Set Description:
With the greatest affection, admiration, and honor for the Masters, Koike Kazuo, and Kojima Goseki, this set is a love song for all who touched the incomparable series, Lone Wolf and Cub.
From the back cover of the First Comics Publishing Editions: "Kozure Okami. Lone Wolf and Cub. The Baby Cart Assassin. The legend of Itto Ogami bears many names. Once he was the Kaishakunin executioner, the Shogun's officer of death. A single, precise stroke of his blade sped many a rebellious lord to his death. But now, Itto Ogami must be a ronin, a masterless samurai. Now he is the Lone Wolf.
And little Daigoro is his Cub. His wife and the rest of his family have been brutally murdered, his exalted position ruined by treachery. The Lone Wolf and his Cub share the same bloody fate. Together, father and son must travel the dark road to hell.
Wrongfully accused of plotting to overthrow the Shogun, Itto Ogami becomes an outlaw, wandering through the provinces of feudal Japan with his infant son Daigoro by his side, seeking vengeance for the murder of his wife and family. Ogami survives by his wits- and frequently by offering his services as a paid assassin. Sometimes his victims deserve the death he coldly metes out; other times they do not. But either way, Ogami is utterly committed to his task if he accepts payment and gives his word of honor. That is the way of the Samurai.
Once Ogami had been the Shogun's official executioner, using his deft swordsmanship to end the lives of rebellious lords who defied the Shogun. His skills with the blade were legendary."
A note on the set: Almost every single book is a one of a kind copy, either because it is highest in grade, signed by an important contributor, or in most cases, both. In addition, I have added many one of a kind, and exceedingly rare pieces to the second slot picture. Enjoy what I humbly consider to be the best collected set of Lone Wolf and Cub comic books, signatures, sketches and ephemera!
There will be many acknowledgements made throughout this set, but one name deserves to be mentioned in the introduction. This set simply does not exist in its current state without the immense help, guidance, and assistance of Sean Harmon (seanfingh). Since day one, he has walked every mile of this journey with me.
I dedicate this set to four men: my father, Sean, and my two boys.
By the Numbers:
47: set books attained. (of possible 49)
70: actual number of books in the set.
1: number of gem mint 10.0 books
32: number of near mint 9.8 books
10: number of 9.6 books
3: number of 9.4 books
1: number of 9.2 books
21: number of Koike SS signatures (plus 1 GLOD and 2 raw)
1: number of Kojima signatures (raw)
9: number of Miller SS signatures (plus 4 GLOD's)
9: number of Sienkiewicz SS signatures (plus 1 raw)
7: number of Wagner SS signatures
2: number of Ploog SS signatures
1: number of Lago SS signatures
2: number of Richardson SS signatures
3: number of Gold SS signatures
2: number of Levin SS signatures
2: number of Locke SS signatures
4: number of Guinan SS signatures
2: number of Wald SS signatures
1: number of Olivia SS signatures
4: number of Sakai SS signatures
15: number of unique signatures of those who worked on the series'
80: number of signatures attained of those who worked on the series'
4: additional signatures from sketch artists of this set (Aragones, Butler, Byrd)
1: Koike SS sketch
1: Miller SS sketch
2: Butler SS sketches
3: Sakai SS sketches
1: Byrd SS sketch
1: Wald SS sketch
1: Locke SS sketch
2: Sienkiewicz SS sketches
4: Wagner SS sketches
1: piece of Kojima original art
1: piece of Sienkiewicz original art
May, 2019 Edit: These numbers have increased as books, signatures, sketches have been added since. I will update the data set at some point.
|
|
|
| The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. |
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 1 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 1 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0717716021
|
Owner Comments
The Set: Lone Wolf and Cub was originally published in Japan in 1970. Written by Koike Kazuo, and illustrated by Kojima Goseki, it was an immediate success, quickly selling over 8 million copies and spawning 6 films and 2 television series. It's influence is undeniable. Without LW&C, there is no Ronin. Without LW&C, there is no Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Without LW&C, there is no Road to Perdition...
First Publishing won the rights to publish LW&C in America- the first English translation of the work- in 1987. More on First Comics throughout the set and in the companion journal to this set, "Ogami and Sons' Samurai Services" in the Journal section of CGC's chat boards.
The Book: Issue One had a $1.95 cover. That price would be increased several times throughout the 45 issue run. The first twelve issues contained an introduction by Frank Miller. (More on him later)
This particular copy was from Koike's 7/18/13 San Diego appearance, his second North American appearance in which yellow labels were created. From 2006 to this date, there were estimated to be five copies total of yellow label Koike's. I purchased this copy on the aftermarket from chainnball.
