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Ronin Island Complete Collection
Together in strength. When the Great Wind devastated Japan, Korea, and China, survivors found refuge on what they came to know as Ronin Island. Now, too young to have known any other world, Kenichi, son of a samurai, and Hana, daughter of farmers, must work together to stop a mutant plague that’s consuming the mainland and quickly advancing on their home! In this serpentine ride through the 19th century where not all is what it seems, follow Kenichi, Hana, their friends, and their foes from Ronin Island to the mainland and back again as they search for a way to protect all that they know from the forces of the mutated byōnin and shogunate alike. Collecting the complete series from The New York Times best-selling author Greg Pak (Star Wars, Mech Cadet Yu) and artist Giannis Milonogiannis (Future Gotham, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe) in a single volume for the first time! Collects Ronin Island #1-12.
296 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2025
9 people want to read
About the author
Greg Pak
1,651 books585 followersGreg Pak is an award-winning Korean American comic book writer and filmmaker currently writing "Lawful" for BOOM and "Sam Wilson: Captain America" (with Evan Narcisse) for Marvel. Pak wrote the "Princess Who Saved Herself" children's book and the “Code Monkey Save World” graphic novel based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton and co-wrote (with Fred Van Lente) the acclaimed “Make Comics Like the Pros” how-to book. Pak's other work includes "Planet Hulk," "Darth Vader," "Mech Cadet Yu," "Ronin Island," "Action Comics," and "Magneto Testament."
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 3, 2025
I did not realize - and this is a compliment - that I was buying Mad Max Usagi Yojimbo, but that's the vibe and it's generally a good time, even if I am growing weary of lab grown airborne pathogen monsters in my media
May 6, 2025
Ronin Island by Greg Pak: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Ronin Island is a sharp, action-packed, and emotionally resonant comic series that tells the story of two unlikely allies—Hana, a Korean farmer’s daughter, and Kenichi, a proud samurai heir—as they fight to protect their home from threats both human and monstrous. Set in a post-apocalyptic 19th-century East Asia, the series explores themes of identity, unity, leadership, and survival through the lens of both zombie-plague horror and historical allegory.
Volume 1 opens with immediate tension between Hana and Kenichi, rivals in training and temperament. But the sudden arrival of the Governor and the horrifying “Great Wind” infection—a zombie-like plague—forces them into reluctant cooperation. When their community is threatened, both rise beyond their roles. The series’ foundational values are made clear from the start: “Together in strength,” they’re told (#1), and this mantra drives the story forward.
The heart of Ronin Island lies in its belief that people of different backgrounds can build something worth defending. In issue #2, a striking line underscores this ethos: “Even in this time of MADNESS, people from all lands should be able to live together without MURDERING each other.” The series doesn’t shy away from racial and cultural tension, but uses it as a backdrop for real growth.
By issues #3 and #4, the infection has reached the island, forcing swift action and painful choices. “GET BACK, YOU MONSTERS!” Hana yells (#3), fending off the grotesque Shouki. When she cries out, “... I’m going to warn the ISLAND” (#4), it’s a turning point—her leadership begins not with pride, but responsibility.
Volume 2 escalates the conflict. The Governor's tyranny casts a long shadow, and issue #5 delivers a chilling threat: “... or you can tell us where your pretty little ISLAND is.” Faced with outside invasion and internal fear, Hana and Kenichi must decide who they want to be. In a brutal moment, someone snarls in #6: “All right, little samurai... let’s kill them ALL,” showing how easily violence twists even good intentions.
The moral weight increases in issue #7: “... now we defend the circle,” a desperate stand that reveals the fragile trust among the defenders. And by the end of volume 2, the islanders begin to find hope again: “... together in strength” (#8) returns as a quiet reminder of what they’re fighting for.
Volume 3 brings the series to its climax with high emotional and political stakes. Racial prejudice resurfaces in #9: “My lord, look—it’s the Korean girl!”—a stark reminder that Hana’s worth is still questioned by the world beyond the island. The cost of war becomes clear in #10: “I... I TOLD them not to fight us,” a moment of sorrow and futility in the face of conflict.
