Eurofurence 16 - The Serengeti - At the Maritim Hotel Magdeburg

GUEST OF HONOUR: STAN SAKAI

Born in Kyoto, Japan, Stan grew up in Hawai'i and studied fine arts at the University of Hawaii. He later attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He and his wife, Sharon, presently reside and work in Pasadena.

He began his career by lettering comic books as well as writing and illustrating The Adventures of Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy; a comic series with a medieval setting, influenced by Sergio Aragones's Groo the Wanderer. The characters first appeared in Albedo #1 in 1984, and were subsequently featured in issues of Critters, GrimJack, Amazing Heroes and Furrlough.

Stan became famous with the creation of Usagi Yojimbo (the name means "Rabbit Bodyguard" in Japanese), the epic saga of Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit living in early-seventeenth-century Japan. First published in 1984, the comic continues to this day. Stan has remained the exclusive author and artist of the series since its early beginnings, with the exception of Tom Luth (who serves as the main colorist on the series), and some occasional contributions by Sergio Aragonés. He also created a futuristic spinoff series Space Usagi and occasionally contributes to other publications, such as the story I'm Not In Springfield Anymore! for Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror #7 and the back cover of Treehouse of Horror #6.

Major influences: Steve Ditko, Sergio Aragones, Milo Manara, Moebius, Jack Kirby, Bill Stout, Walt Kelly, Carl Barks, and (of course) Akira Kurosawa.

Notable Awards: 1990 Parents' Choice Award, 1991 Inkpot Award (Comic-Con International), 1996 Eisner Award (Best Letterer), 1996 Eisner Award (Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition), 1999 Eisner Award (Best Serialized Story), 1999 Haxtur Award (Best Short Story), 2000 Haxtur Award (Best Script), 2002 National Cartoonists Society Comic Book Division Award, 2003 La Plumilla de Plata (For lifetime achievements to comic books), 2007 Harvey Award (Best Letterer)