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Usagi Yojimbo leaves Dark Horse for IDW

by Kyle Tobey
written by Kyle Tobey

After a long relationship with Dark Horse Comics, Usagi Yojimbo has a new home at IDW Publishing.

Coming this June, IDW celebrates with Usagi Yojimbo #1, a full color graphic novel library featuring all 35 years of Usagi Yojimbo history, and for the first time ever, Usagi Yojimbo comics in full color.

From the Press Release-


IDW Publishing is very pleased to announce that industry icon Stan Sakai will bring his critically acclaimed series Usagi Yojimbo to IDW beginning in June. For the first time ever, new monthly Usagi Yojimbo comic books will be published in full color, and IDW will curate a fully-colored graphic novel library of the complete Usagi Yojimbo – all 35 years of its grand storytelling, plus new stories to come!

“I’m delighted to work with IDW Publishing on the new Usagi Yojimbo color series. IDW is a creative company that brings a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and excitement to the table. The IDW family includes many beloved characters, including (of course) the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so it is a natural fit,” says Stan Sakai. “Fans, please look forward to this coming June as we’ll be releasing IDW Usagi Yojimbo #1, action-packed and now fully colored.”
Welcome to the world of Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo in June with the first thrilling chapter in an all-new three-part story! Set in the Edo period of Japan, this adventure sees Usagi embroiled in a puppet drama where the players are not quite what they seem.
Sakai adds, “Bunraku (Japanese puppetry) captures many elements that make the world of Usagi Yojimbo unique: an adventure filled with Japanese culture, folklore, and history. It also features the return of a long-awaited fan favorite character and Yokai (Japanese supernatural creatures). I’d like to thank the readers for their continued support of Usagi, and if you haven’t read Usagi before, this is a great place to start.”
Marking this milestone with a spectacular selection of covers, Usagi Yojimbo #1 includes a main cover by Stan Sakai, plus variants by Daniel Warren Johnson (Murder Falcon), Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and Walt Simonson (Ragnarök, The Mighty Thor).
Written and illustrated by Stan Sakai for over thirty years and published in over fourteen countries, Usagi Yojimbo is set in a unique world based on 17th century Japan. Miyamoto Usagi, who once served as the personal bodyguard for a Japanese warlord, now traverses this unique world – a landscape populated by ghosts, dinosaurs, monsters, and warriors of all kinds – as a ronin. In his many exciting adventures, the swordsrabbit hones his skills, saves villages, and often finds himself navigating the delicate affairs of national/political significance.

This looks like a fantastic deal for any Usagi Yojimbo fans. I’m really excited to see it come to full color, and I’m super excited for the variant issues for Usiagi Yojimbo #1! Dark Horse is a great comic publisher, but Usagi Yojimbo on IDW makes a ton of sense. And now maybe we’ll get a full TMNT/Yojimbo ongoing crossover series.

What do you think of the move for Usagi Yojimbo? Are there any new crossovers you hope to see? Let us know in the comments!

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Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: TMNT Urban Legends #3

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

Donnie’s paralyzed! Leo’s stuck in an astral plane! Mikey and Ralph are overwhelmed by an army of femme fatales! And Splinter… gets to enjoy a day the spa. It’s not all bad for our heroes in the latest chapter of TMNT Urban Legends!

Comic Review: TMNT Urban Legends #3

(w) Gary Carlson (a) Frank Fosco (i) Andrew Pepoy (c) Adam Guzowski

Say what you will about TMNT Urban Legends, but the series certainly keeps readers guessing. While the creative team took a couple issues to find their footing, they nevertheless forged ahead in bringing drastic changes to the titular heroes. The twists and turns keep coming in the series’ third issue, but the quality of the storytelling has improved, making this the best issue of the series thus far.

The issue opens with an almost full page splash of Raphael and Michaelangelo standing off against an army of ninja warriors. It’s big, bold, and sets the tone for the remainder of the issue. Not only do they have to face overwhelming odds, but they also must protect their older brother, Leonardo, who is off in the astral plane. This seamless leads into seeing where Leonardo is and what he is dealing with. This gets to the heart as to why this issue is better than the previous two. The creators have managed to find their footing in juggling a large cast of characters, transitioning from one plot thread to the next without it muddying the storytelling.

Not only do Carlson and Fosco excel in juggling their large cast, but they do so without sacrificing the shocking elements of the first two issues. That aspect of their storytelling is actually enhanced thanks to their refined technique. This is perhaps best exemplified throughout the issue as the creators check in with Donatello and his unfortunate predicament. When first shown, he is visited by Leonardo (in an astral form) and it is confirmed that his fall from a helicopter in the previous issue has left him completely paralyzed. A couple pages later, we return and the creators do an exemplary job in portraying the fear and loneliness the character experiences. This is a brutal and unfortunate situation, the the duo manages to capture its true horror. The third time… well, let’s not spoil things. Let’s just say it is chilling, leaving the reader aching for the next issue.

TMNT Urban Legends #3 is arguably the most enjoyable TMNT comic to be released in several months – and it’s a full color reprint of a 20-year-old issue. While it still possesses its share of flaws, the are far less pronounced than in the first two issues, resulting a thrilling and enjoyable issue. The envelope-pushing ’90s sensibilities work in this issue’s favor, leaving the reader wanting more upon reaching the final page.

 

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Comic BooksReviews

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #82

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

With the Rat King on the loose, the Turtles seek help from others in the Pantheon – starting with the Toad Baron! Meanwhile, a meetup between Bishop and Baxter Stockman is absolutely, 100% wholesome.

