Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Tomoe's Story will lead off the Book 22 collection. It was published in the first Color Special, and never reprinted. That was about 20 years ago.

The original art was not in my files. Photocopies were not there either. Color Specials 2 and 3 were there, as were xeroxes. I did move since that time, so it might be somewhere in the impenetrable jungle we call "The Garage". Fantagraphics, the original publisher, had changed printers a few times since they published it, so the negatives were destroyed.

So, we have two options:

Option 1--Decolorize the art by scanning the color pages, and eliminating the colors one-by-one, re-scanning it after every color. It is a laborious process, and quality is diminished.

Option 2--Redo the 20 pages of art. This will take at least two weeks of time I do not have. However, the art will look crisp, but it won't be the art of 20 years ago.

We're going with Option 2. I could try to replicate the look of 20 years ago, but I'm not even going to attempt that. I would much rather just do it as I would now, but following the original layouts--as if I found an uninked story from two decades ago, and decided to ink it (yes, I do have pages like that, just not a complete story).

If the original ever turns up, we may substitute it for the recreation or we may not. I will, however, have a story I inked and reinked 20 years apart. It might be interesting to see how my style has changed.

Only real problem I see is that the next issue you would otherwise be working on will be post-poned a couple weeks. I'm sure we can all live with that.

And, like you said, it will be interesting to compare the two versions once completed.

That just means, that now I have to find the original issues and compare it to the trade when it comes out.

MikeM

Stan Sakai wrote:... so it might be somewhere in the impenetrable jungle we call "The Garage"....

I wonder what kinds of treasure are burried in that "Garage" as well....would be interesting to do an excavation expedition, eh, fans??

huh! It will be interesting! I am fortunate to have picked up that colour special sometime last year - can't even remember where but I wondered that I hadn't seen it before - now I knw why.

kool!





...and yes Thom, I'd love to go excavating in that garage with you!

Dear Readers,
I predict there may be boxes of Albedo #2 yet to be recovered from the "Garage".
Enough uncirculated copies to send Sensei Sakai's children all through college!
Best wishes to all !
go

That... is an interesting dilemma. Actually I think option #2 is going to be terrific, because your style has changed Stan since the start, and imo I'm much more familiar with it now and love it more than I even did at the beginning. Especially Tomoe... okay so I'm a little biased there heh. In some ways it would almost be a curious investigation of change and variance if all three colour stories were redrawn, so their style would match today and flow. I assume the notes at the front of the book will note the vast difference in time...?

In fact I've just dug my CS #1 out to look through. November 1989 is the date on the inside cover. How time passes...

Oh, and I assume that a certain panel will be updated to now say "I am one of just six to whom he [Katsuichi] taught this new style" instead of three as per the original?

(as it was drawn before Stan brought Katsuichi "back from the dead" and gave him two new students, and in time a further one in Jotaro)

Stan, I'm glad you went with Option 2. To tell you the truth originally I was hoping you'd go back in and actually update the art and character designs so it does correspond to what your art looks like now. The only downfall (which is hardly worth worrying about really) is that Color Specials 2 and 3 will show a much older style.

I am intrigued to see what the story will look like in your current style, as it is one of my faves...don't rush through it though!! Definitely going to do a side-by-side comparison when I get Book 22. I am certainly willing to wait an extra couple of weeks for the next issue if it means a re-done Tomoe's story.

An opportunity...you could consider expanding on the story. I realize you don't have the time, but it's a great opportunity. Maybe show more of Tomoe's past, stuff we didn't get to see before..maybe even add Noriko in there....or maybe even update it with some story elements that tie back to UY Book 21 (the beginning of the story with Usagi)....just a thought.

Stan Sakai wrote:Option 2--Redo the 20 pages of art. This will take at least two weeks of time I do not have. However, the art will look crisp, but it won't be the art of 20 years ago.

That's a difficult dilemma to be in, Stan, and I'm sorry I can't offer anything except my sympathy. I think you ultimately made the right choice. Since Book 22 also reprints #90-93, the contrast between your art styles (then and now) won't be so great.

I can't speak for Dark Horse or the rest of the fanbase, but I'm perfectly happy to wait an additional fortnight for a regular issue if it means making your schedule less hectic.

I also agree with Todd about possibly "expanding" the story, or at the very least playing around with the backgrounds. A quick cameo by Noriko somewhere, maybe. She doesn't even have to be referred to by name.

Oh guys, and girls, when you will plan an excavation mission inn "the garage", let me know in advance, in order i buy my ticket plane.

Anyway Stan, it will really be interesting to compare the evolution of your style.

We all have or know someone with some incredible garage sale tale of finding some amazing collectible. Can you imagine an unsuspecting Usagi fan that stumbles on to Stan's garage sale!!!!

Stan Sakai wrote:If the original ever turns up, we may substitute it for the recreation or we may not. I will, however, have a story I inked and reinked 20 years apart. It might be interesting to see how my style has changed.

To come back to the topic of this thread: Yes, in deed, that will be most interesting for us fans as well; and I predict a certain ascend of demand for Color Special #1.
I mean, how many comic artists gave their audiance (or is it vidiance in this case?! ) the opportunity to have a direct comparison between "old school" and "new style"?

Do you plan to explain the situation in either foreword or appendix, Sensei?

Will the color Usagi stories ever be collected in their color versions?

Kenshiroh wrote:Will the color Usagi stories ever be collected in their color versions?

Stan has been asked this in the past, but the answer was always "no" because Stan prefers black-and-white over color, especially for the graphic album series, which are continuously published.

But who knows what the future holds?

Kenshiroh wrote:Will the color Usagi stories ever be collected in their color versions?

They all turn up on eBay and other places on a regular basis, so I can't imagine they are hard to track down if you want them...