Michael Deeley has been reading comics since he was 12 years old. His first book was an issue of Silver Surfer by Jim Starlin, leading him to see all comics as ideological conflicts with big-ass fight scenes. At the very least, he expects a comic to be entertaining in some fashion, which is why he thinks Secret Wars II is better than Dark Knight Strikes Back. He has never work in the comics field, but he does have a belligerent attitude and a lot of free time.
During his brief intervals in the real world, Michael looks for a paying job that should, (theoretically) lead to a better life involving more comics, privacy, and women.
He currently lives between Pittsburgh, PA, and the Pittsburgh International Airport, in a suburb so new, it only has one McDonalds.
"But 'facts' are not always 'truths'." -Revenge of Mouflon, Act 8 Raijin Comics #11
Welcome back. If you have any thoughts, complaints, etc. about this column please post them in the "Beyond the 53rd Parallel" group under SBC Forums. I check it on a regular basis, so you'll get a quick reply…promise.
Anyway, this week I focus on a single comic series. Raijin Comics is a weekly magazine that publishes popular Japanese manga series in their original format. Each b&w issue runs $5.00 for 250 pages. 11 issues have been published, and all are available for ordering from their website: http://www.raijincomics.com/
Enough of the ad; why am I spending a week on this? Because it fucking rocks! This is one of the greatest comic ideas, packages, AND series I've ever seen. Not only does it have smart stories with fantastic art, not only does it appeal to an adult audience on a purely intellectual level, but it is a perfect example of why manga succeeds where American comics fail.
Let's get to the material. Raijin features eight serialized stories every week. They range from teen-age romance to political intrigue to kung-fu, and all of the above. For five bucks, here's what you get:
Fist of the Blue Sky - Hara Tetsuo & Buronson
'Blue Sky' is the prequel to the classic manga/anime series "Fist of the North Star". Blue Sky takes place in 1935, a time when Japan was asserting itself as an imperial power and Shanghai was ruled by gangs. Kasumi Kenshiro returns to Shanghai to avenge the deaths of his "brothers" in the Chinpan gangs. His enemies, the Kokakai, rule Shanghai with the backing of the French government. With the police and army behind them, how does Kenshiro hope to defeat the Kokakai? With the Hokuto Shinken, the assassin's fighting style. Kenshiro has learned the secret of striking a person's pressure points to cause the body to destroy itself. Think of it as the opposite of acupuncture.
On the surface, 'Blue Sky' is a great, bloody, violent, kung-fu book. Seeing Kenshiro put his finger through a man's head, pull it out, and then seeing the head explode is amazing and bizarre. The villain's reactions to their grotesque and prolonged deaths are so exaggerated, it sometimes seems funny. Comedy and violence mix frequently in other 'Raijin Comics' stories, but here the laughter comes from nervousness as much as comedy. It's a great series for fans of the 'North Star' series, crime noir stories, or any stories about a man avenging his comrades.
City Hunter - Hojo Tsukasa
Saeba Ryo is a hitman/vigilante for hire. When the law fails to find justice for people, they call on him. While Saeba often acts irresponsible and lecherous, he's also cunning and a crack shot. In the current story, Saeba is bringing down a powerful drub cartel that killed his partner. He's aided by Makimura Kaori, the younger sister of Saeba's partner. In most cases, Saeba puts himself in danger, then pulls off a brilliant plan to kill his target and escape.
The series has two major flaws. For one, it's notoriously sexist. Saeba is shown grabbing at strange women. And most of the humor comes from his hitting on women he's supposes to protect. (Not to mention his covered erections.) But since he never "scores", and said women always hit him, violently, it's played for laughs and easily forgiven. Second, the art style seems a little dated. 'City Hunter' was originally published in the 1980's. And while I'm not an expert or even a big fan of manga and anime throughout the years, 'City Hunter' does look markedly different from other stories. And while it can be more detailed, it also looks more primitive. It's hard to explain. It's like reading a George Perez comic from the early 80s. Perez's style still looks the same, but you can tell it's an older work.
Overall, it's a great series; probably my second-favorite. It should appeal to fans of "Cowboy Bebop", Tarantino movies and other violent action stories.
Bomber Girl - Niwano Makoto
Action comedy about a sexy, selfish bounty hunter who fights terrorists in future Tokyo. Lots of panty shots and guys getting torn apart. I never thought much of this story. Thankfully, it ended with issue #11. I only include here for the sake of completeness. It's being replaced by a story about a mountain climber and his two sons. That should prove much more interesting.
The First President of Japan - Tsugihara Ryuji & Hidaka Yoshiki
Subtitled "The Condition for Independence from America", this piece of speculative fiction looks at the troubles faced by the first Japanese Prime Minister elected in a popular election. While he has powers equivalent to the U.S. President, many forces conspire to keep him out of office. North Korea invades South Korea, killing hundreds of Japanese citizens in Seoul. China successfully frightens the current P.M. into withdrawing from the defense treaty with the U.S. The U.S. comes back with a new security treaty with Russia giving the U.S. access to the Russian-held islands north of Japan. Meanwhile, Japanese corporations begin moving their headquarters overseas, giving China the opportunity to bring Japan under its control. And to make matters worse, a story surfaces about the P.M.-elect's love child with a prominent fashion designer.
I love this story! I love the idea of it! Hidaka Yoshiki is a respected political analyst who has written many papers about the need for Japan to regain its political and financial independence to become a world power. This series is based on his research, incorporating facts and modern day political realities. This lends the story a sense of reality that makes you believe this could actually happen. I've learned more about Japanese politics and society from reading this series than I did in 3 years of Japanese language classes!
Not only is 'The First President of Japan' educational, it's also a dramatic character driven series. Our hero, Sakuragi Kenchiro, is young and passionate about creating a stronger Japan. Educated in America, his best friend is Jefferson Spider, chief aide to the U.S. President. Spider's daughter has recently joined Kenchiro in Japan to record the history being made. But she's beginning to suspect Kenchiro had feelings for her mother in America. Chinese chairman Wong Lon Ming is cunning, devious, and seemingly amoral. His ultimate goal is complete Chinese control of Asia; a goal that seems to be within reach. These and other characters make this an exciting, passionate story to read.
I'm left begging for the next chapter. Even though I'm buying every issue, I'd love to see this collected into graphic novels. Fans of "The West Wing" and "Mister Sterling" should love this series!
Slam Dunk - Inoue Takehiko
Sakuragi Hanamichi is a red-hearied, hot-tempered delinquent who keeps striking out with the girls. When he comes to a new school, he joins the basketball team to win the heart of one Akagi Haruko. Unfortunately, she only has eyes for Rukawa, a popular young player who's quickly becoming the team's star. Can Sakuragi hold his temper long enough to learn basketball and win the championship, as well as Haruko? Or will he keep getting his butt kicked on a daily basis?
All right, this is romantic comedy, with special emphasis on the comedy. There's a lot of slapstick humor, pratfalls, embarrassments, and puns. And that's just Sakuragi. With a half-dozen other crazy characters, 'Slam Dunk' is a funny, fast-paced story of a jerk of a guy trying to overcome his faults. Think 'Archie' with attitude. (No wait, that sounds like a bad ad copy.) Think 'Rudy' starring Biff Tannon from 'Back to the Future'. (For our non-American readers confused by those references, be thankful I didn't mention 'Gil Thorp'.)
'Baki the Grappler' - Itagaki Keisuke
Baki holds a white belt in karate. But in his first appearance at a karate tournament, he easily defeats the vicious champion. Grand Master Orochi Doppo realizes Baki fights in underground competitions, giving the young fighter incredible strength and technique. Master Poppo recruits a former pupil to train and pit against Baki, as other fighters seek to test themselves against this boy.
Looking back, I now realize how slowly this series builds. The fight itself takes up three chapters. And that was only one of two fights in 11 chapters. This slow pace helps build the tension and expands the aura of mystery surrounding some of the characters. We've yet to see anything take place in these underground fights, but we're all but promised they're filled with bloody, no-holds-barred action. 'Dragonball Z' fans should eat this up.
