AND NOW, ON TO THE LETTERS...

Dear Stan,

Your artwork is magnifico but somehow or other I think you're running out of ideas. I'm sure that all of your fans (including me) would enjoy it if you could make thrillers like Usagi #4; and that monster (whose name evades me at the moment) in #6, that was a good idea too. So how about Usagi fighting another monster…say, an Oriental dragon? And what about the neko-ninja clan? Have they gone out of business? Oh, and you may be wondering why my writing stinks. It's because I'm 11.

Your undaunted fan,

Sean Casella
Orange, MA

P.S.: When are you going to come out with Usagi toys? Or a TV mini-series?

[As far as writing goes, I've seen a lot worse from people two or three times your age, Sean, so don't apologize. This issue begins a longer epic for Usagi that will be something of a change of pace; while I don't think there'll be many monsters in it, it's a wonderful dragon design on this issue's cover, isn't it? – ED.]

Dear Mr. Sakai,

I just got Usagi #10. It's interesting. Why doesn't the wolf have any eyeballs? Can he see without eyeballs? Or is he just blind? Is it true that you can join the gods when you kill all the villains on Earth or is it just imagination? Does Usagi have a mission or is he just a wanderer? Is "Usagi" Usagi's real name? You are really good at art, aren't you? I was attracted to your art; it was very good. Well done! Keep it up! Collecting comics is so popular in Singapore. wow! It would be great if you visit Singapore. There are over 20 comics stores in Singapore as I estimate. Actually! Do you know where Singapore is, speaking of that?

Loh Wei Soon
Singapore

[By an odd coincidence, Singapore is where we're printing a number of our books these days (including the recent Winsor McCay collection Daydreams and Nightmares). As for your other questions, drawing characters without pupils in their eyeballs is an established way of indicating evil, madness, possession…or blindness. As for whether you join the gods when you kill all the villains on Earth…well, let's just say it's not likely to happen (especially since it can be pretty hard to tell who's a villain and who isn't in these troubled times). Usagi's mission is to entertain you, and yes, Stan is really good at art, isn't he? – ED.]

Dear Stan,

I've been collecting Usagi for quite a while now, and I love them all. I love your style with both Usagi and Groo (even though you don't draw it). Well, keep up the good work. Can you draw a picture of Usagi for me, please?

Jarrett Otlang
Lakewood, NJ

[Ah, but Stan draws lots of pictures of Usagi for you…in every issue of Usagi. For you, and for thousands of other readers.

I know that's not quite the answer you're looking for, but look at it this way: I'm sure you'd like an original piece of Usagi, but so would every other reader of the book, and there just aren't that many hours in the day.

And if you really want something close to an original, I recommend Stan's spectacular Usagi silkscreen print, advertised on the facing page.

– ED.]

Stan:

As I sit here, having just finished Usagi #11, I am compelled to write. I first heard of Usagi through a plug in Groo. I thought, "so what? The letterer does his own comic. Big deal." I never even looked out for it. Then I got the Turtle Soup one-shot, and got my first glimpse of the barbarous bunny. "Okay," I thought, "so he can draw, too. Not too bad." I didn't rush out and get all of the issues. I didn't really think any more about it. Then one day, having nothing to do, I went down to the comic store and picked up Usagi #10.

WOW! I was amazed, not only by the intriguing storyline and the way the story unfolded, but also with the art. I'm an artist myself, and I was fascinated with the use of line and solid black and also with the delicate asymmetry that seems to envelop almost every panel. In other words, I like it! Sorry I didn't give you a chance at first. I was a fool. Since that time, I have managed to pick up almost all the back issues (although no #1 yet), and although I doubt I'll get those early ones, like in Albedo (#2: $200), I'll certainly try to read them. You could help me out, tho'…where else has Usagi appeared? Sure would like to know.

One last thing…please don't make Usagi too Groo-like. I still like the death-head balloons, and I was amused by #11. However, with the opening rhyme, "Gen does what Gen does best," the "mulch" jokes, the "did I err" sequence, and the little Sergio, Tom, Mark, and Stan hiding in the bushes at the end, the whole thing seemed like a bad bit of déjà vu. Don't take this wrong: I love Groo, and I love Usagi. But ne'er shall the twain meet again…okay? Tread softly…

Jason Camp
Greeley, CO

[Issue #11 was indeed just a one-shot joke/tribute issue. We think. So far. Although Stan and Sergio have been talking…

Anyway, if you've read this issue, you can see that Usagi is headed back into a more "straight" direction of samurai drama, albeit with the usual Stan touches at the edges.

The Usagi story from Albedo #2 has actually been reprinted twice by us – once in the Usagi Summer Special (which can still be had for under $20 if you look for it), and once in Usagi Yojimbo Book One. – ED.]

Dear Kim,

I just read #11 and decided to write you guys a letter. Great stuff! I was more than surprised to see that deep down inside Usagi's "best friend" there are some feelings. Gen never ceases to amaze me!

