#IReadsYou Review: USAGI YOJIMBO #1

USAGI YOJIMBO No. 1 (2019)
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Stan Sakai
COLORS: Tom Luth
LETTERS: Stan Sakai
EDITOR: Bobby Curnow
COVER: Stan Sakai
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Daniel Warren Johnson with Mike Spicer; Walter Simonson with Laura Martin; Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga; Maria Caligari; Chris Johnson; Mike Choi; J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; J. Scott Campbell; Alex Kotkin with Ivan Nunes; Mike Vasquez; Charles Vess; Tessa Rose; Buzz with Brittany Peer; Ian Nichols; Stan Sakai and Tom Luth; Stan Sakai with Tom Luth; Stan Sakai and Tom Luth with Emi Fujii and Matt Enterline; Linh Nguyen
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2019)

Usagi Yojimbo created by Stan Sakai

“Bunraku” Part One

Usagi Yojimbo, which means “rabbit bodyguard,” is an anthropomorphic rabbit ronin who is sometimes hired as a bodyguard.  His adventures take place in Edo-era Japan (specifically the 17th century).  Created by Stan Sakai, Miyamoto Usagi first appeared in the small press comic book, Albedo Anthropomorphics #2.  He is the star of a long-running comic book series, Usagi Yojimbo, which has previously been published by Fantagraphics Books (1987-1993), by Mirage Publishing (1993-1995), and by Dark Horse Comics (1996-2018).

Now, Usagi Yojimbo has a new publisher, IDW Publishing.  This 2019 iteration of the venerable creator-owned comic book title is also the first ongoing Usagi Yojimbo comic book series to be published in full-color.  Once again the series is written, drawn, and lettered by creator Stan Sakai, and is colored by Tom Luth.

Usagi Yojimbo #1 opens with Sasuke, the fox who is a demon hunter, swordsman, and archer.  He is in the middle of a battle against “the demons of Mount Funai.”  Then, Lord Shoki the Demon Queller (the ghost who is also Sasuke's mentor) appears and sends Sasuke to the town of Kuroyama Mura.  Meanwhile, Usagi (“Usagi Yojimbo”) is already in town and is enjoying a “Bunraku” (a classical form of Japanese puppet theater), unaware of how close he is to the evil that Sasuke seeks.

Every single time I have read a Usagi Yojimbo comic book or story, I have enjoyed it – sometimes immensely.  Yet I cannot explain why I have read Usagi Yojimbo so little over the past three decades.  So I thought that this series relaunch at IDW was the perfect time to reengage this beloved samurai rabbit.  So how is the new comic book?

It's good, of course.  I am quite intrigued by this opening chapter in what will be an introductory three-issue arc, apparently before a longer story arc begins.  I don't think I'm telling people who have previously read Usagi Yojimbo something they don't already know.  Stan Sakai is an accomplished comic book creator, artist, and illustrator, and his comic books have always shown that.  Tom Luth, himself and accomplished comic book illustrator and colorist, also does good work here, of course.

What I can say is that readers unfamiliar with Usagi Yojimbo will find, in this new series, high-quality and delightful comic book storytelling.  Usagi Yojimbo often has the timeless quality that classic fantasy literature has.  If you are only interested in superhero comic books, dear reader, you may find that Stan Sakai and his samurai rabbit can still capture your imagination.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES/USAGI YOJIMBO

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES/USAGI YOJIMBO (ONE-SHOT)
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Stan Sakai
COLORS: Tom Luth
LETTERS: Stan Sakai
EDITORS: Bobby Curnow, Philip R. Simon, and Megan Walker
COVER: Stan Sakai with Tom Luth
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Stan Sakai; Stan Sakai with Tom Luth; Sergio Aragones with Tom Luth; David Petersen; Kevin Eastman with Stan Sakai and Tomi Varga; Kevin Eastman
48pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (July 2017)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird; Usagi Yojimbo created by Stan Sakai

“Namazu of The Big Fish Story”

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT and Ninja Turtles or sometimes as “the Turtles”) are a media empire that began with four fictional characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.  The comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984), introduced four teenage anthropomorphic turtles (meaning they walk and talk like humans).

Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael were adopted by an anthropomorphic rat, Master Splinter, who was their sensei and who trained them in the art of ninjutsu.  The Turtles live in the sewers of New York City and battle every bad guy, from petty criminals and overlord-mastermind types to alien invaders and mutated creatures.

Usagi Yojimbo, which means “rabbit bodyguard,” is an anthropomorphic rabbit ronin who is sometimes hired as a bodyguard.  His adventures take place in Edo-era Japan (specifically the 17th century).  Created by Stan Sakai, Usagi first appeared in the small press comic book, Albedo Anthropomorphics #2.  He is the star of a long-running comic book series, Usagi Yojimbo, which is currently published by Dark Horse Comics, but was previously published by Fantagraphics Books (1987) and Mirage Publishing (1993).

TMNT and Usagi Yojimbo team up (not for the first time) in the new full-color comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo.  This recently published one-shot is written, drawn and lettered by Stan Sakai and is colored by Tom Luth.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo (“Namazu of The Big Fish Story”) opens with Usagi dispatching a group of bandits that have been infesting a section of a road used by pilgrims.  A group of people on a pilgrimage thank Usagi for getting rid of the bandits, but they also inform Usagi that “the Old One” is expecting a visit from him.

The old one is Kakera-sensei, who wants Usagi to be his bodyguard as he travels to Tashima Shrine to deliver a special object.  One bodyguard will not be enough, so Kakera summons Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael – the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!  However, these turtles are not quite like the ones Usagi remembers, and their opponent, the evil Jei, is the obstacle in their big fish adventure called Namazu.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo is one of the best comic books I have read this year.  I have even put it on my my short list of best comic books of 2017.  Why?  First, it is really a good comic book.  The fact is that Stan Sakai is a master cartoonist and superior comic book creator.  I don't read Usagi Yojimbo that often (which is a shame on my part), but every time I have read it I have marveled at Sakai's imagination and inventive storytelling and, of course, his beautiful artwork.

I think Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo's format plays a big part as to why I like it so much.  This comic book is a one-shot.  It is like a magical item that shows up once, delivers some magical storytelling, and then is magically spirited away.  It is also a comic book that is appropriate and accessible to anyone who can read comic books, regardless of age.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo is an example of a perfect (or near-perfect) comic book.  It features venerable, beloved comic book characters, and it is the creation of two master comic book creators, Stan Sakai and Tom Luth.

9.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Review: GROO VS. CONAN #1

GROO VS. CONAN #1 (OF 4)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

STORY: Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier
ART:  Sergio Aragonés and Thomas Yeates
COLORS: Tom Luth
LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Comicraft
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (July 2014)

I don't remember when or where I first encountered Groo the Wanderer, the classic 1980s independent comics character created by cartoonist Sergio Aragonés.  Groo first appeared in Destroyer Duck #1 in 1982 (which I believe I owned at one time).  I really got into the character during the long-running comic book series,  Groo the Wanderer, which was published by Marvel Comics' imprint, Epic, for 10 years from 1985 to 1994.   Aragonés plotted and drew Groo comic books and co-conspirator, Mark Evanier, provided the characters' dialogue.

Groo apparently began as a parody of the Conan the Barbarian comic books that Marvel Comics began publishing in the early 1970s.  Groo lives in a world that resembles Medieval Europe (with some anachronisms), although he has traveled to lands that resemble Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East, among others.  Groo is a large-nosed buffoon/oafish type; is probably the most stupid person of his time; and is clueless about his environment and surroundings.  However, this accident-prone fool is an almost supernaturally-skilled swordsman, which is why he tries to work as a mercenary, among other jobs.  He has a pet dog, Rufferto, that accompanies him.

I stopped reading Groo comic books sometime around the turn of the century (still sounds weird to me to say that).  However, when I discovered that the long-planned, crossover comic book featuring Groo and Conan the Barbarian was finally about to be published, I knew that it was time to return to Groo.

Groo vs. Conan #1 opens with Conan the Cimmerian in battle against a typical all-powerful and evil wizard.  Conan's appearance is no coincidence, because the story switches to the “real world” (or a cartoon version of it); there Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier are talking about bringing Groo and Conan together.  Sergio is not crazy about the idea; then, fate changes things.  And a king known as Murcia is about to give Conan a reason to join the story.

I started off excited to read Groo vs. Conan #1.  Then, I began to be annoyed by its meta-fiction quality and comic-within-a-comic story structure.  Then, I started to understand where the story was going (or where I thought it was going), and I enjoyed it, feeling disappointed when I came to the last page.  I must say that I like having Thomas Yeates drawing the Conan segments of the story and Sergio drawing the Groo parts of the story, as well as the scenes featuring himself and Mark Evanier.

Groo vs. Conan #1 promises that this four-issue issue miniseries will be unique both in terms of graphics and art and also in terms of the plot and narrative.  Unique is good, and if the creative team can come close to their best work, Groo vs. Conan will also be a great read.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.