Yet hope persists. In #11, a rallying cry bursts through the chaos: “If the WIND changes we’ve got a CHANCE! Now come on!”—a line that reflects the resilience of those who refuse to give up. The series ends with Hana leading a full-hearted charge: “FOR THE ISLAND!” (#12). It’s a satisfying conclusion that affirms the power of unity and the fight to preserve a better future.
Final Thoughts
While Ronin Island occasionally struggles with pacing and leans heavily on genre conventions, its core message and character arcs resonate powerfully. Hana emerges as a particularly compelling protagonist—resourceful, compassionate, and unshaken by prejudice. Kenichi’s growth from arrogance to humility offers a strong counterpoint.
The art by Giannis Milonogiannis is kinetic and expressive, well-suited to the shifting tones of horror, action, and emotional intimacy. Pak’s writing balances energy with substance, even when the series moves quickly through complex ideas.
Ultimately, Ronin Island is more than a samurai-zombie mashup—it’s a story about forging community in the ruins of old empires, about fighting not just for survival, but for dignity, peace, and belonging.
4 out of 5 stars.
Ronin Island is a sharp, action-packed, and emotionally resonant comic series that tells the story of two unlikely allies—Hana, a Korean farmer’s daughter, and Kenichi, a proud samurai heir—as they fight to protect their home from threats both human and monstrous. Set in a post-apocalyptic 19th-century East Asia, the series explores themes of identity, unity, leadership, and survival through the lens of both zombie-plague horror and historical allegory.
Volume 1 opens with immediate tension between Hana and Kenichi, rivals in training and temperament. But the sudden arrival of the Governor and the horrifying “Great Wind” infection—a zombie-like plague—forces them into reluctant cooperation. When their community is threatened, both rise beyond their roles. The series’ foundational values are made clear from the start: “Together in strength,” they’re told (#1), and this mantra drives the story forward.
The heart of Ronin Island lies in its belief that people of different backgrounds can build something worth defending. In issue #2, a striking line underscores this ethos: “Even in this time of MADNESS, people from all lands should be able to live together without MURDERING each other.” The series doesn’t shy away from racial and cultural tension, but uses it as a backdrop for real growth.
By issues #3 and #4, the infection has reached the island, forcing swift action and painful choices. “GET BACK, YOU MONSTERS!” Hana yells (#3), fending off the grotesque Shouki. When she cries out, “... I’m going to warn the ISLAND” (#4), it’s a turning point—her leadership begins not with pride, but responsibility.
Volume 2 escalates the conflict. The Governor's tyranny casts a long shadow, and issue #5 delivers a chilling threat: “... or you can tell us where your pretty little ISLAND is.” Faced with outside invasion and internal fear, Hana and Kenichi must decide who they want to be. In a brutal moment, someone snarls in #6: “All right, little samurai... let’s kill them ALL,” showing how easily violence twists even good intentions.
The moral weight increases in issue #7: “... now we defend the circle,” a desperate stand that reveals the fragile trust among the defenders. And by the end of volume 2, the islanders begin to find hope again: “... together in strength” (#8) returns as a quiet reminder of what they’re fighting for.
Volume 3 brings the series to its climax with high emotional and political stakes. Racial prejudice resurfaces in #9: “My lord, look—it’s the Korean girl!”—a stark reminder that Hana’s worth is still questioned by the world beyond the island. The cost of war becomes clear in #10: “I... I TOLD them not to fight us,” a moment of sorrow and futility in the face of conflict.
Yet hope persists. In #11, a rallying cry bursts through the chaos: “If the WIND changes we’ve got a CHANCE! Now come on!”—a line that reflects the resilience of those who refuse to give up. The series ends with Hana leading a full-hearted charge: “FOR THE ISLAND!” (#12). It’s a satisfying conclusion that affirms the power of unity and the fight to preserve a better future.
