Release Date: October 11, Fall 2006
MANGAKA AMERICA
A
uthor: SteelRiver Studio LLCFormat:
Trade PBISBN:
0061137693ISBN13:
9780061137693
Trim:
8 ½ x 11
Pages:
Illustrations:
Release Date:
Drop Ship Month:
October
Price: $24.95 / $32.50 Can.
Territory: W
SYNOPSIS
Manga, or Japanese comics, have become a part of our culture, with more and more artists growing up learning to draw in the manga style. “Mangaka” is a term for someone who creates manga. The artists in MANGAKA AMERICA represent the newest dynamic talents in the field and are professionally creating it for an American audience, something that was unheard of 20 years ago.
MANGAKA AMERICA showcases a selection of these US-based mangaka, highlighting each artist’s unique contibution to the genre. Manga fans are often anxious to learn new skills and techniques, and this book also provides mini-tutorials in which each artist provides instruction on character design, layouts, digital inking, and coloring.
The following artists will be featured in MANGAKA AMERICA:
Svetlana Chmakova (DRAMACON, Tokyo Pop)
Lindsay Cibos and Jared Hodges (PEACH FUZZ, Tokyo Pop)
Tania del Rio (SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS, Archie Comics)
Amy Kim Ganter (SORCERS AND SECRETARIES, Tokyo Pop)
M. Alice LeGrow (BIZENGHAST, Tokyo Pop)
Christy Lijewski (RE:PLAY, Tokyo Pop)
Jesse Philips
Rivkah (STEADY BEAT, Tokyo Pop)
Tavisha and Ricky Simmons (REALITY CHECK, Tokyo Pop)
Felipe Smith (MBQ, Tokyo Pop)
AUTHOR PROFILE
SteelRiver Studio, founded in 1999, specializes in comics, graphic novels, illustration, and design. Past projects include comic titles such as REALM DENIZEN, REDCAP JR, and LORE. SteelRiver Studio is comprised of Will Staehle and Tania del Rio.
Will is Design Manager at HarperCollins Publishers and has created book covers for many authors ranging from Michael Crichton and Michael Chabon to Janet Evanovich. His work has been showcased in various Print Annuals and he has recently been named one of Print Magazine’s top 20 designers under 30.
Tania is the writer and artist on SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, published by Archie Comics. In 2003, Tania gave Sabrina a manga make-over which has been such a hit with fans that she is now writing manga stories for JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS. Tania is also working on a number of other projects, including LOVESKETCH, based on her award-winning entry in the Rising Stars of Manga competition. Tania is also a contributing artist in MANGAKA AMERICA.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS:
Svetlania Chmakova, Ontario, Canada
Svetlana, born and raised in Russia, is now living in Canada where she works as a freelance artist. Her talents include animation, toy design, design, illustration and, of course, comics. She is the writer and artist of the critically acclaimed DRAMACON. Her other manga projects include how-to-draw books, webcomics, and a monthly manga story in CosmoGirl Magazine. Website: http://www.svetlania.com
Lindsay Cibos & Jared Hodges, Florida
Jared & Lindsay have work together creating illustration, character designs, comics and more. More recently their all-ages, manga-graphic novel, PEACH FUZZ, was such a success that it will be soon be serialized in newspapers across America! Website: http://www.jaredandlindsay.com
Amy Kim Ganter, California
In addition to her extensive illustration and character design work, Amy has created a long-standing webcomic with a strong fan base, REMAN MYTHOLOGY, and has had her work printed in the comic anthology, FLIGHT. Currently, she is the writer and artist on the graphic novel manga series, SORCERERS AND SECRETARIES. Website: http://www.felaxx.com
M. Alice LeGrow, Connecticut
M. Alice was raised in Germany before moving to the United States. When she isn’t attending anime conventions dressed in elaborate, beautiful (and sometimes eerie) cosplay outfits, M.Alice works on her manga series BIZENGHAST, about a young girl on the brink of insanity. She is a former winner of the Rising Stars of Manga contest, and has been featured in Newtype USA for her costume designs.
Website: http://www.bizenghast.com
Christy Lijewski, Maryland
Christy, a former winner of Rising Stars of Manga contest, is the writer and artist on the popular, ongoing comic series, NEXT EXIT. She is currently working on a manga graphic novel series for TOKYOPOP Inc. called “Re:Play” about a punk band that gets involved in mysterious circumstances.
Website: http://nyanko-chan.deviantart.com/
Jesse Phillips, New Mexico
Jesse is a long time fan of manga and has developed a gritty, indie style that lends itself well to his job: he currently works as an illustrator and designer for poster and shirt designs that promote various music artists. When he’s not working, Jesse continues to work on his personal, underground manga illustrations, and comics. Website: http://www.gigposters.com/designers.php?designer=44950
Rivkah, Texas
Rivkah is the writer and artist for a graphic novel manga series called STEADY BEAT. She has worked professionally in commercial photography, design, marketing, and print production and her short story, “PINK” was a runner-up in the international “Create Your Own Manga Contest” held by Manga Academy. Website: http://www.rivkah.com
Tavisha & Rikki Simmons, California
This husband and wife team are the veterans of this bunch. In 2003, their independent manga project, REALITY CHECK was picked up by TOKYOPOP Inc. Together they have worked on many manga and animation projects for various clients, including Nickelodeon. Currently, they are working on the critically acclaimed series, SHUTTERBOX. Website: http://www.tavicat.com
Felipe Smith, California
An American of Jamaican-Argentine descent, Felipe brings a unique and raw energy to his manga art, particularly in his manga graphic novel, MBQ. His past work includes animation, character design and illustration, as well as placing 1st and 2nd in international and national manga contests. His work has been published in several countries, including Argentina, Holland, and the U.K. Website: http://www.felipesmith.com