ISSUE #71 OUT!! SPOILERS INSIDE! READ ISSUE FIRST THEN CHAT

[Akahige]

"Bells" is a great story! Finally, we get a look into Katsuichi-sensei's past, and surprise! The opening scene with the woman walking down the street and the bells jingling quietly was superb, understated as it led into the rest of the story. The scene with Kinuko and the takoyaki was cute, a good joke. It's kind of hard to imagine Usagi's sensei in love, but he was young once too, we see. Good to see his friend Iwao again, as a fellow student. The confrontation with Toji and his cronies show that even as a young man, Katsuichi had a very clear sense of when to fight and when not to (something he taught successfully to Usagi). A pointed contrast to Toji's blustering arrogance. Not a nice person, Toji, and we see what pridefulness and ambition lead him to. A sad ending (I won't give it away). Really, a story well and simply told. Superb front cover-very dramatic close-up. And the advert on the back cover made me smile! "Look out, Usagi is attacking the city!" har har

[go]

Dear Readers,
What do you think about a new Usagi Yojimbo poster of the back cover of #71????????????????????????????????'
Personally I love it.
Will this be how the poster for the Emerald City Comicon / Seattle gathering will look? If so how do we get one?
If not perhaps Sensei Sakai will please consider releasing the design as a new (Dark Horse?) poster.
Otherwise I will just get an extra # 71 and frame the back cover!
My thanks giving includes giving thanks to Sensei Sakai and his beautiful family, Shogun Todd and all of those who promote the Usagi Yojimbo Dojo. Thank you for all of the fun!
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
go

[Stan Sakai]

Will this be how the poster for the Emerald City Comicon / Seattle gathering will look? If so how do we get one?
If not perhaps Sensei Sakai will please consider releasing the design as a new (Dark Horse?) poster.
go

I think this will be the poster and the t-shirt design for the Emerald City Con. I'll try to get a few for Dojo members. We haven't had a contest for quite a while.

[ziritrion]

I finally got it and read it. As usual, I enjoyed it. I have a question, though: how old is young Katsuichi supposed to be? Am I the only one who thinks that young Katsuichi looks somewhat like Clint Eastwood? Or is my mind playing tricks on me (again)?

[Todd Shogun]

This issue was awesome. A Katsuichi one-shot is exactly what we needed. Stan I hope you'll be including more one-shot stories of the supporting characters in UY... especially origin/background stories like this one. I know we've seen tons of Usagi's background, but digging into the past of all the other great characters you've developed is a real treat. Kickass!!!!!!!

[Glennosuke]

Ah.....masterfully written, beautifully illustrated, marvelously executed. Love to see more of this type of one-shot stories Stan! (Can I purchase one of the t-shirts from the Emerald con?)

Glenn I. Masuda

[ziritrion]

I agree with the Shogun. Character background stories rule.

Also, every time I read the issue I fall more in love with young Katsuichi's sideburns . No matter how hard I try, mine won't grow as much as his...

P.S.: Any chance we'll ever see a short story based on the Emerald City Comicon poster? I can't stop thinking of a giant Usagi taking over major world cities one by one . Sumi-e rocked so much that I still want more...