Seán Michael Wilson

The Book of Five Rings - our manga version

2012-02-05T22:54:00.000+09:00

Glad to announce that our manga version of another Japanese classic is finally done - THE BOOK OF FIVE RINGS. This is by the same team as Kodansha's HAGAKURE book of last year, myself, Chie Kutsuwada and translated by the esteemed William Scott Wilson. The book is a manga version of the classic text from 1645 by Musashi Miyamoto 宮本武蔵 probably the most respected martial artist in Japanese history.

THE BOOK OF FIVE RINGS will be out this autumn with our new publisher in the USA, Shambhala Publications - http://www.shambhala.com/

This is the mock cover of it, and I'm hoping they will address the unfairness of having my name larger than Chie's, on the final version.

A page that shows the kind of martial arts combat scenes in the book.

And this page shows an actual shrine in Kumamoto where Musashi lived at that time, and I live now. This is my special 'manga shrine' where I go to give thanks for successful books and make magick wishes for more.

And we have various scenes of visual beauty in the book, such as this which shows the recently renovated interior rooms of Kumamoto Castle.

Sean's new web site

2012-01-22T14:42:00.002+09:00

From Jan 2012 on I have a new web site (although there are no webs on it and its not a sight, its rather neat - but it IS new):

http://seanmichaelwilson.weebly.com

My next book is almost out, its was sent to the printer this week. Really looking forward to seeing it! Our adaptation of the classic story, SWEENEY TODD, from Classical Comics - script by yours truly, and excellent art by Irish lad Declan Shalvey. As with all the Classical comics books we have gone right back to the original text from the 1840's to make our closely authentic version. Sweeney Todd is a very well known character, but the actual original story is little known - this is your chance to find out. A sample for the book can be downloaded for free here: http://www.classicalcomics.com/previews.html

And my other recent book from Classical comics, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, has had some excellent reviews recently, here is one such:

"Classical Comics are really cranking up their output when it comes to the great works of literature. As a latecomer to their products I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality and thought that goes into their adaptations.
My introduction to the range has been Wuthering Heights and Dracula, which I am assured are fine examples of their back catalogue.
Sean M. Wilson has the task of bringing Ms Bronte’s work to life and he must know the subject well because he doesn’t fail in his duty. Every frame has been broken down for the artist and we can only assume that Mr Wilson has a love of Bronte that allows him to dissect each scene with meticulous detail, like a master film director he has taken care to retain the original spirit of the story whilst enthusing it with enough energy to ensure it is popular with a modern audience.

The artist, John M. Burns, has the unenviable role of breathing life into Wilson’s script and like the great painters of history he expertly mixes light and darkness, capturing the beauty of Cathy and the torment of Heathcliffe. A refreshing change to find an artist that can paint as opposed to those whom rely on computer wizardry. Many consider the original novel to be a masterpiece, myself included, and for me Wilson and Burns have created a masterpiece of their own. Giving an added dimension to Bronte’s classic and making it more accessible to modern readers. When great work can be presented in such a way they demonstrate that strip art is indeed an art form that deserves to be taken seriously and it is only narrow minded fools that cannot see that."

- Alan Smithee, Comic Shop Voice.

Both books are available at all books shops that have them, but not from the shops that don't have them (!), or on amazon. A free pdf sample of the book is available from my new web site, on the special Wuthering Heights page, and the SHOP! link goes to Amazon: http://seanmichaelwilson.weebly.com

Quote for today:

"A lie that sounds like a truth."

- Asakawa-san

Round up of my books and strips in 2011

2011-12-30T22:08:00.000+09:00

As 2011 jumps or sighs to a close I'm looking backwards at the books and strips of mine that have come out this year (in, out, shake it all about). And it's a lot! Way more than I've had published before in one year. It's not to say that I wrote them all this year, I think that would be near impossible - some were done last year or even the year before, but have just come out in 2011.

Here's the surprisingly long list:

- STORY OF LEE volume one, a 150 page long manga with (art: Chie Kutsuwada), from NBM Inc, USA.

- Monthly cartoon, GREEN BENCHES, in the magazine BLUE & GREEN TOMORROW, published in the UK. Art by Carl Thompson (with strip 6 guest art by Mick McMahon, original Judge Dredd artist!).

- A short manga in the magazine WHISKY MAGAZINE, for the event TOKYO WHISKY LIVE, Spring 2011. Also large 4 panel display on ground floor in Roppongi, Tokyo. Art by Akiko Shimojima.

- YAKUZA MOON, 190 page manga book, (art: Michiru Morikawa), spring 2011 from Kodansha, Japan/USA.

- One story in the collection WAR:THE HUMAN COST, Paper Tiger Comics, April 2011. Art Lee O'Connor.

- One story and Japanese language support for the Tohoku tsunami charity book, SPIRIT OF HOPE, Comic book alliance, UK. June 2011. Art by Michiru Morikawa.

- One story in ASIA LITERARY REVIEW, summer 2011 edition (The first time this prestigious magazine has featured manga/comics). Art by Michiru Morikawa.

- One story in the magazine 'CALEDONIA' of GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY, where I did my undergraduate degree, Autumn 2011. Art by Hanna Stromberg.

- A comic book adaptation of WUTHERING HEIGHTS (EMILY BRONTE), 140 pages (art by the wonderful John M Burns) August 2011 , Classical Comics

- Writing a regular column in AX (Japanese edition) every issue, from October 2011.

- One story in the Tohoku tsunami charity book, AFTER SHOCK, November 2011, Adam Passion. Art by Michiru Morikawa.

- A 20 page strip in a book report on Palestine, 'Targeting Israeli Apartheid', by UK charity Corporate Watch, Nov 2011, art by Rejena Smiley.

- Myself and Akiko Shimojima made a manga style label for a special bottle of Tomatin Scottish whisky for sale in Japan from the company Whisk-e.co.jp

- A strip in Nagoya magazine RAN, art by Carl Thompson, Dec 2011

And on top of all that there was Chinese versions of my previous books come out (A Christmas Carol, and The Canterville Ghost), and a French version of Ax as well! Please check out some of these and buy one or two - all are available in many book shops or via amazon.

Cor blimey guvnor, I need a New Year's holiday rest.

But back to delve in 2012... (yep).

Review of the film 'Avatar' by the legendary Gandry Macallan:
" My enjoyment of this otherwise excellent film was somewhat marred by the interruption of blue hippie type aliens, riding dragons and offering people flowers - during the film, no less!"

The Story of Lee - digital version!

2011-12-23T14:01:00.002+09:00

Comixology, the digital comics site for ipad, iphone, android, etc now has my own book with NBM Publishing on it - The Story of Lee. Just in time for Xmas!

You can download the digital version for only $7.99 (a decent price as the paper one costs $11.99). It's my first English language digital book, although I have one out already in Japanese. 150 pages, mature manga story, art by Chie Kutuswada. There is also a 12 page free preview there on Comixology, as a taster. Nice!

https://comics.comixology.com/#/issue/18636/The-Story-of-Lee-Vol-1

"Lee, living in Hong Kong, meets Matt, a fine young Scot. Their relationship becomes stronger by the day, despite their deep cultural differences. But there is Lee's dad to contend with who views this affair very suspiciously. And there is another contender for Lee's heart, a young Chinese man, whose jealousy takes on twinges of xenophobia. Will Lee and Matt's relationship successfully cross the cultural divide and overcome the negative odds?"

Quote for today:

- "I will pray for you.

- And I’ll think for you.”

Forbidden Planet, Hitchens and me.

2011-12-21T00:17:00.000+09:00

My fellow comic book creator, artist Mike Collins posted a good idea on facebook about our book together: " Short of a last minute Christmas present idea? The adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol by Seán Michael Wilson, me,David Roach and James Offredi is still available from Classical Comics- follow the link (lots of other fabulous adaptations there too!) http://www.classicalcomics.com/books/christmascarol.html

Also my pick of the best comics, books, films etc of 2011 went up on Forbidden Planet today, where I'm called "...that round-eyed devil, the Scottish Comics Samurai". These were picked before Christopher Hitchens died, but therefore I'm even more pleased that I included him. He said death was coming soon, but it's annoying that it did indeed. I was hoping for a few more years of insightful Hitching. An erudite and stylish man who has often made me ponder, but who came out with some points that made me doubt him and disagree.

There are two scenes featuring Hitchens in my new book, PARECOMIC, about the ideas and life of left wing activist Michael Albert - although rather critical ones, where Michael wonders out loud about the apparent change of mind of Hitchens regarding Chomsky and his views on the Iraq war. Nevertheless, I've learned a lot from Hitchens about the negative side of religion, literature and eloquent public speaking : http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2011/best-of-the-year-sean-michael-wilson/#.Tu8PtYRN89U.facebook

And lastly, something I just noticed on the Top Shelf site about me in the big San Diego convention in 2010: "Sean Michael Wilson selling a copy of AX to Maeby (Alia Shawkat) from Arrested Development." Actually, I had no idea she was a famous actress when I was telling her about our AX book (though I later was impressed to find out that she was the 'hooker' in the 'Cedar Rapids', a film I liked). I don't watch almost any US television, and have not seen most recent films (because most are crap!). So, there were many people I talked to at that con who I later found out were some big deal on TV/Movies there, but whom I had no idea about. It's easy not to get 'star struck' if you have no idea you are looking at a 'star'!

Quote for today:
"What is the height that man could reach?
We are not sure.
On average right now its five foot six."
- the legendary Gandry Macallan

Various nice new things

2011-12-09T16:31:00.001+09:00

Various nice new things lads and lassies:

Our comic book version of Wuthering Heights has just been shortlisted for an award. Which, interestingly, is based on votes in schools, as part of an effort to encourage graphic novel reading there. I am very much in favour of such school or library centred efforts. 66 Schools around the middle of England are involved. The students will discuss the books shortlisted, voting in a way that is participatory and critical. John M Burn's art on our Wuthering Heights book is, I think, probably the single best book length collection of art he has ever done. Hopefully my adaptation style helped that a bit. Nice! http://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/page_2472670.html

And this is me mouthing off about in an interview some aspects of Scottish culture and comic books in the very interesting Scottish-centred site Bella Caledonia:

http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2011/12/04/manga-scot/#more-4718

And the two charity books for the Tohoku disaster are featured in a long article this week in the Japan Times newspaper, featuring myself and many other fine folk: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20111206zg.html#.Tt1RRZD8MKQ.facebook

Quote for today:

“GREED AND COMPETITION ARE NOT THE RESULT OF IMMUTABLE HUMAN TEMPERMENT…GREED AND FEAR OF SCARCITY ARE IN FACT BEING CREATED AND AMPLIFIED …THE DIRECT CONSEQUENCE IS THAT WE HAVE TO FIGHT WITH EACH OTHER IN ORDER TO SURVIVE.”

