American Comics vs. Manga

[your father is]

Manga to Comics: “I am Godzilla, and you are Japan!” (at least according to this article at Newsarama).

Many moves have gone down in the past few days and weeks that serve as a shining indicator that Japan is the mad scientist, manga is the monster, and the comic book industry just might be one big row of buildings.

Now before you misinterpret me, I’ve got to say: This is not a bad thing. The comics industry has looked around for a long time to see what would be its shot in the arm, or frankly, its kick in the ass. Many thought it would be the indies. That’s true to the extent of mainstream magazine coverage and fine low-budget films.

Tokyopop Does TV: After years of hearing all the reasons why comic companies don’t advertise on TV, Tokyopop has shrugged and boldly stepped up with a May-thru-September campaign. Ads will be appearing on MTV, Cartoon Network, Spike TV, G4, and Tech TV, covering books like Saiyuki, D.N.Angel, and the forthcoming hip-hop infused Tokyo Tribes. This is a stunning move not seen since the days of Marvel’s G.I. Joe and Transformers ads in the ‘80s (which, if memory serves, were paid for by Hasbro to help push the related toy lines). With their carefully selected channels, Tokyopop will be preaching the gospel to a gigantic group of potential consumers. The ads promise animation and heavy displays of artwork.

Whether you like it or not, manga is running full-steam toward popular acceptance. Teens know they can get it at the mall. Kids are making the connection between the cartoons and the books and the cards and the toys. Businesses sense that it can make them money. The only real question now is this: how does the American comics industry respond? They could sit back and hope that it all spikes and recedes like a fad, or they could do what I know they’re capable of: band together, morph into a 50-foot-tall gorilla, and give us a King Kong vs. Godzilla-style Smackdown.

In reality, it’s not a question of manga vs. American; it’s a question of who is willing to do what to put comics into the hands of readers. That’s a battle that can only results in winners on all sides.

So, giant monster or healthy kick in the pants?

 

[Kesh]

A little bit of both, like most things.

Some companies are going to ignore it as a fad, and get bit (DC, Marvel, I'm looking at you!). Oh, sure, they'll release comics in 'manga style' artwork, but it'll be traditional format, monthly issues with glossy covers.

Other companies are already doing more traditional manga books from American artists. Witness Dark Horse's publication of MegaTokyo in manga format. I'd say companies like that are more likely to split their lines between traditional American comics and new Ameri-manga fare.

I'd be shocked if any big name companies switch entirely to manga-style publication, but I expect a few smaller houses will spring up now, and they will deal exclusively in this format.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

Y'know, with all the movies coming out nowadays based on traditional comics, I think it's going to take a while longer for manga to become mainstream. Of course, the revenue from said movies might fool the big companies into not changing to at least a little manga until it's too late, and that would be bad.

 

[Mercule]

As a consumer, I'd be just as happy if manga never caught on. The day it does is the day I give up on comics.

By the title, I was hoping things would be the other way around. *sigh*

On a more positive note, other than crappy artwork, what else is different about manga? From the sound of things they don't do monthly release?

 

[Pants]

On a more positive note, other than crappy artwork, what else is different about manga?

They end!
As opposed to american comics which seem to continue ad nauseum until continuity has rolled into a fetal position while playing russian roulette, manga can and will end.

 

[Dark Jezter]

On a more positive note, other than crappy artwork, what else is different about manga? From the sound of things they don't do monthly release?

Manga has dangerously undearaged girls running around scantily-clad, and geeky losers who have lots of beautiful women inexplicably lusting after them.

 

[Cannibal_Kender]

I am going to have to say that some manga is good (ex. berserk), and some american comics are good (ex. exiles). Each type of comic has its good and bad features.

(uh oh...now that I have a foot on either side, both sides can take pot shots at me...damn my reckless impartiality)

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

As a consumer, I'd be just as happy if manga never caught on. The day it does is the day I give up on comics.

Hear!!! Hear!!!

Manga has dangerously undearaged girls running around scantily-clad, and geeky losers who have lots of beautiful women inexplicably lusting after them.

So how does this differ from my life?

 

[Alzrius]

As a consumer, I'd be just as happy if manga never caught on. The day it does is the day I give up on comics.

By the title, I was hoping things would be the other way around. *sigh*

Wow, someone's bitter. What do you have against manga? There are good and bad manga, same as there are good and bad comics. I'd rather have my pick from all of them, instead of having one closed off to me.

As it stands, btw, manga has already "caught on". A large selection of manga titles are now available domestically, and there are companies that do nothing but sell manga, quite successfully.

 

[Alzrius]

Manga has dangerously undearaged girls running around scantily-clad, and geeky losers who have lots of beautiful women inexplicably lusting after them.

Ain't it grand? American comics take care of the power fantasies, and the manga takes care of the sexual ones.