Full time rabbit samurai, part time Ninja Turtle accomplice, Usagi Yojimbo sure has been around for a while now. So long in fact, the popular swordsrabbit has crossed the threshold of a comic book milestone- 200 issues from publisher Dark Horse.
The book's creator, Stan Sakai, is having a pretty good year all around. Aside from reaching the 200 club, he was also named 2011 Cultural Ambassador by the Japanese American National Museum- now that's quite an honor!
So, what's coming up for the warrior with the floppy ears?
Stan Sakai has won several Eisner Awards and has received over twenty Eisner Award nominations. Prior to Dark Horse’s long run on the series, there were thirty-eight Fantagraphics issues, sixteen Mirage issues, a summer special, and four color specials. Dark Horse’s Usagi Yojimbo #141 marks the landmark two hundredth overall issue of master storyteller Stan Sakai’s beloved series, and the rabbit ronin celebrates with a special story perfect for new readers, “200 Buddhas”! With a ruthless gang terrorizing his small town, a humble stonecutter receives a vision and sets out to carve two hundred stone figures. Just as he has finished the 199th, a long-eared stranger comes to his door seeking shelter from the rain!Soooo, should I not expect any Ninja Turtles crossovers in the near future then?