- Bernard Lietaer, Founder of the EU Currency System

Irish interview, London and Forbidden Planet

2011-11-23T00:07:00.001+09:00

An nice radio/podcast type interview with me went up today in Ireland.

I talk about various of my books, especially AX, Yakuza Moon and The Story of Lee. I go into some detail about kind of manga that AX is, and the coming Cigarette Girl book by Masahiko Matsumoto. About the story of Yakuza Moon and The Story of Lee. And mention some critical points that critics have come up with, and my reactions! Since this is an interview in Ireland and Im Scottish from an Irish family we mention some aspects connected to that too. Also regarding the new Parecomic book with Michael Albert, and another documentary style one to come.

It's a good mix of serious discussion about comics and also relaxed joking around, even swearing (oh, shock!). But please excuse me sniffing quite a lot, my nose was blocked up that day, poor wee lad:

http://thecomiccast.com/2011/11/22/alternative-manga-an-interview-with-sean-michael-wilson/

Then, the excellent Forbidden Plane blog has a long 'directors commentary' from me, regarding the process involved in making our critically acclaimed 'Ax:alternative manga' collection, and showing various rare visuals. We also show - for the first time - the cover to the upcoming collection from gekiga great and colleague of Tatsumi, Masahiko Matsumoto. - which we are calling 'Cigarette Girl'.

http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2011/directors-commentary-the-ax-man-cometh/.

And, a second radio/podcast thing! I appeared on the very interesting show, 'Panel Borders', at Resonance FM last week in London, talking about my various books:

http://panelborders.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/panel-borders-the-danger-of-romance/
http://podcasts.resonancefm.com/archives/8003
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/id390974029

Quote for today:

"He is of that rare breed of men, who are so courageous, that they do not hesitate

from talking complete bollocks."

-the legendary Gandry Macallan

Comic books as 'accessible info' .

2011-11-21T11:45:00.001+09:00

I had a 'thinkify' about why 'comic books might be good for putting over complicated information in an accessible way' as the phrase goes, especially in comparison to either text only books or films as a way of doing that. And here is what I came up with:

1. A quite large amount of text can be shown on each page - around 150 words in either captions or speech balloons is ok. Less than in a text only book, of course, but still quite a large amount if we are considering about 'putting over information'.

2. That text can be worded at a high level of sophistication, if needed - comparable to most novels, or non fiction books (despite the largely incorrect image of comic book text often being less grammatically correct).

(a page from 'Targeting Israeli Apartheid', a long report by Corporate Watch, art Rejena Smiley)

3. The text has visuals to support the understanding of the information - indeed, the understanding is conveyed by both the words and the visuals in a complex interplay. This allows some things to be understood in a more holistic fashion, or in a way that draws on a wider range of the brain's cognitive abilities than text alone. The reader may also feel that having recognisable characters or locations or some visual motifs creates a sense of continuity that provides a firm, even comforting, basis for the processing of the ideas being conveyed.

4. The visual aspect makes the page and the whole book more appealing on a variety of levels: firstly, it feels less off putting than the idea of reading an equivalent book of only text. People are likely to think a 200 page book with images is going to be easier to read than a 200 page text only book - regardless of if it is or not - and therefore are more likely to actually read it. Secondly, the attractive quality of the visuals will carry the reader along during the actual process of reading. Therefore they are likely to read MORE of the book, rather than put it down half way through, or lose focus. And the aspect that draws on visual processing, as mentioned in 3., can make the info more appealing for those who tend towards that way of taking in info.

(from 'The Story of Lee', NBM Publishing, art by Chie Kutsuwada)

5. The comic book is a physical thing that has the advantage over a film presentation of similar material in that it goes at YOUR speed, you can turn the page when you, the reader, decide. When you are ready and have processed the information on the present page. In contrast when we watch a film it goes at its own rate, regardless of the viewer. It does not wait to make sure we have 'got' the ideas presented yet, it just walks on. And this is true even despite the ability to pause and rewind. Because the pause/rewind control needs a rather troublesome decision to break with the flow of the film's forward motion. We are often just dragged along regardless of if we have understood that part or not, with a 'What was that bit? Oh never mind...' passivity. In contrast the comic book can NOT go on without us - it needs our conscious decision to turn the next page to be able to continue. So, reading a comic book is a more active cognitive process than watching a film; and a more individual one, going at each reader's processing pace.

I guess there must be points I've missed, but in general I think we can say, oh yes - comic books ARE a great medium for putting over complicated information in an accessible way.

Targeting Israeli Apartheid book

2011-11-17T12:12:00.001+09:00

A new book that I have contributed to just came out: 'Targeting Israeli Apartheid' from activist group 'Corporate Watch'. Myself and Rejena Smiley made a 20 page comic strip addition to the 300 page book:

"Targeting Israeli Apartheid examines the Israeli economy and details the Israeli and international companies complicit in Israeli state repression. Based on original research in Palestine, the book shows how these companies can be targeted and provides the international BDS movement with the information necessary to bring the Palestinian struggle to the doorsteps of those who profit from Israeli apartheid." http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=4103

And good luck to the occupymovement protestors today in NY - keep at it lads and lassies!

Occupy Movement - comic books

2011-11-03T16:14:00.003+09:00

The recent Occupy Movements (#ows movement) or 'We are the 99%' are very pleasing to see. I am in support of these people in the USA, in my own country of the UK, and all around the world, demonstrating for change in the system we live under. It's desperately needed.

"Occupy Wall Street is leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends and encourage the use of nonviolence to maximize the safety of all participants.
This #ows movement empowers real people to create real change from the bottom up. We want to see a general assembly in every backyard, on every street corner because we don't need Wall Street and we don't need politicians to build a better society.
the only solution is WorldRevolution"

Here are some sites to check out:

http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/

wearethe99percentuk.tumblr.com

OccupyWallSt.org

By coincidence (or are these things fated?), I am already working on two comic books that directly connect to the problem that the #ows movements are highlighting. PARECOMIC is a 200 page book with Michael Albert, the left wing economist whose system of participatory economics (Parecon) is exactly the kind of alternative and better system that we might turn to in order to replace the current rotten one. Parecomic looks right back to Michael's life amongst the radicalism of the late 1960's ( the present movements appear to be the biggest expression of popular protest since then) and considers how we might build a better system in the future. This book will be published next year by Seven Stories Press in NY, a well respected social issues publisher. This is an interview between Michael and an Occupy Movement activist:" I've heard so many people say that they're done begging for concessions from the system, that it's time to challenge power relations in truly fundamental ways." http://www.zcommunications.org/a-taste-of-people-power-by-michael-strom

And a great video that looks at HOW the NY Occupy movement is organising itself: http://www.presstv.ir/Program/208834.html

Here are 3 pages art from the book. Art by Carl Thompson:

And, with fellow writer Ben Dickson, I'm also working on a 150 page history of popular protests called - going right back to the early 19thC in Britain and taking in 14 examples in history since then of ordinary people's efforts to combat the abusive powers of the status quo. Taking in the UK, USA, Ireland, Australia and South Africa. We're just showing this to some publishers now, and have got great interest.

Here's two pages from that (this story being about South Africa). Art by John Spelling:

"We are the ones we have been waiting for"
- Angela Davis, Oakland #ows movement speech

Japan and Scotland

2011-10-26T14:38:00.001+09:00

This is the (top bit) of the first of my regular articles in AX Japan magazine, issue 83, just out. At last I am in the actual Japanese magazine itself - nice! The first article is mainly about me, but from now on it will be about comic books in 'the west'. My section is called 'Sean says what?' - just a daft title we thought up., but I dig it. The AX publisher's website is: www.seirinkogeisha.com/

And just come out in the latest issue of my old University's magazine, 'Caledonian Plus' , which features a special 2 page strip in the centre pages, about my time there. I go into my feelings about the university, my favourite places and tutors and the influence they had on me, plus my first self published booklet, that i made on the photocopier in the library (and it may still be my BEST book!). They printed it well, and nice to see my wee face on the front cover too (top left, not the main girl!). Also nice!

Quote for today:

"An artist is someone who can hold two opposing viewpoints and still remain fully functional." - F. Scott Fitzgerald.

More STORY OF LEE reviews, good and bad

2011-10-23T23:47:00.000+09:00

I've seen a few more reviews of THE STORY OF LEE recently - one of them was probably the best review the book has yet got, and an other is one of the worst. It's fair enough if a person has thought deeply about a book and given a well expressed opinion which is largely negative. Those are not pleasant to see, but you can respect them. But its very much an other thing when the reviewer has just whipped something off without much thought, regurgitated unexamined assumptions, or set out to support some agenda.

One such review is interestingly full of holes (and not even whole holes, partial ones!): http://bookdragon.si.edu/2011/04/05/the-story-of-lee-vol-1-by-sean-michael-wilson-and-chie-kutsuwada/

1. They mention liking the art and then attack the story - betraying a fundamental missunderstanding of comic books/manga. In this format there is no clear distinction between the two aspects, so that they can be so clearly separated. They mention: for example the beginning scenes in which "the eponymous Lee gliding along on her bike, then the shock of a narrowly-missed collision with an elderly woman, and the embarrassed apology as she picks up her scattered belongings." That scene is 'art' but not 'story'? I think not. Firstly, that scene is in the script - it was thought out by me and described to the artist, Chie (who then did her excellent job of bringing it alive). And the same for all the rest of the art in the book - it all springs from the script, from the artists visual version of the script. It's not some separate aspect as this person seems to be saying, or are they? They don't make it clear. Secondly, the art that we see IS the story - the visuals are as much the story as the TEXT on the page is. Thats how comics work.

2. "She dreams of British punk bands"

- There are no punk bands mentioned in the book. Make an effort to find out what style the music is, at least.

3. "Cultural differences (no surprise) threaten to keep the lovebirds apart"

- Although there have been many stories already in which cultural differences cause trouble, does that mean that we can not go into such aspects anymore? My own experience or concern with such is invalid? Also does it mean that there are now no longer any 'real world' relationships that suffer from cultural differences? Its like the dodo? - vanished from the earth. No, cultural differences in interpersonal relations are still the daily experience of millions of people - its an ongoing, energetic aspect of human life that still has a lot of powerful, interesting, difficult aspects in it for our consideration, both in fictional and factual accounts.

Anyway, in SOL, the cultural differences between Matt and Lee are not over laboured or a huge focus in some overt fashion. They come out mostly in small way, expressed in normal events and conversations - like Matt's very British tendency to swear, and Lee's dislike of this. Very realistic things, that people in such cross cultural relationships do encounter. Why paint this as if its something so cliched as to no longer have any validity?

