Sean Michael Wilson's Blog
July 11, 2018
Books on Asia
The excellent web site run by journalist and writer, Amy Chavez, has a spotlight on the classic novel Wuthering Heights, and since they are enlightened enough to realize how wonderful comic books are they asked me to do an article for them on comic books.
And they have just put up this interview with little me to go along with their spotlight on Wuthering Heights, mentioning our graphic novel version, with art by the esteemed John M Burns
https://booksonasia.net/book/wutherin...
And they have just put up this interview with little me to go along with their spotlight on Wuthering Heights, mentioning our graphic novel version, with art by the esteemed John M Burns
https://booksonasia.net/book/wutherin...
February 22, 2018
Our books are for anyone.
In a way our Japanese history/culture types books, though they have been very well received by people who are already interested in Japan, suffer from not fitting neatly into any category.
1. I am not Japanese so I think some manga readers dont consider them 'real manga' worth checking out, even though the artists are all Japanese and the subjects are all about Japan.
2.They also don’t quite fit into some folks idea of literary graphic novels, because the subjects are often samurai or martial arts focused. This is perhaps seen, quite incorrectly, by some as macho, or military or war focused… therefore not suitable subjects for female readers or not matching with the generally progressive world view of many readers of mature graphic novels.
3. Our Japanese themed books also dont fit into mainstream superhero comics (where macho/fighting stuff is perhaps more popular), because, actually, there is surprisingly little fighting in our books and battles are shown in ways that, for mainstream superhero comics readers, seem disappointingly realistic, brief and devoid of ‘wham-bam’ violent thrills.
While I can understand that easy classification is a common shortcut, I think all of the above are narrow and mistaken. What our Japanese themed books are about is: history, culture, philosophy. Aren't those interesting topics, suitable for anyone? They are done in ways that don't exaggerate or simplify like Hollywood movies often do - instead we try to show the real events and people and places, according to what research has uncovered. There is no valid reason to think of such books on history, culture, philosophy as not suitable for female readers. It should perhaps be pointed out that most of the Japanese artists I work with are female (for no particular reason, its just turned out that way). And these books should be of interest to those who like mature graphic novels like Maus, From Hell or Persepolis, etc, which are also quite often concerned with history, culture, philosophy. Manga fans, if they have an interest in Japan, can learn quite a bit from these books which go into key aspects of Japanese culture/history and which are all drawn and partly researched by Japanese artists. Those who like the more traditional superhero books probably will be disappointed by the lack of ‘action’ in our books, yes - but they should be open to trying something different.
So, why not try them!
1. I am not Japanese so I think some manga readers dont consider them 'real manga' worth checking out, even though the artists are all Japanese and the subjects are all about Japan.
2.They also don’t quite fit into some folks idea of literary graphic novels, because the subjects are often samurai or martial arts focused. This is perhaps seen, quite incorrectly, by some as macho, or military or war focused… therefore not suitable subjects for female readers or not matching with the generally progressive world view of many readers of mature graphic novels.
3. Our Japanese themed books also dont fit into mainstream superhero comics (where macho/fighting stuff is perhaps more popular), because, actually, there is surprisingly little fighting in our books and battles are shown in ways that, for mainstream superhero comics readers, seem disappointingly realistic, brief and devoid of ‘wham-bam’ violent thrills.
While I can understand that easy classification is a common shortcut, I think all of the above are narrow and mistaken. What our Japanese themed books are about is: history, culture, philosophy. Aren't those interesting topics, suitable for anyone? They are done in ways that don't exaggerate or simplify like Hollywood movies often do - instead we try to show the real events and people and places, according to what research has uncovered. There is no valid reason to think of such books on history, culture, philosophy as not suitable for female readers. It should perhaps be pointed out that most of the Japanese artists I work with are female (for no particular reason, its just turned out that way). And these books should be of interest to those who like mature graphic novels like Maus, From Hell or Persepolis, etc, which are also quite often concerned with history, culture, philosophy. Manga fans, if they have an interest in Japan, can learn quite a bit from these books which go into key aspects of Japanese culture/history and which are all drawn and partly researched by Japanese artists. Those who like the more traditional superhero books probably will be disappointed by the lack of ‘action’ in our books, yes - but they should be open to trying something different.
So, why not try them!
December 10, 2017
Breaking the 10 volume 2 - out soon
After quite a bit of difficulty and rearranging of the book’s ending Volume 2 of our book BREAKING THE 10 is finished... and is presently listed in this month’s Previews catalogue.
Yeah!
Order it from Previews December Customer Order Form, page 27 (or p377 in the full catalogue), under the publishers name 'NBM'(and with a cute 'Certified Cool' stamp of recommendation). Diamond Code: DEC17 1696
With Volume 1 of the book re-listed, code: DEC171697
NBM's page for the book
http://www.nbmpub.com/comicslit/story...
