USAGI YOJIMBO (2019)

"Follow the adventures of rabbit r?nin Miyamoto Usagi as he wanders Edo period Japan on his warrior's journey. In the start of this three-part story, Usagi becomes embroiled in a puppet drama where the players are not quite what they seem! Written, drawn, and lettered by comics legend Stan Sakai! Colors by Tom Luth (Groo the Wanderer)! The start of an exciting new chapter in the epic ongoing saga of Usagi, now published by IDW! Exciting retail incentive variants are offered for the serialized Usagi Yojimbo series for the first time! This series will be in all color! "

"'Bunraku,' Part 2. Strange circumstances continue to surround a travelling puppet show as Usagi becomes embroiled in one of his most eerie adventures yet! Will the aid of a supernatural ally be enough for Usagi to prevent more death? Stan Sakai's long-running epic continues its first thrilling storyline at IDW Publishing! Exciting samurai action, now in color!"

"'Bunraku', Part 3. A sinister force grows in strength, and Usagi must team up with the supernaturally powered Sasuke to defeat it. The heroic duo is in for the fight of their life as the danger becomes even more bizarre than they could imagine! Don't miss the thrilling conclusion to Stan Sakai's first Usagi Yojimbo story at IDW Publishing! "

"In this explosive new story arc, Usagi goes back to his roots as a yojimbo (bodyguard) when he is hired by Lady Mura, a famous writer, to keep her safe on her perilous journey to her father's home. Making matters worse, Usagi is thrown into a bitter dispute between Lady Mura and her jealous ex-husband (a high ranking lord). A wild tale of action, drama, and adventure! "

"The enthralling conclusion to 'The Hero'! Usagi has been retained as a bodyguard to writer Lady Mura as she escapes her powerful, abusive husband. However, he is cornered in a dilemma when duty and honor conflicts with bushido, the rigid code of the samurai. Can only tragedy come of his decision? "

"In this 35th anniversary month of Usagi Yojimbo, Stan Sakai revisits the very first Usagi story, 'The Goblin of Adachigahara', expanding it from 8 to 24 pages and adding new insights into the characters and events, as well as revealing the reason for Usagi's pilgrimage back home."

"Usagi joins his friend the bounty hunter, Gen, and his partner Stray Dog in recovering a stolen sword, an heirloom of the Higashi Clan. However, they quickly find that possessing the sword is one thing, but returning it is something entirely different as they must fight through a gauntlet of rivals wanting to claim the reward for themselves."

"'Tatami,' Part 1 of 2. Usagi returns to his home province only to find intrigue and betrayal! An important tea ceremony is about to take place, but what sinister plan does Lord Hikiji have for it and how are the Neko ninja clan involved? A new storyline that acts as a great jumping on point!"

"'Tatami' Part 2 of 2. A new storyline that acts as a great jumping on point starts here! Usagi helps guard a shipment of tatami mats for an important tea ceremony when they are attacked by the Neko Ninja Clan who are hired to prevent the mats from arriving to their destination. He, along with the outcast ninja, Chizu, face almost impossible odds to complete their mission, but not all plans go as expected."

"'Mon.' Long ago, Lord Hikiji defeated Usagi's Lord Mifune to take control of the Northern Province. Usagi, now traveling through his home province, still wears the mon (a family crest) of his former lord. But, there are those who still remember the Great Wars with bitterness and threaten to kill any samurai loyal to Mifune. What happens when they come across Usagi?"

"'The Return' Part 1 of 43. Usagi is back in his home province for a pilgrimage to his late lord's gravesite, however wearing the Mifune clan crest in Lord Hikiji's territory has made him an enemy. Now beaten and almost near death, he has made his way to the one place he had been avoiding-the village in which he grew up. Bittersweet memories awaken with his long-time love, until the village becomes embroiled in a plot to assassinate an emissary of the shogun."

"'The Return' Part 2 of 4. Usagi's home village has been taken over by assassins intent on killing the shogun's emissary to disgrace Lord Hikiji. With the emissary's death will come retributions resulting in the death of the entire village. Usagi has to save the emissary but, in doing so, may have to save the reputation of the lord responsible for the death of his master. "

"The assassins have discovered that Usagi is a traitor, intent on thwarting their plan to kill the Shogun's emissary. They imprison the entire village in the storehouse and are ready to burn it with a moment's notice if he does not go through with the plan. Usagi is able to release his old friends Mariko and Kenichi, but they cannot return with help in time to prevent the assassination."

"It's an all out free for all with the entire village captured by assassins intent on murdering the Shogun's emissary and Usagi and Kenichi standing against hopeless odds. However, help comes from a very unexpected source. But is it too late to prevent the killings? Find out in the conclusion of this four-part story arc."

"Usagi reminisces about the months, after leaving Katsuichi-Sensei, when he trained under a second teacher. Usagi seeks him out once again but, upon finding him, learns they are on the brink of war!"

