Shimura
Encyclopedia
Shimura is a comic strip
in the British
science fiction
anthology
the Judge Dredd Megazine
, detailing the exploits of its eponymous hero in Hondo-City
, a futuristic version of Tokyo
.
In his first appearance Inspector Shimura was pretty much a Japanese equivalent of Judge Dredd
. In all stories thereafter however the character has become ronin
or outcast having survived an attempt on his life by a traitor in the Judiciary, and works vigilante-style.
Visually, the character's most consistent distinguishing features are two pronounced scars on the right-hand side of his face. His attire and hairstyle tend to vary between stories but he often appears unkempt due to his living in hiding. The weaponry in the strip is largely existing martial arts weapons with a futuristic twist e.g. laser
shuriken
gloves, and energy nunchaku
. Swords
like the Katana
and Wakizashi
appear without such adornments.
Created by writer Robbie Morrison
and artist Frank Quitely
in 1993, Shimura has since been illustrated by Colin MacNeil
, Simon Fraser
and Andy Clarke
.
. All stories were written by Robbie Morrison
.
Comic strip
A comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
in the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
the Judge Dredd Megazine
Judge Dredd Megazine
Judge Dredd: The Megazine is a monthly British comic magazine, launched in October 1990. It is a sister publication to 2000 AD. Its name is a play on words, formed from "magazine" and Dredd's locale Mega-City One.-Content:...
, detailing the exploits of its eponymous hero in Hondo-City
Hondo City
Hondo City is a huge fictional city covering most of Japan in the Judge Dredd comic book series. Most of its development comes from the Judge Dredd Megazine strip Shimura by Robbie Morrison.-Description:...
, a futuristic version of Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
In his first appearance Inspector Shimura was pretty much a Japanese equivalent of Judge Dredd
Judge Dredd
Judge Joseph Dredd is a comics character whose strip in the British science fiction anthology 2000 AD is the magazine's longest running . Dredd is an American law enforcement officer in a violent city of the future where uniformed Judges combine the powers of police, judge, jury and executioner...
. In all stories thereafter however the character has become ronin
Ronin
A or rounin was a Bushi with no lord or master during the feudal period of Japan. A samurai became masterless from the death or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege....
or outcast having survived an attempt on his life by a traitor in the Judiciary, and works vigilante-style.
Visually, the character's most consistent distinguishing features are two pronounced scars on the right-hand side of his face. His attire and hairstyle tend to vary between stories but he often appears unkempt due to his living in hiding. The weaponry in the strip is largely existing martial arts weapons with a futuristic twist e.g. laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
shuriken
Shuriken
A shuriken is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was generally used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing or slashing...
gloves, and energy nunchaku
Nunchaku
is a traditional Okinawan weapon consisting of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope.-Etymology:The Japanese word nunchaku is the Kun'yomi reading of the Kanji term for a traditional Chinese two section staff....
. Swords
Swords
A sword is a cutting/thrusting weapon made of metal. Sword or swords may also refer to:* Swords, County Dublin, Ireland* Suit of swords, a suit in Latin-suited playing cards and Tarot decks* SWORDS, a ground-based military robot...
like the Katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
and Wakizashi
Wakizashi
The is one of the traditional Japanese swords worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan.-Description:...
appear without such adornments.
Created by writer Robbie Morrison
Robbie Morrison
Robbie Morrison is a British comics writer most known for his work in 2000 AD and as the co-creator of popular character Nikolai Dante .-Biography:...
and artist Frank Quitely
Frank Quitely
Vincent Deighan, better known by the pen name Frank Quitely, is a Scottish comic book artist. He is best known for his frequent collaborations with Grant Morrison on titles such as New X-Men, We3, All-Star Superman, and Batman and Robin, as well as his work with Mark Millar on The...
in 1993, Shimura has since been illustrated by Colin MacNeil
Colin MacNeil
Colin MacNeil is a British comics artist, best known for his work on 2000 AD and in particular on Judge Dredd and other stories within his world like Shimura and Devlin Waugh....
, Simon Fraser
Simon Fraser (comics)
Simon Fraser is a British comics artist and writer best known for his work on Nikolai Dante, a series he created with writer Robbie Morrison in 2000 AD.-Career:...
and Andy Clarke
Andy Clarke (comics)
Andy Clarke is a British comics artist who came to prominence working at 2000 AD and became known to a wider audience at DC Comics.-Biography:...
.
