As Osamu Tezuka fans across the country rush to bookstores this week to pick up the latest release of Black Jack, the East Coast will see hundreds of supporters of the godfather of Japanese comics make their way to New York City for this year’s edition of New York Comic-Con. And this year largest pop culture event on the Atlantic is gearing up to be a celebration of all things comics, but more specifically the godfather of manga Osamu Tezuka.
This week’s release of Black Jack 16 is only a taste of what to expect at this year’s NYCC. Experienced con-goers of all ages are expected to make a beeline to Vertical’s booth for advance copies of his seminal shojo (girls’ comic) work Princess Knight. Meanwhile, from the opposite side of Tezuka’s catalog, is another title with a memorable female lead, The Book of Human Insects. With three new Tezuka releases hitting the shelves within a span of two months manga readers have plenty to choose from the master’s ever expanding library.
Those looking for more contemporary content should rejoice when they find two other series debuting this weekend. Tadashi Agi’s legendary wine comic The Drops of God will premiere at the con. Wine will not… And Usamaru Furuya returns with an homage to one of Japan’s great literary voices of the twentieth century, Osamu Dazai, with his adaptation of No Longer Human.
The excitement shifts from the showroom to the panel halls on Friday night. Vertical will be hosting its annual panel in Hall 1A03 in primetime from 8:45pm. Members of the Vertical staff will reveal their Summer 2012 catalog which features a handful of new manga properties that are certain to be the highlight of the weekend.
New York Comic-Con
Jacob K. Javits Center
Booth #2652
655 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 216-2000
Thursday October 13 through Sunday October 16Panel: Friday October 14 at 8:45pm in Hall 1A03
