Usagi Yojimbo Issue #4 – “The Hero,” Writer and Artist: Stan Sakai, Cover Artist: Stan Sakai
Usagi Yojimbo #4 continues to bring forth the egregious adventures of this special samurai bunny. On this occasion, he goes back to his roots as a yojimbo (bodyguard) when he is hired by Lady Mura, a famous writer, to keep her safe on her perilous journey to her father′s home.
Lady Mura is a clear homage to writer Murasaki Shikibu, the author behind The Tale of Genji (Genji-monog atari). A smart woman, her natural intelligence, quick wit, inborn writing skills, and keen observations of the nobility during the late Heian period (795-1185 AD) enabled her to make one of Ancient Japan′s most famous and acclaimed novels.
Here is a bit of information that, as usual, Stan Sakai has in store for us after the incredible filled-with-ghosts-and-monsters adventure Usagi will endure:
The Tale of Genji is a two volume book with 54 chapters (or episodes) that is longer than War and Peace. What begins as a fairytale about noble life ends with a bleak psychological analysis of relationships between men and women.
Of course, this will also transpire in the narrative itself, as Lady Mura has a problem with her jealous ex-husband (a high ranking lord) since he doesn′t want her to continue writing.
Usagi will mediate between Lady Mura and this lord, helping her to defend her right to write and be herself. Battles, an abandoned temple, and mysterious magical creatures are all in the works as well.
This two part story first began in September and will continue this month.
Usagi Yojimbo Issue # 4: The Hero has been available since September 2019.
AVAILABLE: September 2019
DIAMOND CODE: JUL190736
IMPRINT: IDW
PAGE COUNT: 32
COLOR: FC
Featured image by Stan Sakai, all images belong to IDW.
