When the Raven Flies
Immersing in Vikings and Samurai, I devoured films fast—then hit DVDLady for cult gems like When the Raven Flies. Chaos, grit, and a 22-second English caption lag!
Humanity and Paper Balloons
Humanity and Paper Balloons is Sadao Yamanaka’s gritty, subversive period drama. A tale where flawed, human characters battle oppressive power.
Doctor Mœbius and Mister Gir
Strolling into Nuclear Comics in San Diego, I picked up Alan Moore’s From Hell and Doctor Mœbius and Mister Gir—a book that explores Jean Giraud's duality and his life.
Children of Ash and Elm
VIKINGS vs SAMURAI needed serious research, so I devoured Viking and samurai lore. Neil Price’s Children of Ash and Elm brought the Vikings alive—brutal, complex, real.
Hagbard and Signe
Hagbard and Signe is a visually stunning Viking tale of doomed love, honor, and vengeance, set against Iceland's raw, untamed landscapes.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man
Caught Tetsuo: The Iron Man at the Digital Gym last night—67 minutes of pure cyberpunk body horror madness. Inspired my VIKINGS vs SAMURAI villain, Lord Tsukamoto!
War and State Building in Medieval Japan
VIKINGS vs SAMURAI flipped my reading list, from sci-fi to hardcore history—samurai, Vikings, and the brutal reality of power, loyalty, and survival.
Three Outlaw Samurai
Three Outlaw Samurai is Hideo Gosha’s gritty, no-nonsense debut, blending brutal action with a dark take on samurai honor and rebellion.
Sword of the Beast
Sword of the Beast is Gosha’s raw, gritty takedown of samurai honor, where survival trumps glory, and hypocrisy rules. A must-see jidaigeki classic.
Akutō and Rural Conflict in Medieval Japan
I hate Facebook, but niche groups like the Historical Ninjutsu and Samurai Warfare forum are gold. Akutō? Not chaos—strategic rebels shaping my VIKINGS vs SAMURAI.