Zack Rosenberg

How do you pack 40 years of comic book history into a single interview? Calling it an honor is a huge understatement. Link in bio for my Q&A retrospective on Dark Horse’s incredible milestone anniversary!

Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you—it certainly is with me. A true personal grail just landed in my mailbox: an original piece by Hisao Tamaki. Sensei was the visionary behind the A New Hope manga, and thanks to the recent @darkhorsecomics / @darkhorsemanga hardcover revival, I managed to snag this original through their Kickstarter campaign. To own a piece of Star Wars history in this style is surreal. The Force is definitely strong today

In case anyone has missed it, @jaredcullum and I are running a one-page behind-the-scenes comic in the backmatter of every issue of Usagi Yojimbo: Kaitō ‘84. We’re having a blast documenting how the book comes together and hope you enjoy this look behind the desk. Grab your copies of issue 1 & 2 today to see the “how-to” behind the “tada!” Swipe ➡️ to read the full comic from issue 2 in stores now.

Simon enjoyed being a Googler for Take Your Kid To Work Day. He now thinks my job is filled with endless snacks, balloon animals, face painting, Legos, and fun work friends. He is sorta not wrong but don’t tell him the truth, need him to stay motivated all throughout High School.

From my personal archives: a hand-drawn postcard of a “Mecha-Shisa” by the Godfather of Manga himself, Osamu Tezuka. Created for the “Okinawa Shisa Manga Expo” to celebrate the Japan Cartoonists Association’s 20th anniversary, this piece shows Tezuka-sensei reimagining Okinawa’s traditional guardian beast as a mechanical marvel. If you look closely at the chest monitor, you’ll even see Tetsuwan Atom (Astro Boy) waving hello. A massive thank you to @nanbu_kan_ei for helping me secure this masterpiece. Information on this specific exhibition is incredibly scarce today, but Nanbu-san also managed to track down the original 1985 JCA Bulletin covering the event, which you can see on the next two slides. This is more than just a collectible; it is a foundational piece of manga history that also bears the sensei’s own handwritten address on the back. I’m one lucky fan.

Usagi Yojimbo: Kaitō ‘84 returns this week with issue 2, available now wherever you get your comics! Kaitō must outwit his enemies—and confront a chilling vision from his past that could unravel everything he’s fighting for. By @comicnerd1988 and @jaredcullum . With covers from Cullum, @kevineastmantmnt , and @stansakai #darkhorsecomics #usagiyojimbo #usagi #comics #newcomics

Usagi Yojimbo: Kaitō 84 Issue 2 is officially out today! Swipe for three context-free panels. Are they spoilers? Are they vibes? Are they just cool drawings? Only your local comic shop has the answers. Picking just three was a Herculean task, so support your local store, grab a copy, and let’s discuss— full story & context sold separately!

Celebrate LIVE with us tomorrow for the release of Issue 2 of Usagi Yojimbo: Kaitō 84! Join me, @comicnerd1988 and the legend @stansakai as we flip through original art, sketch and answer questions. 8:30pm est, Wednesday 22nd. HERE, (although insta can be finicky live, and on Facebook via my page or the Usagi Yojimbo! fan page. @darkhorsecomics @dogupublishing #comics #comicsart #yabooks #usagiyojimbo #usagi84

With profound sadness, I’m sharing that @grootdog has moved on to his next great adventure across the rainbow bridge. Ten years wasn’t nearly enough, but it was long enough to know that he wasn’t just a pet—he was family. This photo is my absolute favorite because it’s a direct window into the happiness he sparked in all of us. Groot was a “people’s dog” in the truest sense—he lived to give love and receive it in return. From his epic mohawk and those expressive eyebrows to the way he stepped up as a big brother to the boys, he was one of a kind. The house feels a bit empty now. I’m going to miss the puppy cuddles and, most of all, getting “Grooted” the second we walk through the door. Rest easy, little long dog. The world lost a truly exceptional soul today.

Had the privilege of attending the closing reception for @kjansonnyc solo gallery at @philippelabaunegallery . Looking at original pages, you realize that storytelling isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a craft. Seeing Klaus’s linework up close is an experience that’s equal parts humbling and electric. Klaus, you are a rare talent and an even better friend. It was an honor to see your incredible career celebrated tonight.

Tune in tonight to Good Buddy Comics as we welcome Jared Cullum and Zack Rosenberg to the show and discuss their new hit comic, Usagi Yojimbo: Kaito '84. Jared joined us last year as we discussed his career and watched him create this piece live. Tonight we will get to discuss the story with Zack and Jared and see the original art of issue one. Jared will also be doing some drawing live again! Find the YouTube link in the bio.

Finally picked up my books after a month and the very top of my read pile is the insanely fun new Usagi Yojimbo book: USAGI YOJIMBO: KAITŌ '84. The first issue is a sharp hook to the cheek, I will undoubtedly devour the following four issues once they’re released. The team of @comicnerd1988 and @jaredcullum had me grooving and vibing across every page, with a reckless pace, handfuls of good humor and delicious violence. Cullum’s art is truly spectacular throughout, but several panels are worthy of a stop and savor the view type of pause, including the first panel of the book I’ve posted here. The story revolves around Kaitō Usagi, a descendant of our typical protagonist Miyamoto Usagi, and his ever hungry sidekick Yu as they avoid and run headlong into the trouble that’s waiting around every corner of 1984’s Osaka, Japan. It is pure magic to see creators play with the toys that belong to @stansakai . What fun, beautiful creatures that we’re just meeting, but are also so wonderfully, instantaneously familiar. The very cool character studies for our two main heroes in the back were also a treat that I enjoyed. Where will this story run to next? As always, I found my copy at @atomiccitycomics , they’ve still got a stack if you’re in the Philadelphia area. You need to be a quick like a bunny to get your hands on this book, but it’s worth the chase, I can promise you that! 🐇 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇 ❤️🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