4. They also mention that SOL has a "predictable" nature. Firstly, they seem to be rather sarcastically dismissing the book with these comments. It's hard to tell as they don't bother to go into detail, to explain, justify their points - just put those words in 'willy nilly'. Despite saying at first "you can be the judge in this case." Somewhat contradictory to say 'you judge' and then to instead prejudice us with their judgement. Actually the basics aspects of SOL are rather mainstream, ordinary, well worn, I agree. That was deliberate. At the time I had been working on editing the very UN-predictable Harvey nominated book 'AX:alternative manga' - which is full of indie style, avant-garde, experimental manga. Also on the historical book 'Hagakure: the manga edition', set in 17thC Japan. These are wonderful books and I'm happy I did them, but I felt like doing something very different from them - so I chose to do a story that was, by contrast, contemporary and mainstream. Partly to see if i COULD. In an odd way, since most of my books are alternative style, do to this mainstream book was an 'alternative to the alternative'! So, yes the SOL story is - by choice - going into mainstream, conventional, well-worn territory. As the other (very positive) review noted, this is true, but not much a problem: "While the arc of the story will, I suspect, not surprise many readers, it is told with such warmth, skill and truthfulness that the reader cannot help but be carried along by it... And ending which does a superb job of leaving the reader wanting more. Seek this out!"

http://hiexcomics.blogspot.com/2011/07/story-of-lee-review.html

5. "but Lee’s worldly uncle arrives deus ex machina-style and saves her future" A quite inaccurate point, indicating a lazy reading of the book. The Uncle only solves the problem of relieving Lee of a day's shop work boredom, by taking her to the Stanley market of Hong Kong. Hardly dues ex machina territory! (Wikipedia notes this as: "is a plot device whereby a seemingly inextricable problem is suddenly and abruptly solved with the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability, or object." And it is not the Uncle that brings Lee together with her father - its the death of the grandmother. And he does not magically solve her problem of going to the UK in some contrived way. That also comes about due to the death of granny,and the reworking of the family dynamics that occurred because of that. That is a highly realistic observation - I remember clearly that when my own grandparents died that it fundamentally changed the way my parents and me related to each other.

6. Then after making comments about some aspects of the story that they did like they make perhaps the most annoying comment of the lazy piece: "But here’s where that predictability causes an eyeball to roll: of course, Matt turns out to be an Asiaphile, but Lee actually falls for lines like “Girls in this part of the world are number one … I’m constantly amazed by how good-looking they are. It’s not fair on the rest of the world! He he …”

Now, this comment is sarcastic, inaccurate, lazy and laden full of unexamined assumptions from the reviewers point of view. It's got the whole shebang! Firstly, Lee does NOT fall for his line, and its not even a line. This takes place within the context of a frank and open discussion of their part on their ideas and preferences in partners. Lee also gives her opinion, and notes that she is not keen on Chinese men. Why is that ok and not Matt's opinion? It's given in answer to a direct question put by Lee to Matt, and the key characteristic of the reply is honesty (tinged with humour - his last comment is a joke!). That is Matt's actual opinion (even though it may be incorrect or offensive, it's still his view). Perhaps him replying "Oh no, I dont like girls from this part of the world in general - it's only YOU that I like'. That lie would have been ok?

Secondly, there ARE, in my lived experience, people who prefer (for a variety of reasons) partners of certain physical or psychological characteristics. And some of these aspects flow along racial or ethnic lines. So, Matt's comment is not cliched, it's realistic - i've heard such things said many times myself, both in Japan and Hong Kong. Now, to observe such phenomena is not to condone or condemn, merely to observe, and to apply in a work of fiction. Even if we don't like it ourselves, as writer and readers it can still be interesting, something worth exploring. What a limited world of books and songs and films this would be if the only things and people we put in them were ones we already liked and agreed with. No books mentioning Hitler or domestic violence or death or illness or...

So, what is the reviewer (or perhaps more accurately here 'the knee jerk reactor') finding to roll their eyeballs about? The fact that a character said something they don't like? And then they end with "Do I really even need to add any further comments?"

Yes, you do. A lot more. And you need to put vastly more thought into reviews, raj.

Yakuza Moon: the manga edition - various art

2011-10-05T01:25:00.001+09:00

Our second book from Kodansha has been out a few months now only, please pick up a copy if you fancy it. Above is the cover artwork that we finally decided on. The real lady, Shoko Tendo, who's life this book is based on really has that beautiful tattoo on her back, and indeed all over her body. Below are a couple of roughs that Michiru Morikawa also came up with that we might have used:

Since we are often asked how do you make comics, what is the process, etc, we decided to put a four page section at the book of YAKUZA MOON to show a bit about that. Here is what Michiru said about her art process:

"In this lively and inspiring adaptation by a rising star in the manga world, and with illustrations by a leading artist, Shoko Tendo's powerful story has been recreated. Yakuza Moon is a heartrending and eye-opening account of her experiences growing up in Japan's gangster society.

Born into the family of a wealthy yakuza boss, Shoko Tendo lived her early years in luxury. But labeled "the yakuza kid," she was the victim both of bullying and discrimination from teachers and classmates at school, and of her father's drunken rages at home. Then, the family fell into debt, and Tendo fell in with the wrong crowd. By the age of fifteen she was a gang member; by the age of eighteen, a drug addict; and in her twenties, a willing participant in a series of abusive and violent relationships with men.

Tendo sank lower and lower. After the death of her parents and her own suicide attempt, she began a tortuous, soul-searching reevaluation of the road she had taken. An unconventional act of empowerment (getting tattooed from the base of her neck to the tips of her toes) finally helped her take control of her life, leading to redemption and happiness.

Already an international success and translated into fourteen languages, Tendo's story is sure to appeal to many new fans in this outstanding graphic version."

The book can be got from bookshops or via amazon (a quick link to this is on the right side panel of my blog here. Or press the post title) . Give it a go!

Comic books need a revolution!

2011-10-02T18:43:00.001+09:00

In a recent interview i did in Scotland for the Edinburgh league of comics, we got onto discussing how to revive sales of comic books in the UK. To which I made these points:

"How to do that is a complicated thing, ne? I’ve heard that the main problem might be reluctance on the part of retailers and publishers to give the necessary investment of money and space. However, if there were enough customers they would do it. You know what capitalism is like – it will sell any old crap that makes money: cigarettes, booze, pills, even comics! The hard economic fact is that comics in Scotland/UK just don’t sell as much as they used to. So companies that need to make money can’t afford to give them much time.

So, on the wider level its really an economic problem inherent in the capitalist system. In a different social system comics would flourish far more, I think. Since their artistic and entertainment value is recognised by enough people – just not enough to make much profit! – that they WOULD be given more attention if the profit aspect was not such a dominating thing.

Short of a social revolution there are only two ways for comics to thrive more in a still capitalist UK: more customers want them; or the price of making them becomes much less (because of some technological development). How do we achieve the first? By promoting comics even more, making good comics, and ones that can appeal to a wide range of people. The second one keeps threatening to happen, via digital comics, but it’s not really here yet, is it?"

http://edinburghleagueofcomics.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/from-scotland-to-japan-an-interview-with-sean-michael-wilson/

Thinking about this more I realised that there really was something to this point. The key problem besetting comics in the UK and USA, etc is not lack of ideas, lack of desire to create them, lack of respectability, or even a lack of interest amongst consumers. The key problem is dear old capitalism. Specifically, the artificial need to make a profit which 'allows' the art to exist. Since the artistic aspect is respected, enjoyed and desired by enough people then why should it not be allowed to flourish? Why should the profit aspect get in the way? It just acts to distort those artistic efforts (by the need to make stories that will sell enough) and deprive us of good comic books (those that don't sell enough and get cancelled). Why do we allow this profit system to do that to us?

If it were a different social system, comics would flourish a lot more, I think. In a system based on resources being used to create things valued by society (not a system based on the creation of profit and the maintenance of power by a wealthy few), then comics would do much better. Let's say that at a conservative guess there are around 100,000 people in the UK and about 500,000 in the USA who very much enjoy comic books and would like to read them regularly. Well, that's more than enough to justify the channeling of some resources towards creating those comic books. And with the creators free of the distorting need to produce money making comics they would be far more free to experiment, to produce more individualistic work, indeed, to simply make better comics.

- Comic books need a revolution!

'Lafcadio Hearns Ghost stories' in Japanese ラフカディオ・ハーン

2011-09-24T04:09:00.001+09:00

Yatta! - I am one of the very few gajin/foreigner manga ka to have his work available in Japanese.

やったーっ！

私は彼の作品を日本語で出版する、とても数少ない外国人漫画家の一人です。

A Japanese version of my 'Lafcadio Hearns Japanese Ghost stories' book is now out in Japanese, in two formats. A PC downloadable version called 'Kaidan Koizumi Yakumo' (怪談小泉八雲 in Japanese). It can be seen and bought here at the Papyless web site store: http://www.papy.co.jp/act/books/1-121548/

私が書いた「日本の怪談（ラフカディオ・ハーン）」は現在、日本で2つの方法で入手できます。

一つは、PCダウンロードバージョンです。

「Kaidan Koizumi Yakumo」（邦題：怪談　小泉八雲）というタイトルで、電子書店パピルスのWebサイトで購入できます。

http://www.papy.co.jp/act/books/1-121548/

ショーン・マイケル・ウィルソン is the Japanese katakana for my name.
Press the blog title to go there directly. Gambaru!

「ショーン・マイケル・ウィルソン」というのは、私の名前をカタカナにしたものです。

ブログのタイトルを入力して直接見に行ってください。頑張ります。

Also the 'Yuki-Onna' story from the book is available on Keitai (mobile phone) throughout Japan, via the NTT-Dokomo and AU systems. It can be seen on the Keitai bookshop 'Doko demo dokusyo'. どこでも読書 Which I think is this one: http://www.mobilebook.jp/mobilebook2/index.html

また、この本の中の「雪女」という話は、日本では携帯Web（ＮＴＴ DoCoMo、auに対応）から閲覧できます。ケータイ書店の「どこでも読書」のサイトをご覧ください。

http://www.mobilebook.jp/mobilebook2/index.html

The Story of Lee - another scene

2011-09-10T12:44:00.002+09:00

THE STORY OF LEE has gone to a second printing, which is nice. But in indie comic book terms that still does not add up to a huge amount of sales! - so please get a copy of the book, if you fancy it. You'll make me smile...

Lee, living in Hong Kong, meets Matt, a fine young Scot. Their relationship becomes stronger by the day, despite their deep cultural differences. But there is Lee’s Dad to contend with who views this affair very suspiciously. And there is another contender for Lee’s heart, a Chinese young man, whose jealousy takes on twinges of xenophobia. Will Lee and Matt’s relationship successfully cross the cultural divide and overcome the negative odds? Two worlds collide creating good sparks… and bad ones.