UPDATE: I now own a perfect (mint) copy of Lone Wolf and Cub #1. Second Pic: The aforementioned Koike, now with a Frank Miller signature, a second 9.8 Koike, a 9.6 Koike, and a 9.4 Koike.
I have loved Lone Wolf and Cub for as of this writing, twenty-seven years. See notes on issue 12 to see how this set came to be. See the companion journal for a richer understanding of Lone Wolf and Cub, LWC ephemera, and background information on this set.
The Cover: Frank Miller, pencil and inks. Lynn Varley, colors. Koike Kazuo, signature.
The Story: "The Yagyu clan, the deadly assassins empowered to enforce the Shogun's will, coveted Ogami's office of executioner as well. They framed him, killed his wife, and now they come to his home bearing an official order from the Shogun, demanding Ogami's death by ritual suicide..."
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 1 Second Printing |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 1 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0361445025
|
Owner Comments
The Set: Lone Wolf and Cub was an immediate success upon its North American release. There would eventually be four printings of the first issue and two printings of the second issue. The first twelve issues are still to be found in abundance, and there is a steady decline of the print run until it's final issue. It's difficult to separate out how much of this success is due to Frank Miller, how much to the issue premiering at near peak of the Black and White Explosion of 1984-1990, and how much is due to the work itself. If anyone has publication information, please add it to the discussion in the companion journal.
Update:The 9.8 is a point upgrade. The undercopy is an amazing OAK, details that follow.
The Book: A second print that looks exactly like the first print, with information in the indicia to separate the two. This copy was from Koike's third North American appearance, in New York, on 10/12/13. I was not aware of this appearance until after the fact. (I began this set in earnest after these two appearances, in late 2013)
This is truly a one-of-a-kind book. It is the ONLY Koike Kazuo sketched yellow label book in existence. (I've never seen another but am happy to be proved wrong) Koike is known for drawing what he calls a "Ten Man" sketch. I'll let you figure out why he calls it that. This book was purchased on the aftermarket from J.J. Kudos to him for creating a true OAK.
UPDATE: Now, the book has a Frank Miller signature and the only known Miller cover sketch on a LW&C cover, certainly alongside the only Koike sketch.
The Trade: The second slot is showcasing a truly rare trade. What you are looking at is a promotional copy produced in Japan, translated in English, and being sold by Global Communications Corp. to sell to the North American book market in 1986, one year before First Publishing won the rights. With the trade, I also have a four page ad, and three personalized letters regarding the upcoming publishing possibilities. Please check out the journal companion, "Ogami and Sons' Samurai Services" in the journal section of the CGC chat boards for more pictures, more details, and a nice confirmation of this information from a secondary source.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 1 Third Printing |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 1 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0226173001
|
Owner Comments
The Set: You can't talk about Lone Wolf and Cub without talking about four distinct time periods and multiple publishers.
Year One is the Japanese publication of the work, in 1970. I have a few copies of the Japanese works but am unfamiliar of the particulars other than a company name and very broad publication numbers.
Year Two is First Publishing securing the rights to publish the work in English in 1987. All hail Rick Obadiah. Unfortunately, the run ends less than a third completed. The story of First Publishing will be told in detail in the companion journal, "Ogami and Sons' Samurai Services" in the journal section of the CGC chat boards.
Year Three is a series of unfortunate events that ends well artistically, professionally, and personally for Koike Kazuo, Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics, and English speaking fans of Lone Wolf and Cub. All hail Mike Richardson. See the companion journal for the full story that begins with Mike attempting to publish Lone Wolf and Cub 2100 WITHOUT Koike's approval...
Year Four begins with Mike Richardson and Koike Kazuo establishing a good working relationship and eventually a friendship while shepherding the first completed English translation of Lone Wolf and Cub, beginning in 2000. Please see the companion journal for the entire story. Did I mention, hail Mike Richardson?
The Book: This is a third print of issue one, with the same exact cover, price, and contents. The indicia is the verifying data on the printing.
The Cover: I am proud and pleased to have Mike Richardson's signature on Lone Wolf and Cub. Let me be clear as to the goal of this set of books. I understand that Richardson didn't work on the First Publishing issues. But without Mike Richardson, the English language set is a failure. For all of its fine qualities, the First Publishing run falls short. Far short. First, it only contains less than a third of the complete story. Second, it is heavily edited for content and some of the stories are rearranged- likely some of the stories would have been excluded from the eventual full run (I am confident that this is due to mature content issues).
