There are lots of interesting perspectives on the Seven Seas policy change regarding creator ownership. Love Manga and Jog are among them, and Lea Hernandez has launched a new wave of discussion over at The Engine. Is it partly a public relations move by Seven Seas? Well, obviously, but I’ve always been a sucker for enlightened corporate self-interest. (And I admit it makes me more likely to look at the publisher’s product.)
Because my attention span is very frail, I keep forgetting to add Paul Gravett’s new web site to the sidebar. The recent release of Graphic Novels: Stories To Change Your Life gives me the appropriate kick in the pants. I admire the heck out of Gravett’s Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics, so Graphic Novels is definitely going on the wish list. I’ve browsed through it, and it seems to feature an excellent mix of works from all over the place.
The invasion of Pokopen hops resolutely backwards in this week’s comics, with a re-release of Sgt. Frog vol. 4 from Tokyopop. Clearly this title is so staggeringly popular that Tokyopop must reprint to meet rabid demand. Oni has the final issue (sob!) of Banana Sunday (#4), and the first issue of Local, which has gotten lots of positive pre-release buzz.