Chris Arrant interviews Takeshi Miyazawa, a Canadian manga artist who is taking the ultimate step of moving to Japan, because if you can make it there you can make it anywhere.

Arrant: Can you tell us what, specifically, your intentions are in regards to making comics in Japan. Can you point to examples of other people doing what you’re planning on?

Miyazawa: I think the closest example is what Paul Pope tried a few years ago with working closely with Kodansha to introduce western creators to the Japanese manga market. Unfortunately, I read that his work was never published. Geez, it woulda been awesome… I’m hoping the stage will be a little different for me. As for specifics, I’m aiming to apply to a few anthology magazines that I’ve been following and that I think would suit my approach and style. I really want to follow the standard path that all artists there seem to tread. So, applying to one of the seasonal contests, getting some sort of notoriety and then being put on a weekly or monthly. The work would be in black & white of course.

More gushing over 300 at Ain’t It Cool News

Gawker weighs in on CRACKED:

There are a few comics that wouldn’t be out of place in ye olde Cracked, and there’s an eight-page spoof of ESPN Magazine that probably cost more than any six issues in the mag’s past format. Prose pieces are more Spy-like, especially a characteristically funny riff on face transplants by Banterist’s Brian Sack. The only real low notes are an appearance from militantly unfunny male shtick act Maddox and occasional glimpses of throwaway kid-culture references in the vein of Chuck Klosterman (callouts to both GI Joe and Thundercats cartoons?).


Found via our TrackBack, the blog Orange Tablecloth Front appeals to Wizard to make its conventions more indie-friendly.

Cinematical looks at seven of the 1970s’ Freakiest Sci-Fi Flicks including Logan’s Run and Zardoz, etc. Yes, those were the days.