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #82

(W) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow (A) Dave Wachter (C) Ronda Pattison

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. Toad Baron’s servants is an early contender for comic book fight of the year. Not because of awesome choreography and high-stakes drama, but due to the sheer hilarity of the situation. Though they give it their all, the pint-sized servants are clearly overmatched in a sequence that leaves the titular heroes, and the reader, in stitches. It serves as a great way to kick off the issue. As the series has hit a stretch of uneven quality, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #82 is one of the good ones.

What makes TMNT #82 such a strong issue is the notable lack of action. Yes, it opens with a “fight” sequence, but beyond that the script by Tom Waltz is largely conversational in nature. Whether it’s the Turtles and Toad Baron, Baxter and Bishop, or Splinter and Jenika, this is an issue where people like to talk. And even though this is an action title, it is issues like this where the series really shines. Without a big, bombastic event going on, the story can breathe and characters can get their due attention. This is especially true in the moments featuring the Turtles. Waltz’s handling of their personalities is on point, and their interaction with the Toad Baron is the highlight of the issue.

While the Turtles shine brightly, they are not the only strong point of this issue. Baxter Stockman has found himself in the crosshairs of Bishop and the EPF, due to the publicity he “earned” during the “Invasion of the the Triceratons” story. While good, this subplot is nowhere as strong as the Turtle-centric stuff. Its relevance appears to be setting up a future story than dealing with the one at hand. Tonally, it’s a bit uneven too, but it remains stronger than the inclusion of Splinter and Jenika’s rooftop conversation, which appears to be included solely to fill the page count.

I’ve commented in past reviews on how much I love Dave Wachter’s artwork. No surprise here, it’s fantastic. Ditto with regard to Ronda Pattison’s colors. Visually, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a book that hardly ever disappoints thanks to the quality talent IDW has cultivated.

As the series has progressed, these “breather” issues have become the strength of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As cool as it may be to see them engage other weird-looking foes in fisticuffs, it is their personalities and interactions with others that have made hardcore fans fall in love them. To see those personalities shine as they do here here is exactly what TMNT fans want out of their stories.

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Comic Book NewsNews

New Comic Series Based on RISE OF THE TMNT

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

With the upcoming animated series RISE OF THE TMNT, it’s only natural that IDW would produce a comic series to accompany it. After all, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012) had comic book adaptations from – respectively – Archie Comics, Mirage Studios, and IDW Publishing. While it hasn’t been 100% confirmed that a new series is in IDW’s plans, it’s a safe bet.

What has been confirmed is that a #0 issue from IDW veterans Matthew K. Manning and Chad Thomas will debut ahead of the animated show with a July 2018 release (the show debuts in September 2018), which means fans looking at their first look at this new TMNT iteration should head to their local comic shops. The news comes out of this past weekend’s C2E2, held every April in Chicago, IL. Solicitation for the issue is as follows:

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #0

  • Matthew K. Manning (w) • Chad Thomas (a & c)
  • A new age of mutant madness begins with the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! This special zero issue is your very first look at the new adventures the guys in green will be getting into this fall! Will the TMNT be able to master their new weapons, or will the weapons master them?!
  • FC • 32 pages • $3.99
  • Excited for the new upcoming TMNT new animated series Rise of the TMNT? Catch the comic first!
  • New characters, new weapons, new attitude!
  • Hilarious action and adventure for all ages!
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Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #71

by Dan Gehen
written by Dan Gehen

“Pantheon Family Reunion” Part 1 of 2. You are cordially invited to the centennial reunion of the Pantheon, the immortal family that influences the course of history. The main talking point? The fate of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Comic Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #71

(W) Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, & Bobby Curnow, (A) Dave Wachter, (C) Ronda Pattison

Hey IDW! Could you give the Pantheon their own miniseries? Because if there’s any takeaway from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #71, it’s that the immortal beings of this universe are a blast to read when they get together. Full of humor, heart, and a varied cast of characters, this action-less issue may not be perfect, but it is among the best of the series.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about this issue is the creative team’s ability to make the reader sympathetic to Kitsune, who to this point has been portrayed as cunning, ruthless, and evil. But surrounded by family, she is scared, insecure, and vulnerable. She lashes out in response to the put downs by Rat King, Toad Baron, and Gothano. As much as Waltz’s script is responsible, credit it largely due to Dave Wachter, who beautifully conveys Kitsune’s varying emotions throughout the issue. In just one image, Wachter showcases Kitsune emotional range. Readers can infer pain, fear, anger, and cunning.

The emotional range that Wachter gives to Kitsune extends to her siblings. Given his temperament, Rat King is easily the most expressive of the Pantheon. While Gothano’s face is obstructed and Aka maintains her composure throughout, Rat King is a mischief maker. And because of this, he usually bears a menacing rictus, but not exclusively. Likewise, Aka does not always maintain her composed state. These slips from their predefined personalities make them more identifiable, and therefore more real.

The script itself features a bit of exposition to catch readers up, especially those who are not reading TMNT Universe in addition to this series. However, the story by Waltz, Eastman, and Curnow is more focused on establishing these family dynamics and setting up the story to come. As a result, Waltz’s script does not linger too much on the past, allowing the issue to move forward at a steady and consistent pace. And as has been the case throughout this series, the strength of the issue comes from the family dynamics, with any action (in this case, there is none) working in service to the story rather than being the major driver.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #71 is yet another fantastic addition to the canon, and this time it manages to do so with barely an appearance from the titular heroes. Their only appearance is in the issue’s cliffhanger, yet the artwork and writing is so strong they are not needed to entice readers to return for the next chapter. And that can’t come soon enough.

 

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