Usagi Yojimbo - Duel (1986)

A quite stunning piece, and one that has its own curious history.

Via some detective work, this is what can be ascertained. The original b/w inked commission was requested to and drawn by Stan Sakai in 1986. It wasn't until several months after I acquired this, that I realised it was likely a panned-out recreation of the cover to Critters issue #3 (whose original cover is also listed on CAF).

However, the colouration is not by Stan. At some point afterwards, possibly 1989, the commission was presented to Tom Luth, who added the watercolour on top. Apparently he used to bring his paints with him to San Diego, so this seems a likely time when it was done.

The piece was sold to me in 2007. I don't know if the person who sold it was the original person who asked for the commission back in 1986 though.