Stan Sakai became famous with the creation of Usagi Yojimbo, the epic saga of Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit living in late-sixteenth and early-seventeenth-century Japan. The characters first appeared in Albedo #1 in 1984, and were subsequently featured in issues of Critters, GrimJack, Amazing Heroes and Furrlough. He also wrote and illustrated The Adventures of Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy, a comic series with a medieval setting, influenced by Sergio Aragones's Groo the Wanderer. Also collects Kappa, A Quiet Meal, Blind Swords-Pig, and Lone Rabbit and Child!Ībout the Author Stan Sakai began his career by simply lettering comic books as he perfected his art and began working in the industry. Collects IDW's Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics #1-7, which presents 1987's Samurai storyline in color for the first time. 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. Eventually, that path leads him to the pivotal battle of Adachigahara, which serves as the impetus for the host of amazing tales to come. Whoever came up with the idea of coloring Usagi’s past stories deserves a raise because there’s going to be a lot of fans double dipping.Book Synopsis Presenting the complete saga of rabbit ronin Miyamoto Usagi from the very beginning, in new, definitive color editions! 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. The panels pop off the page and every item’s hue seems appropriate. Celebrate Stan Sakai's beloved rabbit ronin, Miyamoto Usagi, in his epic trek along the warrior's path in the first volume of the second-edition Usagi Yojimbo Saga collections featuring brand new original cover art by Sakai, a full-color art section, and over six hundred pages of essential Usagi adventures Collects Usagi Yojimbo volume 2 1. While longtime fans are already aware of those aspects, even they should be impressed by the work of colorist Ronda Pattison. The Origins series serves as a great introduction to Sakai’s skills and the world of Usagi Yojimbo. The character design, the detailed settings, the use if shading, and the way he creates a sense of action across the panels keep the eyes captivated. The plots are engaging as they take intriguing twists. The main characters have distinct personalities and their motivations are authentic. His father recently died and Lord Hikiji wants Noriyuki killed before “the shogun can establish him as the new clan leader” so “the…clan will be abolished and its holdings distributed.” At the first mention of “Hikiji,” Usagi allegiance is secured and he joins them on their journey. “Lone Rabbit and Child!” originally published in Albedo #3 and #4 introduces bodyguard Tomoe Ame (cat) and young Lord Noriyuki (panda) of the Geishu clan. They meet as friends, but become enemies the next day. “Blind Swords-Pig!” from Critters Issue #7 describes the outlaw Zato-Ino, who is based on the character Zatoichi, who appeared in a 26 movies and a TV series. His sword skills don’t appear up to the task until the gamblers discover Usagi is as proficient in killing as the Brave Little Tailor from the story of the same name. “A Quiet Meal” from Critters (Fantagraphics) Issue #6 finds Usagi encountering a group of rowdy, drunken gamblers in a restaurant. “Kappa” from Issue #6 reveals that the supernatural is in play in Usagi’s world. Reader learn how he trained under his sensei, Katsuichi (lion), and how he went from samurai to ronin when his master Lord Mifune (tiger) died during a war Lord Hikiji (human). ![]() ![]() Usagi tells his origin story to his “friend,” the bounty hunter, Gen (rhino). “Samurai!” is an eight-part story that originally appeared in Usagi Yojimbo Volume 1 (Fantagraphics) Issues #1-4. This volume presents the stories: “Samurai!” “Kappa,” “A Quiet Meal,” “Blind Swords-Pig!” and “Lone Rabbit and Child!” The first seven issues have been collected in Usagi Yojimbo Origins, Volume 1: Samurai. The latter appear under the banner Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics. In February 2019, IDW Publishing announced that “new monthly Usagi Yojimbo comic books will be published in full color, and IDW will curate a fully-colored graphic novel library of the complete Usagi Yojimbo – all 35 years of its grand storytelling.” Usagi first appeared in Thoughts & Images’s Albedo Anthropomorphics in 1984, and the series has been with multiple publishers. The series catalogs the adventures of Miyamoto Usagi, a rabbit rōnin who lives during Japan’s Edo period. Usagi Yojimbo, his best-known creation, is set in a world of anthropomorphic animals. ![]() Over the course of his comic book career, Stan Sakai has become a legend in the industry, winning numerous awards and last year was inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame.
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