5 out of 5

Having come back home to Dark Horse, DH has picked up the IDW reigns for doing color reprints of classic UY. Now, while I really appreciated Ronda Pattison‘s colors on the previous reprints, Emi Fuji’s work on Space Usagi makes me realize what I was missing: colors that feel like they could’ve fit the original printings. It’s a different vibe than the IDW stuff, which, to me, made it look more “modern,” whereas Fuji’s watercolor style – and particular palette choices – has a kind of dated, lived-in vibe that allows for a timelessness in this, er, sci-fi take on anthropomorphic samurai tales. But stepping past the story (which is great – my favorite of the Space Usagis), there’s Stan’s tighter drawing style from the original printing’s era, which has an indie comics vibe particular to that time which is hard to explain, and that’s really what gets to breathe and live again with Fuji’s additions. A great way to experience this.

Additionally, Fuji also colors Julie Sakai’s backups in the three issues: a new, silly tale starring Akemi and farting creatures. It’s inconsequential stuff, for sure, but you got me to laugh out loud.