Usagi Yojimbo (vol. 39): Ice & Snow
“Usagi” is back at Dark Horse and all is right with the world. I exaggerate as the Rabbit Ronin’s adventures at IDW were unchanged in style and quality from when they were at his previous publisher. That being said, creator Stan Sakai has decided to ring in “Usagi’s” return at Dark Horse in a big way. “How big?” you ask. By bringing back the biggest villain the series has ever seen for this new story. That’s right, Jei-san is back in what is easily the least good story he’s been featured characterin for this series.
Let me explain: Whenever Jei has shown up in the past for “Usagi” stories, it has meant something important is about to happen in the series. Outside of his introduction waaaaaaaay back in vol. 3, his major appearances have involved the introduction of Jotaro, juicing up the climax of what is arguably the title’s best storyline in “Grasscutter,” and showcasing the final fight for the soul of the deadly female swordswoman known as Inazuma.
This time, however, the stakes are considerably less. The volume starts off with Usaki and Yukichi making their way through a snow-covered mountain when they’re set upon by bandits. Fighting them off is no big deal for the swords-rabbits, and they soon come upon the hut of a beautiful woman who lets them spend the night. Meanwhile, the surviving bandits make their way back to their camp, only to find that Jei has moved in and taken over their whole operation to prepare some Tokage donburi for his charge, Keiko. While he’s content to wait here for Keiko to finish, that changes when he hears that the ronin the bandits fought on the road had some long ears.
Jei going after Usagi with his new band of thugs isn’t the entire story here, and while I’m not going to mention the other threat featured in this volume, savvy readers will certainly see it coming before it’s revealed. It doesn’t quite kick the narrative into high gear, though, which means you’ll have to appreciate the smaller details of vol. 39 to get the most out of it. Things like the bandits quickly falling in line when they witness Jei’s power. The quick thinking Usagi displays during a nighttime fight. The sudden fate of three bandits who are caught lagging behind the group. The actually exciting frozen lake fight at the end between Usagi, Yukichi, Jei, and the bandits.
It’s all enough to ensure that “Ice & Snow” isn’t a bad volume, but… I was really expecting more from the story given Jei’s featured role in it. I’ve been reading comics long enough that there aren’t any recurring villains whose appearances really get me excited for the simple fact that they’ve returned. It’s not that there won’t be good Joker stories in the future, but he’s still the Clown Prince of Crime and we know he’ll always be back. Jei was probably the last villain to inspire a feeling that the storyline he was going to be in was special just by virtue of his appearance. After this, well, I guess I’ll have to reset my expectations.
There’s one more story in this volume after the four-part title arc is finished. It’s called “The Village” and it has Usagi and Yukichi staggering into a small mountain hamlet following their encounter with Jei and his gang. They’re cold and hungry, and the villagers are kind enough to hook them up with some gruel and bedding for the night. Then Usagi and Yukichi find out that some of the bandits have survived and are now partaking of the villagers’ hospitality. While the revelation that these bandits might not be the biggest threat here, things play out in a way that feels like the “Usagi” equivalent of comfort food. Which goes down quite well when it’s not burdened by high expectations.
Ultimately, it feels like the event Jei’s presence is meant to mark here is “Usagi’s” return to Dark Horse. I get that Sakai would want to kick off his return to his longtime publisher in a big way, and they don’t get any bigger for this series than bringing back its biggest villain. Except the story he’s in isn’t exactly worthy of his history and that’s a damn shame.