Welcome to the first issue of Usagi Yojimbo from Mirage Publishing. To those of you unfamiliar with the previous series, let me give you an introduction. Usagi Yojimbo (rabbit bodyguard) follows a masterless samurai warrior, Miyamoto Usagi, as he wanders throughout the turn of an anthropomorphic 17th century Japan. The age of civil wars has barely ended and the Shogun has just established power. It is a time of political unrest and an uncertain future.

Usagi made his first appearance in Albedo #2 in 1985 from Thoughts and Images. After a couple more appearances in that title, he moved over to Fantagraphics Books where he was featured in Critters, a Summer Special, three Color Specials and his own series which ran for 38 issues, the last of which appeared just last month. There are also five trade paperback collections, all of which are still available.

I hope you enjoy this new color series. Please send any comments and questions to: Usagi Letters, Mirage Publishing, P.O. Box 486, Northampton, MA 01061.

See you in two months.