I have not read any other Kabuki comics yet, but I finally finished the Scarab mini from a few years back. I had the 1st three and just found the last five last week. I originally bought them for Rick Mays' art but loved the story, and my love of Indy Clix led me to complete it.

Three questions:

1) Was Keiko killed or wounded at the end of her mini? Collecting the other minis will take forever and the suspense is killing me.

2) Can I jump on the curent series, or should I start by loooking for the older TP's? There are some series that should really be read in the correct order.

3) Whch leads to: Should I read Circle of Blood or Fear The Reaper first?

--1) Was Keiko killed or wounded at the end of her mini? Collecting the other minis will take forever and the suspense is killing me.--

Yes, she's dead. Which makes me sad, because she's my favorite Noh, but she probably IS my favorite because she got the extra treatment, which she got probably because she was the one who was going to die...

--3) Whch leads to: Should I read Circle of Blood or Fear The Reaper first?--

Fear the reaper...? Is that the new one?

Anyway, Circle of Blood is the first in the series and is probably the best entry point.

A few weeks have gone by since the last post, but if you are still wondering:

Circle of Blood IS where you should start if you have a literal need for the most background.

The current series, though, doesn't necessarily demand that. In fact, at the beginning of each issue, this series has given a very brief synopsis of what the readers NEED to know to enjoy that issue. Many fascinating details are left out, but they do give you what you absolutely have to have to enjoy what I consider to be the best ongoing comic bar currently being published, bar none.

So, I would suggest buying the new series, giving your financial support for the series' continuation, and when funds and reading time are available, pick up Circle of Blood and the other TPBs so you can find out how she arrived in her current state.