Frank Miller started as a legendary comic book writer who published some of pop culture’s greatest graphic novels such as “The Dark Knight Returns”. Recently, with adaptation of his novels “Sin City” and “300” making the big bucks at the box office Miller, who co-directed “Sin City”, is making the transition to Hollywood filmmaker with the adaptation of the comic series ” The Spirit”, and many of his earlier works are being optioned as films. His latest work to be optioned by Warner Bros. Studios is “Ronin”.

One of Miller’s earliest works, “Ronin” is an odd mix of Japanese fantasy and the standard near future, distopian society that is popular in films these days. The story begins in 13th century Japan where a samurai warrior known only as the Ronin is on a quest to avenge his master’s death at the hands of the demon Agat. Both are killed in combat and trapped in a sword, that is later uncovered in 21st century New York. The future has gone downwards due to a massive economic collapse and society is divided between the lawless gangs above and cannibalistic mutants in the sewers.

The only bright spot is a company called Aquarius Corporation who promise their new super technology called bio-circuitry will be used to revitalize the world. The whole system is run by a supercomputer called Virgo and a limbless telekinetic named Billy. Once the sword is discovered, Billy begins to dream of being the Ronin and starts to transform into the Ronin; at the same time Agat returns and assumes the form of the head of Aquarius. The Ronin escapes after blowing up Aquarius’ bio-circuitry building and plans his assault on Agat while running from Aquarius security and fighting the gangs, mutants, and the insane inhabitants of New York.

The book was written during Miller’s transformation from well-known comic book writer to comic book legend. The artwork is wonderful and shows his transition from clean lines and detailed human forms he used in the Daredevil and a less refined, grittier style from The Dark Knight Returns. His use of refined detail in telling the story in 13th century Japan is used to contrast the more savage yet technology advanced 21st century. The art overall presents the story with a cinematic feel that really helps the story jump of the page.

The only issue that hinders the comic is the storyline. While it is interesting it fails in several areas. Characters like Peter McKenna, a bio-circuitry genius who has the answers, are used to move the story forward but have no real depth to their characters. The plot twists in unexpected ways to keep the reader on the edge but they seem to be a bit absurd. But despite these problems, the story is still a pretty god page- turner that will keep the reader interested and separates it from the standard comic book material. All in all it should make for an interesting movie and here is hoping it translates well.