Fan Art by Chuck Dillon

Well, we've accumulated a lot of letters over the last few months, so let's just segue into a four-page letters column with as little art "n" chat in-between as possible. Okay? Okay!

Oops: Almost forgot. The header this time around is once again by the ever-prolific Chuck Dillon. I hope everyone realizes that when, four or five years from now, Chuck Dillon is more famous than Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, and Stan Sakai put together, these issues of Usagi Yojimbo are going to be worth lots and lots of money.

On that greedy note, onward and upward! – ED.

Fan Art by Thomas Q. Radigan

As if Mickey Mouse made Americans less prone to slaughtering rats and mice to their hearts' content. Sometimes I think those Aussies are a few eucalyptus leaves short of a full branch.

Thanks for the Samurai Cat drawing – I like it so much I printed it even though I'd decided I'd cut the fan art this issue in order to print as many letters as possible. As for species incompatibility and all that, there's actually a number of felines in Usagi Yojimbo, none of whom has (so far) shown any tendencies toward eating him up.

I really enjoyed issue #32, especially the "Little Usagi" story. It's nice to know that Usagi, unlike the typical "hero," was not a perfect child. I'll bet after "Gaki" Usagi paid a lot more attention to Katsuichi's philosophy rather than to martial arts (at least for a while)!

A question: Do the four Usagi books reprint all of Usagi's adventures?

Sincerely,
Lynn Tucker
Las Vegas, NV

Pretty much, up to Usagi #18. There's a few short stories that haven't been collected yet, but by the time we get to Usagi Yojimbo Book Six or so, every black-and-white Usagi story should have been reprinted in the book series. Except for a few tricky ones. I think it's about time for a "Usagi Concordance" or somesuch for collectors trying to complete their collections. I'll see if I can whip one up in the next couple of issues. – ED

To Kim and Stan,

Allow me to congratulate you on this fine comic. For some time, I have collected Usagi Yojimbo, enjoying the stories, characters, and fine artwork. But mostly, thank you for the introduction of the most beautiful and clever Kitsuné (#32). I have always liked Tomoe, but Kitsuné is a gem. It is her character, and the hopes that she will have many adventures with Usagi and Gen that inspire me to finally write and extend my complements. It would be most amusing to have Kitsuné take on Gen and his arrogance, trimming his ego a notch or two (what worse fate for Gen than to be outwitted by an independent, intelligent female). Also, Usagi can't always be wandering without a little romance to warm the nights, and Tomoe is otherwise occupied…

Robert Cunningham
Anchorage, AK

P.S.: Besides, if you don't include Kitsuné in more stories, I'll go berserk, possibly inflicting horrible crimes upon political lobbyists with tofu and oosiks. You wouldn't want that on your conscience, would you?

Depends on the politician, Robert. As for bouncing Kitsuné off Gen next time around, it sure seems a natural, doesn't it? However, Stan will probably give Gen a rest after the current story, so who knows?

Why does every other letter to Usagi contain a P.S.? You folks must be the most afterthought-ridden correspondents in the world!

– ED.

Dear Stan and Kim,

"Circles" is not only turning out to be one of the best written stories in Yojimbo history, but one of the most incredibly drawn as well. I've noticed a turn taken by you in your artistic ways. You've added more detail to each panel. More depth and background artwork. And much more varied character poses and viewing angles. An overall crisper look in your art which I find most welcome.

The latest issue, #30, is a prime example of this and had one of the best covers to date. It was a great idea to print it on the back cover without the logo and I hope this becomes an ongoing thing with those issues that have truly spectacular cover artwork. But I do have one suggestion: Why not print the covers on the back in black-and-white instead? And how about B&W representations of the two color specials? I think that would be quite cool.

On to another subject at hand: TV appearances. I caught the TMNT show appearances and saw a Sakai rip-off on Tiny Toons, but what really intrigued me most was an episode of Duck Tales. I discovered a strange-looking Usagi in the midst of a masquerade party that Bubba Duck happened to sneak into in an episode where Scrooge and a piggish neighbor go at it over "childish things." Now, being both a hardcore Disney animation and Usagi Yojimbo fan, the idea of a Disney/Sakai animated movie started dancing around in my brain. Imagine an animated Kurosawa-style film in the same tradition as some of Disney's more "serious" animated movies. Is there a chance that this might happen one day?

