Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Hi,I only started reading Usagi Yojimbo since last month,though I've known about the book for awhile,
and from what I've read thus far,
very recommended work,Stan is a true legend,and what I like a whole lot is that he letters the Spiderman newspaper strip,
wow,

when did the rest of you discover Usagi ?

peace.

Welcome to the Dojo! I discovered UY back around 86-87 with the Summer Special. I was out of comics 94 - 2002 when a cancer diagnosis inspired some reminiscing of years gone by and got back into comics in 2003, where I rediscovered UY, buying everything I could find of his since then.
I hope you enjoy exploring the site and you'll find everyone is very friendly.

Hi Soundwave,

Welcome to the Dojo!

I initially learned of Usagi Yojimbo through Stan Sakai's involvement with Sergio Aragones' Groo comic, which I started reading in 1985. For a long time, Groo was the only comic I read.

The first issue of Usagi Yojimbo I ever bought was volume 1, issue #11. It contained both a Groo tribute story called "The Tea Cup" and a back-up story by Sergio Aragones.

I finally started buying and reading Usagi on a regular basis in the early 1990's, about the time that the series moved to Mirage (and fellow Groo crew member Tom Luth started coloring it). I've been hooked ever since.

I first discovered Usagi through the 8-bit computer game; yes, before the TMNT cartoon, we were a little behind here with those at the time. I didn't actually buy any comics until... oh about 1997 I think, and then when I had the chance to get back issues, I raided eBay a few years later grabbing everything.

I discovered UY in '97, about the time that it first moved to Dark Horse. I was browsing in a comic book store (that has long since gone out of business, unfortunately), and I came across some UY issues. I had remembered Usagi from the old TMNT cartoon show, and I was intrigued by the idea of Usagi having his own comic book (It actually took me a while to figure out that UY had actually been around for a while and wasn't a brand new series). Before this, I actually wasn't a big comic book reader at all aside from the occasional Marvel title when I was younger (I vaguely remember reading an issue or two of Groo when I was younger, but I actually didn't become a big Groo fan until a couple of years ago). I think that UY is perhaps the first comic book series I ever read that showed me that not all comics were the type of stereotypical superhero book that I never liked very much, so UY will always have a special place in my collection.

Welcome to the Dojo, Soundwave, and I hope you'll find it a great place to "hang your hat" and discuss Usagi.

In answering your question, I stumbled upon our long-earred friend in the 80's through the original TMNT cartoon, and picked up the first Fantagraphics collection a number of years later, which really impressed me, leaving me hungry for more. I've always liked Usagi and thanks in part to the Dojo resources here, a few years ago I began my "quest" to track down all of Usagi's stories. It's been great fun, and I suspect you'll really enjoy all the great material coming your way!

Welcom to the Dojo Soundwave (cool user name),

This question comes up every few years. I wonder if my answer changes a little bit everytime I answer it (is my memory true? ). I'm too lazy to look it up. So here's what I'm sticking to now:

My parents moved back to Oahu, Hawaii shortly after I got married in 1994. I would visit them at least once a year. And the local library had most, if not all, of the UY Trades. I checked a couple out and was hooked, finished them in one sitting and went back to check out the rest.

I did by some Usagi comics at the tail end of the Fangraphic (sp?) run. And continued through out the color Mirage series. But somewhere in there I stop collecting comics to save money for a home.

I started again collecting again sometime in after the year 2000 (like I said, my memory isn't so great with details). Slowly, with the help of this dojo and eBay - I've have a pretty complete collection.

It's strange to say, but this comic book and UYD has contributed to my happiness. People here are so willing to share our fandom with each other. And positive relationships, even if on a message board, are good for me. Thanks everyone for being here. (so nerdy ).

Peace,

maka

I got into Usagi when I was hanging out at the comic store and felt like picking up a new series. Like I wasn't collecting enough as it was, but I wanted something that was not a superhero comic. Something different.
I was aware of Usagi Yojimbo but had never read any of the issues. So I picked up the issue 39 of Volume 3. (the prologue for Grascutter II) I loved it so much (and Usagi wasn't even in it) I went back and picked up volume 3 of the trades. Its my favourite Usagi trade and I even got it signed by Stan when I met him 2 years ago at Novi Comic Con.
I have been trying to get every Usagi thing I can since then

MikeM

I just started reading Usagi recently too. I had known about the series since I started collecting back in 91, but only recently have I started to read a lot of independent books.

I first learned about Usagi Yojimbo... well... it was when Groo was still released by Image.
Can't remember when that was, but a cousin of mine had bought a complete set of all the released Groo issues, and gave away the any doubles he had to me.

There were some fanmail talking about Usagi Yojimbo, and after asking my cousin about it, turns out he had a huge collection of those aswell.

I wish i could say that i bought every issue from that moment on, but i'm sorry to say that i only own 1 original copy myself. The rest i've borrowed from my cousin.

Nevertheless, It's one of my favorite series of all time.

Glad to see a new reader!
My first encounter with Usagi was in 1988. A comic shop owner in Norfolk, VA was a fan and had decorated a section of his wall with all things Usagi. I had to have the Critters #3 hanging on the wall, still one of my all-time favorite covers!!! That day I picked-up Critters #3, Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 1 #1-5, Albedo #3, and an early Usagi t-shirt which I sadly no longer have.

mikeytuba wrote:Glad to see a new reader!
My first encounter with Usagi was in 1988. A comic shop owner in Norfolk, VA was a fan and had decorated a section of his wall with all things Usagi. I had to have the Critters #3 hanging on the wall, still one of my all-time favorite covers!!! That day I picked-up Critters #3, Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 1 #1-5, Albedo #3, and an early Usagi t-shirt which I sadly no longer have.

i was yet to be born (im born in 1990)

I first saw Usagi on the 2003 TMNT series... when I found out he wasn't a TMNT character I read all the Dark Horse reprints at the local library. I wish it had the Fantagraphics reprints too... :'(

Welcome aboard!!!

Soundwave wrote: when did the rest of you discover Usagi ?

peace.

I discovered UY back in the mid 90's.

welcome!

I first started reading Usagi during the Fantagraphics run, in the mid-20s or so (I can't quite remember the exact issue).

I haven't looked back since!