THE PULSE, APRIL 27, 2004

[Steve Hubbell]

STAN SAKAI TALKS USAGI YOJIMBO'S BIRTHDAY, RABBIT TURNS 20
by JENNIFER M. CONTINO (THE PULSE, APRIL 27, 2004)

One of comics coolest rabbits turns twenty this year! Stan Sakai's perennial favorite, Usagi Yojimbo hits the big 2-0. Proud papa Sakai doesn't show any signs of slowing down and, if the Eisner nominations are any indication, the character is just as viable and popular now as when Sakai first created his rabbit warrior. There's lots in store for the character's birthday including an appearance on the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES cartoon!

For those of us old enough to remember first hearing about the character, it hardly seems likely that Usagi Yojimbo's 20. Sakai is also amazed at how quickly time has flown by. "I can remember when I was eagerly waiting for the first issue to hit the stands, so 20 years is amazing," said Sakai. "In that time, I’ve done almost 150 issues. As you know, I write, letter, pencil, and ink the books. Usagi was first conceived as a secondary character in the Nilson Groundthumper storyline which started in Albedo #1. The Nilson story was going to be about a thousand pages, with Usagi first making his appearance at page 500 or so. When I was fleshing out the characters though, Usagi seem the most appealing to me, so I developed him and he pretty much took over. Usagi first appeared in Albedo #2."

The creator's seen both high and low points since he created the character. He recalled the highs, "The first trade collection from Fantagraphics was certainly a highlight. There are now 18 trades, including one Space Usagi, from Fantagraphics and Dark Horse, all in print. A new book, UY Book 18: Travels with Jotaro, comes out in June. Seeing Usagi animated for the first time was a thrill, as was his first action figure. I’ve received well over a dozen awards in that time, as well."

The lows are akin to what most independent creators cite. "Of course, there was the decline in the comic book market that sent everyone in a panic," Sakai said. "Fortunately, Usagi’s sales did not plummet as fast or as low as many others’."

Sakai has plenty of plans for Usagi's anniversary. "Besides the ongoing comic series and the upcoming trade, Dark Horse has scheduled an Art of Usagi Yojimbo hardcover coffee table book for October. Usagi will guest-star in a four episode story arc in the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ TV series. There will also be an exhibition of my work in Madrid, along with an art book for the Spanish market."

"The Art of Usagi is a 200 page book scheduled," continued Sakai. "It will be similar to the Art of Hellboy and Art of Sin City books. There will be a section on how an issue of UY gets created, from the initial idea, to thumbnails, pencils, letters, and inks. There will also be a large color section of some of my paintings, and little seen art such as covers created for foreign markets. I also wanted a collection of Usagi drawings done by guest artists, such as Sergio Aragones, William Stout, Frank Miller, Guy Davis, and others. Stan Lee, with whom I’ve worked for 20 years lettering the Spider-Man newspaper strips, is supplying the introduction."

Sakai is looking forward to seeing his character come to cartoon life again in the last four episodes of the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES cartoon. He gave us some details of the story. "The story arc is titled The Big Brawl," began Sakai. "I’m not sure when it will air, though. It’s really up to Fox. They had withheld the last few episodes from last season to air immediately prior to the start of the new season. If they do that again, The Big Brawl will not be shown until the early fall."

"Like Usagi’s appearances in the first TMNT series, Peter Laird asked me," Sakai continued of how his creation came to be on the small screen again. "Back in 1988 or so, Peter and I were sitting together at a San Diego Con. He just turned to me as said, 'Would you like an Usagi toy?' I said, 'Sure.' It was as simple as that. This time he e-mailed me, asking if I would like Usagi to guest star in a Turtles’ story. My part in the creation of those episodes is mainly giving approvals, making suggestions, that sort of thing. It does take place in the Turtles’ world, after all. The director and writers are long-time fans of Usagi though, and they’re doing a terrific job in getting the personalities true to my stories. Just as the new Turtles are different—more mature, edgier—Usagi will be as well. Even the character designs have changed from a rounded form, to a more angular look."

Sakai also revealed there will be a few Usagi related action figures in the new TMNT line. "Not only Usagi, but Gen as well will have a toy," he said. "He also plays a part in the Big Brawl."

