October 1990 Pt. 8a Manga

 Lost Continent.  Written and illustrated by Akihiro Yamada. Eclipse International , published in a monthly format for a total of 1 - 6 issues, from October 1990 to April 1991, English adaptation (Studio Proteus) Translated by Alan Gleason and Toren Smith ; lettered and retouched by Tom Orzechowski ; edited by Greg S. Baisden.  Originally published as 'The Last Continent' copyright 1990 Akihiro Yamada and Tokyo Sanseisha.

From issue 1.

I am only guessing here, but when it comes to style and art, many of Akihiro Yamada's panels look as thou they have had the help of Edge Detection software, either Prewitt, or Sobel (a common filter\effect found, that you can apply to scanned photographs), possibly running on a Silicon Graphics (SGI) Visual Workstation (I think at the time it may have been either a IRIS Power Series or a Professional IRIS series computer, as that would fit the bill for the early late 80's, early 90's)

This actually helps with the 1950's style and look that the story flows through.

It all starts with the discovery of an abandoned Sea-plane, a year after its Polar Expedition, a newspaper reporter, and a mysterious woman... Find it and read on...!

From issue 1.

From issue 1.

From issue 1.

From issue 2.

From issue 3.

From issue 4

From issue 5.

From issue 6.

[NOTE: Nobu Shirase (a army reserve lieutenant) privately funded the first expedition by a non-European nation to the Antarctic 1910–12 (Antarctic, the South Pole); Japan commenced its scientific activities in Antarctica in 1956, which was marked by the voyage of “Soya” with the 1st Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) on board. Shirase Glacier 1957–62 and Shirase Coast 1961 - thus two subsequent Japanese icebreakers were named Shirase In 1990 'The Shirase Antarctic Expedition Memorial Museum' was opened in Nikaho, Akita Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan.]

[NOTE: The author Jules Verne had written about a 'Hollow Earth' in his 1864 novel 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth', and other fictional writers such as Edgar Rice Burroughs were writing from 1914\1922 with 'At the Earth's Core' the first of his set of seven novels located in the land of Pellucidar, the last novel being 'Savage Pellucidar' printed in 1963.]

[NOTE: The 1942 horror film produced for RKO by Val Lewton, with the French director Jacques Tourneur 'CAT PEOPLE', may have been an inspiration to the manga, but that is conjecture on my part.]

From issue 1.

Ad. taken from Mangajin.

[No more details have come to light regarding its serialised Japanese publication origins.]

Post 77 American Fandom

And now another break from the chronology of the past.

I thought you would all like to know that with a road-trip up to Sheffield Arena on Saturday 13^th. Of August 2016 I attended the “FILM & COMIC CON Sheffield” run by Showmasters, just on the off chance of picking up some old Translated manga from the 80's and 90's (they are in the same format & style as any American imported comic-books, not like modern Manga that is in the Diary format).!

Out of the six or so stalls that sold manly DC & MARVEL comic-books, one would have ten random issues of manga, and one of those was now to replace a lost comic-book that many a UK Anime and Manga fan would have read back in 1989, if remembering it for its 'Letters Page'.

Appleseed

Book3 Volume 2, September,1989

American Appleseed Cover painting by Adam Warren

American Appleseed Logo designed by Tom Orzechowski

Editor Fred Burke

Editor-in-Chief Catherine Yronode

Publisher Dean Mullaney

English translation by Studio Proteus

The Letters Page.

For what I am so thankful for is a comic-book fan Dan White writting to the Editor Fred Burke, and that his letter about the cost of Anime (on VHS) was published in the Letters Page.

  

[NOTE: The reply was signed Toren Sez, with the tone of someone who knew the industry in Japan, could this have been Toren Smith founder of Studio Proteus and supporter of Comic-Con giving his insight?]

[NOTE: These two American Anime Fan Clubs (Earth Defence Command, Anime Hasshin) would be an early part of my own Nexus into a wider Fandom, linking me with other Fans in the UK and forever changing my life.]

