Links: Is the manga revolution over?

Tokyopop, once a trailblazer in the manga publishing field, has announced another round of layoffs. Among the casualties were Lillian Diaz-Pryzbyl, one of the company’s most talented editors, and Asako Suzuki, a relatively new hire who had played a key leadership role at CMX Manga. What the layoffs mean for Tokyopop is still unclear. Yesterday, Tokyopop founder Stu Levy posted several vague statements on Twitter hinting that the company may be branching out into gaming.

VIZ Media is trying to entice more fans to read manga on the iPad. From now until March 31st, the first volume of every series in their iTunes store is priced at $0.99. The selection is still somewhat limited, though readers will find a solid mixture of new titles (Bakuman, Natsume’s Book of Friends, Otomen) and old favorites (Dragon Ball, Rurouni Kenshin)

“Why has my favorite manga been canceled?” — it’s a question that many fans ask when a beloved series disappears from a publisher’s release calendar. This informative essay explains the economic reasons for suspending under-performing titles.

Graeme McMillan has high praise for Dave Roman’s Astronaut Academy, due out in June from First Second.

Coming in May: the first volume of Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse. Comic Book Resources sits down with Fantagraphics publisher Gary Groth to discuss the man behind the mouse comics, legendary cartoonist Floyd Gottfredson.

Last week, our own Brigid Alverson reported that BOOM! Studios would re-launch its kids’ line with a brand-new license: Peanuts. Comics Alliance just posted a sneak peek at the first title, Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown.

Reviews

Johanna Draper Carlson on nos. 3-4 of The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Comics Worth Reading)
David Welsh on vol. 5 of Chi’s Sweet Home (The Manga Curmudgeon)
Rob McMonigal on Escape From Special (Panel Patter)
Katherine Dacey on vols. 1-2 of Kamisama Kiss (The Manga Critic)
Greg McElhatton on Legion of Superheroes: The Great Darkness Saga Deluxe Edition (Read About Comics)
Greg McElhatton on vol. 5 of Rin-ne (Read About Comics)
Rob McMonigal on Thor and Loki: In the Land of Giants (Panel Patter)

Filed under: Manga, News, Uncategorized