Manga in the 80's Pt. 1

'Lone Wolf and Cub'

Looking though my sporadic collection of translated Manga as I tried out different Genres, Writers and Artists, and with the hope that they would continue to be on the shelves next month, I can say that though many are incomplete sets of comic book stories I find the variety very pleasing!

[Sadly I have now found nearly all but only a few of the manga I remember so fondly from the 80's & 90's are still in print in English – And that Anime & manga fans from the late 90's onwards have yet to discover them]

So what Japanese comic books were people reading in the late 80's, and when did they appear in our Comic Book stores (and what did I get and read?)?

'Lone Wolf and Cub' should not need any introduction to this influential Japanese manga that is so widely recognised as an important literary work. First published in 1970 Japan was at first released in the United States of America, on May 1st in the flipped-format translated English editions by First Comics in 1987, as a monthly comic-book, with covers and introductions by Frank Miller no less!

This manga was created by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima, depicted violence (extreme at the time) in such a cinematic way that most Western mature comic book readers just had not seen at all!

 The main protagonist Ogami Itto used a Dōtanuki 同田貫 (Torso Cutter) styled sword, a no nonsense blade designed to cut off its target's limbs or head in a single stroke (the sword was outlawed in times of peace)!

The chronicles of 'Lone Wolf and Cub' tell the story of Ogami Itto, the Shogun's executioner who uses his sword skills using the Torso Cutter. Itto is then disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyu clan, and looses his respected position with the Shogunate's court, he is then forced to take the path of the assassin (about the only payed work he can get or wish to do) and viewed as a Ronin (Master-less Samurai). Along with his three-year-old son, Daigoro, they seek revenge on the Yagyu clan and are known as "Lone Wolf and Cub".

A slice of Japanese culture as Black 'n' White as any Western!

[NOTE: First Comics closed down in 1991, with 45 issues of 'Lone Wolf and Cub' published out of a possible 140 to150 issues to complete the story.]

[NOTE: Dark Horse Comics 2014's OMNIBUS are in print, and include 3 Volumes per Omnibus.]

[NOTE: NEW Lone Wolf and Cub are also in print. as of 2022.]

[NOTE: The Lone Wolf and Cub story has been adapted into more than six films starring Tomisaburo Wakayama (edited in the West as 'Shogun Assassin', and almost banned for its extreme violence), four plays, a television series starring Yorozuya Kinnosuke (very highly praised for a TV drama, season 1 now out on DVD - sadly not season 2 or 3), and is the monologue from the unseen TV show playing in Quentin Tarantino's film 'Kill Bill Volume 2', and Lone Wolf and Cub cameos pop up in many an modern animation.]

[UPDATE: Collection of issues 1 to 45 now complete]

1-5

6-10

11-15

16-20

21-25

26-30

31-35

36-40

41-45

Frank Miller  has the credits for Cover illustrations' and introductions for the First English printing of 'Lone Wolf and Cub", from May1987, to October 1988.

Frank Miller's cover art, issues 1 to 12.

You got to know about "THE ULTIMATE SAMURAI ADVENTURE!" in March of 1987.

1FIRST EDISION - March 1987 (55),

For comic books on sale in May 1987

May 1st, 1987, (Lone Wolf and Cub, Issue #1).

May 8th, 1987,

May 15th, 1987,

May 22nd, 1987

"Over six million copies sold in Japan" [as of March 1987.]

1FIRST EDISION - March 1987 (55) Page 4, Page 1.

1FIRST EDISION - March 1987 (55) Page 2, Page 3.

Other comic books on sale in May of 1987.

Other comic books on sale in May of 1987.

[NOTE: March 1987 would see what is a 'Press release' (called "1FIRST EDISION") to the Comic book buying community, promoting "Lone Wolf and Cub" to an North American, and English speaking population World wide.]

[In November of 2024, I found two of FIRST COMICS's own self-published pre-view advertisements, called "1FIRST EDISION" on ebay and imported them to the UK at a cost of  $48.00 (US) for you the reader and fans alike!] 

This is what 1FIRST EDISION 55 (March 1987) wrote to promote Lone Wolf and Cub;

The First Edition No. 55. Contents copyright © 1987 First Comics, Inc. All rights reserved. 

"THE ULTIMATE SAMURAI ADVENTURE!