In closing, here's hoping that you'll give the Mole Ninja from "Homecoming" the go in the third Color Special. Or maybe even sooner. They're really interesting and you should bring ‘em back. Should .

Hasta la vista,
Todd Shogun
Cypress, CA

Sorry, no moles in the third Color Special – just a wart or two. (Ho ho.) As for reprinting the Color Special stories in books, my feeling is that those stories were drawn for color: when I get Xeroxes of the black-and-white line art on those issues from Stan, those pages never seem to be quite as well-balanced as the regular issues – until Tom Luth adds his colors. If we wanted to print them in black-and-white, Stan would probably have to go back in and add blacks and textures to pages that would otherwise seem a little barren. No, currently the plan is to accumulate enough color stories to have an all-color Usagi collection someday. Sound acceptable?

For another view of that issue, refer to the following letter…

– ED.

Stan –

I really don't know what to say about number 30. It's not your best. I've seen much better from you. And I'm not talking about "the older stuff" like I thought before, I'm talking about maybe three issues ago. As I look at the interior art, it seems to me that not as much time and life went into it. I'm sorry, I'm very disappointed. Even the story could use some work. As I've said before, there's no fear in Jei. As I think back to Critters I may have feared the mole ninja more than Jei in it.

Thanks so much for printing my letter and drawing in #30. I really do appreciate it. At a sad time it really cheered me up. Thanx a bunch!

Please try to meet the above things. I mean no insult – just trying to help out!

Thanx again!
Chuck Dillon
Philadelphia, PA

And no insult taken, Chuck. Personally, I think Stan's doing some of his best work right now, but everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. (And as the following letter shows, you're not entirely alone in your qualms about Jei.) Anyway, we hope you enjoy the current serial more.

Stan, that's two votes for those darn moles.  What do you think?

– ED.

Dear Mr. Sakai,

Usagi Yojimbo is one of the best comic books out on the market today. Your storytelling is excellent, and your artwork perfectly evokes the mood of your stories. I usually get sick of most comics after about the eighth issue, but this one is among the ones that have maintained my interest throughout.

Not that it couldn't use improvements…

F'rinstance, color at its worst detracts from the drama of your artwork, while at its best adds nothing to it. The Color Special would have been a classic if it hadn't been for the color. Although I really liked the way the painter appeared to be a nice, innocent artist while giving away his work, but later showed his true face as something more sinister during his encounter with Usagi.

(I think the bottom panel on page 17 would make a great poster.)

The Nilson Groundthumper story was also good, although the ending was a bit hokey.

On to "Circles": "Wind Over the Tombstones." Great story! Although I found one part confusing. (I may just be dense but…) on page 10 Usagi was saying, "I had no choice but to report to my new master." I got a bit confused as to whether he was continuing the flashback on the way to his new master or what? Also, on the last page, where Jotaro first encounters Jei, I think it would have been more effective to have Jei simply standing there looking malevolent instead of having him laugh evilly. It's just my personal interpretation, but I think Jei should be portrayed as somewhat aloof. Like he's in this world but not of this world. Making him laugh like that makes him too earthy.

In "Remembrances," once again, you lose some of the mystery that could make Jei a bit more effective. During the scene where Jei interrogates Jotaro, you again made Jei a bit too ordinary. I don't think a messenger of the gods would waste energy on threatening a lowly mortal. Other than that, the book met your usual high standards of quality. It was great how you built up the tension of the reunion of Usagi and Mariko only to have it broken by the stern, businesslike tones of Kenichi as he turns their attention to the matters at hand. On a slightly different note, Mariko doesn't deserve Kenichi (I know it sounds strange): Kenichi obviously loves Mariko far more than she loves him. You can tell by the look of sorrow he has after breaking up her conversation with Usagi. He knows he's hurt his wife in some way, although he's not entirely sure how. Meanwhile she's off cavorting with an old flame who left many years ago to be a wanderer.

Once again, I like "Shroud Over the Mountain." Any complaints I had about this one were basically the same as the last two, and it was nice to see Kenichi wreaking some havoc among the bandits. (Usagi isn't the only one with a talent for amassing large body counts.) I really liked the way Jei in repose looks rather peaceful, even handsome, but as the vision from the gods takes over, his face contorts into a mask of pain and evil. Also, page 9 was funny, in a sick sort of way. (The fool did not believe the word of the gods, indeed!) Finally, is it just me, or does the tokagé that helps Jotaro escape bear a resemblance to the long-departed "Spot"??? I wonder…

Joshua Cera
Reno, NV

Dear Stan,

So what exactly did Usagi do to Kenichi? My guess (in a previous letter I wrote you) is that Jotaro is really Usagi's son. I am very confused right now. In a reply to a letter in #30, you said some of us had already guessed "something," but the rest of us deserved to be surprised. Fair enough. Just tell me what issue this "surprise" is in.

Sincerely,
Lorraine Lim
San Francisco, CA

P.S.: How about drawing a Japanese wedding in a future issue? You got it right the first time, Lorraine. – ED.

Dear Kim,

Howdy Hello!

I saw the mention of the "Samurai Warrior" computer game in Usagi Yojimbo #30, and thought I'd write you to mention, in case you hadn't known (although this probably isn't really news to you) that the game was designed by Paul Kidd, an anthropomorphic fan of the first water, also the designer of the Albedo and Lace & Steel role–playing games (he even looks a bit like Steve Gallacci!) So there you have it: you can't swing a katana in this biz without bumping into someone you know!

Usagi, of course, is excellent, as always. Superlative line-art, with a magnificent sense of "balance." Stan Sakai is able to break up a page with light and dark areas, in a way that is absolutely pleasing to the eye.

(Page 32, for instance, where young Jotaro flees from his captors: what a great single-page depiction of a long flight.) I also note, studying it carefully, how Jotaro is shown in the midst of "static" elements – a fallen tree-trunk, a curious snail, etc. – in order to emphasize his own hurry. Very clever, dramatically, and, in addition, it allows Mr. Sakai to exercise his penchant for depicting the beauty of nature. The opening of the story is also beautiful: what could be more lovely than a foggy morning in a deep pine forest? The cold, the fog, the calmness – Mr. Sakai even portrays the silence !

On another note: recently, when confined to bed with a nasty case of strep throat, I went back and re-read the entire 50-issue run of Critters. Man alive! Great work! Those were the days! It certainly made my sick-bed less miserable. Those issue contain some of the best stories ever told in comics!

Thanks again for great anthropomorphics, great adventures, great black-and-white art, backed up by great writing: your past, present, and future endeavors are deeply appreciated.

Cheers, et in Terra Pax,
Jefferson P. Swycaffer
San Diego, CA

Thanks for your letter, Jefferson. It was for people like you we put together those 50 issues of Critters – and for people like you that someday, somehow, we'll put together a 51st. – ED.

Dear Stan,

Re: Usagi Yojimbo #30.

There is so much honor, so much tradition enmeshed in samurai. It is for that reason that Kenichi allows Usagi, his bitter rival, to rescue his son while Kenichi remains to lead the villagers' assault on Jei's bandits' hangout.

"Shroud Over the Mountain" was another fine story that managed to capture yet another facet of samurai .

Warmest regards,
Jan C. Childress
Brooklyn, NY

Thanks; I've got nothing to add to that!

In the next two months, look for the first two Usagi Yojimbo covers not fully drawn by Stan Sakai. Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #3 will feature a cover painting by Tom Luth based on a drawing by Stan, while next month's Usagi Yojimbo issue will showcase a cover by…but no, that would be telling! Watch for it; it's a beaut!

And finally, a cartoon from Christopher Smigliano about the whole Usagi/Jotaro thing. I knew Stan was opening a whole can of worms with the familial revelations of "Circles."

See you next time!

– ED.