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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2016 17:56:53 GMT -5
Sorry, sorry, I just went back and looked at the first post. The Special edition, tpb, in your first amazon link. I went there, and when I clicked on hardcover, it was NOT showing those prices last night. I would get the TPB, not HC. Heheheh. That makes more sense. For what it's worth, the softcover actually looks a lot handsomer than the hardcover (I have the hardcover). The hardcover saga editions are gorgeous (and all but the first one are on sale on Amazon right now), but Fantagraph didn't do quite as an impressive job with the Special Edition HC. Aww, this bums me. I am SUCH a Fantagraphics fangirl, too! I use them to compare quality of other hardcovers. Fantagraphics4lyfe. Seriously. I love every single Fantagraphics book I own. But I won't get that anyway because it costs entirely too much. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2016 18:13:07 GMT -5
I like the Fantagraphics hardcovers
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Feb 8, 2016 19:59:27 GMT -5
I like the Fantagraphics hardcovers I really really wish Fantagraph could have done a better job working with Dark Horse to release a unified set in the style of the Saga volumes. The Usagi Yojimbo Saga shouldn't begin nine years into Usagi continuity. And those editions are just so much more handsome, in my opinion, plus they include the forwards to the old collected editions. The difference in quality between the two publishers is night and day, as far as I'm concerned. I wish they could all be part of the Saga editions. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2016 20:49:12 GMT -5
Yeah, that would have been preferable. But as it is I like my hardcovers a lot. I really can't say which design I like better. I do wish the Dark Horse ones were slip cased though
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Feb 8, 2016 21:00:04 GMT -5
Yeah, that would have been preferable. But as it is I like my hardcovers a lot. I really can't say which design I like better. I do wish the Dark Horse ones were slip cased though I prefer the classic feel of an (almost) leather bound volume. Never get into slipcases, myself. |
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Post by maichan on Feb 8, 2016 23:14:27 GMT -5
Name pronunciations....
Usagi Yojimbo = Usagi, oo-sah-gee, or oo-saw-gee oo as in the sound a cow makes, moo. But not a long oo, it's a short oo. Yojimbo, just like it's spelled = yo-jim-bo ....
Gen = hard G, Gen like Genndy Tartakovsky
Tomoe = tow-mow-eh or toe-moe-eh
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 1:00:18 GMT -5
Yeah, that would have been preferable. But as it is I like my hardcovers a lot. I really can't say which design I like better. I do wish the Dark Horse ones were slip cased though I prefer the classic feel of an (almost) leather bound volume. Never get into slipcases, myself. I wish Easton Press would do more comics. It would be expensive, but I would be willing to buy one comic book per year if it were a series I loved bound like that. They have the first four Peanuts volumes, but they're not doing the rest as far as I can tell, and investing that kind of money into a set just for it to not match doesn't make sense to me. I do like that the Dark Horse volumes have the curved spines like an old leatherbound book though. I think my favorite book I own is the oversized hardcover slipcase edition of Tank Girl, it's just beautifully done. If I had a row of Usagi books like that... Or Love And Rockets. |
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Post by String on Feb 10, 2016 15:04:08 GMT -5
Usagi Yojimbo is great because you can basically pick it up and start from anywhere. Many stories are single issues and others are only a few issues long. BUT, I think it is best to start from the beginning. Stan's style has changed a lot over the years, so I think it is great to not only watch the evolution of Usagi as a character, but the style in which he is presented. With some many years of Usagi Yojimbo, and so many issues out there, it is a daunting task, but IMHO will be worth it. Exactly! While there is an overall sense of plot progression, events, and character growth throughout the title, I love that this is one of the few comics still being published where you can literally pick up any issue, past or present, and can immediately be drawn into it and not be confused by any heavy clutter of continuity. For example, while I can't recall specifically where I first learned of Usagi, the first trade that I was able to buy was Vol. 10- Brink of Life & Death. While this is quite far into the series, I had no trouble learning who was who, the situations involved, and the relationships between the characters featured within that volume. Having finished reading that volume only made me want to track down all the rest. And that's a credit to Stan Sakai, for making Usagi so new reader-friendly with each and every issue. Also, for having Usagi continually published since the 80s, through various publishers, numerous volumes, even a hiatus, and still maintain such a high level of creativity and quality, that's an amazing accomplishment within this ever-fluid comics industry. |
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Post by usagiguy on Feb 10, 2016 15:31:07 GMT -5