With Full-Color Covers by Frank Miller

Since its debut in Japan in 1970 as Kozure Okami, the 28 volume epic by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima has set the standard for the Samurai graphic story genre.   With an incredible Japanese circulation of over six million copies sold, Lone Wolf and Cub has spawned six live action theatrical films, a television series, four stage plays, and five hit records based on the property.

And now First introduces the English- language edition of Lone Wolf and Cub as a monthly, 64 page, square bound book for only $1.95 with a special bonus premiere issue of 96 pages for the same low price.   Renowned comics writer and artist Frank Miller will provide new full-color covers for the first twelve issues and an ongoing series of introductions. Collaborating with Miller on the covers will be colorist Lynn Varley.

Special Note: Lone Wolf And Cub is a sophisticated epic of Japan's violent past. It contains graphic scenes of violence which may be deemed inappropriate for some readers."

This is what 1FIRST EDISION 55 (March 1987) wrote to promote Lone Wolf and Cub;

"Lone Wolf and Cub

The ultimate Samurai adventure comes to America! With over six million copies sold in Japan, Lone Wolf and Cub is the definitive Samurai epic in the graphic storytelling medium.   And now First introduces the English-language edition of Lone Wolf and Cub as a monthly, 64 page, square bound book for only $1.95 with a special bonus premiere issue of 96 pages for the same low price.

Lone Wolf and Cub has been cited as a major inspiration for the visual styles of American filmmakers such as John Milius and John Carpenter, and has directly influenced the art and storytelling techniques of numerous American comic book artists including the work of Frank Miller, who will be providing full-color covers for the first 12 issues, as well as an ongoing series of introductions.

Kazuo Kolke is considered to be one of Japan's most successful writers and a master scriptwriter for the graphic story genre. He is perhaps best known in the U.S. for his screenplay for the feature film "Shogun Assassin," a re-edited version of the Japanese film "Kozure Okami," based on the Lone Wolf and Cub stories.

Gosekl Kojima made his debut as a comic artist in 1967 with "Oboro-Junin-Cho". With his his unique style Mr. Kojima created a new form of expressive visual interpretation for the graphic storytelling medium, and established a position as a master craftsman with his s ground-breaking work on Lone Wolf and Cub.

Lone Wolf and Cub is the story of Ogami Itto and his quest for justice and revenge against th the corruption and treachery of the Tokugawa Shogunate during Japan's medieval Edo period.   Formerly the Shogun's Kaishakunin Executioner or chosen Officer of Death, Ogami suddenly becomes victimized by the political machinations of the Yagyu Clan, the Shogun's family of  assassins.   Driven from his post, his wife brutally murdered, Ogami becomes a fugitive.    Calling on his invincible skills as a Suio style swordsman, Ogami embarks on a mission of vengeance his infant son Daigoro often preceding him in battle riding in wooden baby cart armed with hidden spears, spring blades, and smoke bombs.

Special Note: Lone Wolf And Cub is a sophisticated epic of Japan's violent past. It contains graphic scenes of violence which may be deemed inappropriate for some readers."

FIRST PUBLISHING

Lone Wolf and Cub #1: 96 pages, square bound. Black and white with full color covers. Shipping in May. Retail price $1.95.

Lone Wolf and Cub is a trademark of First Comics, Inc. and Global Communications Corp. 

All else trademarks of First Comics, Inc.

[Looking for adverts from FIRST COMICS, lead me to blindly buy a set of comic books printed in 1987 to 1988.]

FIRST NOTES March 1987.

"What is 'Lone Wolf and Cub' .

Coming soon; LONE WOLF AND CUB.

THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING EVENT OF 1987.

THE ULTIMATE SAMURI ADVENTURE COMES TO AMERICA!

"THE ULTIMATE SAMURI ADVENTURE!"

Issue #1, ON SALE IN MAY! (1987).

Don Thompson (Editor of 'Comics Buyer's Guide),

"This one is going to sell out fast... Miss it at your peril."

AND

Gerard Jones (Amazing Heroes),

"A feast of powerful action art...even more powerful than a movie could be."

Subscribe for a year's worth of Comics.

Subscribe for a year's worth of Comics.

Subscribe for a year's worth of Comics.

Subscribe for a year's worth of Comics.

