The Knife at Your Back (Volume 1)
Her name is Mirai Yoshida.
She was not born in Japan.
She is not supposed to be in 1864.
But, through a time-travel mishap, Mirai is stuck with no way out. Help may be found when she befriends Hatsu, a humble tea mistress harboring a dangerous secret. Yet time is running short for the entire nation, because Mirai knows that the shogunate is about to fall. Learning the way of the sword might be her only path towards survival.
Reviews
“Wilgus’ artistic restraint isn’t just visually pleasing — it’s also humble. It seems to say that this Westerner isn’t trying to cannibalize or exoticize Japanese culture, but only to offer a few new angles on its well-established forms. The book’s spare lines, unassuming story and uncomplicated-yet-likable characters aren’t just self-effacing: They’re also classic. Chronin seems timeless in more ways than one — but then, cleverness often does.”
“Clever dialogue and detailed black-and-white images create an intense and moving story with plenty of heart and a mystery readers will want to solve.”
“Wilgus’ dialogue is fresh and snappy, the story moves with purpose, the characters are deeply conflicted, and there were far more surprises than I anticipated. I definitely want to see how it all comes together in VOL 2: THE SWORD IN YOUR HAND.”
“The story has a truly fascinating premise and plumbs impressive depths, particularly in Kuji and Mirai’s arguments over rebel factions during the period, which raises thoughtful questions about how ideology influences how we view history as well as the dangers of romanticizing rebellion. Deepening mysteries about Mirai and Kuji’s time travel program make for a compelling cliffhanger ending to this genre-blending series starter.”Booklist
“[CHRONIN] is many things: an adventure story, a sci-fi yarn, a romance, a survey of history and social change, a study of entitlement, and a meditation on finding one’s place in the world […] it’s magical.”
“Wilgus executes the story in a skillful Manga art style and energy in unfolding the drama that works well together in presenting the headier themes, prefacing what is no doubt going to be an exciting Volume 2.”
“CHRONIN is a tense, entertaining time travel caper, charmingly drawn and filled with endearing, complicated characters that you can’t help rooting for.”Faith Erin Hicks, Eisner-Award winning author of The Adventures of Superhero Girl and The Nameless City trilogy
“A fascinating, intricate story, and Alison’s love for the period is evident in every scene.”Tony Cliff, author of Delilah Dirk series
“CHRONIN delivers a solid story that touches on the importance of identity and history, and how they go hand in hand. With its lush historical setting and an ear for sharp dialogue, Alison Wilgus’s first solo outing shows the promise of a fresh voice to comics.”Ethan Young, Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated author of Nanjing: The Burning City
“CHRONIN is an elegantly rendered, insightfully layered time-travel adventure that creatively explores the complex tensions around identity, power, and constructions of history. This technically adept graphic novel showcases the power of the comics medium and gives us the gift of a wonderfully dangerous world that is filled with so many amazing possibilities!”John Jennings, author of New York Times bestselling Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation