Silver anniversary projects

[Stan Sakai]

I'm working on a couple of special projects for Fantagraphics and Dark Horse.

Fantagraphics will be releasing a "Complete Fantagraphics Usagi Yojimbo" as a two volume hard cover with a slip case. It will contain all the stories from Fantagraphics' seven volumes, though not the intros. Also, all the supplemental material from their hardcovers, except for the color Return to Adachi Plain which was recently reprinted in The Art of UY. It will also have an updated interview with me. We are considering a color cover gallery, and the inclusion of a TMNT/Usagi story that was never reprinted. This is scheduled in time for San Diego.

Dark Horse is planning a new, fully painted 57 page graphic novel. It will take me a full three months to write, draw, and paint it, so expect it in fall of 2009. I'm debating between a couple of stories for this one--the return of Jei, or Sasuke and obakemono monsters. I'm leaning toward Sasuke because it would be fun to draw all those obake from the scary stuff to the goofy ones.

But DH will have something new in time for San Diego. We're already working on Book 23. It collects UY 94-102. We're still debating how to handle UY 100. We will probably add it as supplemental material at the end of the book, so as not to interrupt the flow of the stories. I am using the working title of "UY Book 23: The Killer", though am open to suggestions.

[Thomas Froehling]

Well, good news for me, since it is virtually impossible to get the early Fantagraphics HCs...

Count me in as one possible buyer.

And for Book 23: what about "Assassin" ? Or even "Ansatsu-sha" (or maybe that is the plural form? I do mean the singular form!) ??

[Jet_Jaguar]

Dark Horse is planning a new, fully painted 57 page graphic novel. It will take me a full three months to write, draw, and paint it, so expect it in fall of 2009. I'm debating between a couple of stories for this one--the return of Jei, or Sasuke and obakemono monsters. I'm leaning toward Sasuke because it would be fun to draw all those obake from the scary stuff to the goofy ones.

This sounds like a lot of fun. I'll look forward to it. Another Sasuke story would be great, and I enjoy the UY stories with obakemono.

To be honest, I don't like the title "The Killer" for Book 23 very much. To me, it sounds rather generic, and I already associate that title with the 1989 John Woo movie. I wish I had an idea for a different title, but I think that I would have to go back and read those issues again first.

[Steve Hubbell]

Dark Horse is planning a new, fully painted 57 page graphic novel. It will take me a full three months to write, draw, and paint it, so expect it in fall of 2009. I'm debating between a couple of stories for this one--the return of Jei, or Sasuke and obakemono monsters. I'm leaning toward Sasuke because it would be fun to draw all those obake from the scary stuff to the goofy ones.

This sounds really excellent, something to eagerly look forward to!

I would still love to see a "Usagi Yojimbo Suisai-enogu Tokubetsu-go" which I commented on way back when the current Usagi Yojimbo Dojoboard (phpBB) forum was just a couple months old. (This version of the UY Dojoboard forum had it's sixth anniversary just last month)

http://usagiyojimbo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=84

Probably not much chance since the two older water-color stories were reprinted in the Art of Usagi Yojimbo book just a few years ago.

But DH will have something new in time for San Diego. We're already working on Book 23. It collects UY 94-102. We're still debating how to handle UY 100. We will probably add it as supplemental material at the end of the book, so as not to interrupt the flow of the stories. I am using the working title of "UY Book 23: The Killer", though am open to suggestions.

If the title for Book 23 is taken from one of the titles of the stories being reprinted, my choice would be "Fever Dream" - a story which definitely has some very intense image sequences.

[Fanfan]

Dark Horse is planning a new, fully painted 57 page graphic novel. It will take me a full three months to write, draw, and paint it, so expect it in fall of 2009. I'm debating between a couple of stories for this one--the return of Jei, or Sasuke and obakemono monsters. I'm leaning toward Sasuke because it would be fun to draw all those obake from the scary stuff to the goofy ones.

This sounds really excellent, something to eagerly look forward to!

Yeah ! I am glad Stan you chose the yokai theme !!

About the Fantagraphics ed : will it be a limited run ?

[Stan Sakai]

About the Fantagraphics ed : will it be a limited run ?

It will not be a limited edition, but there may be a few hundred that are signed with a book plate.

We will also reprint The Treaty from Shell Shock. I believe this is the first time it will be reprinted. It is a 10 page story guest starring Leonardo from the TMNT. The story will be reprinted in subsequent editions of (probably) Book 7.