NBM publishing, 5 x 7, 160pp., B&W, $11.99,

ISBN 978-1-56163-594-8

Here is a scene from early on, when Matt and Lee are just starting to get to know each other:

"There is much here to like. Lee is quite sympathetic and her straightforward romance with Matt is sweet and believable. Readers will look forward to the next volume in this gentle series." -VOYA

"Made me feel warm and fuzzy. [The authors'] familiarity with the turf wars gives this unpretentious East-meets-West, boy-meets girl story an easy, breezy sense of verisimilitude."
-Andrew 'Capt. Comics' Smith, Scripps Howard News Service

THE STORY OF LEE can be got in most bookshops, or order online from my special amazon page. Click the button for it on the right side of the blog, or go to:

http://astore.amazon.com/seanmichaelwilson-20

And here's another interview with me being 'oshaberi' as normal! In the Japanese English language magazine AXIOM:
http://www.axiommagazine.jp/2011/09/10/comic-book-writer-sean-michael-wilson/

Parecomic - the first 4 pages

2011-09-07T18:53:00.002+09:00

These are the first four pages of a 200 page graphic novel, which we are calling:

'PARECOMIC: THE STORY OF MICHAEL ALBERT AND PARTICIPATORY ECONOMICS'

It's being published by Seven Stories Press, a social issues NY publisher who put out Michael Albert's REMEMBERING TOMORROW biography. Our graphic version, draws on Michael's own story, his political ideas and experiences to present a picture of not just one man's life as a left wing activist, but also wider ideas of anti-capitalism, socialism, anarchism, and what kind of alternative society there is open to us. Written by myself, with the close help and permission of Michael Albert. Art is by an excellent young American artist, Carl Thompson. Here is Michael himself, talking in direct and compelling way about the myth that markets/capitalism is 'natural':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PWZGyRW5rw&NR=1

Wuthering Heights - our comic book version

2011-08-27T19:39:00.001+09:00

At last our adaptation of Wuthering Heights is out! It's, as always with this series, a close to the original version in comic book form. With truly beautiful colour artwork by the legendary John M Burns. Another wee coup for me to work with him, an artist that I first read when I was about 11 years old. Nice!

http://www.classicalcomics.com/books/wutheringheights.html

A new interview with me went up in Edinburgh, hae a wee look, like, ken: http://edinburghleagueofcomics.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/from-scotland-to-japan-an-interview-with-sean-michael-wilson/

Also, I am looking to get into animation now, as a script writer. Before doing comic books i made films in London, with a couple appearing on British TV, like Channel 4. So I have experience of that side of things before. So, if any people are interested in discussing any animation writing work with me, please get in contact. Nice!

Quote for the day:

"I have a go. Don't I, lady, eh? I do. I have a go."

- Laurence Olivier as Archie Rice in the film The Entertainer

The Story of Lee, so far...

2011-08-15T12:38:00.001+09:00

Recently I started writing the second volume of THE STORY OF LEE, which I had already planned out in rough form. In fact, in true Star Wars fashion a bit of volume 2 came out BEFORE volume 1! The collection ‘Best New Manga vol 2′ a few years ago had a 25 page section from our SOL story that takes place in Edinburgh, the setting for volume 2 of SOL. So, I began to work up the full details of volume 2 recently, spurred on by some of the reviews that volume 1 has had.

Here's some snippets of the many reviews so far, and I've included some negative points to be fair:

"Within this unpretentious little shojo (romance) manga by two ex-pats at either end of the earth, lies a deeper fascinating story: the clash of East and West, the pressures that can be brought to bear on a cross-cultural relationship. The allure of the exotic that both Lee and Matt experience upon meeting each other must face the reality of some members of her family not feeling comfortable about them together. It pits Lee especially against her father who expects much of her and acts quite intransigent. While the conflict may come to some resolution at the end of this volume, the two fly off to the UK where it just might be Sean’s [sic] turn to face the music with his family… stay tuned."

http://www.playbackstl.com/previews/10139-nbm-publishing-0311--the-story-of-lee

"First impressions are often wrong. For example, if you had in your hand a new graphic novel written by a man whom you know as the editor of AX: Alternative Manga, a collection of underground and independent comics stories from Japan, what kind of story would you expect it to be? If you answer wasn't "a sweet, low-key intercultural love story set in Hong Kong, between a local young woman and a Scottish man," then I'm afraid that you are as misled by first impressions as I was. If that was your answer, I frankly suspect chicanery...I t's not a book that will set any worlds on fire, but it's cute and lovable -- and there's nothing wrong with that."

http://antickmusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/book-day-2010-336-15-story-of-lee-by.html

"Lee is young and rebellious, and early on the ideal reader is going to be rooting for her, sympathizing with her the entire way. The story is strong and well constructed, and there is just enough "real life" in there that readers will find a lot to identify with... The Story of Lee is a pretty strong outing. I am not sure about the crossover appeal, but young women should eat this one up."

http://www.cxpulp.com/content.php?1128-The-Story-of-Lee

"Their romance fell flat for me, though, because it lacked tension. Their cultural misunderstandings were also resolved too quickly to be convincing...While I am feeling indifferent to this volume of the series, I am curious to see what happens now that Lee and Matt are changing locations. How will that effect their relationship? Can it survive in a different venue, one that now puts some distance between them?"

http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=4745&cpage=1#comment-140427

And from the ever generous Johanna: "My favorite parts were Lee with some of her extended family: the grandmother who almost supernaturally understands her, and her visiting literary uncle. That seemed to be a much more promising book, while the love story I found underdeveloped and taken for granted."

http://comicsworthreading.com/2011/02/05/the-story-of-lee/

"Author Wilson and artist Kusuwada capture the contemporary Hong Kong setting effectively, and the writer displays a commendable willingness to let his artist tell their story in extended wordless sequences. In one four-page scene, for instance, we see Matt’s would-be rival Wang as he watches Lee from afar then sadly returns to his apartment, observing a happy couple along the way. The moment proves more empathetic than we at first might have expected. If it doesn’t break any more new storytelling ground, Story of Lee handles its appealing cross-cultural love story with a deft sweetness."

http://blogcritics.org/books/article/manga-review-the-story-of-lee/#ixzz1DdsCQCxM

Most of the reviews so far of volume 1 so far can be summed up as: "Quite good but the conflict was too easily resolved."

Those reviews often made the point that the conflict in personality and culture between Matt and Lee was not explored enough in volume 1. Agreed! – as this is a three part story and the full range of such things was never intended to be explored in just the first volume. Wait for the whole spread, in which we will do our best to go into those things more.

A second point in those reviews is that some of the crisis in volume 1 were too easily resolved. Not agreed! – I was very tired of all those stories, especially films, were the romantic difficulties were strung out artificially over weeks, months, year even! How cliched that all is. Especially since many of the actual problems could have been sorted out in one honest conversation lasting half an hour. So, I deliberately wrote a story in which the issues were resolved quite quickly with direct frank discussion, brought on by some precipitating event – just like they sometimes are in lived experience.

Of course its possible that in doing this I forgot some basic storytelling rules or structures. Yes, that may be the case. Or, then again, maybe the story just goes against most reader’s habitual presumptions of what will happen in conflict resolution aspects, and their reactions are based on THE STORY OF LEE not fitting into those unexamined presumptions. In which case, I’m glad – we made something a little unusual. Anyway, the first print run of the book has already sold out, so that's better than a knee in the nuts. If you want to buy the book there is an amazon link below in right side column, or go to the publishers site by the post title.

The Fellowship of the Celts

2011-08-15T11:49:00.000+09:00

My good self and another good self, Jon Mitchell - who is a fellow Celt lost in Japan, and a writer to boot. Though he doesn't use boots to write, I think he uses his fingers. Amazing! He has a special interest in Okinawa, and is working on a very interesting historical comic book about it with my other (non-Celtic, but then nobody's perfect) colleague Akiko Shimojima.

My take on the troubles in London

2011-08-10T14:28:00.000+09:00

My take on the troubles in London and other UK cities this week:

This violence is horrible and ugly, of course - but its a SIGN that things aint right. And if we ignore signs we run into big trouble. It's like toothache - a bloody horrible thing in itself, but its a signal that you need to sort out deeper problems in your teeth! Saying 'these people are scum, no excuse, etc', and doing nothing more, is just ignoring the deeper issues. And if you ignore those signals then you better get ready for horrible tooth decay! Only real change brings real improvements, no?

The troubles this week have been new in a way, because the aim is not organised political action. Since these young kids dont believe in politics, dont even know who the politicians are maybe, and dont think that political solutions can help, then of course they are not going to go and attack Downing street. Politics is irrelevant for them.

But consumer goods they understand - they are consumer junkies, so they focus on THAT. But why do they think politics is irrelevant? - its connected to socio-economic aspects. Why are they consumer junkies? - its connected to socio-economic aspects . Why do they become violent so easily? - its connected to socio-economic aspects. Why do they not respect parents, teacher, police, etc? - its connected to socio-economic aspects.

Any point that we turn to try to understand the troubles we find a need to examine the roots causes in society. If we just allow the police 'ultra-violence' freehand powers, and blame the looting individuals ONLY, without looking at the wider issues... that will make things worse in the long run. Deep consideration of root causes, followed by deep improvements - that's what will help.

AX Harvey nomination - final vote soon

2011-08-04T09:53:00.001+09:00

Our 'AX:alternative manga' collection has been nominated for Harvey this year. It's a wonderful collection of indie style, mature manga.

"Within the pages of this greatly anticipated manga anthology are some of the most imaginative, lush, grotesque, and ridiculous comics to come out of Japan... It's an incredible selection." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)"

So, if any comic book professionals feel so inclined - could I ask you to vote for it in the final selection?

Its on this section:

BEST AMERICAN EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL - AX: ALTERNATE MANGA, edited by Sean Michael Wilson and Mitsuhiro Asakawa, Top Shelf

The voting form can be had from their web site. The deadline is the 6th august (this saturday): http://www.harveyawards.org/

Oh, and I noticed from my visitors counter that some lovely people check my blog regularly, so thought I'd say hello to some: So, hi whoever you are in 'Mountain View, California' and also to you in 'Council Bluffs, Iowa.' What good taste you have!

