Shi: Masquerade #1

Shi: Masquerade #1 (1998) kicks off with a vivid recap of Shi’s dual upbringing—raised in the Catholic faith yet trained from childhood as a sohei, a warrior monk in Japan—setting the stage for the internal and external conflicts that define her path. Written by Tom Sniegoski and Chris Golden and illustrated by a rotating team of artists including Ray Lago, Mark Texeira, and Tom Grindberg, the issue blends spiritual tension with martial discipline. The cover by Ray Lago captures the haunting, enigmatic essence of Shi’s world.