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Writer / Artist: Stan Sakai
Colorist: Hi-Fi
How does he do it? As the cover indicates, Usagi Yojimbo has been around for forty years, yet remains so consistent. Usagi Yojimbo: The Crow #1 is less of a new series and more of the start of another chapter. Despite that lineage, new readers can easily jump into this issue. Old readers, you will simply get more of the continued greatness.
A key element to this series’ success is the willingness to take its time. As a single issue, this does not force exciting or large moments. There’s no action for action’s sake. Instead, you see the building blocks assembled.
MORE USAGI YOJIMBO!
Taking place right after the last arc Usagi and Yukichi are happy to see green grass again. After their journey into the snowy mountains, a rest has been well earned. Rest will need to wait as they stumble upon a man being attacked by a group of assailants. Usagi wishes to assess the situation but Yukichi feels he has seen enough and acts to save the man.
Yukichi does follow Usagi’s orders not to kill as they make short work of the possible bandits. After a quick thank you both parties part ways. When Usagi and Yukichi get into town they learn the man they saved was a ruthless criminal with a massive bounty on his head.
Right away it is clear that this arc will be focused on Yukichi discovering what he does not know about the world. Yukichi has a strong moral code as a samurai, which has its benefits.
However, that rigid demeanor can also lead him to make rash and quick decisions. When he meets past friends of Usagi he is quick to demean them for their profession of bounty hunters.
LOCAL MAN STRIKES AGAIN!
That was shortly before he was all too willing to announce to all that could hear that Usagi would be able to pay for everyone’s meal due to how much money he had. That innocence and naivety will lead to trouble rather soon.
That goes along with the fairytale nature of Usagi. Morality within the narratives is clear and precise which is a major reason these issues are so easy to follow. I sense by the time this narrative ends Yukichi will not be the only one learning a lesson or two.
Everything is going so strongly against Yukichi that bigger lessons may be at play. For example, Usagi could see the benefit of Yukichi’s strong takes on life against the doldrums of being too slow to act.
Perhaps a lesson where the benefits of nuanced are examined.
Stan Sakai’s cartooning is as great as ever. Here it is best demonstrated within the character designs and expressions. Perhaps the best example is when they enter the town full of individuals who look worn down and defeated.
These men have seen the awful side of life and you can tell that based on the lifeless expression that haunts their faces. The drawing of Jimmu, the surprise criminal, was a small act of brilliance. In this world villains very often look like villains. Jimmu had more kindness to him.
His facial expressions showed warmth and gratitude making you understand the actions of Yukichi. There were some small hints regarding his more insidious intent. Harsher tones with his design and clothes make much more sense when learning his true intentions.
Overall Usagi Yojimbo: The Crow #1 was a satisfying warm-up to a new Usagi Yojimbo adventure. A new threat emerges that promises to be a challenge for Usagi like we have not seen in some time. Forty years strong and Stan Sakai shows no signs of slowing down.
