Joanna ([info]jou) wrote,
@ 2008-06-04 20:32:00
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Current mood: Tired and cheesed off.
Entry tags:art posts

In advance of the broken manga.
Alright, so I'm back from England (I had an amazing time) and I have pictures if anyone wants to see them... But right now I'm jetlagged to hell, and I've come home to find the internet clogged with Tokyopop layoffs, restructuring, and related wank.

Yeah, not fun. That'll teach me to go on vacation.

Now, to be honest, I no longer work for Tokyopop. Roadsong is over with book 3 hot off the presses this month, and I'm involved in a new project with a new publisher. All's well in paradise, you might say.

But you know, it still sort of hurts to see what feels like the entire comics industry heaping scorn on my former publisher, where a lot of my friends work or have projects. Especially when I've got no friendly word to defend them with. I'm no fan of the "pilot program" (or whatever it's called), I'm not fond of the way they treat their creators, and seeing the astounding list of layoffs makes me wince. Oh yeah, and putting up with the constant "OEL/OGMs SUCK, THEY'RE NOT REAL MANGA, NON-JAPANESE LOSERS GO HOME" sentiment hasn't been a picnic either. I'm tired of feeling like everyone must look down on me for working with Tokyopop. That ain't the way it should be. I hate being made to feel ashamed of my own accomplishments.

But lemme just say that I've made a lot of friends through Tokyopop whom I really love, and it's exhausting to see them have to deal with with all this crap, too. Commence shoutout:

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! DON'T LET THE MAN GET YOU DOWN!!!

I wonder if my time as a manga artist is officially over. The manga industry seems a pretty bleak pace to be at the moment.

...That said, I just got my RS3 comp copies. Woo woo:

rs3
According to Amazon, they're to be officially released into the wild on June 10th.

Also, I'm apparently still manga artist enough to have illustrated the cover for Otakon's 2008 pocket program guide. This year's theme is time travel:

otaguide
I had to rush it due my own stupidity, but I ended up having fun with it nonetheless. And god only knows why they contacted li'l ole me for a period illustration. Who'd a thunk it? *wink*


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[info]zorichan
2008-06-05 01:25 am UTC (link)
I'll have to track it down in stores. =) You're talented. I'm sure there will be other work for you even if not "manga" related.

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[info]jou
2008-06-05 03:43 pm UTC (link)
Thanks. :) And I don't mean to say that I'm quitting comics or anything... maybe just quitting the "manga" side of comics. :P

...But speaking of which, your fanart printed great in RS3!! I swear the fanart gallery is my favorite part...

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(no subject) - [info]zorichan, 2008-06-06 05:16 pm UTC (Expand)

[info]hirovox
2008-06-05 01:37 am UTC (link)
I wouldn't worry too much about the comics industry picking TP as it's whipping boy. It's a small enough industry...word spreads fast because there aren't that many people in it. Woudln't worry about it too much for now. Neithr the news OR the OEL critics...water off a duck's back, y'know? IMO.

'Sides. I think your book is plenty sweet. I look forward to more! :D

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[info]jou
2008-06-05 03:33 pm UTC (link)
Aw, thanks. I know you're right... I just get in the mood to blog about my COMICS ANGST sometimes. And I'm pretty well immune to OEL critics by now, but I guess it still hurts to hear it from industry professionals. *flump*

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(no subject) - [info]hirovox, 2008-06-05 05:14 pm UTC (Expand)

[info]missychacha
2008-06-05 01:57 am UTC (link)
its a little scary, all of it. *snugs*

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[info]charitylarrison
2008-06-05 02:30 am UTC (link)
<3 time machine draw is ultra cuteness

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[info]amegoddess
2008-06-05 02:44 am UTC (link)
Manga influenced comics have always had a hard shake on the respectability front. I wouldn't let it worry you. Most sane people know the difference between the company and the artists that they publish... I hope. =/

-Diana

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[info]jou
2008-06-05 03:34 pm UTC (link)
You know, that's very true. "No love for manga" is not a new thing. I'll try to keep that in mind.

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[info]rukiaclear
2008-06-05 02:57 am UTC (link)
Are you going to Otakon this year?!.....or b-more comic con..or both?...I could'nt meet you at comic con last year cause of school, but the sweet thing is this time my school is at the con.....cause I'm going to MICA in the fall:) ....no more stupid highschool!!!!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]jou
2008-06-05 03:35 pm UTC (link)
Alas, I'm not going to Otakon, but I'll be at B-more!! Will I see you there? :D

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(no subject) - [info]rukiaclear, 2008-06-06 01:35 am UTC (Expand)

[info]tonysalvaggio
2008-06-05 03:58 am UTC (link)
Roadsong 3, awesome! Sigh, I wish we could have gotten Psy-Comm 3 out a few months earlier.
Thanks for the pep post. I hope that your next gig is as awesome or more! I can't wait to check it out. I really really dig your art!!!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]jou
2008-06-05 03:46 pm UTC (link)
Hey Tony! Yeah, I've got my fingers crossed for Psy-Comm 3, and all the other in-production OELs. I feel like I slid in under the wire, with RS3. Nick of time, or somesuch. Craziness.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Welcome back!
[info]yorufukagawa
2008-06-05 04:22 am UTC (link)
:raises hand: Ooo!OOoo! Pictures! Yes please! Congrats on the RS3 and the program guide, cant wait to see it! ^_^

And sorry about TP and the layoffs/usual business crud. Thats never fun to hear, even when you aren't a complete part of it anymore. I understand about the 'worker-bee-does-not-equal-the-corp' and that though you might not like or agree with what the company does, you do your best to make a good mark somewhere for yourself. Corporations will always be that way, its the bottom line and 98% their way or the highway.

I guess what gets me is that people don't seem to get that its business. Period. And there are choices, you just 'em and learn.

I hope that your friends are doing ok, and hope that you dont get too down from all of it. You did what you did and should be proud reguardless. :cheers!:

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: Welcome back!
[info]jou
2008-06-05 03:38 pm UTC (link)
Yeah... aside from all my waaaaaa waaaah angst waaaaaah, I'm most bummed about the fact that at least one of my really good friends got laid off. Now I'm all, "well now what will I do?? Will I see them at cons anymore?! Do I even feel like going to cons if a lot less of my friends are going to be there?!!?" ...Ugh. I'm still just so bleah over the whole thing.

But yeah, 'IT'S A BUSINESS, GUYS" is something that I've been trying to drill into people's heads for some time now. I should keep that in mind.

I'll do my best to cheer up and post pics in the next couple days!! : *

*HUGGG*

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[info]domokaru
2008-06-05 05:22 am UTC (link)
Gotta say Joanna, I wasn't surprised by the pocket guide cover, I mean surprised that your's was picked. Maybe that was 'cause I knew. ^_^ Some of the staff got to see the submissions before hand and good things were said of yours. They've kept the main program guide cover under wraps for now though. At least as far as I know.

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[info]akicafe
2008-06-05 11:58 am UTC (link)
ummm, did you forget I'm otakon's artist liaison. There was no competition, I asked her directly to draw this, and she did a fantastic job.

oh, and the underwraps program cover? just ask me and I'll show you any of the pieces (except most of them, including that one, aren't finished yet).

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(no subject) - [info]jou, 2008-06-05 03:40 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]jou, 2008-06-05 03:41 pm UTC (Expand)
YES, BUT
[info]looking_spiffy
2008-06-05 08:28 am UTC (link)
Photobucket

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Re: YES, BUT
[info]jou
2008-06-05 12:12 pm UTC (link)
lrituwoehsdkjweriuweojfdAERLAIRTUWEHKJHGRS JADE. I LOVE YOU. OH MY GOD WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY HEAD IN THIS PICTURE. HOWEVER, NETS ARE STILL DELICIOUS!!!!!!