While there is an overall sense of plot progression, events, and character growth throughout the title, I love that this is one of the few comics still being published where you can literally pick up any issue, past or present, and can immediately be drawn into it and not be confused by any heavy clutter of continuity. I try to make each book stand on its own, without having to read the other volumes. The only exceptions might be the two Grasscutter books, which are built up on foundations laid by the preceding volumes. However, even those can be read on their own. The first Grasscutter (UY Vol 12) was used as a textbook in Japanese History classes at the college level, and I would bet most of those students had no idea who Usagi is. I tend to do a few books of self-contained or short story arc which are good jumping on points for new readers. These also lay some groundwork for the long epic-type stories that the older readers seem to like, because I can get more into character development and relationships. Thank you, Stan |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2016 7:28:55 GMT -5
I got my books last night, guys! I dug in as soon as I could. Enjoying it so far, and I'll probably be commenting on the various story threads. I'm not a great formal reviewer of things, but I'll have words.  |
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Post by shaxper on Feb 11, 2016 8:55:32 GMT -5
I'm not a great formal reviewer of things, but I'll have words. Who needs formal? I just want to vicariously experience what it's like to read Usagi for the first time again |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2016 20:48:19 GMT -5
I'm not a great formal reviewer of things, but I'll have words. Who needs formal? I just want to vicariously experience what it's like to read Usagi for the first time again Almost 200 pages in 2 days, I'd say I am in love. I never read that much of anything, usually, because I don't normally have the time or the care. But this is different. Plus, like, I just calmed down from the fact that it's a rabbit. D'awwww. |
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Post by stillpoint on Oct 13, 2016 14:09:12 GMT -5
For years I heard such great things about Usagi Yojimbo and eventually bought a copy of the first Fantagraphics volume, Ronin. I read it and liked it, but it didn't really draw me in, so I didn't read any further. I kept that book, though, and tried again a couple of years later with the same result.
Then I checked out Dark Horse's Usagi Yojimbo Saga volume 1 from the library. And that blew me away. As soon as I had finished, I flipped back to the front and read it again. Same with volumes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. I've bought all those and volume 7 will be my Xmas present to myself.
I've since gone back to a couple of Fantagraphics volumes, and I find my enjoyment of them is greater because I see the evolution of characters and plot threads I already know.
Short version: if early Usagi doesn't grab you, try the later stuff.
P.S. I can't believe it took me so long to discover this board.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Oct 13, 2016 16:34:12 GMT -5
For years I heard such great things about Usagi Yojimbo and eventually bought a copy of the first Fantagraphics volume, Ronin. I read it and liked it, but it didn't really draw me in, so I didn't read any further. I kept that book, though, and tried again a couple of years later with the same result. Then I checked out Dark Horse's Usagi Yojimbo Saga volume 1 from the library. And that blew me away. As soon as I had finished, I flipped back to the front and read it again. Same with volumes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. I've bought all those and volume 7 will be my Xmas present to myself. I've since gone back to a couple of Fantagraphics volumes, and I find my enjoyment of them is greater because I see the evolution of characters and plot threads I already know. Short version: if early Usagi doesn't grab you, try the later stuff. P.S. I can't believe it took me so long to discover this board. I've always argued it's best to start with volume 2 ("Samurai"), but there's no doubt the series continues to get even better with time. Hard to see what makes this series so exceptional in those first few outings. So glad you found us, too! Don't be a stranger around these parts  |
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Post by brutalis on Nov 28, 2016 8:14:25 GMT -5
Came home Friday morning from Black Friday DVD shopping to find a nice large Amazon box (requiring a fork lift or crane to move it) of the Usagi Special Edition set and Usagi Saga 1 and 2. Once opened then i dove headlong hungrily over Friday,Satruday and Sunday in devouring the entire 1st book from the Special Edition. Been quite a while since i so thoroughly immersed myself into another world so devoutly. Now the great hunger calls (step aside world devour Galactus, I hunger!) and it shall not be satisfied until i have managed to purchase all the Saga TPB's (slowly young grasshopper, you must not break the bank and be one of the homeless masses) so my collecting fever subsides and my reading pleasures continue. Further insights and thoughts coming.
P.S> Thanks Shax, like i am not addicted to enough comic book things now you helped restore me to one of my old favorites which had fallen to the side. But damn don't these Usagi collections look so beautiful beside my Elfquest's on the shelf. Two of my most favorite series ever by author's/artists of uniquely stirring and spiritual stories and gorgeous black and white art to be ever be crafted.
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