Usagi Yojimbo #96, fan art (and CBG comment)

Post by **Steve Hubbell** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 0:24 -0700

Issue #96 of Usagi Yojimbo came out right on schedule wednesday, and it was very enjoyable, except the fact that it was only half the story, of course. Another new character is introduced and we get to wonder if his karma is such that he will still be around after next issue, or not.

(Now, if we can just get estee to hurry up and write his review on the ComiXtreme forum, we'll all know just how great this issue's story is)

Unfortunately, there is no story notes or letters this issue, just some picture of a horse and an annoyed looking zec samuraj (practicing my Croatian).

Funny, I could swear that I have a drawing around here somewhere that looks just like that one.... oh, wow, that means that I now own some original "published" fan art!

Cool!!!

Thanks again, Nate, and congradulations!

Oh, before I forget....
There is a great photo of Stan in the current issue of Comics Buyer's Guide, in their Comic Con International - San Diego review... I plan on actually buying the magazine tomorrow (just glanced through it today), so I'll be able to post a scan and some more detailed information then.

MikeM · Post by **MikeM** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:03 -0700

Issue 96 was truly excellent.
When I pick up my weekly comics Usagi is never the first comic I read when I get home. The reason being is that I read all the comics I am excited about that I can just bang through. I always read the new issue later on in the evening when I have some time. I like to take my time with Usagi and enjoy it.

MikeM

Fanfan · Post by **Fanfan** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:23 -0700

You always talk about Comics Buyer's Guide, is it somekind of a comic Bible ?

Post by **Steve Hubbell** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:39 -0700

Fanfan wrote:You always talk about Comics Buyer's Guide, is it somekind of a comic Bible ?

It use to be a weekly tabloid size newspaper about comics which, before the internet and ebay, was THE only way to buy and sell comics beyond the confines of the local comic shop. I found my copy of Albedo listed in an ad in CBG.

A couple of years ago, they changed formats and became a monthly magazine similar to Wizard, but not quite as fan driven. It is, I believe, the longest running comic-related publiation in print, having been started back in the 1970's.

Mark Evanier (Stan's co-contributor on Sergio Aragones' Groo comic) contributed a weekly column to the publication for a number of years entitled "P.O.V." about his various experiences and observations on the comic industry, the entertainment industry, and sometimes life in general.

http://www.cbgxtra.com/Default.aspx?tabid=42
They have been putting together an index of their past issues. It is mainly just a cover gallery at this point, but still pretty cool.

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:49 -0700

Steve Hubbell wrote:
It use to be a weekly tabloid size newspaper about comics which, before the internet and ebay, was THE only way to buy and sell comics beyond the confines of the local comic shop.

I've been a subscriber since issue #7 way back in the very early '70's. It was a free publication back then, supported by advertising. It's now a monthly and up to #1622.

They have done features on Usagi a few times, and I remember one issue (for which I did the cover) that was given away at the San Diego Con.

Post by **Steve Hubbell** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:28 -0700

Prior to the Dic k Tracy 75th anniversary panel, comics historian and panel moderator R.C. Harvey (above left) and Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai (above right) chatted outside the panel room.

(I need a larger and wider scanner! )

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 14:00 -0700

That issue of CBG was awesome. They did an interview with Stan and a featurette on the Dojo. Bruce Costa was great to work with.

http://usagiyojimbo.com/other/cbgint.html for the transcription.

Blambot · Post by **Blambot** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 16:36 -0700

It was a thrill and an honor to have my USAGI/HORSE pinup in #96! I'll be framing the issue for my studio wall ASAP! Putting it next to my original Stan art!

~N

estee · Post by **estee** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:26 -0700

Review is up...click the link in my sig.

Great issue.

And its great to see some fan art. Congrats, Blambot.

Gaffey · Post by **Gaffey** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:52 -0700

I have to agree with your “Panel of the Month”.

That was funny.

estee · Post by **estee** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:28 -0700

Gotta love it.

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 19:32 -0700

Regarding issue #96, did anyone else notice some minor changes in Stan's portrayal of Usagi?

For the first time, Usagi is portrayed with slitted eyes when fighting. Formerly, Stan always drew detailed eyes unless showing Usagi in a moment of childish innocence (in which case he used simple dots for eyes). The slits in the battle scenes make Usagi look much more dangerous and intimidating. Of course, the dark, rainy environment works to make the opening battle even more severe. Usagi's haunting eyes beneath his hat in the downpour is a powerful image, indeed.

Going along with all this, Usagi seems to be coming across as a much more intimidating character in this issue. Whereas we've seen Usagi do a lot of lightening up over the past few years, this issue focuses largely on his natural ability to intimidate others. I'm reminded of all those early stories where a bunch of thugs egg on Usagi (despite his warnings) and only discover Usagi's ability to take them down toward the end of the story. In this one, the thugs learn right away and spend the rest of the issue trying to avoid him. Usagi doesn't even have to look at them to instill fear.

And then, of course, there are other subtle hints that Usagi is a force to be reckoned with in this issue. Even the one liner where Usagi says he was never very good at taking advice, or the fact that Usagi does seem to be staying in town in order to find the money (instead of in order to help prevent a bloodbath), give an edge to this normally heartwarming ronin.

I'm not complaining. The beauty of creator-owned characters is that they can change and evolve along with the creator. I just found the change interesting and wondered if anyone else saw it too (or am I making too much out of this?). I'd be curious to know whether Stan Sensai consciously intended to portray a different aspect of Usagi in this issue too.

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 20:23 -0700

shaxper wrote:
For the first time, Usagi is portrayed with slitted eyes when fighting.

I've been using those slitted eyes for quite awhile now. Someone mentioned it when I was at March's Kawaii-Kon in Hawaii.

Those slits convey another emotion that Usagi was lacking--not really angry, but not those happy dot-eyes.

Bryan Stone · Post by **Bryan Stone** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 20:35 -0700

I've not gotten issue 96 yet but I read the preview and I too love the 'slitted eyes'. I noticed the eyes like that first in issue 93 and 94.

*edit* sorry Stan, I think I was typing as you replied.