Wow, this is ambitious: ComiPress translator John Gallagher is translating (with the author’s consent) Udagawa Takeo’s Manga Zombie, a book about “outsider” manga artists in Japan.
At PopCultureShock’s Manga Recon blog, Katherine Dacey-Tsuei looks at this week’s new manga. The Otaku posts their list as well.
ICv2 looks at third-quarter sales and the top 100 graphic novels, based on Diamond’s sales to the direct market. Comicsnob posts the top 100 manga volumes and top 25 series, ranked from online sales.
Paul Gravett takes a look at homegrown British manga. (Via Journalista.)
Why does shoujo manga move even slower than soap operas? Jason Thompson explains.
Oddball manga of the week: Heisei Democracy has news of a moe nationalist manifesto—that’s a Japanese nationalist manifesto done moe-style, not a call to arms for Moe Nation—that combines militarism with “sexy miko in lingerie.”
The Viz folks have a blog of their own! (Via Manga Recon, which notes that it seems to be more random but interesting musings than book news, sort of like the Vertical blog.)
More news from ComiPress: Slam Dunk creator Takehiko Inoue is coming to New York, readers are waiting to find out whether Negima? neo will survive the demise of Comic Bom Bom, and Monster creator Naoki Urasawa will be a guest professor at Nagoya Zokei University.
Jeff Smith, creator of Bone, dismisses manga:
[Heidi] MacDonald devilishly (and, presumably already in possession of the answer) asked Smith in front of the capacity crowd if he reads manga, to which Smith replied, “nope.” Smith went on to qualify that response, however, explaining that he has read Miyazaki and Tezuka (“Akira is amazing”), but that in general, he thinks that, “manga is just not that good…I just think they’re kind of corny and cookie-cutter, but the ones that aren’t are transcendent, and as good as anything.” On an enthusiastically positive note, Smith observed that “manga, if anything, proves that kids love comics.”
Don’t bother starting a flame war; Gia gives the correct response in the very first comment.
Manganews reporter Marlex presents has part two of a three-part report on Anime Weekend Atlanta.
Reviews: Matthew Brady dubs vol. 1 of MPD Psycho “a good book, if you’ve got the stomach for it.” Borderlne Hikkikomori checks out vols. 3 and 4 of Fullmetal Alchemist. At Mecha Mecha Media, John T enjoys his Presents, and at Comics Buyers Guide, Billy Aguiar gives it three stars. Reviewer Snow likes vol. 1 of St. Lunatic High School at Manganews. At Active Anime, Holly Ellingwood reviews Constellations in My Palm, vol. 2 of Shakugan no Shana, the novel, and vol. 20 of Hana-Kimi, while Sandra Scholes embarks on vol. 1 of Operation Liberate Men. At Manga Life, Dan Polley reviews vol. 8 of Moon Child, vol. 3 of Free Collars Kingdom, vol. 1 of Shiki Tsukai, and vol. 9 of Guru Guru Pon-Chan. At the MangaCast, Hahapages reviews vol. 1 of Onegai Twins, Ed Chavez posts an audio review of vol. 2 of Banya the Explosive Delivery Man and vol. 1 of King of Cards, and Mangamaniac checks out Empty Heart. Back at the Manga Maniac Cafe, Julie looks at vol. 9 of Skip Beat, vol. 7 of Nana, and vol. 1 of The Palette of 12 Secret Colors.
hey..great reviews ^^…oh i had a question for you do you no what’s wrong with brain food lunch? cause i can’t see the site
and popheart doesn’t have her email..cause i really want to check out her reviews on the upcoming Loveless chpaters.
=^.^= John Gallagher is not actually our translator, he translated the book himself, we’re simply providing a place for the book to be made available online.
Ah and everyone’s getting a blog nowadays…perhaps I should too…
Glad you liked, Brigid ;)
lol. That Comipress translation is really interesting! And to put my favorite 80’s manga to shame. ;_; huhuhu… But it’s kinda true though. Looking forward to the next part of the series.
As for Jeff Smith… I guess each to his own. ^^;;