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Usagi Yojimbo #141 Review

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By Chuck Suffel

Usagi Yojimbo #141 Created, Written & Illustrated by Stan Sakai

This issue is quite a milestone as it marks the two hundredth appearance of Usagi in his own comic illustrated by Stan Sakai. I’ve read this title once or twice in the past but until this issue I don’t think I ever gave it the chance it deserved. Sakai drafts a simple yet compelling story one we think we’ve read before, it feels so familiar, but in lending it his voice he changes it, makes it mean something different. It’s a very personal and symbolic issue and one I’m sure it felt wonderful to write.

For the un-indoctrinated Miyamoto Usagi is a Ronin (masterless samurai), traveling the “warriors pilgrimage” as yojimbo (bodyguard for hire). He is also an anthropomorphic rabbit. As I said the story is quite familiar, a town being terrorized by a
gang. A gang who takes what they want and kills whomever they wish. We all know how those stories play out, there’s a girl to save and her father. There were several interesting differences this time, the supporting character Masa a stone carver who has set himself to the task of carving 200 statues of Jizo (a deity who relieves suffering) in order to rid his village of this blight. And his daughter, Tomiko who despite being a beautiful damsel in distress does not become the hero’s love interest. Another interesting shift in the story away from the formula is how the bad guy gets his comeuppance. I won’t spoil it here but lets say it was more satisfying than a straight dual would have been. When you finish this issue you realize that this story has been a tribute by Sakai. To his fans to Usagi to the craft. Masa is asked if when he reaches his goal will he continue to carve his reply? “Of course– Until my hands can no longer hold the tools of my craft.” I hope that’s true Sakai because you are a master of the craft and I hope you continue it for many years to come.

Check out Stan Sakai on Facebook here  and his website here

Also a quick bio on Stan:

Name: Stan Sakai
Born: May 25th, 1953 – Kyoto, Japan. Age of two, family moved to Hawaii where he lived for the next 22 years.
Current Residence: Pasadena, California
Occupation: Cartoonist/Letterer
Training: University of Hawaii, B.F.A.; Art Center College of Design
Credits: Art/Story – Usagi Yojimbo, Nilson Groundthumper, Space Usagi, Ten Little Critters. Lettering – Groo The Wanderer, The Legend of Kamui, Spider-man Sunday Strips
Favorite Pen: Kohinoor Art Pen
Favorite Movie: Satomi Hakkenden
Major Influences: Steve Ditko, Sergio Aragones, Milo Manara, Moebius, Jack Kirby, Bill Stout, Walt Kelly, Carl Barks, and (of course) Akira Kurosawa.
Check out Chuck’s Twitter and tumblr

http://twitter.com/#!/Chuck_Suffel
http://chucksuffel.tumblr.com

The Complete Works Of Milo Manara

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Thanks to Dark Horse comics we are getting The Complete Works Of Milo Manara. If you have never heard of this artist before here is a quick bio.

Maurilio Manara – known professionally as Milo Manara – (born September 12, 1945 in Lüsen (Luson), South Tyrol) is an Italian comic book writer and artist, best known for his erotic approach to the medium.

The Manara Library Volume One is a 59.99 hardcover with a foreward by Frank Miller, available from Dark Horse Comics

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES 2012 STAR WARS INCENTIVE PROGRAM!

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November 1st, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse is excited to offer retailers a special stock-up incentive tied to five great new Star Wars series in 2012!

Retailers who order fifteen copies of any of the following titles will receive 5 percent off of their initial orders for that title: Knights of the Old Republic: War, Dawn of the Jedi, Knight Errant III, Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison, Blood Ties: Boba Fett Is Dead.

Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison—Ghost Prison takes place a year after Revenge of the Sith and will showcase Darth Vader’s impact on the galaxy in ways fans have never seen. Darth Vader will serve the Emperor to the best of his abilities. After all, Darth Vader makes no mistakes.

Knights of the Old Republic: War—The Knights of the Old Republic video games and comics chronicle one of the most popular eras in Star Wars, making Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic—War the perfect entry point into the Star Wars galaxy!

Dawn of the Jedi—Here’s your first look at the Star Wars of 25,000 years ago—before there were lightsabers, when the ties to the Force were new, and before the Jedi spread out into the galaxy. It began with the mysterious pyramid ships—the Tho Yor—scattered to the eight corners of the galaxy, and ended with the establishment of an order that would change the universe forever.

Blood Ties: Boba Fett Is Dead—Boba Fett is dead. The most infamous hunter in the galaxy has been hunted. He’s lying, broken, on the desert floor. He’s more blaster holes than man. It’s the ultimate ending. However, this is just the start of our story. With the fall of Fett broadcast across the galaxy, someone rises to avenge him.

Knight Errant III—Jedi Knight Kerra Holt continues her one-woman crusade against the Sith from behind enemy lines on her most dangerous mission yet!

Look for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic–War #1 in this month’s issue of the Diamond Previews catalog!

USAGI YOJIMBO REACHES 200TH ISSUE!

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STAN SAKAI HONORED WITH YEAR OF THE RABBIT EXHIBIT!

October 25, MILWAUKIE, OR—Earlier this year, Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai was named the 2011 Cultural Ambassador by the Japanese American National Museum. Shortly thereafter, the JANM opened their Year of the Rabbit exhibit—the most comprehensive collection of Sakai’s work to date.

Stan Sakai has won several Eisner Awards and has received over twenty Eisner Award nominations. Prior to Dark Horse’s long run on the series, there were thirty-eight Fantagraphics issues, sixteen Mirage issues, a summer special, and four color specials. Dark Horse’s Usagi Yojimbo #141 marks the landmark two hundredth overall issue of master storyteller Stan Sakai’s beloved series, and the rabbit ronin celebrates with a special story perfect for new readers, “200 Buddhas”! With a ruthless gang terrorizing his small town, a humble stonecutter receives a vision and sets out to carve two hundred stone figures. Just as he has finished the 199th, a long-eared stranger comes to his door seeking shelter from the rain!

 “In a perfect world, everyone would read Usagi Yojimbo.”

—Greg McElhatton, Comic Book Resources

 The Japanese American National Museum is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry. The founding of the museum is a story of high hopes, remarkable achievements, frustration, and, ultimately, success. The JANM is located in Los Angeles, and the Year of the Rabbit exhibit closes its doors October 30, 2011 – http://www.janm.org/exhibits/stansakai/

Usagi Yojimbo #141 is on sale October 26, 2011!

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