#449 Ian M: Comics, Squared

SquareAnthropomorphized cats in a Pulp Fiction-style shootout; a tiny man found sleeping in the grass; two people hiding in an abandoned restaurant during some catastrophic event. These were some of the one-page, where’s-the-rest-of-it scenes in Ian M‘s Square 11, discussed on Critiquing Comics last year.

This week, Ian tells Tim what he was going for in those scenes, about his autobio comics (including Square 12, “Alone in Kyoto”), things that work better in comics than in other media, and more.

#448 “A Drifting Life”: Memoir and manga history

A Drifting LifeYoshihiro Tatsumi, although he was a somewhat influential figure in the manga of the 1950s and ’60s, is largely forgotten in Japan today. However, within the past 10 years he has gained some belated fame in the West, thanks largely to the efforts of Adrian Tomine and Drawn & Quarterly.

Tatsumi passed away last month, prompting Tim and Kumar to finally pull his comics memoir (which also includes considerable amounts of 1950s manga history) A Drifting Life off the shelf and do a review! And here it is.

#441 JM Ken Niimura & “Henshin”

HenshinAmerican comics fans were introduced to Ken Niimura back in 2010, when his art appeared in the Image miniseries I Kill Giants, written by Joe Kelly. Since then, Ken’s work has been seen in some short Spider-Man stories, and more recently, his book Henshin, which just came out in English from Image.

He currently lives in Tim’s stomping grounds of Tokyo, so this week it’s an in-person interview with Ken, about why I Kill Giants was in black and white, his story goals and storytelling techniques in Henshin, and much more.

#439 Jamie Lynn Lano, Princess of Tennis

Princess of Tennis

Ever wondered what it would be like to work in a manga studio in Japan? Jamie Lynn Lano got her chance in 2008 when she was hired by Takeshi Konomi to be part of his team for the Prince of Tennis sequel. Recently she’s published a book about her experience, and this week she talks about what brought her to Japan and how she got hired, cultural differences, drawing speed lines and tennis shoes, and much more.

#437 “Real” is a slam dunk

real_coverSports have rarely been subject matter for comics in the US; perhaps comics’ inherent static-ness has seemed antithetical to an activity with so much movement. But Japan has seen comics about various sports, and some of them have been quite popular, even iconic.

Takehiko Inoue’s Real is not only about basketball, but about physical handicaps, relationships, and more. Kumar and Ilango find a whole lot to like about it — including the satisfying ways in which it translates sports action to the comics page.

#434 Nao Yazawa

Nao Yazawa/Wedding Peach

Is there “work for hire” in Japanese comics? Yes and no. Nao Yazawa was hired as the artist for Wedding Peach, a manga published in Shogakukan’s Ciao magazine from 1994 to 1996. However, as is typical in Japan, she and writer Sukehiro Tomita co-own the copyright.

In this episode, she explains the details of this arrangement to Tim, along with much more on the development and business of the strip, sexy costumes, why manga creators are left out of the management of the anime adaptation, teaching at a manga school, and more.

Nao’s Web comic Go Go Nao-P!

Nao’s 2002 Wedding Peach site

See more photos after the jump…

Continue reading #434 Nao Yazawa

#429 Convention Talk with Irene

Tim, Mulele, and IreneIrene of Studio Revolver stopped through Tokyo recently! In this episode, she chats with Tim and Mulele about displaying  work at conventions, and how conventions are changing.

We also visit Tokyo’s massive Comiket event (imagine a San Diego-sized con that’s entirely Artist’s Alley!) and give our impressions.

#427 International Comics Fest 2014, pt 2

Sunset
Sunset after the festival
This week we wrap up Tim’s set of interviews from the floor of the International Manga Festival (Kaigai Manga Festa), held November 23 at Tokyo Big Sight. Highlights include familiar faces, a past DCP interview guest, sexy anime girls from France, poop from space, and more!

See photos and links below the jump…

Continue reading #427 International Comics Fest 2014, pt 2

#426 International Comics Fest 2014, pt 1

Tokyo Big SightOn November 23, Tim once again visited the International Manga Festival (Kaigai Manga Festa) at Tokyo Big Sight. Comics creators from around the world (including Mulele!) were exhibiting their work to an enthusiastic mostly-Japanese crowd. Tim interviewed a number of exhibitors; hear them in this week’s episode, and see them below the jump in this post!

Continue reading #426 International Comics Fest 2014, pt 1

#422 A Friendly Sketcher and an Evil Diva

sketchfroWhile Chris Taylor goes by the pen name “Sketchfro“, he no longer has an afro and he does a whole lot more than sketch. An American living in Tokyo, he does freelance art, his own comics, and pro-level digital coloring. In this episode he talks about getting digital coloring right, drawing women with sex appeal, and the work he’ll be promoting at Tokyo’s International Comics Fest later this month.

evildivaWhen last we checked in on the Web comic Evil Diva, an artist needed to be paid and fans were being asked to cough up cash before the next page could be drawn. Now the comic is being published as a graphic novel, and will even get a cameo in an upcoming movie. Are the comics gods finally smiling on Evil Diva? Let’s ask the strip’s creator, Peter Menotti, and see.