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!!!Tropes associated with this work:
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The series takes many influences from {{Manga}}, and is stated to have been inspired partly by ''Manga/LoneWolfAndCub''. ''Ronin'' also holds the distinction of having been printed on Baxter paper stock similar to ''ComicBook/{{Camelot 3000}}'', as well as having no advertisements.
Not to be confused with the 1998 film ''Film/{{Ronin}}''.
Not to be confused with the 1998 film ''Film/{{Ronin}}''.
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The series takes many influences from {{Manga}}, and is stated to have been inspired partly by ''Manga/LoneWolfAndCub''. ''Ronin'' also holds the distinction of having been printed on Baxter paper stock similar similarly to ''ComicBook/{{Camelot 3000}}'', ''ComicBook/Camelot3000'', as well as having no advertisements.
Not to be confused withthe 1998 film ''Film/{{Ronin}}''.
''Film/Ronin1998''.
Not to be confused with
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* BikerBabe: A Nazi biker babe at that. "Babe" might be a stretch, though.
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* BadassBiker: Since it's post-apocalyptic, the typical biker gangs are out in full force.
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* BadassBiker: Since it's post-apocalyptic, the typical biker gangs are out in full force.force, with a Nazi biker babe included.
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[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ronin4_7457.jpg]]
''Ronin'' is a comic book limited series published by Creator/DCComics. The series was written and drawn by Creator/FrankMiller with water colors by Lynn Varley. The series publication ran between 1983 and 1984 with a total of six volumes.
The story begins with a samurai who is charged with defending his master, Ozaki. However, Ozaki is assassinated in the night by a demon in revenge for stealing the sword of the demon's master, Agat. Ozaki's spirit grants the now-''ronin'' the sword, the only tool capable of slaying the demon lord it had been stolen from. The ''ronin'' then goes on a journey to slay the demon, who on his dying breath curses him to the same eternal prison as itself, within the sword.
The story then cuts to a near-future dystopic UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity, a lawless wasteland. What is left of civilized New York lives inside a massive complex called Aquarius, which is owned by the ominous Aquarius Corporation and run by three people: Peter [=McKenna=], a scientist who invented biocircuitry; Casey [=McKenna=], the head of security who is also Peter's wife; and Mr. Taggart, the corporate head of Aquarius. The city is powered by Virgo, a sentient computer who is gaining more and more control over Aquarius. Finally, we are introduced to young Billy Chalis, an autistic man with no limbs who seems to have telekinetic powers. Unlocking the key to his powers may provide a brighter future for Aquarius and civilization as a whole, according to Peter and Virgo.
Meanwhile, by unknown means, the ancient Japanese sword is discovered, releasing Agat and the ''ronin''. They continue their blood feud throughout Aquarius and across the wastelands of New York. Casey looks into the matter, eventually discovering the truth behind it all.
The series takes many influences from {{Manga}}, and is stated to have been inspired partly by ''Manga/LoneWolfAndCub''. ''Ronin'' also holds the distinction of having been printed on Baxter paper stock similar to ''ComicBook/{{Camelot 3000}}'', as well as having no advertisements.
Not to be confused with the 1998 film ''Film/{{Ronin}}''.
----
!!!Tropes associated with this work:
* AbsurdlySharpBlade: Can't be a samurai story without one.
* AfterTheEnd: New York is a wasteland. While businessmen from Japan are able to fly over, it's likely the rest of the world isn't better off.
* AIIsACrapshoot: What's left of civilized New York is run by an AI computer. It doesn't turn out well.
* AuthorAppeal: This is basically Frank Miller's love letter to manga/anime both past and (at the time) present. We see elements of everything from ''Manga/LoneWolfAndCub'' to ''Manga/{{Akira}}''.
* BikerBabe: A Nazi biker babe at that. "Babe" might be a stretch, though.
* BadassBack: Instead of the standard sword-under-shoulder move, Ronin actually does the DeliberateInjuryGambit move by stabbing himself; something that is normally relegated to characters with a HealingFactor. He takes it damn well, though.
* BadassBiker: Since it's post-apocalyptic, the typical biker gangs are out in full force.
* BadassNormal: Casey.
* BodyHorror: [[spoiler:Peter]] after being turned into a half-man, half-machine by Virgo.
* {{Cyborg}}: Ronin is part machine, as evident by the cover.
* CyberPunk: One of the first comic examples in mainstream comics.
* DecoyProtagonist: The story plays with it a bit [[spoiler:as Billy seemingly dies towards the end and Casey is essentially the hero of the story anyway]].
