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LETTERS TO USAGI |
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All this by way of explaining why, if you've ordered a silkscreen print or a copy of Usagi Yojimbo Book One, you may have waited for more than the usual six-to-eight weeks. We're sorry. But by the time this sees print, all these messes should be straightened out. You may be seeing a Usagi Pack popping up at your local comics shop soon, consisting of four back issues and a new signed and numbered print by Stan, all neatly shrink-wrapped. We hit on this idea as a way of cleaning out a bit of our backstock, and it worked all to well: The only back issues we have left now are #3, #8 (second printing), and #10-13. Those of you who were waiting around before ordering back issues: whoops, that's the way it goes. But take heart: Usagi Yojimbo Book Two, reprinting issues #1-6, will be released this coming March. And you can always try buying a Usagi Pack: if it turns out you already have those issues, you can keep the print and give the issues to a friend. You may have noticed that there is no back-up story in this issue of Usagi Yojimbo. The truth of the matter is, Stan's plot for the six-part "Dragon Bellow Conspiracy" series is eating up more and more room as it goes, and Stan will be taking over the whole book for the foreseeable future. (He may even have to bump the letters page when he hits the conclusion in #18.) If you miss your bi-monthly dose of non-Usagi funny-animals, remember that we also publish Critters, a monthly comic that fits just that description. The next issue out features a cover by the super talented Lela Dowling, as well as the beginnings of a new "Lionheart" story by Tom Stazer (seen a few issues ago in these very pages), and work by J.P. Morgan, Kyle Rothweiler, and Marc Schirmeister. On to the letters! – ED. |
Unbeknownst to us, October/November became "let's
mess around with Usagi" month amongst printers. First, the printer who
handled the Usagi silkscreen poster threw up his hands in discomfiture
when we requested a third of the run be re-done because of poor
registration; between his trying to figure what he'd done wrong in the
first place, making up excuses for it, dodging phone calls, thinking up
new things he had to do to fix it, something like two and a half months
elapsed. Then a different printer decided to ship the entire run of
Usagi Yojimbo Book One
(second printing) to us without
bothering to pack them in boxes – just stacked on huge pallets –
with predictably awful results. It's enough to make you want to
shift all your printing to Singapore. Dear Stan,
I just finished Usagi Yojimbo #12 and I think it's one of the best stories ever. I'd like to know if Usagi will ever get a chance to fight Lord Hikiji? (And why hasn't he got to talk with Tomoe Ame?)
By the way, will you ever tell us about Usagi and Leonardo's further adventures as mentioned in "The Crossing" by Peter Laird? I think It could even be its own comic!
Say hi to Usagi for me and I can't wait to read Usagi #13
Richard Budd
Oceanside, NY
This issue should answer two out of three of those questions, Richard. For the third, time will tell. – ED.
Dear Mr. Sakai,
It was only recently that I've been reading your comic Usagi Yojimbo and having been pleased by your pleasant, comical, yet serious style. I investigated further. The first of the issues I bought was #11. I then managed to find copies of #1 and 4. My local store, Odyssey 7, told me that Miyamoto Usagi first appeared in the Critters series, and here we come to the reason for my letter. Question 1: Is there any particular or main distributor for Fantagraphics Books in the U.K.? If so, can you give me details so I can get back issues of Critters and Usagi Yojimbo? Question 2: When will you be re-releasing Usagi Yojimbo Book One and releasing Usagi Yojimbo Book Two in the U.K.?
Recently – actually, yesterday – I came across Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy #1, so Question 3 is: Is there or will there ever be any collection books of the adventures of Nilson and Hermy?
If no luck with Question 1 I'll probably find them in the U.K. or go to you direct but that would be expensive.
Rory O'Malley
W. Yorkshire, England
Well, Rory, Usagi is distributed in the U.K. by both Neptune and Titan Distributors, so it shouldn't be too hard to find if you put your mind to it. Usagi Book Two will be released in April or so in the U.K., allowing extra shipping time from the U.S. And there's not yet enough "Nilson Groundthumper" for a book. – ED.
Dear Mr. Sakai,
I have been a fan of Usagi Yojimbo for quite some time now, and I love your parts with him as a child. I have some questions:
(1) Yesterday I was reading Usagi Yojimbo #9, and as I was flipping through the letters section you mentioned Usagi Yojimbo Book Two. I have been looking around for it, but could not find it. Could you give me some information on this book?
In issue #7 of Usagi Yojimbo did you draw Calvin and Hobbes or did Bill Waterson the actual artist draw them?
In issue #8 I noticed the editor in the letters column said you might be thinking of not having a back-up story so why don't you lengthen the letters column?
From a Usagi addict,
Masaki Miyagawa (Age 11)
Los Angeles, CA
Sorry to have confused you with our off-handed reference to Book Two, Masaki; it just isn't out yet (see above). Calvin and Hobbes, huh? We'll get back to you on that. After all, everyone knows Calvin and Hobbes don't exist in the same universe as Usagi Yojimbo. Is this letters column long enough for you?