And more pages from the book can be seen at my
https://seanmichaelwilson.weebly.com/...
Yeah!
Order it from Previews December Customer Order Form, page 27 (or p377 in the full catalogue), under the publishers name 'NBM'(and with a cute 'Certified Cool' stamp of recommendation). Diamond Code: DEC17 1696
With Volume 1 of the book re-listed, code: DEC171697
NBM's page for the book
http://www.nbmpub.com/comicslit/story...
And more pages from the book can be seen at my
https://seanmichaelwilson.weebly.com/...
September 29, 2017
STORY OF LEE BANDED SET - ONLY A FEW LEFT
NBM tells me the limited edition has sold well, and there are not many left. So, get it soon if you want it!
Published in July 2017 - THE STORY OF LEE banded set. Special edition of only 200.
"Lee, living in Hong Kong, meets Matt, a fine young Scot. Their relationship becomes stronger by the day, despite their deep cultural differences. But there is Lee's dad to contend with who views this affair very suspiciously. And there is another contender for Lee's heart, a young Chinese man, whose jealousy takes on twinges of xenophobia. Will Lee and Matt's relationship successfully cross the cultural divide and overcome the negative odds?"
This is a good deal, with volume 1 and volume 2 of the book packaged together with a specially printed band (or ‘obi’ as they called in Japan). And its $4 cheaper to buy this banded set of the two volumes.
Get it here:
http://www.nbmpub.com/comicslit/story...
Published in July 2017 - THE STORY OF LEE banded set. Special edition of only 200.
"Lee, living in Hong Kong, meets Matt, a fine young Scot. Their relationship becomes stronger by the day, despite their deep cultural differences. But there is Lee's dad to contend with who views this affair very suspiciously. And there is another contender for Lee's heart, a young Chinese man, whose jealousy takes on twinges of xenophobia. Will Lee and Matt's relationship successfully cross the cultural divide and overcome the negative odds?"
This is a good deal, with volume 1 and volume 2 of the book packaged together with a specially printed band (or ‘obi’ as they called in Japan). And its $4 cheaper to buy this banded set of the two volumes.
Get it here:
http://www.nbmpub.com/comicslit/story...
December 15, 2014
Scottish Television mention
Scottish Television has done a long piece about our lovely ONCE UPON A TIME IN MORNINGSIDE book on their STV web site. Nice!:
http://edinburgh.stv.tv/articles/3033...
Please consider joining the team of supporters for our ONCE UPON A TIME IN MORNINGSIDE book. You get exclusive rewards in exchange for your support:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
http://edinburgh.stv.tv/articles/3033...
Please consider joining the team of supporters for our ONCE UPON A TIME IN MORNINGSIDE book. You get exclusive rewards in exchange for your support:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
December 1, 2014
‘ONCE UPON A TIME IN MORNINGSIDE' Scottish childhood autobio book.
We have just launched the campaign to get the printing money for our lovely comic book, my childhood autobiographical story, set in Scotland: ‘ONCE UPON A TIME IN MORNINGSIDE'.
So, please click the link below, have a look at the nice video on the book, and pledge a little supporting money. Anything you can to get it us to the target money for printing the book. These things on Kickstarter must get to 100% of the fee target, or we get zero, none of it.That’s the rules there!
There are lots of special ‘rewards’ there for your support. Some of which I want myself! Written by Sean Michael Wilson, drawn by Hanna Stromberg of Sweden, and organised by Shane Chebsey of Scar Comics, who will publish the book if we get to our target. So help us get there and make a lovely book come alive.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
So, please click the link below, have a look at the nice video on the book, and pledge a little supporting money. Anything you can to get it us to the target money for printing the book. These things on Kickstarter must get to 100% of the fee target, or we get zero, none of it.That’s the rules there!
There are lots of special ‘rewards’ there for your support. Some of which I want myself! Written by Sean Michael Wilson, drawn by Hanna Stromberg of Sweden, and organised by Shane Chebsey of Scar Comics, who will publish the book if we get to our target. So help us get there and make a lovely book come alive.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
November 8, 2013
Fight The Power book event in London
This is on today, Sat 9th Nov, 3.45pm UK time, but 12.45AM my time in Japan - I'm joining in via skype. Please come along if you are in the London area.
FIGHT THE POWER! LONDON LAUNCH Mind-expanding graphic history of the Protest Movement from New Internatonalist Books at Foyles Charing Cross Road, a Comica Conversation with Hunt Emerson, Ben Dickson, John Spelling and via Skype from Japan, Seán Michael Wilson and me! Doors open 3.45 for 4-6pm discussion and signing. Book onloine or on the door:
http://www.comicafestival.com/index.p...
FIGHT THE POWER! LONDON LAUNCH Mind-expanding graphic history of the Protest Movement from New Internatonalist Books at Foyles Charing Cross Road, a Comica Conversation with Hunt Emerson, Ben Dickson, John Spelling and via Skype from Japan, Seán Michael Wilson and me! Doors open 3.45 for 4-6pm discussion and signing. Book onloine or on the door:
http://www.comicafestival.com/index.p...
