The Mask of a Thousand Tears: 1. Death Walks with Me
by Script by David Chauvel / Art by Roberto Ali
Europe Comics
Pub Date 22 Apr 2020

This is a beautifully illustrated and ultra-violent samurai story that is worth seeking out. Doing action scenes in comics is not easy. Drawing violent fights without tripping over into grotesque nastiness is even more difficult. Roberto Ali does a superb job bringing the world of feudal Japan to life, and the colours by Walter are simply gorgeous. The action is rendered skillfully. The imagery in this really is reminiscent of scenes from Yojimbo or Ran. Chauvel script tells the story of Masamura a samurai employed by Sadakyo to bring the body of her fiancé back to their home village. The Mask of a Thousand Tears is a legendary object that has the power to bring the dead back to life, and Sadakyo seeks it. The comic leaves it unclear as to whether or not the mask actually exists and even if it does exist if it has the life returning properties ascribed to it. This gives a sense of futility about the quest. All this blood and violence may serve no purpose. Masamura starts off as a likeable goofball in the vein of Chris Pratt. Sadakyo obsessive love for her deceased fiancee comes off as unhinged. That for me is one of the flaws in the book. The dialogue is well done, and this is a very pretty book to look at. Still, I didn’t understand why Masamura was initially so besotted Sadakyo. To me, she seemed unhinged. That said Masamura motivations to continue the quest change throughout the tale so this wasn’t too much of a distraction. However, that small gripe aside this is an enjoyable read that mixes tension and action. Very much looking forward to part 2