shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jan 31, 2016 16:32:11 GMT -5
I assume no relation. It is a common surname, googling suggests. Right, and that would make total sense in the real world. In the realm of a sustained narrative with one author, introducing two characters with the same name and no relationship two issues apart, both of whom will be referenced again later, is a bit confusing. I wonder if Sakai has some sort of plan to explore Noriyuki's father in greater detail down the road. We know he had an advisor who was secretly working for Lord Hikiji and ultimately got exposed (all from the Usagi Color Special #1), but we're never given the details. Perhaps this adviser had managed to corrupt him enough that a rebellion was warranted, or he slyly manipulated things enough to encourage a seemingly legitimate rebellion. The clues are there, but it's never been put together for us. |
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Post by coke & comics on Feb 6, 2016 15:43:34 GMT -5
"The Lord of Owls" from Usagi Yojimbo #11 (March, 1997) Reprinted in Usagi Yojimbo Book 11: Seasons  Summary: A gang of outlaws attacks Oyama Tadanori, the Lord of Owls and pays the price. One survivor also tries to attack Usagi, and, well, you can guess how that goes. The Lord of Owls can see death on people's eyes. He knows he and Usagi will meet again and one will kill the other. Thoughts: We meet yet another new character, and learn little about this one. He has a "see death" gimmick, and his introduction is good and ominous. We don't see the strong origin that we got with Sanshobo or Ikeda. But Sakai does a far better job setting the tone for this character than he did for Inazuma. Is that a great owl on the cover or what? Oh, and I do like Usagi's sarcasm.  |
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,862
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Post by shaxper on Feb 6, 2016 16:36:18 GMT -5
One fascinating thing about The Lord of Owls is that, while Stan was clearly planning far in advance with all the characters he was beginning to introduce at this point, even he didn't have a clear vision for The Lord of Owls. I was very very fortunate to be able to chauffeur Stan to a Dojo dinner in 2010, and he was working on The Return of The Lord of Owls at that point (who had not appeared, other than in brief cameos, since 1997). Stan explained to me that he was still trying to decide who the character was and what he was up to at this point. I found it fascinating that even he was mystified by the character!
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,862
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Post by shaxper on Feb 7, 2016 0:38:55 GMT -5
You'd brought up in your review of ""Battle of Adachigara Plain" that you felt silly for not realizing the arc over Usagi's right eye was a scar, but I think the image above is a perfect illustration of how Stan often makes a double-use of that arc, allowing it to serve both as an identifying scar and an expressive eyebrow. It clearly moves up and down, flattens and curves to express emotion. It's particularly adorable in the above example. The joke would fall flat without it. |
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Post by coke & comics on Feb 7, 2016 14:39:50 GMT -5
Ummm... hello. Welcome.This thread has moved. Again. It used to be on a whole different forum. I have a badly formatted pdf of it saved here for posterity. This thread picks up where that left off. Why I seem to start in the middle. Basically, I've been (rather slowly) reading Usagi storyarc-by-storyarc in publication order and posting my thoughts (such as they are here). Well, not here per se. This Usagi Yojimbo forum these reviews have found their way to is new. Now that there is an entire forum dedicated to discussing Usagi, I see no reason to hog all the Usagi reviewing. Others should feel free to start their own Usagi review threads, or add to this one. Whatever makes more sense to you. I definitely like it when people follow along and add their comments to the stories. Particularly now that we have some Usagi experts here. I am not an Usagi expert. I just like the series. The old thread covered everything up through issue 31 of Usagi's first ongoing series from Fantagraphics. The current thread is halfway through issue 11 of Usagi's 3rd and current ongoing series, from Dark Horse. The reviews comes out at whatever pace other life demands allow me. Sometimes it comes in spurts, sometimes lulls. If you're just joining us, you've come in at a bit of an odd place. For example, we're halfway through an issue. But we're also in the middle of the build-up to the epic Grasscutter arc which begins in issue 13. We've had a few stories warming up to it already, and we are about to see another. This next story spins off the events of issue 9, whose intrigue centered around a document revealing the names of 8 conspirators planning to overthrow the Shogun (military ruler) and reinstate the emperor. The story ended with the document in the hands of Chizu, chieftan of the Neko Ninja, who has her own plans for it. Plans which do not involve their benefactor Lord Hebi, who she is keeping the document secret from. And that's where we pick up... |
