USAGI YOJIMBO Volume 2, Number 16

[Usagi is moving to Dark Horse, at least for awhile. Dark Horse will be releasing the third Space Usagi three-issue mini-series, "Warrior", very shortly. It will be followed by an Usagi Yojimbo mini-series. It's not a permanent home for Usagi, however. I'm still discussing that with a couple of interested publishers. [This is the last issue of Usagi published by Mirage. I'd like to thank the good people at Mirage for making my stay here a great experience: Michael Dooney who asked me to come over in the first place; Deb Toffoli who was my first publishing directory succeeded by her husband, Tim; Publishing assistants Dorothy Sloan and Samantha Rossi; Jim Prindle who let me run wild through the Ninja Turtles merchandising room; Michael Hill, Gary Richardson, Bill Fitts, A.C. Farley, Jim Lawson and all the other creators and staff. And of course, thanks to Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. [Thanks, Stan. The pleasure has been ours. All of your friends here at Mirage wish you all the best and good luck as you continue on. We will be watching the stands along with all the rest of your loyal fans to make sure not to miss any of the Usagi storyline.]

Fan Art by Sergio Aragonés

Dear Mr. Sakai,

I was worried when I heard that Usagi was leaving Fantagraphics and moving to Mirage. I became even more worried when I also heard that Usagi would be switching from black and white to color. Why the worry? Because I believed then that those moves would be the most visible signs of Usagi's decline. What was once a fine comic may now be reduced to one that remained undistinguished on the racks.

At Fantagraphics, Usagi seemed to have more moodiness and emotion to the characters and the stories. The use of black and white helped to further this effect. The early stories were especially strong in this area. There were fewer characters and shorter stories, but the stories contained so much inside them that the episodes did not suffer.

The drawings held the same moodiness and emotion of the stories and characters, too. The black and white medium, use of line-weight and fine detailing made the stories a visual delight. Although the drawing style changed slightly as the issues went on, the issues still had the same emotional "feel" to them.

It all seems to have changed with the advent of color. The book seems flat and one-dimensional. Not only do the drawings appear this way, but the characters do too. The feeling and attitudes of the characters have changed. There doesn't appear to be any variation in the way the characters act in different situations. Gen is a bounty hunter, so that is all he should think about. That isn't the way it used to be. Usagi is incredibly one-dimensional now too. He acts like an X-Man mutant, an invincible superhero. Usagi was a rabbit on the outside, but on the inside he acted all human. He could be hurt emotionally, mentally and physically. It helped to make the stories memorable, not just something to read.

Can Usagi return to these types of stories? Can it return to its glorious black and white? Mr. Sakai, might you do a reverse of what you did at Fantagraphics by having a black and white special, instead of a color one?

Thanks for listening and good luck with Usagi.

Christopher Dudley
Chatham, NJ

[I don't know about Usagi being a one-dimensional, invincible superhero. In that last few issues, he's been captured by bandits, tortured, had his precious swords stolen, threatened to renounce his vows as a samurai to return to the woman he loves and then asked a princess to run away with him. Hardly one-dimensional.

[And Gen, the great manipulator, has changed dramatically over the years. Do you think the old Gen would have let Stray Dog just walk away with all the reward money for General Fujii?]

Dear Stan,

There are a few issues and a few gripes that I want to get off my furry chest.

1.) Back in Usagi Yojimbo [Vol. 1] #19, in the letters column, a Mr. David Wong of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, suggested that Usagi had a scar right above his left eye and that it was caused by Gunichi's slap during the battle. However, I happen to disagree. New evidence has surfaced that Usagi had that supposed "scar" even before the battle of Adachigahara Plain. I am submitting exhibit #1 to support my theory. It is a copy of the cover art to Usagi Yojimbo Graphic Book #2 and it clearly shows Usagi with that mark.

Usagi Yojimbo Book 2
(Click to view cover art.)

Of course, I never did think Usagi had a scar at all. My interpretation of Usagi's facial characteristic is one of your many uses of line art expressionism in maturing and developing your characters.

Just as in real life, people mature in different ways. You, yourself mentioned in Usagi Yojimbo vol. 2 #13 Usagi developed a nose bump, grew taller and is less pudgy. I figure that since you will never allow Usagi to go bald, the line on his face was just added to give him more character. Anyway, I patiently await your verdict.

