Vampires Face Off Against the Code of the Samurai in BUSHIDO

An outsider fights for Japan in December graphic novel

Kichiro is an outsider in feudal Japan — shipwrecked after marauders killed his parents, he is found and raised by a samurai who teaches him to live by bushido, the samurai code. Though he can never be recognized as a samurai because of his blood, in BUSHIDO, the new Image Comics/Top Cow graphic novel out in December, Kichiro finds he can use his skills and sense of duty to serve in another way: defeating the blood-drinking forces of darkness that have descended on Japan.

In this graphic novel by Rob Levin and Jessada Sutthi of Studio Hive, clan of vampires is bent on assassinating the shogun and claiming power for themselves. Kichiro recognizes them as the same marauders who mercilessly overran his ship so many years ago and vows to defeat them — to both avenge his past and protect his future.

“Exploring the philosophy, goals and techniques of vampires and samurai — and doing it all during an epic conflict between these two forces with gorgeous painted art was too good an opportunity to pass up,” said writer Levin. “But even more than that, Bushido allowed me to work with themes of family, honor and what it feels like to be an outsider, which is really what hooked me into the story on a personal level.”

BUSHIDO will be in comic book stores on December 17 and in bookstores on December 30. It is available for pre-order now.

BUSHIDO by Rob Levin and Jessada Sutthi of Studio Hive

• ISBN 978-1-63215-022-6
• Diamond Comic order code SEP140600
• 128 pages, paperback, full color
• $19.99
• In comic book stores December 17, bookstores December 30
• Rated Mature
• Collects BUSHIDO #1-5
• Retailers, librarians, and reviewers may request a PDF galley from Jennifer de Guzman, Director of Trade Book Sales, jenniferdeguzman@imagecomics.com

Praise for BUSHIDO:

“Jessada’s art is impeccable…. The digital art alludes to the paintings of the Edo period and create a true Japanese tale. The colours work well and create an enthralling read. The dark scenes really feel eerie, allowing the reader not to forget that this is a read with a supernatural threat lurking in the shadows.” Byron Hendricks, Fortress of Solitude