Comments on: Would a manga anthology work? http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:40:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Torsten Adair http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-63316 Sat, 17 Feb 2007 21:26:25 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-63316 A few more comments... I can get this blog on my cell phone. Soon, people will use cell browsers the way they use text messaging now. South Korea already has a vibrant cell phone comicbook market. Here, it's a matter of time... who wouldn't love to get their favorite comic strip or Sudoku puzzle everyday on their cell? As a New Yorker and transit fan, I know there are A LOT of commuters in this country who are all looking for some reason to ignore their fellow passengers. I would love to see DC issue a pulp newsstand version of their Showcase titles. Take the week's worth of titles currently produced, grayscale the color, print on newsprint and sell it for $10. Each week could have a different anchor, such as Superman, Batman, or Vertigo. Each title would then sell for a month. Later, collect it into the usual GN binding with color, nice paper, and a few extras. Or just wait a few years for the Apple iread so you can look at your scans from DC++ ... A few more comments… I can get this blog on my cell phone. Soon, people will use cell browsers the way they use text messaging now. South Korea already has a vibrant cell phone comicbook market. Here, it’s a matter of time… who wouldn’t love to get their favorite comic strip or Sudoku puzzle everyday on their cell?
As a New Yorker and transit fan, I know there are A LOT of commuters in this country who are all looking for some reason to ignore their fellow passengers.
I would love to see DC issue a pulp newsstand version of their Showcase titles. Take the week’s worth of titles currently produced, grayscale the color, print on newsprint and sell it for $10. Each week could have a different anchor, such as Superman, Batman, or Vertigo. Each title would then sell for a month. Later, collect it into the usual GN binding with color, nice paper, and a few extras.
Or just wait a few years for the Apple iread so you can look at your scans from DC++ …

]]> by: Torsten Adair http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-63185 Sat, 17 Feb 2007 16:24:34 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-63185 Hmm. Egmont seems to be QUITE successful publishing Disney comics in a wide variety of languages and formats. (No phonebooks, but lots of thick paperbacks.) My understanding is that they keep the good stuff for their weekly (!) comicbooks, and fill the paperbacks with studio product. Later, the best is published in albums and deluxe hardcovers. My understanding is that publishers use comic magazines to 1)pay the costs of production, 2)guage reader response, 3)develope new talent and properties, and 4)maintain market share and shelf space. There are many large US magazines (Vogue, InStyle) which are able to make a profit, almost exclusively from advertising. That seems to be what is lacking from comic magazines: glossy paper stock which flatters advertising. With a square binding, a publisher can easily mix paper stock, alternating slick ads with newsprint content. Web browsing on a cell is what text messaging used to be. (written via Sprint) Hmm. Egmont seems to be QUITE successful publishing Disney comics in a wide variety of languages and formats. (No phonebooks, but lots of thick paperbacks.) My understanding is that they keep the good stuff for their weekly (!) comicbooks, and fill the paperbacks with studio product. Later, the best is published in albums and deluxe hardcovers.
My understanding is that publishers use comic magazines to 1)pay the costs of production, 2)guage reader response, 3)develope new talent and properties, and 4)maintain market share and shelf space.
There are many large US magazines (Vogue, InStyle) which are able to make a profit, almost exclusively from advertising. That seems to be what is lacking from comic magazines: glossy paper stock which flatters advertising. With a square binding, a publisher can easily mix paper stock, alternating slick ads with newsprint content.
Web browsing on a cell is what text messaging used to be. (written via Sprint)

]]> by: K http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-25289 Sat, 16 Dec 2006 19:11:18 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-25289 Even though manga volumes are now $10 or less...that's still a lot of money for something you finish in an hour. Especially if you're a teenager and love manga but have pretty much no income. I'm tempted to learn Japanese just so I can get cheaper manga. Even though manga volumes are now $10 or less…that’s still a lot of money for something you finish in an hour. Especially if you’re a teenager and love manga but have pretty much no income. I’m tempted to learn Japanese just so I can get cheaper manga.

