THE LIONHEART STORIES
USAGI YOJIMBO #23
A Little Mobster Story
Lionheart recounts
the story of Joey Finagle, his remarkable life and mysterious
disappearance. A small time hood and big time loudmouth, Joey
seeks the friendship of movie stars and the votes of the dumbstruck
public.
Stan Sakai illustrated (and
contributed jokes to) this, the only Lionheart ever drawn by
another. And oh does it look good. I envy the clarity, balance
and richness of his pages; he's a master at spotting blacks,
and pacing dialogue. He can do so much more with a few well placed
lines than I can do with a hundred...but, I gush!
It's hard to imagine anyone knowing of Lionheart but not Stan
Sakai. For the record, Stan is the kindest and most generous
soul I have ever had the pleasure to work with in comics. When
i did the convention circuit, I was astonished and somewhat shamed
by Stan's cheerful, earnest dedication to his craft and respect
for his readers.
Storywise, this has very little Lionheart in it, and a whole
lot of SCTV influence.
USAGI YOJIMBO #25
Interview With The
Monster
Lionheart discovers
the Frankenstein monster, working as a Cable TV installer. They
meet when Frankenstein hurls a mime into a tree. Over a few beers,
Frank recounts the true story of his creation and subsequent
adventures. Amused by his story, Lionheart decides to not blow
his cover.
A collaboration with J. P.
Morgan, who is a wonder - one of the funniest comic creators
ever. If you have not read his work, your life is meaningless.
I was thrilled to work with him on this story, and he was a very
flexible and cooperative partner. Whoops - that sounds a little
suggestive; don't get any weird ideas!
The story was spurred by a drawing John once sent me of Lionheart
interviewing the Frankenstein monster, a drawing that made me
wet my pants repeatedly. A full collaboration, where we both
contributed to the story and drawings.
One of my favorites, and I have sketchbooks filled with this
rabbit Frankenstein, who was more fun to draw than naked superheroinnes.
