Mirage Publishing Usagi Yojimbo #8  The Gambler, the Widow and the Ronin (with back-up story "Battlefield, Part 3") June 1994 (Click on the thumbnails to view full size cover art)

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

Dear Team Usagi

I think it's a mistake to say that color makes a comic "good" or "bad". Color is just one technique in the artistic arsenal, and the result is not inherently more or less interesting than B&W art. The B&W loyalists are, however, expressing a legitimate concern, which is that the decision to use color does have repercussions in other decisions of technique. For example, the color issues require less attention to supplying detail in the backgrounds, particularly in the landscapes. In the old days, Stan would have to use lots of trees to keep a hillside from looking bare; now, one gradient fill from the magic Luth brush accomplishes the same thing. Don't misunderstand; any page colored by Tom is a joy to behold, and there are some striking effects that can't be achieved without it (I'm thinking of the breathtaking lightning panel in "Shi", Mirage UY #5 page 17), but my impression so far is that the overall detail in the book is reduced. Yeah, I know, Stan has said that economy of expression is the goal in comics, but cartooning is only one of several valid ways to fill a page; the Adachigahara-style battle scenes wouldn't work without that detail. Then again, there's a perfect example of such a scene in the "Battlefield" back-up in Mirage UY #6 (pages 4-5), which proves that it's possible to accomplish them in color too! At any rate, while I disagree with the fellow in the lettercol of #5 who says that color "robs" your work of anything, I too will cherish the Fantagraphics work and the different flavor that it has.

Well, before I run on too long I want to stick in a plug. Any reader interested in developing a critical eye should leave the house right now and secure a copy of Scott McCloud's landmark work Understanding Comics. This isn't the place to go into detail; let's just say that this book is very important.

By the way, for all the people complaining about the Turtles story [in UY v.2 #1-3]; didn't anyone tell them that Mirage is the castle that the Turtles built? This story was clearly an in-joke "welcoming party", and I think that someone should have pointed it out explicitly.

Ben Gamble
gamble@neosoft.com
Houston, TX

Dear Stan,

This letter is long overdue. I am a recent initiate to the Usagi fraternity. Early last summer, I was wandering through a comic shop when the first three of the color Usagi issues (volume 2) were staring me in the face. I couldn't resist. I read the series several times, marveling over the artwork, grasping the scenery as if I were a part, and recreating the story panel by panel. Of course, I decided I would have to own the 38 original black and white issues, followed by the Special Issues and eventually the other appearances in Turtle Soup, Critters, Albedo, and the like. I have labored and very nearly completed my ultimate Usagi collection. Actually, labored is not the proper term unless "of love" is attached. A most enjoyable challenge.

I am now 31 years old. I never was interested at all in school about history – and world history was less interesting. And the older the era the more I dreaded having to even read about other cultures. Only a scattered interest in related geography ever was worth noting to me. However, after traveling with Usagi all across Japan (and in my mind I do make a concerted effort to literally travel with Usagi), I am becoming more and more fascinated with the social structures, schemes, and skirmishes of the feudal Japan era – before, during and after. Thank you first for kindling my desire to relive and recapture at least one significant social age of Earth man.

Few of the stories, main-line or back-up, have I not enjoyed thoroughly. My favorite though, was the "Circles" series. I have always been intrigued by the relationship between Usagi, Kenichi, and Tomoe (past and present), and especially with the addition of Jotaro and his special parental arrangement. Jotaro – simply – is my hero. I am eagerly awaiting his departure from the home village and his training with Katsuichi-sensei. With many past readers clamoring favorably about all of the young Usagi stories in the past, perhaps enough such incidents and adventures could be incorporated into Jotaro – the series! How about it!

I am a frequent user and reader on the Prodigy electronic mail and bulletin boards. For anyone who is interested in discussing any aspect of the Usagi/Space Usagi universe on-line, a topic exists on Prodigy's Art (recently renamed Books & Arts) bulletin board, in the Comic Books topic, "Usagi Yojimbo Forum". Stan – if you are a subscriber – we would love to have your first hand (keystroke) opinions and observations. And if you could ever make a personal appearance in the Southeast, I know I'd appreciate it. Thanks again – and keep up the brilliant work!

JotaRo (J.R. Brown)
Prodigy ID: GXSD00A
Montgomery, AL

Unfortunately, I'm not a subscriber to any of the computer services. My computer know-how is limited to composing a few letters and even that is rare. Tom Luth, on the other hand, is a veritable Einstein when it comes to hard drives and floppy disks.

By the way, "Circles" will be reprinted in Usagi Yojimbo Book 6 from Fantagraphics this summer. It will have an introduction by Bone creator and all-around nice guy Jeff Smith.

Dear Stan-san,

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Lizard's Tale". I couldn't stop laughing. Not at him, but for him. I have five dogs; four Shih-Tzu's and an ancient Toy Poodle. Put simply, with so many personalities and traits, when you least expect it, they do something hilarious. Since Usagi is not used to having such free-spirits around him, he failed to notice the humor of it all at first. Of course, they sort of bombarded him at the time. It is wonderful how he rewarded them regardless of what his peers thought. Nice to see that he shed some inhibitions.

"Battlefield" is off to a good start. Being an Army Brat, my father had introduced me to the "Glory of War" in a similar fashion. Just barely seven, and I learned that the next morning may not hold any life for me. We were living near the border of the Czech wall at the time. In less than ten minutes after war could be announced between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A., we would be dead by air raid. Scary thing to think that all your toys and playmates will be gone.

There is an understanding there. In War, there is no glory or heroism. It is a battle of the Ego which strips the Land and the Soul. You learn, if you are lucky, that Home is in You. After that, it does not matter where you go, you are peaceful about one thing. That is what keeps you sane if not humane. I feel that even though part of my childhood was cruel, it has given me a gift beyond value. Every day I live in the Now of things. I treasure what I have. Material wealth holds little except to pay the rent. My family and friends are my treasures. And I have my Home, my Secret Garden inside. So I am at peace in that way. Changes are hard, but lessons are needed. Life is Death, and reversed. Full circle, continuous creation and growth. That is Nature.

I also enjoy Space Usagi. I look forward to ever tale you have about this person and his mixture of comrades and friends. Even though it is a terrible loss with the death of Tomoe, I am glad that you put a piece of reality into the tale. That is one of the reasons I like your type of storytelling.

Time out on two glitches – in the first tri-series of SU, you spelled the female samurai's name Tomoe'. Now it is spelled Tomoeh. I take it that the ‘ = h in Japanese. The second glitch is that Princess Masayo is not at Tomoeh's funeral.

To Tomoeh's passing:

Ashes to ashes, yet the Soul is made of Flame.
See you in the next life and the new game.

In the Mists of Wisdom…
Lilyan
Las Vegas, NV

Thank you for your most insightful letter, Lilyan. It gives the message that I was trying to convey in "Battlefield Part I" much clearer than I ever could.

As for the Space Usagi glitches, I found a lot of fans mispronounced Tomoe's name as "Tomo" (with a silent "e"). I added the "h" at the end to emphasize that her name has three syllables: To-mo-eh. I left Masayo out of the funeral scene because she did not have a role in the second Space Usagi mini-series and I thought for her to suddenly pop up might confuse new readers. Counselor Hodo, who made a brief appearance in the first issue, acted as the Mino clan's representative.

Dear Stan,

Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed "Shi" in Usagi #'s 4 and 5. No doubt inspired by yet another great Kurosawa film that I haven't seen yet, "Shi" possesses the same feel-good qualities that I have come to expect, and was presented in the same vein as those previous stories dealing with politics, conspiracies, and intrigue that have put Usagi Yojimbo over the top. It also brought forth a little of the romance-type stuff that's so prominent in Kurosawa/Inagaki movies but is severely lacking in your stuff, and that was a definite plus. We also get to see a side of Usagi himself that I don't believe we've seen before, on pages 20-22. Usagi goes Dirty Harry (pun intended) on poor Nobu, but why? Perhaps the intensity of the fight with the Shi Assassins was too overwhelming, thus releasing the "killer" side of Usagi's military alignment. Or maybe it was all an elaborate ruse to give Kimie a different impression of the Ronin – one she would have to learn to live with had she won Usagi's heart and left her village with him. Whichever the case, seeing Usagi lose it like that was a definite surprise.

After the blood-filled "Shi", "The Lizard's Tale" seemed a bit too much on the comical side, but was still pretty cool anyway. Usagi in pantomime works surprisingly well, and this story reminded me a bit of some of your old Usagi comedy stories from long ago (e.g. "One Quiet Meal"). "Battlefield" is definitely more my taste – these Young Usagi stories are truly awesome. Given the scope of this story as a multi-parter with a thoughtful moral lesson drawn about the misconceptions of the glory in war and violence, I must also say that these "Usagi Shugyosha" pieces are getting even better.

In #5's Letter column, you mentioned something about Hikiji hiring the Neko and Komori clans together to use against Noriyuki. So could the Geishu Lord employ or form a ninja clan of his own, like the Mogura clan or a band of shinobi panda bears? And while I'm on the subject, where are the moles now, and who do they work for? I figured that since we last saw them around Usagi's village, they might work for Hikiji, and a run-in with the Neko or Komori clans could be possible. And what do you think about adding a clan of all-female ninja to the pot? Just thought I'd check…

Take it easy,
Todd Shogun
Cypress, CA

Fan Art by Todd Shogun

"The Girls of UY"

Thanks for the great drawing, Todd! "Shi" is actually closer to Fred Zinnemann's "High Noon" than anything by Kurosawa. In that movie, Gary Cooper (in an Oscar-winning performance) has to go up against a bunch of gunmen in an old western town but none of the townspeople is willing to help him. It's an old formula that's been redone numerous times, most notably in Clint Eastwood's movies such as "High Plains Drifter" and "Pale Rider". Hope to see you at the San Diego Comic Con again this year, Todd!

Dear Sakai-san,

Some corrections to Ms. Heittola's (which I have not had an honor to meet) letter in UY #7. First, UY is not exactly a new arrival in the Finnish foreign comic book market – it has hanged around at least for the last five years. Problem is, you have to live in Turku, Tampere, or Helsinki or know certain addresses.

Second, Finnish translations of foreign comic books are more expensive than original ones. At least before current weird new taxation, I dunno…

English language is a problem because those who know English are adults who probably see UY as mere kids' comic books. But otherwise the reasons for UY's apparent unpopularity are no doubt similar as in USA. It is an "anthropomorphic" (funny animals) book. It has no unnecessary blood, gore and rapes preferred by certain Finnish comic critics. You can make sense of a story and (gasp) pictures. And it has no Marvel cover.

At least the titles of the supposed Finnish editions of UY were Swedish. Sweden and Finland have been confused before and I am not one to take offense (though there are Finns who are likely to…). Of course, the publisher could have been using Swedish – Swedish is a significant minority language in Finland, especially in west coast.

As for issue #7 – this is the kind of stuff I like most in UY: Japanese background, not some sword story with samurai trappings. Other sides of Japan, in addition to samurai's side of the story. Thank you.

Take care of you and yours.
Vesa Lehtinen
Tampere, Finland

The Finnish version of Usagi I mentioned in the last letters page wasn't Finnish after all. It was printed in Finland but the language is Swedish. ALOHA! I'll be in Hawaii for my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary this summer. While there I'll be giving a presentation at the McCully/Moiliili Library on July 8 and will be doing a signing at The Other Realms bookstore on July 9.