Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Dear UYDers,

I've been reading Groo for the first time. One of the things I have been noticing is some of the backgrounds in Groo panels look very similar in composition to Stan's backgrounds. Mostly when mountains, trees, and clouds appear in the same panel. I wish I would have taken photos of those panels so I could show you here. But both often use trees to put some framing in a panel, mountains to fill in the background so it isn't so blank (and their mountains often drawn the same style). Clouds also fill the background.

So is that just a cartoonist trick that everyone learns? Or did Sergio influence Stan and Stan influence Sergio's art style. Does anyone else notice this similar drawing/composition style or is it just me? When I have more time, I'll try to find those panels to share.

Peace, maka

I would imagine that is a common technique artists use. I can't believe though that you recently started reading Groo. I had thought you would have read Groo much earlier, Maka.

Son

I also would think it's a common technique. It seems like something I probably even did it when drawing my own cartoons/comics back in high school and earlier (early to mid 1970's). Although I'm sure working with each other, Stan may have learned something from the Maestro.

Still, I'd like to see some examples if you come up with something.

Back in the day, I traded a dojo member some Usagi merch (I think it was a prototype of the Usagi role playing metal figures) and maybe some action figures for his collection of Groo (The first appearances, PC, epic 1-35 issues). I think this was early 2000s. I read the first 15 issues but I didn’t get it at the time. I didn’t notice how massively detailed Sergio’s art was. I wasn’t into the stories. I put it aside.

But at 51, I have a much bigger appreciation for his art and storytelling. Tom Luth’s coloring. Stan’s lettering. Mark’s whatever he gets paid to do. It really a nice entertainment during this time of life and during a pandemic. I’m really enjoying Groo a lot.

Peace, maka

This is basically just a test reply for me, but I wanted to mention that I have the 24 issue run of Groo el Errante published in b/w in Spain. Comparing some of the artwork from them with Stan's b/w Usagi Yojimbo artwork might be easier without the distaction of Tom Luth's color.....

Steve Hubbell wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 21:58 -0700 I have the 24 issue run of Groo el Errante published in b/w in Spain.

Is that the series that Sergio did new covers for? The images take place one second after the US covers. Example: If the US cover shows Groo falling off a cliff, the Spanish one has him landing in thorn bushes. I am been after Sergio fo do a sketchbook or art book that we would do the production on and this is the kind of stuff I would like to include.

Stan Sakai wrote: ↑Fri Jun 04, 2021 8:11 -0700I am been after Sergio fo do a sketchbook or art book that we would do the production on and this is the kind of stuff I would like to include.

That sounds fun!