Manga in the 80's Pt. 7

Justy (Cosmo Police). Written and illustrated by Tsuguo Okazaki. Viz published 9 issues in a biweekly format, from December 13, 1988 and April 4, 1989.and with Dave Smeds was the English rewriter, and Translated by Satoru Fujii. Originally published by Shogakukan. Inc.

These tales of science fiction feature 'Justy Kaizard', a guardian of the innocent and pursuer of the guilty, who as a member of the Galactic patrol hunting down criminal Espers (those with extraordinary psychic powers). He himself has such formidable powers that he wears a head-band to focus and control his abilities as well as limit them!

A Super-human in a futuristic World is a Japanese archetype seen often in Manga and rivals any Marvel or DC cop in Western comic-books!

[Note: in Issue 7 that has a letters page: “after 3 years of running as a monthly manga, it was made into 5 volumes”, and its target audience was 6 to 11 year olds ( Junior High school). Dave Smeds the english rewriter made a few name changes such as Jerna's Japanese surname “Flarestar” inverted to “Starflare”.]

[Note: I am a big fan of the OVA (animé) of Cosmo Police Justy (released in Japan1985) luky I had a synopsis to read at the time.]

[Even such a short run of only 9 issues, but by issue 2 fans were encouraged to write-in and suggest a name for the 'Letters Column', and winning title was “Brain Waves”.]

Manga in the 80's Pt. 4

Mai, the Psychic Girl. Written by Kazuya Kudo and illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami. Ran for 28 Biweekly Issues from May 1987 to July 1988 by Eclipse International\Viz Comics completing the story arc.

This beautifully illustrated style from Ryoichi Ikegami that has a very realistic look and feel to it unlike the Bambi eyes and angular chins of other later manga artists, was most welcome to the fledgling manga audience in telling the plight of this 14 year old heroin Mai Kuju.  Whose Psychic powers are bringing unwanted attention from two rival secret organisations; “The Wisdom Alliance”, and the “Kaieda Agency” as she maybe the Worlds strongest Esper!  

She fights with the speed of thought with enough Psychic energy to explode your organs in protecting her father and friends from others with Psychic powers!

[NOTE: The manga "Akira" Issue Number 1 was not printed in English until August 1^st. 1988, one month after Mai had finished, with its theme of cognitive powers.] 

[NOTE: Titan books Ltd in1989 had permission to print the 4 volumes that combined all the material in to a digest format (this did include a previously omitted nude scene).]

[Mai, has been reprinted in a range of numbered volumes by Viz over the years.]

[UPDATE: Collection of issues 1 to 28 now complete]

Genealogy of Manga;

"Mai, the Psychic girl", Written by Kazuya Kudo 

(who also Wrote ”Pineapple Army“). Manga-in-80s-pt-2 Pineapple Army.

"Mai, the Psychic girl" was illustrated by Ryoichi Ikegami

(Ryoichi Ikegami's later illustrations can be seen in the English translated Manga of "Crying Freeman" & of "Sanctuary").  Manga-in-80s-pt-17 Crying Freeman.

Literary study Pages, to follow;