Deb Aoki gets the 411 on Viz’s new original comics program with an interview with senior editor Eric Searleman, although it seems like things are still rather vague at this point.
I really like J. Caleb Mozzocco’s take on the Maryland Dragon Ball controversy. Lori Henderson takes exception to the way things happened as well.
The latest New York Times graphic books best-seller list is up, and it’s bookended by vampires, with vol. 14 of Chibi-Vampire and vol. 3 of Vampire Kisses in the number 1 and 2 spots and vol. 7 of Vampire Knight, which has been on the list for a couple of weeks now, at number 10.
Comics Comics interviews Yoshihiro Tatsumi, creator of The Push Man and A Drifting Life. (Via Comics212.)
Melinda Beasi posts two NYAF con reports, one on the manga panels at Comics Worth Reading and a more personal take at her own new site, Manga Bookshelf.
David Welsh’s latest license request is Vinland Saga, from the creator of Planetes. Read all about it at Precocious Curmudgeon.
It says here that there’s a new shoujo manga magazine in development, but not much is provided in the way of details.
News from Japan: This article about the success of Square Enix has some interesting facts about the Japanese market, including that Fullmetal Alchemist and Naruto sold only 1/10 to 1/20 as many copies in the U.S. as in Japan. Gia boils it down at Anime Vice for those who are pressed for time. Kodansha is posting some of the manga from Bessatsu Shonen magazine online for free. Canned Dogs has the cover of the Toki wo kakeru shoujo manga, an adaptation of the movie that is due out next year. And it’s not too early to start preparing for the 2012 manga summit.
Reviews: Julie posts some short manga reviews at Manga Maniac Cafe.
Melinda Beasi on vol. 17 of Hikaru no Go (Manga Bookshelf)
Emily on Kiniro no Yami (Emily’s Random Shoujo Manga Page)
Casey Brienza on vols. 16-18 of Nana (ANN)
Dan Polley on vol. 1 of Ninja Girls (Comics Village)
I just hope that the publisher who read the Square Enix article take it to heart. I know that quality has a price, but does it have to be at the expense of the fan at times?