2.) Are there plans to introduce additional characters such as the remaining loyalist retainers who used to serve Lord Mifune? So far I have only seen Gunichi and General Tadaoka. Both of whom met ignoble fates. General Toda does not count as he was a traitor. Some time ago I saw the movie Chusingura regarding the 47 ronin and it occurred to me that it was not possible for Lord Hikiji to kill all of the loyal advisors to Lord Mifune. Many are, undoubtedly, still on the run like Usagi and have become ronin. I really would like to see Usagi meet up with some of his other colleagues and have them in recurring roles. Perhaps Usagi would band together with them to restore Lord Mifune's name or something.

3.) Is Lord Hikiji human? From the Summer Special #1 in 1986, he certainly does look like it. Has he appeared since them? I've only seen Lord Hebi.

4.) What does the Shogun look like?

5.) You should have more cat/feline samurai in Usagi Yojimbo.

6.) Do you have a computer? I'd love to see a screen saver program of UY as well as UY trading cards. I think you could make additional millions of dollars in that area.

7.) Will you sign my copies of UY for me?

8.) How is Sharon? I hope I have not been too critical. Ciao and thanks for creating Usagi.

Philip Chiu
Menlo Park, CA

[1.) Actually, it was revealed in "Return to Adachigahara" (UY Book 4, hardcover) that it was Lord Hikiji himself who gave Usagi his scar during that final battle. That 8-page story was fully painted and has not been reprinted. I also have a penciled version which will someday be inked and printed.

[2.) There are Mifune loyalists wandering around. Perhaps Usagi will meet up with one or more of them.

[3.) I did show Lord Hikiji as a human in the last panel of "Lone Rabbit and Child" to give the story a dramatic ending and now I regret doing it. I have since envisioned him as a Sauron-like character (from Lord of the Rings) who is never really seen but whose presence is always felt manipulating events from behind the scenes.

[4.) I don't know. We've never met.

[5.) Nope. Sharon's allergic to cats.

[6.) I do have a computer but I rarely use it. In fact, I need help to turn it on.

[7.) I'm always glad to autograph things at book-signings or conventions (such as the Mid-Ohio Con in Columbus, OH, November 25th-26th). And since we're on the subject of conventions, I'd like to thank the San Diego Con for this year's Eisner nomination.

[8.) She's sneezing from all the cat fur around the place.]

Fan Art by Amy Miller

Dear Stan,

Well, this is it. I've finally been compelled to write and it's only taken six or so years. I've been reading Usagi since the "Dragon Bellow Conspiracy" (which is one of the finest Usagi stories ever written), so I'm certainly not an old fan, but neither am I a new recruit, and I, like so many others, have seen the changes in Usagi. Until now I have not said anything, but your newly announced move has prompted me to do so.

This latest story "Runaways", was so superb I felt as if I was once again reading the Usagi of old (maybe Shingen had something to do with it). However, this wonderful reading experience was totally ruined by the fact that something had gone awry during the printing process and on certain pages the lines were out of sync with the colour. Was that just my copy or have others experienced the same annoyance? I propose a simple yet effective way to prevent this from occurring again... With your move to a new publisher, make the change back to black & white!

Usagi was, without a doubt, a better book in its Fantagraphics days. Naturally there is an intrinsic change in anything over time, but the changes in Usagi with the move to Mirage were, I felt, most unsettling. Please don't get me wrong, Usagi Yojimbo is, and always has been, one of my utmost favourite comic books. It's just that with such a prime opportunity for such an argument to be heard, I want to express my regrets while there may be a new chance for something to be done. Please understand that this is not an ultimatum, I will continue to enthusiastically buy Usagi whether or not it is black and white, but I feel that it is important to stress that Usagi Yojimbo works better as a black & white comic book.

I mean no disrespect towards Tom who has created some wonderful effects with the colour, like the sunset, shroud of night and sunrise in [Vol. 2] issue #12 with the attack on Fujii's hideout. And Usagi's eyes in that same issue! It's just that colour doesn't seem to suit Usagi. It distracts us from the artwork and gives the book a more juvenile feel. Akira Kurosawa's films look better in black & white; I once got a big red "splot" on Stray Dog's face; Blood looks way cooler black than red... Also, I assume we might be able to see Usagi go back to its eight issues a year if the colouring process was dispensed with. We never did see that "black & white special", did we? Maybe "colour specials" are the way to go.

Admittedly I know very little about the comic industry and how it works (apart from that I make my weekly contribution of funds to it), but it was my understanding that the move to colour was an attempt to increase circulation in a colour dominated scene. I put the question to you, was it successful? I see little evidence of an increased audience. If that is all that the move to colour was about, is it still relevant?

Just for a little positive feedback, the STORY NOTES are a wonderful and insightful addition. It was thanks to Usagi Yojimbo that I developed an interest in feudal Japan, and I especially enjoy these tidbits now as I find I have less time to sit in the library and read up on such things. Thanks!

