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• Price: $17.99
• Pages: 88
  
• On Sale: April 11, 2018
• Writer – Artist: Stan Sakai
  
• Colorist: Tom Luth
• Publisher: IDW – Dark Horse

From the publisher: Revisit the critically acclaimed crossover comic between the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Usagi Yojimbo! This special extended edition comes with new features including the rare Mirage-era story “The Treaty!”

Our We Talk Comics WeView – The TMNT / Usagi Yojimbo Expanded Edition crossover reprint was just what I needed. Lately I’ve been suffering from what I call “comic book fatigue”. The endless multi-hero brawls, the dull uninteresting formulaic plot-lines, and the blatant cash-grabbing events had all gotten to me. So it’s nice to stumble onto a title that not only reminds me of why I read comics, but also features the material in a loving way. This expanded edition of TMNT / Usagi Yojimbo reprints the crossover, but also contains material that hasn’t been in print since the Mirage era of TMNT.

For those of you unfamiliar with Usagi, or for those of you who though he was just a side character who popped up occasionally in TMNT media, Usagi Yojimbo is a big deal. Starring in his own long-running comic that takes place in the Edo period of Japan, Usagi has roamed the countryside having adventures for over 200 issues. In this crossover Stan Sakai brings us his wonderful creation, teaming him up with the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to face Usagi’s most memorable foe, “Jei, the Demon of the Black Blade“.

It’s an entertaining story, although short, and is a great introduction if you aren’t very familiar with Usagi Yojimbo. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a TMNT heavy story, you may be disappointed. While all four turtles are present and behave in a consistent fashion, it’s probably worth noting that despite second billing in the title, Usagi is unquestionably the star of this crossover.

This expanded edition contains archival bonus material in the form of two short stories. “Turtle Soup/Rabbit Stew” and “The Treaty” feature both the Turtles and Usagi Yojimbo. I personally enjoyed both, but it is worth noting that “Turtle Soup/Rabbit Stew” was scanned from a print copy found in Stan Sakai’s personal collection. Because of that it has browned with age, and this may put off more casual fans. But my recommendation is to not let this deter you. If you get a chance to pick up this collection having The TMNT / Usagi Yojimbo Expanded Edition on your coffee table will definitely impress your guests less educated in turtle-lore, and it’s a real ripsnorter of a read as well.

Rating – Near Mint/Mint (NM/M) or 9.8/10

Review by Chris

Love the review? Hate the review? Disagree with me? I’m happy to talk comics on twitter @Chris_WeTalk

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