( 5 reviews )
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Posted: Aug 10 2009
Usagi Yojimbo is the kind of quality work that transcends time, genres, demographics, and even age groups. It crafts a delicate and beautiful balance between honor and savagery, cute innocence and dark brutality, simple heart-warming stories and multi-part epics that shape a dense continuity. Whether or not you've ever been a fan of feudal Japanese culture, furry anthro characters, or independent, non-superhero comics, Usagi Yojimbo is a comic that can't help but impress even the harshest critic. After the completion of Grasscutter, creator Stan Sakai's most ambitious Usagi volume to date, one would expect the title to lay low for a while before charging boldly into new directions, but Grey Shadows (volume 13) does no such thing. The volume begins with two simple stand-alone stories, "My Father's Sword" and "Demon Flute." Neither do anything to break the mold, but they are both strong stories with powerful conclusions -- the usual level of excellence we've come to expect from Usagi. "Momo-Usagi-Taro," the third story in this collection, is a true gem. Once again, Sakai delves into Japanese mythology to provide a highly endearing retelling of the legend of Momotaro, the ancient warrior born in a peach. The cuteness level is overwhelming as Usagi tells this story to a band of orphans while feeding them sweets. Finally, the volume finds direction with "The Hairpin Murders." Here, Usagi falls in with Inspector Ishida, an endearing and seemingly frail old detective with the mental skills of Sherlock Holmes and the unsuspecting combat experience of a hundred samurai. The two part story, which keeps one guessing as the clues are gathered and the action compounds, is immediately followed by "The Courtesan," yet another mystery with a powerful revelation and conclusion. Finally, the volume concludes with "Tam??shigiri," a second Inspector Ishida mystery that does not disappoint. At the very least, Grey Shadows is an experiment in genre jumping. What begins as a standard Usagi volume briefly touches upon the mythological and then charges, head first into the realm of action-packed detective noir. Considering how beloved Inspector Ishida has since become amongst Usagi fans, as well as the fact that there isn't a single story in this volume that fails to deliver, Grey Shadows is clearly a must read.
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Posted: May 15 2009
I love Usagi Yojimbo the series provides a unique comic experience that is thoroughly enjoyable. Don't be turned off by the funny-animal ascetic, you will like it.
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Posted: Nov 9 2005
This volume which is surrounded by the Grasscutter stories has become one of my favorites. The introduction of the Inspector makes this book, the combination of the mystery stories and the interplay between the two characters are done well, particularly the moments where they are on opposite paths. Of all the volumes that are not specifically a single story this one is the most cohesive, it is worth your money as is anything by Sakai.