And now, let's hear from the winner of the "Name That Critter?" contest, who also happens to be the talented artist whose work graces this page…
– ED.
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Fan Art by Tracy Horton |
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Dear Stan,
Just thought I'd let you know that your artwork came through okay and everything's great. I'm probably going to have it mounted to put on my wall, right next to a drawing by Mike Kazaleh. By the way, have you considered letting Mike do a back-up story for Usagi ?
Enclosed is a drawing of my own, the inspiration of which came to me during a family game of Mah Jongg. Right in the middle of the South Wind round, just as I was completing an all-pung hand, this mental picture came into my mind: Usagi, Tomoe Ame, and Lord Noriyuki playing a game of three-handed Mah Jongg. Now, I know darn well that Mah Jongg originated with the Chinese (we used to live in Singapore, and bought our game set there), but the idea was simply too much for me to resist, so here you are.
I just picked up Usagi #12 and noticed the changes in Noriyuki's design: obviously he's growing up. It was too late to make alterations in the drawing, though. Oh well, I'm glad you've picked up the thread in the Geishu storyline again. Can't wait to see what happens next.
Hey, I was rereading Usagi Yojimbo Book One a few days ago, and it suddenly occurred to me that Mariko looks like Sharon! (Or is it the other way around – Sharon looks like Mariko?) Whichever it is – nice touch! Tell her "hi" from me.
Keep up the great work!
Tracy
Horton
Somewhere in
California
Since there's no room for back-up features in Usagi, there's no room for Mike Kazaleh ones either, Tracy, but watch out for Critters #37, which features a Kazaleh story and cover! – ED.
Hi Stan!
Having just received #12 through the mail yesterday, I felt it was at last the right time to write. "The Shogun's Gift" was impressive, after #10 and especially "The Return of the Blind Swordspig" in issue #9. I have always had respect for your work, Stan, and will continue to do so in the future. Am I, then, alone in the feeling that the vengeful return of Zato-Ino against his long-eared protagonist (for reasons explained in Critters #7) was a bit preliminary, punny, (groan) and otherwise unsatisfying? I was hoping the comic would get at least into the 20+ digits before Ino would reappear. The audience would not have displaced or forgotten him, and his presence after such an absence would have been welcomed and eagerly anticipated.
Don't think of me as a sadist, but I was really hoping some major character would die in the combat, be it Ino, Spot, or someone else altogether. That just seems more appropriate to the traditional Japanese story – a good dose of tragedy usually injects itself at one point or another. In the first "Blind Swordspig," Zato-Ino was fascinating; a blind masseur whose ambition in life was to find a quiet place where he was unknown, and practice his trade. He also happened to be as adept with the sword as any true samurai , utilizing his nose in place of his nonexistent eyes. A true enigma. Much of that, I feel, is lost in the sequel, capped off y an unforgivably sappy ending. Spot leaps in between the two, halting the fight, and silently reveals to Usagi that his choice has been made: he will go with Ino, to find a permanent home, a place of security.
The story was not completely without its merit, however. The duel in the dark was a stroke of eerie genius, and Ino's line, "Perhaps I'll cut out your eyes…Then you and I will be brothers in sightlessness" created a macabre, dark chill through me that I've rarely experienced anywhere else.
I'd like to see Zato-Ino again. a lo-o-o-o-ng time from now.
Let's see…back to #10. An interesting piece. Jei was dark and foreboding, but possessed an honor just the same. Instructed by the gods to seek out and destroy evil, in whatever form it may work. You know, I read a very similar story in Elvira's House of Mystery #2, except it ended with the death of the last and vilest of them all: the executioner himself. That could have explained the very timely demise of Jei; on the other hand, who knows? Perhaps he did pass from this realm to the next, to be crowned a god. If so, I hope never to meet such deities. One complaint (oh no!) would have been the expository thought balloons from Usagi, primarily in the fight with Jei. When Usagi's sleeve is pinned to the wall, he looks down at it and says, "Crazy or not, he's a very skilled adversary. He's pinned my sleeve." Please work on this. The circumstances are obvious to the reader, without unnecessary dialogue.
#11 was great! Being an avid, long-time friend of Groo, the tribute to Sergio's style and technique was superb and masterful. The hidden message was great and not too easy to find. Loved the ending. And "Catnippon" was fabulous too! This is one of the best issues for pure fun. The humor doesn't always wind up as effective, exemplified again, in issue #9, where Usagi notes that Ino sports a wooden nose. "Yes," Ino sneers, "it's a transplant." Grooooaaan.
