Usagi Yojimbo

There are a lot of things I appreciate about Stan Sakai’s long-running “Usagi Yojimbo,” but near the top of the list is his regular creation of single-issue stories. I always see them as not only a chance to enjoy a standalone story in one fell swoop, but also as an opportunity to entreat others to try the series out for themselves. In the case of “Usagi Yojimbo” #154, it’s a great time to jump on board. “Usagi Yojimbo” #154 opens with a sequence set several months in the past, as Usagi struggles to reach a pilgrim’s temple during a massive storm, even as he comes across an unconscious Komori ninja named Kazehime. Despite having had nothing but bad run-ins with this clan of bat ninjas, Usagi takes pity on the woman and brings her to the temple and cares for her until she comes to. In the present day, though, that moment of kindness comes back around to haunt him when Kazehime and a band of Komori attack a merchant that Usagi’s trying to defend. Sakai never assumes that a reader has

The TMNT are teleported to a world of talking animals—the world of Usagi Yojimbo! When the samarai rabbit embarks on a quest to save Japan and the deadly Jei blocks his path, a Turtle team-up may be the only chance for survival! The crossover YOU demanded! Written and illustrated by Usagi Yojimbo creator and comics legend Stan Sakai! Variant cover by David Petersen!

The conclusion of “The Secret of the Hell Screen”! After acting as bait to lure a killer out of hiding, Usagi is attacked! With the darkness pressing in on him, he must survive an arduous fight with this mysterious assailant. Will he live to discover the secret of the ghastly Hell Screen?

While the vicious murder of a samurai at a remote temple is investigated, the assassin returns! Now with two murders to solve in connection with the Hell Screen, Inspector Ishida is no closer to finding the killer. Meanwhile, the son of the Screen’s painter surfaces at the temple! Usagi acts as bait to lure the culprit in . . . but has the killer been under their noses the entire time?

The rabbit ronin arrives at an isolated temple and is surprised to find none other than the virtuous Inspector Ishida, investigating a brutal murder! Their only clue is a mysterious, massive, and potentially sentient painting depicting the torments of Hell. Legend has it that this, the hell Screen, will seek vengeance on any who displease it! What will happen when Usagi and Inspector Ishida attempt to solve the murder?