What's coming in 2020?

[Angilasman]

^ Although I would love the consistency of continuing the numbers from the previous collections by this point most of those are out of print anyway and replaced by the differently numbered Saga Editions. Although it may be an annoyance for long time fans, no one new to the series is going to buy volume 1 and continue all the way through volume 34 because that's just not what's available now.

I'm sure IDW's reprints of classic Usagi stories will be labeled as Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics, just like the monthly issues. I wonder if those will preserve the original paperback lineup or will be collected in a somewhat different fashion?

[Stan Sakai]

I'm sure IDW's reprints of classic Usagi stories will be labeled as Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics, just like the monthly issues. I wonder if those will preserve the original paperback lineup or will be collected in a somewhat different fashion?

That is something we are undecided about. We are starting with the Samurai story arc that pretty much tells the beginnings of Usagi. We don't know if that should be reprinted as Book 1, or if we should reprint the short stories that was in the original Book 1. Any thoughts from the Dojo members?

The first IDW collection may be #1, but it will read in the indicia as, "Book 34 in the ongoing Usagi Yojimbo saga." or something like that.

[Angilasman]

^ Cool!

In my opinion; for the vintage material I think maintaining chronological order is important because so many characters are introduced in those early shorts, even though they're somewhat rougher in terms of quality. I also think compressing the volumes a bit is a good idea for new fans, as 33 books is a bit overwhelming. Nothing as extreme as the Saga editions, but maybe 33 volumes can become... I don't know, 20?

[jackstar]

Hi all,
Just curious if anyone knows if the new IDW color series that picks up after the Dark Horse run will ever be collected in black & white editions as well as color? I like both color and B&W but my whole run is the collected B&W and I was hoping to be able to continue to collect as so. Thanks!

[maichan]

I'm sure IDW's reprints of classic Usagi stories will be labeled as Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics, just like the monthly issues. I wonder if those will preserve the original paperback lineup or will be collected in a somewhat different fashion?

That is something we are undecided about. We are starting with the Samurai story arc that pretty much tells the beginnings of Usagi. We don't know if that should be reprinted as Book 1, or if we should reprint the short stories that was in the original Book 1. Any thoughts from the Dojo members?

The first IDW collection may be #1, but it will read in the indicia as, "Book 34 in the ongoing Usagi Yojimbo saga." or something like that.

That's actually a tough question to answer.

For consistency's sake, I'd like to see the colorized editions printed in the same order as the previous b&w editions.

However, they could also be done chronologically. Either chronological by order of publication date, or chronological order of story (Usagi timeline).

Makes me wonder what the "director's cut" (or in this case "Creator's Cut") would look like?

On a side note, the color edition compilations might be a good place to include a guide to Usagi's world, with a map(s) and timeline, as well as character biographies.

[Casey Burns]

Stan, I know you've said the saga books were a bit too thick for your taste, and other folks have commented that they're not easy or fun to read when they are that thick.

Is splitting the difference between the old paperback thickness and the size of the sagas an option?

I kind of like the idea of doing the first color paperback starting with all of the original Albedo/Critters stories, and culminating with the Samurai story in the second half of the same book. You see not only Usagi's origins start to become clear, but also your artwork and storytelling (and the whole world Usagi lives in) become super focused by the end of Samurai.

I always felt like the FB and DH books could have been twice as long ... I always wanted to read more in one sitting.

Maybe this length would be the best of both worlds?

I definitely always like seeing things collected consistently in the order they were released, and get really frustrated when things are omitted or reordered. I get bummed out when re-releases of records do this, as well (missing tracks, certain releases having added live tracks, some don't, etc). Something about it feels kind of slapdash and not well-thought-out when it happens, even if there was a smart or logical reason for it at the time.

[jabba359]

Strange, I thought I posted in here around 3:45pm, just after I had posted in the UY #1 thread. Maybe I forgot to hit "submit" or something. So here I go again...

I think they should be collected in the same order as they were originally collected. That makes the times I want to look through them side by side easier, though I will admit it will likely be very rare indeed where I want to flip through the color and black and white collections side by side, so this isn't a major sticking point for me. So even if they aren't in exactly the same order, just as long as all the stories are included at some point, I'll be fine with it.

