Review — Blast Off With ‘Space Usagi: Death And Honor’ #1

Welcome to the table,

Some things just go together. Pizza and mozzarella sticks, breakfast and milkshakes, and space and samurai come to mind when I think of things that just make sense when they are combined. One of the most iconic comic samurai, Miyamoto Usagi the Ronin Rabbit just makes sense in a samurai space setting and Dark Horse has refreshed a classic Usagi story with new colors in Space Usagi: Death and Honor.

Dark Horse Comics explores Stan Sakai‘s classic space-themed Usagi Yojimbo adventure like never before with new colors and cover art. This sci-fi samurai story is written, drawn, and lettered by modern master Sakai and features fresh colors by Emi Fujii and cover art by Sweeney Boo.

Usagi, serving as a general of the Shirohoshi Clan’s space fleet is tasked with keeping the lord and his heir safe. Now tasked with the education and protection of the lord’s heir, Usagi must remain vigilant at all times to protect the heir from a murderous plot and an unexpected betrayal.

The art is nothing short of masterwork and the new addition of colors just elevates the tone of the story giving the whole issue this really fun run-and-gun pulp feel. There are for sure quiet moments but they are punctuated by beautiful science fantasy samurai scenes where archers hunt for food at the feet of a giant space walker and ninjas slink through wooden castles with laser weapons and cloaking devices.

Even if you have never read a Usagi Yojimbo story before, if you have any interest or just like strange space stories you are going to want to get a copy of this book.

Space Usagi: Death and Honor takes everything special about samurai stories and elevates them to staggering new science fantasy heights. Come join the rabbit ronin on this star-scattered adventure and see why Stan Sakai is and always will be one of the single greatest samurai storytellers of our time.

Until next time, this book is so much fun!