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Cool! Eve, the Halloween Girl, |
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The story you’ve just finished (and hopefully will return to again) has been banging around in the attic of my cranium for about three years. The Devil Lantern was the last element of the story to fall into place, and once I had him, I knew we had something worth showing you. I felt it could work only if I got the artists I wanted. I knew what each world we were going to visit would be like, and largely because of the artists I had in mind to portray them. It all seemed to hinge on the fact that different, varying styles would propel the story. I’m grateful and delighted to have such an amazing group of talented folks assembled here. They really worked some magic, didn’t they?
The world the Nocturnals occupy has a life of its own – Doc, Eve, and the rest reside in a space within me that seems like it’s running 24 hours a day. It’s been a joy to tap into that alternate reality. I only wish I had occasion to do it more often. Many thanks to Joe and Jamie at Oni for that, as well as the “13,” those artists I was lucky enough to have in my corner. Next year, I have plans to bring Eve and the gang back, as well as introduce some new characters to Pacific City, so be forewarned.
I would also like to thank the following people for their friendship, efforts, and support of the Nocturnals in the last year: Stan [Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo], Stephen [Destefano, 'Mazing Man], Jill [Thompson, Scary Godmother], Steve [Purcell, Sam & Max], Eric [Jones, Little Gloomy], Landry [Walker, Little Gloomy], and Paul Dini for the loan and support of their own characters; the Breretons – George, Trudy, Lindsay, Audrey, Hunter; Michele, and Matthew; C.B. and Mutsumi; Beverly and Henry Gilroy; Clarissa Moore; Steven Birch; Gregor; Lee, Lynn; Bill Liebowitz; Joe Field; Joe Ferrara; Harris; Brian Bendis; Steve Kiwis; Nick Barucci; David Spree; Bill; Don; The Allreds; John C.; and the three M’s: Kelvin, Randy, and Dave.
I thank you for picking up this book and making it complete. After all, it isn’t finished until you’ve all read the last page.
I welcome your feedback on Troll Bridge and would be very interested in what new (or familiar) characters you liked in this story. Contact me through http://www.nocturnals.com. I also encourage you to check out the work of the “13” – it’s just about the best comics has to offer.
Happy Halloween,
Dan Brereton
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Art and lettering by Stan Sakai (Isn't that scary?) |
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One of the nicest men in comics, Stan’s Usagi Yojimbo has been entertaining discerning comics readers since 1984. While the long-eared samurai has become a media icon, finding his way onto television, t-shirts, and toy store shelves everywhere, Stan has created several great stories including the [Eisner] award-winning Usagi story arc, “Grasscutter” (edited by our boy Jamie [Jamie Rich, Editor of Oni Press, formerly the Editor of Dark Horse Comics] who has never recovered from the day he had to tell the rabbit ronin good-bye). Stan is currently working on the sequel to that epic arc [“Grasscutter II: Return to Atsuta Shrine”], which started in July’s Usagi Yojimbo [Vol. 3] #39, available from Dark Horse Comics.
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Art and lettering by Stan Sakai. Happy Halloween! |
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“Usagi
Yojimbo” and "Space Usagi", including all prominent characters featured in
the stories and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of Stan Sakai
and Usagi Studios. Usagi Yojimbo is a registered trademark of Stan Sakai.
Names, characters, places, and incidents featured in this publication either are
the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any
resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, institutions, or
locales, without satiric content, is coincidental.
"Nocturnals" is a registered trademark and copyright Dan
Brereton.