YEAR TWO, issue #13 coming in May NEW cover art by BILL SIEKIEWICZ.

"The international publishing event of the year" - issue #9 coming in January.

YEAR THREE, issue #25 coming in May NEW cover art by MATT WAGNER.

Graphitti Designs.

Get your "LONE WOLF and CUB" T-Shirts from Graphitti Designs.

"Lone Wolf and Cub" Volume ONE a TPB with 392 pages 

(including an 8 Special colour section), for $19.95  Coming in November.

"Lone Wolf and Cub" Volume ONE a TPB with 392 pages 

(including an 8 Special colour section), for $19.95  Coming in November.

[NOTE: As of September 2022 I am looking for Adverts promoting the 1st. issue of "Lone Wolf and Cub, with acknowledgments to FRANK MILLER's writing contribution, and his cover artwork.] 

 [UPDATE, Now have issues of 'The chronicles of Corum' 1987-1988, And I was lucky to find that they did have Advertisements for "Lone wolf and Cub". See above.]

The Prolog.

The devotion of the 47 Loyal Retainers' giri, is now more known to the Westerner in the story of the 47 Ronin.  See also Frank Miller's Ronin for DC Comics. for his Notable works.

Frank Miller, Los Angeles, 1987.©

"For the longest time I couldn't read the words in my favorite comic book."

Frank Miller, Los Angeles, 1987.©

Of comic book, and Graphic novels..... Frank Miller. Los Angeles 1987.©

Frank Miller. Los Angeles 1987.©

Frank Miller. Los Angeles 1987.©

Frank Miller. Los Angeles 1987.©

Frank Miller. Los Angeles 1987.©

Frank Miller. Los Angeles 1987.©

Frank Miller. Los Angeles 1987.©

Frank Miller. Los Angeles 1988.©

Furthermore;

In translation, and culture.

Six million readers can't be wrong.

At least two pages of a glossary.

GLOSSARY ONE; Omote-Yagyu, Ura-Yagyu.

GLOSSARY TWO;  Jodo, Mon, Ryo.

Genealogy of Manga;

Kazuo Koike (Died April 17, 2019 at the aged of 82)

Writer, Manga Writer, Screen playwright.

Lone Wolf and Cub (1970–1976)

Crying Freeman (1986–1988)  Manga-in-80s-pt-17 Crying Freeman.

Samurai Executioner (1972–1976)

Mad Bull 34 (1985–1991)

Lady Snowblood (1972–1973) AND the Script writer for 'Lady Snowblood'(1973)

Hanappe Bazooka (June of 1979 & January of 1982)

Notable works; 

X-Men Unlimited #50, 2003

Kazuo_Koike (Wiki link).

Goseki Kojima (Died on January 5, 2000 at the aged of 71)

Penciller, Inker, Manga Artist.

Lone Wolf and Cub (1970–1976)

Samurai Executioner (1972–1976)

Kogarashi Monjirō (a novel by Saho Sasazawa, was adapted into manga in the 1970's.)

Kogarashi_Monjir (Wiki link).

Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima Biographies (1987).

 

[UPDATE: A Collection of the TV series; 6 volumes, 12 DVDs, and a total of  26 episodes.]

1-3

4-6

Back cover.

[NOTE: The story of Itto Ogami, and his son Daigoro, wlking the path of Hell, as Ogami, now a dishonoured Rhonin survives as an Assassin known by many as “lone Wolf and Cub”.  Seeking to exact revenge upon the Yagyu Clan, for the murder of his wife, and household.  Main cast: Kinnosuke Nakamura as Ittô Ogami, and Katzutaka Nishikawa as Daigoro Ogami  Originally broadcast in 1973. Season one ran from April 1 to September 30, 1973.]

USA DVD (NTSC) Distribution\English Production by “Tokyo Shock”. 2009 (26 Episodes from 27).

