Important Announcement

Dear readers I have something I need to share with you.

I started this blog to catalouge every Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy story ever writtern. I have finally finished this goal. However various times over the years Stan Sakai has teased a crossover with his other comic Usagi Yojimbo.

I believe that to in order to properly appreciate this as of yet unreleased story, we need to properly understand Usagi Yojimbo. Therefore I will  soon begin covering every Usagi Yojimbo story.

Equine The Uncivilized #6

Published: July 1989

Summary:

That scamp Equine the Unvil's out on a date with his lady friend. If only there was someone who could draw a picture of them....Look it's Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy!

Notes

• Hermy and Nilson's apearance in this story was drawn by Stan Sakai.
• As you can tell from the cover this story also contains a cameo by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That and a bunch of  other character's neither you nor I care about.

Review

Full disclosure I didn't read this comic, I just stole the above image from the Usagi Yojimbo Dojo website.

Nilson 2199

Published In Usagi Yojimbo (volume 2) #9

Published: August 1994

Writterna and drawn by Stan Sakai

In Brief: The greatest science fiction rabbit since Bucky O'Hare.....

Summary:

On a distant world Nilson and Hermy arrive at the town's market place and make their way to the place.

 

Nilson and Hermy have been hired to escort Ambassador Martiopherous  of the Foozul Kingdom to the Termanian territories to negotiate a treaty. The ambassador is angered to learn they'll be leaving his massive entourage behind, and they'll be travelling through the lands of his clans sworn enemy the Greegan (air travel is currently too dangerous as the deadly skidhawks are in mating season)

 

 

Nilson starts to explain there's another part to his plan, but the ambassador refuses to go along with it. Nilson gets ready to leave, telling him that he'll have to explain the negations failure to his lord. The ambassador eventually agrees deciding a violent death at the hands of the Greegan is better than dishonor.

 

And so the trio set out on their dinosaur mounts.  

At sunset they reach the cliff overlooking Greegan territory. An hour later it's time to cross, despite the ambassadors complaining.

 

All of a sudden the guards attack, killing the ambassador's massive stamper with a blast from their lazer. The group take cover behind the beast's massive corpse. According to Nilson everything's going according to schedule.

 

The twin moons rise. Suddenly a strange change comes over Hermy as he turns into a massive monster and starts tearing his way through the Greegan forces.

Nilson explains to the awestruck ambassador that one of Hermy's ancestors once fell into a vat of were-beast tonic, and the trait has been passed down through his family ever since. That's why they had to be here on the night of the double full moon. Now Hermy will clear the way straight to the border, and nothing can stop they from reaching the negotiations.

Notes

• Re-Return of the Wizard is the previous story chronologically. This story marks the furthest point in the Nilson and Hermy timeline.
   

Review

You know Stan Saki is really good at drawing sci-fi locales, technology and monsters. He just doesn't get much of an opportunity to draw it since he decided to make his livelihood doing historical fiction. But sometimes he gets eight page back-up stories which let him indulge in his passions.

Good for him.

Anyway this was a decent enough story, which managed to mix a bit of political intrique in with the comedy. 

It's nice to know that Hermy and Nilson had some kids, and that their descendants are still friends centuries later.

Re-Return of the Wizard!

 

Originally published in Dark Horse Presents (2011) #30

Published: 20 November 2013

Writtern and drawn by Stan Sakai

In Brief: The epic journey concludes!

Summary:

Nilson and Hermy have found themselves caught in a sudden storm. They see a small tower and  hope they’ll find shelter there.

Unbeknownst to our heroes the wizard Senogara created the storm to force unsuspecting traveler into seeking shelter at his tower. He has managed to obtain the crystal sphere which holds Reinave’s Amulet of Power. The sphere can only be broken when the proper incantations are said, but the sphere also holds the deadly Vapors of Hubbell which will kill whoever breaks open the sphere.

He decides Hermy would be the ideal flunky.

 

The pair notice their arch-enemy. Nilson draws his sword and Senogara summons two magical minions to keep him busy while he drags Hermy up the stairs.

 

Nilson manages to kill one monster, but the one with a spear is able to knock him to the ground. Senogara shows Hermy the orb, and instructs him what to do. When he nods his head, hit it with the hammer.  Nilson is able to dodge the spear, and slash the monster's throat. He rushes up stairs to save his friend.

 

He finds.....Senogara dead on the floor!

 

Hermy explains he simply did what the wizard ask him to: hit him on the head with a hammer.

 

Confused, but safe the pair leave the tower. Nilson sure that their futures look bright.

Notes

• The story continues from Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #3. This is the last adventure to star our heroes, though the earlier published Nilson 2199 features their descendants in the far future.
• Sènogara previously appeared in Critters #5 and Critters #16.
• Nilson recognises Sènogara despite not seeming to remember their meeting at the end of Return of the Wizard. Even if he did he never learnt his name.
• Similarly Senogara refers to Hermy and Nilson as having foiled his plans twice before. This doesn't really line up with his first apperance when he just wanted to curse Hermy after meeting him for the first time. Perhaps exagerating is his way of dealing with failure?
• Nilson totally killed those monsters. This is the only time he actually kills a foe. And by stabbing one of them in the throat no less. He does give them the chance to surrender first.
  

Review: 

Well this must have been a nice surprise back in 2013. Stan Sakai's original rabbit swordsman returning for his thirtieth anniversary (....8 months early admittingly). 

Not that most of the readers of Dark Horse Presents would recognise the signifcance of this story, since was the first story to feature our heroes in decades. But I bet after they read it they went "That was fun" and what more do you need from a 12 pages backup story? 

And it helps cap off the Adventures of  Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy trade collection on a high note, allowing our heroes to defeat their greatest (and only) recurring foe and stroll confidently off into legend. We could do a lot worse.

It also gives us a chance to see how much Sakai's style has changed over in twenty years. Hermy is basically unchanged, while Nilson looks a bit less chunky than he used to. It also has a pretty exciting and well staged fight scene, something the stories hadn't really done before.  I guess that's what happens when you spend thirty years honing your craft.

(haha Hermy killed a man. That scamp)

Loxos and Doxos!

Originally Published in Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #3

Published: September 1992

Writtern and drawn by Stan Sakai

In Brief: Our heroes versus the evils of socialism 

Sumamry:

Hermy and Nilson arrive in the valley of Loxox.

Arriving at the castle they learn that their the first outsiders to enter the valley in a hundred years. King Loxo of the Loxos decrees that henceforth the travelers will become their honored guests and live a life of luxury.

As they enjoy the king’s hospitality, he explains that the Loxos live in the castle, while the Doxos work in the field. Many years ago the two groups were constantly at war, but they found a way to permanently stop the fighting. Nilson say that the Doxos all becoming servants doesn’t seem fair, the king starts to explain that there’s more to it, but he’s interrupted by a messenger bringing urgent news.

The Doxos are revolting!

 

Nilson and Hermy run, but end up taking a wrong turn and find themselves trapped in a tower. Nilson tries to lower Hermy down using some curtains as rope, but it’s too short to reach the ground (just barely too short, but Nilson wanted Hermy to tell if he could touch the ground).

Eventually the pair are able to find an open gate and happily escape with lives. Meanwhile King Loxo happily gives up his crown to the Doxo leader. They’ll live in the castle and the Loxos will work in the field….until next month’s revolt when they switch again.

King Doxo wonders where their new friends went and concludes that some people just make lousy guests.

 

Notes

• The story continues from Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #2. For a long time this was our heroes last adventure, but after 21 years they made their triumphant return in Dark Horse Presents (2011) #30
   

Review:

You know Hermy and Nilson do run away and leave their new friend to die at the hands of an angry mob,

They are pretty lousy friends.

Still Lost in A Lost City!

 

Originally Published in Usagi Yojimbo Colour Special #2 

Published: September 1991

Writtern and drawn by Stan Sakai

In Brief:Hermy and Nilson commit blasphamy

Summary:

Our heroes are still wandering the lost city. They decide to split up to try and find something to eat.

Alone Nilson is suddenly jumped by the locals who tie him up, and take him back to their village. They plan to offer Nilson as a sacrifice to their two-headed god, but they’ll need to find another sacrifice before sunset, otherwise their god may grow angry and return to punish them like he did a thousand years ago when he devastated their city.

They tie Nilson to a stake and leave to begin their search. Hermy overhears his friend's cries, and follows the sound to the clearing.  

Hermy manages to untie Nilson, but the returning hunters spots them escaping. They give chase since this is their last chance to appease the two-headed god. The pair try to escape them in the maze of streets and alleys, but Hermy trips and knocks them both down a flight of stairs. After that his ankle is sprained, so Nilson has to carry him.

