Hitomi #1 (of 5)

You Don't Read Comics

The rhythm of the story feels very much like a traditional samurai film taken from a slightly skewed angle. There is a grand sense of scope about the story that makes the world feel large and imposing for the little hero, even if much of it is snow and empty space. It’s difficult to tell quite where the story is going, though Tak and company have clearly defined it in a way that feels like it could open up into a big, sprawling adventure if everything makes it to the page just right.

Monkeys Fighting Robots

Hitomi #1 is a compelling and thoughtful Western take on a tale of vengeance in Feudal Japan. HS Tak’s script blends classical genre sensibilities and blends them with modern style as well as great commentary to craft a story that is smart and massively engaging. The visuals from Isabella Mazzanti and Valentina Napolitano make for a beautiful rendition of classical Japanese artwork and modern sequential direction and expressiveness. This is one of the best debut issues of the year so far.

ComicBook.com

I really enjoyed this inaugural issue of Hitomi. Writer HS Tak does a fantastic job of setting up this world and its characters in a manner that quickly pulled me in. The most engaging part of this comic though is its stunning art from Isabella Mazzanti. While it clearly is based on artwork from Ancient Japan, Mazzanti is still able to give it a modern flair which makes for a unique style. It remains to be seen how Hitomi develops, but it's off to a great start.

Lotusland Comics

'Hitomi' is Tak's best work thus far with this thoughtful and entertaining take on a revenge story. A period piece that captures the tone and style not common in Western comics and we are all better for it. Be prepared to be swept away by this charming and beautifully produced series that subverts the typical tale of vengeance.

Sequential Planet

While Hitomi #1 is a fine start, it’s already started tiptoeing the tightrope that is pacing a comic mini-series. The relatively calm, almost serene atmosphere of the issue is enjoyable in a vacuum but does not exactly catapult readers into a narrative that only has four issues remaining to resolve. In fact, the protagonist’s search of Yasuke is literally the only bit of plot or character insight provided. While the issue never drags or jumps, it also fails to offer a sense of direction. Gradually showing readers which characters are important and outlining themes and motifs is, of course, part of the storytelling process; but we are already 20 percent finished with the story. In other words, Hitomi #1 functions better as a #1 of 12, or the first of an ongoing series, as opposed to the first of a five-act play.

Major Spoilers

Hitomi #1 has a foundation for a great story. I think this would work fine as an ongoing or even a twelve-issue series. As a five-issue series, I wanted to know more about the characters. Hopefully, the next issue will address the pacing of the characterization.