In the future, under the teachings of the one and only Samurai Jack, society has reached a new level of prosperity, peace, and understanding. There’s only one problem: it looks like this Jack is nothing more than an imposter, with the real hero still living in solitude. The first chapter of “Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds” begins a new mysterious adventure for our hero. Let’s see if it stands up to the quality of the t.v. series. Major Spoilers Ahead!
Written by Paul Allor
Illustrated & Colored by Adam Bryce Thomas
Lettered by Christa Miesner & Robbie RobbinsPicking up sometime after the end of Samurai Jack and the demise of the great demon Aku, the society of the future is living their best life. Peace and enlightenment are widespread as everyone is doing the best they can to live by philosophies and teachings modeled after Jack’s example. As great as everything is, there are secrets behind the happiness and events on the horizon that could cause it all to come crashing down.
Hardly seen by the populace, Jack leads a life of seclusion. On a day like any other, the benevolent samurai makes an appearance in the marketplace. Looking happy, clean shaven, and top-knot tied tight he causes quite a positive stir amongst the townspeople upon his arrival, this leads to a major reveal right at the start. The Jack that has been the model for all of these new teachings looks to be false leader. From a mountain cave, a Jack who has let his hair grow long and his beard grow full is watching over the town. Upon seeing this other Jack, our true hero does a quick shave with his katana (a moment that I wish had been given just a tad more detail and clarity) and leaps into action. The two Jacks meet face to face with the copy never dropping his smile or his charm, he attempts to speak to the real Jack, who is having no part of this farce.
The next few pages are a flurry of powerful punches, swift kicks, and quick, slick sword action, but we’ll get back to that. Seeing Jack fight a figure that looks just like him, specifically a younger, “better” version of himself is exactly the cathartic fight he needed to jump start his life again. He is destroying his fears, his pain, his doubts. After the intense battle, Jack dispatches of his enemy by slicing off its head. We, like Jack, assume that it must be an evil doppelganger or a demonic presence who has taken on the guise of the famed samurai, but when the severed head starts talking again, the truth is revealed. This new Jack is a robot.
The robot begins to explain that he was created by scientists with the sole purpose of continuing the teachings of Jack to help create a better quality for life in the village. Slowly, but surely the villagers came around to him and accepted his leadership. Realizing that this was all seemingly done for the best reasons Jack decides to stay in the village and continue the good work. The issue ends with a few more secrets being revealed leaving a few open paths for Jack’s future. There is a lot of information dumped towards the end of the issue that could have been left for future chapters, but since it is unclear exactly where the story is going, the change in pace has to be deliberate. Just as the television series left his life open to any number of possibilities, it looks like “Lost Worlds” is the narrative we needed to get Jack back into action.
Paul Allor’s (“TMNT”, “Guardians of the Galaxy”) script is surprisingly poignant and takes on a depth that is not only unexpected, but whole-heartedly welcome. It is stories like this that made this character a cult favorite. The kooky blend of fantasy and science fiction made famous by the show is on full display. Action, mystery, and emotional weight are all present coming together in a satisfying first issue that sets up adventures to come. The last time we saw Jack he was in pain, but there was a glimmer of hope for his future. This new introduction is that hope. Allor is faithful to what has already happened in Jack[s life while keeping things interesting for what’s to come, this story works great as both a one-shot tale and the start of a miniseries.
Continued belowIDW Publishing continues its great track record with adapting animated series into comics. While animation is Jack’s native medium, Adam Bryce Thomas (“Sonic the Hedgehog”) is up to the challenge for helping him make the leap from screen to page. Both perfectly re-creating the look style made famous by Genndy Tartakovsky and co., while putting more than a few spins of his own on it, fans are lucky to have an artist like him on this book. Keeping true to the hard angles and heavy, but simple lines Thomas adds layers of texture and colors that take on a different life than anything seen in the show. Every panel is beautifully executed. Updated for its current medium, but bathed in that nostalgic glow.
This is the Samurai Jack that fans look back on with fondness. A smartly written and powerful reintroduction to a beloved character and universe. Rounded out by excellent art that is both true to the animated series and includes new and exciting styles throughout. Without a doubt, this is IDW’s best “Samurai Jack” outing to date.
Final Verdict: 8.0, “Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds” #1 is both an excellent continuation of the established canon, as well as a great jumping on point for new fans.
