Issue 77 (spoilers!)

[Indiana Usagi]

This was a very special issue for me, even though Usagi didn't appear anywhere in it (except on the back). As someone who went through Sherlock Holmes stories like popcorn, just seeing a detective story that didn't rely on any CSI-era technology was a great way to close July. I really liked how the reader sort of "participated" in the investigation, too, as we could draw our own conclusions based on the visual clues right in front of us. Inspector Ishida was, as always, a wonderful character to read about, and keeping tabs on Kitsune by having her cameo was quite clever. Keep up the good work, Mr. Sakai, and thanks for bringing detective stories back to the 17th century!

[Stan Sakai]

This was a very special issue for me, even though Usagi didn't appear anywhere in it (except on the back). As someone who went through Sherlock Holmes stories like popcorn, just seeing a detective story that didn't rely on any CSI-era technology was a great way to close July. I really liked how the reader sort of "participated" in the investigation, too, as we could draw our own conclusions based on the visual clues right in front of us. Inspector Ishida was, as always, a wonderful character to read about, and keeping tabs on Kitsune by having her cameo was quite clever. Keep up the good work, Mr. Sakai, and thanks for bringing detective stories back to the 17th century!

I, too, am a big fan of Sherlock Holmes and his deductive reasoning. I'm also a big fan of detective stories in general--my favorite writers are Max Allan Collins and Ed McBain.

I've got a few Inspector Ishida stories plotted out--one directly stolen from one of Holmes' adventures.

[Indiana Usagi]

Nice! I'm hoping for "Speckled Band" myself...but who is that standing behind Ishida on the cover? At first I thought it was Kagemaru, but when I bnoticed he had no mon and didn't subsequently appear in the story...

Oh, yes, does Kitsune's little helper's name mean anything ? (I notice you're kind of fond of doing that with names...) I don't think you had named her by "Duel at Kitanoji."

Loved the verbal sparring between Ishida and Nezumi! ("Oh, really? Then why is there always a winner?" "Rats..." Hee hee hee...).

Once again, kudos!

[jporrett]

I was so happy to see Inspector Ishida again. It was too bad Usagi wasn't around -- he plays a good Watson to Ishida's Holmes, but hey, we got more Ishida. The scene with Ishida and Kitsune was played perfectly!

I look foward to seeing more of the intrepid inspector

[Stan Sakai]

who is that standing behind Ishida on the cover? At first I thought it was Kagemaru, but when I bnoticed he had no mon and didn't subsequently appear in the story...

Oh, yes, does Kitsune's little helper's name mean anything ? (I notice you're kind of fond of doing that with names...) I don't think you had named her by "Duel at Kitanoji."

Neither that character on the cover nor that incident, appear in the story. Many times, the covers are due long before the story is written. This is one of those cases. I knew I wanted to feature Inspector Ishida in this story, but had no idea what the story would be about. So I made up a kind of generic cover featuring the good inspector. The same is true for next issue. I had a concept of the story when the cover was done, but not the characters. You'll see the the old woman who is featured on the next cover looks nothing like the woman who appears in the story.

"Kiyoko" is a honest to goodness Japanese name. It means "be glad generation child". It's also the Japanese name of my own daughter Hannah.

[Heero]

I assume the answer is yes, but I gotta ask just to be sure, is Ishida's bad pun entirely intentional, and if so, is it intentional for the character, or just a goofy joke like the Batman jokes from the original Komori Ninja story.

Nezumi: (comment)
Inspector Ishida (to Nezumi): rats

I also find it interesting that Ishida had a 'Robin Hood' style nemesis, or something JUST a step off of Batman/Commissioner Gordon, in that they are able to talk, have mutual respect, and yet are adversaries. I'm also VERY glad that there's a similar standing between Ishida and Kitsune. I like that she was entirely able to pick up on his subtle directives and that she has respect for his abilities.
All in all, a great story.

[ziritrion]

Ishida ROCKS!

Is there anything else I can add to the thread? This issue was awesome: hopefully someday Sakai-sensei will decide to create a whodunit mini-series starring Ishida .

Well, I can dream, right?

[Stan Sakai]

There is a very nice review at:

http://www.thefourthrail.com/reviews/sn ... hots.shtml


The reviewer gives it a 10 out of 10.