Yōichi Yonehata, a 23-year-old unemployed man, was charged in Tokyo's Edogawa Ward on November 14 for stealing 101 volumes of manga. The suspect reportedly said, "I'm in deep debt, so I was going to resell the books back to used bookstores." He is suspected of stealing Detective Conan, Hana Yori Dango, and other manga worth about 60,000 yen (US$500) from the Tsutaya's main Edogawa store on November 3 between 4:20 and 4:40 p.m. He allegedly took about 50 volumes out of the store in a plastic bag, hid them in a parking lot, and then went back to get more. He was caught when a nearby bicycle store's employee spotted him. Source: Jiji Press, Asahi Shimbun
Showing posts with label Article Comic/Manga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Article Comic/Manga. Show all posts
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
comic - Hair exchange
Michiru has just created a strip manga guys, here is 2 pages comic strip called "Hair Exchange", this one is inspired by the infamous manga Full Metal Alchemist. Have a take look.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
THE SUMMER OF SUPERMAN!
June, 2008, marks the 80th anniversary of the debut of Superman, created by two guys in the Glenville section of Cleveland. Isn’t it time Cleveland embraced its most famous son?
In all the world, only one city can brag that it is the home of Superman, yet Cleveland is strangely silent. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created the character in Glenville where they lived, but there are precious few reminders left today. Even more rare are the city's recognition of the feat.
What would it take to get some kind of celebration going in Cleveland? We have had celebrations with statues of pigs, dogs and guitars all over the place, how about a summer where area artists are invited to create an homage to the Man of Steel in whatever media they like?
Imagine paintings, statues, pictures, films, flags, songs and things my feeble imagination can’t come up with, on display around the city? There could be special exhibits of Superman-related items, an IMAX movie at the Great Lakes Science Center, maybe even a comic book convention like they have in many big cities.
We could have lectures on the importance of Superman to literature and the arts. There could be a Superman tour of Cleveland that would include a drive past Siegel’s old home on Kimberly Avenue. Fans would come from all over to take a moment and look at the house where two young boys created a story about a baby boy who came from far, far away. And consider how that idea has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry.
source : newsarama.com
clip :
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
New Batman comic series - Gotham underground
October will mark the beginning of Gotham Underground from DC, a (now) nine issue miniseries that tracks the latest development of Countdown in Gotham City – that is, villains are disappearing, and leaving holes in the criminal underground. Nature may abhor a vacuum, but for Batman, the feeling is stronger, because he knows that new faces and power players are bound to make a grab at being on top of the stack.
source : newsarama.com
clip :
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Sabrina the Teenage Witch animerimanga review
Sabrina the Teenage Witch #86
By David Rasmussen
14th Sep 07
This week we’re focusing a batch of reviews on the people over at Archie Comics. Americana with a twang of AmeriManga here and there.
For the past few years, Archie Comics has been slowly but surely reinventing itself from the ground up in several interesting ways. Manga style Sabrina, a new 21st look for Betty & Veronica, a 2nd Sonic title. Still not quite enough innovation (more is always welcome) but a good start of things if I do say so myself.
These are the reviews for a new month of titles.
If you remember Sabrina from prior to Issue #58 then you probably would never have thought of ever picking up the title. Why? Probably because way back then, if memory serves, it was a spin-off visually of the Animated Sabrina series (for a time). Sure, previously (if you remember Sabrina from Archie titles Double Digests, you know Sabrina had it’s own look… it’s just that once the Animated Series came out the comic version eventually followed suit to take on that look. And, well, if you had any past experience with animated series turn comics then you know for the most part they are not very exciting (or interesting).
But that was way back when, this is now.
As part of the ever (yet slow) “evolution” of Archie Comics, Sabrina received a complete overhaul as of Issue #58 with a new “manga” inspired look. However just widening the eyes of the characters into a Shojo manga style look isn’t a manga evolution make. Maybe a boost of story blood might do better.
Flashforward about 3 or so years from the launch of “manga” Sabrina and we find the world of Sabrina is slowly tethering towards a possible generational civil war between the young and older generation.
Word is the mana tree is dying, and the Queen of the magical world is blamed for this as she seems to be covering up the tree’s death. So it seems a group of young wizards and witches (Sabrina included) have taken it upon themselves to possibly overthrow the queen (without the magical council or other adults loyal to the queen learning about it). Sure signs of a mystical civil war on the horizon.
Of course if this alone wasn’t enough of a problem for Sabrina it turns out her relationship with Harvey (from which a so-so term spin-off Archie Comics imprint comic company came from) is sinking fast after she told him about her magic powers. So maybe a trip to Harvey’s grandparents will be the surefire cure for their relationship woes… unless it’s a good chance for Harvey’s evil stepmom to totally throw a large crowbar into the slowly devolving relationship to break it up utterly Stephanine Forrester style (the (bleep))!
