Crying Freeman: The Killing Ring

In 1996, Viz brought the iconic assassin Crying Freeman to American readers with The Killing Ring, a single-issue one-shot that adapts a key storyline from the original Japanese manga. Written by Kazuo Koike and illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami, this release distills the series' signature blend of brutal yakuza violence and tragic romance into a self-contained, English-language package. While brief, it stands as a notable entry in Viz's early efforts to introduce mature, creator-driven manga to Western audiences.