]]> by: Ituloy Angsulong http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-12007 Thu, 02 Nov 2006 12:33:21 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-12007 You're right, Manga is cheap now. 15 or so years ago, the average volume cost upwards of $20, now it’s less than $10. You’re right, Manga is cheap now. 15 or so years ago, the average volume cost upwards of $20, now it’s less than $10.

]]> by: Tom S http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5373 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 23:58:18 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5373 I don't think we will see a Manga anthology because we don't have as much time to just read as the Japanese do. They spend an hour a day on a train or bus gettting to work while most americans spend their days in a car. I have an hour during lunch to read, but I would rather read an anime magazine, graphic novel (reading Superman/Batman Supergirl) or the morning newspaper. That is all the time I usually have for reading for pleasure. I don’t think we will see a Manga anthology because we don’t have as much time to just read as the Japanese do. They spend an hour a day on a train or bus gettting to work while most americans spend their days in a car. I have an hour during lunch to read, but I would rather read an anime magazine, graphic novel (reading Superman/Batman Supergirl) or the morning newspaper. That is all the time I usually have for reading for pleasure.

]]> by: YTR http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5345 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 20:16:25 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5345 I personally would like to see more manga anthologies, ShojoBeat is a magazine I enjoy a lot. and as for e-anthologies I think it is a great idea. Netcomics has been releasing its stuff online for awhile now, and they are actually my #1 favorite company right now. This is because they are really nice to their readers/subscribers, and also because I love being able to get a new chapter to read every week or so. I also look forward to the hard copies and buy them as soon as they get into my comic shop. I do this as much to support Netcomics as I do for my own enjoyment. I am a pretty serious fan of e-manga. As for Tokyopop flooding the market, I agree. They used to be my favorite company, but I stopped buying their books recently. I had a few reasons for this, first of all I was very disappointed with their online exclusive decision - they could have at least allowed us to pre-order the books at our store of choice if they didn't want to do a wide release, I can afford the shipping charge, but shouldn't be forced to pay it. Second I have been very disappointed at the new release practices - I feel that 2-3 months is long enough to wait between releases, any longer and I lose interest in the story. Three, I have purchased a number of their books only to discover that the pages were out of order or text was cut off. $10 a book is not cheap, and there is no excuse for such poor quality books. It is very obvious that Tokyopop does not respect their readers, and so I no longer want to waste my money on their products. I personally would like to see more manga anthologies, ShojoBeat is a magazine I enjoy a lot. and as for e-anthologies I think it is a great idea. Netcomics has been releasing its stuff online for awhile now, and they are actually my #1 favorite company right now. This is because they are really nice to their readers/subscribers, and also because I love being able to get a new chapter to read every week or so. I also look forward to the hard copies and buy them as soon as they get into my comic shop. I do this as much to support Netcomics as I do for my own enjoyment. I am a pretty serious fan of e-manga. As for Tokyopop flooding the market, I agree. They used to be my favorite company, but I stopped buying their books recently. I had a few reasons for this, first of all I was very disappointed with their online exclusive decision - they could have at least allowed us to pre-order the books at our store of choice if they didn’t want to do a wide release, I can afford the shipping charge, but shouldn’t be forced to pay it. Second I have been very disappointed at the new release practices - I feel that 2-3 months is long enough to wait between releases, any longer and I lose interest in the story. Three, I have purchased a number of their books only to discover that the pages were out of order or text was cut off. $10 a book is not cheap, and there is no excuse for such poor quality books. It is very obvious that Tokyopop does not respect their readers, and so I no longer want to waste my money on their products.

]]> by: Monica http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5336 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:35:40 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5336 I know manga used to be more expensive Jack, I still remember buying those $17 Maison Ikkoku graphic novels, what I'm saying is, although it's cheaper, it's still expensive (to me at least). Candyman, I too would like to see jackets/cover sleeves for the manga. I know manga used to be more expensive Jack, I still remember buying those $17 Maison Ikkoku graphic novels, what I’m saying is, although it’s cheaper, it’s still expensive (to me at least). Candyman, I too would like to see jackets/cover sleeves for the manga.

