If the first volume didn't hook you (and I don't see how that's even possible), this one will do it. Lone Wolf takes on one of his strangest assignments here, and you get a peek into what set him and his son on this road.

This saga runs approximately 8,400 pages in 28 volumes. It's cinematic in scope and quite a history lesson, too. Don't be afraid of the tale's length. The stories fly by, and you'll end up wishing there was more.

For those of you who know of this story only through First Comics' adaptation many moons ago, this set (with this one being volume two of it) is the entire tale in the proper order. In a word -- incredible.

The series begins to take shape in LW&C2. I found the first volume repetitive due to the similar narrative structure employed throughout every chapter, but I mind that structure less and less in Vol. 2 as the characters develop. I'm hoping Vol. 3 continues this trend.

I have been reluctant to undertake the reviewing of this series for two reasons. For one thing, there are some 24 volumes, which mean a considerable commitment in reading and writing. Second, one of my favorite reviewers is also reading through the series, and it is no small effort to find ways to bring further insights to the reader.

Because I am also reading the Blade of the Immortal series, there is a natural tendency to compare these to manga, which are both similar, and quite different. Kazuo Koike is perhaps the more inventive writer. Since thus far the Lone Wolf series lacks the grand theme of revenge that knits Hiroaki Samura's work together, the Lone Wolf plots are limited to the individual stories. This is not a flaw at all, just an explanation of one of the key differences. Koike is a master of minimalist story telling, ironic devices, and plots that take surprising turns when least expected.

Both series have more than their fair share of violence, although Blade of the Immortal stands out for its depictions of fighting and dismemberment. Lone Wolf's violence is sudden and swift - less choreographed. Goseki Kojima, the artist also has a strong sense of the sweep and motion of a scene, while Samura's clean, balanced graphics produce a lighter, less congested style. Of course, the fact that Lone Wolf's page size is half that of Blade of the Immortal makes direct comparison more difficult.

There are several changes between the stories of volume one of this series and this second volume. For one thing, the tales are twice as long, allowing for better building of tension and plot, as well as more depictions of life in the world of Edo-period Japan. In addition, Daigoro, Lone Wolf's son (the cub of the series title) gets much better parts than he does in the first volume. He is no longer just a plot device, but a living character. Finally, there is an inner sense of the 'romance' and tragedy of a ronin seeking a life of honor.

That last two stories, 'The Gateless Barrier,' and 'Winter Flower' are perfect examples of the breadth of Koike's talent. Both are stories of murders that must be done, but one is a cautionary Buddhist tale, and the other is a finely honed recreation of the classic forms of Japanese tragic drama. Completely different from each other they are two strong arguments for pursuing this series.