Are there any new comics out (oh we aren't suppose to use that term now are we) I forgot the new term they want us to use I remember hearing it in a conversation about the new Batman film.

Graphic novel?

Graphic novel . hmm. And thats supposed to be the "grown up " version of the Comic eh? I wonder if using a more sophisticated term will increase sales or affect its popularity? And guess where Graphic novels are sold? ... .. In a comic store of course!!

And Chapters and Amazon and the library. But, yeah, in the comic store, too.

I think the difference lies within the length. Comics are generally around 30-40 pages long and are usually colored. These are also often done by a group of people rather than one person alone. Graphic novels are so-called because, in America, they developed from written novels that were then put into art-form. These are most often approximately 200 pages and are done by one person. Nowadays it varies as to whether or not they are colored. There are also novel-level illustrated books out such as Sandman, which was not moved from written to drawn format. Manga is, in many stores, referred to as a graphic novel simply to have less terms to deal with. Generally, they are app. 200 pages long, black & white, and done by one person. Manga also is typically from Japan, though American publications are now calling themselves "manga" as well (Ai Princess, for example, is an American manga). That illustrated novels are being licensed from the China and Korea areas (manwha) make calling books of the above description "graphic novel" that much easier. So, a graphic novel = longer length by one person and a comic = shorter length, often by more than one person. I think Clamp is one of the few groups that works as a team for graphic novels (or manga), though many higher-name artists have a few helpers underneath them (who generally go unnamed, however and do tasks such as promotional drawings, cleaning, keeping the artist/writer sane, etc). Ooooooh, Lordy. I have no life. As for what's out? RG Veda 2 was just released (Clamp), Rurouni Kenshin's manga form is still being released (up to volume 16), as is Chrono Crusade (volume 5 - the anime is kick-ass as well). Immortal Rain is also a good one (imho). I have no idea as to American works being released.

Elvin you gorgeous wealth of Info!! You couldnt have better have explained the diffs in comic/manga/grahic novel styles!! Now whats this about RG Veda 2 and is it in anime form yet??!!!!

Thank ye, thank ye. Well, RG Veda was Clamp's first manga. It was released in the late 80s in Japan. During a real popularity swing for Clamp, an OAV was made for RG Veda. It's 2 episodes, both 45 minutes each. It really only serves to promote the manga, since it doesn't start at the beginning or go to the end. It just kind of highlights a couple of the battles. The OAV was released a looooong time ago in the states. The manga is just now being released, with the second volume having just been put on the shelves. Each novel is about 3 months apart, as far as release dates go.

There's really only two manga series that I actively follow, which are Berserk and Hellsing. I love everything about Berserk and Hellsing is just a total guilty pleasure for me.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. We must all have our guilty pleasures ( insert obligatory "within reason" comment here). I have wanted to pick up Berserk several times, but have never made it out of the store with it. I always reprimand myself because I'm keeping up with several manga series right now. Berserk has a loooooooot of volumes. (And I lied earlier...there's another Immortal Rain coming out...) What I need is an anime/manga benefactor. Yes, yes I do.

*shrugs* Wasn't the 2 issue BOTP supposed to be out last month? Anybody know whats up?

It was cancelled due to lack of interest (i. e., stores weren't ordering it because most BotP issues ended up in the bargain bins).

Well Dammit!!! I wanted those loose ends tied up! *MAJOR SULK*

Somebody has asked over at the Top Cow board whether the script can be published online, which has apparently been done for other titles. So maybe it would be worth adding a request in there as it may be the only way the script will be seen. Assuming the script actually got written, that is.

Good idea, thanks Meridan! *Aquiring new target - Topcow.com*