Can Anyone Tell me?

[chickrockguitar]

Hello.
I'm new to the Usagi Dojo Forum, but was a Usagi fan from way back in the days he was the old TMNT. Six months ago I found him again and started to re-read and collect the comics.

I'm now in the process of collecting all the GN novels. But I've heard that some issues aren't collected in them, is this true, if so I was wondering if anyone could name those issues?

Thanks for your time.

-chickrockguitar

[Mayhem]

All regular Usagi comics (Fantagraphics, Mirage, Dark Horse) are in the trade paperbacks. However some of the other stuff (Critters strips, Albedo strips, Colour Specials etc) hasn't been republished, though I think it's pretty minimal what's missing.

I can't quite help as I've got the original comics myself and not the trade publications, so most of this is off the top of my head.

[shaxper]

To the best of my knowledge, the Albedo appearances, the Doomsday Squad appearance, and the early critters appearances (up to #14) are compiled in Usagi book 1. The Albedo issues are also covered in Summer Special #1, which also includes an original story that may not be reprinted anywhere else. I don't know if the last few critters appearances are reprinted anywhere though.

Incidentally, what's in the color specials, and when were they printed? It's driving me crazy that the comics section of this board (a fantastic resource, by the way!) is noticably out of date. Also, did Usagi make any appearances in Albedo after #4? Those might not be reprinted anywhere.

[Stan Sakai]

I'm now in the process of collecting all the GN novels. But I've heard that some issues aren't collected in them, is this true, if so I was wondering if anyone could name those issues?

Thanks for your time.

-chickrockguitar

Welcome to the forum, chickrockguitar.

I believe all the UY stories have been reprinted in the trade paperbacks with the exception of the most current stories which will be reprinted soon, and the Fantagraphics Color Specials which hold to a different timeline than the regular comics.

UY Book 19: Fathers and Sons is scheduled to be released this spring, and will reprint the Dark Horse issues 69-75.

The regular comic book stories have almost caught up to the Color Specials timeline, and those stories will be reprinted in UY Book 22 or so.

All the trade collections are either currently in print or are scheduled to be reprinted within the year, so you should have no trouble completing the set.

[shaxper]

Mr. Sakai,

It's an honor to be able to speak with you. Could you tell me, perchance, which GN to begin with if I've completed the Fantagraph run and want to read the rest?

[Stan Sakai]

Mr. Sakai,

It's an honor to be able to speak with you. Could you tell me, perchance, which GN to begin with if I've completed the Fantagraph run and want to read the rest?

Most of the UY trades can be read without having to read the previous ones. I generally suggest starting with the Fantagraphics Book 2: Samurai because it starts off with Usagi's boyhood, and chronicles his life until he becomes a ronin. As for the Dark Horse books, I can't really suggest where to start. Book 12: Grasscutter has certainly received the most awards, but it might be more enjoyable if you read the stories leading up to this epic.

[shaxper]

Thanks, Mr. Sakai. I realize I don't need to read them in order, but I don't want to miss a single panel of Usagi genious. I've enjoyed the full fantagraph run tremendously, and look forward to reading all the Mirage and Dark Horse issues in GN format. I just need to determine which GN to start with in order to pick up where the Fantagraph run leaves off.

[chickrockguitar]

Hay again.
Thank you to all who replyed. Especally Stan, thank you!
I'll look out for all the Usagi GN's I can find.
Thanks for all your time folks.

[Stan Sakai]

I just need to determine which GN to start with in order to pick up where the Fantagraph run leaves off.

Dark Horse prefers titles rather than numbers on the trades. However, the book numbers are in the indicia and, on the spines of the more recent books. In chronological order, the DH books are:

Shades of Death (Book 8 )
Daisho
The Brink of Life and Death
Seasons
Grasscutter
Grey Shadows
Demon Mask
Grasscutter 2: Journey to Atsuta Shrine
The Shrouded Moon
Duel at Kitanoji
Travels with Jotaro
Fathers & Sons (scheduled for spring 2005)

There is also a Space Usagi collection

[shaxper]

Thank you, Mr. Sakai!!!