* DisabilitySuperpower: Billy, in a way. He has no arms and legs and seems vaguely autistic, but has strong mental powers.
* DiscOneFinalBoss: It's apparent fairly early on that Agat isn't going to be the main villain of the story and that Virgo is the BigBad. [[spoiler:One could even argue that Billy was the final villain.]]
* EldritchAbomination: Agat is an ancient demon, apparently from another world.
* EqualOpportunityEvil: Averted with the biker gangs who are separated by race.
* EternalEnglish: Averted. Ronin is an ancient Japanese samurai in a futuristic America. He doesn't speak a word of English.
* EverythingsBetterWithSamurai: The Cyberpunk setting is made more interesting by including a samurai into the mix.
* FanDisservice: When Casey and her security team get blindsided in the sewers by the cannibals, they all get stripped naked. The sight of her being overpowered and manhandled by a bunch of warty flesh-eating troglodytes is in no way arousing.
* FatBastard: Jagger and Silk, the respective leaders of the white supremacist and black supremacist gangs.
* FishOutOfTemporalWater: An ancient samurai stuck in an apocalyptic future? [[SarcasmMode He should fit right in.]]
* ForeShadowing: The Japanese businessmen give clues to the reveal in their brief appearance.
* FromBadToWorse: It says something when the main characters start off in an apocalyptic setting... and it gets worse from there.
* GainaxEnding: [[spoiler:Virgo is destroyed, possibly damning the entire human race. Casey certainly has little to no protection in the harsh New York environment and then Ronin comes marching through the flames. Not only is the Ronin identity supposed to be dead but Billy's fate certainly seemed sealed as well since he committed {{seppuku}} and was left in an exploding building. Not only that, with Virgo gone, who is controlling him? His blank stare at Casey doesn't make things seem any better. [[LeftHanging The end.]]]]
* GenreBusting: Is it a period piece martial arts epic? Fantasy? CyberPunk? ...What?
* GoneHorriblyWrong: Let's start putting what little human civilization has left in the hands of AI computers who have the ability to practically create life. Sounds great!
* HeroicBystander: [[spoiler:Billy is ultimately just a minor character who is trying to be a hero.]]
* ISeeThemToo In the beginning Ronin and his master have this exchange in regards to the attacking demons.
* InvoluntaryShapeshifter: [[spoiler:Billy is turned into Ronin by Virgo.]]
* LoveHurts: [[spoiler:Billy's feelings for Casey.]]
* MegaCorp: The Aquarius Corporation controls what's left of the country.
* MindScrew: The ending and TheReveal. See Gainax Ending above.
* {{Mutant}}: It wouldn't be a good AfterTheEnd story without a few.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Casey, Peter, and Taggart get this way at various times over the creation of Virgo.
* {{Nanomachines}}: Virgo is powered by them.
* NewAgeRetroHippie: Head, the Ronin's "creative management."
* NoNameGiven: [[spoiler: Although the reader doesn't know he's actually Billy Challas until towards the end]], the Ronin "character" is never given a name.
* OldMaster: Ozaki, the Ronin's master.
* OrganicTechnology: Peter and Virgo's subject of choice.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: The gangs are separated by race and use racial slurs against one another. Not surprisingly, Ronin gets a few thrown his way when he shows up.
* PillarsOfMoralCharacter: Ronin seems to live by this.
* RealityWarper: For all intents and purposes, Billy is one.
* TheReveal: [[spoiler:Ronin, Agat, Ozaki, and the sword don't actually exist. It was all a part of the TV show Billy watched in his free time. Virgo used Billy's powers and mental state to make him turn his fantasy into a reality, essentially turning himself into a hero and creating his own villain using his powers and Virgo's biotech. That way, she could easily manipulate him into doing her bidding. This would eventually lead to the destruction of mankind and the emergence of biotechnology as the dominant lifeform.]]
* {{Ronin}}: Obviously.
* {{Seppuku}}: One of the more accurate depictions in Western media.
* {{Shapeshifting}}: Agat.
* ShowWithinAShow: Or in this case, a show within a comic. Billy likes to watch TV a lot.
* SingleTear: A punk tricks Ronin into fighting a rival gang. When Ronin realizes his mistake, he tries his best to apologize and avoid further conflict. At this point, the gang wants to continue the fight, so Ronin [[BerserkerTears kills them while]] [[ManlyTears shedding one of these]].
* SupportingProtagonist: One could easily argue that Casey fits this trope. Much of the action revolves around her. [[spoiler:Billy too, considering he's little more than a background character until the revelation at the end that he was the main character the whole time.]]