Disk #1

Episode :1 My Son and My Sword for Hire

*Episode:2 Oyuki of the Gomune *

Episode:3 Fangs of the Wolf

Episode:4 Ikkoku-Bashi Bridge

Disk #2

Episode:5 Highway of Assassins

Episode:6 The Lowly Maid

Episode:7 Amya and Anema

Episode:8 The Guns of Sakai

Disk #3

Episode:9 The Castle Wall Attack

Episode:10 Six Roads to Infinity

Episode:11 Baby Cart on the River Styx

Episode:12 Deer Hunters

Disk #4

Episode :13 O-Chiyo's Boat

Episode:14 No Betrayal

Episode:15 North to South, East to West

Episode:16 Night of Fangs

Disk #5

Episode:17 Cloud Tiger, Wind Dragon

Episode:18 Executioner Asaemon

Episode:19 Half Mat, One Mat, Two And A Half Go Of Rice

Episode:20 The 8 Gate Attack Formation

Disk #6

Episode:21 Chrysanthemum Inn

Episode:22 The Crossing Guard

Episode:23The Tragedy Of Beku No Ji

Disk #7

Episode:24 Thread of Tears

Episode:25 Secret document of Yagyu

Episode:26 Daigoro's song

Episode:27 Drifting Shadow

[NOTE: Episode 2 ( Oyuki of the Gomune) has subsequently been removed from all TV broadcasts and DVD releases. - Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lone_Wolf_and_Cub_episodes#Series_1973%E2%80%931976 ]

[NOTE: As far as I know (pre. 2022), Season two which ran from April 7 to September 29, 1974, and Season three which ran from April 4 to September 26, 1976. have not been released for an English speaking public!]

[NOTE: DVD and Blu-Ray releases can be found of the six films, and that of the American Dub.]

The complete LONE WOLF AND CUB boxed set, 

including "SHOGUN ASSASSIN"

1. Sword of Vengeance (1972).

2. Baby cart at the river of Styx (1972).

3. Baby cart to Hades (1972).

4. Baby cart in Peril. (1972).

5. Baby cart in the land of Demons. (1973).

6. White Heaven in HELL (1974).

"SHOGUN ASSASSIN"

[NOTE: the infamous 'grindhouse' Dub 'n' Cut of the 80's.]

R.I.P. 

Kazuo Koike 

(Born; May 8, 1936, Died April 17, 2019 at the aged of 82)

Goseki Kojima 

(Born; November 3, 1928, Died on January 5, 2000 at the aged of 71)

Genealogy of comic books in regards their influence from 'Lone Wolf and Cub'.

I only found this evidence of appreciation and influence of 'Lone Wolf and Cub' in August of 2024!   That's 11 YEARS on from 17/08/2013 

Dark Horse Comics, published a light-hearted, and satirical irregular comic book going by the title of 'The Magazine for the incurably Insane', Issue #2, featured “Long Woof and Junior”:

INSANE - The magazine for the incurably insane.

Issue #2 September 1988

Plus: Long Woof & Jr!

$1.75 USA

$2.20 CANADA

Publisher/Editor: Mike Richardson

Executive Editor: Randy Stradley

Production Manager: Chris Chalenor

Operations: Neil Hankerson

Cover: Jim Bradrick

Colors: Chris Chalenor

Long Woof and Junior.

LONG WOOF & JUNIOR

Story and art by: Brain Thomas

Lettering by: David Jackson

'Long Woof and Junior', "Road to HELL".

THERE WAS ALSO;

Frank Miller's  introductions for the First English printing of 'Lone Wolf and Cub", from Issues 1 to 12, as well as cover illustrations (May 1987, to October 1988), coinciding with his own Masterless Samurai comic book 'Frank Miller's RONIN'.

Frank Miller's "Ronin " 

(Trade PaperBack printed in 1987)

Frank Miller's RONIN (TPB 1987)

Frank Miller's RONIN 

SO you have scrolled down this far.... for the future historians;

THE LETTERS PAGE;

[NOTE: The influence of this story, to this day, still crops up, and many films, and TV shows alike; "The Mandalorian", and  Grogu choice.]

We see the first issue of Frank Miller's RONIN:BOOK TWO released on November 23rd. 2022, and the second to be released on January 18th. 2023.

The creator-owned publishing house FMP (Frank Miller Presents), has gone back to a beloved title such as RONIN, with a NEW story, for Frank Miller's RONIN: Book Two (a six part mini series) and, an Art style (at first glance) now weighted with the influenced of Japanese Manga, and depicted in 'Black & White'.

This new series serve as a continuation of the story Miller introduced in 1983, that ended in August of 1984 three years before introducing us to his favourite comic, the Manga of 'Lone Wolf and Cub'. Miller is scripting the series and providing pencil layouts, with Philip Tan handling the finished pencil work and Daniel Henriques doing the inking. 

