A sincere Thank You, to Mr. Sakai

Mr. Horrible · Post by **Mr. Horrible** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:03 -0700

Mister Stan Sakai,
I'd like to thank you personally, but I'm just not getting to any big conventions any time soon. I just recently have had a comic book published, on a small scale through a public press, and have had the greatest joy of my life so far. Holding your very own professionally done work in your hands and having people browse through it and even buy it is a feeling I hope all aspiring comic book artists on this board have experienced or will experience someday.
Without totally kissing up, here's the fact. I'm partially inspired buy Walt Kelly's anthromorphic creations, a little bit by the late great Wally Wood's fantastic worlds, and yes even some by Robert Crumb's .... well, "Matured~" works. But without hesitation my greatest Inspiration has been Usagi Yojimbo.
I can't really say if it was because I was introduced to Usagi on the old 1980's Ninja turtles show, or if it was the Critters comic my Mom got for me in the bargain bin when I was about six, in either case I was fixated on the samurai rabbit for the rest of my life! Even though I didn't actually get to read an Usagi comic until the year 1998 (Shame on me) I drew the long ears over and over again, fighting some badly drawn turtles.
I honestly think it was your work that kept me drawing, and eventually kicked me in the head enough to want to make my own creations. There's a little bit of Usagi in my main character, a little easy for some to see, but I assure you I haven't tried to emulate your style.
That'd be like a man with one leg trying to keep pace with Jessie Owens.

And just look at all these people on your website! It's amazing how many people fell in love with Samurai and Ancient Japan because of a katana wielding rabbit. Thank you Stan Sakai for investing in all of us.

Sincerely, the Creator of Bad Sushi Cannon.

P.s. If I ever do meet you in person you'll know it's me because I'll
Have an old Usagi Yojimbo #1 ready for you to sign, colored in with
crayolas from some random kid. Lots of purple- very strange lad.

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:13 -0700

Thank you, Mr Horrible. Good luck with Bad Sushi Cannon.

Monkey · Post by **Monkey** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:38 -0700

Mr. H-

Welcome! At first when i saw your name, I thought it said Dr. Horrible ( you get +10 cool points in my book if you know who that is). Anyway, I see you are in Iowa. Depending on where in Iowa, you may wanna check out the "Dojo News" threads, Stan will be stopping by here in Kansas City in September. Just a thought.

monkey