Dark Horse Comics Usagi Yojimbo #7          The Withered Field   November 1996 (Click on the thumbnails to view full size cover art)

USAGI YOJIMBO LETTERS COLUMN
Send comments to: Usagi Yojimbo ~ Letters Column c/o Dark Horse Comics
10956 S.E. Main Street, Milwaukie, OR 97222
[E-MAIL] jamier@dhorse.com [www] http://www.dhorse.com

Dear Stan,

In a world of killers and greed, Usagi remains a shining example of optimism. Until the final page of [Vol. 3] #5, he hoped his suspicions were mistaken about Icho. Ah, well.

You know, the only color episodes I've yet seen of Patrick McGoohan's "Secret Agent" television series was a 2-parter filmed in Japan entitled "Koroshi." It was about a secret society of assassins who had their own twisted code of behavior. They also have an island fortress that was the scene of a spectacular final battle (similar to the one in the "007" film You Only Live Twice, but on a miniscule budget)!

Henry R. Kujawa
Camden, NJ

Koroshi literally means "to kill" or "murder." A good name for assassins.

Dear Jamie S. and Stan:

…"The Chrysanthemum Pass" brought back the Mogura Ninja, but the greatest strength was in the deft delineation of new folk: I especially like Lord Miyagi, the man who truly foiled the Koroshi with his mushaningyo. He provoked a good debate with Usagi about the nature of the lord/vassal relationship, and though I understood the lord's actions (and the prelude made it clear that his defeating the Dark Lord Hikiji was essential), I understood Usagi's scowl, too. Usagi has killed many times in the past; he will doubtless kill many times more. But it's evident that he doesn't like to take lives, and it was absolutely fitting that his farewell to Icho made it clear that he knew of the medicine peddler assassin and didn't want it to be Icho.

The handling of Icho was wonderful. Only gradually did we learn that he was part of the assassination plot: at first, he seemed like a genuine peddler, and even the hands set to push Usagi off the cliff could be explained away. (Perhaps he just didn't like traveling with a companion and hoped to get Usagi to leave him.) Once the truth was out, Icho still remained almost sympathetic: his rivalry with Eizo, the young, hotshot assassin, was a highlight of the story, and his realization that he wasn't speedy enough to overcome Usagi's dairokkan was almost as good. His folk song echoed pleasantly throughout the tale, and if he was only a one-shot character, well, all one-shots should be as vivid and vital as Icho!

Usagi was handled well, too. Mariko would be delighted to know that he smiled on almost a third of the story's pages; I know I was. Usagi's profession was incapable of appreciating children at play or peddlers who, on first glance, seem to be honest; nor has it prevented him from "enjoying the scenery." He's exciting just sitting at a wayside stand with a cup of tea, and his treatment of the toughs with their toll to pay was more indicative of his true appeal than the swift dispatching of the murderous Icho. "I won't be as gentle the next time," he said, and, like Deanna Curry [UY Vol. 3, #5 Lettercol], I value Usagi's modesty, politeness, and purity of heart.

Charles J. Sperling
Flushing, NY

Dear Stan,

I was thrilled when I learned that Usagi Yojimbo had become an ongoing series at Dark Horse. Every time a new issue comes in, I thank James Kirby of Xanadu Comics again for introducing me to your character. For a while I was starting to get so depressed by the dark, grim, and gritty superhero books that I nearly gave up on comics. It was fun books with solid storytelling and art like this one that reminded me what I've always liked about comics.

I'm also enjoying getting to catch up on the previous stories through the reprint volumes. I was wondering, though, whether there were any plans to do reprint collections for either the second Usagi series from Mirage, or any of the previous Space Usagi stories?

Ivan A. Martin
Urbandale, IA

I do hope to collect all the Mirage stories, as well as the Fantagraphics Color Specials and the Space Usagi stories, but it's premature to make any sort of announcement at this time.

For the latest Usagi news, you can check out the Usagi Yojimbo Dojo at http://heart.engr.csulb.edu/~tbustill/usagi.html

Konichi Wa, Usagi and Sakai-San!

Finally, a chance to write to my favorite comic-book character and creator! It seems like forever since the last time I dropped a line to Usagi Yojimbo. I am glad (and relieved) to see how well Usagi is thriving at Dark Horse Comics – keep up the great work! Space Usagi was spiff-taculous!! Not to mention Usagi's regular series – I especially loved the "Noodles" story, sad as it was! Kitsuné now ranks among my favorite characters – Tomoe, Usagi, and Yagi.

The Usagi Crusades are faring well in my area! Most of my friends are hooked on Usagi comics, or at least think he's cool. My uncle, who I casually handed Usagi, Book 5, to one evening, likes "Yagi and Son." He wants to name his new sailboat "Lone Goat and Kid"! To say he likes Usagi would be an understatement. He read all the issues I had on paw and then asked to borrow the rest!

Whenever I draw an occasional doodle or drawing of Usagi at school, it draws a crowd! There's just something about a long-eared, furry samurai bunny that tickles the imagination! So, congratulations Usagi, you can put a smile on anyone's face (loyal fan or occasional onlooker) wherever you go! And congratulations to Stan for creating Usagi and his world. You accomplished something that will live on forever – it's not just another comic book. Well, unfortunately, time is short, so until next time…

Abayo,
Jolene Flohe
[no address given]

Fan Art by Jolene Flohe

Thanks for the terrific drawings, Jolene.

Abayo,