May 1990 Pt.2b Special Correspondence

By the end of May, once again a thrust for knowledge, and the feeling to connect with a force that for Me drove part of Anime & Manga Fandom especially from over here in England (UK), it was a delight to receive a letter from 'Studio Proteus' sign by Toren Smith.

For those of a later generation of Fans Toren Smith of 'Studio Proteus' scouted Manga in Japan for a north American English speaking audience back in the 80's and 90's, His company translated the Manga and then in conjugation with comic-book publishers & distributors brought them to a wider western market. Companies like 'Dark Horse', 'Eclipse Comics', and 'Viz International'

Having someone hand pick a wide selection of Manga gave us the mark to set other manga by, and by chance or design many of them were made in to Anime OVAs and films too (greatly helped viewing all those raw Un-subtitled Japanimations that we all had acquired!

 

[NOTE: 'The Venus Wars' was published from April 1991 – May 1992 The Venus Wars issues 1 – 14 and The Venus Wars II 1 – 15 from June 1992 to August 1993.]

[NOTE: 'Lost Continent' was published I believe from September 1991 over to May 1992 - Lost Continent #1-6 , but I would need copies of these comic-books\manga to prove these dates.]

[NOTE: 'Dirty pair – A Plague of Angels' was published was published I believe trimonthly from August 1990 to August 1991 Dirty Pair III A Plague of Angels 1-5 but I would need copies of these comic-books\manga to prove these dates.]

[Special Note: Does anyone know of the projects in England that Studio Proteus was involved in?]

Having the power of the Pen has given Me another unique memento that I will always treasure, and even thou I never met him Toren is sorely missed from over this side of the pond.

TorenSmith (April 12, 1960 to March 4, 2013)

March 1990 Pt.5b Manga

What's Michael?. Written and illustrated by Makoto Kobayashi. published by Eclipse Books (Eclipse International) with translation by Dana Lewis & Toren Smith of Studio Proteus, Sold as a single issue Graphic Album (about 110 pages), March 1990 . Originally serialized in Comic Morning Magazine and published by Kodansha Ltd. From 1985 to 1990 (Nine Volumes were published over this time.

“ The cat comic that exploded onto the bestseller lists in Japan is now available in America”

AWHAT'S MICHAEL? Is a collection short stories set in a multiverse about Michael the cat, and his interactions with food providers\owners as well as in an anthropomorphic Cat Vs Dogs world.

Toren Smith of Studio Proteus, said “it's a very funny comic.”

“WHAT'S MICHAEL? Explores the foilbies and follies of cat-fanciers, and cats, from every walk of life.!”

Toren Smith was asked by Eclipse International to try and get the rights WHAT'S MICHAEL? From Kodansha Ltd. he very sceptical as they where a huge company and that they already had a relationship with a major American Comic-book publisher, Marvel. But they turned out to be very approachable and professional. 

 

[Note: on the inside page of the Album there is printed “Special thanks to Kodansha liaison Yuda Ando.”]

At the time it was a big gamble for Eclipse and Studio Proteus to sell though a chain of book stores in the USA a funny comic-book about a cat, when one of those book store chains only bought 50 copies initially, then only a few months later ordered 500! So volume was also in the running, and all before these cute cats on the internet too!

[Note: The above information about Studio Proteus involvement was gleaned from an Interview published in Issue 22 of 'The Rose' July 1990, Anime Hasshin's club-zine – Lorraine Savage interviewed Toren Smith.]

[Note: it took some considerable time to pinpoint the month of this album's printing.]

Manga in the 80's Pt. 16

Appleseed. Written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. 

Eclipse Comics with Studio Proteus published 19 issues in a bi-monthly format spanning the 4 original books, from September 1988 to August 1991 .

Cover art for the monthly issues for book 2 was Art Adams and book 3 was done by American illustrator Adam Warren.

The manga was originally published between 1985 and 1989 by Seishinsha.

