Happy Holidays from the UY Dojo

[Todd Shogun]

Happy Holidays, UYD Members!

What a year it has been for Usagi and the Dojo. We got to see Usagi and Tomoe’s relationship finally start to bud, the much-anticipated return of everyone’s favorite demon-possessed psycho Jei, and when the year is finally said and done, Usagi will have hit 99 issues from Dark Horse Comics! That makes 158 single issues throughout the publication history of Usagi, when you include Vol. 1-3, the Summer Special, and the four Color Specials. And come Jan 31 of next year, we’ll be treated to an extra special giant-sized issue of Usagi, in NR 100. This issue will feature Usagi story and art by guest creators Mark Evanier/Scott Shaw!, Publisher Mike Richardson/Rick Geary, Jamie Rich/Andi Watson, Guy Davis, Sergio Aragones, Jeff Smith, Matt Wagner, and Frank Miller. UY NR 100 could be considered the long-awaited “Rabbit Stew” of Usagi comics…but will more likely be a Rabbit Roast of creator Stan Sakai! Either way, you certainly don’t want to miss out!!

2006 also marked the 10th Anniversary of the Usagi Yojimbo Dojo, the official web site and fan club of Usagi Yojimbo, a definite cause for celebration. New Dojo t-shirts were released, contests sponsored, and special features published in the Usagi comic. The UY Dojo would like to take the time to thank all of it’s members from all over the world for a great year and a great decade. Here’s hoping everyone has a great holiday season!

With the coming of Usagi NR 100, the UYD has determined that a contest is in order. To properly celebrate the release of this milestone, the UYD is teaming up with master sculptor Roel Robles (famous for his work on Star Wars and currently working on Beowulf) and will be offering as the grand prize, a brand-new Usagi Yojimbo statue! For images of this awesome creation, visit http://usagiyojimbo.com/uystatue.html
Stan Sakai will also be sponsoring the contest by donating as another grand prize an advance copy of the limited edition signed print of the cover of UY 100, complete with a special sketch, making it unique from all other prints. Details of the contest will be released shortly after UY 99 hits the stands…so keep close watch on your email inboxes!

Other 2006 Usagi-related Milestones

• 10th Anniversary of Usagi published by Dark Horse Comics
• Usagi hit the 150th issue mark with UY 91 published in February
• 20th Anniversary of Usagi’s first appearance in Critters, his second home, published by Fantagraphics Books in June 1986
• 20th Anniversary of the Usagi Yojimbo Summer Special, the very first single-issue Usagi Yojimbo comic ever produced, published in October 1986
• 20th Anniversary of Usagi’s first appearance with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, in Donatello #1 published February 1986 (pin-up art by Stan)
• Asking prices topped $2000 for Albedo NR 2 after one sold in late 2005 for over $2200

What will 2007 bring? A lot…for one thing Stan will be bringing back Jei – the Black Soul – The Blade of the Gods – the most sinister character in the pages of UY – for a multi-issue story arc beginning in #103 that will dazzle and amaze even the most hardcore Jei fans. We’ll get to see a bit of his past, before his first appearance in the ground-breaking “Blade of the Gods” teaser in UY vol. 1 #10. Check out the Coming Up section located at http://usagiyojimbo.com/comingup.html for news and previews of this most highly-anticipated storyline.

Also coming up in 2007 will by Usagi Yojimbo Book 21, which reprints the epic “Treasure of the Mother of Mountains” story arc in UY #83-89. The cover is so amazing, Stan put together a in-depth step-by-step look at it’s design and creation. That feature is over at http://usagiyojimbo.com/sakai/uy21feature.html


Usagi Yojimbo Holiday Buyer’s Guide

Not sure what to get your fellow Usagi fans for the holidays? Check out these links for cool gift ideas!

Complete your Usagi fan’s Mirage collection at http://www.ninjaturtles.com/order/catusagi.htm

Shop for cool UY Collectibles at http://www.darkhorse.com/zones/usagi/index.php

Shop for UY Books and the Official UYD Albedo NR 2 T-Shirt at http://heritagesource.com/Heritage%20Pages/usagi.htm
Note that Heritage is offering a 20% discount off everything AFTER Dec. 26th, including the UYD t-shirts! (Excludes the limted edition UY Hardcovers)

That’s all for now, UY Fans… Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!

Sincerely,

Your friends at the Usagi Yojimbo Dojo

[Maka]

Hello UY Dojo,

While I can only speak for myself, I'm sure a lot of fans here would agree, that this is the best comic book fan site on the web. Thanks to the creators, Mr. Sakai and the fans for making this a fun place to visit.

And excellent prizes for just being fans. Wow.

Peace,

maka

P.S. I wear my 10th anniversary Dojo t-shirts with pride.

[Thomas Froehling]

P.S. I wear my 10th anniversary Dojo t-shirts with pride.

Just one?! Why, you should get a second (and maybe a third) to wash regularly

But seriously, joining this Dojo definetly was the best move I ever made; I've spent a great day in Paris, physically and electronically met a lot of friendly people, overall had a lot of fun plus people to share the fun with....
and if I had one, I would wear the Dojo t-shirt with equal pride...

I think I'll ask Sensei to bring a set of Dojo t-shirts along when next he comes to Europe.....

[Stan Sakai]

I think I'll ask Sensei to bring a set of Dojo t-shirts along when next he comes to Europe.....

Right now, that looks like mid-October. Unfortunately, it will not be as close to Germany as Paris was. I'll post details as they are ironed out.

[Todd Shogun]

and if I had one, I would wear the Dojo t-shirt with equal pride...

I think I'll ask Sensei to bring a set of Dojo t-shirts along when next he comes to Europe.....

Why not visit the Heritage Source website and order one right now? They're 20% off until Jan 31. That's less than $10 a shirt.

http://heritagesource.com/Heritage%20Pages/usagi.htm

If you wait until October chances are there will be none left.

[Maka]

P.S. I wear my 10th anniversary Dojo t-shirts with pride.

Just one?! Why, you should get a second (and maybe a third) to wash regularly

Okay, I bought three more t-shirts (one for my godson, two for my daughters) and a PVC statue (for me) at 20% off. They good birthday gifts.

The folks at Heritage Source are such professionals. It's a pleasure to give them my business.

Happy New Year!

Peace,

maka