USAGI YOJIMBO Volume 1, Number 16

Dear Stan,

I am an admirer of Stan's work. But here in Belgium it's very hard to get the adventures of Usagi. So I asked myself if I should get them from you. But then again, is it safe to let it come from over the Ocean? And how should I get the Usagi silkscreen poster? Please answer all my questions.

A big fan of Usagi.
Joachim Bouire
Gent, Belgium

[As far as we know, Joachim, mailing back issues to Europe is not particularly perilous; we've managed to get copies shipped there without any trouble. So order all the back issues you want (order form on the inside back cover) - and if the comics get lost or show up damaged, write us and we'll replace them.

[The Usagi silkscreen poster is another kettle of fish. Frankly, we've had such terrible luck shipping the thing inside the U.S. I hate to think what could happen from here to Belgium. It's a bit, thin, fragile object, and the post office has had a merry old time folding, bending, and messing it up so far. In order to guarantee its safe arrival to your house, we'd probably have to charge you an arm and a leg for packing and shipping.

[I hope I got your last name right; it was real hard to read. Unfortunately, I have no such excuse ready for our next correspondent! - ED.]

Dear Stan,

Your [censored] Editor(s) in charge of the letter page misspelled my name in issue #13. It is Toh Hsien Min and not (yechh!) Tom Hsien Min.

Secondly, I would like to add more adjectives to my list of adjectives describing Usagi Yojimbo. Please add in somewhere in the middle these words: Explosive, amusing, gripping, harrowing, appealing, exotic, action-packed, compelling, enthralling, searing, scorching (i.e., hot), enterprising, resourceful, mature (is it?), crackling, stupendous, delightful, and...(to be continued sooner or later). [Todd!!!]

Also, why don't you have a poll for readers to vote if they want the back-up stories? If so, please put in one vote for me under "Yes!" The back-ups provide "dessert" after the "main course."

Toh Hsien Min
Singapore

P.S.: Why don't you have a Usagi Yojimbo full-color graphic novel?

[Sorry about the name goof. Our typesetters are pretty provincial and when confronted with a non-American name, tend to read in whatever American one seems closest. (That's it - blame it on the typesetters! Have I no shame?) Your vote for the back-ups is noted. They will in fact return at the end of "Dragon Bellow," at least for a while. No full-color graphic novel just yet, but check the editor's notes above for some color news. - ED.]

A panel from Stan Sakai's story in Patrick Rabbit #2

Dear Sakai,

I haven't got Usagi Yojimbo #15 so I could not tell you the grade of it. I have Turtle Soup #1, in which Usagi fought with the Ninja Turtle. Actually it isn't a fight, as they don't even touch each other and the Turtle suddenly disappears. I think that the Ninja Turtle is in a time machine. I wonder what would happen if they fought with each other.

If you would come to Singapore one day I would recommend that you go to the comics mart at Serene Centre. The condition of the comics is so good that I got 90% of my comics from them.

Loh Wei Soon
Singapore

[Our Belgian correspondent's problem is obvious; he should live in Singapore, which appears to be packed with comics shops, all of which carry Usagi. - ED.]

Dear Usagi Yojimbo and Company,

Usagi Yojimbo is a good comic book. Doesn't sound too good to you? Well, your custom of using lots of positive superlative adjectives (like "amazing," "incredible," or "fascinating") sounds peculiar to us Finns, so when I say UY is a very good comic it means I sort of love it.

I finally met Usagi in Albedo #4. This comic book was unique in this comic book store so I could not find any more. I had to wait more than a year to get Usagi Yojimbo #10. The style has changed, but not for worse at all.

Issue #10 was a great one, including "The Crossing" - though it reminded me of an old story about the meeting of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck. It also confused my sense of logic. What is Leonardo, native of 1980s New York (dominated by humans) doing in the parallel universe of Usagi Yojimbo (dominated by intelligent animals)? Otherwise I like the story and I congratulate Mr. Laird; I've also enjoyed his TMNT drawings.

In fact, I rarely care about the drawings if the story is good. I also read some original Japanese stories (including Lone Wolf and Cub) and I'm not disappointed at all at Stan's work - though I've read only some Usagi stories.

A little thought about "Blade of the Gods." It may be thought that the gods had become weary of their "servant's" exploits and punished him. The lightning bolt against Usagi may have been a message: "It's not your job to punish him - it's ours."

Final question: Did Jei really die? Maybe the bolt only erased his mind and memory and he went away but will be back later...

I'm also a roleplayer and gamemastered "Land of Ninja " for some time. I tried to make statistics for Usagi, though it'' difficult because only his combat skills have been performed and - with all due respect - samurai have to have other abilities as well.

By the way, I missed issue #11 and according to what I heard about it, I thank Amsterdam for it. I dislike Groo.

All honor to you and Usagi.
Vesa Lehtinen
Tampere, Finland

[I hope I got your name right, too. Sheesh! Penmanship seems to be becoming a lost art abroad. Sorry you don't like Groo - but that issue of Usagi wasn't that much like an issue of Groo! - ED.]

