In the US Americanised
Anime had, had some success on the television networks, and had
spawned a few comic books paying tribute in the likes of - Speed
Racer, The Original Astro Boy 12, Leiji Matsumoto's Captain Harlock,
and Star Blazers (and to this day, generations fondly remember
the TV shows, including the edited and Americanised Robotech series).
The primordial imported
comic-books of translated manga from the US in the late 80's were
instantly recognised by their name when they became an Anime.
[UPDATE:
The first Manga to be taken from an existing Cinematic Intellectual
Property was based on the Toho Company's film; Gojira 1984 (English
Release “Godzilla 1985”), and not a published Manga first.]
Gojira
the manga was first published in Japan by; Shogakukan, Inc. and with
story and art by Kazuhisa Iwata. This IP was licensed to Dark Horse
Comics in 1987, and was advertised to be published and printed for
April 1988, as a Six Issue 'Black and White' comic-book Mini-series.
After
looking into the history of Godzilla comic-books published by Dark
Horse, only this manga was ever translated into English, the other
stories, of Godzilla were written by Dark Horse's American staff, but oddly enough
this first Manga for Dark Horse did have a Trade Paperback\Graphic
Novel that had three printings (1st.
Printing January 1990, 2nd
May 1995, 3rd
May 1995.), there was also a Re-Printing (and renaming) of the mini-series in 1998, in
colour - no less!; “DARK HORSE CLASSICS TERROR OF GODZILLA” . The Fourth
printing was in the British Anthology comic-book magazine 'Manga
Mania' published by Dark Horse International in 1993.
'GODZILLA'
Godzilla #5 (December 1988) & Terror of Godzilla #5 (December 1998).
Godzilla #5 (December 1988) & Terror of Godzilla #5 (December 1998).
CLODZILLA ( )
CLODZILLA ( )
CLODZILLA ( )
These
heavily influenced the UK Fandom (go with what you know), and when so
few of us could translate Japanese, and have access to Sub-titling
equipment the comic-books provided the familiar stories and plots, so
that you could enjoy the Anime even more.
LONE WOLF and CUB.
MAZINGER.
AKIRA.
Some of these
comic-books would stand the test of time (still selling enough for
reprints every few years or so) Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,
AKIRA, Lone Wolf and Cub as
their Copy-rights changed hands, or the licence holder was bought-out
by a bigger producer or Publisher!
What early UK Anime Fan
would not have in their collection of OVAs, TV episodes and films of
:- Baoh, Dirty Pair, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, AKIRA,
Crying Freeman, Appleseed, Kamui (Dagger of), Outlanders, Grey
(Digital target), Fire Tripper, Dominion (Tank Police), Lum, Justy
(Cosmo Police), Fist of the North Star, and Area 88.
[Note: By the arrival
of the mid 90's the Japanese manga style, and its genres where being
imitated by Western cartoonist and comic-book artists.]
This
comic-book influence would continue in to the 90's as more fans
gravitated towards Manga for its more mature reader. The
sensationalistic violence (sometimes graphically depicted on the side
of gratuitous), and horrific portrayals of cause and effect, as well
as semi nudity may have enticed many, but good storytelling with
protagonists that you had infested in emotionally sold well.
Just looking at the
artwork of a still of an animated cel, you began to recognise the
Artist and the Animation Studio and then you are well and truly
hooked!
[Note: comic-books
where a jumping off point for sources of information on Japanese pop
culture, as mini articles by the Editors, Translators, and the
Writers themselves would sporadically appear. Even the humble
'Letters page' would give us some insight in appreciating this new
wave of comic-books, and after all many a Fan Club & Pen Pals was
the catalyst that unite us.]
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