Via Screen Rant, Dark Horse Comics have announced they will once again be the home of Stan Sakai’s samurai rabbit saga “Usagi Yojimbo,” and that Sakai will serve as creative director of a new imprint called Dogu Publishing. As well as “Usagi Yojimbo” (which has been at IDW Publishing since 2019), titles under the banner will include Stan and his wife Julie Fujii Sakai’s younger-skewing retelling “Chibi Usagi,” and more new comics, in what Stan promises will mark the beginning of a true Usagi Universe.
“I’m very excited, honored and thankful to have my own publishing imprint with Dark Horse,” Sakai says. “As the sole creator and owner of ‘Usagi Yojimbo,’ this is a significant milestone. I’ve known [Dark Horse founder] Mike Richardson for more than 30 years, and he is one of the pioneers and champions of creator-owned IP. As the industry continues to change, I feel he brings a unique progressive perspective. Being the sole creator of ‘Usagi Yojimbo’ takes a tremendous amount of time and responsibility. I still write, hand-draw, and hand-letter each story. Because of this new synergy, I am able to continue to do what I love most: create more ‘Usagi Yojimbo’ stories. We feel that through this imprint with Dark Horse, an expanded Usagi Universe is becoming a reality.”
Richardson adds, “Stan is one of comics’ legendary creators and we are extremely proud to announce the launch of Dogu Publishing. Stan and his team are preparing new adventures with ‘Usagi Yojimbo,’ as well as bringing new and important voices to the comics community. Stan and I have been friends for a very long time, and I am extremely pleased to renew our partnership at Dark Horse.”
Sakai, 69, created “Usagi Yojimbo” in 1984, and has had the series published by various companies, including Fantagraphics, and Dark Horse from 1996 to 2018. Although IDW had taken over publication of the monthly series, Dark Horse maintained the rights to reprint the paperback collection “Usagi Yojimbo Saga.” The name of the new venture comes from the Japanese word for prehistoric clay figures, particularly the Shakōkidogū (“goggle-eyed dogū”) depicted in the logo. Julie Fujii Sakai will be chief operating officer of the imprint, while her son Daniel Fujii will serve as president and publisher, and Fanmio co-founder Jeremiah Blank will be CEO.
Details on when the revived Dark Horse run will begin are currently unknown. In the meantime, issue #31 of IDW’s “Usagi Yojimbo” will release September 21, followed by the release of the fourth trade paperback, “Usagi Yojimbo: Crossroads,” on October 26.
