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.