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LETTERS [Oops! We neglected to mention, in the first two issues, that TOM LUTH colored the covers of Usagi Yojimbo #1-3. And a great job he did, too, didn't he? Tom is currently in Europe, recuperating from his Groo coloring job, so next issue, Stan himself will be doing the honors. He writes, he draws, he letters – and now he colors, too. Appalling, isn't it? Let's see what the letters have to say. – ED.] |
Greetings from Down Under!
The new Usagi Yojimbo comic is a well drawn, well written presentation. My only comment would be on Dennis Fujitake's story, which suffered a bit from the platypuses' poor accents (which sounded very little like Australian accents, I assure you). Incidentally, if you're looking for Australian animals to use as "bad guys," don't pick on tasmanian devils, which are often quite timid. I would suggest you try koalas! Despite their "cute" propaganda, they have claws like scimitars, a roar like a jaguar, and bad attitudes. The only reason they tend to look at you with those sleepy expressions is because they are measuring you for a wooden overcoat!
Regards,
Paul Kidd
Melbourne, Australia
[I don't know whether one should be overly concerned about the temperament of the animals one uses for villains or heroes. Sometimes it's funny to go against the grain of a creature's placid or friendly reputation – after all, let's not forget this is a comic about a killer bunnyrabbit. In the same vein, watch out for Usagi #6, in which he battles a ferocious turtle!
[I don't think Dennis was trying for an Australian accent in "Tinkle Drop." (It was more of a pastiche of Vaughn Bode's style of dialogue, and he wasn't from Down Under, I believe.) If you're looking for Aussie accents, the "Lionheart" story in Critters #17-18 features a killer kangaroo with a pretty broad one. And if you move your eyes to the bottom of the page, you'll see a sneak preview of Scott Shaw! and Mark Evanier's story from the next issue of Usagi, starring…a koala and another platypus. We aim to please, Paul. – ED.]
Dear Fantagraphics Books,
In Boris the Bear #1 Boris killed Usagi, so in Usagi's first issue why don't you have Usagi kill Boris? By the way, can we suggest new characters for Usagi stories?
Scott Cameron
Coral Springs, FL
[No, no, Scott, violence never did solve anything. Well, maybe once in a while. Killing Boris would really be extending the joke a bit too far (as Blackthorne did in the issue of Laffin' Gas where they lampooned Boris).
[Feel free to suggest ideas to Stan, but bear in mind two things. (1) Stan has lots of ideas of his own that he'll probably prefer, and (2) You shouldn't give away your ideas like that. If you decide someday to become a big and famous cartoonist like Stan, you'll need all the ideas you can save up from now on! – ED.]
Dear Stan,
Your artwork and storyline for Usagi are superb!
I have the following issues containing Usagi: Albedo #3 and #4, Critters #1, 3, 7, 10, 11, and 14, Usagi Yojimbo Summer Special #1, Usagi Yojimbo #1, Doomsday Squad #3. What other issues contain Usagi?
Best regards,
B.T. Iwamasa
Midland,
MI
[You probably also have Critters #6, and just forgot to mention it, right? At any rate, every single story before Usagi Yojimbo #1 is reprinted in Usagi Yojimbo Book One, so I wouldn't worry about it. He appeared in Albedo #2, too, but that tale was reprinted in the Summer Special and will be reprinted again in UYBO. The only other story I know of featuring Usagi is a team-up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Turtle Soup #1. Also, Anything Goes! #6 features an original Usagi cover by Stan – as do Comics Interview #44 and WittyWorld #1, both of which include interviews with the talented Mr. Sakai! – ED.]
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| A panel from the Stan Sakai Usagi/Turtle story in Turtle Soup #1. Look for it! |
| [Next issue – which goes on sale in just a short month – features the conclusion of the 'Samurai " storyline, as well as the above mentioned story by Scott Shaw! and Mark Evanier. See you then! – ED.] |
Usagi Yojimbo story and all characters therein are copyright Stan Sakai and Usagi Studios. No similarity between any of the names, characters, persons, and institutions in Usagi Yojimbo and those of any living or dead persons is intended, and any such similarity that may exist is purely coincidental.