]]> by: TheCandyMan http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5303 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:06:21 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5303 Im all for anthologies as it is more convenient (for me), but for more anthologies in NA market I am not so sure i would get them. I agree with aaa that the quality of paper used (in this case, tokyopop) is not that good, but considering the costs for printing in NA (including the added cost of translating) what can we do? (but buck up a bit please, tokyopop) Speaking of costs, paperbacks for manga in NA do not come released with a jacket/cover sleeves found on japanese manga (as well as chinese, whose print + paper quality is higher from the titles I buy that are not available in NA yet). This is a pity as in one example the title Eyeshield21, the artist puts different illustrations in the book cover and cover sleeve, though I am unsure of how viz handled this in the NA release. In regards about size of the anthology, I definitely doubt we can expect a large phonebook-sized (roughly 350-400pages on avg? I dont notice the number of pages) anthology release. The publishers may not consider it due to the costs. If we were to see more releases of anthologies, they are more likely to be the size of Shojo Beat (which is doing good?) and seperated into a few different genre's judging from the titles currently available (if at all possible, a sports only anthology may not come out from viz if the current selection is still whistle, Eyeshield21, etc). Hopefully there will be enough support to them now compared to a few years ago, its truly a shame to see Raijin comics go.. I really enjoyed their small Weekly Raijin Game & Anime supplement during its short run with its articles on gaming + anime news from japan + NA and the short manga entries by artists such as Qb. Thank you for reading my opinion, -TCM Im all for anthologies as it is more convenient (for me), but for more anthologies in NA market I am not so sure i would get them. I agree with aaa that the quality of paper used (in this case, tokyopop) is not that good, but considering the costs for printing in NA (including the added cost of translating) what can we do? (but buck up a bit please, tokyopop)

Speaking of costs, paperbacks for manga in NA do not come released with a jacket/cover sleeves found on japanese manga (as well as chinese, whose print + paper quality is higher from the titles I buy that are not available in NA yet). This is a pity as in one example the title Eyeshield21, the artist puts different illustrations in the book cover and cover sleeve, though I am unsure of how viz handled this in the NA release.

In regards about size of the anthology, I definitely doubt we can expect a large phonebook-sized (roughly 350-400pages on avg? I dont notice the number of pages) anthology release. The publishers may not consider it due to the costs.

If we were to see more releases of anthologies, they are more likely to be the size of Shojo Beat (which is doing good?) and seperated into a few different genre’s judging from the titles currently available (if at all possible, a sports only anthology may not come out from viz if the current selection is still whistle, Eyeshield21, etc). Hopefully there will be enough support to them now compared to a few years ago, its truly a shame to see Raijin comics go.. I really enjoyed their small Weekly Raijin Game & Anime supplement during its short run with its articles on gaming + anime news from japan + NA and the short manga entries by artists such as Qb.

Thank you for reading my opinion,
-TCM

]]> by: aaa http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5299 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:49:10 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5299 the american tanks are not much better quality than the "phone books" -- tokyopop, in particular, often employs paper and printing quality only a grade or two above newsprint. i'm already peeved to be paying for something that trashy. i wouldn't shell out twice for equally trashy product. the american tanks are not much better quality than the “phone books” — tokyopop, in particular, often employs paper and printing quality only a grade or two above newsprint. i’m already peeved to be paying for something that trashy. i wouldn’t shell out twice for equally trashy product.

]]> by: afdumin http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5290 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 13:59:44 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5290 I really miss Viz's PULP anthology. Sure, it wasn't phonebook size, but there was always something worth checking out inside. I really miss Viz’s PULP anthology. Sure, it wasn’t phonebook size, but there was always something worth checking out inside.

]]> by: Augie De Blieck Jr. http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5279 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:16:56 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5279 The nice thing about SHONEN JUMP is that the collections of their serials winds up being cheaper than most other manga -- HIKARU NO GO and BLEACH, for two examples, only cost $8 a pop instead of $10. The nice thing about SHONEN JUMP is that the collections of their serials winds up being cheaper than most other manga — HIKARU NO GO and BLEACH, for two examples, only cost $8 a pop instead of $10.

