The ICv2 list of the Ten Most Powerful People in Manga has caused some blog discussion, of course. Since the full explanation behind their choices wasn’t included in the online version of the article, and since I happen to have a copy of the print version, I thought I’d share some key information. First, bear [...]

Dirk Deppey (under the Comics Retailing section) takes apart a retailer complaining that Viz is sending exclusive merchandise to Hot Topic and Borders. From day one, the vast majority of comics shops in the Direct Market treated manga publishers the same way they’ve always treated any other publisher selling material not prominently featuring Batman and [...]

Ian Brill wonders why used bookstores won’t buy manga. This is a question I’ve wondered about as well, although from the other side. I’d like to find used manga at cheap prices, but even the biggest used bookstores I’ve been to, the ones with decent graphic novel sections, don’t carry much. Is that because there’s [...]

It looks like Publishers Weekly is taking a stab at the long-requested combined comic sales list. This week, they began publishing a comic bestseller list, the top ten titles for the month “compiled from data from bookstores and comics shops”. Unsurprisingly, it’s all manga, except for The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation at #2 and [...]

Viz has announced nine new titles debuting before the end of the year. Looks like a good variety of material. (Now why can’t Tokyopop lay out their information this clearly and directly?) In October: TRAIN_MAN: DENSHA OTOKO · MSRP: $9.99 · Rated “T” for Teens The manga companion to the quirky smash hit live-action film (theatrically released [...]

Following up on yesterday’s reactions to Tokyopop’s online exclusives, here are two more and some further thoughts of mine. Dorian goes into more detail on why retailers make decisions to carry the manga they do and how this might start a declining spiral for the company: [Tokyopop has] always been a bit of a nuisance [...]

I was going to post a pointer to the ICV2 interview with Tokyopop about why they’re now selling certain series online only, but I left to get dinner and the blogverse sprung into action without me! Christopher Butcher tosses off a quick burst of anger over Dragon Head being pulled from retail stores, promising more [...]

I’ve converted my Absolute Boyfriend review to a recommendation page with the addition of book 2. I’ve also converted my Aishiteruze Baby review to a recommendation page with the addition of book 3. Reading more in both of these series convinced me that what I liked about them would continue over the run, and that [...]

Retailers will love this… as announced at the Tokyopop Otakon panel: Tokyopop will be moving several of its manga to online exclusives, which can only be ordered from Tokyopop.com. Currently scheduled titles for this exclusivity are Atomic King Daibogan, Neck and Neck (starting with volume 6), and The One. I’d love to hear more about what [...]

David Welsh has been surveying how useful manga publisher websites are, and he sums up his investigations with advice useful to any publisher. The information he asks for — a list of books in print, individual title pages that are directly linkable — is basic and yet overlooked surprisingly often. Although he says that he’s [...]

This is just heartwarming: The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan and TOKYOPOP Join Hands to Fulfill a Young Girl’s Wish When 16-year-old Tessa Victoria Weyh, diagnosed with a brain tumor, was given the opportunity to request a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she did not have to think very long. A lifelong fan of TOKYOPOP manga, [...]

I caught up on some manga series this weekend. I’m still greatly enjoying Hikaru no Go (book 7 is the newest). I’m still intrigued by Hot Gimmick (book 11), although I don’t like feeling I have to defend it to those who see it as more political statement than teen soap opera, so maybe it’s [...]