Prejudice comes in all shapes and sizes, and surprisingly, mine is for the literary world. It's probably a natural thing for a reader to be drawn away from certain books or topics--simply because they think they know what they like already. Some people are Western-aholics, while others prefer to escape into fantasy or science fiction. I usually applaud myself on a wide variety of books tastes: scifi, fantasy, an occassional realistic or historical fiction, young adult or adult reading, some literary work....but I guess I failed to notice how I was giving certain bookshelves the cold shoulder.
Walk into Borders or Walden or Barnes & Nobles--whatever your favorite bookstore happens to be. Start thinking about where you head first. I personally head to a certain bookshelf or the computers to search for something that I want. Always the same pattern. I'm usually in the YA section looking at fantasy and scifi, or I head over to the TV section to get another book on filmmaking. Rarely do I stray out of these areas.
But definitely, I didn't want to be caught near certain sections...like Manga and comic books for instance. Comics are dorky, and I'm not going to be held by that label, I told myself.
Last summer, I did the impossible. I bought comic books at a flea market. GASP! I knew it was dorky, so I bought them and kept them out of sight. I read them over the weekend, and got hooked. They were really quick reads, and even entertaining once you look past the comic bookiness of it all.
So yeah, after that I began buying the used comics at fleamarkets, but after the summer and fall fleamarkets were no longer accessable, I dared not enter a comic book store. To do so would be declaring the unthinkable.
Near my University is a comic store, creepily located under a store that carries any number of sensual things for the bored couple. But, I knew my friend/roomate wouldn't want to tread on such dorky terrain. I felt really weird when I bought comics in front of her.
But another friend mentioned the store and one day we both went there and she introduced me to the world of Manga. And let me tell you, this was not something I was expecting to like.
So now, I've discovered I like both comics and Manga, and even if there is some dorkyness to it all, it's okay. I shall just proclaim my dorkyness to one and all...and continue reading the newest Manga in my collection, Moon Phase #4.
I guess you could say the moral of the story is to try new things, even if you're afraid to. You'd be surprised at what you discover you like.
"Manga is like crack!"--wise saying from...I don't know who said it originally, but these little books are addicting all the same!
They're not as juvenile as they used to be, are they? I don't know if you like animation at all, but there is a great series called "serial experiments: lain" that you might like. It's available on Netflix. It's a super creepy series about a Japanese schoolgirl (go figure) whose classmate commits suicide in order to get her soul into the internet. She talks to Lain through the computer, and Lain develops a second life in the web. It's a pretty great story, full of intrigue and without a bunch of monsters.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Sounds interesting, really. Is that a comic/manga or a show?
I read a manga called "Line" where a girl finds a cell phone and is given locations to where people will commit suicide. She ends up on this crazy mission to save these people before they die. Pretty deep at times, really.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
"Line" sounds interesting. I might check it out! I have some time off before summer session starts.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Come on dude, be an American, jk, sorta.
Here is what you need to read:
Alan Moore's "Watchmen"
Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns"
take those two and call me in the morning!
Read and learn. http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/simmons
Thanks for the comment!
Actually, I've been thinking of reading [American] Graphic novels but didn't know what to read. I've heard that "The Dark Knight Returns" is one of the big names out there. Maybe I'll get it used or something...
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Animations or drawings do not mean that a book or show is childish. Actually, most of the Manga and Anime, as well as a number of comic book titles (Spawn, The Darkness, Witchblade, for example) are about as far from childish as you can possibly get (as far as the anime goes, you have to get away from the Americanized garbage, though), and often have deeper, more involved plots than even some of the best novels you can find.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
Yeah, I bet you're right. I haven't much experience with this genre/publication type so I shouldn't be making generalizations.
Are there any good plot-oriented stories you can recommend? Something a little more interesting than the average fair. I'm not sure I'd be a Spawn person, but who knows?
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Spawn is actually a good one. Not only is the art fantastic, but beneath the anti-hero basis, is a story about lost love and redemption. Like I mentioned before, Dark Horse and Top Cow publications generally have really good titles, most of which are geared more toward older audiences.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
Manga are great! I'm totally addicted! Add into that that I'm also an anime junkie and I write fanfiction like you wouldn't believe, and you've got yourself the regular Otaku on your hands.