]]> by: JackBassV http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5273 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 10:55:18 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5273 Personally, I use scanlation as my way of keeping up with the Japanese on new releases. It's cheap (zero cost at my end), and allows me to cherry pick the best series. An example of this is the series Nana. I'm currently on Volume 17 via the internet and Vol 2 from Viz. As each volume comes out, I delete the scan. Simple. I'm currently waiting for several other manga to be released (that are currently licenced), so I can clear some more space on my Hard drive! BTW Monica, Manga is cheap now. 15 or so years ago, the average volume cost upwards of $20, now it's less than $10. JBV^_^ Personally, I use scanlation as my way of keeping up with the Japanese on new releases.

It’s cheap (zero cost at my end), and allows me to cherry pick the best series.

An example of this is the series Nana. I’m currently on Volume 17 via the internet and Vol 2 from Viz. As each volume comes out, I delete the scan. Simple.

I’m currently waiting for several other manga to be released (that are currently licenced), so I can clear some more space on my Hard drive!

BTW Monica, Manga is cheap now. 15 or so years ago, the average volume cost upwards of $20, now it’s less than $10.

JBV^_^

]]> by: Monica http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5252 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 05:22:08 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5252 While it's nice to have manga anthologies like Shojo Beat and Shonen Jump from Viz out here in the states, and think it defeats the point of the phonebooks. To me, the point of the phonebooks in Japan is to release NEW chapters once every week, two weeks, or month or so. If the chapters already exist in Japan, fans have to wait longer for more of the series if it's in the magazine. However, an anthology came out in the US, it'd have to release chapters from a new series that hasn't had that certain chapter put into a tankouban for me to see a manga anthology in the US to be worthwhile. I used to subscribe to Shojo Beat, but I cancelled the subscription because I had rather just wait for the books and not waste my money (seeing as how expensive manga is in the US), plus because it comes out as a magazine, I think they had to censor some things, and I hate censoring. They also tend to try and make the dialogue hip to attract more readers, which I also hate. I'd prefer if they just released books faster than use anthologies. While it’s nice to have manga anthologies like Shojo Beat and Shonen Jump from Viz out here in the states, and think it defeats the point of the phonebooks. To me, the point of the phonebooks in Japan is to release NEW chapters once every week, two weeks, or month or so. If the chapters already exist in Japan, fans have to wait longer for more of the series if it’s in the magazine. However, an anthology came out in the US, it’d have to release chapters from a new series that hasn’t had that certain chapter put into a tankouban for me to see a manga anthology in the US to be worthwhile. I used to subscribe to Shojo Beat, but I cancelled the subscription because I had rather just wait for the books and not waste my money (seeing as how expensive manga is in the US), plus because it comes out as a magazine, I think they had to censor some things, and I hate censoring. They also tend to try and make the dialogue hip to attract more readers, which I also hate. I’d prefer if they just released books faster than use anthologies.

]]> by: Augie De Blieck Jr. http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5182 Wed, 20 Sep 2006 18:13:15 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2006/09/20/would-a-manga-anthology-work/#comment-5182 I liked RAIJIN COMICS. Sadly, not enough people did, because it switched from weekly to monthly to dead in the water within what, a year? So sad. I loved FIRST PRESIDENT OF JAPAN and REVENGE OF THE MOUFLON, though I couldn't keep up with everything. Even in smaller weekly doses, it turned out to be a lot of reading. If an anthology of titles that appealed to me showed up, though, I'd subscribe in a heartbeat for both the entertainment and the support of the format. I think digital distribution would be a key to such a format's future. But, then, I just reread REINVENTING COMICS and am almost done with MAKING COMICS. McCloud might just be poisoning my mind. ;-) I liked RAIJIN COMICS. Sadly, not enough people did, because it switched from weekly to monthly to dead in the water within what, a year? So sad. I loved FIRST PRESIDENT OF JAPAN and REVENGE OF THE MOUFLON, though I couldn’t keep up with everything. Even in smaller weekly doses, it turned out to be a lot of reading.

If an anthology of titles that appealed to me showed up, though, I’d subscribe in a heartbeat for both the entertainment and the support of the format.

I think digital distribution would be a key to such a format’s future. But, then, I just reread REINVENTING COMICS and am almost done with MAKING COMICS. McCloud might just be poisoning my mind. ;-)

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