Review by Chris Partin

“the Hidden Fortress”

Writer and Artist: Stan Sakai

Front Cover Colors: Tom Luth

Publication Design: Cary Grazzini

Digital Production: Ryan Hill

Assistant Editor: Brendan Wright

Editor: Diana Schutz

Creator: Stan Sakai

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Usagi Yojimbo has been a series that I have always wanted to read, but the fear of starting on a series that’s over a hundred issues really had me afraid to try it. So, with a little help I grabbed this issue to read and what I found was me looking in on the journey of a ronin that obviously had a beginning, but is moving forward and now is as good of a time to begin reading his adventures as any.

The story in this issue seems pretty straight forward. Usagi walks upon a massacre in the forest with only one survivor. Usagi attempts to help the survivor and get him medical attention. The injured warrior leads Usagi to a hut in the forest that he and his men had found while hunting a bandit and his men. The story seems fairly simple until the necessary twist happens in the story and things get very complicated for Usagi.

There are obvious plotlines that have led to this moment that as a new reader I’m unaware of, but it really doesn’t take away from the story. As I said before, this journey had to start somewhere and I’m just now looking in on Usagi and seeing what his life is like right now. He seems to be a very content warrior who is very skilled with his mind as well as his sword as we see in this issue. Usagi’s the kind of character I could enjoy reading if given the opportunity. With so many comic books out there it’s hard to take a chance on a series even with its accolades as Usagi Yojimbo has.

I have heard a lot of Stan Sakai’s talent as a writer and as an artist and I have to agree with everyone in saying he is definitely a skilled storyteller in both words and art. I think the idea of animals acting like people seems a little too farfetched for many readers. What Sakai does with these characters makes you forget what you’re looking at and you just see the story playing out in front of you.

Usagi Yojimbo has everything I enjoy in a comic book. There’s strong storytelling. The characters are interesting. The art is good. For a first issue for this reader, I cannot find any fault in this book, and I think I’ve found a new series to add to my pull list.

Rating: 8 out of 10 (On Its Way to Greatness!)