In November 1984, one of comics’ greatest characters, the masterless samurai Miyamoto Usagi, made his debut in the funny-animals anthology Albedo. More than twenty-five years later and still going strong, Usagi Yojimbo is beloved the world over for Stan Sakai’s beautiful artwork and unparalleled storytelling. Now, Dark Horse is proud to make the entire Usagi Yojimbo epic available digitally for the first time, beginning with all of the rabbit ronin’s pre-Usagi Yojimbo #1 appearances!

Classic Usagi Yojimbo #1 is the first of four short-story collections featuring Usagi’s earliest adventures and first meetings with key supporting characters. This issue includes the original “Usagi Yojimbo” story from Albedo #2; “Lone Rabbit and Child,” featuring Usagi’s first encounter with the formidable, beautiful Tomoe Ame and her lord, Noriyuki—as well as our first glimpse of the evil Lord Hikiji—from Albedo #3–#4; and “The Confession,” a tale of intrigue from Usagi Yojimbo Summer Special #1!

This collection of essential stories is the best introduction available to Stan Sakai’s enduring masterpiece!