Usagi Yojimbo #126 - February, 2009

The rabbit ronin faces a terrifying creature from Japanese mythology in this creepy, self-contained story! Nukekubi are supernatural monsters that take the form of normal humans during the day, but at night can detach their heads to attack their unsuspecting prey. Invited to take refuge in an isolated mountain hut, Usagi doesn't notice anything suspicious about the house until he is awakened late at night by strange noises and a feeling of danger. Immediately, he sees the screaming head of his host -- with sharpened cannibal teeth -- flying down from the rafters!

Cover for UY 126

The rabbit ronin joins a disgraced samurai on a tragic mission in this brand-new standalone tale! Since the kidnapping of Lord Masaki's son, clan retainer Inuyoshi has a tarnished reputation. The ransom was paid and the victim returned, but it was Inuyoshi's responsibility to protect Lord Masaki's son. Ordered to commit seppuku-ritualized suicide-to atone for his negligence, Inuyoshi has vowed to first recover the ransom, the Sword of Narukami. Usagi chooses to help Inuyoshi on his mission, but develops reservations, as success will mean death for Inuyoshi!

Cover for UY 127

"Tera Tera Bozu": A tera tera bozu is a doll that children make to insure good weather. Little Taro hangs one up on the eves that rainy day, so he can play with his new friend, Usagi, in the morning. Tomorrow might turn out to be fine, but tonight would be a killer.

Cover for UY 128

"Blood Tree Pass": Kato the swordsman has been hunting for Usagi for weeks, because that treacherous long-eared ronin has stolen his 200 gold coins. However, a gang of cut-throats is after Kato, thinking he already has the fortune. All three meet high in the mountains at Blood Tree Pass.

Cover for UY 129

Return to Hell, part 1 of 2: Usagi and Kato return to the town called Hell to confront Boss HIga, who cheated Kato out of his fee and put the blame on Usagi. However, in the weeks they had been gone, Higa had fortified his stronghold and amassed an army of mercenary samurai. To pay for all this, he has ruthlessly oppressed the townspeople and taken everything they own. Now Usagi and Kato have even more reason to eliminate this tyrant.

Cover for UY 130

Fantagraphics will be releasing a "Complete Fantagraphics Usagi Yojimbo" as a two volume hard cover with a slip case. It will contain all the stories from Fantagraphics' seven volumes, though not the intros. Also, all the supplemental material from their hardcovers, except for the color Return to Adachi Plain which was recently reprinted in The Art of UY. It will also have an updated interview with me. We are considering a color cover gallery, and the inclusion of a TMNT/Usagi story that was never reprinted. This is scheduled in time for San Diego. We will also reprint The Treaty from Shell Shock. It is a 10 page story guest starring Leonardo from the TMNT. The story will be reprinted in subsequent editions of (probably) Book 7. Will also include a color cover gallery of the FB comics. You can pre-order it at Amazon.

Usagi Yojimbo:"Tengu Wars" - A future story arc, which may see print sometime in 2008. Features answers to some of the questions raised in UY #65's "Usagi and the Tengu" story. May also feature Katsuichi! Some interesting questions which may be answered include: Who cut off the Tengu's hand? Was it Katsuichi? Did Katsu challenge the Tengu long ago and win, hence forcing the Tengu to reveal his secrets on sword fighting, making Katsuichi the expert swordsman with the "unorthodox style" that everyone comments on? Katsu even lives like a mountain goblin in a way. Could it be that he has adopted their lifestyle? All this and more will be revealed in this future story arc!!! Interesting factoid: Japan's greatest hero, Yoshitsune, learned the art of swordsmanship from a tengu.

Lady Tomoe's Wedding - Stan Sakai says he merely "planted a seed" when we found out that Lord Ito of the Kojima had a plan to arrange a marriage between himself and the lovely Lady Tomoe Ame. What does the future hold? No one can be sure at this point, but one thing's for certain, we haven't heard the last about this shake up in the pages of UY!

War of the Worlds - Yes you read right! Stan is planning a UY mini-series inspired by H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds. This story is about a small expeditionary party of three ships that the Martians sent to earth in 1628--more than two centuries before their big invasion. Usagi has joined the Geishu clan by this time, and Lord Noriyuki has grown into a fine, capable lord. Lord Hikiji has made his move to overthrow the shogunate, and the county is driven into another civil war. It is during the great battle between the Geishu samurai and Hikiji's forces that the first of the Martian ships crashes into the middle of the field. Stan has some nice images in mind--a huge tripod behind a Japanese castle, Edo being razed, armored samurai attacking a martian ship, and the Neko Ninja (again led by Chizu) infiltrating a tripod. To readers who can't grasp such a wild twist in the pages of UY, Stan says he taken all doubts and concerns into consideration, and the story will fit into Usagi continuity and Japanese history.

Usagi Meets Wei Fong Hung - Stan says he has a story where Usagi meets a Chinese doctor/martial artist (ala Wei Fong Hung) though. That story has not been scheduled yet...stay tuned for more info! Stan Sakai: "[Usagi] will meet a Chinese doctor, modeled very, very loosely on Wong Fei Hung. Yeah, I know. They lived in different time periods, but this is a fantasy."

The Return of Inspector Ishida - UYD Member "Maka" gave Stan a great idea for an Inspector Ishida Mystery, a Hana-fuda crime for Inspector Ishida to solve. "The murderer leaves hanafuda cards in his victims clothes as a clue to why the crime was committed." Stan thought it was a great idea and, with Maka's permission, will be using the story ina future issue of UY!

Usagi Meets Catnippon - What's going on with the much-anticipated crossover between Usagi and Sergio Aragones's Samurai Feline? Stan Sakai: "We [Sergio and Stan] haven't discussed this for such a long time. We wrote up a 6 issue synopsis, but haven't done anything with it. We just don't have the time." So who knows if it will be published...chances are it will, but the question is...WHEN???

Usagi meets Nilson and Hermy - Stan plotted out a meeting between three of his most famous characters...Usagi, Nilson Groundthumper, and Hermy. Fans have been patiently awaiting years for this meeting, even longer than Usagi/Catnippon. Stan even figured out a way around the language barrier (Nilson and Hermy being from Europe) -- and the key is Hermy himself. Stan Sakai: "Nilson and Hermy haven't appeared in years, though I still want to do a crossover story with Usagi."

The Adventures of Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy - Stan has mentioned that he does plan on doing a few more Nilson stories...stay tuned!

Space Usagi - Stan has stated that he does plan on doing a fourth and final Space Usagi mini-series, quite possibly to wrap up the saga