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Stan Sakai's award-winning Usagi Yojimbo first appeared in 1984 in the pages of Albedo Comics. It is currently an on-going series published by Dark Horse Comics. Usagi has been on television as a guest of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon, seen on clothing and stars in a series of trade paperback collections, the tenth of which is scheduled for release this summer along with his third incarnation as a toy action figure. Though Stan's stories have often appeared in color, "The Guardian" is the first fully painted Usagi story since "The Return to Adachi Plain" [UY Book 4 Hardcover] in 1990. A drawing was first penciled onto illustration board then inked with black india ink for foreground images and sepia ink for backgrounds. After erasing, the picture area was masked off with tape then lightly soaked with water and an art sponge. A light wash was then painted over the entire board and a sponge was used to pick out areas that were to remain light. After drying, watercolor paints were used, building up the colors in layers, working light to darker and tight to looser. Touches of color pencils were added to perk up areas that needed more color. The tape was removed and the page was done. |
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Black-and-white drawing by Stan Sakai |
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Colors added to the drawing by Stan Sakai |
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The book you hold in your hands is a unique collection featuring all new works by each of the six Trilogy II tour members, Jeff Smith, Charles Vess, Linda Medley, Mark Crilley, Jill Thompson and Stan Sakai, created especially for the 1998 Trilogy II Tour Book. Many of these cartoonists work primarily in black and white, so some of the familiar characters you'll find in the upcoming pages are being presented in a fully painted color format for the very first time.
1998 marks the second year that a group of like-minded artists have joined together to visit readers across America. To bring their unique perspectives and approaches to the craft of creating comics to new audiences Trilogy II has doubled the number of artists who appeared on the first tour. Jeff, Charles, and Linda, who made the trek last year, are joined in their efforts by Mark, Jill and Stan. As you will gather from reading this collection of different art styles and storylines, what brings these six artists together is the fact that their stories are fantasies intended for readers of all ages.
The fantasy of the Trilogy II Tour weaves a powerful thread between its six creators. Storytelling and the worlds of the imagination are their playgrounds, and the result of this collaboration is a brilliant tapestry created to welcome readers everywhere to jump in and to join the fun.
This book is a companion to the Trilogy II Tour. In order to fully experience the world of Trilogy II, please join us and meet some or all of the artists who contributed their stories and talent to create this book. We will be in Charlotte, NC for the Heroes Convention July 3rd through the 5th, in Chicago, IL for Wizard World from July 17th through the 19th, in San Diego, CA for the Comic Con International from August 20th through the 23rd and in Columbus, OH for the Mid Ohio Con November 28th and 29th. Hope to see you all there!
– Jeff Smith
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Back cover art of the Trilogy II Tour Book |
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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.
"Rose" is copyright and trademark of Jeff Smith.
"Bone" is copyright and
trademark of Jeff Smith.
"Akiko" is copyright Mark Crilley.
"Scary
Godmother" is copyright Jill Thompson.
"Castle Waiting" is copyright Linda Medley.