Publisher’s Weekly reported yesterday that DC Comics has invested in a fairly new Japanese company, Flex Comics, that produces original manga. There are two interesting things about this: It’s unusual for an American company to invest in a Japanese company, rather than vice versa (Viz, ADV), and Flex puts their comics online first, then collects them into tankoubon, a la Netcomics. It’s clear yet how this will tie in with DC’s CMX imprint.
Speaking of Netcomics, Yaoi Press started running Winter Demon on their site yesterday. This is the first fruits of their partnership, but watch for more. Mangamaniaccafe has the press release.
Hey! Look who’s blogging on the Tezuka: Marvel of Manga site—Shaenon Garrity! She’s taking a look at Tezuka’s manga in English, and she starts with a look at Adolf.
This article uses the Tezuka exhibit as a springboard to showing how manga and anime have become a global phenomenon.
In Japan, the president of Shobunkan lost his last appeal and was found guilty of distributing obscene manga, which means he has to pay the 1.5 million yen penalty. Simon Jones (naturally) has more.
Summer con season is almost upon us, and the press releases are flowing like wine. Here we go: Anime Expo announced their speakers and panels. DMP will be unveiling a new imprint, Platinum, at Anime Expo, and June’s guest there will be Satoru Kannagi, creator of Only the Ring Finger Knows.
Reviews: Dirk Deppey reviews vols. 1 and 2 of Tanpenshu. Kethylia checks out vols. 1 and 2 of DVD and throws in a bit of juicy licensing gossip as well. Billy Aguiar checks out vol. 1 of Trinity Blood for Comics Buyer’s Guide. At Manga Life, Michael Aronson takes a look at vol. 1 of Strawberry 100%. Greg Hackmann reviews vol. 1 of Gunsmith Cats Burst for Anime on DVD. At Slightly Biased Manga, Connie checks out vol. 19 of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Daijoubu checks out vol. 1 of Shugo Chara! At Active Anime, Holly Ellingwood reviews vol. 13 of Fullmetal Alchemist and vol. 2 of The Moon and The Sandals.
The story about DC’s investment is great! I’m really happy with how CMX is with their selection – modest, but all the while very entertaining (Emma, Recipe for Gertrude). I think I’m more interested in the shorter series (short like Chikyu Misaki, or if it’s longer, Land of the Blindfolded) they publish over the other guys.
I agree that CMX has a nice selection. I’m really enjoying Emma and Oyayubihime Infinity, and I loved Chikyu Misaki. I haven’t read any of the really long-running ones, but there is a lot to say for a series that wraps up in three to six volumes.
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