Best place to start reading?

Mr Wowtrousers · Post by **Mr Wowtrousers** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 21:35 -0700

Sorry if this has been asked. I looked at the front page and while their were a few links that listed *all* the books printed, nothing jumped out at me to say "You are new to UY, *this* is what you should read first"

I understand that seom TPB were released collating a lot of the earlier stories . . . can anyone point me in the right direction.

Cheers.

takematsu · Post by **takematsu** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 21:39 -0700

I'd suggest starting at the beginning-- the style has changed since then (which is mentioned in one interview or another in the main site), but there's some groundwork for a lot of the characters. The TBP Book 2 from Fantagraphics pretty much has the whole "origin story" in it. Of course, if you've a high tolerance for non-linear exposition, it's all good, and I can't think of a lot of places one might dive in and come up with confusion.

Mr Wowtrousers · Post by **Mr Wowtrousers** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 21:58 -0700

I guess I was wanting to know 'where is the beginning', are they still publishing the first comics individually or have they been collected?

ziritrion · Post by **ziritrion** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 8:28 -0700

So far, all the comics (except a few special ones like the Color Specials from Fantagraphics) have been collected and are still being published by both Fantagraphics (the first seven books) and Dark Horse (the newer ones, including Space Usagi). You can get the books through their websites. If you want individual issues, you can also find them at their websites, although there aren't many old issues left (you can still find them easily, though). If you have a big library or a comic-book shop nearby, then it shouldn't be too hard to find any of the books at all.

I started with book 8 "Shades of Death", and every time a friend asks me for a UY book I lend them book 9 "Daisho" because I think it's one of the best books yet (it has short stories, a long story, and one of those super-sweet cultural backup stories, in this case the making of Japanese swords). But any book is a good choice.

Mr Wowtrousers · Post by **Mr Wowtrousers** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 13:40 -0700

Cool, thanks a lot. I will go and check it out today

Sinanju · Post by **Sinanju** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 14:05 -0700

I don't suppose I've read that many series but of all of them I would say where you start reading matters the least in Usagi.

If you are looking at the books, Grasscutter II (book 15) is probably a mistake because the title tells you that you're in the middle of something and even though it shouldn't make any difference, the suspicion that it might be important is going to be a distraction. (If Usagi has a low point it is that "Grasscutter II" doesn't have a better title).

Personally, I would avoid Circles (book 6) as a starting point. In fact, I would sit that one on the shelf until you have read books 1-5 in order. I love Circles and think it belongs exactly where it is in the series.

With any established series, the beginning is usually a bad place to start. At least, not the best. I suppose this is down to the everyone having to find their feet (characters and authors alike). If you know you're coming in late, it seems to help to start when things have settled down a bit. No idea why. Usagi sort of side-steps this in that book 2 is essentially backstory and you could make a case for either book 1 or 2 being the beginning of the series.

I wouldn't suggest anyone choose to start with Space Usagi as a large part of its charm is familiar characters in an unfamiliar setting and I would never recommend someone start with a book that has a Ninja Turtles episode in it UNLESS I was absolutely certain beyond any shadow of a doubt that it wouldn't put them off the series.

No reason that you shouldn't just pick up the latest paperback and start with that.

---Steven

Mr Wowtrousers · Post by **Mr Wowtrousers** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 0:06 -0700

Wa-hey!! Just picked up the first two TPB's and my favourite snackfood

Time for an evening of becoming acquainted with the world of UY. Looking forward to it.

PS. Is there a FAQ about Stan's equipment (markers/pens/brushes etc)?

ziritrion · Post by **ziritrion** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 2:19 -0700

Stan made a story about how he did a comic-book. I've seen the story printed in Spanish in the 5th book "Lone Goat and Kid" ("Cabra Solitaria y su Hijo"), but I believe that story has only been reprinted in one of the hard cover edtiions in English (if I'm mistaken, please let me know!). If you have any chance to get that story, then do so, because it explains everything and it's also a great read.

P.S.: what's your favourite snackfood? Just wondering

.

Mr Wowtrousers · Post by **Mr Wowtrousers** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 2:24 -0700

He he. "Twisties", cheese flavoured snacks (potato chips). I couldn't get them when I lived in Japan, I had them sent over for my Christmas present!

ziritrion · Post by **ziritrion** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 6:53 -0700

I couldn't get them when I lived in Japan, I had them sent over for my Christmas present!

Wow. You must like them a lot. When I went to the US 3 years ago I tasted root beer and loved it, so I looked for more like crazy in Spain but couldn't find any, and ordering a few bottles online is absurdly expensive

. Someday I'll try to make some by my own...

(My kitchen is already terrified of the idea. World, beware! Mwahahaha!)

Szyszka · Post by **Szyszka** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 5:24 -0700

I started from book 9, then 8, then 10 and so on. That's the order of publishing in Poland. Still haven't read books 1 - 7, but it doesn't matter at all (well, some of publishers decided to publish them... FINALLY!). The story is so fascynating and the mood is so great that you can start anywhere.

Glennosuke · Post by **Glennosuke** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 22:22 -0700

Ideally, if you can get the complete set, start with #2. Remember that #1 is a collection of older stories that are great in and of themselves. Otherwise, they are a good read anywhere you start, if you can deal with the continuity issues.

Qion · Post by **Qion** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 12:37 -0700

Szyszka wrote:I started from book 9, then 8, then 10 and so on. That's the order of publishing in Poland.

Same thing here, though I started with Daisho, then moved to Shades of Death, and from then on chronogically. And for they were ridiculously expensive, I read them standing by the shelve, in the store. And couldn't stop! Now I don't care how expensive they are! They have to be mine!
PS. Szyszka, you know when they're supposed to publish'em? And what's the publisher? (still Egmont?)

Szyszka · Post by **Szyszka** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 15:21 -0700

No, books will be published by Mandragora. Firs book is already avaliable, second will appear in January

. You can get them from internet market (official Mandragora website). They are even cheaper than Egmont's ones ^______^. Ordering both of them will cost only 33.80 PLN.
Isn't that great?!?

Qion · Post by **Qion** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 8:00 -0700

I'm in Heaven...