@@MarkSmith-ch1gx Softcover too thanks to different publishers messing up the numbering. Usagi Yojimbo Saga volume 1, which is the earliest the shops sell where I am, starts nowhere near the start and at just about the worst place you could imagine.
Stan Sakai has done/is STILL doing, what i so wished Eastman & Laird wouldve done with the TMNT, which was to have continued doing the writing & artwork on EVERY issue! Those first bunch of TMNT issues, including the micro ones, are MAGIC. They had the IT fsctor. Now sure, the Turtles had some ok stories after, and are obviously one of the most successful franchise of all time, but in my perfect world i just wish it couldve lasted longer as what it originally was! Either way Im a HUGE fan of Stan Sakai, Usagi and his other works too, hope to see his recognition keep increasing and to continue his stories for many years to come!
Nice. When I was very young, my uncle used to get me classic Harvey comics like Casper, Richie Rich and Hot Stuff, which eventually parlayed into the TMNT Adventures comics thanks to the TV show. One day, my uncle brought me with him to his local comic shop and I spotted Usagi Yojimbo out of the corner of my eye in their Independent Comics section. I asked if I could get one, having recognized the character from the '87 TMNT animated series. He grabbed me the three issues that were on the shelf and thus began my illustrious Usagi-reading odyssey that has lasted over 3 decades.
Usagi Yojimbo is the best comic to find in a back issue bin. No matter what random issue it is, if you get it, you’re going to get a satisfying 20 pages. Never leave a Usagi behind.
I am impressed he is still doing Usagi today after all these years, very few can say that. I still pick up a copy of Usagi even if it’s a new story or reprint.
Fun vid!! I sent some line art by mail to Stan Sakai in the early 90's and I actually got a response asking to see more! I kinda freaked out and never followed up 💔I was 17 yrs old
Another standout in the Critters books for me is the Danish cartoonist Freddy Milton. Very Barks influenced stuff, he worked on Donald Duck comics for a while too, often in collaboration with Dutch cartoonist Daan Jippes. Not nearly as prolific as a cartoonist as Sakai, but worth a look. I think he has some stories up on his website.
Masterpiece! Beautiful illustrations influenced by Japanese woodblock prints in places. Excellent story telling introducing Japanese culture, myths and legends to the West.
I’m so glad to see Stan and usagi get some attention on here! Honestly Usagi is the one comic that kept me coming back through the dark ages of the early 2000s. I would love seeing a big juicy interview with Stan Sakai.
Sakai really brings back memories. Great piece of American comics culture and history. How about a look at another great Japanese-American anthropomorphic fantasy? Larry Hama's Bucky O' Hare doesn't get enough love for just how much of an outlaw idea that original comic was! Lobotomized frogs!
Love Usagi Yojimbo. I jumped in at this issue and been a fan ever since. FYI, Stan has a Netflix deal to make a CGI version called "Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles," which looks to loosely adapt Space Usagi.
am i totally wrong or didn't mary woodring or lauren allred do colors for usagi at one point? never read but i thought i remember jim or michael mentioning it decades ago
![What You Don't Learn In Film School - Shane Stanley [FULL INTERVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VBcQVQ2ZaMI/mqdefault.jpg)
![What You Don't Learn In Film School - Shane Stanley [FULL INTERVIEW]](/img/tr.png)
Even thought it's revered in the industry, I STILL don't think Stan and Usagi get enough attention.
It seems like a major pain in the ass to collect these in hardcover format
Not nearly
@@MarkSmith-ch1gx Softcover too thanks to different publishers messing up the numbering. Usagi Yojimbo Saga volume 1, which is the earliest the shops sell where I am, starts nowhere near the start and at just about the worst place you could imagine.
Stan Sakai has done/is STILL doing, what i so wished Eastman & Laird wouldve done with the TMNT, which was to have continued doing the writing & artwork on EVERY issue! Those first bunch of TMNT issues, including the micro ones, are MAGIC. They had the IT fsctor. Now sure, the Turtles had some ok stories after, and are obviously one of the most successful franchise of all time, but in my perfect world i just wish it couldve lasted longer as what it originally was! Either way Im a HUGE fan of Stan Sakai, Usagi and his other works too, hope to see his recognition keep increasing and to continue his stories for many years to come!
Stan Sakai is a legend. 30 plus years of fabulous comics all on his own.
Nice.