...Good seeing you again! Seriously. :D

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)(Expand)
Re: YES, BUT - [info]looking_spiffy, 2008-06-05 10:26 pm UTC (Expand)
Re: YES, BUT - [info]jou, 2008-06-05 10:47 pm UTC (Expand)
Re: YES, BUT - [info]looking_spiffy, 2008-06-05 10:48 pm UTC (Expand)
Re: YES, BUT - [info]jou, 2008-06-05 10:51 pm UTC (Expand)

[info]lordminkie
2008-06-05 09:07 am UTC (link)
For one, welcome back to the states!

Also, I wouldn't feel bad about your time at TP at all. At the time you signed they were as good as any and that's enough if you ask me. In fact, it almost looks good that you've moved on now that they are in the reticule.

In the grand scheme of things, you're a great artist and nobody can deny it.

Cheers, and best of luck with your next publisher =D

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[info]jou
2008-06-05 03:47 pm UTC (link)
...Thanks Dave. <3 I feel like no one must like my whining, but then I get all this support because my friends are ACTUALLY WONDERFUL. :D

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[info]tragic_frog
2008-06-05 12:31 pm UTC (link)
I know I'm horribly biased but I have to say that you've proven with Roadsong what an amazing artist you are, I doubt you'll have trouble working in the manga industry as long as you want to.

Also anyone who hates on non-Japanese manga is most likely just regurgitating someone elses ideas about what modern manga should be in hopes of sounding like they know what the fuck they're talking about. To whit, morons.

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[info]jou
2008-06-05 03:30 pm UTC (link)
I LOVE YOU ROBIN YOU'RE THE BEST LITTLE BROTHER EVER DADACHUCK. .... And I don't know if I even WANT to mess with the manga stuff anyway. Not to say I'm quitting comics, but moreso aligning with more western-comic publishers.

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[info]the_reverand
2008-06-05 12:31 pm UTC (link)
Yay for returning home! And yay for new Roadsong! Awesome covers both!

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[info]jou
2008-06-06 02:11 pm UTC (link)
Thanks! It's good to be back. :)

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[info]lilrivkah
2008-06-05 06:03 pm UTC (link)
WE LOVE YOU TOO!!! ;_;

Still read your posts, dear, so I'm glad to see you've found another publisher. The cutbacks across the industry aren't the end of the world. IMHO, I think it'll all work out for us in the long run. :)

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[info]jou
2008-06-06 02:15 pm UTC (link)
*HUGS* Yeah, but I'm not on a pay schedule with my new publisher just yet, and my teaching job ends today for summer vacation... so I'm gonna be income-less for a (hopefully short) period of time. Bleah. I think I've just been stressed about that (I really thought I'd be on a pay schedule by now) and blah blah blah failing economy and comics industry sucking and people getting laid off.... I think it stresses me out.

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[info]divalea
2008-06-05 06:26 pm UTC (link)
That cover is adorable, said the sucker for Steampunk.

Nothing changes what you accomplished, Joanna. The TP situation is miserable, I know I'm one of the ones heaping scorn, but it has nothing to do with the quality of the work presented. It is about TP's business practices, which have always been deplorable.

No matter who you made your art for, it's good and you did it.

I got exactly the same shit no matter where I've worked. It's just one of those things. (I've also gotten delightful comments like, "who do *I* blow to get an Image book?" Wow, thanks for that suggestion I had didn't work hard or fly at the last minute to make a pitch, or write that pitch up, or even draw my damn book. No, I had to smoke sausage to get work. It makes me wish now I'd said, "The production guy.")

Above all, screw the OEL haters. I've gotten that, too. They're the ones who sit on the floor at the bookstores and read the books, but never buy them.

Keep in mind what I've written is from the POV of someone who has been watching companies pull this crap for twenty+ years, and been the recipient of that crap, and it's so frustrating!

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[info]jou
2008-06-06 02:27 pm UTC (link)
Thanks Lea. :) I'm glad you dropped by to say boo.

