Fan Art by Chuck Dillon

Stan – Damnit! I just got over a fear of bridges; now I got to worry about octopusses, sharks, caterpillars, and ogres! What're ya trying to do, anyway? I don't think I'll ever walk by a rive or through a forest ever again. Thanks a lot. Jeez, scare the life outta somebody… I hate you.

Chuck Dillon
Philadelphia, PA

PS: While looking at my drawings, keep in mind I'm only eighteen! Enjoy!

Chuck's latest drawing is at the top of this page, and I don't think many will disagree when I say that Chuck displays a level of skill far beyond his years. Someday soon we'll be able to say "we knew him back when…" – ED.

Gentlefolk:

Sakai-san's illo for the 1990 Amazing Heroes Swimsuit edition was indeed memorable! (I hope I may be forgiven for thinking that Tomoe Ame might prove to be a more scenic model for such an endeavor; perhaps the two friends disporting themselves upon a peaceful beach? Even a ronin deserves a vacation with a trusted comrade!) If the truth would be known, I'd guessed that the story in #27 was a tale being told, for even the third pupil of Katsuichi could hardly defeat forty thousand obakémono all alone. Still, I almost believe when I came to the prophecy scene; indeed, chillingly mysterious! Yet the excesses of strength and skill which Usagi seemed to have found somewhere proved to be a give-away. Notwithstanding, this child-at-heart reader was as pleased as the peasant's children with his tale.

Coyote? Why, I haven't seen that character since Critters went belly-up! Still up to his old tricks, I see. D'you suppose Mel. White would be interested in doing a regular monthly issue?

I have one other comment, this relating to Zack Mays' letter. I saw the Tiny Toons show to which he refers. Buster Bunny was being chased by Elmira ‘round the World, and this of course included Japan. It seemed to me that Buster was portraying Nilson Groundthumper more than Usagi, however. (Bunnies of the world unite?)

Let me say, then, that this issue was very enjoyable and I did so gladly. Thanks to Stan Sakai and also thanks to Fantagraphics. Long may Usagi continue!

Allan D. Burrows
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Allan also wrote extensively on the sample pages from "Riley" printed in that issue's letters page; we've forwarded them on to the artist, who will no doubt appreciate Allan's constructive and perceptive comments. For more of "Riley's" work, see the next page of this very issue!) – ED.

Fan Art by Riley

Dear Stan Sakai,

I'm a major fan of Usagi Yojimbo. I started out thinking he was totally awesome seeing his ninja activities and skill with the sword on Ninja Turtles (TMNT) when he took on a bunch of foot soldiers in seconds, amazing the Turtles. I used to be a fan of the Turtles until Usagi Yojimbo was introduced to me. I even named my rabbit after him. I realized the Turtles were not only boring, but totally dull compared to Usagi.

My favorite Usagi Yojimbo comic was #23, when he duels General Oyaneko. that was great, when Oyaneko told Usagi of Lone Goat (Yagi) and Kid. I had no idea they would be in the next issue. I think you should feature Lone Goat and Kid in future issues, or even make a new comic of Lone Goat and Kid.

Anthony Hanson
Fresno, CA

Lone Goat and Kid will be back, but Stan won't say when. Just let yourself be surprised. Next up, a letter from the cartoonist whose illos adorn the top of this very page, and his comments on how he came to draw one of them… – ED.

Hello, Mr. Thompson!

About my stuff…I go to the library on a regular basis for books providing an unlimited amount of information and ideas. This one book in particular, The Forties in Vogue covered a section of ballet. The pictures and art of that time were very interesting and eye-catching (and the women were equally captivating! Yow!). Anyways, I started thinking about Usagi. Originally, I was going to have Usagi in a WWII pilot's uniform and Tomoe in some beautiful dress/hat reminiscent of the ‘40s era. But alas, I found nothing suitable for Tomoe. so, I went back to the ballet section and decided to have the two "dancing" (I think Usagi being alone in those ballet tights would have looked somewhat silly). right now I have absolutely no idea if Usagi shares a love relationship with Tomoe and I don't know what kind of response this drawing will provoke from its onlookers (what are yours?). My personal response is: I love Tomoe. She's a really great character and I think it's a shame that we don't see more of her. And of course Usagi is a number one himself…so this "incident" might happen if they're in love with one another…or maybe some will view them as close friends…I'm only bringing all this fuss up because some people are "sensitive."

