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Posted in: Comics | Tagged: eisners
Countdown To The Eisners – Best U.S. Edition of International Material-Asia
By Cameron Hatheway
So this is a shorter article compared to the previous ones, simply because I only had two publishers send me review copies. I'm sure the other three nominees are superb (I've heard time and again how marvelous 20th Century Boys is, believe me), but I'm only able to review what I have, and that's that. And although I only received copies of Barbara and Thermae Romae, both oozed with fantastic art and compelling story and were definitely worthy of being nominated. I'm never going to be hip and up to date with the manga scene, but I'll never turn down recommendations from the readers who are true geeks on the subject. Today I'll be focusing on the Best U.S. Edition of International Material-Asia category. If you need a reminder of what's been nominated, you can find the entire list right here, and see what I chose last time right here.
Keep in mind I cannot vote for who wins (nor can you, probably), as per the rules. However, that's not keeping me from being vocal regardless!
Who is not eligible to vote?
- Comics press or reviewers (unless they are nominees)
- Non-creative publisher staff members (PR, marketing, assistants, etc.)
- Fans
Before I get back to cutting and pasting issues of Usagi Yojimbo and formatting it from right to left so I can be eligible for next year, let the games begin!
Best U.S. Edition of International Material-Asia
Barbara, by Osamu Tezuka (Digital Manga)
When famous author Yosuke Mikura stumbles upon a beautiful drunk woman at the subway station, he's immediately impressed by her knowledge of French poems and decides to look after her. Little does he realize that this Barbara is going to change his life in more ways than one. Originally written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka (one of the biggest names in manga and anime) in the early 1970s, Barbara is quite the extraordinary adventure.
A Chinese Life, by Li Kunwu and P. Ôtié (Self Made Hero)
Review copy unavailable.
Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (VIZ Media)
Review copy unavailable.
Nonnonba, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)
Review copy unavailable.
Thermae Romae, by Mari Yamazaki (Yen Press/Hachette)
Roman engineer Lucius Modestus lives and breathes bath houses and thermaes, but when his designs are deemed out of date, he needs a fresh and new idea. Accidentally discovering an underwater portal to the future, Lucius takes note of the fascinating advances in baths in the 21st century, and applies his newfound knowledge to his own designs back in ancient Rome.
Who I think should win:
Thermae Romae, by Mari Yamazaki (Yen Press/Hachette)
A captivating look at both ancient Rome and the history of baths and bathing, Mari Yamazaki takes us on such an incredible journey with a time traveling engineer as our guide. It's humorous to see Lucius go back and forth in time and copy the designs for bath houses in Japan, and revolutionize the field back in Rome. It was incredibly enjoyable, and also very educational at the same time.
One of my favorite ongoing jokes is whenever Lucius sees how these 'slaves' have created something so simple, that it dramatically deflates his huge Roman ego.
Who I think could win:
Barbara, by Osamu Tezuka (Digital Manga)
Dealing with the themes of magic, mythology, voodoo and sadism, Osamu Tezuka's Barbara is incredibly different than anything else he's ever done. The main character's past is shrouded in mystery, and yet Yosuke Mikura cannot accomplish any work without her presence. Turns out he wasn't the only one she's affected this way, and slowly Mikura is driven mad after losing her in a fray.
Tezuka's art is absolutely top-notch, and thanks to the Kickstarter project, a new generation can appreciate his 1970s story of a drunken, pretty muse.
Who I think should have been nominated:
The Push Man and Other Stories, by Yoshihiro Tatsumi (Drawn & Quarterly)
The grandfather of Japanese alternative comics brings us some of his most gritty, twisted, shocking material to date. Recommended for the maturist of readers.
Who do you think should win / been nominated?
Cameron Hatheway is the host of Cammy's Comic Corner and Arts & Entertainment Editor of the Sonoma State STAR. You can share a bath with him on Twitter @CamComicCorner.
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