Help. I'd like to start reading but I bought the Omnibus...

[ozreth]

So I wanted to get into UY and went ahead and bought the Usagi Yojimbo Saga Omnibus number 1. When I got home I noticed on the back it says that this actually starts with volume 2 #1-16. So clearly they skipped out on the first volume, which I found out was actually published my fantagraphics before it moved to Dark Horse. So, is it that the stuff in volume 1 wasn't important enough to stick in this Omnibus, or that they COULDNT because of publishing rights? Should I go find the first issues before starting this? I'm kind of a completionist and don't want to miss out on a any character development or plot points!

Thanks!

[jabba359]

Welcome to the forum! Fantagraphics just released a 2-book paperback box set that collects all the issues that take place before Saga vol. 1.

http://www.amazon.com/Usagi-Yojimbo-Spe ... SKR2JMBD7D

[ozreth]

Welcome to the forum! Fantagraphics just released a 2-book paperback box set that collects all the issues that take place before Saga vol. 1.

http://www.amazon.com/Usagi-Yojimbo-Spe ... SKR2JMBD7D

Thanks! Wow thats a nice set. Is it pretty important to read those issues? Also, what are these hardcover books I see floating about? It looks like the above set you linked was once available in hardcover, and I also see some other bigger single volume hardcovers.

[jabba359]

Fantagraphics owns the rights for the first seven books of material (often referred to as "vol. 1"). After that, Usagi went to Mirage for 16 issues (referred to as "vol. 2") and then settled at Dark Horse, where it is currently running as "vol.3" (note: the use of "volumes" here isn't the same as the use of "volumes" when referring to the UY Saga books). Dark Horse has the publishing rights for Mirage and themselves, so the Saga Vol. 1 book that you have contains the Mirage issues (vol. 2 #1-16) plus the first Dark Horse issues (vol 3 #1-6). My opinion is that while you can start with your book, I think you're missing out on a lot of great stories if you don't pick up the Fantagraphics set. While some Dark horse issues will refer to events that happened in the Fantagraphics set, it's not entirely necessary to have read them. I hope I haven't confused you yet!

So a recap who publishes what:

Fantagraphics:
Books 1-7
*Usagi Yojimbo: The Special Edition collects all 7 books.

Dark Horse:
Books 8-29 + Space Usagi
*Usagi Yojimbo Saga vol. 1 collects books 8-10
*Usagi Yojimbo Saga vol. 2 collects books 11-13
*Usagi Yojimbo Saga vol. 3 collects books 14-16
*Usagi Yojimbo Saga vol. 4 collects books 17-19
*Usagi Yojimbo Saga vol. 5 collects books 20-22

As for the single book hardcovers, they have the same content as the trade paperbacks, but with the nicer cover material and they are also limited and signed by Stan. The Fantagraphics Special Edition set was originally offered only in hardcover (not signed), but was discontinued years ago (which is why it's so expensive now). The softcover Special Edition set was just recently released.

[ozreth]

Great! Thanks for the write up. I think I'll go ahead and pick up the fantagraphics stuff because why not? I really appreciate it.

[jabba359]

Great! Thanks for the write up. I think I'll go ahead and pick up the fantagraphics stuff because why not? I really appreciate it.

Glad I could be of assistance. I actually bought the hardcover Fantagraphics set back when it was in print. I was looking for a new comic to read and heard great things about Usagi Yojimbo, so decided to splurge and just dive in with that set (I think I paid $75-100 for it back then). That was my first introduction to the Usagi comic (though I was aware of him from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon in the 80's). It got me hooked and now I have all the Dark Horse trade paperback books, though I've been supplementing my paperbacks with the hardcover Saga collections as they come out. I'm currently on book 22 and still loving it.

[Maka]

Welcome to the Dojo, ozreth!

As you have experienced, there are a lot of helpful fans here. I'm glad you are going to enjoy Stan's Usagi Yojimbo. You are in for a treat.

Peace, maka

[maichan]

Wow, busy morning already!

Welcome to the Dojo and to Usagi Yojimbo.

Jabba has given you a good intro with sound advice, and I agree, it's good to start reading Usagi from the beginning. Track down the Fantagraphics set - you won't regret it.

[Lobster Johnson]

Welcome!
I'm also a relatively new fan to UY, and it is one of the best comics out there!

But this is a question regarding the Fantagraphics box set: Is the paperback version out yet? The Amazon page for it says that it comes out in September. I know the hardcover version is out, but I'm confused about the paperback version.

[Steve Hubbell]

I do not believe that the paperback edition has been released yet.

[jabba359]

Oops, guess my tired eyes missed the "preorder" part of that. Sorry!

In that case, I'd start reading the Saga books now and then go back to read the Fanatraphics set when it comes out. While I like to start from the beginning, I'm don't think it would be worth putting off reading the series until September just so I could do that.

[BuckRogers]

Welcome ozreth!

Yes jabba seems to have nailed the run down on this one.

But, here are a few more thoughts:

You can also find the trade paperback versions of the first seven Fantagraphics years online in used-condition for cheap. Some less than 10 bucks. Either ebay or amazon has tons of those used copies. That's where I bought all my 28 trade paper back volumes for reading. They are beaten up but they work just fine.

I would definitely recommend getting the first seven years. I loved reading them in order when I started about 1.5 years ago. I think it makes a big difference to how the overall story/characters develop(s) and flow(s).

The hardcover stuff, in my opinion, is much more for collecting and not everyday reading. They are BEAUTIFUL and pieces of art but not cheap and, at least for me, go into my sacred-do-not-touch portion of my bookshelf!

Happy Usagi'ing!

Buck

[Steve Hubbell]

Another option is to find the Fantagraphics material in digital format or possibly at your local library to read while you wait for the omnibus edition to be released.

And I forgot to say "Welcome to the world of Usagi Yojimbo and also to the UY Dojo!"

[Mormegil]

I would also recommend starting from the beginning. Because Fantagraphics has kept the first 7 books in print you can find them all for under $10 each.

[coolray85]

welcome to the dojo. ozreth!
jaba and the others really stirred you in the right direction I think with the given information.
glad you have decided to check out usagis world!as you will soon see the stories and characters are superb!have fun!
greetings

Marcel