New Releases by Stan Sakai

Part 2 of The Secret of the Hell Screenð! While the vicious murder of a samurai at a remote temple is investigated, the assassin returns! Now with two murders to solve in connection with the Hell Screen, Inspector Ishida is no closer to finding the killer. Meanwhile, the son of the ScreenÈs painter surfaces at the temple! Usagi acts as bait to lure the culprit in . . . but has the killer been under their noses the entire time? Stan Sakai is able to spin a web of emotions with few words . . . nothing is lost as each sentence has a meaning and purpose towards the larger narrative. The art is equally gorgeously simple . . . a must read for any comic book fan.ðu0094Graphic Policy

The wandering life of a ronin is often a lonely one, and Usagi has been on that path a long time. A temporary peace, staying with the merchant Endo and his daughter Hanaka, is interrupted by the deadly League of Assassins, setting Usagi back on the road, but with the uncomfortable sensation that he is being followed. * Collects issues #94-#102. This volume also includes the landmark Usagi Yojimbo #100, a celebratory roast issue featuring contributions from several of the best writers and artists in comics including Frank Miller, Matt Wagner, Jeff Smith, Sergio Aragonés, and more! Introduction by Brian K. Vaughan! “Matching the writing, Stan Sakai''s cartooning remains a lesson to anyone wanting to learn the craft. Well-researched details ground each scene in reality, while the carefully chosen angles and zooms maximize the humor or drama of each story beat . . . Long story short, Usagi Yojimbo continues to be the best adventure comic in the world today, and Bridge of Tears is simply more evidence.” -Newsarma

Wandering ronin Usagi Yojimbo is alone once again, having emerged from his travels with young Jotaro. His brief respite from danger was not destined to last long, for adventure in feudal Japan waits for no one! In this volume of the internationally acclaimed series, master storyteller Stan Sakai treats readers to intriguing tales of Usagi on his own and catches up with a bevy of fan-favorite characters - "whodunit" maestro Inspector Ishida has another puzzling mystery to solve, bounty hunters Gen and Stray Dog are each on the tail of the possessed swordswoman Inazuma, bodyguard Tomoe has a new political rival in Lord Noriyuki''s court, and Priest Sanshobo''s temple is plagued by a vile demon! Throughout these stories we follow Usagi as he is roped into a covert smuggling operation, escorts a cantankerous old woman through dangerous territory, assists an inventor with a visionary flying machine, and once again encounters a vengeful young samurai. • Featuring a rare short story starring Katsuichi and young Usagi which has never seen print in the Usagi comics series!

The rabbit ronin faces a horde of the undead when a harmless-looking but powerful charm brings a betrayed army back to life. With hundreds of zombies and an evil wizard to contend with, Usagi finds himself far out of his depth! Fortunately, he has the aid of fan-favorite character Sasuké the Demon Queller, most recently seen in the Yokai graphic novel. This volume also features several action-packed short stories, including the Eisner-nominated “Death of Lord Hikiji”! Collects Usagi Yojimbo #117–#123 and stories from Dark Horse Maverick 2001 and MySpace Dark Horse Presents #35.

The warrior’s path is fraught with peril as Miyamoto Usagi takes to the road with his bounty-hunter friend Gen. Traveling the countryside, the samurai odd couple must put bickering over money and shortcuts aside as they encounter a series of dangers, including trickster foxes, a gambler who is master of the bullwhip, and several factions of treacherous ninja. The stakes are raised even higher when the pair go their separate ways, as Usagi falls in with a clan on a suicide mission and Gen pursues a killer who isn’t what he appears, in adventures that will test each friend’s honor-and bravery! * Introduction by award-winning animator and official “Disney Legend” Floyd Norman! * The tales in this volume were nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series!

For years, as Miyamoto Usagi has wandered the countryside, an unseen, malevolent entity has been tracing his steps. Thought dead since the events of Grasscutter, the demon Jei-the Black Soul-has been inhabiting the body of the swordswoman Inazuma, intent on destroying the evil he claims to see in Usagi! Meanwhile, Boss Bakuchi, shamed by his inability to avenge his son''s death, doubles the bounty on the killer-Inazuma. The money brings out scores of bounty hunters, unaware that they are merely a flock of sparrows intent on bringing down an eagle. The hunt for Inazuma also draws Usagi, hunters Gen and Stray Dog, and a mysterious stranger named Isamu, each with his own motive. As the threat of the Black Soul reemerges, this epic storyline reveals at last the true origin of Jei! * Collecting "Sparrows," the dramatic return of the demon Jei, and "The Darkness and the Soul," Jei''s long-awaited origin, plus the Usagi short from Free Comic Book Day 2009. * Introduction by Charles Solomon of the Los Angeles Times.

