Marvel Stories Set in Japan

Wolverine (1982) #1

Published: Sept 10, 1982
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciller (Cover): Frank Miller
Inker: Josef Rubinstein
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
Editor" Louise Jones

Wolverine hunts for a bear in the Canadian Rockies which had an arrow stuck in its back, making it turn crazy and kill at least fifteen people. With the bear taken care of, Wolverine tracks the scent of the arrow back to its tracker and puts him on trial.

Wolverine tries calling Mariko Yashida, but her family hangs up on him. Wolverine flies to the Yashida Ancestral Stronghold in Japan and finds Mariko in the gardens beneath a statue of Buddha, concealing her face. At Wolverine's insistence, she reveals her bruised face, which Wolverine deduces came from her husband, Noburu-Hideki. Mariko explains that she had to change commitments upon her father's return. Mariko's husband shows up and Wolverine intends upon killing him until Mariko averts the bloodshed.

Wolverine prepares to fly to New York, but he gets ambushed by poisoned shurikens. Wolverine wakes up to find himself in the captivity of Lord Shingen, who challenges Wolverine to a duel with him to prove his worthiness to Mariko. They fight with wooden swords, and Lord Shingen cheats during the battle by kicking Wolverine, who retaliates by withdrawing his claws. Due to his recent poisoning, though, Wolverine has trouble making contact with the elder, who ultimately wins the battle.

Wolverine finds himself abandoned in Tokyo surrounded by a mob. Yukio kills them all and picks Wolverine off the ground.

Fantastic Four/Iron Man: Big in Japan (2005) #1

Published: Oct 5, 2005 Writer: Zeb Wells Penciller (Cover): Seth Fisher

While action and drama typically drive Wolverine’s journeys to Japan, “fun” fueled this comic by Zeb Wells and the late Seth Fisher. The Fantastic Four head abroad for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Tokyo’s new Giant Monster Museum and Expo Center, when—you guessed it—giant monsters attack. Luckily Iron Man also had business in the area and joined the fray. Fisher created each monster as a dedicated work of art for an insanely delightful story that never lets up.

Big Hero 6 (2008) #1

Published: Sept 10, 2008 Writer: Chris Claremont Inker: David Nakayama/Terry Pallot Colorist: Emily Warren Letterer: Ed Dukeshire Other: Anthony Flamini

Before jumping to the big screen, Hiro, Baymax and the rest of the team starred in two different series: one by Scott Lobdell and Gus Vasquez in 1998, and another by Chris Claremont and David Nakayama in 2008. When the Japanese government decides they need their own team of heroes, they recruit Silver Samurai, Honey Lemon, and the rest of the crew, who battle the likes of Everwraith and Yandroth.

5 Ronin (2010) #1

Published: Mar 2, 2011 Writer: Peter Milligan Penciller (Cover): David Aja Inker: Tomm Coker Colorist: Daniel Freedman Letterer: Joe Caramagna

The 2011 series 5 RONIN recast Hulk, Wolverine, Deadpool, Punisher, and Psylocke as master-less samurai living in 17th century Japan. Featuring the work of Peter Milligan and a variety of artists, including covers by David Aja, each issue told the story of one of the five characters, whose destiny became interlinked as they sought revenge against the dreaded Damiyo.

Punisher War Journal (1988) #8

Published: Aug 32, 1989 Writer: Carl Potts Inker: Jim Lee Colorist: Gregory Wright Letterer: Jim Novak

Back in 1989, Carl Potts and Jim Lee introduced The Punisher to a group called the Shadowmasters, who graduated from Punisher War Journal into their own series. This ancient clan of martial arts masters protected the province of Iga, and Punisher came into contact with one of them, Katherine Yakamoto, who helped him infiltrate a ninja camp run by a shady American corporation. Later Frank Castle and Black Widow teamed up with them again against the Sunrise Society, a Japanese business used as a cover for a crime syndicate.