It is Mike Richardson and Dark Horse's efforts that allow English speakers to enjoy Lone Wolf and Cub. My intention is to honor as many hands that have touched the translated work, regardless of whether they worked on the First editions, or the later Dark Horse ones.
Mike signed this book for me (along with one other) on 1/25/14 at GemCity. This book was in the care of MSchmidt. Thanks, Schmiddty!
The Second Slot: First Publishing's only Lone Wolf and Cub trade, I hope to one day turn this into a yellow labeled slab. Along with the ephemera that First produced, it's obvious to me they had real affection for LW&C and tried to make it a publishing success. This gorgeous slip cased edition, featuring pencils by Frank Miller with painted final cover by Bill Sienkiewicz, (the only piece of its kind?) and forward by Eric Van Lustbader, with original color interior plates by Kojima, Olivia, Alex Wald, and containing the first six stories, is a beautiful work.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 1 Fourth Printing |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 1 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1185444014
|
Owner Comments
First Pic: The fourth print number one is the lowest printed of the four number ones. This book was purchased by me, and signed by Koike at Stan Lee's Komicaze on 11/01/14. All of these books were handled by Robert Harris at Space Cadets.
Second Pic: This is an original art piece by none other than Kojima Goseki, co-creator of Lone Wolf and Cub. It was created using brush and ink, watercolor, and calligraphy on 9 1/4 x 10 1/2 Shikishi mat board. I know of only 37 OA Goseki pieces, (CAF known pieces) and this is one of the nicer pieces. To say that Goseki OA is rare is an understatement and I am pleased to be able to showcase a piece by Kojima for this set.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 2 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 2 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1325823001
|
Owner Comments
The First Pic: This 9.8 Frank Miller was one of two created by me in the first wave of Miller's second era of signings. Yes, I paid too much, and yes, this and my #6 were done in Paris, France, and in hindsight, I'd do it all over again, including the premium I paid. With these two copies, this set officially achieved immortality. Big props to Sean and Rich Henn for these two books.
Second Pic: This Koike book was bought by me from chainnball in November 2013, from Koike's 7/18/13 signing. (I purchased a 9.8 nu. 1, this book, a 9.6 nu. 3, and a 9.4 nu. 4 from Condravy at one time).
The Story: "Ogami is feared by many in powerful places. They fear unseen enemies; they fear revenge from the families of those they murdered to attain their positions; they fear the Lone Wolf. They would kill Ogami before he has a chance to strike if they did not have to face his deadly blade. Now the Lone Wolf lies unconscious, deathly ill. Now he is defenseless. Now they will come. Now only the infant Daigoro- the Lone Wolf's cub- stands between his father and an army of assassins determined to destroy the Lone Wolf."
The Set: These four books, along with a few other key books, were purchased in a flurry during a period of time in 2013, when Koike had made two Summer appearances, leading me to believe I could put together a definitive SS set of Lone Wolf and Cub. Thanks to Brian for these four.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 2 Second Printing |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 2 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1185444013
|
Owner Comments
The Set: I won't lie. I love alternate printings. I always have. They tell a story. A story of progress. Print runs tell the story of progress and regress in the publishing world in the same way that expansions and closures tell the story of business in the physical world. Lone Wolf and Cub started off with great fanfare. The first issue had four printings, and the second issue had two printings. I would love to know the actual numbers, but this suggests an excitement and fervor around the beginning of the American run. Compare this to the later run in which it is much harder to obtain high grade copies with the legendary status of the last issue. I covet any information anyone has on LW&C publication data.
The Book: this raw book was purchased by me, shepherded by Sean, and managed by Robert Harris at Space Cadets, one of fourteen books signed by Koike at Stan Lee's Comikaze on 11/1/14.
Second Pic: This is a raw Frank Miller signed and CBLDF authenticated second print number two. I plan to eventually get it cleaned, pressed and green labeled.
Update: There was no point in pressing this beauty but I sure was proud to GLOD up this FM in the wild.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 3 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 3 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0273952015
|
Owner Comments
The Set: This book was one of four purchased by me from chainnball.
The Cover: I can't pick a favorite Miller cover, but this one is In a ten way tie for first place. One of the most gorgeous Miller images, it is everything great about him referencing Japanese culture. It is such a beautifully designed piece, you almost (almost) forget that Itto is cutting down an innocent holy man in the most violent way possible. Lynn Varley doesn't get enough credit for her work in general, but her work on these first twelve covers is phenomenal.
The Story: "The Lone Wolf has chosen the assassin's road; but can he truly transcend himself and become the perfect assassin? Is it possible for him to reach the state of 'Mu'- to feel nothing? 'When you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha.' These words echo in Itto Ogami's mind when he is hired to kill a wise and benevolent priest who shows him the road to 'The Gateless Barrier.'"
