Fan Art by Paul Allen

Of course, if you're in a mood for Usagi clothing, the fabulous new Usagi T-shirt are still available. They're selling like hotcakes, but we plan on going back to press on them to meet demand, so you don't have to worry about our running out of them.

Those of you who get our catalogues (and if you're not on the list, send us a card and we'll send you a complete Fantagraphics catalog right away!) already know that the new Usagi Silkscreen Print by Stan has been made offered for sale. (It will ship to customers in January – a little later than hoped, but we're taking great pains with it.) I was going to run a color shot of it on this issue's back cover, but we didn't get the color repro done in time, so we'll do that next issue. Trust us, it's quite nifty, with Usagi in full armor surveying his troops. It's limited to yours for only $60.00 plus $3.00 shipping and handling ($6.00 outside the U.S.) and is sent to you packed in a sturdy mailing tube. (You can also order it via the 800 number on the back cover.)

In other news, the second printing of Usagi Yojimbo Book Two is running a little late (so what else is new?), but we should have it out for February (along with the limited hardcover). Heck, we have to get that one out of the way so that we can prepare for the early summer release of Usagi Yojimbo Book Five.

Finally, we get so many questions – often the same ones over and over again – that I'd like to start an annual tradition of answering everyone's questions at once. Then, if anyone writes in with the same questions we can just refer them back to that issue. So if you have a question send it to "USAGI QUESTIONS, Fantagraphics Books, 7563 Lake City Way, Seattle, WA 98115," by the end of February, and we'll see what we can do around #35 or so.

A few notes on letters and stuff. Every couple of months, a fan will send in an order addressed to "Usagi Letters." The problem is that the letters sit in my files until I get around to them (sometimes for months at a time), and every time an order sneaks into the pile it gets severely delayed. It's a better idea to send letters and order separately since they are going to different places in the vast Fantagraphics offices, but if you have to save 29 cents, address the envelope to the order department, who will open it promptly and forward the letter-of-comment part to the letters department (me), rather than to the letters department (me), which will sit on it for months on end.

Also, I want to make clear that original artwork sent to us cannot be returned. The other day I got a batch of originals from a fan artist who requested that we send them back to him once we were done looking at them. (He included three quarters for postage.) this is a waste of everyone's time: if you want to keep your originals (and you should), you're better off sending good photocopies. I realize this is tricky when you use tones (as several cartoonists do this time around), but we just don't have the time to act as a re-routing house for artwork.

Finally, you'll note that this issue is a bit late and contains, instead of the usual back-up by one of Stan's friends, a "Young Usagi" story (making it an all-Sakai issue). Let's just say that someone out there didn't quite make his deadline and we hope things will be back in order by next issue.

Oh, and the illustration at the top of the page is by Paul Allen of Sacramento, CA, and features his own character the Nose Ninja .

– ED.

Dear Kim and Stan,

I just wanted to drop you a line to tell you what a wonderful comic book you put out.

To tell the truth, I'm not sure what I like about it best. The art is absolutely fantastic. Usagi Yojimbo is always drawn clearly and purely. The dialogue is always appropriate. Usagi seems to have this adorable sense of humor. I often find myself chuckling along while I'm reading. Because of the stares I get, I've since started reading the book by myself. And the stories always are perfect. They have just the right amount of romance, suspense, intrigue, violence, and let's not forget the moral at the end.

All of these factors help to make Usagi Yojimbo my favorite title. I'm hooked on one absolutely adorable and fierce Samurai Rabbit.

I do have one quick question, though. What species is Mariko? Her ears aren't quite long enough to be a rabbit. I'd thought maybe a mouse of some kind. Please advise.

Sincerely yours,
Debra L. Bates
Columbia, NJ

Just what we need, another species debate. I've always figured Mariko is just a short-eared rabbit, but we'll toss the ball into Stan's court and see what he comes up with. – ED.

Dear Stan and Company,

Since you're serious about teaming up Usagi with a character outside of the Fantagraphics Universe, then I've got the perfect character for you: The Flaming Carrot!

Now I know you might be saying "Ut!" at this idea, but these two were made for each other. Imagine this: a sword-wielding samurai rabbit and a man with a carrot head and flames burning from it! Perfect! Brilliant! A stroke of genius!

This could make for a lot of superb stories and adventures for the oddest couple since Felix and Oscar! What do you think, Stan?

P.S.: I wonder if Usagi will ever try to eat him. I mean, he's a rabbit and rabbits eat carrots, right?

