Issue #99 - thoughts? (SPOILERS)

[BonsaiSamurai]

Please forgive me if there is already a thread for people's reactions to issue #99 - I couldn't find one (except for the preview art and cover).

Stan, thanks for another fantastic issue. Very emotional, very sad. That last panel! Usagi has made a big mistake and he knows it.

I know a lot of people are getting excited about what's going to be happening with Jei in the near future (I am too!) but at the moment, I'm more interested to find out what has happened to Mayumi. In just a couple of issues, you've created a character who I care deeply about (even though at first I was looking forward to finding out how Usagi would give her the slip).

The way Usagi makes me feel as an adult is the same way the Astro Boy cartoon made me feel when I was a kid. While I enjoyed the action and adventure of Astro Boy, there was always an element of sadness in the stories that would stay with me for a time. Same with Usagi - I love the adventures and the fighting and the humour but there's human tragedy woven in amongst it all as well. This emotional depth is what makes reading Usagi Yojimbo such a satisfying experience for me. #99 was no exception.

Anyway Stan, thanks again - a very moving issue.

[Leonardo-san]

That last page....was preceeced by the pages with the heartbroken Mayumi...
that was so painfuly sad.
And is it just me, seeing the "divine punishment" bit with the hot tea, as some sort of shadow of what it is come??
That Usagi is going to be getting his punishment for the mistake he has made?
aaaaaaie!!!

I think these issues are going to be even better to go back and read through again once the whole story arc is finished.

[Steve Hubbell]

I really liked this issue (But I like them all) and I really love the facial features Stan gives Mayumi, showing the full range of her emotions throughout the story.

The "Meet me on the bridge" scene is really similar to an episode in the story of Musashi where Musashi is supposed to meet Otsu on a bridge but he has left by the time she gets back. Except Usagi actually goes back to the bridge because he felt Mayumi deserved better than to be left like that.

I hope that Stan has a happy ending to the story of Mayumi since she is such a happy and cheerful character, and I'd hate to see her young and enthusiastic life cut short.

[Stan Sakai]

Remember, this is the issue that had the "alternate ending". I'll send Todd that unused ending once I return home.

[Todd Shogun]

And I'll post it here on the Dojo asap!

[BonsaiSamurai]

Thanks for adding SPOILERS to the subject line - sorry that I forgot. Hope I didn't ruin anything for anyone. I'll be more careful next time.

[estee]

I've been having a helluva time trying to get my books this week. I've worked late all weekend, so I've had no chance to buy anything.



Hopefully today will be different.

My review of Usagi should be up soon.

[SonicSamurai]

Thanks for adding SPOILERS to the subject line - sorry that I forgot. Hope I didn't ruin anything for anyone. I'll be more careful next time.

Thanks, i havent gotten this issue yet. I was still focusing so much on getting the trade paperbacks and thinking about what i thought of the story "Circles"(that was great by the way ) that i forgot all about this latest issue, drat! I'm going to the comic book store preety soon anyway, so i'll might get it then.

[go]

Dear Readers,
I was suprised Usagi gave his word and then wavered.
What was Usagi thinking?
What about his integrity?
The story has captured me again.
Best wishes to all!
go
ps. Otsu.....