The The Zine Volume 4 Issue 10: Special Manga Supplement

What is this? Why is it laid out in this strange way? Why can’t I read these comics like other comics?

What you are looking at is a peculiar and beautiful product of trade, war, occupation, and several generations of cultural cross pollination. All of this taking place between two countries: the United States and Japan.

It all started in the 1930’s when American publishers started packaging old newspaper comic strips into what we today call the comic book. These were wildly popular among youth at the time and soon original stories were being created exclusively for the new comic book format.

The children who grew up reading these comics were the same people who invaded and occupied Japan after World War Two. Occupation can be a boring way to spend your time so they brought their comic books with. These comic books were among the many cultural products of the United States that entered Japan after the war.

Soon artists like Osamu Tezuka were applying Japanese concepts, language, and aesthetics to the American comic book format. This has continued to develop into the Japanese comic format called Manga. It would be easy to assume that Manga is a derivation of American comics, but its ties to historically Japanese forms of art are just as influential making it just as much Japanese as it is American.

Manga artists changed the direction in which page elements were read to match the conventions of Japanese language. Pictures were streamlined and facial expressions exaggerated to mimic the fast paced reading style of Kanji and to speed up production. To this day they continue to add to the ever-growing catalogue of unique comics language called symbolia. [Examples of symbolia would be the symbolic use of stars around the head called squeans signifying disorientation, a sweat droplets called plewds to signify stress (see page 2 panel 1), and a bulging vein symbol for anger (see page 10 panel 1 bottom of balloon on left)].

Through the red scare of the 1950’s and the cultural disillusion of the 1960’s censorship and stagnation combined so that American Comics lost their relevance and readers lost interest. However in the 1980’s and 1990’s American soldiers based in Japan were reading Manga and watching Anime (Japanese Animation). Soon they were bringing these cultural products back with them to share with other Americans. As demand has grown Japanese publishers have translated and published a wider variety of Manga for the American market with it’s own distinctive look and language.

During this period kids in St. Paul developed an insatiable appetite for Manga due to the fact that censorship killed stories of romance, horror, war, and crime produced by American comic publishers. Girls learned that there are places in the world where women make comics that are fun to read. These students started making stories of their own heavily influenced by Manga and these budding efforts are what you are about to read. No one knows what exciting developments they will contribute to the language of comics or if these American Manga artists will be adored by future generations of Japanese and American readers, but here we see the continuation of history looping back on its self.

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The The Zine Voume 4 Issue 9

Whether you are feeling the heat of deadline pressures of the warmth of summer this issue has the perfect theme for you: fire!

Did you see our new Zine header on the cover? Chiefly designed by A.I. and if you look in the upper left corner you will see the mini version of the new comic club logo chiefly designed by Kanami. Both the logo and the header contain embellishments by Kage, and Matabo. Thank you to everyone who sent in submissions there were so many great ideas!

So many people are interested in our end of year party, May 27th, we have had to make it invite only. All comic club contributors are allowed 2 tickets each. We will be showing animation and giving prizes for best costume.

Another great cover by Max.J. A flaming angel? Where does he think of these things?

Matabo’s burning with passion so this time he decided to write a poem rather than make an illustration (p1).

The Dark Rabbit: Little Usagi Riku is back with a short strip “The Fire Trick” (p2). I love her unique and nuanced style full of grit and detail!

On page 3 Kaname is reverting to her older toning technique, which should look better with our new production methods. Kaname joined Aidou, Makoto, & Itachi, in helping with Kami’s Chibi Adventures (p9) a team effort that reads a like an episode of Zippy.

K.K. has a cute cat for you to enjoy on page 4. It’s a happy kitty!

Then we have the beautiful drawing talents of Ryvirus starting on page 5. Lots and lots of Fire and don’t forget to check out the burning back cover she created for this issue.

We have the second installment of the late blooming hit “Fated” by Tangerine and the little cliff hanger at the end left my heart racing. Make sure your sitting down when you read this one. Where did she get those wonderful story telling skills?

AI is bringing back Sin on page 15. It’s an amazing 10 pages that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you wonder why, and it may even leave you a little itchy. It looks like all of the work pestering her has paid off because there are quite a few things resolved in this episode. For all fans of Sin, including myself, this issue is not to be missed.

Konoha ends the issue with a 4-page installment of Bonded with another beautiful cover by our art director Kage. If you want the lowdown skinny on all things bonded you will have to read her letter (which can be found on pIV of the readable pdf file).

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The The Zine Volume 4 Issue 6

Ninja. What a great topic! You could have happy ninja, sad ninja, emo ninja, ask a ninja, and FLYING NINJA!!! Yes Flying Ninja is back, but first.

We have a nice little cover featuring the stylings of Max J who has been busy in this issue. He also wrote and illustrated two poems which Flare claims will be inspiring to the artist in us all (p3). Then he also submitted some nice art (p5).

Speaking of Robert aka Flare we start this issue off with a poem of his recommended by Max J (p1). Flare seems to be reaching for some new forms and I’m excited to see where it takes him.

Lu² is back with her second submission of the year (p6). I’m sure it’s hard being a senior trying to squeeze everything you can into that last year.

Oh. eM. Ge. Geee. You can’t see me. Mee. I’m blending in just like a pine tree. TREE! Sorry about that I just got a little distracted for a moment. Ahhh speaking of pleasant distractions Pa-San has placed two of them in this issue (p8 & p39)!

With a theme like Ninja Chewy is in her element so of course we can expect something great coming from her. She has submitted her first work as an author (p9) and she has been inking Big Pride’s work again Where we discover the origins of the FLYING NINJA (p10)!

Wangsta’s back (p11) and with a great new story involving ninja and coeducational intrigue. Can you say layout talent? The execution is so good on this one: layout, pacing, character variety. I hope there is more!

AI the once and future mangaka has some laughs waiting for you on (p17). All sprouting from a very little ninja surprise in the world of Sin!

Then Star continues to explore the relationship between Star, Biocide and Bio’s brother (p20). There is nothing like familial competitiveness to add drama to a story.

Winding down the issue is the continued team effort by club officers Kage and Konoha in Bonded (p 23). Then Konoha brings us back from the Land of Muse in Dragon’s Dream (p 28).

Finally we close the issue with the latest contribution by our dark horse contributor Lil Usagi Rikku taking up the coveted back cover location.

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The The Zine Volume 4 Issue 5

A quick glance at the table of contents will show you that we have 25 articles from 21 contributors! Does it get any better than this!?!

The theme for this issue is Ghosts and Rejection. Ouch! We all know a thing or two about those topics so there is plenty of great material and our contributors lost no time in exploring it’s full potential.

First Off we have a great cover by one of our star artists Star! (What an appropriate name!)

Doing the cover didn’t slow down Star either because she’s right back at it with the next installment of Shadows of Doubt (p57). Will Rhys and Kaze join Star and Biocide as they escape the city? Or will they just stay home and comb their hair? I sense were about to be set up for a big change in this one!

Mukey has created a fun ethereal piece for page 1 and then a disturbing tale of two brothers called Spirit Bond (p17). A little funny & a little creepy. Mukey is a talent worth keeping your eye on!

I’m sure you all know that Tribal is a very difficult comic to produce so it might be a while. In the mean time Charles McGregor has submitted some art for your hungry eyes (p2)!

The phlegmatic Robert Flare is back with another illustrated poem titled Fear of Rejection (p3). I’m sure you all know what he means.

Club President Maximillian Jay is tearing it up with another great poem Rejection & Aggression (p4). I had to insist that it not be type set because he has such a great hand and you would really be missing out if you didn’t get a chance to see it. Then two comics Opium Street (p5) and Spirited (p6) check them out and give yourself some time to digest and enjoy the work of this illustration virtuoso.

Robert Griffen and Hannah have made their first contribution of the year with Angry Eddie (p7) A quick little one pager that explains it all.

You don’t know it, but we’ve been holding a dark horse talent in the wings for some time and in this issue you will get your first taste of Lil Usagi Rikku. Don’t let the little name fool you behind it is some big talent. Rikku’s first effort is a one page ghost story called Rejected (p8). It’s smart & it’s funny.

Then another first time contribution Suicidal Girl by: Pen Boi (p9). If we keep pooling fresh talent this good we are going to have to start selling ads!

Cheese Cake is another first timer getting in on the fun with a quick reminder to our readers to Luff Thy Ghost (p10) which is good advice I personally take to heart.

Then Senior contributor Hue Lor is back, as promised, with the eagerly anticipated second installment of Moments in My life (p11).

Did you hear? Cocoa’s back! The Athena of comic club, born fully formed, has concocted for you the 3rd chapter in her yet untitled series (p13). Chapter 3: Steve & The Ghost is full of great twists that will shock you and may even leave you rolling with incoherent laughter. This is good stuff and if you haven’t read the first two you can find them on the club web site hscclub.net

Have you ever wondered what could cause a girl to scream “bite me” and then a boy to start crunching and gnawing on her arm relentlessly with inordinate exuberance until they eventually fall in love? Well you’re in luck because Kaname is back to answer that question and many more with a prequel called What Happened Before Alice’s First Kiss (p25).

Tangerine is making her debut (p31) with a great untitled piece full of ghosts, love, and bookworms with a twists… how appropriate. Quick Tangerine think of a title! I sense another series!

Arashi and Yura Moon have teamed up on their first effort! A feast for the eyes called Love of My Death (p34) and I can’t wait to see what they do next! Oh, and it reads Manga style so don’t forget to read right to left.

Are you ready for something funny? I know I am and here comes Na Na’s debut story Passion of Kai just in time (p37)! Na Na’s inventive humor is infectious so it’s going to be hard not to share this one with your friends!

Didn’t you love the piece by Annie Moua in the last issue! I think everyone did! Well she is back to continue the story and now it has a name. So get in line because there are all ready many fans of the new series Shine (p41).

Ok So we are all on edge for the next episode of Sin (p51). (I don’t know why I keep typing since everyone has already turned to page 51… I must go on! My integrity is at stake!) We all want to know if Envy and Vanity stay together, but also is Wrath going to have his way with the princess? And how does the princess feel about that? I have a strange feeling someone new is going to enter the scene. Oh and don’t forget to checkout the nice back cover also by AI.

Konoha has told me that Dragon’s Dream’s adventures in The Land of Muse are going to come to an end soon (p62). No worries though because we are finally going to get back to figuring out what is going on with the writer 122.13.7. I for one have been in suspense for months.

This is followed up by a beautiful drawing by our art director; Kage (p67).

Finally we have a stunning finish to this unprecedented issue of The The Zine. I am very excited to tell you A powerhouse creative team of Kage and Konoha have joined their creative talents to bring a new story to our pages called Bonded (p68). I’m glad to say it is nothing less than what you would expect from this talented and prolific team!

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The The Zine Volume 4 Issue 2

Love & Pain: Romance & Horror.

Aaahhh February! Soon it will be Valentines day and with this day comes hearts and arrows; roses and chocolates, but we here at The The Zine are not so optimistic about this dark holiday feigning innocence. Valentines day is the day when hearts are broken, arrows are sharp, and the roses have thorns. Not to mention that anyone expressing true long term affection would pack you a healthy lunch not a box of chocolates! As you can see from our wonderful cover by club president Max.J. the theme for this issue of The The Zine? is Love & Pain: Romance & Horror.

Just so we don’t leave you too shocky we have some first time contributions from Pa on pages 2 and 10 to give us some short breaks from the horror and romance. Then right away on page 3 we jump into the inevitable with a beautiful first time contribution by club member Cocoa.

Baka Ranger Red is back with her second contribution displaying cunning situational humor. A story called “Sin” (page 5) wherein three rascals debate ethics while the fate of innocent royalty is on the line.

This is followed by Star’s second contribution in a story titled “Shadows of Doubt” (page 11) where romantic intentions are interrupted. Oh and don’t forget to check out the sweet back cover also designed by Star.

Finally this issue is brought to a close with the second installment of Dragon’s Dream (page 17). Konoha promises that she will be explaining the muses in the next issue, but in the mean time enjoy the antics as we get to know Zaj and the mysterious muse Ares a little better.

Finally I would like to introduce two of the main forces that have brought Comic Club back for another year our new club president: Maximillian Jay and The The Zine art director Kage! No one has spent more time in comic club over the years than these two. Don’t miss Max.J’s letter immediately to the right.

There is a lot of great work coming down the pipe as The The Zine? goes bi-weekly!

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