* ThoseWackyNazis: It is Creator/FrankMiller, after all.
* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: In the beginning, the Ronin throws his sword into the chest of a demon. His master berates him but Ronin quickly points out that he (the master) still has his.
* TranslationConvention: Ronin and Ozaki speak English during the scenes in ancient Japan. [[spoiler: Although since they are TV characters, the reader might just be reading the [[FridgeBrilliance English-dubbed voices.]]]]
* UnwillingRoboticisation: [[spoiler: Peter and Billy.]]
* WretchedHive: Basically, anything outside of Aquarius.
----
''Ronin'' is a comic book limited series published by Creator/DCComics. The series was written and drawn by Creator/FrankMiller with water colors by Lynn Varley. The series publication ran between 1983 and 1984 with a total of six volumes.
The story begins with a samurai who is charged with defending his master, Ozaki. However, Ozaki is assassinated in the night by a demon in revenge for stealing the sword of the demon's master, Agat. Ozaki's spirit grants the now-''ronin'' the sword, the only tool capable of slaying the demon lord it had been stolen from. The ''ronin'' then goes on a journey to slay the demon, who on his dying breath curses him to the same eternal prison as itself, within the sword.
The story then cuts to a near-future dystopic UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity, a lawless wasteland. What is left of civilized New York lives inside a massive complex called Aquarius, which is owned by the ominous Aquarius Corporation and run by three people: Peter [=McKenna=], a scientist who invented biocircuitry; Casey [=McKenna=], the head of security who is also Peter's wife; and Mr. Taggart, the corporate head of Aquarius. The city is powered by Virgo, a sentient computer who is gaining more and more control over Aquarius. Finally, we are introduced to young Billy Chalis, an autistic man with no limbs who seems to have telekinetic powers. Unlocking the key to his powers may provide a brighter future for Aquarius and civilization as a whole, according to Peter and Virgo.
Meanwhile, by unknown means, the ancient Japanese sword is discovered, releasing Agat and the ''ronin''. They continue their blood feud throughout Aquarius and across the wastelands of New York. Casey looks into the matter, eventually discovering the truth behind it all.
The series takes many influences from {{Manga}}, and is stated to have been inspired partly by ''Manga/LoneWolfAndCub''. ''Ronin'' also holds the distinction of having been printed on Baxter paper stock similar to ''ComicBook/{{Camelot 3000}}'', as well as having no advertisements.
Not to be confused with the 1998 film ''Film/{{Ronin}}''.
----
!!!Tropes associated with this work:
* AbsurdlySharpBlade: Can't be a samurai story without one.
* AfterTheEnd: New York is a wasteland. While businessmen from Japan are able to fly over, it's likely the rest of the world isn't better off.
* AIIsACrapshoot: What's left of civilized New York is run by an AI computer. It doesn't turn out well.
* AuthorAppeal: This is basically Frank Miller's love letter to manga/anime both past and (at the time) present. We see elements of everything from ''Manga/LoneWolfAndCub'' to ''Manga/{{Akira}}''.
* BikerBabe: A Nazi biker babe at that. "Babe" might be a stretch, though.
* BadassBack: Instead of the standard sword-under-shoulder move, Ronin actually does the DeliberateInjuryGambit move by stabbing himself; something that is normally relegated to characters with a HealingFactor. He takes it damn well, though.
* BadassBiker: Since it's post-apocalyptic, the typical biker gangs are out in full force.
* BadassNormal: Casey.
* BodyHorror: [[spoiler:Peter]] after being turned into a half-man, half-machine by Virgo.
* {{Cyborg}}: Ronin is part machine, as evident by the cover.
* CyberPunk: One of the first comic examples in mainstream comics.
* DecoyProtagonist: The story plays with it a bit [[spoiler:as Billy seemingly dies towards the end and Casey is essentially the hero of the story anyway]].
* DisabilitySuperpower: Billy, in a way. He has no arms and legs and seems vaguely autistic, but has strong mental powers.
* DiscOneFinalBoss: It's apparent fairly early on that Agat isn't going to be the main villain of the story and that Virgo is the BigBad. [[spoiler:One could even argue that Billy was the final villain.]]
* EldritchAbomination: Agat is an ancient demon, apparently from another world.
* EqualOpportunityEvil: Averted with the biker gangs who are separated by race.
* EternalEnglish: Averted. Ronin is an ancient Japanese samurai in a futuristic America. He doesn't speak a word of English.
