongst the Crossgen titles. Bart Sears is generally known for his well-muscled characters and dynamic anatomy, so the shift to this style certainly stands out. Heavier inks, smaller panels and a generally looser approach give the book a look that is obviously influenced by Lone Wolf & Cub, and which is also reminiscent of the work of Mike Mignola. However, while there's certainly a darkness and inky quality to the art, Sears does not skimp on the detail, with some amazingly rendered samurai armor, mass battle scenes and Japanese-influenced architecture.
This is the first Traveler edition I've read where I wonder if maybe the artwork would have been better served at a larger size. Some of Sears's work is deliberately obtuse, aimed at capturing the speedy changes of fortune in battle or creating a mood rather than overtly telling the story, and while it works for the most part, there are some moments where the small panels don't quite tell the story. In particular, a fairly important sequence where Ryuichi is scarred leaves the reader wondering who did the deed, but there are other, smaller examples as well. Part of me wonders if the smaller size of the edition is responsible, but I suspect it's part of Sears's deliberate stylings that didn't quite work for me.
In general, though, the artwork and story holds up very well in this Traveler edition. Atiyeh's colors maintain the dark tone of the book without losing the clarity, and the detail on the art looks spectacular, even at the smaller size. In addition, this first trade of The Path contains an extra in the form of a fascinating interview with Bart Sears about his art techniques on the book that illuminates some of the artistic temperament that defines it.