[Note: As at the time of this post I am unable to find My own issues of Appleseed Book 3 #1, #2, #3 (August, September, October 1989) Published by Eclipse, in which I believe the 'Letters page' had printed American Anime\Manga Fan Club addresses. Thus started my journey in to Fandom, but as you can see I did import the original Manga at that time.]
 [Note: now have Appleseed Book 3 #2 read on.]

Shirow's artwork just blew me away, the attention to detail in the city-scape, the futuristic designs of vehicles, cyborgs, and power-armour were so fresh in the 1980's, and add to this the storyline of newcomers to the utopian city-state of Olympus, Deunan Knute and Briareos Hecatonchires who join the city's law enforcement’s ESWAT (Extra Special Weapons And Tactics) division. 

What follows is the relationship between Deunan and Briareos as they rely on each other as they take on the political underworld and powerful criminals of this veneer of a utopia where over 50% of the population is bio-engineered! 

You can just see how this Japanese Cyberpunk manga became award-winning!

[Note: Volume titles are - Book 1. Prometheus Challenge, Book 2. Prometheus Unbound, Book 3. Scales of Prometheus, Book 4. Prometheus Balance.]

[UPDATE: Collection of issues 1 to 19 now complete.]

[NOTE: APPLESEED LOGO designed by Tom Orzechowski (for the American reader).]

Appleseed.

Book ONE Issues 1 to 5.

BOOK ONE Cover Art by; Masamune Shirow. (issues 1 to 5)

Appleseed.

Book TWO Issues 1 to 5.

BOOK TWO Cover Art by; Arthur Adams (issues 1 to 5)

Appleseed.

Book THREE Issues 1 to 5.

BOOK THREE Cover Art by; Adam Warren (issues 1 to 5)

Appleseed.

Book FOUR Issues 1 to 4.

BOOK ONE Cover Art by; Masamune Shirow. (issues 1 to 4)

APPLESEED (Eclipse) Volumes One to Three.

APPLESEED (Dark Horse) Volumes One to Four.

BOOK TOUR Cover Art by; 

APPLESEED (MangaUK) Volume One (no other volumes printed).

Other works by Masamune Shirow.;

DOMINION

 

Manga in the 80's Pt. 15

Cyber 7. Written and illustrated by Shuho Itahashi. Eclipse Comics with Studio Proteus published 17 issues in a monthly format from March 1989 to Autumn 1990 spanning the 2 original books.

The manga was originally published by Hakusensha in the mid to late 80's.

Our young protagonist Tatsuki finds a photograph that shows a group of organic androids helping people after a vehicle accident, this he then sells to a tabloid newspaper, making it public knowledge 14 years after the accident and exposing their secret existence, and putting himself and those now teenagers and the scientist in great danger!

The secret of the 7 organic androids is that they are self-aware and make their own choices, and need a convincing discussion before undertaking any new obligation, and up until now have been kept a secret.

The threat to all, is a 7 foot tall anthropomorphic Rabbit who's technology is way-ahead of this Earth's time, not to mention his organisation's foot soldiers!

[Note: The artwork has a distinctive European feel to it, but the story is one truly from a Japanese prospective.]

[Note: I only have a smattering of the comic-books, so it is difficult to do it justice.  UPDATE; With a complete set I now can take the time to try to understand the themes of the the story, and review the translated manga.]

[Note: For many weeks now I have been ranking my brain with the notion that “Cyber 7” is not translated from the original Japanese title..... but I as yet can not find any proof of this!!  UPDATE; it is called the Bridge. ]

[UPDATE: Collection of issues 1 to 17 now complete. (27/08/2022).]

Cyber 7 BOOK ONE.

Issues 1 to 7.

Cyber 7 BOOK TWO.

Issues 1 to 10.

Manga in the 80's Pt. 13

Outlanders. Written and illustrated by Johji Manabe. Dark Horse Comics with Studio Proteus published 33 issues in a monthly format, from December 1988 to September 1991 . The manga was originally published by Hakusensha in Comicomi magazine in the mid to late 1980's.

A favourite manga of mine with an engrossing story and appealing art with its character design and organic integrated technology all wrapped up in a space opera.