October 25, 2013
THE 47 RONIN
I’ve seen some reviews of our new book THE 47 RONIN already and mostly it’s been good. One thing I’ve been surprised about is how some readers felt that the book had too many abrupt changes between panels. “It seems less like a smoothly-flowing story and more of a series of standalone panels. It doesn't flow, to my eye. The emotion shifts from one panel to the next are jarring”
This is normally what I am supposed to be the best at, making smooth transitions and having the whole thing move along nicely. Odd to see the opposite said here. One reviewer said that in the second part: “the story lost a LOT of text and became difficult to follow”. Another said ““The art and writing are both spare, perhaps too much so.” Obviously I don’t agree – the book was made that way deliberately in order to tell the story with a minimum of captions and text. To have it as a far more visual based book than my other Japanese historical/martial arts books. To tell it in a more sophisticated fashion. And I am a bit confused as to where it becomes difficult to follow.
“The panels became very jumpy…” Again, it seems to flow fine to me, although the jumps between panels are sometimes considerable, but never so much as to confuse, it seemed to me anyway. They are just SUBTLE, linked in ways that don’t beat the reader over the head with the obvious, or that link things in a fragmentary way that adds up to a total picture – all of which is very different from confusing.
“it was difficult to distinguish who was on which side, particularly during the final battle scene (hint: the 47 ronin are wearing helmets)” – huh? That’s a HINT? Seems like a very clear indication to me. The ones with helmets are the ronin, the ones without are the other side.
“when the ronin finally exact their revenge ... the artwork, to me, looked like the illustrator started to draw the act of seppuku, cutting across the belly, and then switched to having Kiro's head cut off instead. It seemed like a very ... wide cut to decapitate someone. Not that I am a connoisseur of such things” It’s very simple and clear in the book: they WANT Kira to commit seppuku, but he refuses, he is to scared to do it. So they decide to cut his head off instead. Which is apparently, according to some historians, what actually happened.
“But the adaptation is hampered a bit by some pacing issues and a lack of contextual information.”
As I say the pacing is deliberate, there are no mistakes there, it’s just done differently from what these readers seem to be used to. The lack of explanation is also a product of the more poetic approach.
We tried to make a version of the 47 ronin story that was not a 'join the dots' over simplified one. Also to avoid the cliched, hyperbolic, exaggerated style of hollywood… instead to make a version that was stark, ambiguous, subtle. I thought folk would ‘get’ that, but it seems that some don’t, hopefully many do.
Check it out with these thoughts in mind please.
Thanks,
Sean
This is normally what I am supposed to be the best at, making smooth transitions and having the whole thing move along nicely. Odd to see the opposite said here. One reviewer said that in the second part: “the story lost a LOT of text and became difficult to follow”. Another said ““The art and writing are both spare, perhaps too much so.” Obviously I don’t agree – the book was made that way deliberately in order to tell the story with a minimum of captions and text. To have it as a far more visual based book than my other Japanese historical/martial arts books. To tell it in a more sophisticated fashion. And I am a bit confused as to where it becomes difficult to follow.
“The panels became very jumpy…” Again, it seems to flow fine to me, although the jumps between panels are sometimes considerable, but never so much as to confuse, it seemed to me anyway. They are just SUBTLE, linked in ways that don’t beat the reader over the head with the obvious, or that link things in a fragmentary way that adds up to a total picture – all of which is very different from confusing.
“it was difficult to distinguish who was on which side, particularly during the final battle scene (hint: the 47 ronin are wearing helmets)” – huh? That’s a HINT? Seems like a very clear indication to me. The ones with helmets are the ronin, the ones without are the other side.
“when the ronin finally exact their revenge ... the artwork, to me, looked like the illustrator started to draw the act of seppuku, cutting across the belly, and then switched to having Kiro's head cut off instead. It seemed like a very ... wide cut to decapitate someone. Not that I am a connoisseur of such things” It’s very simple and clear in the book: they WANT Kira to commit seppuku, but he refuses, he is to scared to do it. So they decide to cut his head off instead. Which is apparently, according to some historians, what actually happened.
“But the adaptation is hampered a bit by some pacing issues and a lack of contextual information.”
As I say the pacing is deliberate, there are no mistakes there, it’s just done differently from what these readers seem to be used to. The lack of explanation is also a product of the more poetic approach.
We tried to make a version of the 47 ronin story that was not a 'join the dots' over simplified one. Also to avoid the cliched, hyperbolic, exaggerated style of hollywood… instead to make a version that was stark, ambiguous, subtle. I thought folk would ‘get’ that, but it seems that some don’t, hopefully many do.
Check it out with these thoughts in mind please.
Thanks,
Sean
