What is it about anime that is so appealing to a transnational fan base? Is the American attraction to anime similar to the popularity of previous fads of Japanese culture, like the Japonisants of fin-de-siecle France enamored of Japanese art and architecture, or the American poets in the fifties and sixties who latched onto haiku? Or is this something new, a product of global culture in which ethnic identities carry less weight? This book explores these issues by taking a look at anime fans and the place they occupy, both in terms of subculture in Japan and America, and in relation to Western perceptions of Japan since the late 1800s.

Part human, part animal -- all fantastic! Veteran illustrator Ryo Sumiyoshi stretches the boundaries of fantasy human-animal hybrids in his new book--presenting not just the usual jungle beasties but a fascinating array of strange and unusual creatures found nowhere else! Sumiyoshi's extensive sketchbook ideas, drawing tips and full-color examples combine insights on body structures and movement with conceptual sketches and notes linking physical attributes to personality and behavior. The hundreds of drawings in this book show you how to create a rich menagerie of fantasy characters: Anthropomorphic furries based on the classic dog, cat, fox and werewolf-type characters Humans with animal features like a hunter with a bushy tail and the crafty face of a cat Animals with human features, for example a six-legged tiger with a human face Animal-to-animal hybrids including a snake-fox and a griffinesque chimera These creatures boast mix-and-match fangs, beaks, paws, claws, fur, fins, feathers, scales and plates paired with expressive human attributes. And they come from every branch of the animal kingdom--from mammals to birds, reptiles, fish and insects--and everything in between. This is the ultimate sourcebook for anyone interested in fantasy creature design!

Batman fans can call upon the world's greatest superhero with this high-quality die-cast metal Bat-Signal--projects up to 20 feet! Special features: - 5-inch tall authentically detailed Bat-Signal replica - Metal construction - LED light-up function, up to 20-feet projection in darkness - 360A Degrees rotatable base - 48-page hardcover book on Batman and Bat-Signal lore, featuring full-color illustrations throughout 3 AAA batteries not included.

Steve Gerber (1947-2008) is among the most significant comics writers of the modern era. Best known for his magnum opus Howard the Duck, he also wrote influential series such as Man-Thing, Omega the Unknown, The Phantom Zone, and Hard Time, expressing a combination of intelligence and empathy rare in American comics. Gerber rose to prominence during the 1970s. His work for Marvel Comics during that era helped revitalize several increasingly cliched generic conventions of superhero, horror, and funny animal comics by inserting satire, psychological complexity, and existential absurdism. Gerber's scripts were also often socially conscious, confronting, among other things, capitalism, environmentalism, political corruption, and censorship. His critique also extended into the personal sphere, addressing such taboo topics as domestic violence, racism, inequality, and poverty. This volume follows Gerber's career through a range of interviews, beginning with his height during the 1970s and ending with an interview with Michael Eury just before Gerber's death in 2008. Among the pieces featured is a 1976 interview with Mark Lerer, originally published in the low-circulation fanzine Pittsburgh Fan Forum, where Gerber looks back on his work for Marvel during the early to mid-1970s, his most prolific period. This volume concludes with selections from Gerber's dialogue with his readers and admirers in online forums and a Gerber-based Yahoo Group, wherein he candidly discusses his many projects over the years. Gerber's unique voice in comics has established his legacy. Indeed, his contribution earned him a posthumous induction into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame.

Encompassing 29 countries of Europe, this detailed bibliography covers the field of comic art. European academicians and journalists began the study of comic art earlier than their counterparts in other areas of the world. This volume reflects those efforts as well as the substantial growth of contemporary writings. Art Historian David Kunzle introduces the work, thus acknowledging the importance of Europe's lead in the scholarship of comic art in all its forms. This is one of four volumes dealing with various regions of the world in an attempt for the first time to present a comprehensive, international study of comic art scholarship.

Chapters are country(ies) specific, except for the first, which includes continental, regional, and comparative perspectives. A feature of chapter one is its resources component, including an annotated directory of 81 comic art-related periodicals. Because of an unusually large number of sources, the chapters on Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Italy were expanded and subcategorised beyond historical and contemporary perspectives and specific comic art forms. Thus, many citations appear under categories of children's press, festivals, humor periodicals, anthologies, art and aesthetics, cinema, education and culture, effects debate, genres, industry, language and semiotics, legal aspects, literature, psychology, religion, socio-cultural aspects, and technical aspects. Additionally, more than 250 individual cartoonists and over 110 characters and titles were given separate categories. Art Historian David Kunzle, who has written the definitive histories of comic art precursors, wrote a personalized foreword. A preface delineating the unique characteristics of the book and complete indices conveniently divided by authors, cartoonists, characters and titles, periodicals, and subjects are provided.

In The Transmedia Construction of the Black Panther: Long Live the King, Bryan J. Carr explores and analyzes the evolution of the Black Panther character since his inception in the 1960s across comics, film, television, video games, and music. The Black Panther, Carr argues, is the sum of the creative works of countless individuals across various media that have each contributed to the legacy of the first mainstream Black superhero, all happening against a backdrop of social and cultural upheaval, global political struggle for equality, and the long shadow of colonizing Western attitudes. The Panther's existence is a complex one that not only illustrates in microcosm those same struggles in the historically white superhero space, but also offers a perfect case study for media trends of representation then and now. Carr addresses a number of questions: Does the Black Panther really represent a powerful counter-narrative to long-standing regressive attitudes toward Black identity and Africa? Who were the key contributors to our understanding of the character? And finally, how can we use the character to understand the complexities of our modern consolidated media systems? Scholars of media studies, film and television studies, comics studies, cultural studies, critical race studies, and African studies will find this book particularly useful.

Theology and Spider-Man provides a look at the religious themes present in one of the most popular heroes of the past half-century, Spider-Man. In order to create a systematic theology of Spider-Man, the contributors delve into themes of sin, salvation, and creedal theology, while also addressing liberation theology, Black theology, bioethics, and hermeneutics. This volume balances theological depth with discussion of the comics and films, which makes it a perfect collection for those interested in theology, Spider-Man, or both.

Superman is the original superhero, an American icon, and arguably the most famous character in the world--and he's Jewish! Introduced in June 1938, the Man of Steel was created by two Jewish teens, Jerry Siegel, the son of immigrants from Eastern Europe, and Joe Shuster, an immigrant. They based their hero's origin story on Moses, his strength on Samson, his mission on the golem, and his nebbish secret identity on themselves. They made him a refugee fleeing catastrophe on the eve of World War II and sent him to tear Nazi tanks apart nearly two years before the US joined the war. In the following decades, Superman's mostly Jewish writers, artists, and editors continued to borrow Jewish motifs for their stories, basing Krypton's past on Genesis and Exodus, its society on Jewish culture, the trial of Lex Luthor on Adolf Eichmann's, and a future holiday celebrating Superman on Passover. A fascinating journey through comic book lore, American history, and Jewish tradition, this book examines the entirety of Superman's career from 1938 to date, and is sure to give readers a newfound appreciation for the Mensch of Steel!

An eye-opening exploration of the toxic masculinity and sexism that pervades the superhero genre. Superheroes have been exciting and inspirational cultural icons for decades, dating back to the debut of Superman in the 1930s. The earliest tales have been held up as cornerstones of the genre, looked upon with nostalgic reverence. However, enshrining these tales also enshrines many outdated values that have allowed sexist gender dynamics to thrive. In Not All Supermen: Sexism, Toxic Masculinity, and the Complex History of Superheroes, Tim Hanley examines how anger, aggression, and violence became the norm in superhero comics, paired with a disdain for women that the industry has yet to fully move beyond. The sporadic addition of new female heroes over the years proved largely ineffective, the characters often underused and objectified. Hanley also reveals how the genre's sexism has had real-world implications, with many creators being outed as sexual harassers and bigots, while intolerant fan movements are awash with misogynistic hate speech. Superheroes can be a force for good, representing truth, justice, and courage, but the industry is laden with excessive baggage. The future of the genre depends on what elements of its past are celebrated and what is left behind. Not All Supermen unravels this complex history and shows how superheroes can become more relevant and inspiring for everyone.

Contributions by Paul Fisher Davies, Lisa DeTora, Yasemin J. Erden, Adam Gearey, Thomas Giddens, Peter Goodrich, Maggie Gray, Matthew J. A. Green, Vladislav Maksimov, Timothy D. Peters, Christopher Pizzino, Nicola Streeten, and Lydia Wysocki. Recent decades have seen comics studies blossom, but within the ecosystems of this growth, dominant assumptions have taken root - assumptions around the particular methods used to approach the comics form, the ways we should read comics, how its ""system"" works, and the disciplinary relationships that surround this evolving area of study. But other perspectives have also begun to flourish. These approaches question the reliance on structural linguistics and the tools of English and cultural studies in the examination and understanding of comics. In this edited collection, scholars from a variety of disciplines examine comics by addressing materiality and form as well as the wider economic and political contexts of comics' creation and reception. Through this lens, influenced by poststructuralist theories, contributors explore and elaborate other possibilities for working with comics as a critical resource, consolidating the emergence of these alternative modes of engagement in a single text. This opens comics studies to a wider array of resources, perspectives, and modes of engagement. Included in this volume are essays on a range of comics and illustrations as well as considerations of such popular comics as Deadpool, Daredevil, and V for Vendetta, and analyses of comics production, medical illustrations, and original comics. Some contributions even unfold in the form of comics panels.

Lose yourself in this incredible collection of art from the ultra-popular Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime! The incredible designs and thrilling animation of global smash hit Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba have cemented its place as one of the most popular anime series of all time! The Art of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Anime collects a wide variety of art, illustrations, and production material from the show, artfully crafted by popular animation studio ufotable. The book includes over 300 illustrations primarily created for the Tanjiro Kamado Unwavering Resolve arc and features an exclusive cover illustration by Akira Matsushima, character designer and chief animation director for the series.

