Urban Camouflage

This isn't manga or original art related but definitely something only the Japanese would think of. They come up with things that are clever or fit a need, but also sometimes things that those of us in the West might think of as strange. I couldn't help but giggle when I saw this one.

I will never look at a vending machine in the same way, ever.

Complete NY Times article

Happy 2008 !!

* Happy 2008 Manga Original Comic Book Artwork Collectors!! *

I've got some pages from Marvel Mangaverse that I've been meaning to post. Stay tuned.

Kaare Andrews Spider Manga page 20

Here's page 20 from Spider-Manga. What's sweet about this piece in person is that Kaare inked the characters so they stand-out more from the pencil-only background pieces such as the falling bricks and the crumbling building. The contrast makes for some art that almost appears 3-dimensional, as the gray-toned pencil shading really appears as if it is behind the action. The super-tight inks on the characters are clearly from the hands of a skilled artist. If I were trying to trace the pencil lines, I already know my ink strokes would be shaky, not consistent, not clean and mostly crooked. Terrible.

I'm going to go off on a tangent for a sec. Let's talk about inkers. It takes some serious talent to ink artwork. Inkers aren't tracers. You need to really know how to draw and finish the artwork, and it requires some serious consistent pen strokes. The inker is the last line of defense and is in charge of making the original pencil art stand-out, injecting life into the characters faces, to setting the mood and telling the story in really only 2 colors. Many top artists started as inkers and it really seems to be an old-school talent to ink penciled artwork.

Finally, last but not least, I really like the layout. Simple but different. The diagonal long panes make for the feeling that Spidey is literally flying off the build, then falling, and on his way to a climatic [crunch] on the next page. Or is it waiting for him? Stay tuned...

Manga Star Wars by Adam Warren

I was digging through some old piles of posters and came across this gem. It's pretty large and didn't fit on my scanner, so I scanned it in pieces and will put it up here to show. I bought this Adam Warren Manga Star Wars print from SDCC 2002. This was when they were promoting the last Star Wars movie and had just released the last movie title and were selling shirts. So I bought a shirt and this poster.

It's quite a sight, the full poster. I'm just trying to frame it now so I can hang it and enjoy it.

Warrior Nun Areala Opening

Thought some of you might get a kick out of seeing this.. of what could have been..

Finally it might be cool to be in manga...

From the WallStreet Journal:

Score one for the nerds! Shares of Japanese companies involved in the production of animated films and comic books soared in Tokyo Wednesday amid speculation that Taro Aso, secretary-general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party -- and a well-known comic-book fan -- may be the nation's next prime minister. Following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's surprise resignation, shares linked to hobbies associated with "otaku," or nerds, jumped. (See related article.)

In May, while serving as Japan’s foreign minister, Mr. Aso unveiled plans to establish the International Manga Award to recognize foreign cartoonists. When the winners were announced in July, Mr. Aso told Kyodo News, “It is my hope that manga, through these works, will act as a bridge to the world.” Mr. Aso’s official Web site contains an ode to “manga” published in August that praises the genre for lifting Japan’s standing on the international stage and urges his countrymen to be proud of this success.

(more, see article for complete story)

Blog has a new look today

Hi Folks... If our site looks different than yesterday, it's because I changed our blog template because I felt the "whites" in the previous visual style were lacking character, too bland, and uber-subtle, if that's a word. The blog looked like it was a vast wasteland, when in fact we've got a lot of original art already posted, with a lot more coming. I'm just warming up the scanner. :) Well, the other reason for the change is that we now look more consistent with our "sister" original comic book art blog @ http://11by17.blogspot.com, which is focused on non-anime/non-manga original comic book artwork, instead much more Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Neal Adams, John Byrne, Todd McFarlane, Romita, Buscema, Kirby, etc etc, you know 70s, 80s, 90s art. So don't navigate away yet, instead pull up a chair, get comfy and stay a while. :)

Email me or leave a comment with your impression of the blog so far and I'll respond ASAP. Do you want to see more new and original artwork? Any Ben Dunn Marvel Mangaverse fans out there? Any Adam Warren fans out there? Any Kaare Andrews fans out there? How about anime or manga fans? I hope to be in Japan later this year, so if anyone from Japan is reading, I'd love to know of any stores in Tokyo area that sell manga original art.

Manga Spidey & Manga Tigra commission by Ben Dunn

Back in 2005, I was able to get a hold of Ben Dunn and get this commission done by him, and it's in color too! Full 11-by-17 inches in size and vibrant colors!! Features his rendition of Marvel Mangaverse Spider-Man and Marvel Mangaverse Tigra. Very cool!

I highly recommend contacting him and acquiring your very own personal commissioned artwork. I know he does commission auctions on eBay from time to time, when he isn't busy, so keep an eye out for the next one. He does a really nice job on them.

Hey Kids! It's Gumby!

Not exactly manga, but not exactly human either. It's Gumby, kids!!

I picked up this sketch from Arthur Adams at the 2003 Wondercon. He was gracious enough to meticulously pencil then ink this sketch for me. Art's a funny guy too, so while watching him do his magic, it's cool to chit-chat a bit and learn what's new for him. I remember when Gumby's Summer Fun Special comic book came out, as well as the Winter Fun Special comic. Good times.

Some of you may know that Art is a big toy fan. If you see him at the next local convention, bring him some cool Godzilla toys. He'd like that but he might also already have them too. But did you know that Art did the covers for the Masamune Shirow "American" Appleseed comic book in the mid-late 80s. The link is to an Arthur Adams fan site.

Marvel Mangaverse Spider-Man 1 Original Cover Art

Here's the original cover artwork to Marvel Mangaverse Spider-Man #1. This piece was all hand-drawn by Kaare Andrews. The backgrounds were done digitally and then all of it was combined and colored at time of printing.

I like the way Spidey's mitts are bigger. Really stands out, and gotta love those webs. Not sure if this was something added by Kaare, or if it was in the original Marvel Mangaverse design by Ben Dunn.

I hope someday they will bring back the entire Marvel Mangaverse, and then take them up against the DC Mangaverse. hahaha