When I was very young, my uncle used to get me classic Harvey comics like Casper, Richie Rich and Hot Stuff, which eventually parlayed into the TMNT Adventures comics thanks to the TV show. One day, my uncle brought me with him to his local comic shop and I spotted Usagi Yojimbo out of the corner of my eye in their Independent Comics section. I asked if I could get one, having recognized the character from the '87 TMNT animated series. He grabbed me the three issues that were on the shelf and thus began my illustrious Usagi-reading odyssey that has lasted over 3 decades.
Love Sakai's Usagi comics. Super-accessible 'wandering adventurer' tales, consistent, great characters, well researched, nicely drawn & lettered, etc
Consistently the best comic on the stands. You guys should interview Stan Sakai. Hes always seemed like the nicest guy.
Usagi Yojimbo is the best comic to find in a back issue bin. No matter what random issue it is, if you get it, you’re going to get a satisfying 20 pages. Never leave a Usagi behind.
I am impressed he is still doing Usagi today after all these years, very few can say that. I still pick up a copy of Usagi even if it’s a new story or reprint.
If I could only read one comic it would be Usagi.
Finally! Thanks for going over Stan Sakai's masterpiece.
I recently got completely caught up on Usagi Yojimbo (all 33 volumes of the trades). A true masterpiece that doesn’t get enough attention.
The entire run is an infinite amount of treasures.
Usagi has always been my favorite comic! I'm so glad to see you guys do a video on this
I actually got into this comic because Stan Sakai was the letterer for Sergio Aragones' Groo the wanderer which i loved (still do).
Fun vid!! I sent some line art by mail to Stan Sakai in the early 90's and I actually got a response asking to see more! I kinda freaked out and never followed up 💔I was 17 yrs old
Been waiting for you guys to do an Usagi Yojimbo episode, nice to see its finally here
Amazing series!
these are great. great detail, great line, great action.
Another standout in the Critters books for me is the Danish cartoonist Freddy Milton. Very Barks influenced stuff, he worked on Donald Duck comics for a while too, often in collaboration with Dutch cartoonist Daan Jippes.
Not nearly as prolific as a cartoonist as Sakai, but worth a look. I think he has some stories up on his website.
Masterpiece! Beautiful illustrations influenced by Japanese woodblock prints in places. Excellent story telling introducing Japanese culture, myths and legends to the West.
Thanks for reviewing this, there's not alot of reviews on usagi. Please do more.
12:08 that lettering technique! It's the Sensei's words turning into Usagi quoting him. So inventive! Never seen that before.
Always a ComicCon staple and all around talented nice guy. Make sure to stop by and visit with him at his table.
I’m so glad to see Stan and usagi get some attention on here! Honestly Usagi is the one comic that kept me coming back through the dark ages of the early 2000s. I would love seeing a big juicy interview with Stan Sakai.
beautiful. ive always loved Usagi Yojimbo since discovering him as a young one growing up in the jungles of hawaii.
Been waiting for this since day one. SToked!
Sakai really brings back memories. Great piece of American comics culture and history. How about a look at another great Japanese-American anthropomorphic fantasy? Larry Hama's Bucky O' Hare doesn't get enough love for just how much of an outlaw idea that original comic was! Lobotomized frogs!
Usagi is the constant read that has kept me tethered to comics
Jim's sketch notebook is godly work.
One of my faves, I have the nine volume set taking up waaaaaaaay too much of my shelf space
Seriously. This was my childhood. What's next? Tony Wong and Jademan Comics? You guys have hit every artist and comic I admire. Thank you
Love Usagi Yojimbo. I jumped in at this issue and been a fan ever since.
FYI, Stan has a Netflix deal to make a CGI version called "Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles," which looks to loosely adapt Space Usagi.
About damn time! Usage Yojimbo got me into manga as a youngster!
Love Usagi!
Usagi got some great stories & art
usagi is japanese for rabbit and yojimbo means bodyguard.
who is the character they are pointing at 14:13 with the big foot?
OMG!!!
I WANT THAT SCOTT SHAW! "URBAN GORILLA"!!!
Grasscutter rocks but the Usagi / TMNT crossovers would be great reads for the channel too
Oh man, you gotta do Groo!
am i totally wrong or didn't mary woodring or lauren allred do colors for usagi at one point? never read but i thought i remember jim or michael mentioning it decades ago
TMNT cartoon brought me here!
I got usagi legends yesterday and vagabond vol 2 😁