[Maka]

Dark Horse is planning a new, fully painted 57 page graphic novel. It will take me a full three months to write, draw, and paint it, so expect it in fall of 2009. I'm debating between a couple of stories for this one--the return of Jei, or Sasuke and obakemono monsters. I'm leaning toward Sasuke because it would be fun to draw all those obake from the scary stuff to the goofy ones.

This, and the other reprint collections, are great news for fans. I love the obake and how you draw them too. I hope you go that route. But any new UY for this fan is welcomed news. Looking forward to all three publications!

Peace, maka

[Todd Shogun]

We will also reprint The Treaty from Shell Shock. I believe this is the first time it will be reprinted. It is a 10 page story guest starring Leonardo from the TMNT. The story will be reprinted in subsequent editions of (probably) Book 7.

This will be the 2nd time The Treaty will be reprinted. It was first reprinted in UY Book 6: Circles Hardcover from Fantagraphics. Any particular reason it is being slated for reprints in Book 7? Timeline perhaps?

Fantagraphics will be releasing a "Complete Fantagraphics Usagi Yojimbo" as a two volume hard cover with a slip case.

This is excellent news, but what size of book dimension-wise are we looking at? Hopefully something larger than the current UY Trades is being considered. At least the same size as the UY Comics...(Art of UY format would be great).

Dark Horse is planning a new, fully painted 57 page graphic novel. It will take me a full three months to write, draw, and paint it, so expect it in fall of 2009. I'm debating between a couple of stories for this one--the return of Jei, or Sasuke and obakemono monsters. I'm leaning toward Sasuke because it would be fun to draw all those obake from the scary stuff to the goofy ones.

The new Complete UY Hardcover from FB sounds really nice, but this idea blows me away! Cast my vote for neither idea, but a combination of the two...Sasuke vs Jei!

[Stan Sakai]

This is excellent news, but what size of book dimension-wise are we looking at? Hopefully something larger than the current UY Trades is being considered. At least the same size as the UY Comics...(Art of UY format would be great).

Todd brings up a good point. I was thinking of keeping the books basically the same size as the other editions.

Do you think they should be larger? Keep in mind that the bigger it is, the more costly they will be. We want to keep the price down, but at the same time publishing an attractive book.

We will continue the trade collections for those who want individual books.

[SHAMSKI]

The production value of The Art of Usagi book was absolutely superb. The premium paper and all the extras make it stand out. I would love to see something along those lines. As Todd mentioned I think it would look incredible if it was printed in the original dimensions of the comic. It could have all the covers in color between the stories as well as original notes and sketches of individual stories. It would be the definitive collection that would satisfy the need of those who do not own the early Hardcovers, yet unique enough so those who already own them would have to have it.
Just my opinion, either way I will be checking the pre-order as soon as it is available.

[Todd Shogun]

Do you think they should be larger? Keep in mind that the bigger it is, the more costly they will be. We want to keep the price down, but at the same time publishing an attractive book.

A larger book is the way to go for the Complete FB UY. I think it should be larger for the following reasons, from a fan's perspective:

1) In order to better differentiate it from the current trade collections. This will make it more attractive to collectors, who will be looking for something different, new, something that hasn't been done before. You also reduce the possibility of the collection being viewed upon as simply a re-packaging of the current trades.

2) A larger size would provide a big treat to the hardcore fans. Let's face it, the majority of the initial buyers will more likely be long-time fans of the book -- who would see the larger size as a major bonus.

3) The collection will appeal to new readers who would like to purchase the entire set of FB stories in one slam dunk without having to search for the individual books. The larger size will provide an avenue for those new readers to experience Usagi as it was originally published -- in the larger comic book size format (assuming that's the chosen publication size).

4) The most obvious point -- Usagi just looks better bigger. The trades are a great way to get the stories conveniently without having to search for the individual back issues -- a daunting task. But I've always preferred reading Usagi in the comic book-sized format. For me, the smaller size of the trades provides for a slightly diminished experience when compared to reading the individual comics.

[chickrockguitar]

My Two Cents:

FG: Should be bigger.
DH: Should be the same size as the trades.

Can't wait for these!

[tru2gzus]

This will be so awesome!

I like Todd's ideas a lot! Ditto.

[Steve Hubbell]

We are considering a color cover gallery....

Definitely a very cool sounding idea!

Would this be a gallery of just the book covers or of all the individual Fantagraphics comic covers (38 issues plus the Summer Special and the three Color Special covers)?

[Stan Sakai]

We are considering a color cover gallery....

Definitely a very cool sounding idea!

Would this be a gallery of just the book covers or of all the individual Fantagraphics comic covers (38 issues plus the Summer Special and the three Color Special covers)?

We're planning it for the comic book covers. I'm not sure about the covers for the trade collections, as they are still in print.