LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

Dear Stan,

I love your comics of Usagi Yojimbo! I especially like the Color Specials with Tomoe. My favorite Color Special is number 3 with the kitsuné (fox). Probably because I'm an animal lover, but I'm crazy about foxes. I've got some questions though, mostly on animals.

1. What type of animal is Tomoe?

2. Will Usagi ever get a companion? I mean a real one, who follows him and maybe even sleeps with him?

3. Will Usagi ever get another tokagé (lizard)?

The real reason why I'm sending this letter is because I've made a Samurai or Ronin , but I can't make up a suitable Japanese name. You make very nice names, so can you help me? I have put a picture of him in with this letter. Well, I love your comics, so keep up the good work!

Catherine Tang
Richmond, British Columbia

2. Friends and enemies flow in and out of Usagi's life but there are no plans in the future for a permanent companion.

3. If you've already read this issue, you'll know that Usagi is now stuck with a whole bunch of tokagé. They won't stick around long, though.

Some names you might consider for your fox character are: Hideaki (excellent brightness), Isamu (courageous), Koichi (glistening one), Masao (proper male) or Tadashi (loyal).

Hey Stan!

This is my first letter to you. I wanted to write half way through last year when I discovered that Usagi had his own comic. I only have issues one and two, and 27 on up, and I'll say what just about everybody has said: This is my favorite comic!

It's good to have people write letters and tell you what they don't like so that you can make a better book – but I, honestly, have no complaints. I have never seen anything more wicked cool than your work. It's my favorite thing to sit down to a Usagi book and get intimate with your Rabbit – where would I be if I had never met that Dude. I'll just have you know that something you created has changed another person's life. I need not say more.

I started drawing Usagi back in '90 when I saw him on the Turtles cartoon (last year I found no. 34 in a comic shop in Boston). The drawing I've enclosed I did at work on break. I have plenty more for you. In the future I'll do plaster and clay works of him (I've done tons of Master Splinter). I've drawn Usagi's (Mifune's) mon on about everything. I even made a Ginch Dia. once out of a sheet of sticky mirror mylar and stuck it on my snowboard!

I want to ask you or Chuck Dillon (if you print this and he reads it) if I can get that Dude's address. I want to write to him and tell him how much his drawings kick! I can't remember which issue, but he wrote and said that he was going to cartooning school or something, if he hasn't gone already…Chuck, take me with you!!

Sorry, well, anyway, Lonny Woltz did a wicked job on that [Usagi Yojimbo] suit he had in Wizard #27. By the way, will you ever attend a convention out this way?

John the Mouster
Shirley, MA

Dear Sakai-san and Co.,

Usagi Yojimbo's transfer to Mirage Studios seems to have happened smoothly and successfully.

I was a bit suspicious about adding color, because more than one comic book (not to mention certain magazines) have become dull/boring/what-have-you after that. As if color would compensate for the poor story (sad truth is that to some it does…). And, to me, story is paramount. However, Mr. Luth does it well – unlike, say, Image (aargh…!)

Based on the recent issues, I've found my fears uncredited. Pity, though, that UY became bi-monthly. I'm suffering from withdrawal symptoms! On the other hand, less hurry may bring more merry!

By the way, farewells to Ino in Fantagraphics' last issues was very good, too. After that story, bringing this obvious "retired character" back would feel very dull indeed. Let him live in his life of solitude and peace.

I expected that you would add some Turtles in the first issues somehow since they had peeks before – solution was quite creative. It gave dimension-hopping some delicious mystic flavor to use shamanistic style.

I happen to be one of those old TMNT puritans who used to like it in the old days. Well, these rantings are quite familiar from other people, so I do not repeat them here. But, though your view of the shellbacks was quite interesting, I really hope it does not become a regular feature.

And though Space Usagi – as seen in the first series – had interesting parts, it does not excel the average UY story. Another thing I hope does not become a regular feature.

And I have really liked those backside stories – especially Jizo-sama. Personally I would like more stories like "Kite Story" (in UY Book 5) [and UY Vol. 1, #20], for example. And how about a story about those monkey woodcutters?

Take Care of You and Yours,
Vesa Lehtinen
Tampere, Finland

I agree that Tom's coloring is superb and he outdoes himself with every issue.

Ino was one of my favorite characters and the most skilled of all the swordsmen of Usagi's world. But he was the most misunderstood. He just wanted a life of peace but people kept getting in the way. He finally found his peace and, as far as I'm concerned, he'll keep it – unless I happen to think up a good story with his name in it.

Any comments on Space Usagi can also be sent here. The second Space Usagi mini-series, "White Star Rising", is on sale now. It's a fun story with quite a few surprises.

Dear Sakai-san,

As a great fan of Usagi's, I am pleased to say that overall, I believe your move to Mirage has been for the best! The colors are wonderful, and add real depth to story, character, and art. However, though, there are some changes I dislike, and I am asking if they will change. To start Usagi #1 off with a bang you used the Turtles, correct? I can understand that, but what I am asking is whether your stories will continue on this route? I will be the first to admit that my first contact with Usagi was through the green-shelled Turtles. I then saw Usagi's own title, and was amazed at the differences in plot! It is this basic theme of Usagi I am asking you to keep.

Personally, I thought "Jizo" and "Autumn" were more enjoyable than "Shades of Green". I also enjoy trips to Usagi's youth as in "Usagi's Garden". So, what am I trying to convey? Please keep your stories of detailed and researched fact of 17th century Japan in the Usagi stories! Please renew the traditions of Usagi!

Also, one question: Why has Usagi begun to scowl so much? His eyes always seem angry. Has Usagi lost much of his good humor and good nature in the move to Mirage?

Anyhow, I close by saying, I will enjoy Usagi even if he turns into an unfriendly lout, for I feel that even then you will be able to make him interesting. One last thing (really!) let Usagi take on a young companion who wishes to learn the skill of the Samurai. A smaller Usagi re-born. Maybe not kin, but a student like he was. I feel Usagi would be an awesome teacher.

Fan Art by Naomi Oriuchi
	Neko: "Usagi Yojimbo, I am Neko Yushyoshiya. Nice to meet you." Usagi: "O-oh?!"

I hope you enjoy the picture of Usagi and my character, Neko Yushyoshiya. For the Kanji-impaired:

Neko – "Usagi Yojimbo, I am Neko Yushyoshiya. Nice to meet you."
Usagi – "O-oh?!"

Naomi Oriuchi
Dallas, TX

Though the Turtles and Usagi have met many times in the past and will doubtless meet again, their appearance in the lead story in Usagi's comic was a one-time event. For one thing, it was difficult for me to work with so many similar characters (I don't know how Jim Lawson does it). I guess that's why I've always limited past crossovers to just Usagi and Leonardo.

I don't think Usagi scowls more now than before. He certainly isn't scowling much in this issue.

Miyamoto Musashi, whose life Usagi is based on, did for a while have a young pupil named Jotaro. However, Usagi won't have one because I plan to continue, for a while at least, the "Young Usagi" stories of how he, himself, learned to become a samurai.

Space Usagi Vol. 2, #3 Don't miss the explosive conclusion, on sale in March!