Kevin Lonergan
Merrick, NY

Oddly enough, I just ran across a drawing from the ever-prolific Chuck Dillon on the same subject. Since the Carrot just teamed up with the Turtles, the idea probably isn't that far-fetched. – ED.

Konichiwa, Sakaisan!

I hope you don't mind my bad Japanese. I've followed Usagi ever since a friend gave me Book 1 for a birthday present some years ago. It's all quite funny, it was exactly at the time that I began to watch as much Kurosawa as I could, and I remember being tickled when I made the realization that the "Yojimbo" in Usagi's name was not his surname, but the title of his position as bodyguard to Lord Mifune. (An early feline relation of Toshiro, I'm sure.) Well, to keep this moving right along, and without sounding too much like a "fan letter," I have a request to make of you – well, actually, several. I hope you don't mind because they're sort of suggestions as well.

I am a historian, and as such adore that you are crating a book which not only is a beauty artistically, but is introducing people who never would have been to aspects of Japan's brilliant history. I only wish that you would employ themes which stress this historical aspect even more. Also, I feel that your use of traditional Japanese folklore – as in "Blade of the Gods," the story with the Kappa, and now in this year's summer special, with the demon painter Goyemon – is wonderful and I look forward to more stories dealing with aspects of the supernatural.

Lastly, I would love to see a story line dealing with the period of Portuguese involvement in Japan, and with the efforts of The Society of Jesus, The Jesuits, to convert the archipelago. I in no way am suggesting that you rehash a theme already exploited by the author James Clavell. I merely suggest that the period contains a wealth of material ignored by Clavell or merely glossed over by him. Incidentally, I don't want to sound preachy or imply that I expect you to ape Shogun. I just feel that it would be interesting to see Usagi, Gen, and company deal with Lord Hikiji's plots and the designs of the then Mighty Portuguese empire at the same time.

As I end this, I must express that one of my favorite of your creations is that old serpent, Lord Hebi. He is a wonderful villain, and a fitting counselor to the dark lord, Hikiji. I eagerly await Hebi's next appearance. Gen also is wonderful and it's good to see that you've given Usagi a true friend. I shan't drag this on any longer, only wanting to say "Domo Arigato" for a book which is lush and expressive, and a joy to read.

Yours till Usagi's vendetta on Hikiji is fulfilled…

Dave Cercone
Pomona, NY

As a Gen fan, you ought to enjoy the next major plotline (starting up in #34). We've passed your historical suggestions on to Stan, but let's not forget that Usagi is an action-adventure title and we can't get bogged down too deeply in history. – ED.

Fan Art by Ted Nomura

Dear Kim (editor supreme)

I sent a letter out to you yesterday and just noticed something that I want to show you now. In the new Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #2 I found an error. On page 26 in the 3rd and 4th frames, if you look closely you'll notice that on the clothing of the Geishu Samurai and Tomoe, the Geishu clan symbol is missing! Instead, Stan (or maybe someone else) accidentally put Lord Mifune's symbol (and Usagi's) on them. I suspect that you already know of this but I thought I'd write just in case you didn't. Great coloring job by Tom Luth, he's the best. I'm looking forward to Usagi #30. Keep the great work up.

Long live Usagi,
Brian Carpenter
Seattle, WA

Dear Mr. Sakai,

I have fallen in love with the character Usagi Yojimbo. I am a comic writer who had created about 10 stories surrounding Usagi as the main character. My stories are wonderfully written and will surpass any plots done by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, although those characters from TMNT will be used along with mutant characters from other volumes of TMNT .

I realize your character, as of this point, is more reserved than the way it was introduced in the cartoon series. I have used this reserve as a main ingredient of my stories. Most of your stories are more or less centered around ancient Japan; I want to revolutionize his way of life and setting so he may have more of his already popular impact. I want him to be big, big, big.

Truly yours,
David Gilbert
Marrero, LA

David, while we respect your enthusiasm, please bear in mind that Usagi Yojimbo is a series created and owned by Stan Sakai and no one else is allowed to do Usagi stories – at least not for any other purpose than to amuse him- or herself in private. You'd be much better off if you channeled all that energy into creating your own stories featuring your own characters. (And a little modesty on your part would go a long way, too: your stories may indeed be "wonderfully written," but isn't that for someone other than yourself to say? Watch that ego!) – ED.

Dear Stan and Kim,

Thank you for bringing Usagi into the comic world, as he is one of the most original and inventive characters created!

