Fist of the North Star / Hokuto no Ken Cover
Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson (All)
21 Comments - 992 Views - 21 Likes
Additional Images:
Kenshiro by Tetsuo Hara
Hokuto no Ken Book
Thanks, Dan!
Artwork Details
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Description11x17 published cover to Dans Les Arcanes de Hokuto no Ken: L’Heritier de L’Apocalypse, published in France by Third Éditions. The book is an in-depth history and exploration of the ongoing phenomenon of the Hokuto no Ken manga and anime (or Fist of the North Star as it’s known to English-speaking audiences), now celebrating its 40th anniversary. I was laser-focused on acquiring this cover from the moment Felix unveiled it during a May live unboxing on his YouTube channel and suspected it would be a part of the San Diego Felix Con in July. My suspicion was confirmed when Felix sent the SDFC Day 2 cover drop announcement and posted on social media. On the day of the drop, I made it to my office (and stable wi-fi) about 2 minutes prior to the drop time, which gave me just enough time to take a few sips of coffee and some deep breaths. Thankfully, I was able to pinpoint the cover thumbnail quickly and place my request. An hour later, I received the good news from Felix. I feel very lucky - we all know how challenging these drops can be even when you know exactly the piece you’re targeting. So why did I fixate on this piece from the moment I saw it? Well, first, I’m a fan of Daniel Warren Johnson’s art, as you can see from the handful of pieces in my collection. I don’t buy a DWJ piece at every single drop but I do plan to pursue his original art consistently in the years to come. His art and storytelling improve by leaps and bounds with every project and I feel fortunate that even as a middle-aged comic fan I’ll be able to read his work for decades to come. I’m also a huge fan of Hokuto no Ken and its lead character, Kenshiro. In the write-up to a previous post, I mentioned that I spent 3 years in Japan in the mid-to-late 1980s. While I now appreciate that I lived abroad as a teenager, it sucked as a devoted comic reader whose taste in comics had just started to develop. I had little direct access to North American comic books outside of the occasional international orders I placed with mail order operations like Westfield Comics and American Entertainment. While I read fewer American comics when I was in Japan, I compensated by voraciously watching the anime that was broadcast nearly every weekday night. Hokuto no Ken and its sequel Hokuto no Ken 2 (set 10 years after the first series) were by far my favorites. Adapted from the original manga created by writer Buronson and artist Tetsuo Hara, the Hokuto no Ken anime blended a Road Warrior-like post apocalyptic narrative with super-heroics and martial arts. I ate it all up, despite understanding little (at first) of what Kenshiro and his enemies said in between frenzied bursts of ultra-violence. I came to understand more and more of it over time, however, and later read the entire series in translation. In many respects Daniel Warren Johnson is the perfect artist to pay tribute to Hokuto no Ken with this imposing edge-to-edge rendition of a battle-damaged Kenshiro who has undoubtedly dished out more damage than he’s received. Like the best of DWJ’s work, Hokuto no Ken interweaves heightened action with earned moments of tenderness and genuine emotion. As much as I loved the gonzo scenes when Ken would annihilate an opponent by striking hidden pressure points on their body, it’s the scenes involving Ken’s relationship with the younger Bat and Lin that most resonate with me today. Naturally, I’m thrilled to add a published cover by an Eisner award-winning storyteller to my collection, but I’m more moved that I was able to add a piece that so perfectly synthesizes past and present moments in my life. Many thanks to Felix and Dan for making this happen, and for being two of the greats in this comic art hobby. BELOW: The “Tough Boy” intro theme to Hokuto no Ken 2. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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artless artmore 
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 8/14/2023
This kicks ass! Love how he leans in, looming bigger than the picture frame, with white and black blood dripping from hands and face. Enjoyed reading your personal backstory of exposure/access to Manga and Western comics, and I totally agree that DWJ is a perfect fit for this subject
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/14/2023
This, to me, is Dan channelling DKR #2 for FIST OF THE NORTH STAR. Not a direct homage, per se, but very much a similar vibe.
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/14/2023
I'm also a big fan of the tragedy that is HNK and while I may prefer Rey, Shu or even Shin and Raoh as characters in the story, as I find Kenshiro is but the vector of the story, this is a great DWJ piece given his obvious Japanese influences.
Mark V
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 8/14/2023
F M wrote:
I'm also a big fan of the tragedy that is HNK and while I may prefer Rey, Shu or even Shin and Raoh as characters in the story, as I find Kenshiro is but the vector of the story, this is a great DWJ piece given his obvious Japanese influences.
For my current tastes, I think the first series of HNK with the characters you mentioned is stronger than the later one, which to me is a little too straightforward.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/14/2023
Heroic fighting spirit to stay on hs feet in the face of great odds and after brutal beatdown. Shown larger than life by DWJ's framing where the broad shoulder and the massive arm block off one side while the rest of him is mustering enough willpower to fight on. It's as bloody and as splattery as some of the most intense moments in the orginal manga and OVA.
Yo Kuri
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 8/14/2023
Amazing! The menacing battle fatigue drips with gore and fills the frame. Your write up was fantastic; thank you for sharing the back story. Congratulations!!! The right cover found the right home.
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/14/2023
Cheers on your great acquisition.
Also, when I came to Japan 30+ years ago, Hokuto no Ken was a popular manga easily found in barbershops, cafes, doctors' waiting rooms, etc., which is primarily where I would peruse the series, and "understanding little of what Kenshiro and his enemies said in between frenzied bursts of ultra-violence." is as accurate a description of my experience with the series as any I've ever read.
Mark V
Member Since 2021
Posted on 8/14/2023
Timothy Finney wrote:
Cheers on your great acquisition.
Also, when I came to Japan 30+ years ago, Hokuto no Ken was a popular manga easily found in barbershops, cafes, doctors' waiting rooms, etc., which is primarily where I would peruse the series, and "understanding little of what Kenshiro and his enemies said in between frenzied bursts of ultra-violence." is as accurate a description of my experience with the series as any I've ever read.
Thanks, Tim. Although I was mostly into the weekly anime, I often saw the manga left behind on trains and read portions of the series that way. Not surprised to hear it popped up in a variety of locations!
Marvin Ulloa
Member Since 2022
1 - Posted on 8/14/2023
The emotion that this cover inspires is exactly what makes Dan so great. We all know his dynamic action is amazing, but the emotions he brings out in his characters and readers are what differentiate his art.
Amazing pick up Mark! Congratulations!
Mark V
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 8/15/2023
Marvin Ulloa wrote:
The emotion that this cover inspires is exactly what makes Dan so great. We all know his dynamic action is amazing, but the emotions he brings out in his characters and readers are what differentiate his art.
Amazing pick up Mark! Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Marv. I know how much you appreciate his work 😀
David Kwock
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 8/14/2023
Such an awesome piece! Congrats on acquiring and thanks for sharing your equally awesome story!
Inominável Ser
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 8/17/2023
A glorious masterpiece! Wonderful work in total energy and power!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 8/24/2023
What a stunning cover! I love that this piece connects so perfectly with your personal history! I agree that Daniel Warren Johnson is the perfect artist to put a Western spin on Fist of the North Star! DWJ's art and writing getst better and better every year and I anxiously look forward to everything he involves himself in. Congrats on a great pick-up!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 10/7/2023
Love the zoomed in shot choice, like he's nearing his next opponent, and the board is barely able to contain him! DWJ doing his thing, no doubt. Congrats!
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