Usagi Yojimbo Saga book 5

Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 5 by Stan Sakai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 5 collects issues 76-94 of Usagi Yojimbo + material from the Usagi Yojimbo Color Specials.

Book 5 sees Usagi spend a lot of time with Tomoe in Geishu province. There are also tales featuring Gen, Inspector Ishida, Jei, Kitsune, ninja, ghosts and monsters from Japanese folklore, and that damn ink set makes another appearance. There is also a dive into Japanese culture, the tea ceremony.

While I didn't enjoy this volume quite as much as the last, it did quite a bit to flesh out Tomoe as a character and showcased the intrigue in the Geishu court. The introduction of Noriko gives an interesting glimpse of what might have been if Tomoe's life had gone another way. I'm also digging Motokazu's new role in things. Lastly, it will be a sweet day when someone settles Lord Horikawa's hash.

Stan Sakai's art continues to impress. I never get the impression that he's phoning it in or coasting on past accomplishments. His simple yet intricate artwork amazes me at times. He's able to convey quite a bit of emotion with just a few brush strokes. He also knows his way around an inkwell. His use of black takes full advantage of the black and white format, as does his crosshatching and line work.

The best comic going today shows no signs of stopping. Four out of five stars.



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