A Usagi Weekend!
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:36 -0700
I got an unexpected surprise this weekend, when on Saturday I went by a local comic shop to pick up an order that I hadn't been able to swing by and get to for over 2-weeks, and there, found the last copy of Usagi Yojimbo #99 sitting there beckoning me on the shelf. Now, that probably doesn't seem to be a big deal, but my "subscription" began with issue #100 (which I've not yet recieved) and after having read a couple of the Usagi TPB's over the last month I was chomping at the bit for more. One look into the interiors of issue #99 (the page in which Usagi and Mayumi find themselves in an unexpected moment) and I knew it had to be mine.
More on the issue itself in a moment, but the best part of the trip to the store was that the clerk behind the counter noticed that the Usagi book was the only one that I bought, and enthusiastically pointed out the oversized Usagi #100 cover print that the store had just gotten in. They only had one copy, it was signed, and it was a steal of a deal -- so I left the store with issue #99, and a great looking Usagi print when all I had planned to do was pick up an old order and go about my day. What's more -- upon closer inspection of the signature, I noticed that Mr. Sakai had drawn an excellent mini-image of Usagi as part of his signature (which I've seen, but not in person). I've not had the honor of a Stan Sakai commission YET, but having that small illustration nonetheless was icing on the cake! All I need now is a frame!
As for issue #99, I had to study for a good part of the weekend (ack!) but I was finally able to get a break Sunday night, sit back, and find the time to read something besides a textbook. It took all of 4-panels on that first page to remind me -- again -- just how great an artist/visual storyteller that Stan is as the thief makes his way through the crowd (the detail in each of the characters is astounding). Once I had completed the issue, I found that I was most impressed by just how attached to Mayumi I became, having known nothing about the character prior. Perhaps it was the tragedy that took place, but I was quickly moved by her sheer enthusiasm to be with Usagi. It was heartwarming, if a little uncomfortable, and I was saddened to some degree when her hopeful eyes were met with Usagi's calculated pupils, and some harsh words. That's pretty amazing considering that I have absolutely no background to go on and yet I was so quickly sympathetic to her. As the issue progressed, I completely understood why Usagi made the decision that he did (to leave quietly for her safety and well being) and I'd even wager that there was some real wisdom in his doing so, but I was surprised that he actually did it, and immediately torn up when Mayumi's hope that Usagi had left her a friendly note, turned out to be an apology for his departure, broken promise, and the reward money they had been granted. You can literally see the despair in her eyes as she realizes what's happened, as she denies it best she can -- making her way to the place of their promised meeting -- only to find that Usagi was nowhere to be found. They were seemingly the same eyes we saw the night before when she had dreamed he had left her. As she drops to her knees it's almost too much to have to be witness to, and is compounded that much more when Usagi does indeed return, to find her gone (and perhaps in some real danger). What's in store for Usagi & Mayumi!? These next several issues can't arrive soon enough!
Anyhow, this story, slong with the fine print, was a great way to start a new week so I thought I'd share that with fellow Usagi fans!
More on the issue itself in a moment, but the best part of the trip to the store was that the clerk behind the counter noticed that the Usagi book was the only one that I bought, and enthusiastically pointed out the oversized Usagi #100 cover print that the store had just gotten in. They only had one copy, it was signed, and it was a steal of a deal -- so I left the store with issue #99, and a great looking Usagi print when all I had planned to do was pick up an old order and go about my day. What's more -- upon closer inspection of the signature, I noticed that Mr. Sakai had drawn an excellent mini-image of Usagi as part of his signature (which I've seen, but not in person). I've not had the honor of a Stan Sakai commission YET, but having that small illustration nonetheless was icing on the cake! All I need now is a frame!
As for issue #99, I had to study for a good part of the weekend (ack!) but I was finally able to get a break Sunday night, sit back, and find the time to read something besides a textbook. It took all of 4-panels on that first page to remind me -- again -- just how great an artist/visual storyteller that Stan is as the thief makes his way through the crowd (the detail in each of the characters is astounding). Once I had completed the issue, I found that I was most impressed by just how attached to Mayumi I became, having known nothing about the character prior. Perhaps it was the tragedy that took place, but I was quickly moved by her sheer enthusiasm to be with Usagi. It was heartwarming, if a little uncomfortable, and I was saddened to some degree when her hopeful eyes were met with Usagi's calculated pupils, and some harsh words. That's pretty amazing considering that I have absolutely no background to go on and yet I was so quickly sympathetic to her. As the issue progressed, I completely understood why Usagi made the decision that he did (to leave quietly for her safety and well being) and I'd even wager that there was some real wisdom in his doing so, but I was surprised that he actually did it, and immediately torn up when Mayumi's hope that Usagi had left her a friendly note, turned out to be an apology for his departure, broken promise, and the reward money they had been granted. You can literally see the despair in her eyes as she realizes what's happened, as she denies it best she can -- making her way to the place of their promised meeting -- only to find that Usagi was nowhere to be found. They were seemingly the same eyes we saw the night before when she had dreamed he had left her. As she drops to her knees it's almost too much to have to be witness to, and is compounded that much more when Usagi does indeed return, to find her gone (and perhaps in some real danger). What's in store for Usagi & Mayumi!? These next several issues can't arrive soon enough!
Anyhow, this story, slong with the fine print, was a great way to start a new week so I thought I'd share that with fellow Usagi fans!