Will this be another gateway to the classic Manga of 'Lone Wolf  'n' Cub'?

RONIN Book II. (1 to 6 Issues.)

November 23 2022,

January 18 2023,

,

,

,

.

What you could find!

What could you find in the shops, and how to get items from Japan!

Armed with numerous scraps of information on Artists and Writers of manga, Publishers and Animation studios, and above all else, an inquiring mind, it was time to “let your fingers do the walking” and see who in the Phone Book had a Japanese connection. The London capital is sure to have some shops, and I could always write to the Japanese Embassy

[Telephone Directory (commonly known as “the Phone book”) was a regional book with hundreds of white pages listing individuals and businesses who had phone (land-line) listed in alphabetic order with an addresses. Each city would have held one or two copies of the other cites and counties Phone books in your Central Library]

Back in the late 80's in to the mid 90's London had its far share of Japanese book shops, one that I found was behind St. Paul's Cathedral called 'Books Nippon' (whose parent company was Nippon Shuppan Hanbai) [look it up!], another book shop I encountered was 'OCS Books' (Overseas Courier Service – that did bespoke logistical Worldwide delivery). You could subscribe and have delivered Japanese Anime magazines to your door, and even ask them to hunt down the 'trade paperbacks' of popular Japanese comic books [a must for collectors] if you had enough details for them to go on.

 

 

 [remember No online shops, or google to help you get what you were after!].

More treasures from comic book stores. Con.

The Printed word and written word was our information on the superhighway connected by independent Comic book stores (and the odd chain of stores) that would be most people's first look at translated Manga and news on Japanimation  (later to be known as Anime by fans). 

 By the late 80's more would trickle in America, in the form of a magazine called “Animag” edited by Trish Leoux and only published 3 times a year (thou it states Bi-monthly by 'Pacific Rim Publishing Company)!

We will look at these Professional magazines in the not to distant future!

[These hubs of information and entertainment where limited to me by geography, and as I did not own a car, the adventure of public transport awaited me, as I travelled by Bus to my nearest cities of Nottingham and Leicester.]  

Our Local Heroes were people who ran comic book stores.

Manager Lance Fielder from 'Another World' comic book store (specialists importers of Science fiction) in Leicester (sadly no longer independent, just a Forbidden Planet Toy shop with week old comics).

Final Fronter comic book store, (shut down in about the year 2000, Leicester)

[I remember when the shop was based in the “Silver Arcade” having a big poster on the wall of “Grey” the futuristic apocalyptic S/F story by Yoshihisa Tagami, and I thought Wow that's cool!]

Magic Labyrinth (now still independent, managed by Dave Holmes that can be found at 2-3 Charles St., Leicester that has been going since 1992) A good source of back issues, as you enter the shop the shelves all full, the floor is starting to fill up with piles of stuff, and the up-stairs rooms are a goldmine for comic book Geeks!

Nostalgia and comics (Shut down [date unknown], Broad Marsh Shopping Centre, Nottingham),

Part of an expanding franchise now with the help of Forbidden Planet International the surviving parent store is kept going! [I can not comment about its independence].

Then a comic book concession in the basement of Nottingham’s Virgin Megastore, then moved to 'The Fantastic Store' and later “Page 45” (it is with great sadness that one of the guiding lights to so many comic book fans and writers is no longer with us - Mark Simpson (1968-2005) he was only a year younger than me, and a fan of Hayao Miyazaki's 'NAUSICAÄ of the Valley of the Wind'. The team of "Page 45" are always welcoming; Stephen L. Holland,  Jonathan Rigby, and Dominique Kidd.

I can not do justice to his passing, so I would ask you kindly to go and read what is on Page 45's website

http://www.page45.com/world/about/mark-simpson-1968-2005/

It was the vision of managers and comic books store owners individualism and their passion that made the retail experience that of going to a friend’s house, and not getting the “Hard Sell” or the indifference of “if it's not on the shelf, we don't have it!”, it is a love for the genre when you hear “Hi, can I help you” that they are sincere in wanting you to have a fun experience reading comic-books!

[So you out there are support your local comic-book store, it is a feeling that the Internet can not mimic!]

