Space Usagi: Death And Honor #3 Review

 

Writer, Artist & Letterer: Stan Sakai

Colorist: Emi Fujii

Cover Artists: Sweeny Boo & Jennifer L. Meyer

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: February 21, 2023

 

Alert! Lord Matabe’s dreadnaught, the Kameyama, has arrived! How will the lord who betrayed the Shirohoshi Clan to the Kajitori Empire treat Commander Usagi, Prince Kiyoshi, Princess Masayo, Minister Hodo, and Masayo’s servant Katsuko? Let's grab our katanas, leap into Space Usagi: Death And Honor #3, and find out!

 

Story

A shuttle leaves the dreadnaught. The smaller craft releases something. Could a bomb penetrate the camp's forcefields? “It’s a person!” Minister Hodo shouts. The quintet runs toward the falling body. Prince Kiyoshi cradles Jiro in his arms. With his dying breaths, his father's servant tells Kiyoshi that Lord Hideaki is dead. But he must beware: Lord Matabe knows Kiyoshi holds the keys to Shirohoshi Clan’s power.

 

Prince Kiyoshi despairs. Admiral Niiro of the Kajitori Empire holds Shirohoshi Castle. His father and Jiro are dead. Shirohoshi Clan is no more! In Space Usagi: Death & Honor #3, the young prince faces a difficult decision. His father negotiated a political marriage to cement an alliance between the Shirohoshi Clan and the Mino Clan. Princess Masayo is much older than him. Should Kiyoshi honor his father's wishes or follow his heart?

 

Lord Matabe arrives in his shuttle. He brings sufficient samurai to capture Prince Kiyoshi. But Lord Hideaki committed suicide after Matabe captured him, and Prince Kiyoshi can only provide access to the clan's treasury and strategic battle information if he's alive. Matabe’s plan should cement his place of honor within the Kajitori Empire. But Usagi’s success rankles. To regain Admiral Niiro’s esteem and ensure his future, Matabe must control his jealousy and rage.

 

Commander Usagi dislikes Lord Matabe’s offer. Even if he could trust Matabe to leave them unharmed if he wins their duel, Usagi fights at a disadvantage. He brought ceremonial armor, while Lord Matabe wore superior battle armor. Yet what choice does he have? Usagi promised Lord Hideaki he would serve Prince Kiyoshi all his life. But if Usagi wins this duel and helps Kiyoshi become the lord of Shirohoshi Clan, Usagi will watch Princess Masayo—the woman he is attracted to—marry the prince.

 

In Space Usagi: Death & Honor #3, Prince Kiyoshi, Lord Matabe, and Commander Usagi will be tested. Princess Masayo and her servant Katsuko will demonstrate their wisdom. Subterfuge and fate will also play their hands in deciding the future of Shirohoshi Clan.

 

Art

Commander Usagi runs toward the Mino Clan shuttle when the giant turtle appears in the sky. A tokage, one of the small dinosaurs that Prince Kiyoshi adores, runs alongside. Princess Masayo welcomes him with a blaster. But she pulls it back and smiles for Usagi.

 

When Minister Hodo blames Usagi for the Kameyama finding them, Princess Masayo frowns. Usagi quietly raises a hand, but Masayo gets in Hodo's face. Prince Kiyoshi helps the servant Katsuko from the shuttle, his gaze on her, his back to the orbiting dreadnaught in Space Usagi: Death & Honor #3.

 

When the shuttle lands, Lord Matabe disembarks with a scowl. Neither he nor Lady Ryoko smile. After Usagi departs to prepare for the duel, Admiral Niiro’s Psytech looks cold and impersonal while Matabe glares at her.

 

Emi Fujii brings vibrant coloring to Stan Sakai’s mix of closeups, group dynamics, epic confrontations, and fierce action. The red on Commander Usagi’s ceremonial armor looks good beside Princess Masayo’s pink dress and mauve cape. A coiled dragon atop Lord Matabe’s helmet matches his green-and-black armor. Blood spurts and flows black and red.

 

Large uppercase lettering adorns white dialogue balloons in Space Usagi: Death And Honor #3. Bold letters suggest intonation. Larger or colored words indicate increased volume. Lord Matabe’s shuttle lands noisily, while subdued sound effects make us strain to hear the door open. Matabe’s weapons clunk against his armor as he greets Usagi. Yet no one will miss the giant red letters that fill the air as the opponents grab their katanas and attack each other.

 

Thanks to Dark Horse Comics for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Commander Usagi faces a duel to the death, the Mino fleet engages Lord Matabe’s dreadnaught, and the women turn the tables on the men in Space Usagi: Death And Honor #3.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

For another beautiful cover see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.