Comic Review: Usagi Yojimbo (2019) #6

Usagi Yojimbo (2019) #6

IDW Publishing

Writer: Stan Sakai

Artists: Stan Sakai & Tom Luth

With IDW’s Usagi Yojimbo #6, Stan Sakai’s long-running series celebrates its 35th anniversary. In an extended homage to Usagi’s first appearance in Albedo (1984) #2, Sakai revisits the origin story of his titular samurai rabbit. Long-time readers will no doubt recognize the issue’s narrative beats, some of which have recurred in the series’ previous issues, though the issue also works to draw in new readers by updating and expanding Usagi’s first story in terms of both plot and artwork. 

The story isn’t revolutionary but there’s nothing wrong with that; the issue is intended to celebrate its protagonist’s history in something of a break from his usual continuing adventures. The plot is a retelling of the story from Albedo #2, in which the wandering ronin returns to Adachigahara Plain to pay his respects to his slain master. Along the way, Usagi remembers the final moments of the war between his own Lord Mifune and the rival Lord Hikiji, as well as the betrayal of Mifune by Usagi’s fellow samurai Toda, before encountering a goblin haunting the battlefield.

It’s a bit difficult to judge the plot on its own merits as it is essentially identical to the eight-page Albedo story, though Sakai expands the new version to triple its original length. If nothing else, Usagi #6 is an incredibly faithful recreation of its predecessor. While it incorporates elements of the battle of Adachigahara Plain that Sakai did not add until later stories, those elements remain consistent with the character’s history here. The more notable changes come at the tail end of the story during Usagi’s encounter with the Adachigahara goblin; while it proceeds much in the same way as the original, Sakai adds more dialogue and extends the action, which also helps flesh out some character motivations.

The main selling point of this issue is its art. As Sakai explains in his end-of-issue notes, the story is completely redrawn down to its cover to reflect Sakai’s updated style, with Usagi appearing slightly less rabbit-like and overall more stylized and expressive. Again, there’s nothing revolutionary here, but the art is good and it’s certainly interesting to see what a classic Usagi story looks like in the later Sakai art style. The colorwork by frequent Sakai collaborator Tom Luth is also a great addition. Luth uses primarily solid colors without much additional lighting or shading detail, but the vibrant palette adds life to Sakai’s linework.

The issue’s cast of characters is identical to the original and focuses primarily on Usagi’s introspection as he journeys back to the site of a major turning point in his life. Usagi’s thoughts during his travels and the dialogue between Usagi and the goblin definitely give a strong sense of the character’s motivations without holding the reader’s hand. The later parts of the issue are heavier on exposition to explain the goblin’s character but this arguably doesn’t slow the issue down much.

Usagi Yojimbo #6 doesn’t offer much in the way of brand new content for the series, which may be disappointing for some. However, as a celebration of the iconic character, it doesn’t get much better (or more nostalgic) than this, as Stan Sakai puts a modern spin on the very first Usagi story that is worth reading for new and old fans alike.

Click For More Comic Book Reviews