Hagakure and Yakuza Moon reviews 2

2011-07-30T11:30:00.011+09:00

Recently our Hagakure:manga edition has received two 5 star reviews at the UK version of Amazon. One of them is by a Doctor Sahal, and is an ideal example of the kind of intelligent adult reader who doesnt like manga or comic books normally, but loves THIS book. His review is so perfectly fitted to what our aim was that its like we wrote it ourselves! (but we didn't - shojiki desu!) Very pleasing to see this:

"5.0 out of 5 stars, Obscure made Lucid, 30 May 2011

By Dr A Sahal, Sheffield, United Kingdom

Hagakure: Code of the Samurai (the Manga Edition) (Paperback)

I'm not a fan of Manga at all, mainly because I find the stories themselves are simply childish, unsophisticated and predictable. This publication doesn't suffer from these shortfalls. 'Hagakure' is a prescription, in the form of sayings and anecdotes, of how a Samurai should conduct himself, foster appropriate ideals and thoughts and generally live his life. But since it was written by Yamaoto Tsunetomo several hundred years ago in a culture very different from the Western world, some of the idea are at best arcane and at worst...well I'll let you judge that. As a consequence, Hagakure can be very difficult to understand, obscure and not much fun to read-I know, I've tried a few times. However this Manga version really makes it easier to follow. Its premise is of a young Samurai who comes to the house of Tsunemoto in order to learn about the way of the Samurai. Each idea on topics such as loyalty, revenge etc are then literally illustrated as short stories-a great way to read and understand and since the original contents of Hagakure are meaningful and at times profound, this manga doesn't suffer the shortfall with which I started this review. Its well drawn, printed on quality paper and has a nice glossy soft cover which make it a pleasure to handle.

Highly recommended, especially if you've struggled with the original version of Hagakure."

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hagakure-Samurai-Manga-Tsunetomo-Yamamoto/dp/4770031203/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312172019&sr=1-1

Yakuza Moon has also had various reviews already and seems to be selling quite well. A good lad, Jason Sacks, that I met in San Diego Con last year said some very nice things:

"While I found the core plot of the book to be very interesting, I haven't discussed the remarkable job that Sean Michael Wilson and Michiru Morikawa do in adapting this story. I was struck by the intimacy I felt for Shoko and how effectively Wilson and Morikawa brought the character to life." http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/131122182968623.htm

And this one from before was very complimentary, arigato gozai masu:

"Yakuza Moon" is a wonderful manga adaptation by Sean Michael Wilson. I personally haven't read Shoko's book but Michiru Morikawa's manga illustrations really do make you feel the emotions that she has gone through. Because we get to see Shoko's sexual past of pleasure and pain, nudity and all, plus drug use, it's the reason why this manga has received a "Mature Content" rating."
http://www.amazon.com/Yakuza-Moon-Story-Gangsters-Daughter/dp/4770031467

But a recent review of Yakuza Moon from the place originally known as Breuckelen struck me as rather odd: http://www.brooklynrail.org/2011/07/express/lasting-impressionsthree-reviews

The reviewer had thought about the book deeply, which is all you can really ask of a reviewer (but which many don't live up to). But despite this the comments they made were almost all about the original story or process of Tendo-san, who's story it is, not about the actual MANGA version they were supposed to be reviewing.

So, the review is not really about our manga. And, in doing so, it misses the point that the manga version actually helps to address some of the complaints they had about the original story being a bit shallow, and not going into Tendo's psychology enough. Because the extra aspect of the visuals allows us to SEE her and her world, giving a greater sense of the 'reality' of it, the physical aspects that the text might not convey much. Also seeing her subtle facial expressions in each part adds a level of understanding to our idea of her psychology. Or am I wrong again?

And how about mentioning the fact that we did not 'jazz' the story up by giving into the a temptation to artificaly include some stereotypical Yakuza violence and macho behaviour, or to 'over-sex' or otherwise glamourise the scenes of sex. Many adaptations of a Japanese or other East Asian stories published in English play out and play upon existing stereotypes - so how about a nod of the hat for us not doing that? Instead we made a very firm attempt to stay true to Tendo-san's actual story and experiences, presenting the violence and the drugs and the sex as she said it happened, 'straight'.

However the 'straight' approach is also not without its problems. One of which is that you get less chance to imprint your own ideas to the basic framework, there's less room for additions and deletions and interpretations (and some other stuff ending with 'tions'!) that might actually improve the story in some way. A review I saw today on animezone relates to that, in which they say: "I can’t help but wonder what the manga would have been like if the author and artist had worked a little harder and re-worked scenes so that they flowed better in manga format." I have to admit that this is partially true, and a result of the 'sticking close to the original' approach.

Though I value that approach in other ways, I am glad that I don't have to do that ALL the time. I also have my own original idea books coming out, like THE STORY OF LEE, and my childhood autobio book ONCE UPON A TIME IN MORNINGSIDE. And then, perhaps halfway between these is the approach we will take with the HISTORICAL JAPAN series of 3 books we are now planning. These are BASED on real historical events in Japanese Edo and Meiji jiddai history, but have no definitive texts which I need to stay close to. So,it means I'm drawing on many different sources of information and have a lot more freedom to tell the story in my way.

Last point, the same reviewer above says: " The art is fine, if a little stiff. Michiro Morikawa, the artist, is perfectly apt at drawing figures, but while they’re technically fine there’s nothing really eye-catching about them. The page layouts are interesting. " Well, here i must protest (to parapharse Christoper Hitchens when George Galloway accused him of not being able to take his drink), as i think Michiro did a wonderful art job on Yakuza Moon, and stiffness is nowhere in sight. The Page layouts are indeed interesting (for which as writer I can take partial credit), but so is the basic line work of Michiru. It's fluid and warm and expressive. Stiff, my arse!

Quote of the day:

"...your screens and publications are full of prescribed smiles and raised glasses. What is the joy about?"

- Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Harvard lecture in which he largely had a go at the USA,1979.

A list of titles

2011-07-30T10:48:00.000+09:00

A list of titles from my notebooks over the last year - for things I may or may not write at some point (but don't steal them, Jimmy!):

- I'm my mother's happy ending

- Moments of Intimacy

- Thoughts deep and of me

- Response to K

- Daddy's son is me

- 1001 dates

- The monster fears the light

- The passing show

- Clutching their gods

- A more perfect union

- Even the rain is on our side

- And I need to be Irish

- Watery problems and sunset solutions

- Let's see how it turns out

- The yawns, no more, but longer

- Chicken chaser

- Team Neko-Zeh!

- The purple notes

- I've woken up in the future

- Rubber crummble

And kind of Jokey ones:

-The Twats (from another planet)

- Lefty fuckers

-You're not as big a twat as I once thought you were.

- Good book: 'English for people who already know English' (and its companion volume 'Kanji for people who already know Kanji')

- A man of rare genius, and by rare I mean hardly ever.

- Everything is easier to say than to do, apart from diarrhea.

- A man known for never using violence, unless he felt like it.

- That singer Paul young cant have been ALWAYS on the road. He must have been on the pavement some of the time.

- Others say its dark because it evening.

- Red necks have been out in the sun too long.

- His main goal in life seems to be to make unreliability an art form.

- If you don't believe I love you then fuck right off!

- Just because you are a mother fucker doesn't mean you can fuck my mother.

- The kneed him the the goolies repeatedly, using a Sherman tank.

- What did the triangle say to the circle at the Beatles fan club meeting? - 'I do appreciate you being round'.

Our 5 page comic against violence

2011-07-25T19:44:00.000+09:00

Here is a five pages that I recently made with artist Carl Thompson. We made this for an anthology about, or I should say against bullying. Violence is a major problem for the UK and USA, and yet very little is done to combat it, or reduce it. We REALLY need to overcome this issue!

The anthology is being assembled now by Melaina. You can see her info here (on click post title): http://melainacomics.blogspot.com/2010/11/request-for-submissions-cartoonists.html

Our manga in Asia Literary Review

2011-07-13T12:08:00.001+09:00

A longer and updated version of the Japanese tsunami story I did with Michiru Morikawa is featured in the current issue of 'Asia Literary Review' (Number 20, Summer 2011).

This is the first time that the ALR has ever featured manga or comic books, so its a nice little coup to have our 'lowly' artform featured in yer actual literary magazine. Despite it being 25 years since Watchmen and Maus, etc increased the mainstream consideration of comic books, there is STILL a ridiculous ignorance and miss-understanding of the art form amongst many people who otherwise have 'literary or artistic interests' (the mugs!).

The issue also has many interesting articles. stories and poetry around the topic of Japan and the recent disaster, such as Masaru Tamamoto's article about the Japanese national psyche of conformity and the leadership vacuum of recent years. Excellent stuff.

http://www.asialiteraryreview. com/web/article/en/265

Quote of the day:

" What do you make of David Cameron? He seems content-free to me. Never had a job, except in PR, and it shows. People ask, 'What do you think of him?' My answer is: he doesn't make me think." - Christopher Hitchens

'The Spirit of Hope' charity book

2011-07-11T20:51:00.000+09:00

The Spirit of Hope charity book is out at last! - All proceeds of this book go to charities supporting the victims of the Japan and New Zealand earthquakes.

"Over 85 writers, artists, colourists, letterers and editors from across the globe all donated their time and work free of charge, to produce a powerful statement, all within an incredible two and a half weeks after the Japanese tsunami hit. Consequently, the stories have a raw emotiveness and impact that can only come from such immediacy. Just a few of the big name contributors include: Nick Abadzis (Laika, Hugo Tate) Mike Collins (Dr. Who), Sean Michael Wilson (AX), Alan Grant (2000AD, Batman) Al Davison (The Spiral Cage, The Minotaur's Tale) Leigh Gallagher (2000AD) Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan, The Boys) Liam Sharp (Judge Dredd, Gears of War), Peter Hogan (Tom Strong) and Chris Weston (Fantastic Four, The Twelve). Plus, there are moving contributions by manga artists who experienced the Japanese earthquake first hand including, Michiru Morikawa and Akiko Shimojima."

My contribution to the book is also from the point of view of being in Japan at the time, and drawn by Morikawa-san. A page from it is below, and also the cover by Mike Allred. Copies of the book can be ordered £14.99 + £3.00 p&p. Advance orders will hopefully include 3 small limited edition prints of the covers and an extra picture. The address is: The Comic Book Alliance, PO Box 165, Marple, Cheshire SK6 7BL.

Or online here:
http://www.comicbook.org.uk/2011/05/spirit-of-hope-order-form/

'AX: alternative manga' gets Harvey award nomination!

2011-07-06T11:10:00.000+09:00

I woke up to an excellent piece of new this morning: our AX book has been nominated for an important award!

HARVEY AWARDS

BEST AMERICAN EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL -

AX: ALTERNATE MANGA, edited by Sean Michael Wilson and Mitsuhiro Asakawa,

Top Shelf

"The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. The Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories...They are the only industry awards both nominated by and selected by the full body of comic book professionals."

So, its very pleasing for us all that AX has been selected by comic book professionals, hopefully recognising the significant step forward it is in showing the work of individual, mature, experimental style manga artists from Japan. Past winners in this category include Lone Wolf and cub, Moebius, Akira and Persepolis - good company to be in!

