Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Diana, Princess of Shōjo
Found via the comments in my last post, here's Tintin Pantoja's seven-page proposal for a manga version of Wonder Woman, "Princess of Paradise" (even the title seems manga-esque). I have to say, this seems like a no-brainer (especially after the success of the Death manga) and I'm surprised DC hasn't pounced on the idea yet. Tintin, if you're reading this, can you share what happened when you submitted your proposal? Based on your sample pages, I'd love to see this published. Can we lobby DC on your behalf?
Now this looks like a Wonder Woman comic I'd actually be interested in reading.
UPDATE: Pantoja has updated her site to include a fuller look at the original proposal she submitted to DC, including a plot summary for the three-book tale and an analysis of the likely target audience. And over on her LiveJournal, Pantoja talks more about the (non) response from DC, mentioning that she'd heard rumblings about what sounds like Minx before it was officially announced.
Again, I'm surprised that DC (apparently) passed on this, since the combination of one of the most recognizable female pop culture icons (the comic might not sell to girls but I've seen plenty of merchandise bearing WW's likeness aimed at them) with the art style that predominantly appeals to young female readers seems like a license to print money. Who knows -- perhaps DC has their own plan for a manga version of Wonder Woman in the pipeline. All I know is, I want my shōjo Wonder Woman, dammit!!, and this seems like a very promising version based on the sample pages.
So, c'mon, DC! What will it take to get Pantoja's Princess of Paradise published?
Found via the comments in my last post, here's Tintin Pantoja's seven-page proposal for a manga version of Wonder Woman, "Princess of Paradise" (even the title seems manga-esque). I have to say, this seems like a no-brainer (especially after the success of the Death manga) and I'm surprised DC hasn't pounced on the idea yet. Tintin, if you're reading this, can you share what happened when you submitted your proposal? Based on your sample pages, I'd love to see this published. Can we lobby DC on your behalf?
Now this looks like a Wonder Woman comic I'd actually be interested in reading.
UPDATE: Pantoja has updated her site to include a fuller look at the original proposal she submitted to DC, including a plot summary for the three-book tale and an analysis of the likely target audience. And over on her LiveJournal, Pantoja talks more about the (non) response from DC, mentioning that she'd heard rumblings about what sounds like Minx before it was officially announced.
Again, I'm surprised that DC (apparently) passed on this, since the combination of one of the most recognizable female pop culture icons (the comic might not sell to girls but I've seen plenty of merchandise bearing WW's likeness aimed at them) with the art style that predominantly appeals to young female readers seems like a license to print money. Who knows -- perhaps DC has their own plan for a manga version of Wonder Woman in the pipeline. All I know is, I want my shōjo Wonder Woman, dammit!!, and this seems like a very promising version based on the sample pages.
So, c'mon, DC! What will it take to get Pantoja's Princess of Paradise published?
Labels: Shōjo WW Watch, Tintin Pantoja
11:15 PM | |
Monday, November 27, 2006
The New Yorker on Manga
In the latest issue of The New Yorker (Nov. 27, 2006 cover date -- the one with the multiple Chris Ware covers), there's a two-page cartoon by Roz Chast about her alienating experiences with manga:
[Click for larger images]
I've never really cared for Chast's work, so perhaps my general dislike is coloring my reaction to this piece, but I thought the strip was borderline xenophobic: "What's that THING sticking out of her friend's head? Oh, well -- guess I'll never know." Yeah, because it's impossible to do any research about the different visual cues used by another culture.
UPDATE: David Cabrera identifies the incomprehensible manga in the strip as Futari Ecchi (here's the Wikipedia entry for the series as well), and Jeff Lester has a more charitable interpretation of the comic than I did. 9:07 PM | |
In the latest issue of The New Yorker (Nov. 27, 2006 cover date -- the one with the multiple Chris Ware covers), there's a two-page cartoon by Roz Chast about her alienating experiences with manga:
[Click for larger images]
UPDATE: David Cabrera identifies the incomprehensible manga in the strip as Futari Ecchi (here's the Wikipedia entry for the series as well), and Jeff Lester has a more charitable interpretation of the comic than I did. 9:07 PM | |
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Only In Comics...
From Wizard's "Man of the Year" piece (via Tom):
I know, I know: it's Wizard; what else was I expecting? But it's still stupid, short-sighted, and annoying. If they'd even bothered to qualify that statement as "the single mostinfluential, creative, vocal and important voice indirectly direct-market-sales-boosting executive in superhero comics this year" it wouldn't be as irritating; but of course, for Wizard superhero comics are comics, so no distinction is necessary.
Choosing Quesada as comics "Man of the Year" (not "Person of the Year"? I guess creators like Alison Bechdel were never even in the running) just for saying "we need another 'event' in between events A and B!" is like nominating the new Bond movie for an Oscar just because this time Bond has blond hair. 3:07 PM | |
From Wizard's "Man of the Year" piece (via Tom):
Quesada’s counterattack of Civil War, character revamps and new talent cemented the 43-year-old as one of the most dangerously original, versatile, perplexing and daring EICs in comic book history, as well as the single most influential, creative, vocal and important voice in comics this year. [emphasis added]Really? In a year that saw a graphic novel being nominated for a National Book Award? A year that saw the continued expansion of manga and graphic novels in bookstores and libraries? A year that saw manga continuing to dominate book sales lists? A year that saw other publishers actually reaching out to young readers?
I know, I know: it's Wizard; what else was I expecting? But it's still stupid, short-sighted, and annoying. If they'd even bothered to qualify that statement as "the single most
Choosing Quesada as comics "Man of the Year" (not "Person of the Year"? I guess creators like Alison Bechdel were never even in the running) just for saying "we need another 'event' in between events A and B!" is like nominating the new Bond movie for an Oscar just because this time Bond has blond hair. 3:07 PM | |
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
WWJD?
This is the funniest thing I've read in a long time: Dave's Long Box's Voter's Guide to Superhero Political Affiliations. Loved the entries for Batman and Spider-Man.
So head to the polls and if you're unsure how to vote, just ask yourself: WWJD? (What Would Jericho Do?)
(I was thinking of trying to do a corresponding guide for manga characters but I couldn't get very far. I'm pretty sure Light would be a Republican, though. Keroro would probably vote Republican, too, in hope that promised tax cuts would mean more money for Gunpla, and would become outraged when he learned that those tax cuts only benefited the very wealthy.) 12:09 PM | |
This is the funniest thing I've read in a long time: Dave's Long Box's Voter's Guide to Superhero Political Affiliations. Loved the entries for Batman and Spider-Man.
So head to the polls and if you're unsure how to vote, just ask yourself: WWJD? (What Would Jericho Do?)
(I was thinking of trying to do a corresponding guide for manga characters but I couldn't get very far. I'm pretty sure Light would be a Republican, though. Keroro would probably vote Republican, too, in hope that promised tax cuts would mean more money for Gunpla, and would become outraged when he learned that those tax cuts only benefited the very wealthy.) 12:09 PM | |
