I must say, I can relate to this in sooooo many ways! :-)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Intermission
Just an amusing interlude while I compile my next post. Enjoy!
I must say, I can relate to this in sooooo many ways! :-)
I must say, I can relate to this in sooooo many ways! :-)
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Namesake Volume One
My original intention with this blog was to mainly focus on manga, anime and Graphic Novels as originally published, however since there is a fairly common GN form that's becoming more and more popular now: the published webcomic.
Webcomics are just what they say they are, comics published on the web. However, instead of printed comics being archived on the internet, these are comics that originally are posted on the web and later on compiled into printed books.
The one I'll be talking about in particular in this post is called Namesake. According to the description from the website:
Now, it's available in printed form that can be purchased from the website. Since I participated in the Kickstarter campaign that enabled them to get it printed, I was not only able to get a copy of the book, but a few extras as well, such as a digital copy, jewelry pendants and prints.
Webcomics are just what they say they are, comics published on the web. However, instead of printed comics being archived on the internet, these are comics that originally are posted on the web and later on compiled into printed books.
The one I'll be talking about in particular in this post is called Namesake. According to the description from the website:
With this particular title, I happen to be good friends with both of the creators, Isabelle and Megan via LiveJournal. I saw the genesis of the series and the eventual birth. Truth be told, it was an amazing process to witness. I do my part in the fandom by starting both the LiveJournal fan page as well as the fanart page on deviantArt.Namesake is the story of Emma Crewe, a woman who discovers she can visit other worlds. She finds out that these are places she already knows – fantasy and fairy lands made famous through the spoken word, literature and cinema. Her power as a Namesake forces her to act as a protagonist in these familiar stories as she figures out how to get home.But as she travels, she discovers that those controlling her story have their own selfish goals in mind – and her fate is the key to everyone’s happy ending.Join Emma, her sister Elaine and their friends as they tumble down the rabbit hole.If you like, adventure, humor, stories of friendship, fairy tales and fantasy, this is the webcomic for you.
Now, it's available in printed form that can be purchased from the website. Since I participated in the Kickstarter campaign that enabled them to get it printed, I was not only able to get a copy of the book, but a few extras as well, such as a digital copy, jewelry pendants and prints.
The cover of volume one
The quality of the book is very good, with 144 thick glossy pages with good print quality and color. The pages are a decent size where the details can be seen with easy to read print. With a price of $20.00 it's a good price for the quality.
A few select pages from the comic.
The book is available for purchase here at the online store. You can read the entire comic here at the main website.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
What IS Manga, exactly?
Well, first thing's first -- what exactly IS Manga?
The literal definition is man-which means "random, uncontrolled" and ga - which means "picture, sketch."
However, according to Wiktionary, it primarily means:
When Japan was restructuring itself after World War Two, an explosion of artistic expression also occurred. One of the earliest and most influential creators at this time was Osamu Tezuka who created the highly popular and very well known Astro Boy as well as many other popular works in the '50's and '60's.
It's still a highly popular business, especially since countries outside of Japan have bought the rights to, and translated, several titles in their own language.
Manga in itself is a medium that supports multiple genres. There are manga for boys (known as shounen) which tend to be more fantasy and action based, as well as manga for girls (known as shoujo) which tend toward romance and magical adventures.
There are also seinen, which is targeted toward older boys and young men and josei, which is aimed for older girls and young women. These stories tend to have more mature and complex story-lines to them than typical manga meant for younger readers.
Well, here's hoping I helped to explain a little more about manga in general. I do plan to have other posts going into more detail about specific titles and genres within manga as well as a few definitions that one might come across. I also plan to detail the slight differences between manga and anime.
The literal definition is man-which means "random, uncontrolled" and ga - which means "picture, sketch."
However, according to Wiktionary, it primarily means:
Noun
manga (countable and uncountable; plural manga or mangas)It's commonly recognized by a particular style known as "Big Eyes Small Mouth". It's pretty much what it says. The characters are typically drawn with large expressive eyes and small mouths. It was strongly influenced by Western comics brought over to Japan from U.S. soldiers, particularly works of Walt Disney.
(uncountable) An artistic style heavily used in, and associated with, Japanese comics, and that has also been adopted by a comparatively low number of comics from other countries.
(countable) A comic originated in Japan, regardless of the artistic style.
(rare, countable, chiefly proscribed by fandom slang) A comic in manga style, regardless of the country of origin.
When Japan was restructuring itself after World War Two, an explosion of artistic expression also occurred. One of the earliest and most influential creators at this time was Osamu Tezuka who created the highly popular and very well known Astro Boy as well as many other popular works in the '50's and '60's.
It's still a highly popular business, especially since countries outside of Japan have bought the rights to, and translated, several titles in their own language.
Manga in itself is a medium that supports multiple genres. There are manga for boys (known as shounen) which tend to be more fantasy and action based, as well as manga for girls (known as shoujo) which tend toward romance and magical adventures.
There are also seinen, which is targeted toward older boys and young men and josei, which is aimed for older girls and young women. These stories tend to have more mature and complex story-lines to them than typical manga meant for younger readers.
Well, here's hoping I helped to explain a little more about manga in general. I do plan to have other posts going into more detail about specific titles and genres within manga as well as a few definitions that one might come across. I also plan to detail the slight differences between manga and anime.
 |
| The kanji for manga. |
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Intro Post!
Welcome everyone to my blog about anime, manga and graphic novels for newbies.
Granted, I'm no expert or anything. I just thought due to my obsessive researching and more than minor fangeeking, I thought I'd start this little project (with some prodding from my mother) to help those of you out there who might not know all that much about manga or anime or even graphic novels in general.
Hopefully I can explain a little bit about it and maybe have a word definition of the day and whatnot, so let's see where this goes!
First of all, all manga (Mahn-ga) or Japanese comics, are considered Graphic Novels but not all Graphic Novels are considered Manga. Well, not in the West at least. The Japanese have slightly looser definitions.
Most of the Japanese produced manga tend to be done in black and white and written by a writer/artist for the duration of the series. It lasts for as long as it's popular with the readers and for as long as the artist (or manga-ka) has a story to tell.
The majority are published in larger phone book sized volumes that come out weekly or monthly. We'll delve into the various categories and genres in a later post.
Granted, I'm no expert or anything. I just thought due to my obsessive researching and more than minor fangeeking, I thought I'd start this little project (with some prodding from my mother) to help those of you out there who might not know all that much about manga or anime or even graphic novels in general.
Hopefully I can explain a little bit about it and maybe have a word definition of the day and whatnot, so let's see where this goes!
First of all, all manga (Mahn-ga) or Japanese comics, are considered Graphic Novels but not all Graphic Novels are considered Manga. Well, not in the West at least. The Japanese have slightly looser definitions.
Most of the Japanese produced manga tend to be done in black and white and written by a writer/artist for the duration of the series. It lasts for as long as it's popular with the readers and for as long as the artist (or manga-ka) has a story to tell.
The majority are published in larger phone book sized volumes that come out weekly or monthly. We'll delve into the various categories and genres in a later post.
Weekly Shonen Jump
Well, let's cut this a little short for now since it's getting late and I do have a day job, lol! Besides, always leave 'em wanting more!
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