The Eastern Edge - Latest comments on So, are "manga" comic books or not!?

Jennifer [Visitor] in response to: So, are "manga" comic books or not!?

Jennifer [Visitor] — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:54:51 +0000

"...You're right that it's akward, but the way the Eisner categorizes is probably the best compromise right now. You have foreign comcis, and foreign comcis - Japan. If you don't separate manga then they will dominate and other deserving title won't have a prayer..."

Good point, that 3-way split is a great compromise these days.

"...But I will check out the African comics link.
Thanks!"

You're welcome! :)

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0268/is_8_45/ai_n24962155/ is about another exhibition on the diversity of African comics.

gottsuiiyan [Member] in response to: So, are "manga" comic books or not!?

gottsuiiyan [Member] — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:31:07 +0000

Jennifer,

You're right that it's akward, but the way the Eisner categorizes is probably the best compromise right now. You have foreign comcis, and foreign comcis - Japan. If you don't separate manga then they will dominate and other deserving title won't have a prayer.

From that standpoint, you're right! Manga isn't an underdog, it's a Superstar! :)

But I will check out the African comics link.
Thanks!

Jennifer [Visitor] in response to: So, are "manga" comic books or not!?

Jennifer [Visitor] — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:08:53 +0000

"...Actuallyu, I think some people only care about those distinctions because 'manga' is stuck in the underdog/minority mentality. Hopefully in a few years translated manga and overseas fans will feel comfortable enough in their own skin to relax and this whole argument will become old news."

Underdog my ass. ;) Over here in the U.S., there are way more comics available from Japan than from, say, Ivory Coast.

Speaking of Ivory Coast, check out http://www.picha.nl/ for more info on African comics. Sadly, the FAQ's not available in English (yet!).

Jennifer [Visitor] in response to: So, are "manga" comic books or not!?

Jennifer [Visitor] — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:09:53 +0000

"...What's wrong with separate lists for manga? In fact, how many 'best of' lists anywhere mix foreign and domestic products anyway?..."

Easy: where do you put the stuff from Belgium and South Korea?

Having one list for "comics," including manga translated into English, makes sense.

Having separate lists for "domestic comics" and "imported comics" make sense too.

Having a separate list each for "domestic comics," "manga," "manhwa," "bande dessinée," etc. is consistent too but can get pretty awkward (did we even get enough translations from German or Hebrew in 2009 to fill up a Top 10 list for translations from either language?).

Having separate lists for "comics" and "manga" is pretty much having one list for the domestic comics and the comics imported from everywhere but Japan and having another list for the comics imported from Japan is both inconsistent and awkward.

"I think that if someone wants to use manga as a term to describe comics specifically from Japan the same way they use bande dessinée for comics from France, then I think that's fine..."

When I say "bande dessinée" I mean comics originally in French and when I say "comics" I mean comics including both the ones originally in French and the ones not. ;)

gottsuiiyan [Member] in response to: So, are "manga" comic books or not!?

gottsuiiyan [Member] — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:32:05 +0000

Thanks for the comment.

Actually, I'm talking about a bunch of lists, not specifically the Onion - but more than that I am taking issue with certain reactions I've seen.

I just don't get why I see a lot of talk about how distinct manga are from other comics, but yet I'm also seeing a lot of noise decrying recognition in comics best of lists.
It just seems completely contradictory to me.

Personally, I agree with you that comics is comics is comics. And, using the term manga to refer to Japanese comics is fine - but the term goes further than that I find it silly, which is why I avoid using it.

Actuallyu, I think some people only care about those distinctions because "manga" is stuck in the underdog/minority mentality. Hopefully in a few years translated manga and overseas fans will feel comfortable enough in their own skin to relax and this whole argument will become old news.

William George [Visitor] in response to: So, are "manga" comic books or not!?

William George [Visitor] — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:49:15 +0000

I think that if someone wants to use manga as a term to describe comics specifically from Japan the same way they use bande dessinée for comics from France, then I think that's fine.

And if someone's going to do a "Best Of.." list and want to keep foreign comics seperate, I say that's fine as aell.

But when it comes down to brass tacks, comics is comics is comics. So if your list is a generalized everything list, then there's no real excuse for not including some manga or bande dessinée, or fumette, etc.

I think you're talking about the Onion list, right? If I recall, they claimed they didn't include manga because they're weren't familiar with a lot of it. To me, that's a perfectly acceptable reason. These lists are all personal anyway.

But if people are still throwing a fit over it, please image my sigh and rolling eyes.