How much research did you do on the comic books Albedo Anthropomorphics and Usagi Yojimbo before writing them?
Albedo and Usagi Yojimbo actually required a lot more research work than the Ironclaw pieces. This is because they’re based on comic book licenses, and comic book fans (and creators!) can be very specific about the little details. So, I had to acquire a lot of back issues and go through them with a fine tooth comb. Albedo’s creator, Steve Gallacci, has put a lot of thought into creating an internally consistent setting with advanced technology and military terms. I had to make sure that all my descriptions fitted his vision. In the case of Usagi Yojimbo, my task was both larger and easier. Larger, because of the volume of material, and easier because it is essentially set in historical Japan. Once some of the basic differences were established, it was just a matter of using encyclopedias, textbooks, and Wikipedia to look up specifics. I also read some translated references, like Yamamoto Tsunetomo’s “Hidden Leaves” to get insight into the time period. Which book was the most fun to wor