*laughs*
I totally suggest, if you like cuteness and angst and such, Peach Girl. It's high school drama wrapped up in a manga that's ceaselessly entertaining. And Fruits Basket, I've heard, is really good...thoough personally, I'd suggest Black Cat and Death Note.
Okay, shutting up now before I get onto the track of endless rambling. ^_^
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
Wow, I'm so surprised you mentioned Death Note cuz my friend let me borrow the first one over the weekend! Very good story.
I'm not sure if I'm into totally cutesty manga. I mean, Moon Phase is kinda cutesy, but adds in a little bit of action. I've heard of Fruits Basket but haven't tried it out yet.
Thanks for the recommendations! Now if only Manga could get cheaper...
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
I loved Death Note so much! :-)
read my blogs!
ProU
Not ProU
Some mistakes can't be undone/ it'll never be like it was/ and wishing for it only makes it worse
Rocky Votolato
my friend intorduced me to ROD , friuts basket, and this other one whose name i can not recall. at frist i made fun of him, but once you get into it , it is addicting..lol i bet everyone has read them before.. there was this one weird one about a boy who goes around hitting people over the head with a hockey stick, but ti turned out to be the imagination of a girllli think it was called merimoe of something like that..it was trippy
The past is the past, you can not change it. So don't dwell in your mistakes, Pick up the pieces, and instead learn from your downfall.
my friend intorduced me to ROD , friuts basket, and this other one whose name i can not recall. at frist i made fun of him, but once you get into it , it is addicting..lol i bet everyone has read them before.. there was this one weird one about a boy who goes around hitting people over the head with a hockey stick, but ti turned out to be the imagination of a girllli think it was called merimoe of something like that..it was trippy
The past is the past, you can not change it. So don't dwell in your mistakes, Pick up the pieces, and instead learn from your downfall.
Someone's already suggested Death Note, so I'll recommend Elfen Lied. It is super good and the anime is awesome as well.
Cowboy Bebop is also an amazing anime that has manga based off of it. I haven't read any of it though, so I'm not sure if it's any good. But if you like Joss Whedon's Firefly series, you will love Cowboy Bebop. :-)
read my blogs!
ProU
Not ProU
Some mistakes can't be undone/ it'll never be like it was/ and wishing for it only makes it worse
Rocky Votolato
I have always liked comics but they are few and far. I might check some out.
Sadly, I haven't been able to do your book challenge. :(There is always something i have to do. Nice blog and I like your moral:)
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!
Don't feel bad. I can't complete my book challenge either! Manga are the only things I can easily read in between other things and still finish in one day.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Here in Japan Manga is CRAZY!!! You can find a manga on pretty much any subject you are interested in... including creepy stuff like all sorts of porn and deep, dark plots and such.
Manga is often all kids read in this country, which annoys me as an English teacher. Literally, many kids have never read a real book. Instead, they just read the manga stuff, so the thought of reading something without pictures is completely daunting to them and often out of the question.
Bookstores are busy places in this country - at least in the manga and magazine sections. People will literally stand there and read most or all of one book.
I think manga can be interesting, but it is not doing anything to help the literacy rates of this country!
Well I went from reading real books to the occassional Manga, so you won't have to worry about me completely crossing over to the dark side! I will always enjoy a good novel--that's something no Manga can accomplish storywise in my opinion.
I bet these kids would be more interested in a novel about their Manga characters. After that they could graduate to other novels.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
hmmm that's an interesting idea. I bet it would actually work on some of these kids. Now I just need to convince someone to write some of those books.
I'm glad we won't lose ya to the dark side!
The idea of those books reminds me of fanfiction.
*laughs*
You won't lose me to the dark side, either! I only read manga when I have no time for anything else...and when it's Shakespeare...I have trouble with plays, and Manga Shakespeare is the greatest! I now understand Hamlet! *grins*
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
It is kind of like fanfiction, isn't it? But if it were written by a "real" author and published, it would be a real book.
Manga Shakespeare and Hamlet, huh? Now that's worth looking for. It'd be interesting to see Shakespeare translated into cutesy cartoons with spiky hair.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Ah, Manga Shakespeare...Hamlet was word for word what Shakespeare wrote, but all the art was totally sci-fi...best part...it WORKED! Woo! My Mythology teacher (former English teacher) thought it was one of the greatest things ever. ^-^ Now I need to find Romeo and Juliet, so I can finally learn to appreciate it...