As for size, I agree with Casey and think the TMNT IDW Collection books are just about right. The usual tpb length is a bit too small, the UY Sagas are a bit too large (3 tbp's worth of material), so I think collecting 2 trades worth in each book is about right. The TMNT IDW Collection books are approximate 350-425 pages and are easier to hold and read than the UY Saga books. The TMNT books are also a tiny bit taller and wider (but have less gutter space at the tops and bottoms) so the art is noticeably larger, but the thinner size is what makes them better to hold and read. They also come with an attached, fabric bookmark, which I think is cool. It would be nice for Usagi to have something the same size and complementary spine design so that TMNT readers (who I think are good candidates to become Usagi buyers) can put these Usagi collections on the shelf next to the TMNT hardcovers and have a consistent looking collection.

Just curious if anyone knows if the new IDW color series that picks up after the Dark Horse run will ever be collected in black & white editions as well as color? I like both color and B&W but my whole run is the collected B&W and I was hoping to be able to continue to collect as so. Thanks!

I'd for sure buy a black and white collection of the new stories (in addition to the color one). I don't know if they'd be popular enough as a regularly stocked item, but perhaps make it a limited run. Call it a "throwback" or "noir" edition, something like that. If IDW isn't going to do signed and numbered hardcovers of the color trades, maybe they'd be up for a signed and numbered black and white edition instead.

[jabba359]

Dear Readers,
Will "USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 01 BUNRAKU & OTHER STORIES" be released as a signed and numbered hard back?
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Best wishes to all.
go

Looks like we have our answer now. I just saw on Stan's Instagram that he just finished signing about 1000 book plates for an edition of 750 hardcovers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ikPLbBZO3

[jabba359]

Dear Readers,
Will "USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 01 BUNRAKU & OTHER STORIES" be released as a signed and numbered hard back?
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Best wishes to all.
go

Looks like we have our answer now. I just saw on Stan's Instagram that he just finished signing about 1000 book plates for an edition of 750 hardcovers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ikPLbBZO3

I'm also wondering when/how this will be released? I'd assume this late in that it won't come out at the same time as the softcover. Will this be a normal Diamond release that can be bought at comic stores/online comic suppliers, or another IDW Limited release only through their website like the Grasscutter book?

[Mayhem]

Haven't the hardcovers traditionally been out in time for SDCC? I don't think need to worry just yet, and I would expect it to be through Diamond as usual.

[maichan]

And maybe some through Stan's web shop....

[maichan]

Something I noticed though is they're not numbered, at least not yet... and I don't really see a place for them to be numbered..... AHHH! I take that back, now that I zoomed in, I see a spot immediately beneath the Usagi image..... "This is number ____ of 750(?) *** something something something ***"

bunrakuHCBP.jpg (90.48 KiB) Viewed 2832 times

[Maka]

July is far away. But I can imagine SDCC could be canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. I haven’t checked about WonderCon but I saw Scottie Young canceled attending. I can imagine it getting canceled. Really bad for local businesses that rely on these conventions to make ends meet. . Peace, maka

[Steve Hubbell]

And on a different note.....



Usagi Yojimbo: Origins, Vol. 1
by Stan Sakai

Broché : 192 pages
Editeur : IDW Publishing (8 décembre 2020)
Langue : Anglais
ISBN-10 : 168405740X
ISBN-13 : 978-1684057405

Before his journey as a wandering, masterless samurai (ronin) began, Usagi underwent intense training under a mountain hermit, Katsuichi-Sensei, taking his first steps down the path of the warrior. Eventually, that path leads him to the pivotal battle of Adachigahara, which serves as the impetus for the host of amazing tales to come.

Collected in full color as never before, discover--or rediscover--the critical origin of Stan Sakai's most beloved character as he tells his story, setting the stage for the decades-long epic that follows.

Collects IDW's Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics #1-7, which present 1987's "Samurai" storyline in color for the first time.

[Gaffey]

July is far away. But I can imagine SDCC could be canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. I haven’t checked about WonderCon but I saw Scottie Young canceled attending. I can imagine it getting canceled. Really bad for local businesses that rely on these conventions to make ends meet. . Peace, maka

I also wouldn't be surprised if they canceled MegaCon here in Florida. If they do, I hope it can be rescheduled for later this year. I really want to meet George Takei.

The NBA just suspended their season indefinitely right before the Pelicans game tonight because a player on the Jazz tested positive for COVID-19.