So as the issue ends Sabrina is already bummed… won’t help any that Sabrina is trying again to gather proof positive of the “death” of the Mana Tree next issue, which may or may not end her life (which might be a mercy now that she’s in such a downer over breaking up with Harvey by force).
Sabrina’s manga-fication, apparently, wasn’t just visual. With a new breath into the storyline (making it stronger, ongoing, and interesting) it looks like Sabrina will be another good title for your pick-up list from the Archie Comics line. 4 magical visitations from Dr. Phil (for Sabrina) out of 5.
-- David Rasmussen 14th Sep 07
source : animeboredom
clip :
By David Rasmussen
14th Sep 07
This week we’re focusing a batch of reviews on the people over at Archie Comics. Americana with a twang of AmeriManga here and there.
For the past few years, Archie Comics has been slowly but surely reinventing itself from the ground up in several interesting ways. Manga style Sabrina, a new 21st look for Betty & Veronica, a 2nd Sonic title. Still not quite enough innovation (more is always welcome) but a good start of things if I do say so myself.
These are the reviews for a new month of titles.
If you remember Sabrina from prior to Issue #58 then you probably would never have thought of ever picking up the title. Why? Probably because way back then, if memory serves, it was a spin-off visually of the Animated Sabrina series (for a time). Sure, previously (if you remember Sabrina from Archie titles Double Digests, you know Sabrina had it’s own look… it’s just that once the Animated Series came out the comic version eventually followed suit to take on that look. And, well, if you had any past experience with animated series turn comics then you know for the most part they are not very exciting (or interesting).
But that was way back when, this is now.
As part of the ever (yet slow) “evolution” of Archie Comics, Sabrina received a complete overhaul as of Issue #58 with a new “manga” inspired look. However just widening the eyes of the characters into a Shojo manga style look isn’t a manga evolution make. Maybe a boost of story blood might do better.
Flashforward about 3 or so years from the launch of “manga” Sabrina and we find the world of Sabrina is slowly tethering towards a possible generational civil war between the young and older generation.
Word is the mana tree is dying, and the Queen of the magical world is blamed for this as she seems to be covering up the tree’s death. So it seems a group of young wizards and witches (Sabrina included) have taken it upon themselves to possibly overthrow the queen (without the magical council or other adults loyal to the queen learning about it). Sure signs of a mystical civil war on the horizon.
Of course if this alone wasn’t enough of a problem for Sabrina it turns out her relationship with Harvey (from which a so-so term spin-off Archie Comics imprint comic company came from) is sinking fast after she told him about her magic powers. So maybe a trip to Harvey’s grandparents will be the surefire cure for their relationship woes… unless it’s a good chance for Harvey’s evil stepmom to totally throw a large crowbar into the slowly devolving relationship to break it up utterly Stephanine Forrester style (the (bleep))!
So as the issue ends Sabrina is already bummed… won’t help any that Sabrina is trying again to gather proof positive of the “death” of the Mana Tree next issue, which may or may not end her life (which might be a mercy now that she’s in such a downer over breaking up with Harvey by force).
Sabrina’s manga-fication, apparently, wasn’t just visual. With a new breath into the storyline (making it stronger, ongoing, and interesting) it looks like Sabrina will be another good title for your pick-up list from the Archie Comics line. 4 magical visitations from Dr. Phil (for Sabrina) out of 5.
-- David Rasmussen 14th Sep 07
source : animeboredom
clip :
Friday, September 21, 2007
BoBoBo-Bo Bo-BoBo anime review
BoBoBo-Bo BoBo-Bo Volume 1
Slightly maniac depressive? Don’t mind something over the top parody wise that actually makes Excel Saga seem normal and well adjusted in comparison? Want a good laugh? Bobbobobobo… whatever… might do just that. How can you tell what this title is if I am not entirely sure that I spelled it right?
Here’s a hint. It’s another Shonen Jump related title, and there’s a big frigging guy who looks like the illegitimate offspring of Johnny Bravo and a bad Japanese stereotype of a large beefy guy with a bad seventy’s hairstyle as the star (we’ll call him Bo for short).
It’s the 30th Century and the world is enslaved by bald people who seem to have bought most of their uniforms from a Toriyama DBZ armor sale. The main guy who leads these chromedomes wants to make the world bald, but as long as people like the big beefy (maybe a distant relation of Osaka and that guy from Fist of the North Star) star of this title, Bo, is around… parody laced hillarity will ensue.
