Ed Chavez gives his take on Hachette’s purchase of the French publisher PIKA.
Manga markdowns at Tokyopop!
A South Korean manhwa-ga, Lee Won-Bok is accused of anti-Semitism over an educational manhwa called Monnara Iunnara (Distant Countries and Neighboring Countries) that contains statements like “The final obstacle to success is always a fortress called Jews” and “In a word, American public debate belongs to the Jews, and it’s no exaggeration to say that U.S. media are the voice of the Jews.” After news of the book caused an international stir, Lee apologized and said that she was not anti-Semitic but added that the statements in question are “commonly knowledge.”
ICv2 has more on the new titles announced by Viz at NYCC.
The Boston Phoenix has an interview with MIT professor Ian Condry, author of the new book Hip-Hop Japan: Rap and the Paths of Cultural Globalization, promoting the Cool Japan Project, which is on today and tomorrow at MIT and Harvard. I have contracted the traditional post-NYCC cold, but if I’m feeling better tomorrow I’m hoping to make it to the culture panel.
Newsarama’s Matt Brady interviews Zapt! writer Shannon Denton.
ChunHyang72, whom I had the pleasure of finally meeting at NYCC, links to all you need to know in her latest Manga Minute.
Shaenon Garrity’s Overlooked Manga Festival celebrates a sci-fi classic, Cyborg 009.
“Manga authority” Philip Brophy has an interesting take on Astro Boy:
“He was a mournful, existential figure, pondering: ‘Do robots have souls?’ and ‘Why do humans do what they do?'”
As opposed to the Wiggles, who are strictly Kantian. Or something.
The Hankyoreh looks at the Korean Comic Poptoon. I never heard of the title, but the article offers a lot to chew on. Apparently the adult comics market is in a slump in South Korea, and publishers are trying to figure out what to do about it. Their solutions—improving quality and showing off new cartoonists’ work in an anthology magazine—seem to be different from ours. Also, it’s interesting to read that one of the earlier titles took a nosedive when the government introduced a comic ratings system. (Via Journalista.)
Another manga publisher goes digital, and since you’re reading about it at Icarus comics, it’s gotta be porn. (Link is NSFW.)
The New Straits Times takes a look at the popularity of cosplay in Malaysia. And the Australian reports on collectors of Astro Boy memorabilia.
Melissa DeJesus, the artist of Sokora Refugees, has a new comic strip, which will be syndicated by King Features.
To celebrate her upcoming fourth blogiversary, Tangognat is giving us the presents: free manga.
Reviewage! At the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Jessica Severs has short takes on several Tokyopop titles, including those art books that feature the poetry of DJ Milky. One Of The Jones Boys reviews vols. 21 and 22 of Iron Wok Jan. Justine Larbalestier enjoys Ode to Kirihito. At Slightly Biased Manga, Connie is strangely entertained by Project X: Cup Noodle and vol. 4 of W Juliet. Manga Punk’s Sinn is not overly impressed by Juvenile Orion. Prospero’s Manga has witty takes (love the sluglines!) on vol. 1 of Get Backers and vol. 1 of Wild Adapter. Mangamaniaccafe gives a B+ to vol. 6 of Kamui. At Anime on DVD, Sakura Eries is lukewarm about vol. 1 of Kitchen Princess. Comicsnob’s Matt Blind checks out vol. 3 of Air Gear and vol. 3 of Suzuka and throws in some short takes for good measure.
Lee apologized and said that she was not anti-Semitic but added that the statements in question are “commonly knowledge.”
Well, in all fairness, we ‘American Jews’ aren’t all ‘semetic’, ergo, it’s just ‘American Jews’ that she commonly dislike.
Thanks for the link!
Thanks for the link, Brigid! It was a pleasure to finally meet you in person.
To answer Mr. Brophy’s question: robot’s do not have souls. Only circuits. And what’s commonly knowledge?