An English language translation of the popular French BD series. This was the only volume of Kogaratsu ever translated into English. In black & white in England in 1987 and here in the U.S. in color in 1990.

Out of print.

From the cover:

Japan, 1598 -- Lord Yoshida and his faithful followers are slain by an army of ninjas in the pay of his brother, Lord Mitsuru. Now, twelve years later, a laughing phantom with the face of a gruesome samurai is killing off the guilty and leaving a lotus crest, drawn in their own blood. Beneath the mask of this avenger is a proud young samurai whose father died with Yoshida: KOGARATSU! The stakes are raised when Kogaratsu, in the fearsome guise of the "Blood Lotus", slaughters the warrior escort of the Shogun's niece, Dame Ishi. His escape brings him face-to-face with Yoshida's son and rightful heir,. Lord Bando. As his guardian, Kogaratsu pledges his sword and honor to the dynastic struggle that follows. Will Kogaratsu fall prey to Mitsuru's samurai or will the young ronin continue to carve THE BLOODY LOTUS?