Final Thoughts
While Ronin Island occasionally struggles with pacing and leans heavily on genre conventions, its core message and character arcs resonate powerfully. Hana emerges as a particularly compelling protagonist—resourceful, compassionate, and unshaken by prejudice. Kenichi’s growth from arrogance to humility offers a strong counterpoint.
The art by Giannis Milonogiannis is kinetic and expressive, well-suited to the shifting tones of horror, action, and emotional intimacy. Pak’s writing balances energy with substance, even when the series moves quickly through complex ideas.
Ultimately, Ronin Island is more than a samurai-zombie mashup—it’s a story about forging community in the ruins of old empires, about fighting not just for survival, but for dignity, peace, and belonging.
4 out of 5 stars.
May 19, 2025
Set in a post fungal-zombie apocalyptic feudal Asia, the story involves an island of various people trying to make a living when they are contacted by outsiders claiming to represent the Shogun and demanding tribute. They are soon attacked by the Byonin, (oni-like fungus zombies).
The two leads, Kenichi, the son of a samurai and privileged, and Hana, a Korean refugee and impoverished, have just past their warrior training when the encounter occurs. They go to meet the shogun, who's a brat.
This reminded me a lot of the Planet Hulk storyline, which he also wrote. I felt it leaned to hard on the "banding together, work to make the utopia more than an idea" motif, but I liked the lack of romance. Having also read Mech Cadet Yu, I like that Pak isn't afraid to have male and female rival leads that aren't love interests, and the art was nice overall, though there were some rough parts.
The two leads, Kenichi, the son of a samurai and privileged, and Hana, a Korean refugee and impoverished, have just past their warrior training when the encounter occurs. They go to meet the shogun, who's a brat.
This reminded me a lot of the Planet Hulk storyline, which he also wrote. I felt it leaned to hard on the "banding together, work to make the utopia more than an idea" motif, but I liked the lack of romance. Having also read Mech Cadet Yu, I like that Pak isn't afraid to have male and female rival leads that aren't love interests, and the art was nice overall, though there were some rough parts.
June 28, 2025
The story is okay. The art is a little spare.
On an island off the coast of feudal Japan, refugees from multiple countries have built a self-sustaining community. The mainland has suffered from a bad wind which creates fungal zombies. A crazy person has come into power on the mainland and wants to take the island.
The art is really thin-lined. There are usually backgrounds, but everything always takes place in a clearing with trees or mountains in the distance.
In between issues, there's a decorative page with heavier inks and limited color. I like these pages better.
On an island off the coast of feudal Japan, refugees from multiple countries have built a self-sustaining community. The mainland has suffered from a bad wind which creates fungal zombies. A crazy person has come into power on the mainland and wants to take the island.
The art is really thin-lined. There are usually backgrounds, but everything always takes place in a clearing with trees or mountains in the distance.
In between issues, there's a decorative page with heavier inks and limited color. I like these pages better.
August 31, 2025
I loved this; the best book that I've read yet, this year.
It's a cross between (or blend of, more accurately) one of Akira Kurosawa Samurai film's, The Last of Us and 28 Days Later.
Moves at great pace, but also has some well integrated social commentary about nationalism, dumb leaders and the hope that must be fostered even if some ideals have yet to be fully incolcated in all stratas of society, even one such as off the coast of a devastated feudal Japan.
Highly recommended.
It's a cross between (or blend of, more accurately) one of Akira Kurosawa Samurai film's, The Last of Us and 28 Days Later.
Moves at great pace, but also has some well integrated social commentary about nationalism, dumb leaders and the hope that must be fostered even if some ideals have yet to be fully incolcated in all stratas of society, even one such as off the coast of a devastated feudal Japan.
Highly recommended.
July 9, 2025
It's ok. Wasn't feeling the zombie aspect, but I think what I didn't like was that almost everyone was angry all the time. It got in the way of getting to know the characters, so sometimes it felt like there was little personality difference between everyone. The middle's pacing felt slow and reptitive especially the dynamic between Hana and General Sato.
August 8, 2025
There is a good balance of cynicism and hope, but you would still ultimately want them to have made more progress by the end than they did.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews