One of the things that has always fascinated me about comics is how easily the medium adapts to any kind of story, and how, at times, reluctant it is to do so. Don’t worry, I’m not going to bang the drum about how we should all stop buying superhero books because they’re not artistically worthy because I don’t believe that. Sequential art is sequential art and you find what you love where you find it, no one else.
But colour outside the lines a little and you get some really amazing work. The extraordinary bodies of work of Eddie Campbell and Marc Ellerby are great examples of this in the UK, as is the work of the late, great Harvey Pekar in the US. However, the idea of comics about ordinary life, and exploring how that ordinary life can be made extraordinary and beautiful is something that only manga publishers truly excel at.
This is beautifully observed work, funny without being forced and empathic without being manipulative. It’s also currently being financed through KickStarter by publisher GenManga. Their plan is to raise funds for a print run of the complete title and some of the pledge levels look excellent. Digital copies, wallpapers, print copies and sake cups are all up for grabs and most importantly, the book’s easily achievable.
Alasdair Stuart
For more information go to the Kickstarter page or the GenManga page .
