The Eastern Edge

Maybe something will change!

Rocket Bomber provides hope with the most recent rankings, and was kind enough to put a little spotlight on Urasawa titles. Be sure to check out Matt Blind's always insightful commentary because Rocket Bomber ain't just stats.

It looks like Urasawa stuff is more likely to make a slow climb than to rocket to the top of the charts.
This is what it looks like:

current rankings (as of last Sunday)
20th Century Boys vol 1: #66, up 16 ranks.
Pluto vol 1: #87, up 18 ranks.

Thanks for that, Matt!

Let's hope that trend continues because, as a comment on the last post points out, Monster didn't exactly set the world on fire in terms of sales. I'm hoping it's just that there's a delayed reaction. I hope comic fans will look past the "manga" label see how awesome Urasawa, then go pick up Monster, too.

Speaking of Japanese awesomeness, Vagabond is another title that isn't doing well and is being completely wasted in English. Same goes for Real I think it's because the people who would probably like them never get to see them. They are segregated into a "manga" subcategory and probably unfairly getting stuck with the stigma attached to Japanese comics - i.e. that they are for kids and girls and are all drawn the same way with similar stories.

One look at any recent volume of Vagabond would shatter any stereotype that Japanese comcis are all drawn the same way. Takehiko Inoue's style has evolved by leaps and bound since he started Vagabond about 10 years ago, and he has done some particularly jaw-dropping art lately. Combine that with the fact that he is a brilliant storyteller and you have a true comics rarity - the total package!

If you love comics, give Vagabond a shot. I would also urge anyone who does pick it up to give it a few volumes before deciding whether you like it or not. I liked when I first picked it up (not having any idea who Inoue was, or knowing much about Slamdunk), but it's a slow starter for some. But whether you like it right away for not, it still gets progressively better as it goes and then really takes off during the Kojiro origin arch beginning in issue 14.

Vagabond is pure genius and no one can even touch what Inoue is doing with his artwork lately.
Inoue is a true visionary.

Check out Vagabond & Real!