USAGI YOJIMBO Volume 2, Number 14

[Nineteen ninety-four was a dismal year for the comic book industry as a whole and the future looks uncertain with publishers buying distributorships and exclusive arrangements being negotiated between others.

[And so, Mirage Studios will be shutting down their publications department at the end of this year. Usagi Yojimbo #16 will be the last issue that they will publish.

[I'm currently talking to a number of other publishers about picking up Usagi and I'm confident that the series will continue on an uninterrupted schedule.

[Watch for more news in the next couple of issues.]

[Story notes copied to the story - P. Dark]

Dear Stan, I've only got a few words to describe the current storyline in Usagi #9-11: Absolutely BAD-ASS. I mean it, really. This is the type of stuff Usagi was meant for. Top-notch action, a well thought-out plot and some really intriguing new characters (Stray Dog, General Fujii). I didn't think the party could get any better until I read "Mongrels" in UY #11 with the re-introduction of Gen. Now it's time to really get down. The 7-page prologue in #11 about the crafting of a daisho was a real grabber. Stan, listen to me - this kind of stuff should be commonplace in Usagi Yojimbo. I remember reading in one of the previous letter columns that doing these type of segments on a regular basis would become redundant after a while. To this I say "no way". All right, I'll admit that doing them every issue may get a little repetitive, but I'd say one every five issues or so would be most excellent. Heck, I think the last time we saw anything of this caliber was something like five years ago in vol. 1 issue 20, "A Kite Story", which still remains as one of my favorite issues of all time. All I have to say about "Daisho" is that it was an awesome learning experience and that I'm going to have to re-evaluate the katanas, wakizashis and tantos that I've been purchasing from local cutlery and martial arts shops over the years. Although the blades are all 440 stainless steel, Japanese-made and razor-sharp, I now know I wouldn't want to go up against somebody armed with a Muramasa or a Masamune. One Question on swords: Why did the ninja or shinobi or whatever deviate from the traditional curved-edge katana by using straight-edge swords? Material for a future story perhaps? Well, until next time, groove with a rabbit in your kimono.

Todd Shogun
Cypress, CA

[The Ninja sword was completely different than the Samurai's blade both in its meaning and in appearance. The katana was an almost mystical symbol of the samurai's class whereas the shinobikatana was merely another tool used by the ninja. The samurai's sword was crafted by master swordsmiths but the ninja's sword was of very poor quality, little more than a length of sharpened iron.

[It was a straight blade, shorter than the samurai sword and with an oversized tsuba or handguard. The scabbard was about three inches longer than the blade to accommodate a hidden compartment in which powders or poisons could be stored. The ninja carried his sword across his back and the shorter, straight blade made drawing it in confined areas such as low-ceilinged Japanese homes easier than a samurai-type sword.

[Muramasa and Masamune were two of Japan's greatest swordsmiths, though Muramasa blades were thought to be blood-thirsty and unlucky. There is a story which illustrates the different character of these blades. A Muramasa blade was dipped into a leaf strewn stream and even with such a gentle current, each leaf that passed it was cut in half. However, when the Masamune blade was dipped in, all the leaves avoided it.]

Dear Stan & Co.,

I'm a kinda new Usagi Yojimbo reader. I actually started out reading the old Fantagraphics black and white issues and I thought they were great. When I got my hands on my first color issue, I wasn't so sure how it would turn out. But Tom Luth's doing a great job, just like all the rest of you who help make UY. I mean it too. But I've got one suggestion. In issue #3 you said in the reader letters that Gen has the part now that used to be Tomoe's. Tomoe's my favorite character (and I'm sure I'm not alone) and I liked Gen in his old part, so I propose that you put all the characters back the way they used to be. Besides, Tomoe was the only female character that wasn't a wife and she was really great.