As the series starts young Beauty (the only main female star of the series at this point) has just saw an entire spare DBZ backdrop village lose it’s hair, and she would have been next if Bo didn’t intervene and beat them with his magic nose hair… yes, I just said magic nose hair. After a confusing theatrical presentation of his origins (this is one of the many gags that must make at least one appearance in each episode including “What does Bo have hidden in his hair” gag, the “nobody translated the Japanese text so everyone can mock the fact that everything is written in Japanese” gag, and at least a dozen anime/manga/pop culture parodies per episode) including how a young Bo learned that… shh… he can talk to hair folicles… and how Bo’s hairball dad sold him out to the bad guys, Bo walks off into the dust to fight another major fortress boss of the bald people… which leads to a long parody filled fight.
At the end of the episode Beauty joins forces with Bo, and pickle is kicked to the curb.
Who is pickle? Why is it a talking pickle? Why did Bo hate him so? I don’t know, and I don’t care.
After that Bo and Beauty run into trouble as they run afoul of a weird group of mini Poke’mon slash Digimon slash Monster Rancher reject creatures (one creature cloned ad nauseum), another fashion victim from another Anime and… oh… the talking sun thing that sways between insanity, inappropriate affections and madness named Don Pardo… I think. I wasn’t paying too much to it because it’s half disturbing.
After a long struggle, a duel themed to the topic of tales told to a Christmas theme (including the ills of churro promotion gone wrong… EAT THE DAMN CHURRO… and whatever Bo did), the kidnapping of Beauty (she’s saved in the end by someone who isn’t Bo), and a battle which leads to the produce-ification of Bo and a blind date from hell… the episode ends (Episode 2).
After that Bo and Beauty go to a festival and Bo goes crazy, making everyone in the festival hate him. It doesn’t help that later Beauty runs into a beefy near naked crazy dude with a duck undies on his head… which turns out to be a living duck that is the product of the insane mating between a duck and female panties… isn’t that illegal in all 50 states and the sooner or later 51st State of Mexico? I think so.
The DVD ends with Bo crashing Don Pardo’s graduation from some high school and once again hilarity ensues… as does much parodying.
Basically what you see is what you get.
If you don’t mind over the top acting, over the top writing, and over the top visual puns that (thanks to this uncut version) might actually be more disturbing than even Excel Saga then this is for you.
If you are too serious and hardcore about the “perfection” of Anime then you won’t want this, it’s for those who don’t mind a good laugh (or just a laugh period if you begin to realize the same puns spun in different ways keep popping up over and over again) then this might be for you.
Oh, it’s OK for the most part. Animation is nice and well done, the story is downright weird and (yes especially in light of the uncut version) makes what I saw in Excel Saga seem rather well adjusted and normal in comparison. Oh, and for some reason the episodes just seem to drag on forever… must be because of the added-back in uncut content.
So if you want a good laugh, or just to laugh period, Bo may indeed know you well.
Bobobobob… WHATEVER!! BoBoBo-Bo… or was it Bo-BoBoBo… BoBo-Bo?
It gets 4... (spacey expression, hands up) wig out…wig out…wig out… wig out… out of 5... Wig out… wig out… wig out… wig out… wig out… (zzzzzz….)
-- David Rasmussen 29th Jul 07
source : animeboredom
clip :
Venus Versus Virus manga review
Venus Versus Virus Volume 1
By David Rasmussen
14th Sep 07
David Rasmussen avatar
Not since that weird (bleep) kid who did that movie with Bruce Willis where he said “I see dead people.” (which inspired the oh god it’ll never end endless car ad series where the even creepier kid whispers “Zoom Zoom”) has seeing dead people been as creepy as when Sumire Takahana saw dead people… I mean “Viruses”. Not the same “Viruses” as the one in that manga with the alien virus that became… wasn’t it a movie with Jamie Lee Curtis or something?
Well, forget that (I wish I could). This virus is ghosts.
However a chance discovery of a locket (which turns out to be the property of the gothic gal coming up in the next sentence) that cuts Sumire suddenly gives her the ability to see hostile (yet strangely stereotypical in appearance) ghosts (Viruses). This leads to her being saved by a rather flamboyant (and money grubbing) “Gothic Lolita-clad” (which means it’s kinda sorta maybe kinky but only after the costume has been modified… yeah, that way) monster hunting gal named Lucia Nahashia.
She saves Sumire, then promptly bills her and threatens to curse her is she doesn’t show up and pay the bill.
Sounds like a good relationship is about to begin… right?
Now that Sumire can see these hostile “viruses” she’s going to be asked to join forces with Lucia to help with the quest to stop evil viruses… and threatening her with a over half million yen bill kinda serves as good “incentive” to get Sumire to jump onto the monster hunting bandwagon.
Doesn’t help any that the first job (which puts Sumire’s friends in danger) nearly gets Sumire “killed” (as she is shot by Lucia’s normally harmless against normal humans “toy” gun) only for that shot to bring about a “change” in Sumire which sparks an “changed” personality in her which “helps” her get rid of the Virus rather easily (bloodily). Looks like the job of “virus” hunting, like the mafia, is one that (once it got it’s grip on Sumire) grabs tight and refuses to let go. Maybe the next mission will get her swinging on the whole virus hunting thing full throttle… but only you can find that out yourself.
Strangely satisfactory (despite the fact it is abit formulatic in the set up and follow through to keep Sumire in the mix), with a nice artistic style and I liked the overall feel (even if it’s yet another monster hunter slam bang title). The writing, character development (Sumire and Lucia especially as an “Odd Couple“ team), and the second mission really pull this one through for me and makes me like it more than worry about my few dislikes about the read. It is abit offkilter for being abit formulatic, and I think we’ve seen this before but it still reads nicely overall (and I hope next volume continues to be as well received as this one).
Venus Versus Virus struggles against the encroaching darkness, and gets 4 “Zoom Zoom”s out of 5.
-- David Rasmussen 14th Sep 07
source : animeboredom
clip :
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
About French And Belgian Comics
by: Anthony Benjamin
Comics And Comic Books - France and Belgium are two countries with a long history of comics and comic books. They are called Bande Dessinée in French. Belgian comic books on the other hand were first printed in Dutch are greatly influenced by Francophone comics, but still have their very unique style.
La bande dessinée comes from the sentence: art form as drawn strips which is literally translated as the drawn strip. It's English equivalent, the word "bande" can be both film and comics. It's not insignificant the French term comic contains no indication of subject matter, unlike the American term "comic," which implies a form of art not to be taken seriously.
For more information on comics visit:
http://www.mysecretsites.info
Relative to the size of their populations, the innumerable authors that are in France and Belgium publish a vary high number of Franco-Belgian comics. In North America, the Franco-Belgian comics are a lot more serious and are often seen to be graphic novels.
In France, comics are mostly published at the behest of the author, working in a self-appointed time frame. It's not uncommon for readers to wait as long as six months or two years between installments. In those countries comic books are first published as with hard covers, and typically with 48 or 64 pages.
Personally I would not want to wait that long for a comic book to see how the story will end. As a typical American I want it now, even my laughs.
~Anthony Benjamin~ http://www.mysecretsites.info
clip about one of french popular comic,and movie : spirou fantasio
Comics And Comic Books - France and Belgium are two countries with a long history of comics and comic books. They are called Bande Dessinée in French. Belgian comic books on the other hand were first printed in Dutch are greatly influenced by Francophone comics, but still have their very unique style.
La bande dessinée comes from the sentence: art form as drawn strips which is literally translated as the drawn strip. It's English equivalent, the word "bande" can be both film and comics. It's not insignificant the French term comic contains no indication of subject matter, unlike the American term "comic," which implies a form of art not to be taken seriously.
For more information on comics visit:
http://www.mysecretsites.info
Relative to the size of their populations, the innumerable authors that are in France and Belgium publish a vary high number of Franco-Belgian comics. In North America, the Franco-Belgian comics are a lot more serious and are often seen to be graphic novels.
In France, comics are mostly published at the behest of the author, working in a self-appointed time frame. It's not uncommon for readers to wait as long as six months or two years between installments. In those countries comic books are first published as with hard covers, and typically with 48 or 64 pages.
Personally I would not want to wait that long for a comic book to see how the story will end. As a typical American I want it now, even my laughs.
~Anthony Benjamin~ http://www.mysecretsites.info
clip about one of french popular comic,and movie : spirou fantasio
Monday, September 17, 2007
Ozamu Tezuka's Manga will get colorized
There is an interesting news going on around japan nowadays, Tezuka Productions, the multimedia company founded by manga godfather Osamu Tezuka, is currently working to colorize all of his manga. All of his old manga works will get colorized. Well, as long as I know, manga is rarely get colorized, but we will see about it,because they say they will do the best that they can, approximately about 150000 pages of his manga will get colorized,,,,...wowo!! that's a big numberJust wait.
source : manganews.net and animenewsnetwork
clip :
source : manganews.net and animenewsnetwork
clip :
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Tokyo Pop will hold promotional event of StarTrek Manga
StarTrek.com has just announce that Tokyopop will hold a series of promotional events from September 13 to October 6 in Southern California to promote its new Star Trek The Manga: "Kakan ni Shinkou". the promotion includes discussion about the manga and giveaway sign copies of the manga.
