The American Library Association has released its list of Great Graphic Novels for 2008, and ADV, TOKYOPOP, Del Rey, Go! Comi, CMX, VIZ, Dark Horse, Vertical, and Digital Manga Publishing all took home prizes this year.

For Del Rey it was Pumpkin Scissors 1, Alive 1 and 2, and Mushishi 1 and 2 (natch).

TOKYOPOP got honors for King of Thorn 1 and 2, VIZ’s Love*Com 1 and Kekkaishi 7 and 8 are mentioned, and ADV’s Yotsuba& volume 4.

CMX wins for Emma, of course, volumes 1-5. Dark Horse took home one for the well-received shoujo manga Translucent, and Vertical’s prize is for To Terra 1-3. Digital Manga Publishing got awards for Flower of Life, by Fumi Yoshinaga (who is an amazing mangaka, best known for her BL– unfortunately for her non-BL titles like Flower or Antique Bakery, which are phenomenal).

I think Go! Comi wins for the actual number of books mentioned: Train+Train 1-3 and After School Nightmare 1-5, a total of 8 books (versus Del Rey and CMX who got 5 each).

And finally, the well-regarded manga Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms by Fuyimo Kouno also made the list.

Also of note: Mark Crilley’s extremely manga-inspired graphic novel series Miki made the list for three volumes, and the first volume of SoHee Park’s manhwa Goong gives some last-second acclaim to the defunct ICE Kunion.

Original source: ALA
Secondary source: Blog@Newsarama

Taro Aso may help boost manga and anime worldwide, but even if he DOESN’T become Prime Minister the manga companies are determined to get their names out.

Digital Manga Publishing has announced that they will now co-brand their releases– which means they’re putting the Japanese companies’ logos on the books as well as their own, at least for three companies: Shinshokan, Oakla Shuppan, and Taiyo Tosho. DMP will also share booth space with the companies at cons.

And then, of course, there’s the direct method– don’t forget that VIZ is co-owned by Shueisha and Shogakukan; and of course, Ohzora Shuppan just opened their own branch in the US, Aurora Publishing.

Current Mood:  Towel

It’s a terrible picture, but there you have it. And I’ll explain it after THE BLOODENATING.

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Current Mood:  Thoughtful

DMP just sent out a press release saying that they’re going to announce the first title of their new DMP Platinum manga line at Anime Expo. They offered three hints as to the title:

1. Characters have hawked insurance and been parodied on Family Guy.
2. There is, has been, or will be a major motion picture based on it.
3. If you haven’t heard of it you’ve been living under a rock for 30 years. (Or more like 40…)

Gee! I wonder!