And I know nothing changes the work I've presented, but I think that the impression of being looked down upon (whether it's true or not) for working with TP has affected the quality of my work. Especially during the production of book 3, I unwittingly adopted the "just get it done and get out" attitude, and I think the end product suffered for it.

Seriously. Having no self-respect is exhausting... and I suppose that's a personal failing on my part for listening to the talk of other people instead of myself, and I deeply regret letting myself be affected this way. I don't ever want to get myself trapped in another situation like this one, that's for sure. Time to make a clean break.

I dunno if that's any kind of reply to what you just said, but I felt like I'd talk a little bit more about my "feelings" as it were.

...And worry not, I don't listen to the OEL haters, because I think they're largely regarded as nitwits anyway. And yes, I'm tired of tripping over them at my local Borders.

And whoever made that comment about BJs for Image books should be tarred, feathered, and run out of town on a rail. Seriously, people don't THINK before they talk.


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(no subject) - [info]divalea, 2008-06-06 02:37 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]jou, 2008-06-06 02:53 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]divalea, 2008-06-06 02:54 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]jou, 2008-06-06 02:57 pm UTC (Expand)

[info]divalea
2008-06-05 06:27 pm UTC (link)
And: the web. No hurdles, no "sharing" your IP, and the web's not going anywhere. It's a good place to keep connected with the audience you've built.

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[info]engelen
2008-06-05 07:28 pm UTC (link)
I love looking at travel pictures <3 *stalk stalk*

I'll be honest with you, I don't like "American Manga", the term is just too retarded for me to like it, BUT, I do like comics. I really don't care what's the publishing house, if the story is good, and the art doesn't make my eyes bleed, hell, I'll buy it!!
I've never read Road Song (have looked for it when I've been to the Us, but haven't been lucky), but I want to, because the premise interests me (plus, I like your style <3 <3), I don't care if it's being (or was) published by a manga editorial.
As for the whole drama over TP, well, I don't really care... seeing as it doesn't affect me nor my country's comic industry in any way whatsoever.

*/useless rant no one would care about because I'm not important*

I like teh time traveling pic BTW :D

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[info]jou
2008-06-06 02:33 pm UTC (link)
And I'll be honest with you, and say that I think it's ridiculous to get hung up on classifications. People tend to get scared and freak out over what to call OEL/OGMs, and start big wars over it.

...Why all this fear and anger? Does not compute. The comics are what they are, but people want to wank 'til doomsday over what to call them. (And honestly, the main reason they get called manga is because manga is popular right now. Something with the title "manga" attached to it is more likely to sell and make the company money. It's maaaaarrketing.)

Anyway, that's my curmudgeonly rant for the day! *trades rants with you* And good luck finding Roadsong!! It might get harder with all the fuss going on over at TP...

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(no subject) - [info]engelen, 2008-06-06 08:01 pm UTC (Expand)

[info]lfe_kickingbird
2008-06-05 08:34 pm UTC (link)
Well, I'd like to hope that most real fans understand that the publisher is rarely a reflection of the artist. Keep up the good work, and I'm glad that you're able to find other ventures with other companies. (who I hope is treating you better as well) Look forward to Roadsong 3. Glad you liked England, I was there last month for work. I was at Chelthemham, which I didn't enjoy so much, but London was awesome! If you were in London, did you check out the Movieum by the Thames?

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[info]jou
2008-06-06 02:36 pm UTC (link)
I was in London, but I don't think I saw the Movieum!! ...What is it?

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(no subject) - [info]lfe_kickingbird, 2008-06-07 02:26 am UTC (Expand)

[info]solipherus
2008-06-06 01:38 am UTC (link)
WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Man, I'm gonna miss some of the editors. I really hope they're doing alright and that they can find new jobs soon.

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[info]jou
2008-06-06 02:37 pm UTC (link)
I know. ;_; Some of the editors that I was good friends with were on the list of layoffs. I can't stop wondering if I'll ever see them again or not... it makes me sad.

