I’m used to being the one asking the questions, but ComiPress has an interview with me up as part of their Backstage feature.
ComiPress also has some info on the successor to the Japanese Monthly Shonen Jump, which recently ceased publication. The new lineup includes Nobuhiro Watsuki (Rurouni Kenshin), Norihiro Yagi (Claymore), and Takeshi Obata (Death Note, Hikaru no Go).
Ed Chavez finishes his AX new title roundup at MangaCast.
ICv2 has more info on Dark Horse’s recently announced acquisitions, including Gantz and Blood+.
Julie checks out the July Previews at the Manga Maniac Cafe.
At the Tokyopop blogs, editor Tim Beedle writes about Agent Boo, one of Tokyopop’s Manga Readers (combination of prose and manga for early readers) that passed the test in my house: For a while, my 6-year-old nephew asked for it every time he walked in the door.
Yaoi Press editor Yamila Abraham reminds East Coast fans to stop at the YP booth at Anime Next, and she links to an interesting writeup of the Manga Mania panel at AX.
Reviews: At the BasuGasuBakuhatsu Anime Blog, Hung checks out vol. 1 of Kon Kon Kokon. Connie reviews vol. 2 of Backstage Prince, vol. 1 of Roureville, vol. 22 of Dragon Ball, vol. 5 of Land of Silver Rain, and vol. 4 of +Anima at Slightly Biased Manga. Michael Aronson reads vol. 1 of Love*Com at Manga Life. The Anime on DVD crew have some Small Bodied Manga Reviews.
ICv2 says that the Gantz manga is over 20 volumes in Japan and still going. I don’t think I want to start buying a book that could very well be cancelled after 15 volumes. That’s a lot of money to flush down the toilet, seeing as each volume will run the range; some where between 10.95 to 16.95. After Eden and the other books droped, I find it hard to trust Dark Horse. But I’ll end up getting it anyway, I’m a sucker.
Nice interview! I just read through it— I wasn’t aware of your journalism background. I work in media relations, so it was really interesting to read about your prior experience. And it’s pretty cool that you were able to utilize your journalism experience for your blog—I hope to do the same myself and am blogging for a site during SD Comic-Con…Should be interesting! :)
Who said Eden is cancelled?
http://www.darkhorse.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=11733&sid=70649df081a6b7a3a651d607095cfd75
One thing that you were too modest to discuss in the interview is your role in discovering new manga-related blogs. I know I’m one of many beneficiaries of your link-blogging—if you hadn’t found my first blog over at Tokyopop, I suspect that my husband and my dog would still be my primary readership! So on behalf of the many folks whose blogs you highlight, thank you. It’s great to see the spotlight turned on you for a change!
Mark: That’s what they’re counting on! But there wouldn’t be any industry if it wasn’t for suckers like us. If they drop it, well, that’s what scanlations are for.
Rena: Cool! I think having some journalism training helps a lot, especially when you reach out beyond your own opinions and start interviewing people and reporting on facts. Have fun at SDCC, and be sure to send me the link to your site!
Susie: Thanks for the link. I’m going to post on it in a minute.
ChunHyang72: The pleasure was mine! But believe me, with your writing ability and talent for spotting the best in a crowded arena, you wouldn’t have escaped notice for long.
Thanks Brigid for the interview opportunity :)