As you have read following my recollections and transcribes of correspondence and ephemera from the 1980's, you can see that information on Japanese cartoons and Japanese comic books came mainly from an imported market aimed at boys and young adults in the form of Robot war machine's Model kits and toys, backed up with a series of competing Science fiction novels, with a smattering of VHS videos for kids. Near the end of the 80's translated comic books, Amateur Fanzines and professional magazines on Japanese pop culture would make their mark.

[So Hobby and Toy stores, and then Comic book stores imported goods, it was then “up to you” to recognise what was Japanese and find out more, even the high street had hidden gems! ]

More treasures from comic book stores.

A locally started fanzine from Nottingham was 'Console-Magazine' (edited by Onn Lee), a monthly zine about the newly imported video game consoles, many of the games came from Japanese Manga & Anime, and in a few cases the game was made in to a Manga, and Anime show, so the cross-over of die-hard console gamers would soon become aware of Anime and Manga.

The other source of information in the late 80's and beyond was of course the fledgeling Comic books of translated Manga from such companies as :- Eclipse International, VIZ Comics, Dark Horse, First, and even Marvel comics ( under the trade name Epic Comics).

A few containing snippets and portions information, such as, Writers profiles, a Letters Page (with names & address, and some insight from the publishers), cultural articles by well respected authors and translators, Fan Club details, and of course all had the original authors, Artists, and Japanese publishers (This I would use to my advantage later on).

[Information on American and Canadian Anime fan clubs and pen pals, would be a lifeline and hub for UK fans in finding out more and even being put in touch with other UK fans who may live close by.  [Note: started to find more details here EDC & Anime Hasshin.]

[With so few people owning home computers and having Dial-up access to online information, the written word and the art of letter writing became our super-hiway.]

More on Comic Book stores

Our Local Heroes were people who ran comic book stores.

Manager Lance Fielder from 'Another World' comic book store (specialists importers of Science fiction) in Leicester.

FanZines.

I first picked up an Issue of 'Protoculture Addicts' which at that time was the official Fanzine for Robotech, (produced and printed in Canada) sometime in the late 80's. With such features as “The voice of the Freedom Fighters” (Fan letters page), “Japanimation & manga” (Reviews), “The shaping of Protoculture” (feed-back to readers including :- addresses for Pen Pals, retail stores that do mail-order, and other Fan clubs), the “News & Reviews” page focussed on available translated Manga, Anime magazines, Fanzines, and fan clubs too).

['Protoculture Addicts' started with only 6 fanzines by the end of 1989, this would only grow and grow, more on this later..!]

[With some very well known Fan Clubs from America; C/FO (Cartoon/Fantasy Organisation), Anime Hasshin (run by Lorraine Savage), and Earth Defence Command (EDC) – just a few of the clubs in all, and I must say that many individuals and organisers help support the UK Anime fandom, and are in touch to this day!]

 [Note: started to find more details here EDC & Anime Hasshin.]

Mektek

After picking up the two fanzines together MekTek 2 (Summer 1988) & MekTek 3 (Summer 1989) from 'Another World' comic book store in Leicester in the winter1989, these yearly British FanZines centred on Battle Suit Warfare games mainly BattleTech with new rules and scenarios for players, and surprisingly a follow-up on the Japanese roots of these Giant robots used in the games, edited by Ashley Watkins, with contributions such as the Stunning black & white Artwork by Steve Kyte

(Patlabor, Macross), and the many reviews from Helen McCarthy on Manga and Anime in the UK.

[I think 'MekTek 3' told us about an up and coming Science fiction Convention over the Easter weekend April 14th & 15th 1990 (note: this will be ground Zero for the UK Anime Fandom as I would know it).]

[I wrote to Ashley Watkins in November of 1989, and got a reply in January 1990 with flyers for EastCon 90 and the contact details for a very busy lady, by the name of Helen McCarthy (we have been Anime friends ever since).]

[Not forgetting the early form of Etiquette the Stamped Self Addressed Envelope (SSAE), this also enabled the recipient to reply a lot sooner.]

[just think of it.....the time it took to gather this information and then publish it once a year, if Wiki or Google was down for just a day the shock would reverberate across the internet and smart-phones, how like sheep have we become trusting on the reliance of technology?!]

[More on these pioneering fanzines will come later..!!]

