Critters #7

Issue Details

Synopsis

This issue contains the Gnuff story "Who Is Orva?" by Freddy Milton, the story "De Grand Wa-Zoo" by Sam Kieth, and the Usagi Yojimbo story "Blind Swords-Pig" by Stan Sakai. A blind pig, using smell, sound, and his cane, feels his way toward a village. Unfortunately for him, the towns people are aware there is a huge bounty on his head. Thinking they could easily capture a blind pig, they attack. Later, Usagi wanders through the same town, noting the destruction. It reminds him of someone, but he dismisses the thought. He stops a villager and questions him, learning about the legend of Zato-Ino. The villager tells the tale, full of embellishments. Usagi heads out directly to apprehend this monster, honor and justice demand it. Soon after leaving town, Usagi comes across a blind pig who is stuck down a deep hole. He is calling for help. Usagi assists the pig out, and the two travel together. Ino introduces himself as a blind masseur. Like Usagi, Ino is a wansderer, but he does seek somewhere to settle down. Travelling together, they become fast friends, and make camp together that night. In the morning, Usagi awakes to find Ino gone. Travelling along the path, he soon catches up to his new friend, who appears to be in trouble. Two dangerous looking samurai surround the poor blind and defenceless Ino. Before Usagi can run to help, both samurai are dead at Ino's feet. Picking up the wanted notice one of the dead men was holding, Usagi realizes his new friend is the outlaw he was hunting. Usagi tries to convince him to turn himself in peacefully, but fails. Ino claims that he hates Usagi, and what he hates he kills. The two duel. In the aftermath, Ino's nose has been severed. Usagi offers to bring Ino to a doctor, but Ino refuses. Ino swears vengeance against Usagi. Later, we see Ino at a woodworkers having a prosthetic nose made. After this encounter, Ino is always seen with his wooden nose tied on.