Any comic book professionals who feel like voting for our AX book for the final winner can do so on the Harvey website below (or click post title)

But, sorry Mum, its ONLY comic book professionals who can vote!

http://www.harveyawards.org/

Triceratops V Kabutomushi

2011-07-03T12:32:00.000+09:00

A titanic struggle I witnessed here in Japan the other day - between a prehistoric Triceratops and an only slightly less historic Kabutomushi (かぶとむし).

The foes face up to each other after the Triceratops declared in a distinctly Geordie accent 'Did ye spill wor pint?', to which the Kabutomushi answered 'De ye think yer rock, cause ye've three horns, like?' Oh god, its gonna be ugly

First in with a strike was the incensed Kabutomushi, grabbing the Triceratops with a firm lock of its huge pincers.

But, oh, a mighty flick and the tables had turned! Triceratops whips the huge Kabutomushi right up. But can he handle the weight?

God, they're both over... what a tumble!

In the end the two lads called it a draw and shook hands after it transpired that it was actually a passing Giant Moth that had knocked over the pint. Peace was restored to the prehistoric pub!

Yakuza Moon on The Comics Journal

2011-07-02T13:18:00.001+09:00

Kodansha USA have put up some nice banner ads for our YAKUZA MOON manga on the 'well read and much respected' Comics Journal website, with a link to their site, mochiron (bottom right side of the page): http://www.tcj.com/

The newly formed Kodansha USA has been making a good effort to promote 'Yakuza Moon: the manga edition' - arigato, kansha shita. for instance this very good review from J-ENT, that was later also put on amazon:

"Overall, If you want a manga that is based on a true story, with a surprisingly dark but real storyline that you just don't really hear about in Japan, I highly recommend "Yakuza Moon: The Manga Edition"."
http://www.amazon.com/Yakuza-Moon-Story-Gangsters-Daughter/dp/4770031467

I also noticed this in the Library Journal:

Tendo, Shoko (text) & Michiru Morikawa (illus.). Yakuza Moon: The True Story of a Gangster's Daughter. The Manga Edition. Kodansha. Jul. 2011. 192p. adapt. by Sean Michael Wilson. ISBN 9784770031464. pap. $15.95. MEMOIR

Here we have a manga adaptation of the compelling memoir from the daughter of a Japanese mobster boss. Tendo's original drew words like "powerful" and "blunt," if narrated in "unpracticed" prose, and sold over 100,000 copies. Readers looking for tell-alls and shoot-em-alls about yakuza gang wars will be disappointed, however, since Tendo focuses on her own coming-of-age and descent into addiction, abuse, and delinquency. To see the beautiful cover art showing Tendo's tattoos plus an inside page, check out Wilson's blog here and scroll down.

http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/newslettersnewsletterbucketbooksmack/889651-439/graphic_novels_prepub_alert_bone.html.csp

Poem for the day:

Flowing

The flow of time has destroyed me,
I have died in all my yesterdays,
I will also die today, even in the moment.
Who was it that started this poem?
And who will finish it for me…

Momus and Me

2011-06-28T12:36:00.000+09:00

An odd but interesting thing(much like myself): I found that my wikipedia listing has me placed in a group called 'Scottish expatriates in Japan' - with 13 Scots listed there. But as I checked their illustrious accomplishments (us Scots are rather smart, dont you know - gomen, misebirakasu!) I found that only two are still alive! The singer MOMUS and, of course, ME. Kowai, ne.

So, I checked his blog and mailed Momus with fraternal greetings (and concern for our high rate of extinction). He replied saying he knew my books already and had recently sent a link for an article about me to his Japanophile nephew in Edinburgh (my home town). Guzzen!

We should perhaps form a new group of just 2: 'Scottish expatriates in Japan, who can still breath.' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Scottish_expatriates_in_Japan

Quote for today:
"William is a Tory rebel!"
- the legendary Gandry Macallan.

Yakuza Moon in Japan

2011-06-23T23:47:00.001+09:00

Watashi no atarashi hon kate kudasai!

If anyone in Japan wants to check out my new book, then here are the links for it at Kinokuniya, and amazon japan.

http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/htmy/4770031467.html

http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E7%89%88-%E6%BC%AB%E7%94%BB-%E3%80%8E%E6%A5%B5%E9%81%93%E3%81%AA%E6%9C%88%E3%80%8F-Gangsters-Daughter/dp/4770031467

Todays quote:

Boswell: "Mr. Johnson, I do indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it."

Johnson: "That, Sir, I find, is what a very great many of your countrymen cannot help.

- James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson, 1992, Everyman ed, p247.

Green Benches strip 5

2011-06-11T17:05:00.000+09:00

The 5th strip of Green Benches that me and Carl Thompson make for the magazine 'Blue and Green tomorrow'. A rich big whig cheated into supporting something he doesn't like. At least he gets a hug and kiss out of it!

Vulcan

2011-06-10T23:28:00.000+09:00

I decided to put some stuff up here sometimes that was NOT about my showing off! So, for no particular reason here is the cover of a 70's comic from the UK which I remember seeing when I was a very small boy. I think the potato gun was a common free toy sono toki (at that time). The Trigan Empire was a fantastic colour strip with beautiful artwork. The Steel claw equally impressive but with dark brooding black and white art.

Quote for today: "I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men coughing out their gassed lungs. I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed. I have seen two hundred limping, exhausted men come out of line - the survivors of a regiment of one thousand that went forward forty-eight hours before. I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war."

-Franklin D. Roosevelt, anti-isolationist speech at NewYork State, 14th of August 1936 (and also put to lyrics in the song ''Suppose They Give A War And No One Comes?', by The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band', 1967).

Yakuza Moon out in the USA

2011-06-08T20:55:00.002+09:00

My book with Michiru Morikawa just came out in the USA. And already an excellent review: " Yakuza Moon is a wonderful manga adaptation by Sean Michael Wilson...I don’t think I have ever seen a story like this, in manga, anime, drama or film from Japan...I highly recommend Yakuza Moon: The Manga Edition "

- thanks again Mum! (jodan) .

原作：天藤翔子さん、脚本：ショーン・マイケル・ウィルソン、作画：森川未知留さんによる「漫画『極道な月』」（英題：Yakuza Moon: The Manga Edition）はアメリカで発売されたばかりです。

そして既にすばらしい書評をいただいております。
「Yakuza Moonはショーン・マイケル・ウィルソンによる素晴らしい漫画です。私はこれまで、日本で作られたマンガ、アニメ、演劇、映画の中で、このように素晴らしい作品を見たことがありませんでした。私はこの漫画『極道な月』（Yakuza Moon: The Manga Edition）を強くお勧めします。」 (thanks to Kaori for the excellent Japanese).

http://j-entonline.com/manga-news-reviews/yakuza-moon-the-manga-edition-by-shoko-tendo-a-j-ent-manga-review/

Here is the cover for the book plus the rough for it and for another version we also considered:

Quote for the day: "Stop Kicking That Mackerel!"
- Alice in Wonderland film, 1951

Saikin dou?

2011-05-15T13:03:00.000+09:00

I was chuffed to hear from the publisher, NBM, that my book with them has sold out of its first print run - in only a few months! so, THE STORY OF LEE, Vol 1, is going to a second printing.
Nice!

After the very sad demise of Kodansha International (KI), things have got back on track for me. The 2 books i have out with them already, HAGAKURE and YAKUZA MOON manga editions will now transfer to the newly formed 'KODANSHA USA INC' (KUI). So, in a way all that has happened is that we've gained a 'U'...

Then, last week another US publisher made an offer to publish 2 of the stalled KI projects that we were part the way through doing already. Very good news, as I wanted those great books to see the light of day. Then, as luck would have it a NY publisher sent me a contract for a documentary style comic book I am about to start making for them. Details later! And it looks like at long last my childhood autobiography book, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MORNINGSIDE, has found a home. Book contracts are like buses, ne... you wait ages for one and then 3 come along at once!

Then, busy lads and lassies that we are, we have put together a 3 book series proposal called HISTORICAL JAPAN, with some art and script sample for each. This is 3 page intro for one of them, script by myself or someone who looks like me, art by the excellent Michiru Morikawa:

Recently I've been reading: Charley's War by Pat Mills and Joe Colquhoun; Lone wolf and cub by Koike and Kojima; the anthology WAR edited by Sean Duffield that i had one story in; Embroidories by Satrapi and the Malcom X, Dalai Lama and Che comic book bios.

Graphic novels in libraries.

2011-04-11T10:46:00.000+09:00

Forbidden Planet has an interesting article by Laura Howell about graphic novels in Library's, which is an area I am also very interested in encouraging. She shows photos from some libraries, and i was pleased to see that 2 of them featured my book 'A Christmas Carol', from Classical Comics. Including this one Dixie Grammar School, Market Bosworth in the UK:

http://library-online.org.uk/2009/09/countdown-to-opening-part-7/

2 charity comic books for Tsunami victims

2011-04-02T06:53:00.000+09:00

I didn't say anything about it yet, as firstly the events were so shocking that I was not sure WHAT to say, and secondly the situation seemed like it could get a lot worse, because of the Nuclear power plants. So I held off... But now I want to mention these two charity books that connect to the terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It's two efforts to try to help out a little bit, with all money going to relief work for people in the worst affected areas in Tohoku:

* 'Spirit of Hope' is a 100 + page book put together by a group of mostly UK comic book creators and soon to be published by 'The comic book alliance'. Everyone has contributed a story for free that relates to the tsunami or earthquake. This site mentions the book and various other efforts organised by comic book creators to try to help out a little: http://www.bleedingcool.com/forums/showthread.php?38470-Fundraising-For-Japan-All-Over-The-World

* 'Aftershock' is another long manga/comic book being put together by an American artist living in Japan, Adam Pasion. It has mostly US creators involved, and in this case the stories are about Japan in general and what Japan means to each of the contributors.
http://aftershockcomic.blogspot.com/

I have contributed a story to both of them, working with Japanese artist Michiru Morikawa, who has also written her own reaction story too. My other Japanese colleague, Akiko Shimojima, will also be in both books, with a story about what it was like to be in Tokyo during the big earthquake. We also helped them get the Japanese words right for the cover and contents. Of course many of my colleagues and friends were in Tokyo at that time, like Akiko, Asakawa-san from Seirin-Kogeisha, and Barry my editor at Kodansha International. They were all strongly affected by the events, but I'm glad to say they were not physically hurt.

