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"The Gentlemen of Japan": Mark is welcomed into the safety of the Yakuza by its leader, Eiji Hasagawa, who owes Mark's adoptive father, Eliot, a debt. As Mark doesn't understand this, Eiji explains.

Quote1 This I swear. I will hunt you down, assassin -- and only one of us will survive. Quote2
Manhunter

Manhunter #3 is an issue of the series Manhunter (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 1988.

Synopsis for "The Gentlemen of Japan"

Mark is welcomed into the safety of the Yakuza by its leader, Eiji Hasagawa, who owes Mark's adoptive father, Eliot, a debt. As Mark doesn't understand this, Eiji explains.

After WWII Japan was in shambles and Eiji, who was a soldier in the war, returned home humiliated and cut-off from family. For the first year The Marshall Plan forced many into poverty. With the local police dissolved, criminals and black marketeers established themselves and allied with American occupiers. Seeing all this convinced Eiji that he must again fight for his country. Eiji joined with an organization that had pledged to fight for the poor. At this same time Eliot Shaw, who had fought in the final year of the war, was transferred to Japan as legal advisor to Colonel Kades, Assistant Chief of the Government Section of the Occupational Forces. While driving around he responds to a woman's scream discovering that she was being beaten by several Chinese men including a Mr. Chin. Shaw had them arrested and continually checked on the beaten woman convincing her to testify. Despite Kades protests, Shaw prosecuted Chin and won. Chin was sent to prison where he died. Shaw was sent home for his actions but before he could leave, he was met by Eiji Hasagawa. The woman he protected was Eiji's wife who was pregnant. Eiji pledged to one day repay his debt to Eliot. Eiji plans to repay this debt by safely smuggling Mark out of Japan.

They bring Mark to a ship but Dumas is waiting. Kazuo explains that Mark is under their protection and Dumas, not wishing to offend Hasagawa's clan, allows Mark to leave promising they will meet again soon. Mark tries to offer Dumas his mask to satisfy the contract but Dumas rejects the offer and disappears.

Mark returns home and explains the situation to his family. Eliot tells of Olivia Vancroft, a woman "famous for being famous" who was beautiful, rich and the talk of High Society in the 1930's. In 1950 she built a home (called Cliff House) in southwest Wisconsin where she became a recluse amidst rumors of having lost a child. She was the woman who had issued the false subpoena. The story is interrupted by a call from Rose Shaw who is being held prisoner in her home by Dumas. Mark and the family head home during which Mark and James make amends. Mark, as Manhunter, enters the home where Dumas, holding Rose hostage, prepares to shoot Manhunter. James bursts through the window and Dumas shoots him giving Manhunter a free shot at Dumas. The rest of the family arrive as Manhunter and Dumas fight with Eleanor ultimately driving Dumas off with gunshots. Knowing Dumas will never let up and will come after Mark's family as well, Manhunter vows to track Dumas down and kill him.

Appearing in "The Gentlemen of Japan"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

  • Dumas
    • Olivia Vancroft (Flashback only)
  • Mr. Chin (Single appearance; dies), (Flashback only)

Other Characters:

Locations:

Items:

Vehicles:



Notes

  • Due to a retcon presented in Manhunter (Volume 3) #13, Mark Shaw was purportedly brainwashed into having a second, hidden personality known as Dumas. It is unclear if there was ever a real Dumas, if Shaw always unknowingly acted as Dumas, and/or if "encounters" with Dumas were all imagined or hallucinated. Thus certain aspects of this story may not be considered canon.



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