One a side note, this is the third story to blend violence with humor. Maybe it's something unique to Japanese culture. Maybe the artists do this to soften the intensity of the action. I like the combination. Humor can make anything more acceptable.
Revenge of Mouflon - Ono Yochiro & Ueno Jiro
Comedian SanoYohei and Nishida Masayoshi, former Chief of staff for the Self-Defense Force, rescue a plane hijacked and abandoned by terrorists. In doing so, Nishida reveals sensitive information regarding America's biological weapons program in Japan. When the plane lands, Sano and Nishda are arrested as terrorists. The truth of what happened on the plane is covered up as the government investigates what happens.
What began as a suspense thriller has become a social criticism. From the start, Yohei says he refuses to "die like a sheep". He takes control of the plan to take control of his fate. His courage inspires the other passengers to stay hopeful. After landing, we see government and military officials trying to control the situation by instilling fear in the survivors, surpassing the truth, and feeding the public lies. Again, the themes are control through fear and abuse of power. I think Yochiro and Jiro are making a statement about the powerlessness of the individual in society. I think fans of 'The Invisibles' and "The Prisoner" would be interested in this.
Guardian Angel Getten - Sakurano Minene
Shichiri Tasuke, a 14-year old boy becomes the new master of Shao Lin, the guardian spirit of the moon. He's falling in love with Getten, but her innocence and ignorance of the modern world cause him no end of headaches. Complicating matters are Luu Ann, guardian spirit of the sun and Lin's eternal nemesis, and Izumo, a sleazy priest who' trying to seduce Shao Linn. Tasuke also becomes Ann's master, who's determined to have Tasuke all for herself. In the current story, Ann conspires with Izumo to separate Tasuke and Lin. But Tasuke is proving more resourceful than anyone suspected.
This is a straight-up romantic comedy. Lin's innocence is charming and sweet. Tasuke is a nice guy who's not taking advantage of Lin, nor is he giving in to Ann's forward advances. Women might like this series more than men, but it's still a funny, charming story about a teen-ages first love and its complications. Great for "Tenchi Muyo" and anyone who's outgrown Archie comics.
For the sake of comparison, I also bought the new issue of 'Shonen Jump', a monthly series of popular manga that includes the original series for 'Dragaonball Z', 'Yu-Gi-Oh', and 'Yuyu Hakusho' among others. While it was a pretty good collection, I felt it was aimed for a younger audience. The 10-15 crowd should like it, though most of us are probably too old for it. I was disheartened that 'Shonen Jump' was available through mass market bookstores and video game stores, while I'm lucky if one comics shop carries the newest 'Raijin Comics'. Proof positive of the power of brand names.
So what did I learn from 'Raijin Comics'? What lessons could American comics take from Japanese manga? Simplify and diversify. These manga series are short. Something happens in each "episode". And while there are cliffhangers, the reader doesn't need to get every chapter in the story to understand what's going on. Summary pages help, but it's the writing style that makes manga so easy. Everything you need to know about the characters and plot are in the story itself! Information is worked in so well, you can literally pick up any chapter and know what's going on! And these mange cover such a wide range of topics, there's something for everyone. While Marvel is trying to make their superheroes more appealing to modern audiences, manga series are created based on whatever appeals to readers!
Ironically, when American comics were at their height, when comics sold in the millions in the U.S.A., this is exactly what American publishers did! Look back at the Silver Age of comics, the financial height of the industry. What do you see? Short, self-contained super-hero stories where the characters changed slowly and naturally over a long period of time. (Look through 2 consecutive volumes of 'Essential Spider-Man'. See how long it takes for Peter Parker's life to permanently change.) Titles that included westerns, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, humor and romance, adaptations of movies, cartoons, and TV shows. In short, books that were based on the interests of a mass audience and were easy to read at any time!
