Stan Sakai is an instantly recognizable writer and artist whose body of work will be showcased in The Art of Stan Sakai. It covers his journey through comics with developmental art, convention drawings, pencil work, inking, full color images, and previously unseen work. The art book from DOGU Publishing features hundreds of pieces of art and will be offered in a crowdfunding campaign.

His work from several publishers including DOGU Publishing, Dark Horse Comics, IDW, Mad Cave Studios, Marvel, and Oni Press appears in the book. Chapters are focused on his creative process, sketches, color art, watercolor paintings, travel, commissions, and more.

“The Art Of Stan Sakai contains 200 pages measuring 9.27” x 12.3”, and is printed to exceedingly high standards. Featuring Hansol 150gsm matte paper, a premium, double-coated art paper recognized for its smooth, non-reflective surface and high opacity, it has been engineered for exceptional print performance and matched with specialized ink for exact color reproduction,” per the description.

Sakai has been working in comics since the 1980s. He was a letterer, then wrote and illustrated The Adventures of Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy. It was when Sakai created Usagi Yojimbo that his place in comics was forged. The story follows Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit who lives in late 16th/early 17th century Japan. Since the series debuted in 1984, Sakai has remained as the primary writer and artist of the book.

Sakai is lauded for the way he presents Japanese culture, his action style, and the humor he puts into his work. He has earned ten Eisner Awards, an Inkpot, two Harvey Awards, he is in the Eisner Hall of Fame, and earned a Cultural Ambassador Award from the Japanese American National Museum.

The campaign features add-on items like a new Usagi Yojimbo Sketchbook, exclusive prints, original art, and other Usagi related items.

The crowdfunding campaign is not live yet; collectors interested in backing the project can sign up for alerts at crowdfunding.dogupublishing.com.