Led a Sníh

Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #39

by Stan Sakai

USAGI A YUKICHI MUSEJÍ ČELIT SNĚHOVÉ VÁNICI – S NESTVŮRNÝM PŘEKVAPENÍM!

V této knize zastihujeme Usagiho a Yukichiho těsně po událostech z knihy „Zelený drak“, stále ještě v zasněžených horách severního Japonska. Narazí v nich na chatku, ve které žije poustevnickým životem podivná žena. Zmrzlí samurajové u ní naleznou přístřeší, jenže to ještě netuší, že je jim na stopě démonický Jei se svou svěřenkyní Keiko! A k tomu všemu je tu ještě banda ničeho se neštítících gaunerů a hrdlořezů...

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

164 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2025

About the author

Stan Sakai (Japanese: 坂井 スタンSakai Sutan; born May 25, 1953) is an artist who became known as an Eisner Award-winning comic book originator.

Born in Kyoto, Sakai grew up in Hawaii and studied fine arts at the University of Hawaii. He later attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He and his wife, Sharon, presently reside and work in Pasadena.

He began his career by lettering comic books (notably Groo the Wanderer by Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier) and became famous with the production of Usagi Yojimbo, the epic saga of Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit living in late-sixteenth and early-seventeenth-century Japan. First published in 1984, the comic continues to this day, with Sakai as the lone author and nearly-sole artist (Tom Luth serves as the main colorist on the series, and Sergio Aragonés has made two small contributions to the series: the story "Broken Ritual" is based on an idea by Aragonés, and he served as a guest inker for the black and white version of the story "Return to Adachi Plain" that is featured in the Volume 11 trade paper-back edition of Usagi Yojimbo). He also made a futuristic spin-off series Space Usagi. His favorite movie is Satomi Hakkenden (1959).

Reviews

[Diz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usagi has encounters with creatures from Japanese folklore. On top of that, he is pursued by his rival, the creepy and mysterious Jei. Usagi is constantly under threat in these stories, so there is a good level of tension in them.

[Rick Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

After approximately five years of publishing Usagi Yojimbo stories with IDW, Stan Sakai brings the wandering ronin back to Dark Horse Comics under the "Dogu" imprint. Despite this being the fourth publisher swap in the now forty year run of the title, Sakai has maintained a singular continuity for the ongoing adventures of Miyamoto Usagi. Though any new reader can technically jump on with "Ice and Snow" as their first taste of Usagi comics, I'd say the experience is all the more richer having read from the beginning.

"Ice and Snow" follows Miyamoto Usagi and his cousin Yamamoto Yukichi who are both undergoing a warrior's pilgrimage together. Their previous adventures as chronicled in the previous two volumes, Crossroads and The Green Dragon, placed the pair of ronin into the treacherous path of icy mountains and frozen plains whilst they were being stalked by the enigmatic Jei. Usagi Yojimbo stories have often flirted with the supernatural, and "Ice and Snow" is not short on the fantastical elements. Jei's hunt for Usagi is only disrupted by a yuki-onna, or a snow woman from Japanese folklore. There's plenty of twists and turns as Usagi and Yukichi must navigate a group of brigands, the yōkai, a village filled with demons, Jei, and the freezing cold weather.

Though there is an air of familiarity with the stories of Usagi at this point in the run, Sakai still manages to maintain a deeply enjoyable sense of pacing, adventure and intrigue throughout. It's been five years worth of color stories too, and at this point the use of color in the series feels much more confident. I'm still partial to the black-and-white stories of old for sure, but Usagi Yojimbo going strong in 2024 after forty years of publishing is no small feat.

[Ben A · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Stan Sakai turns in a beautiful, perfectly paced and action packed story in this thirty-ninth volume of Usagi Yojimbo as the rabbit ronin returns to Dark Horse comics. I always struggle when writing reviews for this kind of book, I have been a fan, reading and buying the title month in and month out for over twenty years now. Have I lost perspective? Did I ever have any? Or did I fall in love with the character in a way that refuses to let go? I would say it's the latter and I can't see myself stopping reading the adventures of the character unless Stan decides to stop in his telling.

Special Thanks to Dark Horse Comics and Edelweiss Plus for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

[Lindsay John Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan’s still got it! This was perfectly paced. It just kept moving forward and drawing me along

[Václav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usagi a Yukichi putují dál a tentokrát jim cestu zkříží Yei, ale aby toho nadpřirozena nebylo málo tak i jedna populární yokai. Kostra příběhu je celkem klasická, ale u Stana je ďábel v detailech a tak mu to i tentokrát žeru i s udicí. Příběh má celkem slušnou gradaci a i když si rád užívám u Usagiho i těch obrázků běžného života, tady jsou napětí a akce mnohem více přítomné. A kdybyste si mysleli že jedno dobrodružství je málo, tak se hned naváže dalším, kratším ale intenzivnějším. A opět se držíme folklóru. Led a sníh se prostě povedl a stál za to dlouhé čekání. V barvách a slušném velkém formátu je o to působivější - tím spíš když na závěr nás čeká parádní galerie obálek.

[Unseen Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acclaimed comic author and artist Stan Sakai continues his iconic Usagi Yojimbo series in a big way with the exceptional 39th volume, Ice and Snow.

Miyamoto Usagi, travelling ronin and occasional Yojimbo, continues to wander the lands, seeking adventure and helping his friends where possible. Now travelling with his cousin Yukichi, Usagi finds himself moving through the cold and snowy mountain tops of Northern Japan, having just escaped a confrontation between rival ninja clans in the pair’s last adventure. Determined to return to warmer climates, Usagi and Yukichi once again find themselves in trouble amongst the mountain peaks.

Cold and seeking shelter, Usagi and Yukichi encounter nothing but bandits and mysterious creatures as they continue their journey. Desperate for warmth, they decide to spend the night inside the hut of strange woman, only to find themselves trapped by the cold heart of a dangerous spirit, Yuki-Onna, the lady of the snow, who is determined to feast on them.

However, the attentions of a powerful spirt of the snow are the least of Usagi and Yukichi’s problems, as a far more terrifying monster haunts the mountains. The demonic black spearman Jei, the Blade of the Gods, has long hunted Usagi, believing that by killing the rabbit ronin he will ascend to godhood. Now leading a group of mountain bandits, Jei relentlessly chases after Usagi and Yukichi, determined to end their feud once and for all. Can Usagi once again weather the dark storm that is the unstoppable Jei, or will this be the moment he finally falls to his deranged nemesis’s black blade?

Ice and Snow was another amazing volume from Sakai that provides a cool new adventure for the author’s iconic protagonist. Featuring an excellent main storyline loaded with peril and dark confrontation, Ice and Snow had me hooked the entire way through, especially as it featured Sakai’s gorgeous artwork.

To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/12/31/...

For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/

[A.E. Stueve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like all of Miyamoto Usagi's adventures but there is a special place in my heart for his more fantastical ones. This one is not only one of the more fantastical, but one of the darkest. But every time Jei The Blade of the Gods crosses Miayamoto's path things get dark. What's especially intriguing about "Ice and Snow" though is just when you think our hero has made it, along come some demon cats. Do comics get more fun than this?

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stan Sakai turns in another strong Usagi installment. Usagi and Yukichi run afoul of a snow demon while being pursued by Usagi's longtime demonic rival Jei. Some interesting folklore to add a wrinkle to what could've been a simple chase sequence. This one's probably more for the longtime readers who can appreciate the history of Usagi and Jei, but it's still a fun ride.

[Mik Cope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as individual issues. It's been a long while since I read any Usagi and the first time in colour. The title has lost none of its charm and is the usual mixture of samurai action, cultural history and, of course, deadly Yokai (monsters). Great fun!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a return to form. All in all an excellent story, but it felt a tad padded, because there has to be 5 issues in the trade paperbacks.

The last issue in particular felt tacked on and unnecessary.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Steven desJardins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usagi Yojimbo is consistently excellent, but this volume is largely repetitive of what's come before.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish it had been longer! It felt short, but quality nonetheless.

[Håvard Wigtil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alltid spennende når Jei dukker opp, og artig med var-katter. Men føler at det brukes litt mye plass på litt lite historie.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sakai is on fire.