Showing posts with label Epic Comics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Epic Comics. Show all posts
Thursday, 24 March 2022
December 1990 Pt. 8 Manga round-up
We still had a few on-going Manga comic-books and Anime based comic-books that could be still found “On the racks” in December of 1990, such as:-
#41 of 'Lone Wolf and Cub' (End of 1-45)
from First comics,
#24 of Outlanders. (1-33)
from Dark Horse Comics.
#27 AKIRA (1-38)
from Epic.
#5 of Crying Freeman: Part Two (1-9)
#11 of COBRA (1-12)
#1 of Horobi: Book Two (1-7)
from Viz Comics.
#6 of 2001 Nights (1 – 10)
#3 of Lost Continent (1-6)
from Viz Comics.
GRAPHIC-NOVELS STILL ON SALE IN THIS MONTH FROM THE YEAR PAST:
The Laughing Target (GN)
Shion – Blade of the Minstral (GN) #1
What's Michael? (GN)
What's Michael? (GN) BOOK #2
PINEAPPLE ARMY (GN) #1
The Legend of Kamui – the Island of Sugaru (GN)
LUM (Vol #1) (GN)
Appleseed Book #1 (GN) Promethean Challenge
Appleseed Book #2 (GN) Prometheus Unbound
Dirty Pair – Biohazards (GN)
Hotel Harbour View (GN)
Crying Freeman – Portrait of a Killer Vol #1 (GN)
Crying Freeman – Portrait of a Killer Vol #2 (GN)
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Vol #2 (GN )
from Eclipse Comics, & from Viz Comics.
More details to follow...
Sunday, 11 January 2015
April 1990 Pt.6 Manga Somery.
To some-up.
We
still had a few on-going
Manga comic-books and
Anime based comic-books that could be still found “On the racks”
in April of 1990, such as:-
#35 of SpeedRacer
from Now Comics.
[Note: You still had some of the issues of 'Lone Wolf and Cub' from First comics, and 'AKIRA' from Epic Comics, on the shelves as the printing and overseas delivery were not always every month. I will try and research the dates and update the information as soon as I can!]
[Note: Trying to
calculate each issue by there monthly release, until I complete each
set of manga.]
{12 comic-book covers
randomly placed, just to catch your attention.}
#6 of 'Cyber 7: Book Two',
#4 of Dominion.
from Eclipse Comics.
#3 of Lensman
#5 of 'Leiji Matsumoto's Captain Harlock',
#15 of 'Robotech II – The Sentinals Book One'
from Eternity Comics.
#2 of COBRA
#5 of 'Baoh',
#2 of HOROBI: Part One
from Viz Comics.
from Now Comics.
#16 of Outlanders.
from Dark Horse Comics.
[Note: You still had some of the issues of 'Lone Wolf and Cub' from First comics, and 'AKIRA' from Epic Comics, on the shelves as the printing and overseas delivery were not always every month. I will try and research the dates and update the information as soon as I can!]
#? AKIRA
From Epic
Comics.
#34? Lone Wolf and Cub
from First comics.
Thursday, 1 May 2014
February 1990 Pt.5 Manga
[Note: Like all printed
History it has been selected and approved, even so the 'Letters page'
and other articles in the single issues of a comic-book, give us a
snap-shot of the enthusiasm of the reader and those involved in its
publication. Trade-paper-backs (Graphic-novels) tended to miss this out
when you are just after the story in full.]
We
still had a few on-going
Manga comic-books and
Anime based comic-books “On the racks” in February of 1990, such
as:-
#32
of 'Lone Wolf and Cub',
from First comics.
#18
of 'AKIRA'
from Epic
Comics.
#14 of Outlanders.
from Dark Horse
Comics.
#5 of 'Cyber 7 Book
Two',
#5 of Dirty Pair II,
#4 of Appleseed: book3,
#3 of 'Dominion'
from Eclipse Comics.
#5 of 'Leiji
Matsumoto's Captain Harlock',
#15
of 'Robotech II – The Sentinals Book One'
from Eternity
Comics.
#3
of 'Baoh',
from
Viz Comics.
GRAPHIC-NOVELS ON SALE
IN THIS MONTH:
Appleseed: Promethean
Challenge (the complete Book One1-5 ).
Dirty Pair: Biohazards
(Issues1-5)
from Eclipse Comics
The Legend of Kamui:
the island of Sugaru (part one)
now
from Viz Comics
NEW COMICS-BOOKS
#1
of 'Cobra' from
Viz Comics
#1
of
Lensman from Eternity comics
[Note: Leiji
Matsumoto's Captain Harlock'. #1 - 13 issues, from
October1989
to December
1990 All 20,000 copies of
issue #2 had sold out of that print run!]
[Note: All publication
dates are taken from published Comic-books and cross referencing
their adverts of the time from my own collection, as well as doing
the maths for the issues that I'm missing, as not all comic-book
publishers printed the month of issue for each comic-book.]
Sunday, 30 March 2014
January 1990 Pt4.
The Trip to London also cemented a relationship with a Jpanese bookshop, at the side of Saint Paul's cathedral (Books Nippon).
