Shojo Beat... Scott Pilgrim Style!

[hikarichan78]

I just have to post this because it looks way too cool (thanks comics212)! I read the first Scott Pilgrim GN when it originally came out, what, a few years back or so?  While I liked it, it didn't strike me as something I'd want to continue reading since it felt like it was trying way too hard to be unconventional. Looking at this cover, though,

Comments

[hikarichan78]

That theory might fly if SB hadn't approached O'Malley first... :p

http://destroyerzooey.livejournal.com/165193.html

Viz has always been more interested in expanding its fan base; why they weren't really concerned about their lack of presence at AX last year for example. They already know the AX fans will shell out for their product. That's why their presence at Comic-Con '07 was huge; they want to reach out to potential new customers and expand their market. (You hear all kinds of interesting things being an AX staffer.)

And of course amongst your friends you're going to see the traditional comics/manga crossover, since that's your thing! We tend to associate with like-minded people after all... :p I've been perusing the comics blogs for a while, and it's pretty much a well known fact that the "traditional" comics crowd doesn't buy manga and vice versa. Manga usually doesn't sell in the traditional comic stores; it sells in malls and bookstores. Even my local comics shop doesn't carry much of any manga, and that's not for lack of trying (though he really needs to unclutter his shop - ai ya!). He used to rent anime tapes before anime hit it big here in the US, and used to carry a lot of manga, even in floppy form. But his regs just don't buy it, so he only carries a few Dark Horse titles and whatever I myself or my buddy Jason request him to order for us these days.

But anyway, that Epileptic book looks awesome! Thanks for the link. :) And yeah, your two cents is worth more than mine these days... what happened?! Darn you Dubya! :p

[hikarichan78]

Thanks for letting me know! I (obviously) didn't know there was such a difference between Canadian and American comics buyers; so are most comic shops up in Canada like Christopher Butcher's The Beguiling then? If so, I'm envious... comic shops down here are overwhelmingly dominated by the superhero genre. There's another comic shop I frequent that has a good amount of trades including a decent anime and manga selection, but the emphasis is still on the floppy.

It's hard to find indy comics in my area, aside from the shop I just mentioned. I usually have to order things like Epileptic from Amazon.com. That's not to say American equivalents to Beguiling don't exist; there's one I like to visit up in Berkeley that carries absolutely everything. But then again, it IS Berkeley... probably one of the few communities that could support a comic shop like that. Did I ever mention I love Berkeley? :p

[hikarichan78]

You're right; we do have some indy comics in your random Borders/Barnes and Noble outlet. But my issue is the selection. It's a pittance compared to the breadth of material out there (as I found out when visiting an all-encompassing comic store - can I say again how much I like Berkeley?)

Anyway, tell me more about this Transformers Armada #1 of yours (publisher, date, etc.); I'll ask around for you! It's nice to know you still love the things... some habits never die right? ^_^