THE SAKAI PROJECT

One of my favorite comics and characters is Stan Sakai's USAGI YOJIMBO. If you haven't had the pleasure yet, I highly recommend picking up one of the trades - great story, gorgeous art, and just super fun all around.

Last year news that Sakai had come upon financial difficulties due to the ongoing illness of his wife, Sharon, which required an extended hospital stay and convalescence. She’s now back home, but requires 24-hour care and medications that exceed their insurance coverage.

I had the pleasure of meeting Sharon Sakai several years ago at SDCC. I went to the booth to meet Stan, but he was temporarily away. While I never did get to meet him, I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Sharon. She was so sweet and nice, and I walked away with a smile and feeling happy. How does someone do that so easily?! My heart sank when I heard of her illnesses.

News Mrs Sakai's illness led led the Cartoon Art Professional Society to step up and help. As did Dark Horse Comics. To celebrate 30 years of Usagi, Dark Horse comics has assembled a murderer’s row of artists including Adam Hughes, Art Adams, Dave Gibbons, Geof Darrow, Walter Simonson, Mike Mignola and Tim Sale for a new oversized hardcover called The Sakai Project. All the proceed from the book will go to the Sakais.

The full list of artists Dark Horse provided in a press release names the following as contributors:

Alain Mauricet, Alex Maleev, Allison Sohn, Andy Grenen, Batton Lash, Bill Morrison, Brian Ching & Michael Atiyeh, Brian Michael Bendis, Carlos D’anda & Gabe Eltaeb, Chris Scalf, Dan Panosian, David Mack, Doug Wheatley, Edgar Delgad , Eric Powell, Gabriel Hardman, Howard Chaykin, Jan Duursema, Jeff Smith, Joyce Chin, Mark Crilley, Matt Groening, Matt Wagner, Michael Allred, Michael Avon Oeming, Michael Golden, Mike Kunkel, Oscar Martin, Paul Gulacy, Paul Renaud, Phil Yeh, Richard Corben, Scott Shaw, Sergio Aragonés, Stephanie Gladden, Tom Mandrake, Tom Richmond and William Stout.

Here are some favorites. I recommend picking up the book, especially since it goes to a great cause!

Also, if you wish, you can donate money through PayPal.

The Book:

 

BONUS:

My buddy Allen Etter was inspired and did this: