USAGI YOJIMBO Volume 1, Number 11

Send letters to:  USAGI LETTERS, 1800 Bridgegate St., #101, Westlake Village, CA 91361

OOPS!

[Mark Evanier, who does not appear in this issue but is certainly with us in spirit, has proposed that the word "groo" be used as a verb. If this linguistic embellishment does come to pass, I did indeed most certainly groo last issue, where, on the bloody contents page no less, I referred to the co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , one Mr. Kevin Eastman, as "Kevin Easter." Obviously bunnies were on my mind that day. My heartiest apologies to Mr. Eastman, to whom we should all be nice anyway, because the way things are going he (and his cohort Peter Laird) are going to own the Western hemisphere before the decade is out. - ED.]

Dear Kim,

Just to let you know that Stan Sakai and I have worked together for a couple of years now. he has been doing a sensational job lettering the Spider-Man strip. During that time, I have gone from being a co-worker, to a friend, to a fan.

I think his Usagi Yojimbo is one of the most original, innovative, well-executed comicbooks anywhere to be found. Stan's style of artwork, his crisp incisive writing, and his thoroughly professional pacing, all done in a relaxed and absorbing manner, have provided comics with something so rarely seen in this field - a new literary and artistic approach to illustrated storytelling.

My heartiest congratulations to both you and Stan.

STAN LEE
Marvel Productions
Burbank, CA

[Now this is swell. I remember writing in letters of comment to Marvel in 1972 and praying they would find mercy before the eyes of the great Stan Lee. We're honored and flattered, Stan. And everyone should check out Mr. Lee's much-awaited return to comic books with his new Silver surfer two-shot, illustrated by the ineffable Moebius. - ED.]

An upcoming issue of Equine the Uncivilized - #6, to be exact - guest stars a couple of Stan Sakai characters - Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy the Hamster, to be exact again. If you're wondering how penciller Mark Wallace did such a dead-on impression of Stan's style, wonder no more - it's actually Stan himself rendering his own characters, in what amounts to an artistic cameo. Look for it in your local store soon.

Dear Ed,

Usagi Yojimbo is number one! The Usagi stories are the most exciting comics I have ever read. The artwork and ideas that go into each one are unbelievable. I love the great mystery in them. There's just a few questions I need answered:

(1) Are there any plans for Usagi to sail the ocean?

(2) What else can you tell me about his father, his boyhood, family life?

(3) Is it possible that Lord Mifune's son, Tsuruichi, still lives?

(4) Can we see Usagi in military uniform again?

(5) Can you tell us readers more about Usagi's sensei, before Usagi became a shugyosha? Your response would be greatly appreciated.

Robert Lee
Garden Grove, CA

[The answers are yes, no, five to seven, Track 27, and absolutely not. Unfortunately, the answers are not in the order your questions were asked, and I'm in too big a hurry to rearrange them. I guess you'll just have to read the book.]

Dear Stan,

I love Usagi. It is one of the best comics. I read it all the time. I read the story in Turtle Soup; it was great. The new issue was awesome and the back-ups are very good too. Thank you for a good comic.

PS: Make a Usagi poster.

Noah Kuttler
N.M.B., FL

[Okay, we will. - ED.]

Dear Stan Sakai,

I'm excited to read Usagi Yojimbo's origin as a new reader. I am thrilled to learn what fate lies ahead for him. His character is more like a lonesome rebel, fighting for his life. I admire you skill on the artwork of Usagi Yojimbo. Thank you for your hard work.

Timothy R. Sherrie
Littleton, CO

[Thank you for writing. - ED.]

Tom Stazer's "Lionheart" (frequently seen in our sister magazine Critters) joins the back-up merry-go-round with a story called "Hold That Tiger." Also, Tomoe Ame returns in "The Shogun's Gift," a 22-page Usagi tale - adding up to a big 30 pages of excitement and laughter. On sale in late August at a comics shop near you!

Last change: 19. May 2003

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Usagi Yojimbo, including all prominent characters featured in the stories and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of Stan Sakai and Usagi Studios. Usagi Yojimbo is a registered trademark of Stan Sakai. Names, characters, places, and incidents featured in this publication either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, institutions, or locales, without satiric content, is coincidental.