Mirage Publishing Usagi Yojimbo #2  Shades of Green, Chapter 2 (with back-up story "Usagi's Garden") May 1993 (Click on the thumbnails to view full size cover art)

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

Dear Stan,

Having read your opener in Usagi #37, I was very compelled to write in and express my thoughts concerning the recent evolution of your book. I must admit that even though your switch over to Mirage is quite surprising, it isn't the least illogical. With Space Usagi, most of us should have seen it coming. But now I'm left wondering if Space Usagi was more than just a friendly little creative crossover with Mirage; perhaps maybe a trial of some kind? Whatever the case may be, Space Usagi was definitely a success in both sticking to its schedule and delivering a superbly created new series, and I hope Usagi Yojimbo in full-color full-time will follow up on this. It's true, Usagi does look better with hues, but I'm going to miss the black-and-white artwork so please consider the annual B&W special one of these days.

Personally, I never thought Usagi "stuck out like a sore thumb" in the Fantagraphics Books' line-up. That's just my opinion, but I felt the comic added a sense of variety to their selection of masterpieces. FB is famous for publishing the excellent and sometimes offbeat works by some of the best creators in the industry. They'll still have Love and Rockets, but they'll never be the same without Usagi Yojimbo.

And Usagi will never be the same without Fantagraphics, that's for sure, but change is inevitable. It's good that you're keeping to the same format, and it's even better that you're going to be doing the majority of the back-ups, but don't lose Tom Stazer. It'd be great to see Lionheart in color.

Now that you're working for a company backed up by billions ($), perhaps now we'll get to see such stuff as original graphic novels, role-playing games, and maybe even something in the way of animation. But please don't sell out! I know many out there who would like to see a character-collection issue of some kind, a "who's who" if you will, along the lines of the Marvel Universe series. One thing I'd like to see go is UY's status as a bi-monthly. I thought for sure it'd get kicked up to a monthly schedule, but…oh well, some things may never change.

I'm on your side 100% with this switch-over, so keep the stories enlightening, the artwork clean, and the vision of Usagi Yojimbo preserved. Luck!

Signing off,
Todd Shogun
Cypress, CA

Dear Stan,

"The Last Ino Story" is a far, far better thing that you have done than you have ever done before; Usagi is a far, far better comic to read than I have ever known. Bravo!

I will not attempt to go into my reasons for enjoying this story so much, for they are great in number, yet unexplainable in mere words.

The switch to Mirage was, of course, not something that I foresaw, yet, as you explained your reasons, it does make sense. I must say that I will greatly miss Kim Thompson's presence in Usagi. I have become so accustomed to it throughout Usagi and Critters (aw, gee, now I'm all teary-eyed).

I can guess that I speak for the majority of fans when I say that I trust that the transition between publishers will be a smooth one. I have no misgivings about it whatsoever. Mirage did a very fetching job with Space Usagi. And on going to color? If it were anyone but Tom Luth doing it I would be quite worried, but I have not yet had even an iota of dissatisfaction with anything that I've seen from Mr. Luth. So hey! Color? Most certainly (all I ask is for Mirage to be sure to use that nice paper that I so enjoy).

…And good ol' Chuck Dillon. What needs to be said? His exquisite (is that too mushy a word?) drawings I have all enjoyed so, so, so, so, so much through the years. I truly hope his new strip shows up over here on the West Coast soon. I hope that he will continue to grade the letters section with more great drawings (or something that fills up several pages. Hint, hint.)

And so a new era of Usagi begins. To everyone associated with Usagi, I wish you the absolute best of luck in all your future endeavors. Thanks for a truly wonderful comic. I'll be sure to buy my extra copy.

Always, always a fan,
Brian Carpenter
Seattle, WA

Dear Stan,

This is my first letter to you. I'm a fan of Usagi Yojimbo and have collected it for three years. like knowing about Japanese culture and history. The 17th century Japan in Usagi is a peaceful, fresh and beautiful land where Usagi Yojimbo has adventurous travels. I also admire the Japanese style of clothes.

The future rabbit bodyguard called Space Usagi is very cool! I love science fiction and adventure. I hope that Space Usagi will continue so that I can get them!

You drew Usagi Yojimbo for Fantagraphics Books for years. Now that you are drawing the rabbit bodyguard for Mirage Publishing, I really like the color on the comic book. I enjoy seeing Usagi and Gen travel together, and how they always fight with each other about the real rewards, ideas, etc. and yet they are still the best of friends. I hop that they continue to travel together.

In Usagi Yojimbo #38, I'm surprised that Ino still lives and has a wife and unborn child – hope it will be a girl. I want to see them more. I remember Ino fought against Lord Tamakuro (Usagi Yojimbo Book 4, "The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy") with others and was shot.

My favorite characters are Gen, Usagi, Tomoe, and Lord Noriyuki. I like to see Usagi and Tomoe's romance, and hope to see them together often.

Usagi Yojimbo is a great comic book, and will continue to be with Mirage Publishing. I sometimes draw Usagi Yojimbo and someday I will send my drawings to the Usagi letters!

Sheila Wheadon
Fremont, CA

Stan and gang,

I just picked up my #1 copy of Usagi Yojimbo. I have quite a collection of "animal type" comics with the exception of Groo the Wanderer, which I love. I actually picked up my first copy of Usagi merely because Groo was in it.

Shortly thereafter, I made it a point to pick up each and every Usagi I can get my hands on. I guess I love a good fight as much as I do animals. Combining the two was a great idea.

To add color to his (Usagi's) life-like image was a fabulous idea. I appreciate all that you are doing, as I'm sure many others do as well. Please do not change!

Thank you all so much…
Cindy Costlow
Columbus, OH

P.S. My husband is to blame. I thought comics were for kids. He has thousands of comic books, and he's the one who first got me interested (in Groo). Since then I've taken over ownership of all his Groo and started collecting on my own.

Thanks for the enthusiastic letters of support. It's great to hear that you are all as excited about the recent changes as I am!