Saturday, March 21, 2009

Blast from the Past #90 repost: roughs for Leonardo and Usagi story "The Crossing"

Going through some old files a few years ago, I found this interesting artifact -- eight sheets of what looked like scratch paper clipped together, with my loosely-scrawled rough layouts and dialogue for my Usagi Yojimbo and Leonardo crossover short. It's been a while since I last read the finished piece, but I think it pretty closely followed these roughs.









According to the folks at the very cool Usagi Yojimbo fan site (http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/), the issue of UY with this story is still available from Fantagraphics.

One thing I'd like to mention relates to a comment I read somewhere -- an UY fan was miffed that, in this story, I had Usagi behaving in an arrogant, obnoxiously aggressive manner... something the real Usagi would not do. That is true -- but what Usagi is doing in this little tale is using himself as the basis for an object lesson, a kind of parable to help the youngster understand concepts of honor and respect. To help get the message across, Usagi shades the truth and makes himself look less honorable than he really is. Looked at this way, it's very doubtful the Leonardo/Usagi meeting ever happened quite like this. (But it's still a fun story!)

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Well, that's it -- I've finished reposting all of the old "Blast from the Past" posts I had originally put up on the "Planet Racers" website. It was fun doing it, as it allowed me to see your thoughts on those items. Going forward, "BftP" will now feature only new old stuff (and maybe a few new new things as well)! -- PL

13 comments:

  1. @PL

    Considering this is also the 25th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo, have you and Stan Sakai discussed doing any type of special joint project, even if it's just another crossover short?

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  2. -->> ..yeh ,

    and some day..

    it'd be nice to See Pete illustrate the likes of the mighty Gen !!

    >v<

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  3. One day, I hope Usagi will get his own series. He's a fun character. Although I don't think a fully anamorphised world of talking animals would fly these days. Unless Disney where behind it ;o)

    BTW, any chance we can get some sneak peaks at designs from the new DTV movie? Speaking of new stuff? :)

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  4. "Dragon Turtle said...
    @PL

    Considering this is also the 25th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo, have you and Stan Sakai discussed doing any type of special joint project, even if it's just another crossover short?"

    Actually, I just this past week started talking (well, emailing really) with Stan about doing something -- perhaps a collaboration on a limited edition print or two. No firm plans yet. -- PL

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  5. " Neil said...
    One day, I hope Usagi will get his own series. He's a fun character. Although I don't think a fully anamorphised world of talking animals would fly these days. Unless Disney where behind it ;o)"

    I'm not sure why you think it wouldn't fly. It seems to me that there is enough variety in animation today to allow something like UY to succeed.

    Actually, as much as I think it would be cool to see an UY TV series, I think it would be even cooler if UY could get a bigger-budget treatment in CG, as a movie. -- PL


    "BTW, any chance we can get some sneak peaks at designs from the new DTV movie? Speaking of new stuff? :)"

    About a month ago, I saw some of the first background art for one of the sequences in the DTV movie, and thought it was so cool that I wanted to post it right away. But, just to be on the safe side, I asked Lloyd Goldfine what he thought, and his wise counsel convinced me that we should wait. -- PL

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  6. Neil said...

    One day, I hope Usagi will get his own series. He's a fun character. Although I don't think a fully anamorphised world of talking animals would fly these days. Unless Disney where behind it ;o)


    Dreamworks didn't do to badly with Kung Fu Panda. =)


    PL said...

    Actually, as much as I think it would be cool to see an UY TV series, I think it would be even cooler if UY could get a bigger-budget treatment in CG, as a movie.


    Speaking of bigger-budget CG movies, any news on the TMNT sequel, I noticed a blurb about the sequel on the aussie TMNT 25th anniversary site. If Budget concerns are holding up the talks, is it possible the sequel will go back to full CGI, which would seem to be a cheaper alternative to a hybrid movie.

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  7. Sweet!!
    That's realy cool pete, And I'm glad your going to continue the BFTP articles for us.
    I would wager that fans, and especialy long time fans like myself, realy appreciate these behind the scenes articles.

    *smiles*
    I still think you should consider novelizations....

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  8. I actually finally purchased this piece for the first time for myself just a few weeks ago and I enjoyed it immensely. Your art was beautiful Peter and I love the way you draw Usagi.

    I am thrilled to hear about even the chance of any kind of collaboration with Stan. I have always though Leonardo and Usagi's personalities balanced one another well and wished they could have had more adventures together.

    Definitely one of my favorite aspect of the 4Kids cartoon.

    Thank you so much for posting this!

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  9. I would really, really like to see a few more TMNT/Usagi stories. Usagi said himself in this very story that he had "many adventures" with Leonardo... and they only actual adventures we saw was Shades of Green.

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  10. NEW old stuff-- oxymoron alert!

    And yeah, considering both your comics are 25-- something should be done!

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  11. OH, and that fan was wrong-- Usagi could be QUITE arrogant when he was a kid!

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  12. --> >The Frontispiece, inside the from the cover refers to

    "PETER LAIRD and KEVIN EASTER'S" LEONARDO - - ..


    ..so happy Easter !!


    ;p

    ReplyDelete
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