Review: Usagi Yojimbo Wandererâ€™s Road #1

It is an absolute honor to read the simple journey of Usagi Yojimbo as he starts out here in Wanderer“s Road. Stan Sakai Knows exactly how to pace a great book. His work is more than simple story-telling and rises to the level of parable. It is truly astounding that such a great story-teller has been able to draw in an audience and this early tale is a welcome introduction for new readers.

The story written, drawn and lettered by Stan Sakai with new colors by Ronda Pattison reminds us that cruelty of heart can harm others but always also harms oneself. Here the small dragon-like Tokage creature Spot is introduced as his hunger drives him to steal food from an angry chef. The chef chases him and forces him up a tower.

The townspeople surround the tower as the chef tries to block intervention by Usagi to help the creature down. With a quick hit Usagi bypasses him and works his way up the tower. The chef angrily begins to destroy the ladder to prevent Usagi from coming down. The balance of his cruelty begins with snow and tea which Usagi drops onto the chef. The chef then chops down the tower entirely but it lands onto his restaurant where he is then attacked by Spot who then joins Usagi on his journey.

The art the colors and the tone of the story are perfectly done. There is a simplicity to the story but it never feels rushed or forgets to keep us engaged. The parable is one that is so incredibly important for our time, remembering that anger is easy and destruction is simple, but it never leads to happiness or joy to the one meting it out. Everything about our current times would be better if people just looked at stories like these and truly took the lessons to heart.Â

Writing: 4.9 of 5 stars
Art: 4.5 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.5 of 5 stars

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Writer: Stan Sakai
Art: Stan Sakai
Colors: Ronda Pattison
Publisher: IDW PublishingÂ

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.