We still had a few
on-going Manga comic-books and Anime based comic-books “On the racks”
in January of 1990, such as:-
#4 of 'Cyber 7 Book Two', and
#2 of
'Dominion' from Eclipse comics;
#4 of 'Leiji
Matsumoto's Captain Harlock', and
#14 of 'Robotech II – The
Sentinals Book One' from Eternity Comics;
#31 of 'Lone Wolf and
Cub' from First comics;
#17 of 'AKIRA' from Epic
Comics.
#2
of 'Baoh'
from Viz Comics.
[Note: AKIRA number #17 (not #14), and BAOH number #2 are the corect issues for January. 1990]
[Note: All publication
dates are taken from published Comic-books and their adverts from my
own collection, as well as doing the maths for the issues that I'm
missing.]
Monday, 27 January 2014
Fledgeling Comic Books Pt. 26
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).
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.]
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Manga in the 80's Pt. 18
AKIRA.
Written and illustrated by Katsuhiro Otomo. published by Epic
Comics ( a division of Marvel Comics) in
a monthly format in colourised version, with a total of 38 issues,
from August\October 1988 to 1995 . The manga was originally published between 1984
and 1989 by Kodansha Ltd. & MASH
ROOM Co. Ltd.
A
first to recognise the market in the readership of High School and
College students, Otomo's AKIRA taped in to a arts and entertainment
well informed audience hankering for something new that they could
relate to. At the heart of this is Otomo's storytelling and artwork,
no CUTE teenage school girls in uniform are to be found, with some
critics saying that the female characters are even ugly!
Visually
rich (and lucky for us in the West colourised
with love and care) and a gripping narrative AKIRA should not need an
introduction.
Like
a binary star the two protagonists Kaneda
Shotaro
and Tetsuo Shima two
friends in a juvenile biker gang get mixed-up in secret Government
experiments, political & military power struggles, religious and
anti-government groups all set in the year 2030 in Neo-Tokyo, and
they even have time for the societal pressures of relationships,
school and the odd scrap with rival biker gangs, and like all
teenagers feel alienated and disillusioned with modern society and
the adults who run things.
In
this lush back drop of a CyberPunk like world in the year 2002 where
scientists have nurtured and enhanced children's psychic abilities
(because they can!) to catastrophic magnitude in one or two cases of
their test group, and by 2030 the decay had set in to this utopian
city no more a scientists dream of a better tomorrow! Like “10
degrees of separation” all the supporting characters are in some
way intertwined and have their own story arc and considerable time in
the limelight too.
This
Manga is one that we all should have on our shelf at home, and for
some it was their first introduction to a much wider World of this
Japanese phenomenon of comic-books.
[Note:
Quoting Archie Goodwin - Otomo personally chose Steve Oliff as
colourist (America had the most advanced computer colouring system at that time) for the English translated manga and furnished him with
colour guides each step of the way. Studio MASH ROOM Co. Ltd. Also
adjusted the artwork for the western comic-book format.]
[Note:
When the first volume was released in Japan in September 1984 the
print run shot up from an estimated 30,000 to nearly 300,000 and
became a best seller. The cover had the author’s name in English
as well as the title, a bold break with Japanese manga tradition.]
[NOTE: The American Print run from 'Epic' (a subsidiary of MARVEL COMICS) of AKIRA's 38 issues over the span of 1989 to 1996, has a few breaks in the run - from July 1989 to August 1990, to the 4 issue run in 1991 (April to July), and 3 issues in 1992, then the final 5 issues from November 1995 to February 1996. Should correspond with some promotional advertising? - yet to be found from Epic comics (as of December 2022).]
Newly created tile page... in Black & White.
Taken from 'Young Magazine' to be used as colour cover art for the Epic comic editions.
"Otomo's many other virtues, as artist-creator" - "We've taken panels from up and coming issues that provide impressive examples of his approach to architecture and technical design."
Otomo's technical design, and architecture.
Otomo's technical design, and architecture.
THE MAKING OF THE EPIC COMIC.
THE MAKING OF THE EPIC COMIC.
THE MAKING OF THE EPIC COMIC.
THE MAKING OF THE EPIC COMIC.
THE MAKING OF THE EPIC COMIC.
THE MAKING OF THE EPIC COMIC.
Artwork book.
Artwork book.
As of December 2022 I now have a Full set of all 38 issues of Eipc's AKIRA.
[NOTE: Caveat emptor, or "Buyer be where", collecting these issues of AKIRA has been long and at most, a fun hunt from the start, but moving into the issues numbering from 30 and beyond costs do get high, from the £5.99 to £7.99 of the pre-twenties, to an increase to £15.00 to £24.99 for the pre-thirties, to £70.00 to £120.00 for the late 30's (e-bay an other auctions sites can see issues sky-rocket to $160.00 to $290.00 for issues 37 & 38 as of December 2022).]
Advertising the Monthly issues that are in bookshelf format (Squarebound Paperback), and Colourised Issues in 1989.
[NOTE: veteran colourist Steve Oliff was personally selected to collaborate with Katsuhiro Otomo, and in bringing the USA's top Computer Colouring tools in a 'step-by-step' process (Otomo singing-off on each stage) helped the Manga comic of the East come to the comic-book lovers of the West.]
