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:-

[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.

#35 of SpeedRacer
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.

February 1990 Pt.5 Manga

As American imports to the UK of Fanzines and magazines on Anime & Manga were erratic at the best of times and adding to this that none at this time had sustained a regular monthly publication, comic-books became our main source of regular information, and links to communication though the 'Letters page' & 'Pen-pals' column.

[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.]

February 1990 Pt.4 Manga

Another newcomer for February was a comic-book adaptation that was taken from the Japanese animated film Lensman: Secret of the Lens. unfortunately I do not have any of these comic-books, only some promotional ads.

Lensman. Written by Paul O'Connor, and illustrated by Tim Eldred & Paul Young with cover art by Jason Waltrip, published 6 issues in a monthly format, form February 1990 to October 1990, by Eternity Comics. The novels were originally serialised in 1934 to1947 and then published from 1948 to1954

“Inheriting the mysterious Lens – a mystical device of incredible power – young Kim Kinnison and his friends are enlisted in the crusade against the evil Boskone Empire.” You would be forgiven in thinking that the origin story seems a little bit familuar, for those of you that read DC comic-books, the 'Green Lantern' and the 'Green Lantern Corps' have simualarities that run in parallel with Kim Kinnison's story as a Lensman in my opinion!

[Note: In an exclusive arrangement with Harmony Gold (Robotech II: Sentinels) Eternity comics was very proud to present this English adaptation.]

[Note: The 60 page 'Collector's edition' Lensman: Secret of the Lens, would include all new artwork by Eldred and a guide to the Galactic Patrol and evil Boskone Empire, with a full colour cover by Doug Rice (of Dynamo Joe & Manhunter fame!).]

[Note:With “Harmony Gold U.S.A”. Providing the licensing from the Japanese animated film & TV series that then was based on Edward E. Doc. Smith's first 6 science fiction novels of Lensman.]

[Note: The full length animated feature (Lensman: Secret of the Lens) was dubbed by Harmony Gold USA in 1988, this was then re-dubbed by Streamline Pictures for a theatrical release in1990 for a more mainstream cinematic audience.]

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.]

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 (1^st. Printing January 1990, 2^nd May 1995, 3^rd 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.]

Comic-books in the 80's Pt. 21

Leiji Matsumoto's Captain Harlock. Written by Robert W. Gibson and illustrated by Ben Dunn - (based on characters and situations from Space Pirate Captain Harlock created by Leiji Matsumoto). Eternity Comics (a division of Malibu Graphics Inc.) published in a monthly format for a total of #1 - 13 issues, from October 1989 to December 1990 .

“In the30th. Centry, the Earth and its colonies lost a bitter war with forces of theIllumids, a race of aliens who exist only to conquer. Now the once-proud inhabitants of Earth live as slaves-- at least the lucky ones.

Only the pirate Harlock declared he would not be a party to the occupation. With the aid of Tochiro (perhaps the greatest mechanical engineer of his time), and a crew of idealistic outcasts, Harlock left Earth in the magnificent space galleon 'Arcadia', to live a renegade's life in the “sea of stars”. But his heart, he could never truly abandon the land of his birth, nor the people who, without his leadership, would be subjugated forever.”

Clearly one of the most Iconic and recognisable characters from Japanese animation for a whole generation of fans, Leiji Matsumoto's Captain Harlock a creation of literary stature brought to our western shores, that will always have a place in our hearts.

Leiji Matsumoto's other recognisable works include “Space Battle Ship Yamato” (known in the USA as “StarBlazers”), Galaxy Express 999, The Cockpit, and to a lesser extent Queen Emeraldas and Queen Millennia, all have his signature style.

[Note: in issue #1 at the back you will find the "Afterword" by Robert W. Gibson – is, and I quote a "Labor of love".]

[Note: Robert W. Gibson stories are set two years after the events featured in the film "My Youth in Arcadia".]

[Note: a total of 28 Captain Harlock comic-books were printed between 1989 and 1993 (end-date to be confirmed) by Robert W. Gibson and various illustrators.]

[Note: details of the of the comic-book's demise rest on publishing Rights that were sold to Eternity Comics (a division of Malibu Graphics Inc.) fraudulently by parties unknown to me at this time of writing – sad news indeed.]

[NOTE: I am slowly collecting, the series of comic books... as of 2022.]