Mother Pearl!

 

 

Originally published in Critters #27

Published: August 1988

Written and drawn by Stan Sakai

In Brief: Our heroes are drawn into the dangerous world of religion and environmentalism

Summary:

A priest from the Oyster Cult enters the Avenue of Mercenaaries. He walks past hoards of hardened killers, before finding Nilson and Hermy who’ll be perfect for the suicide mission he has planned.

 

As they walk through town, the priest explains their mission. He wants them to transport the holy (and massive) Mother Peal to their newly finished temple, which has been built next to the sacred oyster beds. Meanwhile the members of the Oyster Liberation Front prepare an ambush to save the captive pearl and release it back into the sea!

With the pearl loaded into a cart our heroes begin their journey to the coast. At a fork in the road, Hermy tells Nilson to take the right path. It’s only when they’re halfway through the treacherous mountain pass does Hermy realize he had the map upside down.

An  O.L.F scout reports that Mother Pearl’s guards outwitted them by taking the other road. Their leader orders them to the second ambush point.

It’s a hot summer day made worse by Mother Pearl reflecting the sun’s back on to them, so Hermy suggests they cover the pearl in hay. From the top of the canyon the O.L.F plans to block the pass with a landslide, but delays their plan when they see what he thinks is just a farmer with a cartful of hay. Then a gust of wind blows the hay off revealing the pearl beneath, and the O.L.F leader realizes he missed his chance.

Nilson and Hermy near the temple, when a band of O.L.F warriors on horseback charge at them. Our heroes have no choice but to go through them, Nilson gives Hermy his sword so he can try to fend the attackers off while he drives the cart.  Sadly Hermy is too enthusiastic and accidentally cuts the ropes securing the pearl.  

Mother Pearl rolls down the hill and straight through the O.L.F forces.

 

Inside the temple the high priest hears that Mother Pearl is approaching. He rushes outside to thank the mercenaries, promising to shower them in gold….then Mother Pearl flattens him.  The pearl crashes through the temple, destroying it and then rolls into the sea.

Nilson suspects they won’t be getting paid….

 Notes

• The story is continued from Criters #16. The story continues in Usagi Yojimbo #19
  
  
• According to the back cover of the trade, the Nilson & Hermy stories take place in Medieval Europe. I'll leave it up to you to work out how the Oyster Cult fits into the Catholic church.
  
• This issue contains the "Name That Critter" contest asking fans what kind of animal they though Hermy was. The winning answer published in Critters #30, revealing to the world that Hermy was a Guinea pig. The winner revived an original picture of Hermy and Nilson
  

Review:

This is probably my favourite Nilson and Hermy story,

It manages to fit a decent amount of plot into ten pages, sure it repeats the joke of our heroes accidentally escaping danger though dumb luck but it's funny and the stories over long before it's worn out its welcome.

Still there's no way the high priest wasn't crushed to death. So congratulations Hermy your a murderer!