Of course, economic realities affected sales. Comics used to be available in almost every store in the country. But the profit margin on comics was always thin. So when larger chain supermarkets grew in the 1960s and 70s, they often dropped comics. Smaller stores were driven out of business by the large chains. Comics retreated to specialty shops where they remain. This was a mistake. Publishers are only now realizing that comics can be repackaged and resold in newer, more affordable formats, as Crossgen so clearly shows.
But in order for publishers like Marvel, DC, et al. to truly become suppliers of mainstream entertainment, they must remember the lessons of the past and follow the example of the manga companies who are outselling American comics in bookstores! Pride and patriotism be dammed! There's only one rule in business: If it makes money, do it!
Now for a rundown of the new stuff I read, and what I thought. You might have noticed I've dropped the creative credits for these books. That's because it was too much trouble to take down that info for books I hadn't bought. Besides, in these brief reviews, the writers and artists are only worth mentioning in the cases of exceptional praise or sever criticism.
Uncanny X-Men #419 - Havok comes back, Polaris calms down, Nightcrawler leaves the church, and we see a nude-NEW-side of Husk. I'll never complain about Chuck Austen's stories having too little action again. Everything pays off.
X-Treme X-Men 21 - Bishop and Sage's investigation into the deaths caused by a teleporting mutant lead to a mind-controlling monster known to both Sage and Emma Frost from their days in the Hellfire Club. I like Claremont and all, but if this is going to be another "shocking-revelation-from-the-past-we-just-made-up", I'm docking next issue one bullet. I find that to be lazy writing and unnatural characterization.
Truth #4 - Only one soldier lives to the end of this issue. I've got to say, Baker's art has been better. Just look at his 'King David' graphic novel for Vertigo. I don't know if it's the coloring techniques or the inking, but the man's done better work. Not that this book isn't good. Although this is a weak chapter, it works in the context of the story. If you aren't reading this yet, wait for the trade.
Y: The Last Man #8 - And not because the cover quotes me! YAHOO! I'm a legitimate critic! But they miss quoted the site's address. They have it as "silverbulletcomics.com". That takes you to a dead site! Craig, Simon; get on the horn to DC and tell them to fix it in the trade book! Anyway, the secret of Marrisville, OH is revealed, and Yorick's none too happy about it. Later, his sister, Hero, finds him. But will she kill him?
New X-Men #137 - The riot at Xavier's concludes with Quentin being slapped down hard. I think I've figured out what Morrison is doing with this book. It's not plot-drive like 'Uncanny' or 'X-treme'. It's character and idea driven. The stories come from the interaction of these characters who are motivated by their ideas. Unfortunately, a monthly comic book of established characters with 40+ years of history is probably the worst place to have stories like that! Truthfully, I'd have given this book , if it wasn't for Quitely's art. He makes everyone look so damn smug and superior. Plus I still don't forgive him for his role in 'The Authority'.
Ultimate War #4 - A disappointing fight with very few blows thrown that's also confusing to boot. Worst of all, it has Captain America shooting Wolverine full of holes. I don't care that 'it's an alternate Cap. I don't care that he knows about Logan's healing factor. CAPTAIN AMERICA DOES NOT USE A GUN! HE IS NOT THAT CRUEL OR SADISTIC! This isn't Cap, these aren't the Avengers, and they sure as hell ain't the X-Men!
And now a rundown of everything else I read:
Squadron Supreme #6-12, Captain America #314, Essential Howard the Duck, (Howard the Duck #8), Uncanny X-Man Annual 2001, Egomania #1, (The Illustrated History of Humor Part 1), Wolverine/Punisher: Revelation, Cartoon History of the Unvierse, Ch. 6, Ultimate Daredevil & Elektra, Shonen Jump #3, and, to be specific, "Fist of the Blue Sky" and "City Hunter" from 'Raijin Comics' #1,2,,6-10, and all of 'Raijin Comics' #11.
Hope you're good and full on comics this week, 'cause next week is comic free. That's right, I'm going to spend a whole week avoiding comics. Instead, I'm going to watch the most popular shows on TV, see the #1 movie in the country, read a best-selling book, play video games, and do other things non-readers do. I'm hoping it'll give me insight into why comics aren't catching on with more people.
