Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

In the latest issue of DHP there's a preview for next month's issue saying that Usagi will make a "surprise appearance ." This is the first I've heard of it. Does anyone know what it will be?

I mean, I certainly am surprised.

Cool!

Stan mentioned a few months ago on facebook that he had completed a short Usagi story that was to be published in an upcoming issue of the new DHP series, but he did not know when it would appear or which issue either.

I just exchanged messages with him on facebook this past weekend, asking if he had any news yet on when the story would appear and to which he gave the following answer......

Stan Sakai (on Facebook) wrote:I turned it in about a month early, and it had to be colored. I had not thought about it once it left my hands. I don't know which issue of DHP it will be published in.

Cool!


Hellboy, Age of Reptiles, and Usagi in one issue! That makes up for the lack of Carla Speed McNeil's Finder (which has been in every issue since the relaunch).

Dear Readers,
Dark Horse Presents #7 is now available.
Sensei Sakai's story is great.
Best wishes to all.
go

I just bought this yesterday - the story is short and sweet - truly a great Usagi story with ghost warriors! It's also in color. What really bothers me the most about this is that Dark Horse is trying to boost sales (understandably) so they use Mignola for the main cover which makes sense only that the Mignola Hellboy story was not very good (probably something he had lying around that they needed to use). There's a variant cover as well. In my opinion since the Usagi story really was a beautifully done piece if DH couldn't use Usagi as the main cover (they should have!) then at least they should have approached Stan to prepare an Usagi cover that could have been the variant. The other issue I have is that I'm not a prude or anything but there are many of us that love reading Usagi and some of us have children that love reading Usagi as well. Usagi can be enjoyed by adults and younger readers and there's no way I'm going to let my son Jeremy read this issue b/c there are other stories in this issue that would be inappropriate for a minor to read in my opinion. Krish

Great story, and it is always nice to see Tom Luth doing his fantastic color work on a Usagi story.

KST wrote: The other issue I have is that I'm not a prude or anything but there are many of us that love reading Usagi and some of us have children that love reading Usagi as well. Usagi can be enjoyed by adults and younger readers and there's no way I'm going to let my son Jeremy read this issue b/c there are other stories in this issue that would be inappropriate for a minor to read in my opinion. Krish

That is the same reason I am not giving a copy of this issue to my nephews and niece for Christmas, even though they are somewhat older now.

I hope Dark Horse will include "Buntori" in one of the upcoming Usagi collections since it is a great story, but then it would be in b/w. Even neater would be for Dark Horse to collect all of the short color Usagi stories they have published in a second Usagi Yojimbo Color Special. It would make a nice filler issue while Stan has Usagi on hiatis while working on his "secret project".

That's a great idea. Is the Usagi Color Special a trade paperback and is it still available?

There were four Usagi Yojimbo Color Specials released so far. The first three were published by Fantagraphics back in the early 90's while the fourth was published by Dark Horse Comics in the later 90's.

The three Fantagraphic Color Specials each contained each contained shorter Usagi stories (which were finally reprinted in b/w in the Tomoe's Story book collection), along with some short stories featuring other characters such as Space Usagi and Nilson Groundthumper.

The Dark Horse Color Special collected a story that was originally serialized in 2 page installments over the course of 12 months in Diamond Comic Distributor's Preview Catalog.

KST wrote:That's a great idea. Is the Usagi Color Special a trade paperback and is it still available?

They were comics, not trades. All of the material published in them has been reprinted in b/w in a couple of the Usagi books. The "Green Persimmon" story (UY Book 11: Seasons) was originally published in color.

Ugh, I totally didn't realize that there was Usagi in this issue. We sold out because of the Hellboy story. On an interesting note, DH is in a bit of hot water with retailers because they filled our orders for Mignola covers with the Chaykin variant. Hopefully I'll get replacements so I can pick up a copy. They were still available last time I looked too.

I'm not sure I've seen the DH Color Special... I certainly don't have it. As for this, I'll be looking out for it being listed in places here. Can someone post the cover(s) to the book so I definitely know I've found it if it isn't listed properly?

Link to description of DH 1992 Usagi Color Special with cover...
http://www.comics.org/series/5869/

I re-read things, and I think I misunderstood Steve. So the Green Persimmon story was originally a massive serial then collected? I didn't realise that. And yes, I do have it.

My actual request was in regards to this new DHP, can someone post the cover of THAT so I know I'm looking at the correct edition when hunting?

Dark Horse Presents #7

Howard Chaykin Cover

Mike Mignola Cover

My question is "Why did Dark Horse feel a need to keep the inclusion of a new Usagi Yojimbo story in this issue a secret?"

Haven't picked up my copy, but now that I know Usagi is inside I will.

It is odd.... Stan is not listed in the credits on either webpage, but the Usagi story IS in the preview....