Eventually, this site will cover the pro's and con's of American Manga distributors:
Tokyopop, VIZ, Dark Horse, CMX, Netcomics, Ice Kunion, Go!Comi, etc.
DEL REY:
(Pro) Making a deal with Barnes and Noble, DEL REY re-released the first three
volumes of XXXholic, Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles, and Negima all in one volume per
series. 600+ pages of Manga being sold for $12.95 is really quite a revolutionary concept;
DEL REY deserves praise for taking such steps that may eventually lead to a complete
recategorization of the prices of Manga.
(Con) They released an Avril Lavine “manga”. That is nothing but blatant
propaganda, right up there with Coutney Love’s “manga” and spongebob squarepant’s
animanga. Based on releasing that book alone, they should be completely boycotted.
Appreciation for art should never be compromised for the sake of the almighty dollar.
(Suggestion) Don’t buy anything of theirs; just download it off from Forums or whatnot.
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Long version of pro/con taken from Wikipedia 4/12/07
Tokyopop
Pro: Releasing Mature titles (Battle Royale, Warriors of Tao, Arm of Cannon, Remote,
Yubisaki Milk Tea, etc), leaving the content relatively alone (sound effects are still in Katakana,
books are read the Japanese way), having a wonderful backcatalouge from Mixx and their
earlier years.
Con: Dressing up American comics as authentic Manga (I luv Halloween, Earthlight), Cine-
manga, having Keith Giffen adapt Battle Royale, etc.
Conclusion: Boycott Tokyopop, find all their manga through forums.
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CMX = an imprint of DC Comics = owned by Time-Warner =
BOYCOTT! the world's largest media and entertainment
conglomerate does not deserve your money, they don’t care about
you.
Pro: there is no conceivable pro for CMX’s work.
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ICEkunion
Pro: Korean company entering the American market. TONS of
extras: interviews, colored pictures, stickers (11th cat V. 1),
previews of other Manhwa, etc. Bigger book size.
Con: Some may find their size format not aesthetically pleasing
when group in with the standard size manga.
Conclusion: Support it. This company releases some of the
greatest series I’ve read, and there was no way major labels would
have taken the chance releasing them.
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NETCOMICS:
Pro: Ecomixmedia is the affiliated company (Seoul, South Korea)
of netcomics (New Jersey); the profits are flowing away from US
territory, which is a good thing. Allowing “per chapter” downloads
from their website is a revolutionary idea that, no doubt, other
companies will emulate. Certain series, such as X-Diary and the
Great Catsby, are well worth being published in America, but they’re
too fringe to get serious attention from the major publishers.
Con: Very hit-or-miss with titles. It is suggested to do research
on titles as opposed to blindly picking up and purchasing one of
their series.
Conclusion: Support it. This is Korean art, in many different
forms; represents very well.