Mark "Riley" Swindell
Bremerton, WA

Mark's other drawing was actually intended for the Amazing Heroes Swimsuit issue but got sidetracked into the Usagi letters file where it languished for many moons, so we're presenting it here. Anyway, Mark, if you're worried about implying amorous activities on the part of our bunny, a little pas-de-deux with Tomoe is nothing compared to what will be revealed…but hush! I know some of you have already figured it out, but the rest of you deserve to be surprised. – ED.

Dear Stan and Usagi,

Yowsa! Usagi, Usagi, Usagi – what can I say but USAGI? Yes, it's great, ain't it? "Circles," "Circles"…oh, we don't want to go through that again, now do we. Anyway, Usagi is tied for my favorite comic with (here's a list for ya) T.M.N.T., X-Men, Darkhawk, X-Men, Wolverine, Punisher, (wait! did I mention X-Men?), and…Groo !

Yes, friends, right after I wrote my last letter I, just for the heck of it, shelled out a buck "n" I got a Groo. Best spent dollar ever! I take it all back: Groo don't bite badly, boldly, and bogusly, he's a godly, good, groo-vy, gullible idiot. Groo, I love it!

By the way, is ol' Usagi gonna team up with the T.M.N.T. sometime soon? Or anyone for that matter? I can see it now: Usagi "n" the Punisher, subtitled "Samurai and a Psycho" or "Ronins and Renegades."

Paul Dyson
Canton, MA

Another note to Usagi: Kill your bro, take his girl, and scram, in the name of honor and hormone rushes!

Um, yeah, whatever you say. I am glad we've converted another reader to Groo-daism, though. Incidentally, this is as good a place as any to congratulate Sergio Aragonés on his second consecutive Harvey Award for "Special Achievement in Humor." – ED.

My dear Mr. Sakai, Stan,

Please, oh please, Stan, tell me that I am wrong. Tell me it is not so. Are you really finished with Miyamoto Usagi? Is it over?

I have just now re-read Usagi #28, and for the second time I loved it. I have liked every Usagi I have read from Albedo to Critters, not to mention Usagi, but #28 was special! It was the beginning of the end (which I, even now, pray is not so). It brought back two of my all-time favorite characters, the first being Katsuichi-Sensei, a character I have always liked for his outer rigidity and his inner compassion. Also, I wish to compliment you on the loss of the one eye, it added a nice touch to the story and made the great Katsuichi seem frighteningly mortal. Second, and last, the return of Jei, an unquestionably imaginary character whose "evil" is undoubtedly real. Jei exists and is real, for when I look at him, into his eyes, he lives. One can tell that Jei, a "devil," and his soul are as black as midnight. Jei is the one character I truly admire, for he does evil deeds, such as slaying the "innocent," but he believes he is only doing what the Gods bade him do, and therefore good. I simply pray that page 3, panel 5, where Usagi states, "But I'm returning to my village to settle down to a nice, quiet life!" is not foreshadowing that the ever-nearing end is finally here.

Thank you, Stan, for many great years, and may the gods shine on Miyamoto Usagi.

Ben Buckley
Denver, CO

Not to blow any big secrets here, but don't forget that even if Stan did decide to let Usagi settle down, he could always go back and do more "untold tales of Usagi" indefinitely. (In fact, we have one "young Usagi" story sitting around in inventory, prepared in case one of our otherwise admirable and trustworthy back-up cartoonists misses a deadline.) – ED.

Dear Stan and Kim,

With issues #28 and #29 I've just picked up my first two issues of your comic, and I'll definitely be picking up the rest. The story was easy to get into and well written and I thought the scenes between Usagi and Mariko were beautiful. the artwork was expressive and looks as if Stan took a lot of care over it, as he must do if it takes a month and a half to draw 20 pages! Here's hoping to many more issues.

On a more informative note, in issue #28 I noticed a letter from Todd Shogun about the Usagi Yojimbo game. Well, I have a copy of Samurai Warrior – The Battle of Usagi Yojimbo that I bought about two years ago. It came out from a company called Firebird Software then, but they have been bought by Microprose, who now only produce a PC version of the game. It costs 30 pounds over here, and comes in size 12 (whatever that means), Microprose told me. Microprose is an American company, so if Todd can talk to them maybe they can get him a copy.

TaTa,
Auz
Essex, England

PS: When is the Usagi Yojimbo/Love and rockets crossover coming out? I hear it's going to be called Love and Rabbits.

Ho ho. Goofy Usagi team-ups seem to be a trend this month. Thanks for the info. I've printed a couple pages of the computer-game instructions so computer-game-savvy readers can get an idea as to how it works, and whether they want to pursue it. – ED.