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Spoiler Alert: This is nothing more than pure geeking out over two of the comic industry’s best and brightest talents and a somewhat inhibited attempt to delve more into their demented minds (or as far as they’ll let us, considering audience question time is limited and we were jumping from one event to the other). We were able to get a few words with Stan Sakai, the legendary writer and artist behind a lethal and cunning bunny rabbit living in 17th century Japan, Usagi Yojimbo. It’s is an ongoing, 23-year serial that follows a floppy-eared samurai warrior as he wanders the earth, earning his living largely as a Ronin, or mercenary, and chopping into tiny animal parts anyone who wrongs him. Read on below.

Usagi’s been around for the past 26 years, so there’s really no excuse not to have heard about him — in a world of look-alikes and wannabes, creator Sakai has created something truly epic and (obviously) enduring: he even caught Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles creator Kevin Eastman’s eye, and the character was soon a regular in the TMNT animated series. He made such an impact that years later, when the Turtles resurfaced in a newer, edgier cartoon, Usagi was there with blades in both hands to bid them good hunting. I asked Stan a few questions at the Dark Horse booth on Friday, if only in futile hope of finally connecting with one of my childhood heroes in the world of comics.

One of he big general questions on every aspiring artist’s mind here is the ‘how do I make it?’ one. Is there a way to network or get noticed when you’re just starting out?

Stan Sakai: You’ve gotta network. Go to conventions, every one you can…

One artist advised the crowd to copy the work of someone they admired, and sort of follow that aesthetic. After you get in, in a way, you sort of switch over or develop your own…any ideas?

Stan: I don’t know about that. I mean, I think you should draw what you want. Don’t try to be anyone else!

Your style reminds me more of someone like Hokusai than any of the Marvel or DC guys. Was that intentional to sort of get in the artistic mood of 17th-century Japan?

Stan: Hokusai? I never got that, really. But I was inspired by some of the older Marvel legends. Guys like Moebius, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko…

What do you think of Usagi’s appearances in TMNT?

Stan: I loved what they did. Obviously I had to make certain concessions, but it helped Usagi reach a much broader audience.

In the interest of room, I gotta stop with Stan here. But check the article on indie comics and getting into the business I did for more with him — he had a lot of useful stuff to say! But now, glance into Grant’s brooding hypnotic stare of doom so that you may read further.

It’s not easy to get in to see Grant Morrison. Along with a prolific output of work that spans the pantheon of DC Comics’ greatest heroes and villains, it’s also his witty repartee and Scottish brogue that’s helped solidify him as a rare industry pro who doesn’t mince words or kiss ass. Here’s a guy that obviously prefers to speak his mind and pull no punches when it comes to speaking truthfully about his artistic endeavors or the industry in general. Tonight the fanboys and girls were there to kiss ass, which in turn sent Mr. Morrison off on a few stream-of-consciousness replies, filled with fun facts and asides. For instance…

Did you know that his New Adventures of Hitler comic was based on living in Margaret Thatcher’s pseudo-dictatorial rule of Britain during the 1980s? He’s not a big fan of Obama, either; “He just seems like he’s gotten angrier,” Morrison says at one point, after pointing out that he’s always been weirded out by politicians. “They always fuck up,” said Morrison. “I never got that, I’ve always been more of a pacifist…I don’t see why these guys get so angry.” But to counter this somewhat sober side, Mr. Morrison was predictably hilarious, especially when he confessed to liking certain aspects of the Joel Schumacher Batman films. “I love the…color,” he said, prompting hysterics in the aisles. “And I mean, fruity old Alfred, handing Bruce Wayne his Batman suit — (high-pitched voice) “Look , Master Bruce, I’ve just got you a bat suit with rubber nipples!”

Interested in researching the occult and majik, two of Grant’s favorite topics? Neither am I, but if you get an itch you should check out Prime Chaos or Condensed Chaos by Phil Hine. Grant’s favorite music? “I used to be an indie kid, a punker,” he said. “But now I like other stuff too…I uh, like show tunes” (hysterical laughter)…”sometimes I actually just listen to the part from 2001 when HAL loses it. There’s that part where he just says, y’know, ‘My mind is going…Dave. MY MIND IS GOING…’” Ask him about what it’s like to try and get into the writing side of comics? Calm down. “Back before comics got really big in the movies and everything, it was easy to get noticed, because no one really cared,” says Grant. “Now it’s more competitive, and the rule book is coming down. It’s unfortunate.” Above all, Morrison is likable and friendly, and gracious to his audience. He knows the fans have helped make him, and his appreciation shows. He’s another Comic-Con regular, and highly recommended for anyone who’s ever picked up and liked a comic book. Yep, that entertaining.

Words by Jeff Nau, Photos by Zoetica Ebb

 

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