"Return to Adachigahara" - Painted Story Inquiry

[Texcap]

I was reading through the letter columns here at the Dojo and came across this interesting excerpt from Stan in the final Mirage issue (#16) which stated:

"It was revealed in "Return to Adachigahara" (UY Book 4, hardcover) that it was Lord Hikiji himself who gave Usagi his scar during that final battle. That 8-page story was fully painted and has not been reprinted. I also have a penciled version which will someday be inked and printed."

This statement was made in '95 and I'm curious as to whether or not this 8-page story has since seen a reprint? Additionally, I'm afraid I don't have the originals to reference (only the TPB editions) but I'm curious as to where that painted 8-page sequence saw print initially? Was it in Usagi Yojimbo Vol.1 #8? The Book 4 Hardcover?

Thanks for any help there, I've gotsta own the painted version!

[Mayhem]

I had a spare h/c #4 a few months back, guess you missed that one... but yes it debuted in that book as a "bonus extra" (as that was the first h/c made, h/c of books #1-3 came later!).

But have no fear, it was reprinted (in colour) in the Art of Usagi book. What, you don't have that? Shame on you

[Texcap]

I had a spare h/c #4 a few months back, guess you missed that one... but yes it debuted in that book as a "bonus extra" (as that was the first h/c made, h/c of books #1-3 came later!).

It appears that I did miss that one. I was knee deep in Kanji quizzes and chapter tests in Japanese up until a few weeks ago and wasn't able to peruse the forum as I would've liked. Durn it all, sorry I missed out. Then again, I managed an "A" so...whew!

But have no fear, it was reprinted (in colour) in the Art of Usagi book.

Ah, then I need not fear as I am indeed the proud owner of a copy of the Art of Usagi Yojimbo. I purchased the book last year but things have been so hectic with work, school that I haven't had the chance to pour over it from cover to cover yet and honestly didn't know that the story was inside. I just pulled it off the bookshelf a few minutes ago and...wow. Now that I have a summer break I'll definitely make it a point to spend time pouring over the pages, while I continue to enthusiastically make my way through the collected editions in full.

Thanks for the info. Mayhem.

And, if I can ask a follow-up to anyone that might know. Stan mentioned having "a penciled version which will someday be inked and printed." Has that penciled and inked version seen the light of day anywhere, or do I own this and not yet know it? Ha, thanks again.

[Jet_Jaguar]

And, if I can ask a follow-up to anyone that might know. Stan mentioned having "a penciled version which will someday be inked and printed." Has that penciled and inked version seen the light of day anywhere, or do I own this and not yet know it? Ha, thanks again.

Didn't Sergio Aragones do the inking? I forget which volume it is (and I'm not at home right now, so I can't look for it at the moment), but I'm pretty sure that it's in one of the TPBs.

[Mayhem]

There is a b/w retelling of the story with Sergio doing the inking instead, I think it was one of the early Dark Horse comics (and naturally included in one of the collected editions). But yeah, I can't remember which one offhand.

[Steve Hubbell]

"Return to Adachigahara Plain" was republished in issue #10 from Dark Horse with an all new ink job done mainly by Sergio Aragones as "Return to Adachi Plain". That version was eventually reprinted in Book 11 – Seasons. The original water-color version was finally reprinted in the 20th Anniversary Art of Usagi Yojimbo book along with Stan's other fully painted water-color story "The Guardian" which was originally published in the Trilogy Tour 2 book from Cartoon Books.

[Stan Sakai]

Sergio inked the flashback sequences, while I handled the present-day events.

[Texcap]

Good deal! I appreciate everyone's time in helping me iron that out.