"Catnippon" was a bit exaggerated but extremely enjoyable. Hope to see more of the same.

I first encountered Miyamoto Usagi in Critters and I must say that when Stan was given more room to work with, the stories have greatly improved (from very good to excellent). I am somewhat perturbed, however, that the exploits of the sword-slinging rabbit are not well known here in the Ottawa area. I've only managed to get three other Usagi comics: #5, 6, and 8, and nobody has any of the Usagi books. Oh well, give it time.

See you guys in the issue to come!

Peter Pau Aylner,
Quebec, Canada

Dear Kim and Stan,

You just don't stop producing the best! Usagi Yojimbo #11 was Grade-A! Besides being a "tribute to Groo stories" (not a Groo parody), it had its own regular great Usagi tale. I'm glad to see that Usagi and Gen can be true friends instead of mulching like mendicants in a cheese dip fray together. I can't wait to read some stuff about Gen's origin, like when he used to be a mendicanting child.

"Catnippon" was grade-A also. I guess the great Sergio Aragonés had to think up a story without dialogue or narration since he was without his superb letterer.

So, you decided to have Hermy as a guinea pig, eh? Why not? That was my choice all along. I told you he was a guinea pig, now didn't I? Being an expert in zoology has its advantages. Although the advantage didn't get me the grand prize, I didn't mind. Tracy Horton deserved it more. I'm just glad that Ken Jones gave you the idea of having this contest. It was fun!

I just want you to know that Usagi is still my #1 anthropomorphic title. (Hell, even Stan Lee likes it!) And ever since #1, I've been keeping a sort of diary about Usagi. I call it "the Usagi Yojimbo Journal," and in it, I keep track of all the great products from you, Stan. I list all the characters in your books, from a simple tokagé lizard to the innkeeper. I also write biographies on all the supporting characters on Usagi like Gennosuké, the bounty hunter; Zato-Ino, the blind swords-pig; Leonardo, the ninja turtle; Spot, the tokagé; etc., etc., etc.! I also keep Xeroxed copies of my favorite Usagi and Nilson covers, pages, and pin-ups. Plus – I've written a short book report for each Usagi and Nilson story from Albedo #1 to Usagi #11. You've inspired me to do all this and I'm glad I am!

Well, that's all for now! Write you later! ‘Bye!

Todd Shogun
Cypress, CA

["Mendicanting"? – ED.]

Dear Stan Sakai,

Life is full of surprises. The surprises one never expects (if one expects a surprise it's a surprise no longer). But even though earlier issues of Usagi Yojimbo had warned us of our fate, I never expected Usagi Yojimbo to be so Groo-ish.

What was Groo doing in a quaint Japanese town inhabited by animals? What were you, Sergio, Mark, and Tom Luth doing about to attack Gen and Usagi? Who was supposed to be more Groo-ish: Usagi or Gen? Where is the cheese dip?

Do me a favor, Stan, and letter one issue of Groo in Japanese. Please? Pretty please? One solitary issue? I have this Japanese-speaking friend and I don't know what to get for him come Christmas.

In conclusion, Usagi Yojimbo is one pulsating, authentic, lucid, hypnotizing, fascinating, mesmerizing, exciting, fabulous, vehement, unorthodox, contemporary, cogent, exuberant, convincing, ebullient, eloquent, resplendent, flamboyant, brilliant, uncanny, marvelous, outta-this-world, epic, spectacular, wonderful, cute, one-in-a-million, dynamic, one-of-a-kind, unique, lively, detailed, imaginative, special, realistic (ahem!), fine, terrific, celebrated, great, superb, valuable, invaluable (ahem!), magnificent, fantastic, amazing, extraordinary, unearthly, artistic, sensational, popular, famous, highly acclaimed, morally fulfilling, excellent, splendid, splendiferous, superior, exceptional, unusual, perfect, prestigious, entertaining, esteemed, enjoyable, attractive, enchanting, incredible, grand, praiseworthy, thrilling, reputable, remarkable, good, arousing, versatile, intriguing, ingenious, flexible, stunning, dramatic, distinctive, admired, radiating, radiant, genuine, humble, pulchritudinous, sensible, beautiful, rational, witty, undescribable, humorous, high-quality, articulate, original, well-executed, innovative (my thanks to Stan Lee for those last three), absorbing, professional, stylish, clear, sharp, incisive, desirable, mysterious, unbelievable, believable, awesome, skillfully done, thought provoking, lovable, neat, hot, sell-out, ultimate, modern, bizarre, exquisite, faultless, fun-filled, powerfully expressed, black and white, anthropomorphic US$2.00 comic book done by an equally distinguished artist. (See what you started Todd?)

Tom Hsien Min
Singapore

[You forgot "bitchin'," Tom. My, we're popular in Singapore this month, aren't we? Id like to congratulate whoever's distributing our comics there – he's doing a great job. – ED.]

NEXT ISSUE:  A duel in the rain!