Usagi Yojimbo presents a difficulty for us as editors of BAC. Every issue is strong, and they form such a tapestry when read one after another that it’s difficult to pull out any one bit and say, “this is the best Usagi.” “Traitors of the Earth” has the advantage of being a relatively short, self-contained story, and “Saya” is even more so. Both are compulsively readable, and good places to start if you’re not already reading the series.
Traitors of the Earth is a ghost story, or more accurately, a zombie-samurai story, with lots of sword-play, of course. 300 years previously, a defeated army was left unburied, and now they’re back for more. Kitsune the thief (pal of UY) gets tangled up in all this by stealing the wrong guy’s purse.
Saya is a very neatly-structured tale that begins and ends with peasants singing a folksong encouraging samurai to keep their swords sheathed. Of course, this is impossible in a Usagi tale, but there’s no actual bloodshed this time, just a quick lesson in manners. This is one unique strength of the book: there’s plenty of Japanese culture, language, and tradition layered seamlessly into every story.
Age: grades 4-6, as long as you’re OK with cartoony by bloody battles.
What is this “Notable” thing all about? Matt and Jessica are the series editors for the Best American Comics, and are responsible for the Notable Comics list at the back of the book, which is comprised of virtually all the comics we sent to the guest editor that weren’t picked, as well as a number of others that we think are noteworthy for various reasons, but that we didn’t send to the guest editor.
We’ve always hoped readers will delve a bit into the list to find more great stories once they finish reading BAC. Realistically, though, we know that’s tough. What can you know about a story from a title and author? So this is one of a series of posts focusing on each of the Notables from the 2010Best American Comics.
Have or know of a comic we should look at? Find submission info here.
The “age” suggestion is what we think might be the minimum age for reading and appreciating a work. All works on the list, though, should appeal to older audiences too. It’s a minimum suggestion only.