I received Christine Feehan’s newsletter today. I don’t think I ever signed up for it, but I did write her one time, so I’m sure that’s how I ended up there. *g* Anyway, I noticed at the bottom that one of her Dark books, Dark Hunger is about to come out in Manga format. This makes the third author that I know of whose books are being converted.
Personally, I’m excited by this news. No, I don’t read Manga comics, but I may start now. I’m also wondering if this is a new trend that we’re just starting to see with paranormal romances and urban fantasies. A way to reach readers who wouldn’t normally buy a romance or urban fantasy. I certainly can see the appeal, since the characters come to life through another art form.
So I’m curious, what do you think of your favorite books being made into Manga comics/graphic novels? Good idea? Waste of trees? Don’t care either way?
April 6th, 2007
I think manga might be a great way to get younger readers (no comments on my age please LOL). But I personally don’t see the appeal–same reason why I don’t watch TV: I like words way better than pictures.
Your fellow FFFer Melissa Marr’s just scored her own manga deal, but it doesn’t appear to be for adaptation from her current series.
by May April 6th, 2007 at 11:38 pmI stopped reading books with pictures 30 years ago. My kids like them, but I think they’re getting away from them, too. Manga is more expensive than paperbacks, and they’re buying their own now.
Personally, I would be concerned about content, from a parental standpoint. I don’t censor like I used to, but there are still some things I’d rather my kids didn’t read about. Dressing them up like a comic book won’t change the content, but it might get past vigilant parents.
by ej April 7th, 2007 at 6:44 amI HOPE manga will be a new trend, because like May said, it’s a way to get more people reading who otherwise might not. For ex, my husband loves comics, but doesn’t enjoy reading novels. I’m sure there’s more where he came from. And if a reader’s interest in a Manga comic leads to them pick up the novel(s) it’s based on, so much the better. For the reader and the author.
by Jeaniene April 7th, 2007 at 7:19 amI have a small comic book & used book store attached to my shop with its own entrance. My brother and I first became interested in reading because of comic books. I don’t care much for Manga artwork, and only order them when someone makes a special request out my Advance Comics order book. There are many adaptations coming out, such as Stephen King’s “Tower” series, and the artwork is much better than Manga. Content these days is a definite concern as ej pointed out.
by BernardL April 7th, 2007 at 7:20 amI used to be a big comic collector/reader, then I grew out of it some where in my teens. Years later when my son was diagnosed with dyslexia, I got him into comic books as a way to encourage him to read. 10 years later he’s a huge comic book/graphic novel collector and he’s introduced *me* to alot of characters/writers/illustrators. I’d love to read some favourite authors as graphic novels.
by jaq April 7th, 2007 at 8:05 amI don’t like manga and I’d rather not see my books made into one (if they get published at all, lol) but I can see it’s a market and if an author is ok with it, more power to her.
by Gabriele April 7th, 2007 at 10:47 amAlso a huge comic fan in my youth, but grew out of it (partly, I think, because the storylines became more and more ludicrous). They’d have to be pretty well done to win me over, but I’d be open to the idea, yeah.
by raine April 7th, 2007 at 10:50 amI think I’m kind of ambivalent but the bookseller I talked to this AM said that Manga and Romance are her two biggest sellers, so this could be a really good thing
by amie stuart April 7th, 2007 at 12:05 pmMay, That’s cool about Melissa getting the Manga deal. Christine Feehan’s adaptation is for one of her older novellas too. I think you’re right about this being a good way to reach a new/younger reader base.
by Jordan April 7th, 2007 at 1:17 pmEJ, I can see where that might be a concern. My guess is that these books will keep the violence and tone down the sex, which seems to be strangely acceptable in the states.
by Jordan April 7th, 2007 at 1:19 pmJeaniene, I like the idea of it being a trend, too. I admit that I haven’t read comics of ANY kind in *cough* years. (wg) But I’m more apt to pick them up, if they’re by authors that I enjoy reading. Also, I’m a visual person, so the idea of ’seeing’ the books come to life is appealing to me.
by Jordan April 7th, 2007 at 1:22 pmBernard, I know visually a lot of people prefer the graphic novel art. I think it’s great, but I also enjoy Manga. I can see content being a concern, since you sell/rent these out to kids.
by Jordan April 7th, 2007 at 1:24 pmJaq, I think ‘comics’ have come a long way in the last ten years. The stories are tighter, the art is better, and in some cases, it’s more entertaining than a movie. Personally, I’d love to see my Tor books turned into Manga or a graphic novel.
by Jordan April 7th, 2007 at 1:26 pmGabriele, I think certain genres lend themselves to Manga and Graphic Novels, while others don’t. Personally, I wouldn’t want to read any of my favorite contemporary authors’ books in Manga, but paranormal (fantasy, urban fantasy, romance, etc.) and horror work really well.
by Jordan April 7th, 2007 at 1:29 pmRaine, I intend to grab a few (ie the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Christine Feehan’s Dark Hunger and LKH’s new one) to check out.
by Jordan April 7th, 2007 at 1:30 pmAmie, I think the market for Manga is HUGE. Obviously, it’s everywhere in Japan, but I think the english speaking markets are just starting to grow and develop. Once they do, look out.
by Jordan April 7th, 2007 at 1:32 pmI love comics, and Manga! I don’t know that all books would make the conversion gracefully, but with some, especially urban fantasy, yes, I can really see it.
by Charli April 7th, 2007 at 3:21 pmBig manga and manwha reader here, and also a shameless Vertigo fangirl. Most of the titles I follow definitely fall in the fantasy/urban fantasy and horror genres. Romance/vampires are already popular in Japanese shoujo manga, so Feehan’s book should do really well in that format. The only romance-ish manga titles I’ve been buying are Tramps Like Us and Nana. Hopelessly addicted to both.
Jordan, you have to read Fables! A lot of guys who read comics swear they got their wives/girlfriends into comics by giving them that series to read.
If I can convert anyone into reading Fables, Hellblazer, Sandman, or Lucifer, I will do the happy dance.
by Michele April 7th, 2007 at 6:40 pmCharli, Those are my thoughts too.:)
by Jordan April 7th, 2007 at 10:53 pmMichele, I put Fables on my Amazon wishlist because of you. I plan to pick it up next week, along with Snake Agent by Liz Williams. I figure any time a book is described as Chow Yun-Fat meets Constantine it’s worth a serious look. (wg)
by Jordan April 7th, 2007 at 10:57 pmI must agree that Manga as a SUPPLEMENT to novels (especially fantasy/sci-fi/erotica) is a fantastic and entirely appropriate concept. Who wouldn’t like to see scenes from any of YOUR books, Jordan, in a visual format? It does not invalidate the written word; it ENHANCES it. No one criticizes when a FILM is translated from a book (well, I suppose SOME do, but I believe they’re in the minority). I would WELCOME a Manga version of my own books. In fact, any idea to whom an author would submit his/her book(s)?
by Chaz April 8th, 2007 at 12:05 amChaz, Supplement is a good term for it. It doesn’t take the place of the original, only enhances it.
Thank you for the compliment. 
To answer your question, I have no idea who you’d send your work to in order to get it ’supplemented’. *g* It is my understanding that at least some of the authors who have Manga books coming out were approached by the Manga publishers. The other ones probably had their agent pursue the deal. That would be my guess anyway.
Another thing to note, it seems like only shorter works are being chosen (ie novellas).
by Jordan April 8th, 2007 at 11:54 amYay!! ::doing the happy dance:: I haven’t heard about Snake Agent. I love Chow Yun-Fat and John Constantine, though, so a fusion of the two is definitely worth a look. I’ll have to add it to my wishlist.
by Michele April 8th, 2007 at 4:27 pmMichele,
I hope it’s as good as it sounds. 
by Jordan April 8th, 2007 at 6:33 pmI also saw that Stephen King’s Dark Tower series is going to have a manga prequel about Roland’s life - which I’m totally going to snap up.
I like to see different takes on things. They may work or not, but some books I think would do well as graphic novels.
by Lauren April 10th, 2007 at 8:37 amLauren, I agree. You won’t know until it’s done. Like you, I like seeing different ways you can tell a story, particularly when it’s a favorite.
by Jordan April 10th, 2007 at 4:33 pm