Master storyteller Stan Sakai opens this brand-new collection with a deadly ambush on the fugitive Lone Goat Assassin and his child, Gorogoro. Lone Goat is victorious, but wounded-and his son is too young to help. Unable to seek proper medical attention, Lone Goat collapses in an abandoned house. What he needs is a knowledgeable ronin, and soon! Elsewhere, Usagi is in a desperate search for his young companion, Jotaro, who has eluded murderous kidnappers. His is a panic that only rises out of fatherly love, though he has kept the secret of Jotaro''s parentage from the boy throughout their travels together. If they are able to continue on to Kitanoji Temple, will the rabbit samurai confess before they part ways? Featuring appearances by readers'' favorite characters-including the deadly Neko Ninja. Collecting issues #69-#75 of the ongoing series.

Usagi Yojimbo is one of the longest running and best-loved comic adventures of all time. Running from 1984 to the present day, and showing no sign of diminishing in popularity, the rabbit ronin is now seen as a figurehead of the comic book scene, and crucial to bringing the ideas of feudal Japan to a wider western audience. Roaming an anthropomorphic version of feudal Japan, the rabbit samurai has no master, but takes on tasks from any aggrieved animals he encounters - always ensuring he sticks to the noble way of the samurai.

Join everyone''s favorite rabbit ronin as he continues his gripping exploits on the warrior''s path! In this volume, Usagi teams up with fan-favorite guest star Inspector Ishida to solve a double murder at a roadside inn, then helps an allied clan protect its honor, and discovers that the soy sauce business can be as deadly as it is tasty! Featured in this collection is the story "Two Hundred Jizo," which celebrates Usagi''s two hundredth consecutive appearance under the masterful pen of creator Stan Sakai! Collects Usagi Yojimbo #139-#144, plus three additional, previously uncollected short stories: "Buntori," "The Artist," and "Sukanku"!

Celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of Stan Sakai’s beloved rabbit ronin, Dark Horse proudly presents Miyamoto Usagi’s epic trek along the warrior’s path in a new series of deluxe compilations, beginning with over 600 pages of Usagi’s essential adventures. Collects Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 2#1–#16 and Vol. 3#1–#6! * Stan Sakai’s series gets the deluxe treatment from Dark Horse! * Over 600 pages of samurai action and adventure! * Full-color cover gallery! * Usagi Yojimbo has won multiple awards and been published all over the world! * Also available in a limited hardcover of 900 signed copies.

Experience the rabbit action epic that might have been! More than just a precursor to Stan Sakai''s beloved Usagi Yojimbo, his tales of medieval unwits Nilson and Hermy are every bit as funny, exciting, and beautifully illustrated as the saga of the familiar rabbit ronin! Collecting Nilson and Hermy''s complete exploits! * Collects every Nilson story, plus rarely seen extra art! * Newly scanned from Sakai''s original art and colored by Usagi colorist Tom Luth! * Don''t miss Nilson and Hermy in November''s Dark Horse Presents #30! "Stan Sakai is a master."—Alejandro Jodorowsky "Stan Sakai is one of the few artists working in comics who completely understand the medium."—Jeff Smith

The rabbit _ronin_ becomes further entangled in a rivalry between soy-sauce merchants when they declare all-out war on each other! Double-dealings and mayhem escalate to a deadly magnitude as Usagi''s foray into the treacherous worlds of soy sauce and espionage concludes! Concluding a two-part story!

While journeying over mountains, into valleys, through towns and farmlands, and along rugged coasts, searching for harmony, Usagi faces a unique cast of characters: a village of seaweed farmers, an innocent noodle peddler, a demon-possessed woman, a relentless clan of bat ninja, an assassins'' guild, a mysterious medicine peddler, and Inazuma, a secretive female samurai. More than once Usagi finds himself in great danger — but it''s all in a day''s work when you walk the thin line on the brink of life and death. * Usagi Yojimbo: The Brink of Life and Death 2nd edition features completely remastered art and a look inside Stan Sakai''s research and influences with new story notes! Includes an introduction by writer Kurt Busiek.

For years, as Miyamoto Usagi has wandered the countryside, an unseen, malevolent entity has been tracing his steps. Thought dead since the events of Grasscutter, the demon Jei - the Black Soul - has been inhabiting the body of the swordswoman Inazuma, intent on destroying the evil he claims to see in Usagi!

