by Joseph Carlson
It is winter and Ogami Itto's path of blood is starting to be carved in snow. This issue found Ogami fighting the clan of the assassin's that his mortal enemy the Yagyu employ. Two of the combatants are actually Retsudo's half son and daughter.
Ogami dispatches the son and the daughter is held with Retsudo in a scheme to see a new heir come to the throne of the clan. Retsudo curses Ogami again but can do little to stop him from his ultimate goal. As of now Retsudo's options are limited. Not only his he older, but in the last battle Ogami Itto took his eye.
Later The Lone Wolf and Cub actually run into a police officer that threatens to take him in. Unfortunately, the man is aging and ailing and has a stroke before he is able to capture the father and son. Ogami helps him though and calls for a doctor and then leaves town.
Diagoro shows more signs of being his father by staying with his family while his father completes an assassination. And before his very eyes Diagoro sees two falcons killed because they had to follow their masters in death.
Retsudo sets an elaborate trap and almost catches The Lone Wolf and Cub. Fortunately our hero he has discovered the secrets to the Yagyu letters that were being sent. The Yagyu write with ink that absorbs light in the day and reflect it at night. Ogami almost says as much but Retsudo silences him and allows him to leave.
This is building to a great climax. I find it interesting how Retsudo, when given the chance, will not duel Ogami. Since the assassin took his eye he still has not really recovered. We will have to wait a few issues to see how it turns out. Two more issues down and about ten to go for The Lone Wolf and Cub.
Lone Wolf and Cub is available on Amazon and digitally.
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