Frank Miller: Ranking His Comics From Worst To Best

5. Ronin (1983-84)

Miller's first original graphic novel came in 1983 with the manga-inspired dystopian epic Ronin. Artistically, this is the first time we see the heavily-lined Miller characters that will become so recognisable in later works like Sin City. It's rough around the edges and certainly not as easy on the eye as Miller's Daredevil work, but it's appealing nonetheless. The writing, too, is rough around the edges. Free from any character or continuity constraints, Miller could narrate Ronin as he pleased - and it's evident in long sections of the book that this is a relatively young writer still searching for his voice. It's also evident that Miller has a gift for storytelling. The characters are well-drawn, and though the titular Ronin actually appears fewer times than the villain Agat, the corrupted Taggart or the silken-voiced Virgo, the Ronin still makes one hell of an impression. The ending of Ronin is the most frustrating part - like the character Billy Challas, we as readers aren't always sure of what exactly is going on, if the story we're being told is truth or more lies from the voice of Virgo. Either way, Ronin is one of the most unique and exciting works in Miller's extensive canon.