I will post links for buying the two charity comic books once they come out. As I say everyone has contributed for free and all money will go towards helping people in the Tohoku area affected by the shocking events. Every little bit helps, right?

new british comics issue 3

2011-04-01T12:12:00.001+09:00

I was kindly sent a copy of issue 3 of 'New British Comics', which is oddily enough a book made in Poland featuring all UK creators. But, why not. It's a mix of things, featuring quite a few of my fellow Scots, and I enjoyed most of them. Artwise my favorites being Von Trapp by WJC, and Charlie Parker strips by Lawrence Elwick & Paul O'Connell. Check it out please, available from their website (click post title) or from Bad Press Publishing.
80 pages, Softcover, B/W Interiors, 4 GBP.

Hagakure review in the seat of power

2011-03-28T20:02:00.001+09:00

An interesting academic style review of our Hagakure book, from a professor and an artist:
"The intention of this manga was to use a modern storytelling medium to help the reader connect and empathize with a people and a tradition of the past. When all is said and done...this Hagakure accomplishes its intention."

http://www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/hagakure-the-manga-edition/

4th Green Benches strip! (for Rio)

2011-03-25T00:47:00.002+09:00

4th strip from the monthly political humour cartoon we do for the magazine Blue, Green Tomorrow

http://www.blueandgreentomorrow.com/

Quote for today:

We could be sat in sun kissed fields,

And watch the buphlunks grazing,

Instead we're locked up on Ghoyogi.

Which is, like, totally amazing.

- Waldo 'D.R.' Dobbs

Stump Town comics awards

2011-03-19T10:05:00.000+09:00

If you feel like supporting our Ax book you might vote for it in this award:

http://www.stumptowncomics.com/awards_ballot

Best Anthology

* AX: A Collection of Alternative Manga, edited by Sean Michael Wilson

Thank you!

Sean

Killing Kodansha International!

2011-03-10T12:12:00.001+09:00

Its public knowledge now, so I can say my piece on it. The wider Kodansha bosses decided last week to close the division that I write for, Kodansha International, after almost 50 years of excellent publishing!

Its a move that has surprised most people. It has a bad affect on me, but not fatal. I was hoping to have a relationship with KI (kodansha International) for 20 years or more! Because they are the kind of publisher that keeps the book in print, sell bit by bit, for many years. So, its a shock for it to be over, so suddenly! But in my case the two books i have out with them already will continue to be published by the main Kodansha, so thats good. They will probably pay me some compensation money for the canceled books, and those new books we were working on might be picked up by another publisher. They are great books on well known Japanese themes, with experienced teams working on them.

But the general situation is a terrible shock for all the great staff at KI. They will all lose their jobs at the end of next month. My own editor has worked at KI for 25 years. In the post title link my 'Uncle Bill', William Scott Wilson, the translator of the original text that my Hagakure manga was based on discusses his own reaction to this closure over at another blog. He has been working for KI since the late 1970's, so has been, understandably, very taken aback.

Scots wha hae!

2011-03-04T23:20:00.004+09:00

I've had a bit of a Scottish time of things recently, which is nice.

Firstly, I was in the SCOTSMAN newspaper in a big 2 page spread, much to my surprise. Then in Tokyo I met loads of fellow Scots in the Whisky Live event. Then a few days later I took part in a chat in Glasgow about manga, via skype link up from Japan! And now my old University in Glasgow has done a piece about me for the Alumni association.

Thats GCU - Glasgow Caledonian University. They have even asked me to do a comic for them, about my time at GCU. But hey i went to Edinburgh University too, and no sign of them so far - are they too posh to run a piece about a lowly 'comic book' writer maybe!
The Rajs! And I even mentioned them already in my THE STORY OF LEE book, see below:

http://www.gcu.ac.uk/alumni/newsevents/news/bydate/2011/1/name,21501,en.html

3 Green Benches Strip

2011-02-26T11:31:00.000+09:00

The third episode in the political cartoon i am doing now for 'Blue and Green Tomorrow' magazine. In which our poor wee hero, Matt Webber, loses his valentine due to party pressure!

AX is a head trip!

2011-02-26T11:19:00.003+09:00

An insightful review of our AX book here, which says:
" In short, the book is a head trip of the best kind."

http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/137151-ax-vol.-one-a-collection-of-alternative-manga-by-sean-michael-wilson

Quote for today:

"To the great people of Egypt, your armed forces, acknowledging the legitimate rights of the people... have not and will not use force against the Egyptian people."

- Egyptian military statement, feb 2011.

If that same attitude had bee followed by the military in most revolutions of the 19th and 20th C, we would be living in a VERY different world right now. A better one, that is.

A kind of return to Scotland

2011-02-24T00:57:00.002+09:00

I will be IN Scotland tomorrow - kind of!

I will be taking part in a talk in Scotland on thursday night, 24th feb - via skype, since i'm still in Japan! - about manga and its global nature now. With Paul Gravett and Chie Kutsuwada there in person. Glasgow Film Theatre, 1pm UK time. I went there many times as a student in Glasgow, so kind of of odd but nice to be 'appearing' there now, ghost like.

http://www.glasgowfilm.org/festival/whats_on/2515_global_manga_the_worldwide_impact_of_japanese_...comics

Quote for today:

"It is vital to form a socialist govt from all the parties of the Soviet...we consider that a purely Bolshevik govt has no choice but to maintain itself by political terror. We cannot follow this course." - moderate communist, Russia, late 1917.

Pity they never took more notice of that very important point, which proved to be quite true. The choices made then in that crucial period have influenced societies all over the world and cursed socialist ever since with the stereotype "Oh, the tried communism and it didnt work."

Nope, they tried one party dictatorship, thats not communism. Dohh!

Back from a week in Tokyo

2011-02-22T14:52:00.002+09:00

Back from a week in Tokyo, and a successful week it was (with one surprising exception, that i wont gossip about!).

The manga great that i met there was none other than YOSHIHIRO TATSUMI, the originator of the mature manga GEKIGA style, way back in the mid 50's (his books have come out recently in English, from D&Q books, and he is in our AX book too). He is 76 years old now, but in pretty good health, since he recovered from his recent illness. He does not speak any English, so I had to really focus on what he was saying and practice some difficult Japanese to ask him various questions. Luckily Ryan Holmberg was there too and did an excellent job of translating the more complex stuff. Ryan wrote the bio section for my AX collection, and grew up in Japan, so his language ability is very high.

Also present was Asakawa-san, the editor of AX Japan, and Ken Shima, a researcher. We all conducted a taped conversation, discussing gekiga, manga in general, Tatsumi's influences and intentions, my own books (including Tatsumi giving me his opinion on some of the script techniques i used in my Hagakure manga). It was a very illuminating chat, which will appear in AX Japan, in April maybe. This photo is Tatsumi sketching for us - its a dark cafe as you can (not) see. I will post a better one soon, as Ken took some nice ones of us all outside.

A real honour to be with Tatsumi-sensei.

And my other business in Tokyo was good too - i did a lecture in Lakeland college about mature manga, with a lot of their students attending. We even managed to get on of the teachers onto the side of mature manga. She has previously banned her daughter from reading manga because she thought it was not 'real reading', and would hold back her development. But by the end of the lecture she said she would buy my Yakuza Moon book, and read it WITH her daughter - nice!

I also did a magazine interview for 'Eurobiz' and a radio broadcast appearance for Inter FM at the 'Whisky live' event, where our 4 big manga pages showing how whisky is made where out on display for the public in Roppongi (art by Akiko Shimojima). It was great to meet some other Scots at the event, over from Scotland to promote their brands of whisky.

Sunday I spent with Asawaka-san at his place, playing 60's rock music records, Fela Kuti, reggae and Japanese GS sounds. He gave me a copy of the FRENCH edition of our AX collection, that just came out last month. It looks great, probably even better than the English version. Then, monday (barely one hour before i had to leave the catch the plane) my new book with Kodansha International arrived at their offices - YAKUZA MOON, and it looks wonderful (art by Michiru Morikawa).

Very happy to see that!

Quote for today:

"Its easy to bring out people's emotions in movies - just film someone wringing a cat's neck."

- the legendary Gandry Macallan.

In Tokyo this week

2011-02-15T12:47:00.001+09:00

I am doing 3 talks in Tokyo this week about my books:

16th feb - Lakeland College, Shinjuku, from 7pm, talking about 'mature/literary manga', the orgins of gekiga in the 1950's, and my own books for Kodansha International as contemporary examples of mature manga (Inter FM radio will broadcast it)

19th - a talk at the big 'Whisky Live' event, about a manga explaining how whisky is made. Its four 6 feet high pages out on display. With the artist Akiko Shimojima saying her piece in Japanese. 2.30pm, Tokyo midtown

20th - lecture at Good Day Books, Ebisu, 6.30pm, about my Hagakure book, Yakuza Moon and the process of making my books.

http://www.gooddaybooks.com/contents/Booknotes

Nice!

Eagle awards voting

2011-02-05T17:02:00.002+09:00

If you feel like supporting me then the UK comic book awards are soon on, you can go to this site below to vote. Relevant categories that you might vote for me on (only if you want to of course, i wont cry if you dont) are:

Favourite Manga: AX Collection Vol 1
Favourite Editor: Sean Michael Wilson
Favourite Newcomer Writer: Sean Michael Wilson
http://www.eagleawards.co.uk/voting/

Maybe i am not really a newcomer, but the other writer group is for writers who have been around far longer than me, like Alan Moore! So perhaps its the best category still. There are about 30 categories, so just pick whatever you want for the other ones, guys and gals! It would be nice if AX won an award this year.

And on the topic of AX, it got a 'starred review' (which means a high level) from the Library Journal of the USA. That LJ is very important, because many libaries in USA, Canada, and maybe UK buy the books that it recommends

"This fantastic collection features eye-opening work by 33 representative artists. ... Ax provides... a home for the perverse and the profound. Libraries committed to sophisticated comics collections and to adventurous (mature) readers must buy this volume and those that follow." -- Library Journal (starred review)

You can read the whole thing here:

http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/889121-264/xpress_reviewsfirst_look_at_new.html.csp

And there is a nice (as in one that said good things not trashed my books like a certain US reviewer who always does!, ah hem... ok, calm, calm.) is here, from the JAPAN TIMES, feb 6th:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?mode=getarticle&file=fb20110206a2.html

The reviewer, Kris Kosaka, allowed me to show the full review she wrote here below, thank you!

Hagakure The Code of the Samurai The Manga Edition

Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Sean Michael Wilson

Chie Kutsuwada (Illustrations)

William Scott Wilson

Kodansha International, 2010

143 pages

Manga, like the approximate English version, 'the graphic novel', is often artistic. Unlike the English variant, Japanese manga also serves unmitigated raunch, vapid romance, sprawling violence, or overflowing toilet humor swelling with visual gags. In breaking out of the artistic constraints of the graphic novel, recent 'Manga editions' in English are riding into mainstream Western markets, and such a rush of creativity can only improve the expanding genre at every level.

