Then this “graphic novels and similar genres like manga, a popular Japanese style of graphic novel that often involves science fiction or fantasy themes, and animé, also heavily Japanese, share a method. They tell stories within the context of cartoon drawings.”   First, manga is not a genre.  Also, anime and manga are not heavily Japanese – they are, with the exception of their translations, completely Japanese.  I’m not sure this reporter got that.  It’s like he thinks they are just influenced by Japanese art and made here in America with American writers and artists.

But I can’t get on them too much.  In the end, silly article or not, graphic novels are being embraced by these libraries and that’s a good thing for the adorable Tushar who states -

“I like fiction — not real,” Tushar says. “I like to read when I’m bored — and I’m bored a lot.”

“In ‘Sakura,’ there are these magical cards and she has to collect them,” Tushar says. “And in ‘Naruto,’ well, there is violence in there. They have to fight enemies. But sometimes they get wounded.”

They should have just let Tushar write the article.

Today I’m just going to give a quick roundup of news:

According to Bleeding Cool, Marvel is releasing Civil War on the iPhone.  I don’t know why I’m so excited for this – I hope the first issue is free.  I can see myself reading superhero comics this way.  I’m not spending the money in the store but if it’s good enough I could drop a dollar on the phone.

This article from Publisher’s Weekly about teen reading habits is interesting.  What really jumped out at me was not that teens read graphic novels because duh but that, according to the survey, the most read graphic novel genre is romance.  Now, I’m generalizing but I think it’s a fairly safe generalization that more girls read romance.  If it’s the largest genre read then that leads me to believe that lots of girls read graphic novels which again duh.  Why haven’t the publishers caught on?

And just preparing for Halloween next year, this cracked me up.

*note I meant to publish this on Monday but I guess I forgot – oops!*

Oh, Marge.  The thing is, I have never liked Playboy.  I think the whole line of Playboy being a feminist magazine is just ridiculous.  But I kind of have to admire the move to put Marge on the cover.  Because now, they are no longer faking it.  The magazine says – ‘look here’s the plastic, submissive, big breasted woman you’ve always wanted’.  Her hair is blue, her legs are lean, and she won’t ever walk out on you for being a giant jerk – it’s like a porn viewers dream right?  In fact, I think all of Playboy should become cartoons.

Plus, it made national news so I have to hand it to the genius who managed to put this tired rag back in the spotlight.

Would Marge, if she were real, actually do this?  I tend to think so, mainly because Marge is so easily suckered in or swayed when someone appeals to her vanity or gives her just a few minutes of undivided attention.  Lisa would have a fit though.

What do you think of this cover?  Oh, another reason I’m glad it’s a cartoon is because it is seriously unsanitary to sit in what looks like a cafeteria chair without underwear.  I’m just saying…

It looks ok, a lot like the Dark Tower in terms of artwork.  Pretty but it’s not blowing me away.  The color is really nice though.  I’m not really familiar with The Talisman but the preview is intriguing.

What do you think?  What Stephen King book would you like to see adapted?  I think The Stand or *shudder* It would be awesome.

My first thought, as I usually tend to do with most stuff, was ‘Oh who cares?  Just slap a little extra line down at the bottom.’  My second thought was, ‘Wait, this is really stupid. Did they really think this was necessary?”

Yes, it’s probably not a big deal to just mention that you’re reviewing from a review copy given to you for free.  Uh, did I mention that’s completely and totally redundant.  If it’s a review copy, it’s free.  If it’s a galley, it’s free.  In fact, publishers send out lots of them not just to reviewers but selection librarians, teens in schools and heads of books clubs.  They want to get their book out there and they accept that with the magical power of people talking they may end up with a hit or they may have a bad product and sink their boat before it floats.  That’s how it works.  It’s kind of like an airplane, if something starts to tip it sideways physics will force it to right itself.

This rule is completely unnecessary for several reasons:

1.  Reputation.  In the blogging world you don’t have a boss standing over your shoulder giving you a paycheck, or encouragement or a national byline despite lack of readers.   Every blogger I know know had to spend years, yes years, building up a reputation.  For bloggers who review this means years of good trusted reviews.  So before a blogger even gets on a publishers radar as someone they may want to send a book to, the blogger is already known for a track record of honesty.  If, all of a sudden, the blogger suddenly starts singing the praises of books that then turn out to be not very good and this consistently happens then readers will look elsewhere for reviews.

2. Says Who? If the publishers aren’t talking and the blogger isn’t talking then how in the world is the FTC going to police this?  Plus, just because one group of ethical bloggers follow the rules doesn’t mean there’s not a whole bunch waiting to greedily grab up the “free” copies and post glowing reviews.  In fact, the FTC admits taking it case by case:

The revised Guides specify that while decisions will be reached on a case-by-case basis, the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement.

I take this to mean that they aren’t going to require publishers send them a list of bloggers or expect someone to sit in an office and read blogs all day looking for suspicious review patterns.  So, it basically means they will sit and wait for someone to rat out the blogger, then case by case, decide to prosecute.  That’s a really great system.  I guess print reviewers aren’t held to this rule because they write for companies and there’s a hierarchy that gives the illusion of journalistic integrity.  Which brings me to my next point:

3. Corporate vs. Independent What about a blogger like me?  I blog for a newspaper and received a hat, a mug and a mouse pad.  Am I exempt from these rules since I’m not an independent blogger?  If I don’t follow them, who gets prosecuted – me or the Oklahoman?  Really, should I have told you all about the hat, mug and stunning mousepad earlier?

4. Common Courtesy. Most bloggers I know already disclose if they are reviewing off a free copy.  It’s considered good manners.  Making it a law kind of cheapens that I think.  Bloggers do it to inform their readers.  We like our readers, we don’t want to deceive them.

In conclusion I revert to my 16 year old self and say, whatever. It’s a stupid rule but not a harmful one.  People will follow or not follow it as they see fit.  It’s something most already do anyway.  What do you think?  Was it even worth a whole blog post on?

I wasn’t a really big fan of this series but it was cute and rude and pretty funny.  Sad.

My 365 Days of Manga: Or, Manga The Complete Guide Returns

Ok, trying not to panic, wondering why I made fun of all the people freaking out over the Disney news – this must be how they felt…what will happen??  eeeh.

Breathing, because logically Kodansha can’t pull all these licenses without some intention of publishing translated manga themselves or with another company right?  As people have pointed out, some titles will be omnibus issues with Dark Horse.

For a  list of titles, go here.  Be sure to read the comments because there’s more information piling in.