Oh, Stan, my man! Alas! What have you done?

As is his usual habit, my son, Kirk, dropped in yesterday after work to bring me the recent issue of Usagi, #18.

As is my usual habit, it is not until the next morning with breakfast coffee that I read and enjoy the further adventures of the long-eared samurai. But reading Usagi Yojimbo over coffee this time, I was to learn, sadly, that "Spot" had met his demise in a courageous attempt to defend his blind friend, Ino, in the finale of the "Dragon Bellow" story.

I do wish, Stan, you had not deemed it necessary for "Spot" to die. I loved that loyal, little lizard. I shall miss seeing him in future issues of Usagi. I suggest we should all give out one mighty, last EEP! in memory of "Spot."

Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Betty D. Lowry
Brampton, Ontario, Canada

And that was only the beginning… – ED.

Dear Mr. Stan Sakai (You, you, you "Spot" killer!!!)

HOW COULD YOU?!!! You killed my favorite character in Usagi Yojimbo (next to Usagi and Tomoe Ame, of course)! Spot (sob!) was so cute, how could you kill him? I almost went berserk when I found out! If you try this stunt with Usagi, Mariko, Tomoe Ame, Noriyuki, or Gennosuké, I will come to Seattle and personally, PERSONALLY destroy your drawing arm! (I'm sorry about this letter; my "evil" side made me write, but I'm very shocked at the death of Spot after they [Zato-Ino and Spot] survived the explosion, then that jerk kills him). Oh, and by the way, I may be visiting Seattle very soon (HEH, HEH!)

Richard Kim
Laurel, MD

PS: I was just kidding about the "arm" part, but I am deeply crushed by Spot's death.

Dear Kim Thompson and Mr. Sakai,

After #17 I was very upset to see that Spot had stayed with Ino when the castle thing blew up and that he died. Then in the first few pages of #18 I saw that he had not died. I was so happy that I was going to write and commend you on not killing Spot, but by the end I realized I'd have to write to tell you how pissed I am that you killed Spot. I read that the day before a con. I was working at the con and half the time I said/thought "Spot's dead." Even when Doug Grey and I argued who got to buy Critters Special #1 from Alex, I thought, "Spot's dead," but then I remembered the rule of comics, "Every character created shall come back, except Bucky." Now don't use some lame excuse like "he did come back. In #17 he died, and in #18 he came back", because you explained that Ino was pulled out by Gen (and Spot follows Ino). So that means he didn't die – or how about a relative?

Thank you for reading,
Keith Churchill
Fremont, CA

Huh?

Dear Stan and Usagi,

SNIFF! SOB! SNUFF! "What's wrong?" you ask. SPOT IS DEAD!! I feel awful! Well, at least Ino is still with us. Without him I'd feel twice as bad. Except for Spot's death, the Epilogue to the "Dragon Bellow Conspiracy" was excellent. The storyline was terrific, especially Gen and Usagi's odd friendship.

Sincerely,
Jim Rohrich
"Master James" (age 13)
Villa Park, IL

PS: I hope you like my drawing!

Sure do – although to my eyes, it looks almost as if Usagi is choking Spot. You must be taking this harder than we thought. – ED.

Fan art by Jim Rohrich

Dear Mr. Sakai,

…I congratulate you again on your comic series, but I wish you had not killed off Spot in #18. I really liked him.

Sincerely,
Greg Botimer (Age 15)
Williamston, MI

Dear Stan and Kim,

First, let me express my love for your comic; second, let me borrow a couple thousand dollars! (No, I'm kidding!)

Actually, the reason I wrote was because when I first started collecting Usagi I noticed the similarities between Usagi's adventures and those of seven characters of my own creation – The Shinobi Cats. I just had to send you this quick sketch of mine (two-hour quick sketch, mind you). Not That I've got my hopes up, but if Stan is ever interested in featuring them in a back-up story or anything I'd be more than happy to send you a portfolio. By the way, I intend to sue for Shingen's resemblance to them (HA, HA).

Your most avid fan (not biggest),
Nimbus Linder
Seattle, WA

Actually, the back-up slot is pretty filled up right now (coming up: Ken Mitchroney, Monica Sharp and Dave Garcia, and Tom Stazer), but we'll keep you in mind. Cool drawing, though – here it is for the readership to enjoy. – ED.

Fan Art by Nimbus Linder

Greetings Mr. Kim Thompson,

I have been following Usagi since his first appearance in Albedo, and I must thank you for giving him a more stable and permanent home. Stan's work has finally gotten the recognition it deserves. My thanks also to Stan for his fine storytelling and beautiful artwork. Though I am not familiar with Japanese more or history I appreciate the attention given them. Too many samurai/ninja comics focus only upon the martial arts and not upon culture or traditions.

I have but one complaint. Over the course of Usagi's publication some of the stories have become more simplistic – too fairy-tale predictable. Stories like "The Goblin of Adachigahara" or "Lone Rabbit and Child" have more substance – a sense of meaning. I do not mean to say that I don't enjoy the humorous stories like "Bounty Hunter" and "Kappa." It is stories like "The Tower" or "Blade of the Gods" which seem to me like oatmeal. I'm sorry I can't be more specific; it is just a gut-level response.

A few questions.

(1) I know it is unlikely that Usagi will ever settle down, but must he remain so sad? Maybe he and Tomoe…

(2) When will Gen tell his story promised in number four?

(3) Have we seen the last of Ino? I hope not.

Well, the blather meter has just about run out, keep up the excellent work, and eat your vegetables.

Noah Montena
Conway, MA

On the other hand… – ED.

Greetings,

…I have been thinking a bit about the stories I've read so far and found what I think is the key to the series' success: It's different not only from others, but from itself as well. Sounds confusing? What I mean is that while other comics have a tendency to keep grinding out the same kind of story all the time, UY stories are remarkably different: Some are humorous, some scary, some realistic, some supernatural (and some, as a reader pointed out once, are even twilight-zonish). Just like real life, in fact. About the only thing they have in common is the main character and that I like them all.

Sincerely,
R. Fyri
Asker, Norway

Usagi certainly is an internationally popular star, isn't he? – ED.

Dear Stan and Kim,

So Gen has eyes for Tomoe, and Usagi shows a little bit of jealousy, and resentment! How far will it go…? I do believe Usagi and Tomoe's relationship will become intimate in a year or two!

Zack Mays
Griffin, GA

In the spirit of juxtaposing contradictory viewpoints (one of which from a far-off clime)… – ED.

Dear Usagi creators,

…What is this continuing babbling about Usagi and Tomoe having to be lovers/spouses/whatever? A ronin being a bachelor seems more possible than anything else (though I'm unsure about how common it was in Japan). Why not let their relationship be similar to Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin's – friendship and mutual respect? Don't put romance in everywhere (you sex-raving maniacs)!

Also, what the heck do you mean by those stories about time-traveling and meeting other funny-animal figures? This ain't some "because you demanded it – Batman vs. Captain America" kind of business!!

As for being the biggest fan, how about me? Height is 198 cm.

Continue doing good work – OR!

Vesa Lehtinen
Tampere, Finland

Yes, SIR! (When someone 198 cm tall tells you to jump, you jump!) We just have time to print this little illo from Kevin Lonergan and then… See you next month! – ED.