Comic book stores

One good source of information came from independent Comic book stores being in their very nature they imported a lot of Comic books from America, as well as giving an outlet to FanZines from the Canada and the UK, even companies had InfoZines and catalogues for re-marketed and translated Japanese merchandise.

One such source was  'Advance Comics', was a monthly catalogue from 'Capital City' a comic book distribution company (from America’s Midwest) showcasing what's new and up 'n' coming in the world of comic books, toys, and other pop-culture merchandise (from 1980 to 1996).What was on the shelves in America would soon become popular here in the UK. 

Helping me see a wider world!

[I remember ordering Aikra, Lone Wolf and Cub, and Nausicaä t-shirts by Graphitti (based on the comic book's art not any of the films or Anime) from these catalogues.]

[As of July 2016 I now have have one volume of 'Advanced Comics' dated April 1992 (Volume #40), and one volume of 'Previews' dated November 1992 (Vol II. NO.11) published by Dimond Comics Distributors Inc.]

[NOTE: the B&W and gray Advert was scaned from the comicbook 'Appleseed' book3 vol 2 dated September 1989.]

Even the “Unabashed House Organ” for Robotech Role Playing Games “ The Magic of Palladium Books” had a few pages on “How to find Japanese Animation Items” back in 1988!

A Harmony of Robot invaders.

It was about 1986 onwards that a new force of merchandise hit the UK shops, not only toy and hobby shops, but comic book stores and the video shelf on high street stores. This too was a re-branding under the trademark “Robotech” now in agreement with 'Revell' the scale model manufactuer that had a range of kits under the title "ROBOTECH DEFENDERS", and the media company 'Harmony Gold' that had acquired the rights to 3 Japanese cartoon shows, 'Super Dimension Fortress Macross', 'Dimensioal Cavalry Southern Cross', and 'Genesis Climber Mospeada'. 

 [More about what happened to these 3 shows, will follow later, Robotech part 1 & Robotech part 2.].                                                                                                        

Printed and released in America;

MACROSS #1, December 1984,

ROBOTECH MASTERS #1, July 1985,

ROBOTECH THE NEW GENERATION #1, July 1985

                                                                                                                        

Living in a village with its Hobby\toy shop and News Agent, I needed to spread the search further afield, to my two nearest cities which where Leicester and Nottingham (in the East Midlands of England) to find more of what looked like Japanese Imports!

[Searching was done on foot, to find printed matter for the information, phone books, Yellow pages, comic books, magazines, fanzines, toy catalogs! Nobody had a smart-phone or mobile\cell phone, there was NO all knowing oracle called Google or Wiki! If you wanted to find something out YOU did the detective work.]

“How to find Japanese Animation Items” back in August 1988!

“ The Magic of Palladium Books” the “Unabashed House Organ” for Robotech Role Playing Games, had these few pages in issue #2.  

An other British Magazine, this time in 1987;

(White Dwarf magazine, March 1987).

(White Dwarf magazine, March 1987).

Review of Mekton (ONE) Rules, and Roadstriker (Expantion Rules),

by Phil Fances.

(White Dwarf magazine, March 1987).

Review of Mekton (ONE) RPG\Wargame Rules,

by Phil Fances.

(White Dwarf magazine, March 1987).

Review of Roadstriker - Mekton (ONE) Expantion Rules,

by Phil Fances.

(White Dwarf magazine, March 1987).

Virgin Mega Store's Games Centre (White Dwarf magazine, March 1987).

'Battletech' table-top game, and Graphic Novel.

[NOTES: In March of 1987 the reviewer Phil Fances, in that month's issue of 'White Dwarf Magazine, does use the Word "Anime", but in keeping with a lightharted tone, refers to it as "what the Japanese call their giant robot cartoons", and in both the reviews of 'MEKTON' and its Expantion rule set 'Roadstriker', you can note the phrase "in the best possible taste", that to my mind brings up a 'catch-phrase from comedian Kenny Everett.]   

[NOTES: That the 1980's the Retail and mail order Company 'GAMES WORKSHOP' was quite differant than its post 2000 counterpart, and was a haven for Role playing games, Novels, and War games, of Science Fiction, and Fantasy, and other well known IPs, not just its own games and minitures!]

[NOTES: So far I have not found any more writings, or advertisements in regards to Anime, or the American games of Battletech or Mekton in the 1980's issues of White Dwarf Magazine]