I'm a brand-new Usagi Yojimbo addict

[Ogami Itto]

I remember Usagi Yojimbo from the TMNT cartoons and toys of the late 80s/ early 90s, but I was never particularly involved with the character. For years starting around the mid/late 90s and continuing until recently, my best friend would occasionally mention to me, "You know Usagi Yojimbo is actually a legitimate comic, right?" I would nod and assure him that, as a life-long comic book fan, I would eventually get around to reading it.

About two weeks ago I was browsing the graphic novels in my local library and saw a copy of Grasscutter 1. I thought, What the hell, now is as good a time as any and checked it out. I was immediately hooked upon reading the first few pages and haven't been able to sate my desire for more since then. The complex-simplicity of the artwork, the ne'er mentioned absurdity of a rabbit samurai, and the deep and thoughtful storytelling all drew me in and I don't see myself letting go for quite a long time.

I've since read Space Usagi (TPB), The Shrouded Moon (TPB), and several individual issues. I managed to find the first 10 issues of the Fantagraphics series at my local comic book shop and I love them so far (I've read up to #7.) The first issue is a reprint but the rest seem to be first editions. I've also picked up a full color issue #1 of series 2, several of the early Dark Horse issues, and ordered the first Trade-Paperback (The Ronin) off of Amazon.

If I could ask Stan two quick questions:

-The black and white format works for UY. It really works. In fact, I found the color issue I bought to be almost distracting. That being said, I'll admit that I've shied away from most black and white books in the past. My philosophy has been that if a creator does not have enough faith in his book to take the financial risk of getting it colored, then why should I have enough faith in it to spend my money on it? So my question is: was doing UY in black and white originally a conscious and creative decision, or a financial decision?

-Will you be at San Diego Comicon this year? I've been checking their website but I can't find your name posted yet. I would love to have my Fantagraphics issue 1 signed and possibly buy a sketch if you're doing those this year.

Thanks for taking time to read my post and I look forward to getting to know you all!

[Steve Hubbell]

Welcome to the Dojo...
I really envy you (and all new Usagi readers) because you have literally thousands of pages of great stories to read and enjoy as you make your way through the twenty years worth of Usagi Yojimbo adventures. And just wait until you run across (soon, if not already) Stan's version of Ogami Itto

Abayo....

[Mayhem]

As far as I can tell, Stan will be at the San Diego Comicon. That's pretty much why I'm attending for the first time this year; meet Stan, have fun and celebrate Usagi's 20th anniversary (and 10 years at DH).

Welcome

I remember being in your position about 4-5 years ago... it's fun heh. Enjoy catching up with 140 odd issues worth

[Stan Sakai]

If I could ask Stan two quick questions:

-The black and white format works for UY. It really works. In fact, I found the color issue I bought to be almost distracting. That being said, I'll admit that I've shied away from most black and white books in the past. My philosophy has been that if a creator does not have enough faith in his book to take the financial risk of getting it colored, then why should I have enough faith in it to spend my money on it? So my question is: was doing UY in black and white originally a conscious and creative decision, or a financial decision?

-Will you be at San Diego Comicon this year? I've been checking their website but I can't find your name posted yet. I would love to have my Fantagraphics issue 1 signed and possibly buy a sketch if you're doing those this year.

Thanks for taking time to read my post and I look forward to getting to know you all!

Welcome to the Dojo.

I prefer the black and white. So did many people. When the comic switched to color at Mirage, we received a LOT of letters asking us to return to the old format. I guess I like the b/w because that is closer to what my originals look like. Also, with the color, I could not put as much detail into the art. When the color stories were reprinted in the trades, I went back and added a lot of detail and textures to the art.

Yes, I will be at the San Diego Con. This will be my 27th consecutive year. I started going when it was held at the El Cortez Hotel. I will have a booth there, with art, books, even a couple of things that are not available anywhere else such as the cloisonne pins and Spanish sketchbook.

[Ogami Itto]

Thank you for all the replies everybody. I will definitely be making the drive out to San Diego for the convention this year and looking forward to it eagerly!

I have one more quick question and I bet the first person to come along and see this post will be able to answer it definitively: Is it ooh-sagi or yoo-sagi? In the Space Usagi clip it sounded like I heard both.

[Mo-Chan]

To me, Ogami, it's pronounced "ooh-sagi"...but that's just the geek in me....

[Mayhem]

It should be oo-sah-gee but I'll admit from time to time the first syllable does slip into "yoo" mode

[Shishio]

My philosophy has been that if a creator does not have enough faith in his book to take the financial risk of getting it colored, then why should I have enough faith in it to spend my money on it?

Not to be rude, but last time I checked, publishing a comic in full colour was incredibly expensive. I imagine that to a lot of people who can't, and may never be able to afford to, getting their story out is what matters. It's a matter of passion, not of belief or lack thereof in one's work. Personally, I believe that if you dismiss a lot of comics simply because they are in black & white, you will miss out on a lot of great stories.

Anyway.

Congratulations on discovering Usagi.

[Ogami Itto]

publishing a comic in full colour was incredibly expensive. I imagine that to a lot of people who can't, and may never be able to afford to, getting their story out is what matters. It's a matter of passion, not of belief or lack thereof in one's work. Personally, I believe that if you dismiss a lot of comics simply because they are in black & white, you will miss out on a lot of great stories.

Well, you're right to a great extent, and I've obviously been proven wrong on many occasions with great B&W titles like Usagi Yojimbo, Bone, Concrete, The Walking Dead, the original run of Battle Pope, Lone Wolf and Cub, et al, but I more often than not see independent and/or homebrewed black and white comics that are little more than sketches drawn around a weak (or non-exsistant plot) with zero thought put into the characters or dialogue and I get the impression that there is a huge culture of comic book enthusiasts and amature writers out there who just want to see their name on the shelf. This, in my humble opinion, has done much more to hurt the black and white sub-genre than to help it.

It's much easier for me to accept a comic that was done in black and white for artistic reasons than it is for one that was done in black and white for purely financial reasons. I guess I'm just of the opinion that, 9 times out of 10, if you have a good enough idea, you can come up with the finances yourself or get someone else (publishers, private parties, possibly a small business loan) to pony up the money on the strength of your work.

I'm fully aware that there are exceptions to this but, as you know, not everything is - ahem - black and white .

[Ogami Itto]

I'd just like to apologize if I've offended anyone with my opinions on color vs. black and white. That certainly wasn't my intention. o-yurushi-o!