Anotsu Kagehisa, master swordsman and leader of the rogue Itto-ryu dojo, has sheathed his blade for the moment to join in marriage with the daughter of yet another dojo soon to be brought under his dark wing. But for a man of action, the formal traditions of feudal Japan can be just as tense and fraught with hidden agendas as the battlefield. And while Anotsu may indulge in a moment of peace, his enemies are not at rest, among them Rin, who has stalked him for years to take revenge for the murder of her parents. Anotsu had best make sure that if he stops to smell the flowers, he doesn''t end up losing his head!

created, written, & illustrated by STAN SAKAI Forged in the clouds by the elemental gods of feudal Japan, the legendary sword Kusanagi — also known as "Grasscutter" — holds such power that it is sought after by mighty forces of good and evil. Multiple award winner Stan Sakai continues the epic adventures of his signature samurai rabbit, Usagi Yojimbo, in this second book centering on the mystical sword. Starting with a prologue that unveils the history of the sword, Grasscutter II rejoins Usagi with his samurai travelling companion, Gen, as they journey to the sacred shrine of Atsuta to return the powerful sword to its final resting place. But two ninja clans will fight the honorable samurai as well as each other in order to capture the sword and gain control of the empire with it. An enthralling book for all ages to enjoy, Grasscutter II will amaze readers with its narrative depth and poetic storytelling.

The close of 16th century Japan was a violent age, as rival feudal lords fought for land and power. Miyamoto Usagi braved many a battle only to lose his lord and find himself a masterless samurai, or ronin. While many ronin became bandits or mercenaries, Usagi chose the warrior pilgrimage: wandering the land, fighting injustice, seeking enlightenment. Eisner Award winner Stan Sakai has crafted a truly original and delightful work, an all-ages adventure epic that creates a world of excitement, mystery, and imagination, while building each story on painstaking research of Japan''s history, culture, and mythology. Demon Mask is a collection of diverse Usagi stories, featuring a graveyard encounter with creatures from Japanese folktales, a whodunit clash with a mysterious masked assassin, a young adventure-lover insistent on receiving Usagi''s sword training, a peasant village terrorized by a ravaging Spider Woman, and more. Few works of graphic fiction offer -- or deliver -- as much action, depth, and sheer fun as Stan Sakai''s Usagi Yojimbo.

Usagi continues his journey in serach of harmony.

Circles features the graphic-novel-length epic title story, in which Usagi returns to his native village only to find everything very different indeed. (The discovery that his mentor, whom he thought dead, is actually alive and kicking is only the first of the shocks that await him.) "Circles" is an epic adventure, a love story, and one of the most affecting Usagi stories ever. In addition to the 80-page "Circles," this volume includes "The Bridge," "The Duel," and the hard-to-find "The Tangled Skein" from Critters #38. Jam-packed with lethal sword battles alternating with humor, horror, suspense and slapstick, this beautifully crafted and exciting volume (with an introduction by Jeff Smith) is both an excellent starting point for new readers, and an absolute necessity for Usagi completists.

Perhaps the best samurai rabbit story ever told, Usagi Yojimbo Book 3 collects full-length Usagi stories from issues #7 through #12 of the original Fantagraphics series, including "The Tower" (which introduces Usagi''s travelling companion Spot the Wonder Lizard), "Return of the Blind Swordspig," "A Mother''s Love," "Blade of the Gods," "The Shogun''s Gift," and the hilarious Groo tribute "The Tea Cup," co-starring the amoral mercenary rhino Gen. ("Gen does what Gen does best!") PLUS, the little-seen Usagi team-up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "Turtle Soup and Rabbit Stew," written and drawn by Sakai. A must-have for adventure lovers of all ages!

The next chapter in an exciting tale of the Red Scorpion Gang! When the bunny bodyguard Usagi discovers the body of a magistrate''s kidnapped son, a bloody showdown with the Red Scorpions ensues. How will the lone samuraia noble follower of _bushido_fare against this gang of unscrupulous crooks? Stan Sakai''s tales of Usagi''s feudal adventures are both enduring and endearingconsistently in the cream of today''s comics! "Sakai handles comedy, action, and even the expository scenes with energy and charm."Steven M. Bari, Comics Bulletin

The second volume of Dave Stevens'' Rocketeer blasts off with an all-new selection of great stories by some of the best in the biz! This issue starts off with a bang as Cliff finds himself in a dogfight, followed by a screening of everyone''s favorite cartoon character, and ending on a high-note with a lovely and somewhat familiar story-plus a gorgeous pin-up by Arthur Adams! That''s 25-count ''em, TWO FIVE-pages of topnotch comics!