With the holidays and the new year fast approaching people, everywhere are looking back not only on 2011 but generations ago to recall fond memories of years past. Whether re-watching classic films like A Christmas Story or A Miracle on 34th Street, or getting reacquainted with holiday songs from Bing Crosby or Nat King Cole, this time of year tends to evoke a yearning for familiar feelings of family and feasts.
This winter Vertical wishes to inspire a similar experience with its readers through two distinctly unique comic classics. One is a classic in the traditional sense, while another revives a work from generations past.
With the final volume of Princess Knight, comic fans can experience a world of shojo (girls) comics long forgotten. Osamu Tezuka originally penned this classic girls adventure in the 50′s and the series immediately made an impact on the shojo market. One of Tezuka’s most beloved tales, Princess Knight emotes Disney-esque adventure that should make the perfect gift for the comics fan young and old.
While not as light and warm-hearted as Princess Knight, Usamaru Furuya’s No Longer Human is a modern-day classic overflowing with passion. Drawn with amazing detail Furuya’s adaptation of Osamu Dazai’s classic novel makes this work accessible to today’s increasingly global audience.
So as readers work on their holiday gift lists this December, we would like to recommend these two timeless treasures which are certain to be enjoyed over and over for many years to come.
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 16
Pick up a paper or flip on the TV: there is no escaping our growing obsession with celebrity. In the age of the internet, those moments in the spotlight may appear to shine less brightly, yet communities such as YouTube, FaceBook and Twitter are flourishing while they provide netizens unlimited opportunities to achieve their fifteen minutes of fame.
In Osamu Tezuka’s The Book of Human Insects, the godfather of Japanese comics forecasts this bug-eat-bug world back when radio and evening edition papers were still the driving force of media. And he accomplishes this by introducing readers to one of his more compelling female leads, Toshiko Tomura. A character who could put most modern day idols to shame, this young woman will plagiarize, blackmail, and conspire in her relentless quest for success and public adoration.
Originally published in the 1970s, this graphic novel resonates even more powerfully today, as reality shows, tabloids, and gossip blogs feed our shortened attention spans. Now available for the first time in English, and packaged beautifully by Peter Mendelsund, The Book of Human Insects is primed to make headlines. Whether inspired by Tezuka’s iconic visual imagery or shocked by the lengths to which his Toshiko will go for fame, Human Insects will have readers dropping the clicker and their mice in favor of a classic that is far more provocative.
As America brings NASA’s shuttle program to a close, the teens in Twin Spica prepare for the final stages of their education in the Tokyo Space School. The future of space travel may not rely on government funds, but in Kou Yaginuma’s critically acclaimed series, the search for the next generation of astronauts continues to rely on agencies like JAXA and NASA.
And as Asumi looks up to the skies to see the stars, her latest volume will go on sale at America’s largest collection of comic all-stars, San Diego Comic-Con. This week Vertical will return to Southern California with a full compliment of manga titles. Their event will reach its climax Friday night as two Vertical titles—Nobuaki Tadano’s 7 Billion Needles and Osamu Tezuka’s Ayako—join the comic industry’s brightest at this year’s Eisner Awards.
So if you happen to make the trek, come experience the best in Japanese comics, and stick around to do some star-watching of your own.
San Diego Comic-Con International
San Diego Convention Center
Booth E8
111 West Harbor Dr.
San Diego Ca 92121
Thursday July 21 through Sunday July 24
Summer is here, bringing with it hot sunny days and a year’s worth of blockbusters to enjoy once the sun goes down. But with a season lacking in quality entertainment on the big screen, those avoiding the sunscreen are turning to some trusted entertainment—Vertical manga.
Kicking off the summer is the latest volume of Osamu Tezuka’s sci-fi infused medical drama Black Jack. Manga’s first surgeon general of manga returns to shelves with fourteen more tales on the human condition. With surgeon-like skill, Tezuka cuts through layers of physical and emotional trauma to help raise our spirits one patient at a time.
On sale this week is the sixth volume of Chi’s Sweet Home. Vertical’s furry bundle of sunshine briefly leaves home in this latest edition to experience new summery adventures of her own. Along the way Chi is introduced to a new world full of mystery and rules only understood by felines.
