I've begun re-reading Usagi from the beginning in celebration of receiving the gorgeous new Usagi Yojimbo Saga Vol. 1.

A few things I noticed:

1. Sakai creates a visually interesting Rhino samurai in one story and, in the next, we get Gen. Sakai creates a visually interesting Pig samurai in another story and, in the next one, we get Ino.

2. "Samurai" is broken up into chapters that fit the length given to Sakai in Critters and Albedo. I wonder if there was still uncertainty as to whether Usagi was going to get his own ongoing when it was written.

3. "Samurai" is careful not to contradict or step on the toes of the earlier "Homecoming" story, but I'm really surprised it doesn't mention the death of Usagi's father at all. It seems like "Samurai" was written to be a new introduction to Usagi for folks who'd never read it before, but then wouldn't they wonder where Usagi's father was?

"Shades of green"
Usagi Yojimbo #1-3 (March-July, 1993)
Reprinted in Usagi Yojimbo Book 8: Shades of Death



Summary: Usagi and Gen find themselves in battle with the Neko Ninja. They escape by jumping off a cliff into a river. When the reach shore downstream, they encounter an old man, Kakera, who attacks and defeats them with his walking stick. He says he needs their help and brings them back to his village. He explains the Neko Ninja have taken control of the area in an attempt to capture him. Through subtle means, many samurai were summoned, without even realizing it. Only Gen and Usagi made it through the Neko ninja.

Chizu, head of the Neko Ninja since the death of her brother Shingen, does not approve of the plans, but a chunin named Gunji insists upon it. He thinks Kakera will strengthen their ranks and increase their favor in the eyes of Lord Hikiji, noting that Hikiji has lately been favoring the Kimori ninja lately. He grows insubordinate, stating that he should be head of the clan. Their argument is interrupted when Chizu notices Kimori spies. They are able to prevent the Kimori from escaping. Chizu and Gunji agree this affront means war.

Back in the village, Kakera reveals he is a wizard, and the ninja want his power. He demonstrates it by using four ordinary turtles to summon the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The Turtles agree to help Kakera and the village. Neko Ninja are discovered in the village. The companions kill one of them, and Leonardo follows the other back to his layer. The ninja make their move, attacking the village. Leonardo returns just in time but is unable to stop them from capturing Kakera.

Leonardo leads the group back to the ninja hideout. While the rest battle the ninja, Usagi follows wagon tracks. A group of 6 ninja, including Chizu and Gunji is taking Kakera away disguised as woodcutters. But it is a trap by Gunji. The ninja present are loyal to him and attempt to assassinate Chizu to secure his leadership of the Neko Ninja. Usagi intervenes in the battle between Chizu and Gunji, leaving Gunji and his followers dead. Chizu introduces herself as Shingen's sister and allows Usagi to take Kakera, declaring the mission over.

Thoughts: We begin a new era for Usagi, not with Mirage studios, founded by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, creators of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Usagi has encountered the Ninja Turtles three times now in comics, two of which were reviewed in the predecessor of this thread I did not have access to the one-shot Shell Shock. The relationship between Usagi and the Turtles would extend beyond the comics, as Usagi would also be a guest on the Turtles TV show and get an action figure as part of the Turtles line.

I have mixed feelings about this particular crossover with the Turtles. Crossing over is certainly fun and has made for enjoyable stories, to include this one. But I prefer them be asides, not "in continuity" so to speak. This is not only part of the main series but by reference plants the other stories in continuity as well.

It also seems an odd way to introduce a new series. For marketing purposes, it is a sensible and not uncommon practice to bolster a new series with popular guest stars. But from a story point of view, it seems a new beginning should establish who Usagi is and what he is about. And the presence of the Ninja Turtles gives this story a tone separate from the typical Usagi story, and so I'm not sure it makes a great reintroduction.

They do use the presence of the Turtles from "our" world to ask the questions readers of the series are not supposed to ask. Why is a horse a horse but a rabbit and person? How does this all work evolutionwise? Does Usagi have a tail?

All that said, it does do well introducing more standard Usagi elements. Featuring Gen, and the Neko and Kimori ninja gives it more of a traditional flavor. On the whole this is a fun adventure with plenty of melee action. Its most important contribution is probably the development of Chizu as a character and her first meeting (and kiss!) with Usagi.

In the end, Usagi and Gen decide to go in separate directions. At this point, their routine is understood. They are wanderers. Sometimes their paths align for a while, and sometimes they diverge. But they will meet again. The last panel is a familiar one, as the companions depart, and Usagi looks into the distance as dragonflies circle around.

Notes

• Fourth meeting of Usagi and Leonardo, first meeting with Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo
• Introduces Kakera, a rat, perhaps inspired by Splinter
• Usagi meets Chizu

A note. I don't have access to my issues right now, so will be reviewing this series from the trade collections, which are in black and white. The story is originally in color, with Tom Luth doing his original fine coloring job.

There are four Usagi/Turtles crossovers:
"Turtle Soup and Rabbit Stew", Turtle Soup #1, September 1987
"The Crossing", Usagi Yojimbo #10, August 1988
"The Treaty", Shell Shock, December 1989
"Shades of Green", Usagi Yojimbo #1-3, March-July 1993

I'm surprised they hadn't crossed over again after that. And that Usagi never made an appearance in the ongoing Mirage series, any volume.

Now that TMNT is corporate owned, the likelihood of a crossover happening is very slim.

They did do a bit of a shout out to Usagi in the recent TMNT movie.... at one point at the end, when the Turtles are confronting the bad guys, he says 'I knew I should have used rabbits'. My daughter and I geeked out a little bit


But yeah, now that their wrapped into the Nick, that's anything official is extremely unlikely.

Yeah, I remember being a little confused after reading Coke's review. It just seemed so out of bounds that its really hard to think anyone who had ever read Usagi would write him that way, though I suppose that's sadly common in crossovers.