David wants to know
“I’m really interested and intrigued by Usagi Yojimbo, but I’m overwhelmed by the number and variety of books that collect these stories. Given that money is not an issue, where should I start?”
Well, what you do is you find yourself a copy of Usagi’s first appearance from 1983, in Albedo Anthropomorphics #2 (pictured above), and just work forward from there.
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…Well, okay, maybe that’s not quite workable. Albedo is notoriously small press, even by small press standards, and this comic being in low supply and enormous demand…well, you did say “money is not an issue.” Currently a copy can be found on eBay for $6,400, or another in one of those “professionally graded” plastic boxes for $46,000 — good news, shipping is free in both cases.
But presumably you don’t want to be messing around with single issues. That said, as someone who personally hasn’t read every Usagi Yojimbo comic that’s ever been published, it’s been my experience that these comics are highly accessible to new readers. Yes, characters have a history and there’s a measure of continuity to the proceedings, but anyone just coming aboard is given all the info they need to follow along, if necessary. So, basically, you can just jump on with the next Usagi mini-series that comes out.
Again, though, if you don’t feel like doing the single issue thing, there are no shortage of reprint collections to get you started. And because of the very nature of Usagi stories, you can probably start pretty much anywhere and you’ll be fine. I realize there are a lot of books, and that not all of them are in print at all times. There are 41 of the smaller trade paperbacks, 33 of which are collected into the Omnibus Editions from Dark Horse, and there are several other books aside from that run. This section of the Wikipedia entry details what’s in each book, if that helps.
The honest answer would be “just pick up the collections as you find them.” The phrase “boy, this issue of Usagi Yojimbo sucked” has never been uttered by a human being, and therefore you’re good wherever you start.
The only advice I’d give is maybe read the classic feudal Japan era of Usagi, before diving into spin-offs like Space Usagi, or maybe even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossovers. But then again, tons of kids were introduced to Usagi Yojimbo via the TMNT cartoon in the ’80s and that worked out okay, so what do I know.
So anyway, David, that’s a lot of reading, so you better get crackin’. There’s gonna be a quiz next week.
Thanks for this – I’m sure the quiz will go well!
Usagi aside, Albedo Anthropomorphics was a seminal title in the development of the ‘furry fandom’ (as distinct from ‘funny animal’). Creator Steve Gallacci still attends various conventions.
When I met Stan Sakai at a con and said I was waiting for Fantagraphics’ Usagi Yojimbo the Special Edition to come out so I could start there from the beginning, he replied, “oh, you’re one of those.”
I took his gentle rebuke to heart, started buying Usagi monthly, and simultaneously started buying the trade paperbacks until I was entirely caught up. And I’ve bought and read everything since.
You really can jump in just about anywhere. Maybe not part 7 of a 7-part story, but any sensible point.
Re: your Bluesky posting for what role should Alan Ritchson have in the DC U, I would go with having play Aquaman again–based on Silver and Bronze Age Aquaman, not hook hand Aquaman. But Ritchson might also be great as Carter Hall Hawkman, Adam Strange, or Orion of the New Gods.
Start from the beginning it’s incredible and addictive before you know it you’ll be in book 17