Shi: Senryaku

    (Crusade, 1995)
™ and ©1995 William Elliott Tucci

This is a good one. A very good one. Like Shi: The Way of the Warrior, this series can be enjoyed on several levels at once. On one hand, it’s a pinup book, featuring Ana the beautiful Japanese-American swordswoman, as illustrated by some of the greats in the business: Jim Lee (WildC.A.T.s), Dave Sim (Cerebus the Aardvark), Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti (Ash), and many more.

At the same time, it’s a lesson book for the Chinese strategies of war (Japanese: Senryaku). These thirty-six strategies sum up ages of wisdom in the form of proverbs such as “Kill with a borrowed sword,” or “Attack one foe to win another.” These are explained by recalling lessons Ana’s grandfather taught her, using history as his text.

Finally, Shi: Senryaku accomplishes all the above while furthering the characterization of Ana and her grandfather. That it pulls all of it off is utterly remarkable.
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1
August, 1995
Cover Price: $2.95
15 copies available from $2.00 		Gary CohnJim Lee, Joe Quesada, Geoffrey Darrow, Jimmy Palmiotti, Nelson Asencio, Dave Sim, Michael Bair, Angela Daskalakis, Jeff Smith, Bill Tucci, Paris Cullins, Gary Cohn
#1 Special Cover
August, 1995
Cover Price: $2.95
7 copies available from $2.64 		Gary CohnBill Tucci
#2
October, 1995
Cover Price: $2.95
17 copies available from $1.92 		Gary CohnBill Tucci, Marc Silvestri, Jae Lee, Jim Balent, Dan Jurgens, Caesar Rodriguez, Amanda Conner, Barry Orkin, George Pérez, David Mack, Chris Batista
#3
November, 1995
Cover Price: $2.95
13 copies available from $1.50 		Gary CohnBill Tucci, Scott Lee, Humberto Ramos, Stan Sakai, Terry Moore, Jason Pearson, Cully Hamner, Adam Hughes
Book #1
August, 1995
Cover Price: $13.95
2 copies available from $13.50 		Bill Tucci, Gary Cohn, Paul J. Grant, Kurt Busiek, Steven Seagle, F. Braun McAsh, Michael A. BarnhartBill Tucci, Jim Lee, Joe Quesada, Geoffrey Darrow, Jimmy Palmiotti, Nelson Asencio, Dave Sim, Michael Bair, Nelson, Angela Daskalakis, Jeff Smith, Paris Cullins, Marc Silvestri, Jae Lee, Jim Balent, John Cebollero, Dan Jurgens, Cesar, Amanda Conner, Mark Texeira, Barry Orkin, George Pérez, David Mack, Chris Batista, Julie Bell, Scott Lee, Humberto Ramos, Stan Sakai, Ray Lago, Terry Moore, Jason Pearson, Cully Hamner, Marc Sasso, Adam Hughes, Joe Jusko