Second Pic: This is a period piece (1987) gaming magazine focusing on LW&C with a Frank Miller issue nu. 3 cover, and additional articles on Gary Gygax, Stephen King, and Ghostbusters.
UPDATE: Pic one is now a blue label 9.8. The second Pic is my undercopy, the aforementioned Koike 9.6, now with Miller.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 4 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 4 Modern |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0273952021
|
Owner Comments
The Set: This is one of four Koike books purchased by me from chainnball.
The Cover: How could you not love a cover that features the Hidari brothers, three ninjas known as "The Masters of Death", alternately, "The Gods of Death"?
The Story: "...In a nation of samurai, there are many skilled warriors. Amongst the most fearsome are the Kurokuwashu ninja - the Shogun's dreaded secret agents. And the Kurokuwashu have legends of their own..."
Second Pic: I believe this to be a promo poster since it mentions that issue 1 is coming out in May, seemingly after the poster is seen. It is a half sheet poster.
UPDATE: A blue label 9.8 is now in the top spot with a 9.6 Mike Gold signed copy, a Koike signed 9.4, and a NG Steven Butler sketch tripling up in the second slot. Mike Gold was invaluable in bringing LW&C to the U.S. and I look forward to describing his role in greater detail in my eventual journal.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 5 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 5 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1185454005
|
Owner Comments
The Book: Sean had Stan Sakai sign this book at San Diego in 2015. I had this book signed by Miller as a set of eleven in 2016.
Second Pic: Before there was the Criterion Blu Ray boxed set (2016), before there was an Animego Blu Ray set (2012), before there were multiple DVD sets, there was the VHS Samurai Cinema six movie set. The films are in wide-screen format, the boxes combine to create art from the series on the spines, and each film comes with 6 pages of liner notes on the film (1997).
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 6 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 6 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1185444012
|
Owner Comments
The Set: Koike Kazuo has made four North American public appearances in which yellow labels have been produced. His latest one on 11/1/14 was in California at Stan Lee's Comikaze. I was fortunate to be able to personally prep books for this signing beforehand.
The Book: This was an original owner book! Fun fact- I have at least one OO book for each artist in this set except for the final artist, Ray Lago, who created the final cover.
The Cover: In some ways, this is the heart of the series. Without Itto's wife's death, there is no story, no impetus. Miller and Varley beautifully portray the vulgar violence and intense emotional response from Itto in this intricately designed cover. Notice how Itto's wife's blood blends in to her kimono, matching the crimson tone, and suggesting blood flowing down to her feet. She lies in a pool of red fabric that echoes her life's blood.
Second Pic: This FM was one of two created in Paris, France. See notes on my #2 for more details.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 7 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 7 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1185444001
|
Owner Comments
The Influence on Daredevil, Ronin, TMNT, Frank Miller's influences, and the impact of Kozure Okami on American Comic Books- from the Introduction to the first issue by Frank Miller:
"For the longest time I couldn't read the words in my favorite comic book. A friend, Laurie Sutton, handed me a phone book with a water color painting of a samurai on the back cover. Well, it was as thick as a phone book, anyway. Laurie told me that the Japanese like their comics thick, and spared me hours of confusion by informing me that what I thought was the back cover was actually the front. The Japanese read right to left, she explained, not left to right, like us. So advised, I sat down with a chapter of Lone Wolf and Cub and gave it a look. 250 pages later I was babbling like an idiot."
Please see the companion journal, "Ogami and Sons' Samurai Services" in the Journal section of the CGC chat boards for a full exploration of this theme.
First Pic: Koike, one of 14 done at same time.
Second Pic: UPDATE-My 9.8 Ronin 1 now has not one, but two FM signatures. (The first in red, adding a splatter effect to the cover, the second, in gold). The NG #7 is a Mitch Byrd sketch .
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 8 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 8 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1185427002
|
Owner Comments
First Pic: This 9.8 copy is quite the OAK. First, it's a three sig 9.8 from two different signings, but more importantly, it's two of the three co-founders of First Comics alongside the art director on LW&C, alongside the art director's sketch (Mike Gold, Ken Levin, Alex Wald).