With much respect from a faithful fan,
Nicholas Bell
Brisbane, Australia

[One of the options we're considering when we move to a new publisher is returning to the black & white format. All the readers who have expressed an opinion about the color vs. black & white debate have almost unanimously been pro-black & white.]

Dear Mr. Sakai,

I was planning to wait until I was older to send you my art. However, after reading your return letter in the last issue of Usagi, I figured this would be as good a time as any. My reason for waiting so long is that I want you to look at my art as art, not just as some 16 year old drop-out who doesn't know what he's doing. I have been an admirer of your art for almost three years, and now I consider myself a "student" of your art and story-telling.

I believe that it was a wise choice, moving to Mirage. there are feelings you just can't express in black & white. However, it goes the same way about color. I guess you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

I would like to leave you now with a couple of questions (if any of these questions have already been answered, please let me know in which issues).

1.) How old were you when you started doing Usagi?

2.) What race will Ino's kid be?

3.) Would you ever consider using a character created by a fan in your comic?

4.) Is Lord Hikiji a shape-shifter or a human?

5.) I have never taken any lessons in art, are there any that you would suggest?

6.) What art school did you attend, if any?

Thank you for your time.

Your dedicated student,
Aaron P. Smith
[no address given

Fan Art by Aaron Smith

[1.) I've been drawing and writing stories almost all my life but I didn't actually create Usagi until I was about 29.

[2.) By "race" I assume you mean "species". I think I'll follow Jim Henson's lead when Kermit and Miss Piggy had kids in A Muppets' Christmas Carol. All the male children were frogs and all the females were pigs. And so all of Ino's boys will be pigs and all the girls will be cats.

[3.) I avoid using other people's characters in my stories except when they appear briefly in backgrounds such as Sergio Aragonés' Groo. Speaking of Groo, Sergio, Mark and I will be guests at the Mid-Ohio Con on November 26 & 26 in Columbus.

[4.) Hikiji is a human.

[5.) The best lesson is to practice, practice, practice. Carry a sketch book around with you and don't copy comics, draw from life. Just as important as practicing, is to show your work around to others. Get feedback. Learn your strong points and weak areas.

[6.) I have a Fine Arts Degree from the University of Hawaii and I also attended the Art Center College of Design.]

Dear Mr. Sakai,

I just wanted to tell you I think Usagi Yojimbo is one of the best comic books I've ever read! I am fairly new at comic book collecting and I just recently discovered Usagi Yojimbo. I used to be a Ninja Turtles fan so when I saw issue #11, volume 2, 1994, in a local comic book shop I decided to buy it! I am now a faithful reader.

I am also a young artist, hoping one day to be a comic book artist or cartoon animator. I absolutely love your style of drawing. I also agree with Brent Newton [UY Vol. 2, #10 Lettercol] - I think you should make animated specials. Usagi would really shine on the silver screen.

Lastly, I have some questions for you.

1.) Will there ever be a way to order back issues?

2.) By reading the letters page, I've heard of "Usagi Books". What are they and where might I find them?

3.) Which came first, Usagi Yojimbo from the Ninja Turtles or Usagi Yojimbo the comic book character?

4.) Who originally created Usagi Yojimbo?

I almost forgot...I have one suggestion for you. I think Usagi should meet up with a female samurai. A new challenge for Usagi!

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Jolene Flohe
[no address given

Fan Art by Jolene Flohe

[1.) For a Usagi backstock order form for the Mirage issues (color issues, volume 2), you can write to Mirage Publishing, P.O. Box 486, Northampton, MA, 01061. For the Fantagraphics Books, the black & white volume 1 series, UY 26-38 ($2.50 each) and Color Specials #2 & #3 ($3.50 each), you can call their toll free number: 1-800-657-1100.

[2.) The "books" are trade paperback and hard cover reprintings of the UY stories. Book Seven is scheduled for winter of 1995. All books are currently in print except for Book Two which will be reprinted again next year. They can be ordered through any book or comic book store or directly from Fantagraphics. And yes, we do plan to eventually reprint all the color stories.

[3.) The Usagi comic book came first and later crossed over into the TMNT's comics, cartoons and action figure line.

[4.) I did (Stan Sakai).

[Usagi has met a couple of samurai women. Tomoe Ame is the personal retainer to Lord Noriyuki of the Geishu clan and is every bit as capable as Usagi. And, of course, he met the mysterious Inazuma in this very issue.]

Fan Art by Eric Talbot

(From inside back cover)

Fan Art by Michael Dooney

(From back cover; click on thumbnail
to view full-size art)

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.