Comic Features

Manga 101 – Seinen Studies Part 1

Previously
in Manga 101 we learned about a few series that are great to get
started with. These series all fall into what is considered “shonen,” a
genre that is primarily targeted towards adolescent boys. Of course,
that does not keep them from kicking ass, but for those looking for
something that aims at an older demographic we have “seinen” manga.
Seinen manga tends to take a greater shift towards realism in its art
and themes in an effort to appeal to an older audience. Sometimes this
means that the violence and sexuality is more graphic, sometimes it
means that the plot and characters are genuinely more mature, but most
of the time it just means that the violence and sexuality is more
graphic. In the end, though, young or old, full frontal or just a bit of
fan service, all that really matters is whether or not it’s a good
comic. Here are a few that are:

Who Would Win – Aquaman vs. Namor the Sub-Mariner

In this
new segment of Who Would Win we judge two superpowered beings and decide
who would win in a fight. The seven seas are not big enough for both
of these Kings of the Sea, but who would win? Namor the Sub-mariner,
or Aquaman? Both have massive strength and speed, but this grand fight
between the two will actually be a rematch. Aquaman fought Namor before
in the out of canon issue Marvel Comics vs. DC #2 and won, thanks to fan-based voting, but could a rematch bring different results or will Namor crash and burn again?

Manga 101 – Best in Class

Manga is the Japanese word for comics, literally meaning “whimsical drawings”. If you have a favorite anime, chances are it was spawned from a comic of the same title. Reading them requires some adjustment, though. Since Japanese is read from right to left, you read manga the same way – from back to front. If that doesn’t make your head explode, here are some of the best places to start.

Anime Expo 2011 Recap

Another year, another Anime Expo. I’m not entirely sure if it’s because I’m getting older,
or if it’s San Diego Comic-Con casting its shadow over all other conventions,
but year after year Anime Expo seems a bit smaller. Don’t get me wrong – it’s
always a good time. The Artist Alley is still its strongest asset, and people
watching at AX is pretty much second to none, but it still just felt small. Pop culture conventions have their work cut out for them.
SDCC has made nearly all of them obsolete – but that doesn’t mean they don’t
serve a purpose. The Wizard World Tour conventions (now known as Anaheim Comic
Con, Chicago Comic Con, etc) have always been the convention that held me over
until the real deal: SDCC. It’s always been a great convention, but it’s
essentially an appetizer so you aren’t starving once the end of July comes
around.

You Missed That Issue! – Orange Vol.1

Welcome
to another addition of You Missed That Issue! where we tell you about a
particular comic that has been neglected, much to the dismay of its
creators and the people who have taken the time to read it. This hidden
masterpiece we have today can only be bought on an iPod: Orange – and I warn you now there will be spoilers!

Orange
is a long one-shot spanning over a hundred pages that can be bought on
iTunes (but only in French) or in paperback format. For those taking
the time to translate the text, the story is the most heart-wrenching
one I have ever read. The story is about a teenage girl named
Orange who is extremely depressed after her much older boyfriend dumps
her. Throughout the comic Orange complains about her problems, as if they are as tragic as a Greek tragedy. This
can get slightly repetitive but makes the reader feel pity for the young
girl who attempts to make her old boyfriend jealous.

Comic Book Theater Festival Extended

If you’ve been following our coverage of the Comic Book Theater Festival that is running in New York City right now, then you know that there are several pieces that we strongly recommended.  If you missed out on Galactic Girl, Batz, or Bubble of Solace, then you have another chance to catch these three nerd plays in July.

Comic Book Theater Festival Double Feature Review

The Brick Theater in Brooklyn New York spent all of June running a Comic Book Theater Festival, and among the super-heroic plays shown was a two-fisted double-feature of Savior and Captain Moonbeam & Lynchpin, two specimens of super-powered thespianism.

Comic Book Theater Festival: Action Philosophers – Review

New York is the center of the comic book industry, and the heart of America’s theater scene too.  It shouldn’t be surprising that an underground comic book like Action Philosophers by Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey has been adapted into an off-off-Broadway show.  It is performing this week at the Brick Theater’s Comic Book Theater Festival in Brooklyn.  Action Philosophers makes learning fun by putting a group of six famous philosophers together onstage to recount their origin stories, comic book style!  While it might sound like something for kids, this is intelligent humor for grown-ups, and even your smartypants friend who yammers about philosophy all the time just might learn something too.

Comic Book Theater Festival: Batz – Review

Remember when you were a kid, playing superheroes and acting out stories you saw in comic books or cartoons.  Well, there’s a new performance art piece called Batz, which is just like that, except by and for grown-ups.  In it a narrator reads aloud from issues of classic Batman comics from the 30’s and 40’s while a company of actors act out the adventures of Gotham City’s winged hero, never failing to point out dated language, implausible plotlines, and unintended sexual themes.

Comic Book Theater Festival – Bubble of Solace Review

For the last few weeks, the Brick Theater in Williamsburg Brooklyn has been running a Comic Book Theater Festival.  It has featured some funny and exciting shows full of nerd satire, and action-packed heroic adventure, but some of them aim a little higher in terms of theatrical drama.  One of the deeper, more touching shows is The Bubble of Solace written & Directed by Jeff Lewonczyk.