Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

I've posted the cover art for UY 102 in the Coming Up section. I also have the preview art for UY 99 "Bridge of Tears", but Stan has asked me to wait to post that until next Thursday, as it does give a little away regarding UY 97. I'll get that scanned and posted next week!

I have no synopsis for 102 yet (still waiting for 101's!) So let's open up some speculative discussion on 102...thoughts on who might be behind that black blade? Inazuma (Jei)? The "evil" Usagi from 101??? Yeah I know, too early to tell, but that black blade looks really menacing...

The black blade has featured prominently on the covers of upcoming issues. If the cover of #101 is to be taken literally, we can assume that at some point Usagi inherits Jei's black soul. We can then assume that Usagi engages in some sort of "battle from within", and unlike Inazuma, he manages to break the black soul's influence. But looking at #102's cover, it's obvious that the fight has completely exhausted Usagi in a way that he's never been exhausted before, leaving him open to attack from someone else who has been afflicted with Jei's curse. My money's on Chizu.

Or even better...what if the image we're seeing is a scene from the battle still going on inside Usagi's mind?? (Notice how much the background resembles the interior of the hut where Usagi and Jei first met in Book Three...)

Of course, this is all still guesswork - but that's what we fans do best.

Interesting speculations. The covers are very intriguing. I can't wait to read the stories.

It was written in the post that those with a "keen eye" could figure out who the black blade is.

Well I've gone blind trying to figure it out.

Somebody give me a hint, PM me or something.

We all have our suspicions. But I'd like to know what other people think.

Basically what I meant was the person behind the black blade is most likely Inazuma (Jei), since she is the the only one (so far) who possesses such a weapon.

I thought you were referring to Inazuma because the reflection on the blade resembles the "lightning bolt" in her hair.

Excellent observation!

Heh... which of course means if that's the case, the outcome of UY98 is somewhat obvious then... the gravity of it not though.

(if you are wondering what I mean, I'm referring to if anyone dies or not!)

Steve Hubbell wrote:I thought you were referring to Inazuma because the reflection on the blade resembles the "lightning bolt" in her hair.

got the same thought when i saw it Steve ! (and before i read you...)

You guys think you're so smart!!!!

Well...well...nerts to you.

I have to admit, I wonder if Sakai-san sometimes intentionally designs enigmatic covers to puzzle and confound fans. I mean, every artist has to be careful about what's seen (and not seen) on a comic cover that's four or five issues down the road, and there's only so much time for creativity when you're on a work schedule, but I've noticed that Stan often creates cryptic illustrations that are almost puzzles unto themselves. Check out the cover for #75, which doesn't reveal a THING about the story, but perfectly represents everything the story is ABOUT.

How does all this relate to #102? I'm not sure, but let's look at it this way: If Inazuma/Jei really IS the other person at the end of that blade (BTW - good call on the lightning bolt reflection in the sword, Steve), why would Stan make an effort to conceal her? If Usagi won't confront Inazuma/Jei until #102, then what's the cover for #101 supposed to imply? Curiouser and curiouser.

Stan will typically draw the covers well in advance of drawing the actual story art, and in some cases even before he's actually written the story. Most of the time the covers are based on the plot. If there's a significant change in the storyline, the covers can't normally be changed in time to reflect this. This is why the covers a lot of the time don't reflect exact scenes from the comic.

The cover for UY 101 (with the evil Usagi) may not actually be a scene from the comic, then again it could be. What's most important is what Stan is trying to say through the cover art -- that the story will involve Jei and Usagi, and obviously by the image on the cover something bad happens...something surrounding/involving a possible possession of Usagi. Pretty freakin scary.

The cover for 102 is a little more clear -- we know there's going to be a duel between Usagi and Jei, no doubts about it. That is, unless of course something really unforeseen happens between now and 101 to allow someone else to wield the black blade of the gods, and attack Usagi with it. Stan did mention that Chizu will be re-appearing in 101...in what capacity we have no idea yet.

I'm beginning to wonder if all of this Jei stuff could be leading up to what we have all been dying for....the untold origin of Jei.

Todd Shogun wrote:The cover for 102 is a little more clear -- we know there's going to be a duel between Usagi and Jei, no doubts about it.

If Usagi's "I've just been sucked into the turbofan of a 747 and I'm not happy about it" look is any indication, it's gonna be one helluva duel...

You all have some great ideas for stories, but it's pretty much a continuation of what went on before. I hope you won't be disappointed.

I'm hoping to start a long storyline with 103. I haven't worked out the details yet, but it does involve Jei.

With that said I think it's safe to say Chizu will live whew