Suddenly they run round a corner…right into the hunting party, knocking the high priest to the ground. The adventurer’s quickly flee too preoccupied to realize that the hunters have ran away screaming.

 

Later they find themselves at the deserted temple. Nilson is even able to find his confiscated sword. The two muse on how ugly the two-headed god’s statue is, unaware that it looks just like them....

Notes

•  The story continues from Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #1. It continues in Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #3.
• We don't see it happen, but our heroes have find their way out of the lost city by the time the next story starts.
  

Review: 

Another fun little story. Sure the entire adventure is set up for a punchline but I laughted. Also Hermy's antics when freeing Nilson were pretty amusing. 

Nothing else to  really say here.

Lost in a Lost City

 

Originally Published in Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #1

Published: Novemeber 1989

Writtern and drawn by Stan Saki

In Brief: Hermy teaches us the importance of being aware of your surroundings 

Summary:

Nilson and Hermy have stumbled into a lost city, but Hemry is confident that his ranger skills can find a way out.

While they explore a vine gabs Nilson and drags him up. He’s been caught by an Octopus plant high up on one of the ruined buildings. But he’s able to cut his way free before he’s eaten.

He lands on two monsters who decide to eat him. They start fighting over how to cook their ‘beastie grubs’ which gives Nilson the chance to escape. The monsters agree to make sushi and give chase. Nilson finds the path leads to a ledge, which he’s forced to jump off to escape his pursuers.  

 

Meanwhile Hermy hasn’t noticed Nilson’s gone. He does realize he’s been walking in a circle (a monster sneaks up behind him). But with his keen sense of direction he’ll figure out where to go (unbeknownst to Hermy the Octopus plant snatches up the monster).

Nilson lands on Hermy , who angrily asks why his friend isn’t as aware of his surroundings as he is!

Notes 

• The story continues from Critters #37. The story continues in Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #1

Review:

This is a light story, but it's pretty amusing. Sakai's layout help make all the gags land. He really is a master cartoonist.

The Golfer

 

Originally published in Usagi Yojimbo (vol 1) #19

Published: December 1989

Written and drawn by Stan Sakai

In Brief: Nilson and Hermy are hired to loot a cultural relic

Summary:

One night Nilson and Hermy are eating when they spot a wisp. Suddenly it covers them in a strange green glow and carries them away. It drops them on the ground in front of the witch Zuda.She used her powers to summon adventurers who can retrieve a magic talisman hidden in a nearby cave for her.

Nilson agrees after hearing Zuda’s promise of a rich reward. The witch gives Nilson and Hermy a bag of Light Dust, which will illuminate  the way for them. As they enter the cave Zuda secretly thinks about the caves guardian, but the pair’s lives mean nothing to her if there’s a chance they can bring her the treasure.

 

Eventually our heroes reach a dead end, where the only way forward is through a narrow hole. Nilson sends Hermy in (because…he’s smaller. Honest). On the other side Hermy finds a huge cave with the talisman on a pedestal. As he reaches for it a mysterious voice calling itself the Engulfer warns that it will engulf any who dare to disturb the idol.

And so Hermy returns empty handed, explaining to Nilson that he meet a golfer who threatened to golf with him. Annoyed Nilson goes to get the talisman himself. Find no golfer’s (and having no fear of a niblick) he takes the idol…only for the Engulfer to appear!

Thinking quickly Nilson realizes his only chance is to open his light bag, and the sudden flash of light blinds the creature. He manages to grab the idol and flee back through the tunnel. He plans to chastise Hermy but then they hear the Engulfer start to smash its way through the wall.

Outside the cave Zuda snatches the idol out of Nilson’s hands. When he asks about the reward she uses her magic to turn him into an anteater! After they run away Hermy comforts Nilson promising to care for his transformed friend.

Zuda gloats about the power the talisman will bring her when the Engulfer appears…a terrible scream echoes through the forest….

Hermy’s glad Nilson’s back to normal, while Nilson has a strange craving for ants.

Notes

•  The story continues from Critters #27. The story continues in Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #1
  

Review

And so our heroes suffer the ultimate indignity.  Being reduced to a back-up story in Stan Saki's other comic. Now there's nothing wrong with this story but it really highlights how Nilson and Hermy are never going to appear in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon.

Anyway like all the other story's it got a smile out of me, and it was nice seeing  Hermy promise to look out for his friend even if he's been turned into an anteater. They really are pals through thick and thin.