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Post by coke & comics on Feb 7, 2016 14:53:54 GMT -5
"The First Tenet" from Usagi Yojimbo #11 (March, 1997) Reprinted in Usagi Yojimbo Book 11: Seasons Summary: Kagemaru of the Neko Ninja betrays his chieftan Chizu and delivers half the document with the names of the Conspiracy of 8 to Lord Hebi. Everybody is playing their own game. Kagemaru kept half the document for himself, and lied to Hebi about it. Hebi plans to see Chizu dead for her treachery, and Kagemaru's machinations may place him as the new head of the clan. As Kagemaru leaves Hebi, he hears the flapping of wings. As Hebi travels to Hikiji he is attacked by assassins and saved by Kagemaru, who shows up with suspiciously good timing. "Deceit is the first tenet of the ninja." Thoughts: This is the first time we see Hebi fight. As he is a snake, holding swords is difficult for him. But he holds his own with some powerful teeth. I would have enjoyed seeing him crush somebody. Perhaps next time.  A short tale. Adds to the building intrigue. The last few issues are mostly setup issues, notable for their ominous tone. This issue positions the board into several factions. The Neko are now divided between Chizu and Kagemaru. Kagemaru has turned Hebi against Chizu. And the Komori Ninja likely have their own agenda. Solid intrigue. |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,862
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Post by shaxper on Feb 7, 2016 15:17:20 GMT -5
Ummm... hello. Welcome.This thread has moved. Again. It used to be on a whole different forum. I have a badly formatted pdf of it saved here for posterity. This thread picks up where that left off. Why I seem to start in the middle. Basically, I've been (rather slowly) reading Usagi storyarc-by-storyarc in publication order and posting my thoughts (such as they are here). Well, not here per se. This Usagi Yojimbo forum these reviews have found their way to is new. Now that there is an entire forum dedicated to discussing Usagi, I see no reason to hog all the Usagi reviewing. Others should feel free to start their own Usagi review threads, or add to this one. Whatever makes more sense to you. I definitely like it when people follow along and add their comments to the stories. Particularly now that we have some Usagi experts here. I'm working on an idea for a new format that would showcase these reviews while also being more inviting to other members looking to similarly share their thoughts. I'll pm you about it later today. I think it will be a win-win for all involved. Just by reading and giving thought to the series, you are quite qualified to share your observations, and I've enjoyed them thoroughly (even when we've disagreed  ). I hope I didn't put you in an awkward position moving the thread here, but it deserves to be shared  |
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Post by coke & comics on Feb 7, 2016 15:49:01 GMT -5
"The Obakeneko of the Geishu Clan" Usagi Yojimbo #12 (April, 1997) Reprinted in Usagi Yojimbo Book 11: Seasons  Summary: On his wanderings, Usagi passes the remains of Lady Takagai's mansion. He remembers an adventure he shared with Gen and Tomoe after the conclusion of the Dragon Bellows events. The trio encounter, battle, and kill some retainers of Lord Tamakuro, who do not know their master is dead. Night falls and they need shelter. Lady Takagi offers to let them stay in her home. She claims to be a supporter of Lord Mataichi, the dead father of Noriyuki. It is Tomoe who discovers that Takagi is an obake-neko. Tomoe is burned and Gen poisoned. Usagi kills the ghost cat but ends up unconscious. He comes to, thinking he sees his lost love, Mariko, but it is actually Tomoe. Noriyuki has rescued them. A retainer explains the legend of Lady Takagi's ghost. Back in the present, Usagi gets scared by two familiar woodcutters. Thoughts: Issues 10-12 are interesting beasts, and likely represent Sakai gearing up for an extended arc. This issue has the feel of filler, a story which could go anywhere that Sakai had lying around when deadlines pressed. As does the Aragones-inked reprinting of the Adachigara story in issue 10. What isn't filler is short arcs about side characters building directly to Grasscutter, spotlighting Ikeda, Jei, and Kagemaru. In general, the ghost/demon stories are not my favorite Usagi tales, for whatever reason. Personal taste, I think. But they are mostly fine tales. And this one is no exception. Straightforward story. Ghost of a murdered wife haunts the area, and Usagi takes care of her.  Always nice to see Gen and Tomoe, even if it is in flashback. Notes: Most of the issue is a flashback. It opens with a scene directly from the ending of issue 17 of the Fantagraphics series, when Usagi and the Neko Ninja part ways, with perspective and spotlighted dialogue changed. It continues from there, telling a tale that fits before the opening of issue 18. |
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