As I stated, "The Shogun's Gift" stood out impressively, and held its own, both as a one-issue story and a basis for a series (I hope!). The return of blood was greatly appreciated. When Tomoe Ame pierced the ninja's thigh with her spear, I winced. How he could ever think straight, let alone act swiftly, cunningly, and staying silent, I can't begin to understand. I liked Shingen – he's quick, intelligent, and a formidable opponent for the rabbit ronin. He just needs to learn not to leave a bundle of sticks with a priceless Geishu sword stuck inside out of sight. Hope we see him again.
It was great seeing you at the Con again this year, Stan. Please think of this as constructive criticism. After all, I wouldn't bother to write unless I really cared about the book and its contents. That's all for now.
To quote Mickey (himself) Kazaleh, "Be zorch, daddio!" And hang in there, Mike!
Scott Horton
La Habra, CA
Are you by any chance related to…? Anyway, we hope you've forgiven Stan the fact that Zato-Ino has returned once again; at least Stan has thrown some curves into the plot as it looks like Gen's the one who's going to fight him, rather than Usagi. And who knows what the outcome of that will be?
20+ digits? You mean something along the lines of 103,587,698,835,951,097,882? That's more than 20 digits, but it's far away. Wouldja settle for two digits? – ED.
Dear Mr. Sakai,
I was recently introduced to the wide world of comic book by a friend. I was really intimidated by all the mutants, super-heroes, etc. Usagi was the first book I picked up to look at. I was intrigued by the cover (Usagi Yojimbo #7). I thumbed through it, then proceeded to look at other comics for about an hour, each time thinking back to the cover of Usagi. Finally, when I got tired of the others, I dug out the last copy of Usagi Yojimbo #6, and bought it. Now I'm very glad that I did. I love it!! Since then, I've been keeping a list of everything Usagi's in. But my local comics store doesn't carry Critters, so I'm having trouble getting a hold of those.
Anyway, I've been reading all the letters in each issue, and frankly, I feel silly. Most of the people that write in know all sorts of stuff about Japan. I don't. I'm wondering if what little I know about feudal Japan could stand up against these guys.
Speaking of Usagi, please don't change a thing about him! I know other people have written in asking if he will ever get married and have a family, but I really can't imagine Usagi ever being the type.
Marta Doolittle
Norman, OK
PS: In Usagi #8, "Rockhoppers" was great! Are they ever going to appear in Usagi again? If not, where can I look for them?
Tom Luth will be doing another "Rockhoppers" story, which will appear either here or in Critters. And I probably know less about Japan than you do, and I'm not embarrassed about it, so why should you be? – ED.
Dear Stan and Kim,
I'm glad that you have brought back Tomoe Ame and Lord Noriyuki to Usagi Yojimbo. Noriyuki has changed tremendously since "Lone Rabbit and Child." Tomoe Ame still reminds me of a cross between Erma Felna and Zell, Sworddancer. I'm still looking forward to that match between Usagi and Tomoe: I too would like to see whose style is superior.
"The Shogun's Gift" or "Usagi Helps Some Old Friends Recover a Lost Sword" was an excellent story. I especially enjoyed the fight between Usagi and Shingen. Shingen must have been a very skilled ninja to actually survive a fight with Usagi (or is Usagi losing his expert swordsmanship…? Nah! I don't think so). In "Lone Rabbit and Child," "The Confession," and the Turtle Soup story, hordes of Neko Ninja clan assassins were slaughtered in minutes by Usagi. These ninja guys are getting to be tough! What intrigued me most about Shingen was his ability to perform that spear-removing maneuver you see in page 2. You really handled that part well, and I wait Shingen's return.
The woodcutter and wife that have appeared in "Horse Thief," "Zylla," "The Tower," and now "The Shogun's Gift" are pretty funny…but are getting a bit too much! Next thing you know, we'll be getting a story starring them! Who are these monkeys anyway?
"Hold That Tiger" was equally enjoyable. I like Lionheart. Are there any plans for a Lionheart collected book in the future? When will he make his next Critters appearance? Usagi Yojimbo and "Lionheart" are like "brother" titles, along with "Birthright" and "Gnuff." The reason being for this is that all four go all the way back to when Critters was first launched. And, in my opinion, each couldn't really be "better" than the other. Each falls into its own category and are all equally enjoyable.
I'm really looking forward to "The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy" multi-issue saga.
Todd Bustillo
Cypress, CA
PS: If Usagi does decide to settle down and have a wife, I suggest Tomoe Ame.
Funny thing about those monkeys…Stan originally drew them as human beings (that's the way they were in the original Xeroxes of the story I saw), but then relented at the last moment and changed them to simians. And now he's apparently grown attached to them.
Anyway, thanks for all your great comments, and here's a look at the cover for the next chapter of the Dragon Bellow Conspiracy: "Downpour." On sale in late January at a comics shop near you!
– ED.
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Usagi Yojimbo story and all characters therein are copyright Stan Sakai and Usagi Studios. Usagi Yojimbo is a registered trademark of Stan Sakai. 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.