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
It really exists? I need to find this! All English teachers need to find this!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I found it at the local public library! Hooray for libraries!
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
I was just IMing a friend and she said Death Note has a novel. No pictures! So apparently my idea isn't as fresh as I thought, but it's still a good sign. I think.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
I think I heard about that one...my friend was telling me about it. It's supposed to take place after the series or something, if I remember correctly...which I probably don't. I dunno, I've never seen it in any bookstore myself...
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
I'd rather have Mangas than that chat speak.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
I agree. The chatspeak is annoying. I saw people spelling "hot" as "hott" in creative writing class, as well as a few other little chat speak words that were thrown in. The fine line between real writing and IMing is really becoming a fine line to some people.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Yeah we all could stand to open our minds a little. I heard about the book, "The Kite Runner" but seriously didnt want to read it cause I thought it was just a stupid book about kites. But this year in English, it was required reading, and well, being the obedient student i am, i read it of course. (I'm not THAT close minded). It is probably the best book ive ever read! Sometimes being forced to do something isn't that bad...
Yeah we all could stand to open our minds a little. I heard about the book, "The Kite Runner" but seriously didnt want to read it cause I thought it was just a stupid book about kites. But this year in English, it was required reading, and well, being the obedient student i am, i read it of course. (I'm not THAT close minded). It is probably the best book ive ever read! Sometimes being forced to do something isn't that bad...
I, personally, have taken a little more to Anime than Manga, mainly because Anime is easier for me to get. However, both them and comic books are awesome and nowhere near what a lot of people think.
I'll start with Anime. My favorite is Full Metal Alchemist. If you like a mix of sci-fi and fantasy, you'd love it. The setting is a world where alchemy (basically, magic) developed instead of science (there is some science, just like many believe there is some magic in this world).
I've also gotten into Bleach and was into Naruto at one point. These are more or less your basic action stories. Bleach revolves a lot around death and the idea of a spirit world. Naruto, from what I remember (it's been a while), is about a group of teenagers in a sort of martial arts school (it goes beyond that, but I don't remember it anymore).
I'm pretty sure these all can be found in Manga form as well, though if you can find the original Japanese versions of the Animes with English subtitles (the American dubbed versions are so butchered it's sad), go for it.
For Mangas, Chobits is one I liked. It's a little on the cutesy side as far as the art goes, but it's a pretty decent comedy-type sci-fi storyline. I don't remember the others I've read, unfortunately, since it's been a few years.
As far as the comic books go, check out the titles under Dark Horse and Top Cow, as well as just about anything by Todd McFarlane (creator of Spawn), for ones with more "mature" and darker themes than the older super hero stuff. Most of them follow the classic action type storyline, but generally have an anti-hero ("bad guy" as a hero), as well as some other subplots.
I have to go for now, but these should get you started.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
You watch the same anime I do!
ANd Naruto...it's ninja madness. Epic ninja madness, with subplots following each of the characters around. There's love, betrayal, friendhip and family, broken hearts, crushed dreams...life and death in a never-ending cycle, mixed with the right amount of comedy and the perfect touch of drama!
Now, that's probably me being overdramatic and all, but...I do love Naruto. Funny thing is...I'm a pirate at heart. xD One Piece is awesome and funny, and focuses on reaching your dreams and the bonds of friendship, and all...but the dub was butchered. 4kids nearly killed it, but when Funimation got a hold of it...*wipes away a tear* Rest in peace, my beloved One Piece...rest in peace...
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
The only book I have been able to read is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It seems I barely have time to pick up any other book. Yes I liked your meaning behind it. Try something new. Kind of like never judge a book by its cover.
It's nice to see that you've started reading comic books. They are slowly becoming accepted as both an art form and as literature. Sometimes, a story can only work when drawn out like a comic book. There are several action manga that wouldn't translate well into a novel and there are tons of American comics that wouldn't translate well into normal writing because of the complexity of the story, Neil Gaiman's "The Sandman" series is an example.
Oh yes, I agree!
Though I think they did a splendid job transposing the Watchmen graphic novel to the screen, even if they couldn't put as much depth and literary allusion in there as the novel had.