source : comipress.com and animenewsnetwork
source : comipress.com and animenewsnetwork
clip : THE CONVENTIONEERS - Anime North
Thursday, September 13, 2007
X-men newest comic disassembled teaser image
Marvel has just show some of Teaser image from their newest infamous X-men Disassemble. the comic itself said to be somewhere september 2007. check the teaser.
source : newsrama.com
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
BALTIMORE '07: STAR WARS: VECTOR, HELLBOY HC COMING FROM DHC
Dark Horse has announce two items that they’ll be announcing at the Diamond Retailer Summit currently being held in Baltimore. in 2008 first is Starwars Vector,the crossover starwars comic that tell story about a character that will travel into all of 4 starwars comic, second is Hellboy. all will be release next year
source : newsrama.com
source : newsrama.com
Ikigami manga go to real life
Young Sunday has just announce that they will adapt the Motaro Mase's manga Ikigami into a movie somewhere in 2008, we will see about that.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Batgirl is turning into japanese Action Figures !
action figures world will soon welcome the new DC Comic action figures heroes such as Batgirl. any other character will coming soon.
batgirl, she's cooler than ever! Standing 9 inches tall, this hand-painted PVC figure is a limited edition and comes with a base for display
source : anime.about.com
Saturday, September 8, 2007
MANGA MESSIAH AND BIBLE
Reported by Michael Aronson 09-01-2007
It's the hottest thing you might not pronounce correctly. With over $125 million in sales in 2006 alone, the Japanese word for comics known as “manga” is a major hit with American teens and tweens as well as adults. It’s also one of the fastest growing genres in American publishing and a widely popular comics category. Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to release an authentic manga series starting with Manga Messiah in September 2007 as well as the Manga Bible in November 2007.
Offering an eye-catching rendition of the Gospels, Manga Messiah combines cutting-edge art with a fast-paced story to deliver biblical truths in a compelling and relevant way, targeting those that might not have interest in reading a traditional Bible. Features of Manga Messiah that provide context of the four gospels include illustrated character profiles and family trees of key Biblical characters, as well as maps of Galilee, Samaria and Judea.
Manga Messiah contrasts with secular manga and also stands out in the Christian marketplace. Unlike general market manga, which may reveal a Shintoist influence or contain erotic elements, Manga Messiah offers positive content with accurate Biblical messages. And unlike the “manga-style” art offered in other books in the Christian market, Manga Messiah features art made by some of Japan’s most popular manga artists.
“We’re thrilled to offer the greatest story ever told, about the most controversial man who ever lived, in the most popular graphic novel format on earth,” explains Kevin O’Brien, Director of Bibles and Bible Reference at Tyndale House Publishers.
Four additional titles in Tyndale’s manga series will roll out in four consecutive years. Fans can look forward to Manga Mutiny (Fall 2008), Manga Metamorphosis (Fall 2009), Manga Malech (Fall 2010), and Manga Messengers (Fall 2011).
Tyndale House Publishers has purchased exclusive English language rights for all of the titles in the manga series from NEXT Inc., a nonprofit corporation formed in 2006 to produce and distribute biblically based manga materials worldwide. Behind NEXT is a group of dedicated professionals with years of experience in Japanese printing and publishing. For additional information, please see www.nextmanga.com.
[b]
Manga Messiah[/b]
978-1-4143-1680-2, 5 ½ x 8 ¼ , 288 pages
Softcover, $12.99, September 2007
In November 2007, Tyndale House Publishers will release the Manga Bible. This New Living Translation SlimLine edition features three 32 page four-color manga tip-ins designed to give the overview of the narrative sections of the Bible and encourage readers to delve in and read it for themselves. While targeting the tween/teen market, the Manga Bible may appeal to comic lovers of all ages.
[b]
Manga Bible[/b]
978-1-4143-1679-6, 5 5/16 x 7 5/8, 1098 pages with three 32 pg. tip-ins
NLT SlimLine Edition, sale price $14.97 (reg. $19.99), November 2007
taken from : http://www.mangalife.com/news/PRMANGAMESSIAHANDBIBLE.htm
It's the hottest thing you might not pronounce correctly. With over $125 million in sales in 2006 alone, the Japanese word for comics known as “manga” is a major hit with American teens and tweens as well as adults. It’s also one of the fastest growing genres in American publishing and a widely popular comics category. Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to release an authentic manga series starting with Manga Messiah in September 2007 as well as the Manga Bible in November 2007.
Offering an eye-catching rendition of the Gospels, Manga Messiah combines cutting-edge art with a fast-paced story to deliver biblical truths in a compelling and relevant way, targeting those that might not have interest in reading a traditional Bible. Features of Manga Messiah that provide context of the four gospels include illustrated character profiles and family trees of key Biblical characters, as well as maps of Galilee, Samaria and Judea.
Manga Messiah contrasts with secular manga and also stands out in the Christian marketplace. Unlike general market manga, which may reveal a Shintoist influence or contain erotic elements, Manga Messiah offers positive content with accurate Biblical messages. And unlike the “manga-style” art offered in other books in the Christian market, Manga Messiah features art made by some of Japan’s most popular manga artists.
“We’re thrilled to offer the greatest story ever told, about the most controversial man who ever lived, in the most popular graphic novel format on earth,” explains Kevin O’Brien, Director of Bibles and Bible Reference at Tyndale House Publishers.
Four additional titles in Tyndale’s manga series will roll out in four consecutive years. Fans can look forward to Manga Mutiny (Fall 2008), Manga Metamorphosis (Fall 2009), Manga Malech (Fall 2010), and Manga Messengers (Fall 2011).
Tyndale House Publishers has purchased exclusive English language rights for all of the titles in the manga series from NEXT Inc., a nonprofit corporation formed in 2006 to produce and distribute biblically based manga materials worldwide. Behind NEXT is a group of dedicated professionals with years of experience in Japanese printing and publishing. For additional information, please see www.nextmanga.com.
[b]
Manga Messiah[/b]
978-1-4143-1680-2, 5 ½ x 8 ¼ , 288 pages
Softcover, $12.99, September 2007
In November 2007, Tyndale House Publishers will release the Manga Bible. This New Living Translation SlimLine edition features three 32 page four-color manga tip-ins designed to give the overview of the narrative sections of the Bible and encourage readers to delve in and read it for themselves. While targeting the tween/teen market, the Manga Bible may appeal to comic lovers of all ages.
[b]
Manga Bible[/b]
978-1-4143-1679-6, 5 5/16 x 7 5/8, 1098 pages with three 32 pg. tip-ins
NLT SlimLine Edition, sale price $14.97 (reg. $19.99), November 2007
taken from : http://www.mangalife.com/news/PRMANGAMESSIAHANDBIBLE.htm
Poison Candy v1 Review
Reviewed by Robert Murray
David Hine is one of my favorite comic book writers, scripting such quality work as District X, Daredevil: Redemption, and the current run of Spawn. So, when I heard that Mr. Hine was taking his considerable talents to the realm of manga, I was both excited and nervous considering the possibilities. Nervous, you may ask? Well, in the manga circles I roll with, American manga writers (with the exception of Fred Gallagher and a few others) are seen as little more than poseurs, albatrosses diminishing the unique talents of Japan’s elite scribes. Yeah, I think it’s kinda short-sighted too, but we all know you can’t drastically alter a fanboy’s comfort zone without a lot of resistance. So, looking at this first volume of Poison Candy, I thought about the possible reactions some of my mates might have toward this foray by a man better known for his work with Marvel mutants. In general, I think most American manga fans (particularly those that interlace their reading with American comics) will enjoy this vibrant, action-packed first volume. However, the hardcore otaku out there will despair the lack of some traditional Japanese conventions, as well as Hine’s attempts in making his dialogue and human interactions more manga friendly.
In my opinion, these attempts by Hine to make his dialogue more manga-like is evidence of his playfulness as a manga writer. He’s gently poking fun at the conventions of translation that would make an average English reader chuckle, such as overly descriptive soliloquies that don’t follow the patterns of normal speech or short exclamations of surprise such as ‘Huh’ and ‘Wah’ that normally accompany anime. Plus, the inclusion of nosebleeds, a teenage rock band, and a serene drop of water for scene transition illustrates the many Eastern influences that have gone into this first volume. But, there are some Western influences thrown into the pot as well. Take, for instance, the final chapter of the first volume (SPOILERS AHEAD!). Sam Chance has been cryogenically frozen so that an organization run by the mysterious Henry Raven can find the cure for the SKAR virus, the deadly mutagenic strain that has infected Sam and other teenagers throughout the world. Sound a little like an X-Men storyline? Well, stay with me... When Sam is awakened, one of the first people he sees is his old buddy Yusuf, who is a 1950s-obsessed video game greaser (Well, that’s unique!). The only problem is that Yusuf now appears to be elderly, looking life the older Biff in Back to the Future II, completely with cane and crotchety attitude (Hey, I wonder if he’ll give Sam a sports almanac?). We all know what happened without Yusuf saying it: Sam has been frozen for much longer than he expected. Actually, he’s been frozen for 100 years. Yipes! Of course, the normal questions are asked by Sam, regarding his parents and his girlfriend, Donna. When Yusuf informs Sam of Donna’s fate, he explodes with grief, rending a circle of destruction a la Akira. Lot’s of pop culture candy to taste in this first volume! Here’s hoping it’s not poisonous!
Illustrating the action is Hans Steinbach, whose work I am totally unfamiliar with. Judging from this volume, he is a capable artist who lacks a lot of the flash of other mangaka. This is not really a criticism, but it certainly doesn’t make Steinbach stand out as an artist of merit. The characters and the actions of the characters are illustrated in the least distracting way possible for Hine’s story, creating a look that is probably very close to what Hine has imagined with this series. Hine is creating both an homage to a comic form he truly loves and a parody of this same art-form. As we have seen from such entertainers as Mel Brooks and Tom Stoppard, parody is the sincerest form of flattery. True, this isn’t parody in the same vein as the two aforementioned examples, but Hine is definitely having some fun with the manga genre, and I think most readers will have just as much fun reading this series. High manga art it’s not, but it is a skillfully presented graphic story with thrills aplenty.
taken from : mangalife.com
David Hine is one of my favorite comic book writers, scripting such quality work as District X, Daredevil: Redemption, and the current run of Spawn. So, when I heard that Mr. Hine was taking his considerable talents to the realm of manga, I was both excited and nervous considering the possibilities. Nervous, you may ask? Well, in the manga circles I roll with, American manga writers (with the exception of Fred Gallagher and a few others) are seen as little more than poseurs, albatrosses diminishing the unique talents of Japan’s elite scribes. Yeah, I think it’s kinda short-sighted too, but we all know you can’t drastically alter a fanboy’s comfort zone without a lot of resistance. So, looking at this first volume of Poison Candy, I thought about the possible reactions some of my mates might have toward this foray by a man better known for his work with Marvel mutants. In general, I think most American manga fans (particularly those that interlace their reading with American comics) will enjoy this vibrant, action-packed first volume. However, the hardcore otaku out there will despair the lack of some traditional Japanese conventions, as well as Hine’s attempts in making his dialogue and human interactions more manga friendly.
In my opinion, these attempts by Hine to make his dialogue more manga-like is evidence of his playfulness as a manga writer. He’s gently poking fun at the conventions of translation that would make an average English reader chuckle, such as overly descriptive soliloquies that don’t follow the patterns of normal speech or short exclamations of surprise such as ‘Huh’ and ‘Wah’ that normally accompany anime. Plus, the inclusion of nosebleeds, a teenage rock band, and a serene drop of water for scene transition illustrates the many Eastern influences that have gone into this first volume. But, there are some Western influences thrown into the pot as well. Take, for instance, the final chapter of the first volume (SPOILERS AHEAD!). Sam Chance has been cryogenically frozen so that an organization run by the mysterious Henry Raven can find the cure for the SKAR virus, the deadly mutagenic strain that has infected Sam and other teenagers throughout the world. Sound a little like an X-Men storyline? Well, stay with me... When Sam is awakened, one of the first people he sees is his old buddy Yusuf, who is a 1950s-obsessed video game greaser (Well, that’s unique!). The only problem is that Yusuf now appears to be elderly, looking life the older Biff in Back to the Future II, completely with cane and crotchety attitude (Hey, I wonder if he’ll give Sam a sports almanac?). We all know what happened without Yusuf saying it: Sam has been frozen for much longer than he expected. Actually, he’s been frozen for 100 years. Yipes! Of course, the normal questions are asked by Sam, regarding his parents and his girlfriend, Donna. When Yusuf informs Sam of Donna’s fate, he explodes with grief, rending a circle of destruction a la Akira. Lot’s of pop culture candy to taste in this first volume! Here’s hoping it’s not poisonous!
Illustrating the action is Hans Steinbach, whose work I am totally unfamiliar with. Judging from this volume, he is a capable artist who lacks a lot of the flash of other mangaka. This is not really a criticism, but it certainly doesn’t make Steinbach stand out as an artist of merit. The characters and the actions of the characters are illustrated in the least distracting way possible for Hine’s story, creating a look that is probably very close to what Hine has imagined with this series. Hine is creating both an homage to a comic form he truly loves and a parody of this same art-form. As we have seen from such entertainers as Mel Brooks and Tom Stoppard, parody is the sincerest form of flattery. True, this isn’t parody in the same vein as the two aforementioned examples, but Hine is definitely having some fun with the manga genre, and I think most readers will have just as much fun reading this series. High manga art it’s not, but it is a skillfully presented graphic story with thrills aplenty.
taken from : mangalife.com
Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle v14 Review
Reviewed by Dan Polley
It’s hard to not hear or read about CLAMP, the collection of female manga-ka. But “Tsubasa: Resevoir Chronicle,” volume 14, was my first foray into their manga world.
The title is a collection of their characters from other books, but “Tsubasa” posits those characters — with a little revamp, of course — into an alternate structure. In that structure, Princess Sakura has powerful memory feathers. After the group, which consists of Syaoran, Kurogane and others, collects one of those feathers, they are able to transport to another dimension, where the process starts anew.
Together the group needs to master its magic and martial arts mastery in order to take down those who stand in the way of them collecting another one of the princess’ feathers.
At first glance, it’s quite odd how the characters are drawn: Humanly un-proportionate and gangly, almost like a spider with half as many appendages. However, all pretenses to the seemingly unrealistic art configurations were soon forgotten once the first page cracked open.
The plot was whimsical and fun. It also felt new — at least in part — which helped to push the volume forward.
However, the characters felt as though they lacked originality. For groups, they seemed to fit in with niches that had been worn out long before. There was the princess who was key to the journey, but was hardly able to fend for herself. There was also a dark and mysterious man who filled the hero’s position, but who still seemed to be holding back.
The 14th volume of “Tsubasa: Resevoir Chronicle” was good, not great. There were some interesting points, and those outweighed the non-interesting points, which is always good. Yet there were parts that seemed to be a retread off of group fantasy adventures, which didn’t help the volume elevate higher than a moderate flatness.
taken from : mangalife.com
It’s hard to not hear or read about CLAMP, the collection of female manga-ka. But “Tsubasa: Resevoir Chronicle,” volume 14, was my first foray into their manga world.
The title is a collection of their characters from other books, but “Tsubasa” posits those characters — with a little revamp, of course — into an alternate structure. In that structure, Princess Sakura has powerful memory feathers. After the group, which consists of Syaoran, Kurogane and others, collects one of those feathers, they are able to transport to another dimension, where the process starts anew.
Together the group needs to master its magic and martial arts mastery in order to take down those who stand in the way of them collecting another one of the princess’ feathers.
At first glance, it’s quite odd how the characters are drawn: Humanly un-proportionate and gangly, almost like a spider with half as many appendages. However, all pretenses to the seemingly unrealistic art configurations were soon forgotten once the first page cracked open.
The plot was whimsical and fun. It also felt new — at least in part — which helped to push the volume forward.
However, the characters felt as though they lacked originality. For groups, they seemed to fit in with niches that had been worn out long before. There was the princess who was key to the journey, but was hardly able to fend for herself. There was also a dark and mysterious man who filled the hero’s position, but who still seemed to be holding back.
The 14th volume of “Tsubasa: Resevoir Chronicle” was good, not great. There were some interesting points, and those outweighed the non-interesting points, which is always good. Yet there were parts that seemed to be a retread off of group fantasy adventures, which didn’t help the volume elevate higher than a moderate flatness.
taken from : mangalife.com
Lunar Legend Tsukihime, Volume 5 street date announcement
San Jose, CA, September 2007. DrMaster Publications Inc. has just announced the street date of volume 5 of the popular series Lunar Legend Tsukihime. Fans of the hit Japanese anime, not to mention those of you lucky enough to play the import PC game, will revel in the thrilling continuation of Tsukihime.
A childhood accident has left young Shiki Tohno with a very special ability. He can now see the hidden lines or weak points in all things- be they organic or inanimate. By striking or cutting along these lines Shiki can slice through virtually anything like a hot knife through butter. Unfortunately the gift comes packaged with a nearly irresistible urge to kill using this new ability.
After rescuing Shiki from his dangerous encounter with Roa, Ciel warns him in vain to stay away from Arcueid, who may have an ulterior motive. Meanwhile, Shiki cannot shake off the feeling that he knows Roa, and a visit to the garden of his house jolts his memory, piercing him with visions of Roa as a child, along with a voice telling him that he will become a "true monster" someday.
source : comipress.com
Random House has taken position as Distributor of DC Comic rather than Warner Bros
Publishers Weekly reports that DC Comics is switching its book trade distribution from Warner Books/Hachette to Random House Publisher Services:
DC Comics is switching its book trade distribution to Random House Publisher Services after more than 20 years using Warner Books/Hachette for bookstore distribution. The switch will take place in spring 2008.
ource : comicpress.com
Learn Online Gaming Etiquette By Reading Manga Online From CESA
Impress GAME watch is reporting that CESA (Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association), which organize TGS (Tokyo Game Show) and used to be responsible for gaming rating age has already released a free online manga on online gaming etiquette.
You might want to try to get the manga
here : http://onlinegame.cesa.or.jp/pdf/onlinegame.pdf
edit from : comipress.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
