UY #103 (Potential Spoilers)

[estee]

Panel of the month!

Thanks Steve.

[Thomas Froehling]

anyone else feel that this illness is just a trap for Jei?

also, anyway else notice that creepy looking face on page 22 on the rock in the far right side of the panel? it looks almost like Ibaraki.

Yes, my first thought was that Ibaraki had somehow infected Jubei (and later Keifumi) to place Ji in the predicament he's now in; maybe Ibaraki has to pay with Ji's soul for the favours his gods have granted him....

And I doubt that healing the boy has not to be paid for: Ibaraki admitted that he takes "no more than one is willing to give". As far as I understand it payment does not necessarily be asked for...

As for the face: I too think this is Ibaraki's face in that unusual rock/plant formation; and with an evil, satisfied grin...

[Inukai79]

Amazing. Stan has really out done himself with art and story with this issue. So far this is turning out to be a great, tragic origin for Jei. But a small part of me does not want to know too much about Jei's origins. To me Jei has always been more terrifying and dangerouse because we, the readers, and the characters know so little about him. Part of me does not want to feel sympathy for him. Maybe Usagi, whether possesed or not, which would indeed be awesome, has to return to the shrine shown in this issue and battle these dark gods.

[Todd Shogun]

To me Jei has always been more terrifying and dangerouse because we, the readers, and the characters know so little about him. Part of me does not want to feel sympathy for him. Maybe Usagi, whether possesed or not, which would indeed be awesome, has to return to the shrine shown in this issue and battle these dark gods.

Stan probably has a really good reason for telling us Jei's origin story. I like to think it's because as Usagi fans, we've waited since August of 1988 to find out the story behind this crazed killer...a hair shy of 20 years. A long time to go without any explanation...And now that the Jei character has gotten so popular, and has expanded so much, an origin story is almost required if Stan wants to go into any further detail..take it to the next level...which I'm sure he's planning to do beginning in UY 105! My theory is that the origin story will lay the foundation for the upcoming Jei story arc.

[MikeM]

This was another fantastic issue. I have always been a huge fan of Jei and to see his origin makes me very happy

This issue has really made me think of the saying "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

Also, anyone else notice that Fanfan has a letter published in this issue?

MikeM

[morna-san]

I have an amazing story to tell about acquiring this issue, but I don't think I have time to do it justice right now (borrowing a moment of 'net time from friends) For now I would just like to wish Andre in Montreal my best and if he shows up here we should all welcome him as a true Usagi fan and a really sweet guy!

....

Also, anyone else notice that Fanfan has a letter published in this issue?

MikeM

absolutely!

[morna-san]

actually i think I'll post a new thread about it in case anyone else wants to add their stories.

I loved the issue by the way. I agree with you shaxper that priest Ji is a compelling character and I find that I care about his wellbeing already. I think we see a bit of his innate dark side during his duel with the other priest. I just read the Shi story for the first time (Gary found TPB #8 at MCCC) and I was fascinated to see more of Usagi's dark side than I ever knew he posessed. I love this stuff it gives the characters so much more depth to know they're not necessarily always sweet and are capable of complex emtions. Obviously this is a bit of foreshadowing as well - which is all good. It never occurred to me that Ibaraki might have caused the illness but it makes so much sense that I'm now firmly in the camp of those who believe that it's the case.

edit: anybody think Ji-san looks a lot like Sasuke? My mind conjured a scenario were Jizonobu gets split into Jei the demon and Sasuke the demon queller.

Ya I know pretty fanciful - but hey!

[Mayhem]

Now I've got my copy... interesting start to the origin story. Many ways this can go as I see have already been thrown up. Waiting to see how this pans out

(and I seem to have found a comic store only a few miles from me that seems to get in the new stuff on the dot, so no more waiting around for me!)

[Fanfan]

Also, anyone else notice that Fanfan has a letter published in this issue?

MikeM

absolutely![/quote]

Well, did someone remember this post : "Letters, We need Letters"

i have no more to say, a great issue, a long expectation so a lot of pleasure...