Dear Stan,

Your creation of Usagi Yojimbo is nothing short of superb! I am fortunate enough to own a copy of all 14 issues of Usagi, as well as a copy of Book One. This is totally due to the thoughtfulness of my 28-year-old son, Kirk, who knows how much his mother enjoys all types of animals, particularly rabbits. He forks out the dollars to buy his ole Mum the Usagi comics as soon as each issue reaches the local shop shelf. It's a real treat when Kirk comes around to visit and hands me the latest issue of Usagi on an evening. I then keep it on the breakfast table for reading the next morning with a cup of coffee.

I don't know when I have ever enjoyed the reading and the artwork of a comic book as much as I have enjoyed, am still enjoying, and look forward to continue enjoying, Usagi.

To see a rabbit portrayed as a wise and courageous little samurai gladdens the heart of this 55-year-old, let me tell ya!

I wish you and Usagi well, and all of those, too, at Fantagraphics Books.

Mrs. Betty D. Lowry
Brampton, Ontario, Canada

[My mother likes Usagi Yojimbo too, incidentally, and she also gets it for free. Maybe that's what Usagi needs for its circulation to go through the roof: a few paying mothers! - ED.]

Dear Stan,

I just received my Usagi print. It's so hard for me to put into words what I feel when I look at it. It is absolutely beautiful. The picture in the ad couldn't have possibly done it justice. I can't say it enough times: it truly is beautiful. I have been reading and collecting Usagi since the Summer Special and have always enjoyed the cover color art. I collect art prints and had often wished for a colored print of Usagi. so this was a dream come true. All I can hope for now is more prints. Please, please, if there is any way to let me know in advance of upcoming Usagi prints, I would very much appreciate it. I think the people who ordered the first print should get the first opportunity to order future releases of Usagi prints. Again, let me say how much I love my print and look forward to more.

Martin Mayer
West Salem, IL

[At present, there are no plans for a second Usagi print, but we may very well do a full-color Usagi poster someday soon, in the format of the Love and Rockets poster that was just released. - ED.]

Dear Stan and Kim,

A Saturday morning cartoon series and toys? Oh no, please, no, God help us, no. You do deserve the revenue that it would produce but I for one don't want to see a good character and story that is built by intelligence slaughtered by little children running around toy stores with disfigured Usagis in their hands screaming, "Mommy, please, he goes ?hai ya' and karate chops!" Or turn on the television and see Usagi be shrunk down the size of an apple by a space droid that talks like Gomer Pyle. Just compare Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 to the first few cartoons.

I just finished reading U.Y. #15. This book like all the others is an example of pure excellence. I have one grudge, though, waiting for #16 after such a dramatic ending may drive me insane.

Brack Lee
Thornton, CO

[On the other hand, if the toys and TV appearances offend you so, you can always just turn the other way or switch channels. Look: Usagi has got a fair-sized readership of little kids, and little kids (and a number of big kids, for that matter) love the idea of being able to go out and buy toys or see TV programs featuring their favorite characters.

[The only real danger in merchandising I can see is if the author starts editing down his own work to satisfy the merchandisers, or if he starts hiring lots of assistants to churn out additional comics. That pretty much depends on the integrity of each individual cartoonist - and Stan is so deeply involved in the world he's created in Usagi Yojimbo I really don't think he's going to start fiddling around with it for a mess of pottage.

[For an amusing take on the perils of merchandising, check out the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles parody in the "Fission Chicken" issue of Critters, #39. - ED.]

Dear Mr. Sakai,

My name is Tom Linehan and I draw "J.L. Coon" for Morphs. Last summer, at the San Diego con, it was a pleasure to watch you draw.

Needless to say, I am an avid reader of your books. Out of all the Usagi Yojimbo tales, my favorites are the "Homecoming" and "A Mother's Love" Your latest, "The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy," looks promising indeed.

Usagi is a great character. Frankly, most comic book characters are nothing but killing machines. Your samurai is not a somber swordsman 24 hours a day. He's compassionate, funny, and fights for those who can't. And you tell his stories with skill and beauty. I look forward to every issue.

The enclosed drawing is what happened when J.L. found out Usagi is camera-shy!

Keep up the excellent work.
Tom Linehan
W. Roxbury, MA

[Thanks for the cartoon, Tom. - ED.]

Fan Art by Tom Linehan

Usagi Yojimbo pulls a Sean Penn on Tom Linehan's character J.L. Coon.

Dear Stan,

In Usagi Yojimbo #13 and 14 you show Zato Ino with a wooden nose. I was wondering how he lost his nose. I have all the Usagi comics from #1 to 14 and I think you did a great job. Also, can you make an issue showing what Usagi's mother looks like, and can you show how he became a ronin?

Your devoted fan,
Robert Wardell
Seattle, WA

The story of Zato-Ino's wooden nose is told in Usagi Yojimbo Book One, Robert, and I wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone by re-telling the incident here. (Also, they might not buy the book then.) As for how Usagi became a Ronin, it has to do with the slaughter of Adachigahara Plain, which is also dealt with in Book One - as well as in the short story in Critters #38, now on sale.

Well, you asked. I'm sorry if my answer ended up along the lines of Chico Marx's "Tutsi-Frutsi" routine in A Day at the Races. Anyway, none of those books or stories offers any clue as to Usagi's mother. Stan? - ED.

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.