Regarding Space Usagi - I loved it! Tomoe was my favorite. I read in one of the letters that she looked like Mariko, but I disagree. She looks the way Tomoe (the original) would if she was a bunny and she's got the attitude all the way. It was really too bad that she had to die, but her funeral was handled really well. Stan, are you going to do any more Space Usagi? If you already have just say so and I'll try to find them somewhere. If not, I really think you should. How about letting us see Princess Masayo again? And what about Spot - Kiyoshi's pet? Also, how 'bout bringing Tomoe back as a guardian spirit for Usagi? It would make an interesting contrast in the characters. If Ryoko could come to Ch'yoko in dreams so couldn't Tomoe do the same sort of thing but in real time? (Yes, I know Ryoko and Ch'yoko were both psych-techs, but I still think it would work.) I was also thinking that when you drew them you were really harsh with their muscle lines and hair-tufts. No offense, but they looked like bumps on his head. They really didn't always look as cuddly as they could (maybe cuddly isn't the right word!).

Well, I think I've said everything I needed to except I think you guys are doing a great job!

Lee Duh
Ellicott City, MD

P.S. What happened to all the reader art? I miss those pictures, especially Chuck Dillon's. They really kicked.

P.P.S. What happened to that duel Usagi promised Tomoe a long time ago?

Fan Art by Lee Duh

[I'm already in the middle of a third Space Usagi mini-series entitled "Warrior". I've just got to find a publisher for it.

[I would love to print more readers' art, however, we haven't been getting too many. Remember, artwork should be black and white, inked on unlined paper. Clean photocopies are okay.

[Usagi dueled Tomoe in the first Color Special from Fantagraphics Books way back in 1989.]

Dear Mr. Sakai,

As I have followed Usagi since his Critters days, it was highly probable that a letter would eventually result and here it is.

Your response to Janet Kone in Mirage issue #12 seemed a bit disingenuous. The villagers may have held Usagi in the deepest respect, but they must also be aware that under the law of the Tokugawa bakufu, all samurai, even ronin, have the obligation of kirisutegomen, which means they may kill on the spot any peasant, craftsman or merchant who failed to show proper respect. The swordsman was the sole judge of what might constitute "proper". When in doubt, the commoner, who prefers not to be disemboweled, will show the most exaggerated deference.

One other thing; in the real world, rhinoceros horns grow back if cut off. It is actually a form of hair and not a real horn. This being said, I realize that we are dealing with an anthropomorphic comic by way of sword opera movies and your reality need not be the one in history books.

For your amusement, my father was a diplomat and I went through a large part of my childhood in Asia. I have seen far more episodes of Yubei, Master Swordsman than Bonanza. With luck, you will be ready, willing and able to produce Usagi's adventures for the rest of my life.

Sincerely,
John Fluker
[no address given]

[You're right. A line that was inadvertently omitted in my reply to Janet is: "The ronin maintained their samurai status without burden of its duties but they were also without the protection and benevolence of a lord."]

Dear Stan,

The first thing I noticed about UY #12 was that it looked...different. The coloring seemed a bit odd and some of the linework seemed slightly out of focus. Then I noticed the paper had changed! It's ironic that the very month Action Comics switched to "slick" paper, Usagi should go in the other directory.

Amidst the beautiful simplicity and tranquility of your style, at times it's quite jarring when violence erupts as abruptly as it did on page 10 when Takenokami challenged General Fujii. A panel full of "speed lines" has become a well-known trademark of Japanese comic-books and by comparison you show great restraint when it comes to the actual violence portrayed.

I loved the way you built up all the drama and suspense leading to the confrontation between Usagi & Fujii, including the dramatic shot on page 13 where Usagi says, "I'm coming after YOU!" and Fujii's nightmare on page 14. If a Usagi Yojimbo cartoon is ever produced, I pray it's done by a Japanese animation company that really understands the style, personality and cultural feeling of the material.

This issue was just full of surprises. After repeatedly claiming no interest in the bounty on Fujii, Usagi gets practical and decides to collect on his men, and split it with Hanako. And finally, we find Stray Dog does have more to him than meets the eye.

One of my favorite reads continues to be Usagi Yojimbo. I hope you continue to successfully tell such entertaining stories in your own unique way.

Henry R. Kujawa
Camden, NJ

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.