A new band of Tengu mountain goblins have invaded the northern mountains, a species new to Usagi.  Savage and relentless, they are determined to drive the established Tengu out and prey upon the people of the area.  For the first time, Usagi must ally himself with yokai to keep the invaders out.

Tengu War! Part 2 (of 3) For the first time, Usagi has to team up with yokai (haunts and spirits) against an even greater enemy.  However, he must prove himself worthy to join their ranks and must face a challenge from a tengu in a fight to the death. How can he defeat a creature said to be the greatest sword master in all the country?

Tengu War! Part 3 (of 3): The feral Guhin Tengu have invaded the Western Peak, and Usagi has joined Sojobo and his Tengu clan in resisting the attackers. The battle is ferocious, and they seem evenly matched, but there is one among the allies who bears a grudge against Usagi.

"The Master of Hebishima" Usagi delivers a basket of lizards to an eccentric monk who lives on a remote island infested with snakes.  Usagi learns they share a history that goes back to the Great Wars and the Battle of Adachi Plain where Usagi became a ronin.

Yukichi, part one. The introduction of a new recurring character as Usagi encounters a young swordmaster carrying out the dying wish of his master. Yukichi must deliver Itsuki-Sensei's swords to his nephew, Daido, who will take over his school. However, they must pass through the territory of a rival school intent on possessing that heirloom.

Yukichi, part 2 (of 2) Usagi and his new friend, Yukichi, continue on to carry out the last request of Yukichi's sensei.  However, they have stirred up the ire of the local swords school who are dead set on preventing them from completing their mission.  To compound the situation, the school discovers that Usagi is a traitor with a reward for his head.

Usagi and Yukichi have left Lord Hikiji's province so their troubles are behind them... or so they thought! They meet up with Kitsune, the street performer/thief, who brings her own troubles. Kitsune has stolen a ledger recording bribes by a gang leader to local politicians. Usagi wants to turn it over to the area magistrate but she wants to sell it back to the mob leader. However, both plans change when Kitsune's protégé, Kiyoko, is kidnapped!

  Ransom, Part 2 (of 3) Kiyoko has been kidnapped and is held for ransom by Boss Hasegawa.  He wants the ledger of bribes that Kitsune had stolen.  Usagi, Yukichi and Kitsune know they would be walking into a trap, but they find aid from a very unexpected source.  Or do they?  How far can they trust someone they know will betray them?

Kiyoko has been kidnapped and is held for ransom by the local mob.  Boss Hasegawa wants the ledger of bribes that Kitsune had stolen, but how can they buy Kiyoko's freedom when that book had been stolen from the thief?  Usagi, Yukichi and Kitsune try to bluff their way with Boss Hasegawa, but their scheme is uncovered when the real thief tries to sell the book to the big boss!

Usagi and Yukichi have left the Northern Province where Usagi is wanted as a Lord Mifune loyalist. They come upon a group traveling to the local temples. The pilgrims had been set upon and left for dead by a band of cut-throat ronin with no regard for the law. Usagi and Yukichi go after them, but they are headed back to the province from which they had just escaped...

"Crossroads, part 2 (of 2) Usagi and Yukichi are on the trail of a murdering samurai band but have to split up when they reach a crossroad. Usagi catches up to the samurai but even he cannot stand up to six accomplished swordsmen by himself. Meanwhile, Yukichi meets up with an even greater danger!"

A Ghost Story (Part 1 of 1) Usagi and Yukichi come upon a young woman, Shizuye, praying at a shrine to a girl murdered fifty years ago by her married lover. Shizuye is in the same predicament, and Usagi and Yukichi take it upon themselves to become her protectors. However, all is not what it seems as the local priest warns them to beware of ghosts in the area.

The Long Road Usagi and Yukichi come to the rescue of a famed art dealer and his assistant attacked by bandits on the road.  Unfortunately, the dealer is killed and they take it upon themselves to deliver a precious carved jade dragon to the buyer.  However, the assistant is not the trusted employee he appears to be.  

"The Secret of the Green Dragon," Part 1 of 3. Usagi and Yukichi are obligated to deliver a priceless jade dragon to Merchant Awase. They witness a runner delivering a parcel of jewels to the same merchant killed on the road ahead. However, the killers left the jewels and escaped with the container. They come to the realization that the box they carry may be even more valuable than the jade within.

Merchant Awase, his family, and all his employees are dead, and his shop has been ransacked. Chizu, former head of the Neko Ninja, reveals to them the secret document they carry hidden in a nondescript jewelry box. A document that Lord Hikiji, the Shadow Lord, wants and has sent his Komori (Bat) Ninja squad to retrieve, no matter the cost.

With the Komori (Bat) Ninja Clan behind them, Usagi, Yukichi, and Chizu flee over the snow-covered pass. They have to cross a frozen lake, but their position in the open on such a slippery surface makes them easy prey for the bats-and the ice is not completely frozen! Also, Yukichi learns a valuable lesson: you can't trust a ninja.