So whether relaxing by the beach or enjoying long weekends at home, this summer keeping a Vertical comic by your side is certain to make you look and feel cool, even when temperatures soar.
After somehow landing on what was an extended stay on the 60-day DL, manga’s must-clutch medic returns to the majors this month as Black Jack Volume 13 hits shelves. A perennial all-star Black Jack will be reporting to Spring Training early with 14 new chapters added to his already-deep stat sheet.
In this latest edition, BJ takes his superstar status to new heights. Operating on animators, ball players, surgeons, starlets, and even beings from the far reaches of the galaxy, BJ’s skills are always in demand by the biggest names in entertainment and pop culture. And given his almost god-like batting average, curing the sick at a clip way over .500, we are more than certain this is only the beginning for Black Jack this season.
With Thanksgiving still relatively fresh in people’s minds, the many elves at Vertical have plenty to be thankful for this holiday season. Topping our list are our many readers across the globe. We would like to thank each and every one of you for the continuous support for our top-notch Japanese content. And one other thing we are all oh-so-grateful for is knowing that we do not have families like the one that stars in our latest Osamu Tezuka tome, Ayako.
Spanning parts of four decades, from the U.S. occupation of Japan to the Cold War, our 700-page version of Ayako presents a chilling look at a family in crisis. Crumbling under the weight of national change a once powerful rural landowning clan spirals to its doom as it goes through an identity crisis for the ages. Overflowing with historical scenes of Japan’s turbulent 50′s and 60′s, Tezuka renders revolting Communists, oppressive Americans, and the occasional opportunistic Japanese with an even hand eventually revealing how no one was truly innocent in this new post-war Japan.
Now a few generations removed from the world of Ayako and families continue to fall prey to war and politics. But this year, with Tezuka’s latest printed gift we can all be thankful for masterful entertainment destined to inspire conversation and bring families together again this holiday season.
Before Apollo’s Song first hit American bookshelves in 2007 few would have thought Tezuka’s twisted tale of love gone wrong would become a best-seller. But much like Tezuka’s Buddha before it, once it finally was experienced it was immediately received with praise from the highest sources of print media.
Now after a number of reprints, Apollo’s Song is born again in a brand new two-volume edition. Now featuring new cover designs from our in-house Production Manager Hiroko Mizuno, this new handsome version comes in a smaller, more portable trim, and is priced perfectly for these tight economic times. So whether you are completely new to Shogo’s tragic love story or have only heard rumors of what Salon.com called “a marvelously screwed-up paean,” Apollo’s Song should rekindle comics readers’ romance with Osamu Tezuka.
While the health-care debate is still fresh in our minds here in the United States, controversy over the business of our well-being is always brewing. Osamu Tezuka was no stranger to the topic, as Cian O’Luanaigh of The Guardian (U.K.) explained in his recent article “Osamu Tezuka: Father of manga and scourge of the medical establishment.” As O’Luanaigh details, Tezuka masterfully used Black Jack’s fantastic escapades to examine the ills plaguing Japan’s health-care industry.
In the newest volume of Black Jack, our rogue surgeon goes further beyond what the medical establishment deems acceptable, as he operates on spirits, challenges psychic surgeons, and treats an adorable, and familiar, white lion. Whether you’re a first-time patient or a loyal patron of the doctor, you won’t be disappointed when you check in with Black Jack. Make a reservation and pick up volume 12 today.
While Black Jack’s reputation as the most skilled doctor around is only matched by the infamy that his often-exorbitant fees have earned him, Volume 11 of Black Jack takes a more holistic approach to the man. As the doctor encounters men and women of all ages and professions, not to mention dogs, clams, and even a kappa, he takes everything from preexisting conditions to his own sense of morality into account when deciding on both treatment and fees.
The doctor himself also receives care this time around, delving into his past and exploring his future in episodes that include one that may be a “goodbye” to Black Jack! Who knows how much health coverage this comprehensive would cost you, but at $16.95, there should be no debate on how you’ll cover your manga needs—pick up Black Jack, Volume 11, available now!