Appearances
The character has appeared in his own strip as well as in Judge DreddJudge Dredd
Judge Joseph Dredd is a comics character whose strip in the British science fiction anthology 2000 AD is the magazine's longest running . Dredd is an American law enforcement officer in a violent city of the future where uniformed Judges combine the powers of police, judge, jury and executioner...
. All stories were written by Robbie Morrison
Robbie Morrison
Robbie Morrison is a British comics writer most known for his work in 2000 AD and as the co-creator of popular character Nikolai Dante .-Biography:...
.
Comics
- Shimura:
- "Shimura" (with Frank QuitelyFrank QuitelyVincent Deighan, better known by the pen name Frank Quitely, is a Scottish comic book artist. He is best known for his frequent collaborations with Grant Morrison on titles such as New X-Men, We3, All-Star Superman, and Batman and Robin, as well as his work with Mark Millar on The...
, in Judge Dredd Megazine #2.37-2.39, 1993) - "Outcast" (with Colin MacNeilColin MacNeilColin MacNeil is a British comics artist, best known for his work on 2000 AD and in particular on Judge Dredd and other stories within his world like Shimura and Devlin Waugh....
, in Judge Dredd Megazine #2.50-2.55, 1994) - "Fearful Symmetry" (with Duke Mighten, in Judge Dredd Megazine #2.72, 1995)
- "Chambara" (with Robert McCallum, in Judge Dredd Megazine #2.73, 1995)
- "The Transcendental Assassin" (with Simon FraserSimon Fraser (comics)Simon Fraser is a British comics artist and writer best known for his work on Nikolai Dante, a series he created with writer Robbie Morrison in 2000 AD.-Career:...
, in Judge Dredd Megazine #2.74, 1995) - "Heavy Metal" (with Duke Mighten, in Judge Dredd Megazine #2.75, 1995)
- "Assassins" (with Robert McCallum and Simon FraserSimon Fraser (comics)Simon Fraser is a British comics artist and writer best known for his work on Nikolai Dante, a series he created with writer Robbie Morrison in 2000 AD.-Career:...
, in Judge Dredd Megazine #2.76-2.77, 1995) - "Dragon Fire" (with Simon FraserSimon Fraser (comics)Simon Fraser is a British comics artist and writer best known for his work on Nikolai Dante, a series he created with writer Robbie Morrison in 2000 AD.-Career:...
, in Judge Dredd Megazine #3.14-3.17, 1996) - "Angels of Death" (with Lol, in Judge Dredd Mega Special 1996)
- "Ronin Breed" (with Simon FraserSimon Fraser (comics)Simon Fraser is a British comics artist and writer best known for his work on Nikolai Dante, a series he created with writer Robbie Morrison in 2000 AD.-Career:...
, in Judge Dredd Megazine #3.34, 1997) - "Scary Monsters" (with Lol, in Judge Dredd Megazine #3.35, 1997)
- "Executioner" (with Andy ClarkeAndy Clarke (comics)Andy Clarke is a British comics artist who came to prominence working at 2000 AD and became known to a wider audience at DC Comics.-Biography:...
, in Judge Dredd Megazine #224-226, 2004) - "Deus X" (with Andy ClarkeAndy Clarke (comics)Andy Clarke is a British comics artist who came to prominence working at 2000 AD and became known to a wider audience at DC Comics.-Biography:...
, in Judge Dredd Megazine #228-230, 2005) - "The Harder They Come " (with Colin MacNeilColin MacNeilColin MacNeil is a British comics artist, best known for his work on 2000 AD and in particular on Judge Dredd and other stories within his world like Shimura and Devlin Waugh....
, in Judge Dredd Megazine #238-243, 2005)
- "Shimura" (with Frank Quitely
- Judge DreddJudge DreddJudge Joseph Dredd is a comics character whose strip in the British science fiction anthology 2000 AD is the magazine's longest running . Dredd is an American law enforcement officer in a violent city of the future where uniformed Judges combine the powers of police, judge, jury and executioner...
: "Web" (with Cyril Julien, in Judge Dredd Megazine #3.19, 1996)
Collection
- Shimura (collects stories down to, and including, "Ronin Breed" except for "Heavy Metal" and also includes the two Judge Inspector Inaba stories tpbTrade paperback (comics)In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
, RebellionRebellion DevelopmentsRebellion is a British computer games company, based in Oxford, who are most famous for the first Aliens vs. Predator computer game. It has published comic books since 2000 and launched its own book imprint, Abaddon Books, in 2006.-History:...
, 224 pages, 2004 ISBN 1-904265-21-9)