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Mangaphile: The Magazine for Manga Fans
by
Adam "OMEGA" Arnold
Right from the start, Radio
Comix's latest project, Mangaphile: The Magazine
for Manga Fans, was much more than the other
magazines on the market today. The content of the comic-sized, bi-monthly
magazine can best be described as a blending of industry rooted
interviews, manga-inspired comic showcases, and tutorials.
Currently at issue three, the
magazine has featured interviews with Adam Warren,
Fred Perry, and Kenichi Sonoda,
loaded with insights into the American and Japanese comic
industries as well as little-known tidbits on the creators
themselves.
The "Fabulous First Issue's"
Adam Warren interview is appropriately titled "Pah Snot
Kute," due to his quirky look at what a person needs to
make it in today's comics field. It features insights into Adam's
creative process, hilarious advice in dealing with editors, and
other helpful hints. The interview is also complimented by text
commentaries and pictures of Adam's various projects, a rough
artwork sketch, and a bit of info on the rare Adam Warren
Sketchbook.
 The NekoCon-R interview with Fred Perry,
creator of Gold Digger, in issue two, takes a series of
obligatory questions on technique, goes into a look at influences
and gives info on the current status on the Gold Digger animation
Fred is working on. The interview is particularly helpful for its
tips on submitting artwork to hopefully get it published.
And the phone interview with
Kenichi Sonoda, the creator of Gunsmith Cats and Riding
Bean, in issue three, gives considerable insight into
Sonoda's personality and how he works. From how he got started to
the creation of the Gunsmith Cats, the interview is in
the league of such giants as Animerica. There is also a
look into Sonoda's doujinshi work, his latest manga work, "God
Cannon Exaxxion," and even a few comments on the video
games he likes and his thoughts on Neon Genesis Evangelion.
In the future, Mangaphile
will feature interviews with Tsukasa Kotobuki
and Hisao Tamaki.
 Each issue of Mangaphile contains
a message from Pat Duke as well as her insanely in-depth look at
how to color comics on the computer called "Photoshop
for Comics." The first few articles strive to explain
the complicated aspects and terms associated with coloring, how
to set-up equipment correctly, and forthcoming articles will
actually go through the coloring process. If online tutorials
have failed you, these articles might just help you get the
effects you want.
Finally, no issue of Mangaphile
would be complete without the manga-inspired comics. Some of the
highlights over the first three issues include the monthly one-page
Wendy Comic shorts by Joshua B. Lesnick, Rob Espinosa's
well-drawn and funny Chronicles of the Universe from
issue 1, issue 2's The Creative Process of Eddie Perkins,
and Clare's Dragon Part 1 by Rob Lansley and Ken Lowe.
Each comic is in black and white and range from one page to eight
pages and feature top-notch stories and artwork.
Mangaphile: The Magazine for
Manga Fans is one of those books that you see on the shelves
and the cover and title catches your eye and the next thing you
know, you've got the book in your hands. So, if you get the
chance be sure to pick up this book, it's 34 pages of information
and comics all for a mere $2.95. You won't be disappointed in
what you get for your money.
(Prices quoted are USD)
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