Best Selling Books by KAZUO KOIKE

In the politics, struggles, and battles that lead to the birth of a nation, sometimes even good people must die at the hands of allies. And now it''s down to only a few warlords of Edo-era Japan. History already tells the story of the victor, but the real guts of Path of the Assassin lie in the characters behind the scenes--the ninja warriors doing the dirty work. Theirs is a story of families and war and intrigue, only far more mysterious and untold.

Yamada Asaemon, The shogun''s executioner receives many strange requests from the condemned--a woman who bequeaths her severed locks to her beloved, a gardener who ask for the "beheading" of a chrysanthemum. And while strangers to Asaemon, their final moments and the stories behind their appeals can sometimes reveal more of a person''s character than a lifetime of association. From Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, legendary creators of Lone Wolf and Cub, comes the final omnibus volume of Samurai Executioner, a dark, complex exploration of Edo-period feudal Japan and the depths of the human spirit.

There is more than just blood between parent and child. Itto Ogami and his son Daigoro have seen more blood flowing from more bodies than anyone in Edo, but what connects them is their spirit and path. In this collection of classic stories, Itto must protect a young girl after her family is destroyed by a cunning courtesan. Meanwhile, Itto''s arch-enemy, Yagyu Retsudo, has sent the civilian police force to round up the Lone Wolf as a common criminal, and before long, Daigoro is coincidentally tangled in a messy pair of crimes. And, most dramatically, Itto returns to the scene of one of his past executions to enter a tender and honorable sword fight against an executed lord''s former retainer. This volume contains the following stories: Dragnet Night Stalker Cloud Dragon, Wind Tiger Inn of the Last Chrysanthemum Penal Code Article Seventy-Nine

War! Ninjas! Love! Political intrigue! It''s all packed into Path of the Assassin. Drafted by classic samurai manga creators Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima of Lone Wolf and Cub fame, Path of the Assassin is the story of a young shogun on his way to unite Japan, and the trusty ninja assigned to protect him. Be it in crafty maneuverings of war, political push and pull, or bedroom adventures, young Hattori Hanzo will not be kept from his duties. Path of the Assassin packs historical fiction and fine art in yet another classic samurai series from Dark Horse. • 18+ content advisory.

Striking similarities between Lone Wolf and Cub and Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima''s sidebar story line, Samurai Executioner (known as Kubikiri Asa in Japan), are evident in the cool attitude, rebellious honor, and unflappable bushido of the lead characters of both series, but readers will delight in the whole new crime-fiction genre of Edo-era samurai spirit in Samurai Executioner. Here, we enter a world of harsh and violent crime and the forces that stand against it. In this volume, after initial stories of criminals'' lives leading to their executions, we meet two Edo-era police officers and explore their specialized methods of capturing crafty criminals. Then, in Koike''s signature fashion, the volume ends with a psycho killer''s grueling and violent end. It''s a history lesson, an art education, and a pulp sensation, all wrapped up in one fantastic series. • FOR MATURE READERS

The stoic bushido world of Samurai Executioner is one full of flying, disembodied heads and odd happenings, and this volume is no exception. There are always stories of crimes and their ensuing punishments, and plenty of squirting blood, but this volume promises a story that will fascinate and inspire a few grins. A mysterious woman with a turtlelike demon tattooed on her back and the ability to swim like no other is stealing weapons from men around Edo. She''s scarring egos and causing lots of problems. Of course, Kubikiri Asa has the answer to the mystery. And in a surprise turn, a samurai cop whom we''ve met before finally captures the woman, and does so in a rather erotic way. • FOR MATURE READERS

A Crying Freeman Graphic Novel originally published in Japanese, with remarkable drawings that tell the story. Chapters: The Wind and the Crane, Part 3; The Marital Vows; The Separation of the Dragon and the Tiger; and The Killing Ring, Parts 1 through 5.

Ogami Itto doit encore faucher la dernière herbe qui se dresse devant lui avant d''affronter son ultime adversaire, Retsudo Yagyu L''heure du duel tant attendu entre les deux ennemis jurés a enfin sonné. Découvrez la lin poignante de cette magnifique épopée. Un grand classique du manga par les créateurs japonais Kazuo Koike et Goseki Kojima.

Japon. Ere Meiji. Une mère de famille assiste impuissante aux meurtres de son époux et de son fils, avant de connaître elle-même un triste sort. Après avoir tué l''un de ses agresseurs, elle finit en prison, où elle donne naissance à une fille, Yuki, qui, en guise d''unique héritage, va recevoir la beauté... mais surtout la vengeance, sa seule raison d''être. Découvrez le destin de Lady Snowblood, une tueuse à gages au charme aussi tranchant que sa lame !