The three time Eisner winner, Sakai also gave us a recap of Usagi Yojimbo # 65, the issue that was recently nominated for and Eisner as Best Single Issue. "Usagi tells his son Jotaro a story of when he was an impulsive young samurai-in-training under Katsuichi-sensei," said Sakai. "He feels he’s not learning fast enough and seeks out the Tengu of the Mountains. The tengu are legendary bird creatures who are master swordsmen. This particular tengu agrees to teach him, but only if Usagi defeats him in a duel. If Usagi loses, however, the tengu will cut off his right hand."

Jotaro may be Usagi's son, but in the Father and Son current running through the series, Jotaro isn't aware of that fact. "Usagi is traveling with his son Jotaro," explained Sakai. "The catch is that Jotaro doesn’t know Usagi is his father. This puts Usagi in a dilemma as to whether to tell Jotaro or not. To tell him may strengthen their bonds, but would break Jotaro’s bond with Kenichi, the only father he has known. As they travel, they learn more about each other, and Usagi comes to appreciate his son even more."

"I didn't know how the story would end until I started drawing it," continued Sakai. "I worked the same way in a previous story arc called Duel at Kitanoji in which his teacher Katsuichi had a showdown with a master swordsman named Nakamura Koji. I slowly lead up to the climax, following each character for several issues but didn’t know how it would end until I was actually drawing those pages. When I sent it off to my editor Diana Schutz, it went with a note saying 'read this now and call me.' I got very positive responses from the readers for the outcome. I’m hoping for the same response for Father and Son."

Although Sakai's recent story line is a multi-part adventure, the creator plans on following it up with a series of one-shot type stories afterwards. He explained his reasons for this. "I usually alternate between multi-issue stories and shorter ones. Long time readers tend to prefer the epics because I can develop more character and delve deeper into the culture of Japan. The done-in-one stories are a good place for new readers to pick up an issue. The arc after Father and Son is titled Glimpses of Death, and alternates Usagi stories with those of secondary characters such as Gen the Bounty Hunter, Stray Dog, and Priest Sanshobo. We always get letters asking for the return of this character or that character. This is a chance to satisfy those cravings. I took a poll on the Usagi website asking who people would like to see in this arc. The first of these stories will feature Inspector Ishida."

"Ishida is a police inspector of a major Japanese city," continued Sakai. "Like Sherlock Holmes, he uses deductive reasoning, but he’s also handy with his jitte. I did quite a bit of research into how the judiciary was organized at that time, so it’s as accurate as I can get it. Ishida’s been a favorite with readers (and me) since the first time he appeared in The Hairpin Murders. I’m a fan of cop stories such as the 87th Precinct books, or Max Allan Collin’s Heller books, or even CSI and Law and Order, so I wanted to do my own spin on the detective genre."

Sakai gave us a rundown of this summer's Usagi issues.

"UY 76 deals with the smuggling of foreign goods into Japan. At that time, European traders were restricted to certain areas, such as the port city of Nagasaki. Usagi promises a dying doctor that he will protect his daughter as well as a package of contraband, not knowing that it could rip the nation apart.

UY 77 stars Inspector Ishida who is after a Robin Hood-like thief named Nezumi (Rat). Stakes get higher when Nezumi is accused of murder. Incidentally, Nezumi is based on a 19th century criminal named Nezumi Kozo who would execute these flamboyant robberies then escape over the rooftops.

UY 78 sees Usagi pressed into service by a cantankerous old woman running away from home and the business she founded. She also happens to be pursued by bandits after the treasure she carries.

UY 79 features Gen after Inazuma the swordswoman. He soon finds that his rival bounty hunter Stray Dog is after the same reward. Unknown to both of them, She is now possessed by the evil Black Soul that makes her almost invincible."

Although Usagi Yojimbo keeps Sakai, very busy, he does have a few other projects on his plate. "I still do the lettering for the Spidey Sunday newspaper strips. I continue that because that is the only regular writing that Stan Lee takes an active part in, and it’s fun to work with him. There is also going to be another Groo mini-series from Dark Horse. That project has already been green-lighted, so we’re just waiting for Sergio and Mark to get started."