Otomo_s trip to 'Point Arena' California 1989
(© Steve Oliff \fleix Comic Art\Katsuhiro Otomo)
The collaboration with Katsuhiro Otomo and Steve Oliff.
AKIRA The Movie...
US-Renditions (Books Nippan USA)
MOVIE SOUND TRACK.
.JPG)
Streamline Pictures.
USA's cinematic release of AKIRA.
[NOTE: Acting as a platform to promote the move from Comics\Manga to a feature length animated film, and the North American (USA) cinematic releases of the movie "AKIRA" , the monthly issues publicised the places and dates for the USA. Something here in the England (the United Kingdom) we did not have that support for the cinematic release!]
Advertising the TPB of AKIRA (Trade Paper Back, known by the Press as a Graphic Novel),
Quarterly OR Monthly issues starting in March 1990 to 1993.
Advert taken from another Otomo manga translated and published in April 1992 by Epic Comics entitled 'Farewell to Weapons'.
LANCE BARNES - Post Nuke Dick
Volume 1. No2. May 1993
EPIC grams
SPECIALS
"AKIRA TRADE PAPERBACK #8 - Attempts to repel the invaders fail until Tetsuo intervenes!
His "cold turkey" battle against drugs results in explosions that blast them away. AKIRA readers will love this beautiful 192-page trade paperback reprinting AKIRA #22-24 by Katsuhiro Otomo. For Mature Readers.
LANCE BARNES - Post Nuke Dick
Volume 1. No4. July 1995
EPIC grams
PRESS CHECK HECK
May Premieres!
Limited Series
Ongoing Series
"AKIRA #34 - You demanded it: AKIRA returns on a monthly basis!
In this 64-page bookshelf issue, Kay goes one on one with Tetsuo, until Kaneda, Joker, and RyJ join the fray. Look for it --- AKIRA's back, and not taking prisoners this time! By Katsuhiro Otomo, with Jo Duffy. For Mature Readers.
LANCE BARNES - Post Nuke Dick Volume 1. No2. May 1993 EPIC
&
LANCE BARNES - Post Nuke DickVolume 1. No4. May 1995 EPIC.
[NOTE: sadly NO full colour page ads.]
AKIRA Book ONE 1990 & AKIRA Book TWO 1991.
AKIRA Book THREE 1991 & AKIRA Book FOUR 1992.
AKIRA Book FIVE 1992 & AKIRA Book SIX 1992.
AKIRA Book SEVEN 1992 & AKIRA Book EIGHT 1992.
AKIRA Book NINE 1993 & AKIRA Book TEN 1993.
[NOTE: Only 10 Volumes were published. The set is to this day remains incomplete stopping at around issue 30. And with two further volumes 11 and 12 would have then been able to finish the collection by Epic.]
Western artists pay TRIBUTE the AKIRA manga;
Dave Gibbons,
More AKIRA TRIBUTES;
Mark Charello,
Moebius,
George Pratt,
Joe Madureira,
John Romita,
Mike Allred,
Alex Toth,
Keven O'Neill,
John Van Fleet.
Epic comics would also translate and publish two more works from Mr. Otomo;
1980 Memories by Katsuhiro Otomo (Epic Comic 1992).
Katsuhiro Otomo's Farewell to Weapons (Epic Comic, April 1992).
[NOTE: in 1991 their was a break in the run of AKIRA from July's issue 30, to having only Issues 31 to 33 printed between January and May or 1992, then the final five issues 34 to 38 in October 1995 to February 1996. Finding Promotional advertising from Epic Comics, from 1992, 1995, and 1996 has been vey difficult.]
Epic Comic's "Metropol A.D." Volume 2, Number 2, Published in November 1992.
Had this to say in its 'CHECKLIST';
"MEMORIES --- The master of Japanese storytelling does it again! Three space adventurers on a seemingly innocent mission find themselves in a deadly web of paranormal intrigue! By acclaimed creator of AKIRA, Katsuhiro Otomo."
[NOTE:The focus of the'CHECKLIST' was not AKIRA, but Ted MMcKeever's 'METROPOL A.D.'; Moebius's 'ONYX OVERLOAD'(AIRTIGHT GARAGE); William Shatner's 'TEK WORLD'; Sergio Aragones's 'GROO THE WANDERER'; Clive Barker's HELLRAISER'; Clive Barker's NIGHTBREED; and Chuck Dixon's 'ALIEN LEGION: GRIMROD. EDITOR Tom Duning reflects on the Summer's hollywood blockbuster film sequals, of Lethal Weapon III, Aliens III, oh and that Bat Movie.]
[NOTE: It has been very difficult to find write-ups on Otomo's works that Epic Comics published for over 7 years!]
Katsuhiro Otomo's DOMU, A Child's Dream (Dark Horse comics Manga, March 1995)
ONE OF THREE issues, with about 75+ pages of Manga in each (with other Manga being advertised within its pages).
[NOTE: The Cost to buy on E-bay, as of 2023 is upwards of £48 to £60+ each.]
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