A Question for Stan

[Space Wolf]

Stan,

While I was reading trade #5 this past weekend and issues 101-103, I got to wondering what you draw when you aren't working on Usagi? By that I mean, when you are just relaxing and maybe doodleing, do you like to draw other comic book characters? Or perhaps do art that isn't comic related? Or is it, even when you aren't drawing your current issue that is on your drawing table, are you planning future issues, perhaps doing thumb nails or trying out new panel layouts?

PS

Any idea when the War of the Worlds idea you have for Usagi will come around? Or is much further down the line to happen?

[Stan Sakai]

Stan,

While I was reading trade #5 this past weekend and issues 101-103, I got to wondering what you draw when you aren't working on Usagi? By that I mean, when you are just relaxing and maybe doodleing, do you like to draw other comic book characters? Or perhaps do art that isn't comic related? Or is it, even when you aren't drawing your current issue that is on your drawing table, are you planning future issues, perhaps doing thumb nails or trying out new panel layouts?

PS

Any idea when the War of the Worlds idea you have for Usagi will come around? Or is much further down the line to happen?

Most of my time is spent on Usagi, however when doing on site sketching I like to draw architecture, that is buildings, especially old ones. I would love to just spend time in Europe sketching buildings, but most of my travels there are for signings and appearances. Besides, there is just so much new stuff to see there. I also used to do a lot more painting, mainly landscapes.

I have no idea when the War of the Worlds story will be out. I've broken the story down to 6 issues, just enough for a nice mini-series and a trade collection. Guy Davis' pin-up of Usagi against the martians really made me anxious to start on it. Maybe after the current Jei storyline.

[Space Wolf]

I must admit, I am very excited about this idea for the War of the Worlds story line. I read on another posting you said it would be with a grown up Jotaro serving a grown up Lord Noriyuki. Will Usagi be in the issue? Or would this be something that happens well after his eventual death (have you ever thought of a grown up Jotaro book if Usagi ever does pass on?)

6 issues is a great length for a story like this. Not too long, not too short, just right. If it is a mini-series, would it still be part of the official Usagi canon? Or just for fun like the Turtle Soup and Rabbit Stew story?

I think one of the reasons I am so excited about this is I love the War of the Worlds story. Living in NJ my whole life, I loved the fact that the radio drama Orson Wells did took place in a NJ town. I remember reading the book in high school, skipping gym class, and being blown away by the story.

Have you ever thought about doing an entire issue of Usagi painted? I am sure the amount of work that would have to go into a project like that would be enormous, but the outcome would be beautiful.

[Stan Sakai]

Usagi will be the star of the War of the Worlds mini-series. It won't be a part of the Usagi canon, but it will fit in the continuity.

I have done a couple of painted stories, but they just take too long. I could do a regular 24 page story in the time it take to paint an 8 pager.

[Space Wolf]

I'm looking forward to the War of the Worlds story. I have a good friend who, though he likes comics he never buys them, is a huge War of the Worlds fan. It is his favorite novel (while mine is Tolkien's Lord of the Rings). Anyway, he watches any movie or TV version of the story he can and, once or twice I have found comic adaptions of the story that I bought for him. I told him about this and he was real excited. I plan on getting the issues for him as well as myself.