The thing that attracts me to your comic every month is the authenticity of the Japanese stories and ideology used. It's not the run of the mill "Ninjaman" or "Super-samurai." When I first read your comic I was studying modern Japan and in particular the Samurai and their later decline. I found all the ideas and terms concerning Bushido very easy to recall after only reading a few issues of your comic. This made me realize that your comic is taking the feudal Japanese way of life in a very serious and creative manner and was not a feeble cash-in on the Ninja Turtle trends, i.e. using anthropomorphic animals with martial arts skills.

Your storytelling techniques are remarkable; rarely do I feel deep affection for comic book characters or feel sorrow at their deaths, but often during your comics many emotions are present in me while I read them, and I leave each new comic with a different feeling (sadness and sorrow in issue #26, horror at Jei's return in #28, pain for Usagi in #31 as he leaves Jotaro). This is why Usagi is superior to most comics involving tightwearers and superheroes. Don't get me wrong, I respect and enjoy many of these comics but I feel they don't offer the depth of story and artwork that Usagi does.

Enclosed is a drawing of a futuristic style Usagi. And lastly to Chuck Dillon, you've earned the admiration and respect of me and many of my Australian friends and we all can't wait to view your latest pieces of artwork. Keep it up!

Thank you to Stan and everyone who works on Usagi at Fantagraphics and good luck!

Best wishes,
Simon King
Clareville, N.S.W., Australia

See below for Simon's "futuristic" Usagi. To the left [above] is a drawing by fellow cartoonist Ted Nomura, possibly the last word on the whole Lone Goat/Lone Wolf deal. – ED.

Fan Art by Simon King

Dear Whoever is Assigned to Answer this Letter,

Love Usagi, keep it coming. Parts of the story line get confusing at times, but I catch up. Just curious, what do the people do with the swords of those who lost duels? In a couple of Usagi's duels, there is a mess of swords and blades lying around. This Jei Samurai seems invincible. Just duel him when there isn't a storm: that gives Usagi plenty of time to put enough holes in him. The guard on Usagi's sword: does it have, if magnified, a crafted willow branch or tree on the guard or is it just plain? For the Usagi-TMNT action figure, who was it that suggested armor? I thought it would have been neater with his kimono. I noticed on the back of the Leonardo-samurai outfit; he has Mifune's mon on his shell.

Jeremy Bowell [sic, see Vol 1, #33]
Mesa, AZ

Thanks for the cool "Aged Usagi" sketch, which made us all laugh here at the office. – ED.

Fan Art by Jeremy Bowell

Hello Mr. Sakai,

Considering how many of your comics that I have, it seemed a good idea to just drop you a line. I hope you liked the picture I did on my computer. I like drawing pictures of my favorite independent comics on my Amiga and you happen to be one of them.

Fan Art by Andrew Laverdinere

I've been reading Usagi ever since '87 when I was stationed in the San Francisco Bay area and have slowly but steadily been collecting the stories in Critters and Usagi Yojimbo. I think I've gotten all the Critters stories but it's hard to find Usagi Yojimbo out here in Maine, especially the older ones. I'll get them, though, I'm pretty relentless when I'm looking for a comic I like. So far, the effort's been well worth it. I like your style and the way you do it so.

The best story I like is "One Night in the Cold" that's in Critters #23. It was simple, to the point, and funny! Too often, your stories are so serious! You put in a few light points but the serious undertones kind of flatten them out. I don't expect a gag a panel, of course. There is nothing else I can complain about, really. The dialogue is just super. Very clean and easy on the eyes, very professional, an efficient use of lines. You must really do you homework.

A few years ago, I saw a Japanese movie directed by Hiroshi Inagaki called Legend of Musashi which recounts the life of Musashi Miyamoto (Toshiro Mifune) a 16th century swordsman wanderer, also I know of another movie called Zatoichi vs. Yojimbo which features a fight between Miyamoto and a blind warrior. Now are these names merely a coincidence or did you take these names from these movies? Am I missing something? I'm not real sure about your background and influences from the past. Could you tell us, please?

Are we going to see any more Nilson Groundthumper stories? Please say yes! I really miss those two bumblers and their mis-adventures. I was never able to find that Groundthumper comic Fantagraphics put out. Hopefully soon I may one day find it. Could you tell me about that eyebrow above Usagi's left eye, it makes me wonder.

Well, good luck on the future success of your Ronin rabbit. It shall always be upon my must have under pain of death list until I turn into a doddering, senile old man. Good bye!

Best Wishes…
Andrew Laverdinere
Skowhegan, ME