The Sakai Project: Artists Celebrate Thirty Years of Usagi Yojimbo

Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #Artbook

by Bill Morrison

The most amazing artists in the world have come together to celebrate thirty years of Stan Sakai's marvelous samurai rabbit saga, Usagi Yojimbo.

The participating artists bring their own interpretations and their own styles to the subject, making this book a one-of-akind treasure. Produced in association with the Comic Art Professional Society (CAPS).

All proceeds from this book will go to Stan and Sharon Sakai.

Genres: Comics, Art, Graphic Novels

Unknown Binding

First published July 23, 2014

About the author

Comic book artist and writer, and co-founder of Bongo Comics (along with Matt Groening and Steve and Cindy Vance). He currently serves as creative director of Bongo Comics.

Morrison is a native of Lincoln Park, Michigan, a Downriver community situated south of Detroit, Michigan. He attended the College for Creative Studies.

Morrison is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America; he created the mural A Century of Values to celebrate the BSA centennial in 2010.

At the beginning of his career in the early 1980s, Morrison worked as a technical illustrator for Artech, Inc. in Livonia, Michigan, before going to work as an illustrator for Disney. Then he worked as an illustrator for The Simpsons and created his own comic Roswell. He served as director for Futurama.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The comic industry is just a big family despite what may be said, this is the proof. A beautiful and emotional tribute to the Sakai family, hundreds of artists gave their time and art to help their colleague in need. You'll have a smile stuck on your face from the moment you open this book till you close it, maybe for a long time after that. Plus, you'll enjoy some art by masters (Aragones, Mignola, Smith) and promising students alike.

Thanks to all and to dark horse for making this happen, I hope it really helped Mr. Sakai and his wife overcome this unbearable health problem. Congratulations.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

The preface sets the emotional tone for this loving tribute which is absolutely beautiful to look at. I went from looking for some of my favorite artists' contributions, to being wowed by the many major names who submitted work, to simply being enthralled by each and every illustration -- now all I want to do is keep gazing at each page again and again.

[Carl Grider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't give it anything other than 5 stars. Nice people helping out nice people with incredible art!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much amazing artwork!

[Paul Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usagi Yojimbo and its creator Stan Sakai began a journey 30 years ago that has touched a great many artists and comic fans. Three decades of joy and inspiration from one samurai rabbit who was the epitome of Japanese entertainment rolled into a reflective and very special hero.

When Stan Sakai's Wife developed an ever worsening brain tumor the artistic community banded together to help. More than 250 artists contributed to this fantastic and jaw dropping collection of art.

Its near impossible to not see the love, joy and talent expressed in these many and varied styles all pouring out for someone they admire and someone who inspired them.

This is a can't miss for anyone with joy in their heart, an eye for talent, a passion for pop and comic art and anyone who has room in their heart for one ronin bunny.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5 – 100s of Artistic Takes on Usagi Yojimbo.

I you love Stan Sakai’s character Usagi Yojimbo you’ve probably already bought or ordered this. If you’ve never heard of Usagi you should be checking out one of the collected editions of Saki’s ronin rabbit. It may feature anthropomorphics, but it’s got more humanity than many of the other comics on the stands. If you’re just a lover of great art, taking the subject out of it, again, this is a must-buy.
Read more: https://comicspectrumtpb.wordpress.co...

[***Dave Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely book is made up of pictures of Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo, collected (and actioned) to help support the medical care for Stan's wife. It's not something that anyone who's not a fan of the character would appreciate, but for fans it's a fantastic collection, varying from artists who capture (in their own way) Stan's style, to others who have their own idiosyncratic way of rendering a rabbit ronin.

There are a few clunkers, but also a lot of loveliness, and it's all for a tremendous cause.

[Jdetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to really review a benefit book like this. It has some gorgeous artwork, but are there other things I would have liked to see? Sure, there are artists I wish we're here, and I'd love to see some one or two page strips from some of these creators. That being said, what's here is gorgeous and as everything is for a good cause harping on that sort of thing is in bad taste. Kudos to all who gave their time for this project.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for any Usagi Yojimbo fan. The artwork is beautiful and amazing, and proceeds support Stan and his wife as they deal with medical expenses. It's a great collection with lots of different artistic styles and interpretations, and a lovely book overall.

(Not available via Amazon, currently. I ordered mine through my local comic shop. I imagine bookstores could easily do the same, especially if they have a comics/graphic novels section.)

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun seeing everyone's version or mash up of Usagi. I especially loved Picasso Dular's contribution.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book for a good cause.
Lots of great renditions of Usagi in here, from some great artists.

[Leonard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Colorful animated illustrations by various artists, not very meaningful for someone like myself who is not familiar with or necessarily a fan of this kind of art.

[Stan Pedzick · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much good art as tribute to the amazing Stan Sakai.

[Shane Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art collection to celebrate the excellent Usagi Yojimbo story and help the creator with medical payments. Worth every penny