Second Pic: The 9.6 Koike- this raw book was a gift from comix4fun. Thanks, Chris! It was one of fourteen books shepherded by Sean, managed by Robert Harris at Space Cadets and signed by Koike on 11/1/14. GLOD 8.5: I had to save this raw Koike from the lair of the tiger. A Southern California bookseller/ebayer thought he had gold in this book. Over more than a six month period and multiple phone calls, I finally convinced him that this 6.0 in its current state, dollar book, with an unverified Koike sig (one that I fully believe is a real Koike sig) wasn't worth the price he was asking. I didn't need this book, but I really wanted it. I was able to eventually purchase it for much less than the initial ask. I plan to have it cleaned, pressed, and green labeled.(update, did not press or clean it but achieved a 8.5!). The NG #8 is a Steven Butler sketch cover.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 9 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 9 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1185454003
|
Owner Comments
The Set: This is one of fourteen books signed by Koike on 11/1/14. UPDATE: signed by Miller in 2016.
The Book: This was the second ever Lone Wolf and Cub book bought by me, a back issue after buying my first issue- number ten! It is so iconic to me, that it has been my avatar on the CGC boards for over five years- around the time that I changed my board handle from "noljoner" (don't ask) to "Ogami" for obvious reasons. I consider this one image to sum up the entire story of Lone Wolf and Cub. A father, a samurai hell bent on revenge for the many wrongs done to him, his precious son literally in tow, in harm's way, at every turn- both the product of his father's parenting and the beneficiary of all of his father's actions. Itto is the worst father ever. Itto is the best father ever. I look forward to expanding on this theme in my journal, "Ogami and Sons' Samurai Services".
The Story: "To defend the Great War bell of the Tokugawa is to defend Edo, the Capitol of feudal Japan. The warden of the bell, the Tsuji Genshichi, must combine heart and skill in a single body. To the bell warden, the loss of his right arm is the loss of his life- and the Lone Wolf has pledged to sever the arm of the new bell warden."
Second Pic: This is an original Japanese printed edition of Kozure Okami, otherwise known as Lone Wolf and Cub. It is volume 1, dated 1982, and I suspect, is a high numbered reprinting. It has a beautiful title picture of Itto and Daigoro and a gorgeous painted Kojima cover. UPDATE: This is a #9 NG Vince Locke sketch cover.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 10 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 10 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1185454004
|
Owner Comments
The Set: It all began here for me, when a sixteen year old boy walked into Rick Weem's comic book store in Slidell, Louisiana. Master Weem's was my Tae-Kwon-Do Master, as well as the owner of a comic book store. I wanted to be him when I grew up. This comic jumped off the shelf and into my hands and everything I knew about comic books changed. (Side note: TMNT nu. 10 was my first Turtles issue. Number tens are magic)
This copy: Michael Schmidt was able to have this book signed by Koike on 10/12/13, along with another book (a number one). He graciously sold it to me in November, 2013. It is one of my most loved books. Thanks again, Michael. UPDATE: it was signed by Miller in 2016.
The Story: "Two children hire the Lone Wolf to avenge the death of their father at the hands of 'The Lawless Samurai'. But Bushido, the code of the samurai, demands that the youths exact their own revenge, and Itto Ogami cannot violate the samurai code...or can he?"
Second Pic: This is a raw number ten signed by Frank Miller and authenticated by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. I plan to have it cleaned, pressed and green labeled. UPDATE: I skipped the press and clean, but love having these books in all their GLOD glory.
|
| Slot: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 11 |
| Item: |
Lone Wolf & Cub 11 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1185427001
|
Owner Comments
The Set: This was one of two books signed by Mike Richardson at the same time (1/25/14). UPDATE: Vince Locke signed in 2016.
This raw book was a gift from comix4fun. Thanks, Chris! It was shepherded by Sean, handled by MSchmidt, and pressed by Matt Nelson. Please see the notes on issue 1, 3rd print for more details.
The Cover: My least favorite Frank Miller cover of his twelve issue run, I stand by that opinion now, as upon seeing it for the first time, almost thirty years ago. Oddly disjointed, the lack of detail to Daigoro, and all appendages on the cover strike a discordant note against the sharp, intricate detaild work on the sword hilts, and further, the beautifully deep and textured face of a defeated samurai bottom left, behind Itto. I'm sure there is something profound going on in this piece, and I'm sure I don't know what it is.
The Story: "Separated from his father, lost and alone, Daigoro must fend for himself and endure both hunger and the raging elements. An ordinary child would surely perish under such circumstances. But Daigoro is no ordinary child- he is the son of Itto Ogami. He is the Lone Wolf's Cub."
Second Pic: This is an original art piece created by me January 8, 1990. I'm pretty proud of the work, considering I was an untrained seventeen year old. The issue purports to be issue 102, and me the cover artist. I was optimistic on both counts, seeing as how the run ended at issue 45, and I never became a professional comic book artist. I do think the typography holds up.
|
|