Sasuke!

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Mon May 08, 2006 20:30 -0700

I just read Usagi # 38 (Dark Horse) and instantly fell in love with the character of Sasuke, the demon-fighting samurai (or ninja?). While I've always adored Usagi's ever expanding supporting cast, this is the first time I've loved a secondary character enough to want to see him get his own series (or at least semi-regular backup stories). Has Sasuke appeared again since Usagi #38 and are their plans to include him in future Usagi stories?

Spot the Tokage · Post by **Spot the Tokage** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:03 -0700

In what TPB is #38 collected?

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:16 -0700

I believe it's in Demon Mask.

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Tue May 09, 2006 9:50 -0700

Sasuke reappears in Sumi-e (UY 66-68, reprinted in UY Book 18: Travels with Jotaro). That is my tribute to those giant Japanese monsters, and co-starts Jotaro.

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Tue May 16, 2006 19:05 -0700

Stan Sakai wrote:Sasuke reappears in Sumi-e (UY 66-68, reprinted in UY Book 18: Travels with Jotaro). That is my tribute to those giant Japanese monsters, and co-starts Jotaro.

Just read these issues tonight. Fantastic! I especially loved the part where Usagi does a crude drawing of Zylla.

I hope Sasuke appears again soon. Did you base him on Doctor Strange? I believe I read somewhere that you used to be a fan of the good doctor. I'm a big fan of Stephen Strange myself, but I believe I like Sasuke even better!

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Tue May 16, 2006 21:18 -0700

shaxper wrote:
I hope Sasuke appears again soon. Did you base him on Doctor Strange? I believe I read somewhere that you used to be a fan of the good doctor. I'm a big fan of Stephen Strange myself, but I believe I like Sasuke even better!

I am a big fan of Steve Ditko, during his run on Spider-Man and Dr Strange. He was my first big artistic influence.

However, Sasuke was inspired by the legend of Sarutobi Sasuke, a ninja of folklore. In Japanese stories, ninja are given magical powers--flying, disappearing, etc. Tezuka did a two volume adaptation of Sasuke. I also remember seeing a movie when I was a kid. He was also inspired by Shoki the Demon Queller, aka Chung Kuei of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, a scholar who fought demons.