* EverythingsBetterWithSamurai: The Cyberpunk setting is made more interesting by including a samurai into the mix.
* FanDisservice: When Casey and her security team get blindsided in the sewers by the cannibals, they all get stripped naked. The sight of her being overpowered and manhandled by a bunch of warty flesh-eating troglodytes is in no way arousing.
* FatBastard: Jagger and Silk, the respective leaders of the white supremacist and black supremacist gangs.
* FishOutOfTemporalWater: An ancient samurai stuck in an apocalyptic future? [[SarcasmMode He should fit right in.]]
* ForeShadowing: The Japanese businessmen give clues to the reveal in their brief appearance.
* FromBadToWorse: It says something when the main characters start off in an apocalyptic setting... and it gets worse from there.
* GainaxEnding: [[spoiler:Virgo is destroyed, possibly damning the entire human race. Casey certainly has little to no protection in the harsh New York environment and then Ronin comes marching through the flames. Not only is the Ronin identity supposed to be dead but Billy's fate certainly seemed sealed as well since he committed {{seppuku}} and was left in an exploding building. Not only that, with Virgo gone, who is controlling him? His blank stare at Casey doesn't make things seem any better. [[LeftHanging The end.]]]]
* GenreBusting: Is it a period piece martial arts epic? Fantasy? CyberPunk? ...What?
* GoneHorriblyWrong: Let's start putting what little human civilization has left in the hands of AI computers who have the ability to practically create life. Sounds great!
* HeroicBystander: [[spoiler:Billy is ultimately just a minor character who is trying to be a hero.]]
* ISeeThemToo In the beginning Ronin and his master have this exchange in regards to the attacking demons.
* InvoluntaryShapeshifter: [[spoiler:Billy is turned into Ronin by Virgo.]]
* LoveHurts: [[spoiler:Billy's feelings for Casey.]]
* MegaCorp: The Aquarius Corporation controls what's left of the country.
* MindScrew: The ending and TheReveal. See Gainax Ending above.
* {{Mutant}}: It wouldn't be a good AfterTheEnd story without a few.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Casey, Peter, and Taggart get this way at various times over the creation of Virgo.
* {{Nanomachines}}: Virgo is powered by them.
* NewAgeRetroHippie: Head, the Ronin's "creative management."
* NoNameGiven: [[spoiler: Although the reader doesn't know he's actually Billy Challas until towards the end]], the Ronin "character" is never given a name.
* OldMaster: Ozaki, the Ronin's master.
* OrganicTechnology: Peter and Virgo's subject of choice.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: The gangs are separated by race and use racial slurs against one another. Not surprisingly, Ronin gets a few thrown his way when he shows up.
* PillarsOfMoralCharacter: Ronin seems to live by this.
* RealityWarper: For all intents and purposes, Billy is one.
* TheReveal: [[spoiler:Ronin, Agat, Ozaki, and the sword don't actually exist. It was all a part of the TV show Billy watched in his free time. Virgo used Billy's powers and mental state to make him turn his fantasy into a reality, essentially turning himself into a hero and creating his own villain using his powers and Virgo's biotech. That way, she could easily manipulate him into doing her bidding. This would eventually lead to the destruction of mankind and the emergence of biotechnology as the dominant lifeform.]]
* {{Ronin}}: Obviously.
* {{Seppuku}}: One of the more accurate depictions in Western media.
* {{Shapeshifting}}: Agat.
* ShowWithinAShow: Or in this case, a show within a comic. Billy likes to watch TV a lot.
* SingleTear: A punk tricks Ronin into fighting a rival gang. When Ronin realizes his mistake, he tries his best to apologize and avoid further conflict. At this point, the gang wants to continue the fight, so Ronin [[BerserkerTears kills them while]] [[ManlyTears shedding one of these]].
* SupportingProtagonist: One could easily argue that Casey fits this trope. Much of the action revolves around her. [[spoiler:Billy too, considering he's little more than a background character until the revelation at the end that he was the main character the whole time.]]
* ThoseWackyNazis: It is Creator/FrankMiller, after all.
* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: In the beginning, the Ronin throws his sword into the chest of a demon. His master berates him but Ronin quickly points out that he (the master) still has his.
* TranslationConvention: Ronin and Ozaki speak English during the scenes in ancient Japan. [[spoiler: Although since they are TV characters, the reader might just be reading the [[FridgeBrilliance English-dubbed voices.]]]]
* UnwillingRoboticisation: [[spoiler: Peter and Billy.]]
* WretchedHive: Basically, anything outside of Aquarius.
----
