Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

I've been invited to be a guest at next year's (2004) Comic-Con International: San Diego (aka: San Diego Comic-Con). It'll mean a lot more exposure for Usagi's 20 anniversary. I'll also be doing one of my presentations there, as well as having a formal autograph session (though people can always come to my booth for autographs).

Awesome!!!! Congrats, Stan!! The 2004 Con should be the best ever...

Congratulations Stan! We must begin preparations now.....the 20th anniversary?! Indeed....must get started......BTW, uh, when is the 2004 SDCC?

Glennosuke wrote: when is the 2004 SDCC?

July 22-25

Does this mean that 1) Usagi Yojimbo will be the subject of a 20th anniversary portfolio by various artists in the convention program book? 2) Usagi Yojimbo will be featured on the cover of the convention program? or 3) the people behind International Comic Convention - San Diego will treat this awesome 20th anniversary of one of earliest and most respected creator-owned comic series like they did the anniversary of Sergio Aragones' Groo the Wanderer...

Steve Hubbell wrote:Does this mean that 1) Usagi Yojimbo will be the subject of a 20th anniversary portfolio by various artists in the convention program book? 2) Usagi Yojimbo will be featured on the cover of the convention program? or 3) the people behind International Comic Convention - San Diego will treat this awesome 20th anniversary of one of earliest and most respected creator-owned comic series like they did the anniversary of Sergio Aragones' Groo the Wanderer...

It's really up to the SD Con. A couple of years ago, the 10th Anniversary of Bone was spotlighted very nicely as one of the program book themes and its cover. However, last year, Groo's 20th went by almost unnoticed. It was not a theme and not even mentioned in the program book at all, except by Scott Shaw!. We did do a Groo panel, though...but we do one every year.

This year, a couple of themes are: 10th Anniversary of Strangers in Paradise, and 25 years of Elfquest.

Frankly, I'm just honored that I'm one of the special guests next year.

Shogun-sama...it definitely sounds like some long patrol work is needed, here...perhaps some friendly and appropriate but consistent contact with the SDCC folks?

I can't wait! . I've aready started saving money to go there; hopefully this summer and the rest of the year I'll earn enough to go there: flying overseas ain't cheap . Is anyone else from Europe planning to go?

Glenn, I was thinking the same thing....

Ah, thanks Stan! July 22-25, 2004! That means that I will not miss it!!

Shogun-sama, should we also contact Fantagraphics, Mirage, Dark Horse, Antarctic and others for some assistance and strategy?

After that, should we start enlisting some overt and covert assistance from the Dojo membership?

Perhaps a rally of some sort at the 2003 SDCC itself? Maybe some type of "hata" proclaiming "See you in 2004 for the 20th Anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo?!"

Sounds like a great plan. I will start contacting the publishers. Stan was right about Groo's 20th last year... we cannot allow that dishonor to befall Usagi! Maybe we can get an effort going where different comic book artists contribute their interpretations of Usagi to the SDCC for placement in the program and also in the art auction. Most likely the main target is the SDCC staff themselves on efforts like this. I will contact them as well!

Excellent Shogun-sama! We must uphold the honor of Usagi and the Dojo!!

Stan! Can I run some ideas by you for a hata for your booth? I would like to clear with you and/or the SDCC folks any designs, as well as size limitations.

Actually, what I would love to see is Usagi Yojimbo as the character used to promote the 2004 SDCC, i.e. Usagi on the official T-shirt and promotional material. Imagine that might be a bit of a long shot. I wonder if Stan would be interested if that was a possibility?

Dave

Exactly the kind of thing we should be shooting for Wily! We should take our cue from the Shogun!

First, I want to say that this is great! Over the years I've been to conventions, Stan has always been one of the nicest, most gracious of the pros that I have had the fortune to meet. I started into Usagi because of the Mirage-TMNT crossovers, but stayed with it because of the great art and storytelling in Usagi.
So I agree that we need to find out who we can contact, and in a diplomatic fashion, encourage the ability to submit art to the Con magazine, be sure there is a Usagi panel, etc. I want to submit art!!
Stan deserves full recognition for all those years of great work!