The invasion of Earth by the galaxy spanning Santovasku Empire's immense living battleships and terrifying ground troops and war beasts, our reluctant hero a Tokyo News Photographer by the name of Tetsuya Wakatsuki is taken as a prisoner by the beautiful (but deadly with a sword) Princess Kahm who has such lovely horns befitting one of Royal blood is the daughter to the Santovasku Emperor!

For a start humans are seen as vermin on this sacred planet and battle fleets of star-ships have been given orders to exterminate the infestation! With such a large Empire of many bipedal races (much like inhabitance of moons of the planet Mongo!) some fish-like (Royal Servant Nao ), and some the pinnacle of feline (Lady Battia) and canine (General Geobalai) evolution I think.

Tetsuya persuades Kahm to save the Earth and all its Human inhabitance and she promises to marry him and take on her father, but others are plotting against her, add to this confrontations between Lady Battia and General Geobalai and family of Royal Servants loyal to the princess you have a space opera with style!

[Note. Toren Smith of Studio Proteus sold the translated manga of Outlanders to the fledgling comic-book company Dark Horse, thus gave them their first manga title and a foot-hold in the newfound market. Such was its importance!]

[Note. 8 Volumes were printed by Dark Horse covering the entire series (of 33) & the one-off specials (dates to be confirmed).]

[UPDATE: Collection of issues 1 to 33 now complete. Plus specials.]

OUTLANDERS.

Issues 1 to 12.

OUTLANDERS.

Issues 13 to 24.

OUTLANDERS.

Issues 25 to 28.

OUTLANDERS.

Issues 29 to 32.

OUTLANDERS.

Issue 33.

Special issues. 

OUTLANDERS.

Volumes One to Eight.

LETTERS PAGE.

Gallery.

Gallery.

Gallery.

Gallery.

Gallery.

Manga in the 80's Pt. 9

Dominion. Written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. Published by Eclipse International & Studio Proteus in 6 issues in a Monthly format from December 1989 to May 1990. The manga was originally published by Hakusensha 1986.

We follow our heroin Leona Ozaki in her day to day job, protecting the citizens of the megalopolis, a city engulfed in a deadly bacterial smog (were the mask you wear saves your life!), and crime is dealt with the deadly force of the Tank S.W.A.T. Police (urban pacification that is outrageous!). In this futuristic world of bio-technology & cyber-technolgy and the use of tanks in a city Leona a girl who loves her little tank (named Bonaparte) struggles to be taken seriously as the male members of the Tank S.W.A.T. Police have the much bigger military tanks!

Shirow is know for his meta detailed city landscapes and cybernetics tech illustrations to flesh out his Worlds, and added to this is a wit and humour of the absurd with depiction of SD characters (super deformed – an art style).
A highly enjoyable Science Fiction comedy!

[Note. Like so many translated manga of its time only a short number of issues where produced to show the verity and style form Japan, and then where gone! Easily missed at your local comic-book store.]

 [Note. So popular was this series that over the years, 3 sets of OVAs have been animated (Dominion Tank Police, New Dominion Tank, and TANK S.W.A.T. 01).]

[Note. Masamune Shirow is best known in the West by his seminal work “Appleseed”.]

                                    

   [UPDATE: Collection of issues 1 to 6 now complete]

  

Dominion #1 to #6   from Eclipse Comics.

[NOTE: When I was missing issues 4,5, & 6, at the time I also missed out on adverts and articles too.]

Appleseed  BOOK ONE 

The Promethean Challenge.

Letters page.

Letters page.

Dirty Pair BOOK ONE.

What's Michael?

Graphic Album

Black Magic Written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow.

Shipping in Spring of 1990.

Appleseed Poster, from ECLIPSE.

[UPDATE: From Dark Horse comics; Collection of 7 manga comic books would be printed in 1996 (March to August, and  ) 'Masamune Shirow's DOMINION Conflict 1 - No more noise' #1 to #6.

#1to #3

#4 to #6

 

[NOTE: these last 7 manga comic-books were added to my collection, in April of 2021.]