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YAY
[info]raisha_novar
2008-06-06 02:03 am UTC (link)
I love your period illustrations!!! I have the picture of the bodyless victorian clothing on my wall and its one of my top favorite pictures ever!! Also, as someone not in the mange business and who knows nothing about it ... you're my favorite manga artist and I brag about you all the time!!

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: YAY
[info]jou
2008-06-06 02:54 pm UTC (link)
REALLY?? I didn't know you had the bodyless victorians hanging up! Now I'm all flattered. :D

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[info]frecklegirl
2008-06-07 02:19 am UTC (link)
Who is heaping scorn?? I heard about this from a friend who got laid off and I really feel for everyone (especially because they were some of MY friends too and I feel the same, like, will I ever see them again??) but I'd like to know who is badmouthing them and OELs at the same time! Could you point me to some links?

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[info]jou
2008-06-10 04:25 am UTC (link)
It was mostly a lot of comments to the news posts about the TP split and the layoffs. Stupid fanbrats saying that TP's suffering because OELs sucked enough to bring them down, etc etc. And TP hasn't been looked favorably upon in the industry for quite some time... so this is just another excuse to badmouth them. I don't have specific links, but it really did feel like it was everywhere.

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[info]slagkick
2008-06-09 11:02 am UTC (link)
Er, doing a bit of stalking here and - OMG - you are/were a manga artist? I am extremely envious. I've always dreamed of making graphic novels, but alas, I am a shit artist.

Would it be all right if I friended you?

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[info]jou
2008-06-10 03:23 am UTC (link)
Sure! I don't mind a bit! :) Glad to have you.

And yes, I'm a comic artist. I've drawn 3 mangas for Tokyopop and various other comics for various other publishers. Graphic novels is a harsh mistress!! Dont' envy me too much. ;)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)(Expand)
(no subject) - [info]slagkick, 2008-06-10 03:46 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]jou, 2008-06-10 03:03 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]slagkick, 2008-06-10 05:27 pm UTC (Expand)

[info]kasche
2008-06-09 11:09 am UTC (link)
:O I just got into Roadsong and it ends already? (Seriously: it ends with number 3?)

And hahaha! I love the Time Machine picture. :D

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[info]jou
2008-06-10 03:06 pm UTC (link)
Yep... It's a trilogy, so after #3 there's no more Roadsong. ALAS. Onward to more stories about... Hambert! <3

...And my fanart gallery in vol. 3 turned out great. Thanks for contributing! <3

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(no subject) - [info]kasche, 2008-06-10 03:08 pm UTC (Expand)

[info]ribby
2008-06-09 06:13 pm UTC (link)
Heee.... now I'm glad the Tokyopop booth was too crowded at BEA for me to ask about Roadsong... *grin* But what a cool cover!

And the time-travel illustration is wonderful!

Welcome back--pictures, pretty please?

(And Cleveland was fun, if deadly hot--90s and at least 80% humidity the whole time--ick!)

*hugs* Glad to hear you had fun, and glad you're back!

~Kris

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]jou
2008-06-10 03:25 pm UTC (link)
What's BEA? Did I miss something?

AUUUUGH, AND THE HEAT. Tell me about it. It's hot as anything in Dayton (it's been about 95 for the past WEEK) and every bit as humid as you say. At this rate, I'm never going to bother doing my hair again, as it turns into a huge mass of frizz every time I step out the door. Ick.

Booooo, and why'd you have to be in Cleveland!! So far away! *glomp*

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(no subject) - [info]ribby, 2008-06-10 04:41 pm UTC (Expand)

[info]lilly_chan
2008-06-24 03:21 am UTC (link)
Hi Joanna!

Love the cover for RS3 and Otakon's pocket guide cover! I didn't realize that vol. 3 is out I might need to go back to Barnes & Noble this week to get your book!

Sorry to hear about Tokyopop, but at least you are line for a new project! I wish you luck with everyone.

Also speaking of Otakon's pocket guide will you be at Otakon this year? I'll be there in the artist alley^.^ I will as be at Matsuricon again here in Ohio^.^

~Lilly-chan
(We meet at Matsuricon 2006 ^.^)

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