admin
22 December 2023
Last week I had the pleasure of watching Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai for the first time. As you can expect, I was blown away not only by the action, but by the depth of character, the drama, and the overall scale of the film. I’ve come across classic movies from time to time, but have never seen anything American that even comes close to the emotional roller coaster that is Seven Samaurai.
Now, I suppose you might be wondering, "Have I missed 'Reading Between the Panels'? Did I accidentally click on 'Freak Films'? Why haven’t I sent J-Mil that check for $20 yet?" Fear not. This does tie into comics, eventually.
Throughout the movie, I saw at least five characters that I’ve come across in every single Medieval Japan-set Anime. Obviously, Akira Kurosawa has been influencing Japanese filmmaking for decades. Christ, they named Akira after him, didn’t they? But I'm interested to see if he’s done the same for other Manga.
Recently, I acquired a few more dollars per month in my comic book budget, as I trimmed the fat off of the stack of comics I was purchasing every month. I’ve made it my goal to use some of this money to find some of the most kick-ass Manga circulating in America today. I already know of two that are on my list: Blade of the Immortal and Lone Wolf and Cub. I’ve read parts of these, and they’re awesome. Fierce, violent, and both very, very long; they are exactly what I’m looking for.
Now comes the reader participation segment of the class. I need some suggestions. Besides these two, I need you to inform me about the most gritty, hard-hitting, and well-done action Manga comics you’ve seen. I’m not looking for kiddie bullshit like Ranma 1/2, or anything like that. Just the badass stuff. If you do, I’ll take the best suggestion and give the person who submits it a prize. A sketch. Of anything. Your choice.
To summarize:
1. See Seven Samurai. You won’t regret it.
2. Email me your suggestions for awesome Manga. The best one wins a prize.
3. Don’t forget the $20.
Check back here next month, when I tell you about an Incredible Hulk storyline that is exactly what the movie should have been.
Email me at jmil@tlchicken.com.
PURCHASE THIS OR SIMILAR ITEMS
Now, I suppose you might be wondering, "Have I missed 'Reading Between the Panels'? Did I accidentally click on 'Freak Films'? Why haven’t I sent J-Mil that check for $20 yet?" Fear not. This does tie into comics, eventually.
Throughout the movie, I saw at least five characters that I’ve come across in every single Medieval Japan-set Anime. Obviously, Akira Kurosawa has been influencing Japanese filmmaking for decades. Christ, they named Akira after him, didn’t they? But I'm interested to see if he’s done the same for other Manga.
Recently, I acquired a few more dollars per month in my comic book budget, as I trimmed the fat off of the stack of comics I was purchasing every month. I’ve made it my goal to use some of this money to find some of the most kick-ass Manga circulating in America today. I already know of two that are on my list: Blade of the Immortal and Lone Wolf and Cub. I’ve read parts of these, and they’re awesome. Fierce, violent, and both very, very long; they are exactly what I’m looking for.
Now comes the reader participation segment of the class. I need some suggestions. Besides these two, I need you to inform me about the most gritty, hard-hitting, and well-done action Manga comics you’ve seen. I’m not looking for kiddie bullshit like Ranma 1/2, or anything like that. Just the badass stuff. If you do, I’ll take the best suggestion and give the person who submits it a prize. A sketch. Of anything. Your choice.
To summarize:
1. See Seven Samurai. You won’t regret it.
2. Email me your suggestions for awesome Manga. The best one wins a prize.
3. Don’t forget the $20.
Check back here next month, when I tell you about an Incredible Hulk storyline that is exactly what the movie should have been.
Email me at jmil@tlchicken.com.
PURCHASE THIS OR SIMILAR ITEMS
artid
1628
Old Image
6_1_panels.jpg
issue
vol 6 - issue 01 (sep 2003)
section
entertainmental