Review: Usagi Yojimbo - Senso #4

Well I actually have never read Usagi until I had a young friend suggest the comic. This is why I love all age comics. They allow for students to teach me too. Usagi, although seeming like a young age comic, is sort of complex. Any story where you must enter a completely different world and learn their rules can be a complicated order. So I think Usagi does a good job of balancing the two. Plus let’s be real, kids will understanding anything as long as they are into it. And it is hard not to get into Usagi. Usagi Yojimbo - Senso #4 11.5.14We start right after a rocket has landed on Usagi and Tomoe. Towns are being ruined everywhere from the Martian invasion. These aliens, although slow, outnumber a lot of the armies, so it is difficult to get any sort of stand against such massive numbers. Plus there are only so many tentacles you can slice and dice before you start to drown in them. Anyway, these two are trapped in the rubble from the rocket. And just like crossed lovers do, instead of solving the solution they start to fight about their relationship. A moment happens where they think that this could be the end, and Usagi reflects back on his life. Tomoe has to keep him grounded. We all know she had to marry Buichi. They were arranged to be together in order to bring an alliance. You can’t help but feel bad for all who are involves. Even Buichi probably wants to be with some other chick.

The drama behind it all of course is that Tomoe’s son is actually Usagi’s. Usagi wants to tell him, but knows this would break his heart. I have to agree with the decision he is making as of now. It seems to be too big of a blow for a kid to handle. Sometimes the truth has to stay hidden. Then when you think this comic is getting too deep, we finally enter some action.

Usagi decides to go into the rocket, never a good idea, to see what he is up against. While this is happening we jump to Lord Hebi. Now again not knowing much about the comic, my first instance of him was great! He is strong and loyal to his people. I can’t help but like him right away. We don’t get a lot out of his story, but the small things keep me interested.

My first experience with Usagi went well. I like the black and white and totally sets up the mood for the comic. But more than that, I dug the story and see why this comic is a favorite of all ages. It offers some good storytelling with a twist. I look forward to seeing Usagi and Tomoe’s relationship grow. And just because he doesn’t want to tell his son the truth doesn’t mean it will stay hidden. The story has just begun here, and I think I just got hooked.


Score: 3/5


Writer/Artist/Creator: Stan Sakai Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.99 Release Date: 11/5/14 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital