Tales from the Comic Brain

[Steve Hubbell]

http://comicbrain.com/2007/02/19/usagi- ... acon-2007/

Usagi Yojimbo and MegaCon 2007
February 19, 2007 :: Categories: Opinion, Usagi

The staff of ComicBrain attended the MegaCon in Orlando, Florida this past weekend and an excellent time was had by all.

I usually don’t spend much time in Artist Alley at conventions. I’ve just never been all that interested in meeting industry professionals and getting autographs. Now, before anyone gets all worked up and wants to argue, I have nothing against people who get autographs and like meeting the pros. It’s just not my thing. (Usually, when I go through Artist Alleys I’m much more interested in looking for cool independent press comics than anything else.) However, with that preamble in place, I have to say that the highlight of the whole con was meeting Stan Sakai. For those of you not in the know, Stan Sakai is the creator/writer/artist of Usagi Yojimbo. Usagi Yojimbo is one of my absolute favorite comics, and if you don’t read it, you should.

As a matter of fact, I’m going to make the evangelism of Usagi Yojimbo a full-fledged ComicBrain cause. I have to believe that there are so many more potential Usagi readers out there. If you like stories about feudal Japan, you will love Usagi Yojimbo. If you like stories about samurai warriors, bushido, and honor, you will love Usagi Yojimbo. If you don’t care about feudal Japan or samurais, but you do like stories about interesting, likeable characters I still think you’ll love Usagi Yojimbo. I’ll write more about Usagi later, but in the meantime, if you haven’t read the series, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy (either of the monthly comic, or better yet pick up one of the trades).

Back to the con. Mr. Sakai was as gracious and friendly a person as I have ever met at a comic convention. He drew an amazing sketch in my copy of “The Art of Usagi Yojimbo” hardcover, which makes that book even more cherished. Perhaps someday I’ll scan it and post it to share it with the world.

Ok, I’m done gushing.

Buy Usagi Yojimbo!