In Asterix and the Chariot Race, Senator Lactus Bifidus announces a special one-off chariot race, to defend his name and prove Rome's greatness. Julius Caesar insists a Roman must win, or Bifidus will pay. Open to anyone from the known world, competitors arrive from far and wide, including Asterix and Obelix. With Bifidus secretly scheming, who will win this almighty chariot race? In Asterix and the Chieftain's Daughter, Adrenalin, the rebellious daughter of the great Gaulish chieftain Vercingetorix, arrives at their village, and Asterix and Obelix are tasked with protecting her from the Romans chasing her. This is easier said than done though, as Adrenalin is desperate to escape! Follow our favourite heroes as they try and reach Adrenalin before the Romans do. In Asterix and the Griffin, Asterix and Obelix set out on their 39th adventure on a long journey in search of a strange and terrifying creature. Half-eagle, half-lion, and idolised and feared by ancient peoples, this creature is the griffin.

Comics have become icons of U.S. popular culture familiar throughout the world. This huge bibliography, one of four compiled by Lent to cover all parts of the world, cites many publications in various writing styles, formats, time periods, and languages. This volume is introduced by famed cartoonists Mort Walker ("Beetle Bailey") and Jerry Robinson ("The Joker"). The genres of comic art have had a phenomenal growth in recent years; the literature has grown with these developments, making this volume of interest to scholars of popular culture and fans alike.

Featured are sections on resources, including an annotated directory of 128 comic art-related periodicals; comics collecting; portrayals of comics in movies, television, and radio; and relationships of comics with art, education and children, eroticism, ethnicity, humanism, the professions, violence, and war. Other parts deal with historical, business, legal, and technical aspects of comics. Two hundred and ninety-one comics-related personnel are singled out for special consideration, as well as 143 individual comic strip characters and 48 comic book titles under 13 genres. The foreword by Mort Walker deals with comics over the years and the topic of political correctness, and the introduction by Jerry Robinson gives a history of comic art. The indices are conveniently divided by authors, cartoonists, characters and titles, periodicals, and subjects. The other three books in this international series cover animation, caricature, gag, magazine, illustrative, and political cartoons in the United States and Canada; comic art of Europe; and comic art of Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The male form is the focus here--twisting, leaping and tumbling in dramatic action sequences! Master manga and anime artist Kyachi shows you the secrets professional Japanese artists use to create dynamic motion on the page. A series of detailed tutorials show you how to draw the male form in every possible position. Individual lessons cover standing, sitting, reclining, walking, running, kicking, pitching, swimming, dribbling and sparring. A rogues' gallery is also presented, showing how to create dastardly villains, armed with weapons and ready to rumble. With the help of this complete guide, you'll be able to: Populate the page or screen with eye-catching movement and powerful action poses Master Kyachi's methods through step-by-step progressions--before it's time to try it on your own Follow along with charming caricature guides who offer essential tips and steer you clear of pitfalls It can be intimidating to draw people as a beginning artist, but Learn to Draw Manga Men is meant to dispel those exact fears and wipe away any hesitations you may have. Begin with a blank page or empty screen and start populating it with people. Before you know it, your characters will come to life before you! Kyachi has distilled her specialized knowledge of the skeleton, muscles and physical structures, explaining and analyzing the most difficult aspects of figure drawing and presenting it to you in a clear and simple way. With the help of this fantastic resource, you'll soon master detailed male characters to include in your own comic strip or graphic novel! *Recommended for artists 16 & up*

Learn to create detailed female characters to include in your own comic strip or graphic novel! Professional manga and anime artist Kyachi offers aspiring artists an easy-to-follow approach to drawing manga women. For beginners, it can be intimidating to know where to start when drawing the human form. This book is meant to dispel those fears and wipe away any hesitation, so you can begin with a blank page or empty screen and start populating it with people. Soon your simple forms will take on greater detail and your characters will come to life before you! Kyachi has distilled her specialized knowledge of the skeleton, muscles and physical structures, explaining and analyzing the most difficult aspects of figure drawing and presenting it to you in a clear and simple way. With this all-in-one, how-to guide you'll: Create compelling characters and eye-catching action poses Learn about contrapposto (a specialized art term, meaning that most of the body's weight rests on either the left or right leg, achieving an angular or asymmetrical stance) Master traditional freehand, as well as digital techniques Follow along with the step-by-step progressions, before it's time to try it on your own Consult the cartoon guide who pops up and chimes in when expert tips are needed most A series of detailed lessons shows you how to draw the female form in every possible position. Individual chapters cover standing, sitting, reclining, walking, running and jumping. Essential details are then added--such as realistic creases to clothing and colorizing with brightness, contrast and saturation effects. Lovers of action manga and those hoping to create original, complex female characters will find this book absolutely indispensable! *Recommended for artists 16 & up*

Desperate Times is the brilliant and unfl inching new collection of sketches of contemporary political life by The Times's master of satire, Peter Brookes. Within these pages, the multiple winner of the British Press Awards Cartoonist of the Year showcases the standout pieces from his political cartoons in The Times, up to the minute and breathtaking in their bite and wit. Cataloguing two of the most turbulent years on record, Desperate Times provides an unsparing critique of political leaders and events at home and abroad. From Brexit and Megxit to Trump's departure and the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, this collection of exquisitely crafted cartoons provides vivid proof, were it needed, that we are indeed living through desperate times.