Take Kodansha's Hagakure, The Manga Edition, as the perfect example of this cresting wave. The original Hagakure, The Way of the Samurai, was translated into English in 1979 by William Scott Wilson, and quickly became a classic for martial art enthusiasts or anyone interested in 'the Way'. William Scott Wilson adds an afterword to the manga edition, and his historical learning provides a solid frame for the abbreviated manga edition. With an established fan base, and Japanese martial arts even more widespread today, a whole new generation seems poised to discover insights of the Samurai. Kodansha offers this manga to satisfy the changing tastes and expectations of its younger audience seeking wisdom.

Yet, the book does not work, intentionally, as a simple purveyor of distilled wisdom; too many heads litter the pages, too much black blood with a splattering of sex, splashed between the lines. Sean Michael Wilson, the comic book writer who adapted the translation, kept the tenets of manga firmly in mind when choosing selections: find anecdotes that suit the visual form, and decide how best to visualize those anecdotes.

Wilson collaborated with the original translator, Wilson (their shared name is more than just a coincidence; in working together, they realized they both hail from the Gunn clan in Northern Scotland, although they share no direct relatives) to make the manga edition palatable to new audiences by adding chapter titles and a narrative stream connecting the stories. Unlike the original Hagakure, which simply divides anecdotes into numerical chapters corresponding to Yamamoto Tsunetomo's Japanese divisions, Sean Michael Wilson creates the connecting storyline of a young apprentice seeking wisdom, structured into topics to interest a young samurai and new readers, like 'Loyalty', 'Sincerity', or 'Kaishaku and Seppuku'.

The overall effect of the manga edition: less is more. Clarity and a truer sense of the samurai somehow emerge. I remember skimming any entries that did not fit my idealized, romantic notion of the Samurai with the original Hagakure, still sprawling with 300 thoughtful selections from Yamamoto's 1,300 entries. Each lesson in the manga edition resonates, with only 40 total anecdotes. Sean Michael Wilson wisely chooses a balanced, unromantic view of 'the Way' – among the popular, familiar tenets, “Be determined and advance”, he includes shocking Samurai practices to ensure a 5 year old grows up capable of killing by practicing on a puppy, or vivid stories, illuminating the harsh reality of living and dying for one's honor, rendered in unforgettable visual detail.

And visually Hagakure does induce admiration (and occasionally the urge for regurgitation) with superb line drawings by Chie Kutsuwada, a Japanese artist based in London. Stylistically, the lines and shading exude a rushed grace, but she leaves enough scattered body parts or seeping blood to starkly reveal the uncompromising code of the Samurai. Her choice of detail also evokes an ironic humor, as in the chapter on 'Revenge' when a cuckold samurai contemplates his actions by a pond, reminiscent of Basho, yet populated by a splashing pair of frogs, copulating.

Overall, Hagakure The Manga Edition provides an introduction to the evolving genre of manga in English, with its visual priorities and emphasis on storytelling, as well as a condensed taste of William Scott Wilson's classic. Hagakure The Manga Edition will surely force readers into the bookstore for more: more English manga and the more complete version of Hagakure.

Hagakure, The Manga Edition was released in Japan last September, and in America on January 3rd.

Green Benches - political cartoon

2011-01-27T21:39:00.004+09:00

Below is my first actual 'cartoon' strip type work. As I am a comic book writer, not a cartoonist, I often have to explain the difference. But in the last few months I have started writing a political/environmental themed cartoon for a magazine called 'Blue and Green Tomorrow'. Which says:

"Blue & Green Tomorrow provides the knowledge you need to stay informed on global issues without prejudice, scaremongering or Greenwash. On this site you’ll find insights into how to invest responsibly, travel sustainably, shop ethically and use cleaner sources of energy. Blue & Green Tomorrow is available online and off as a 10-issue magazine, fortnightly e-newsletter and lively website."
http://www.blueandgreentomorrow.com/

The artist is the very talented Carl Thompson, who i met in Minneapolis. Our cartoon is called 'Green Benches', being a play on the MP's benches in the British government and 'green' issues. Our hero, Matt Webber (anyone spot who he is named after?) is the fictional 'Minister for Ethical Political Affairs' in the current UK government, and finds that his own efforts to be ethical come up against various barriers in a 'Yes, Minister' type fashion.
Here are the first two strips that have appeared in the magazine already. More to come!

Quote for today:

"Any human achievement in worthless, but the achieving is worthwhile."

- Thomas Carlyle

3 talks about my comic books in Tokyo and The Scotsman interview

2011-01-27T18:47:00.004+09:00

I am doing three lectures/talks about my comic books in Tokyo in February, showing off even more!
みせびらかす!
The first one is on the 16th at 7pm at Lakeland College, Shinjuku. The second is on saturday 19th at the 'Whisky Live' event in Tokyo Midtown, and the third is the 20th at 6.30pm at Good day books in Shibuya:
http://www.gooddaybooks.com/contents/Booknotes/1296033537?language=english

Also i was interviewed in THE SCOTSMAN newspaper, and even featured on the front cover (right above a photo of the Queen!). Which was very nice - great to have the folks back home read about my books. Even my old school headmaster saw it and contacted me! But i have to apologise that they called me a "comic genius" on the front cover (it was not my words, honest!). Clearly I am not that, though some of the other Scottish creators they mentioned in the article may well be, like Grant Morrison and Eddie Campbell. Here's tae ye lads!

http://living.scotsman.com/features/Interview-Michael-Wilson--The.6688525.jp?articlepage=1

AX: jointly-placed second best comic book published in 2010

2011-01-06T21:11:00.003+09:00

Got some good things recently:

Perhaps best of all my 'AX' book was chosen by a group of US critics as the jointly-placed second best comic book published in 2010 - wow!

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/book-news/comics/article/45663-critic--s-picks-manga-in-2010.html

Then, my new book arrived today - THE STORY OF LEE one set in HK (from NBM publishing in NY). It looks great, very pleased to see it. I read through it and was impressed with the way it moves alongs smoothly, and Chie's art (jibun de uta!). I can say that because after it been more than a year since I wrote the story i have kind of forgotten it a bit. So, I can read it fresh. That's normal for most comic books that take a year or two to finish!

In response to a reviewer who quite liked the book, but thought there was not enough tension and conflict in the relationship between Matt and Lee in the book, I noted this key point:

"Its Sean, the writer of THE STORY OF LEE - thanks for the review. I think you almost got the essence of the book and yes in volume 2 we will see the REAL difficulties in the relationship between Matt and Lee come out. Which means that the too easy resolution of any issues between them in volume one was deliberate. For two reasons: firstly because they are in the first flush of romance which often does not reveal the deeper conflict to come, and secondly because i thought it was interesting for the problems between them (like her seeing him with another girl) to be worked out quickly, with direct communication, which does sometimes happen in normal human life. Rather than follow the cliched course of dragging it out over the whole book in an artificial way.

Anyway, wait until volume 2 - and then you will see plenty trouble between them! Trouble based on the practical side of living together, or cultural missundertanding, of adjustment to living in a new country and the classic human issue of mixing ideals with mundane reality. In fact, a bit of this volume 2 stuff has already come out. In confusing Star Wars fashion BEFORE the vol 1 book came out there was a 25 page scene from vol 2 featured in the collection 'Best New Manga' volume 2'."

Then, THE SCOTSMAN newspaper want to do an interview with me, a big full page one even! Im pleased that people back home in Scotland can read about my books and me.

Also, the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST will have an interview with me in their sunday 9th Jan edition. I'm talking about my STORY OF LEE book that is set in Hong Kong - the book just arrived with me yesterday, and it looks great.   I intend to arrange a launch event for it in HK soon.  Check out the SCMP piece if you can!

Seán Michael Wilson

The Book of Five Rings - our manga version

Sean's new web site

Round up of my books and strips in 2011

The Story of Lee - digital version!

Forbidden Planet, Hitchens and me.

Quote for today: "What is the height that man could reach?We are not sure. On average right now its five foot six."- the legendary Gandry Macallan

Various nice new things

Irish interview, London and Forbidden Planet

Comic books as 'accessible info' .

Targeting Israeli Apartheid book

Occupy Movement - comic books

Japan and Scotland

More STORY OF LEE reviews, good and bad

Yakuza Moon: the manga edition - various art

Comic books need a revolution!

'Lafcadio Hearns Ghost stories' in Japanese ラフカディオ・ハーン

The Story of Lee - another scene

Parecomic - the first 4 pages

Wuthering Heights - our comic book version

http://www.classicalcomics.com/books/wutheringheights.html

The Story of Lee, so far...

The Fellowship of the Celts

My take on the troubles in London

AX Harvey nomination - final vote soon

Hagakure and Yakuza Moon reviews 2

A list of titles

Our 5 page comic against violence

Our manga in Asia Literary Review

Quote of the day:

" What do you make of David Cameron? He seems content-free to me. Never had a job, except in PR, and it shows. People ask, 'What do you think of him?' My answer is: he doesn't make me think." - Christopher Hitchens

'The Spirit of Hope' charity book

'AX: alternative manga' gets Harvey award nomination!

Triceratops V Kabutomushi

Yakuza Moon on The Comics Journal

Momus and Me

Yakuza Moon in Japan

Green Benches strip 5

Vulcan

Yakuza Moon out in the USA

- thanks again Mum! (jodan) .

http://j-entonline.com/manga-news-reviews/yakuza-moon-the-manga-edition-by-shoko-tendo-a-j-ent-manga-review/

Here is the cover for the book plus the rough for it and for another version we also considered:

Quote for the day: "Stop Kicking That Mackerel!"- Alice in Wonderland film, 1951

Saikin dou?

Graphic novels in libraries.

2 charity comic books for Tsunami victims

new british comics issue 3

Hagakure review in the seat of power

4th Green Benches strip! (for Rio)

Stump Town comics awards

Killing Kodansha International!

Scots wha hae!

3 Green Benches Strip

AX is a head trip!

An insightful review of our AX book here, which says: " In short, the book is a head trip of the best kind."

A kind of return to Scotland

Back from a week in Tokyo

In Tokyo this week

20th - lecture at Good Day Books, Ebisu, 6.30pm, about my Hagakure book, Yakuza Moon and the process of making my books.

http://www.gooddaybooks.com/contents/Booknotes

Nice!

Eagle awards voting

Green Benches - political cartoon

3 talks about my comic books in Tokyo and The Scotsman interview

AX: jointly-placed second best comic book published in 2010

Quote for today:
"What is the height that man could reach?
We are not sure.
On average right now its five foot six."
- the legendary Gandry Macallan

Quote for the day: "Stop Kicking That Mackerel!"
- Alice in Wonderland film, 1951

An insightful review of our AX book here, which says:
" In short, the book is a head trip of the best kind."