Usagi Yojimbo #145, detail rich, indie cred and all age comic awesome

This was our first introduction to Usagi Yojimbo for sale and for good reason because the comic was on a three year break. Welcome back and it’s a great time to discover this fabulous comic that is an example of what an all age comic should be. Usagi Jimbo is a 2015 Eisner Award Nominee and one of NPR’s best books in 2014. After checking out this one issue it’s easy to see why it has garnered such acclaim.

Usagi Yojimbo is printed in black and white. Don’t get alarmed because the cover is in color, with a story this fun and this much action the kids will barely notice that the inside is black and white.

Issue 145 starts a new three issue story called The Thief and The Junoichi. Usagi is a rabbit and the characters in the story are all anthropomorphic. Usagi is also a ninja and the story is based in Japan.

Here it’s important to point out that I love animals, all things Japan and lived over there for a number of years. Having said that, my enjoyment out of Usagi Yojimbo is solely based on the storytelling and art that make up the comic-and it’s great.

A mysterious cat burglar, Kitsune (literally, a cat) is trying to steal some valuables but is thwarted by a stronger, more skilled ninja (who is also probably a cat). Kitsune manages to steal a scroll when the ninja drops it and slowly walks away towards her sister.

Usagi is taking a stroll through the village and sees Kitsune and her younger sister who are obviously up to no good. A swarm of ninjas attach the three of them looking for the scroll that was stolen and Usagi steps into the action.

He beats them all back and meets the other two back at their house where he confronts them about the stolen goods. Right when he’s about to get answers from them the other ninja appears in the houses’ rafters and starts a showdown.

This is great all age comic for lots of fans. The indie kids will like it because it’s black and white and has paper that resembles newspaper for that classic feel. Parents and all age comic fans will enjoy Usagi Yojimbo because of the action, artwork, quick story and playful tone of the comic. The only alarming thing in the comic is when the second ninja tells Kitsune, “I’m going to kill you woman”.

There is enough story, action and art to keep kids 5 and up glued to this comic. It’s simple enough to bring in the young readers and clever enough to keep the older ones interested.