Golgo 13 manga definitely not in order

[BART]

From Anime AICN (http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=21867): Viz made a rounded selection for launching Golgo 13. Without an arcing story, they are open to cherry pick material. The first story, set in 1996 around a conflict between the Clinton administration (circa Dole campaign) and Saddam Hussein highlights the situation construction of the series. The second short highlights the visuals storytelling ability with a mobster mentally imploding upon learning that Golgo 13 had been hired to assassinate him....The second ,shorter story is set in 1979...

At least if they have to be out of order, Viz could have published one of the more recent volumes...-_-

[akcoll99]

I remembered that when Viz first announced Golgo 13 awhile ago, that they said they would release it in a sorta 'best of' fashion, picking stories from each era of the character from his first appearance in the early 70's until now. If people kept buying them, then they would eventually release all 130+ volumes. It is a bit of an odd selection, but a story featuring Hussein as the bad guy is still somewhat timely, even 10 years after its original publication...

[BART]

I just hope they don't censor the sex.

[Jarred]

[ QUOTE ]
Mortimer said:
I just hope they don't censor the sex.

[/ QUOTE ]
According to Vol. #1 (http://store.viz.com/browse/GOLGO13/s.tCKn0UgR), it's going to be rated M for Mature. Will probably be an Editor's Choice label title.

[JeffDM]

It is pretty unfortunate, but I do understand. With a shorter series, I would certainly object, but this one has been going for a long time.

[Andre]

Hasn't TokyoPop done a similar thing with a long running detective series [Kindachi Case Files?]

I don't mind, as it's a title with a less broader appeal, and I'm glad to see VIZ bringing it over. Hopefully it'll do well enough to see at least 1/5 of the series over.

I wouldn't mind seeing a similar route with Shonen Jump's KochiKame- release a couple volumes with the best stories, and publish more based on how readers reacte to them.

[ps- If VIZ is listening, I alsooo wouldn't mind this approach for relaunches of Urusei Yatsura and Patlabor to test the market]

[LOUiE]

[ QUOTE ]
Andre said:
Hasn't TokyoPop done a similar thing with a long running detective series [Kindachi Case Files?]


[/ QUOTE ]
Nope, they released the thing in complete order. The only difference from the Japanese release is the US is in less vols to have one case per GN(2 for the Kindaichi The Killer story). It was fun getting 300+ pages of manga for $9.99. Wish more people would've bought it. /images/graemlins/sad.gif

[Andrew Cunningham]

Except Patlabor is actually a linear story. The anime may have been episodic, but that's because it was mostly orignal stories. The Patlabor manga has basically no filler.

[Andre]

Hmmm.... in that case, I guess them continuing it is up to fans, or their license on it.... still, 2 trades is better then none. The anime's a classic, I wish more people would watch it so they could demand for the manga.

[Andrew Cunningham]

The thing about Patlabor is, I was terrible bored by the first storyline. It gets sharply better right after the translation stops!
But it was sitting on my shelf for over a year after I started it before I dug into the later volumes. Then I read the entire series in three days...
Maybe if they translate his current Birdy the Mighty manga.

[BART]

Anyway, the cover I found at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1421502518/qid=1134381102/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-2107428-4803243?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) has it listed as "vol. 1", even though it's out of order.

[Jarred]

[ QUOTE ]
Mortimer said:
Anyway, the cover I found at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1421502518/qid=1134381102/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-2107428-4803243?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) has it listed as "vol. 1", even though it's out of order.

[/ QUOTE ]
I see the "Signature Series" imprint makes another showing.

[Spiny Norman]

I was really looking forward to this release, but I probably won't be picking it up know. I'd just prefer to read it from the beginning, even though it would almost certainly get cancelled before it got through the full run. I do applaud the fact that Viz is making an effort to at least put something like this out there, but I'm not optimistic about the title's future. I give it four to five volumes tops before this one goes the way of Viz's releases of Fist of the North Star and Galaxy Express 999.

[Jarred]

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Spiny Norman said:
I was really looking forward to this release, but I probably won't be picking it up know. I'd just prefer to read it from the beginning, even though it would almost certainly get cancelled before it got through the full run. I do applaud the fact that Viz is making an effort to at least put something like this out there, but I'm not optimistic about the title's future. I give it four to five volumes tops before this one goes the way of Viz's releases of Fist of the North Star and Galaxy Express 999.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, with that attitude then it's going to happen for sure. There has to be compromises made for a title that is 130+ volumes long. And given the format of this title, it should work out okay. I still say a little bit is better than none at all. VIZ is reaching out to the older manga reading crowd with this one, so I definitely want to be there to support them.

[Vertical_Ed]

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Spiny Norman said:
I was really looking forward to this release, but I probably won't be picking it up know. I'd just prefer to read it from the beginning, even though it would almost certainly get cancelled before it got through the full run. I do applaud the fact that Viz is making an effort to at least put something like this out there, but I'm not optimistic about the title's future. I give it four to five volumes tops before this one goes the way of Viz's releases of Fist of the North Star and Galaxy Express 999.

[/ QUOTE ]

I see your point and I would have liked to have seen this series printed in its original order, as well. However, this is a series that can really be picked up in any order. Maybe the art might say a bit different but what makes Golgo timeless is how it places the character in situations that could have happened a few years ago or maybe even a few weeks from now. And for Viz, a publisher that has not cancelled a title in ages to give this a shot, in their Signature manga imprint no less, looks like a good fit.

Maybe we will not see every one of these 130+ volumes (my guess is somewhere around 10-40 volumes) and imagine if we could, as that would take 21+ years in a bi-monthly format unless these turn superwide-ban, at least English readers will be able to experience one of the longest titles of all time from one of the best selling publishers out there at the moment.

I don't want to duel on the past either. If I did that I wouldn't buy manga, especially if I base it on actions done before the manga boom of 2003. Especially after they were able to finish Eagle, worked so hard on Maison Ikkoku and they are bringing back Phoenix.

[akcoll99]

[ QUOTE ]
Spiny Norman said:
I was really looking forward to this release, but I probably won't be picking it up know. I'd just prefer to read it from the beginning, even though it would almost certainly get cancelled before it got through the full run. I do applaud the fact that Viz is making an effort to at least put something like this out there, but I'm not optimistic about the title's future. I give it four to five volumes tops before this one goes the way of Viz's releases of Fist of the North Star and Galaxy Express 999.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with Jarhead and Osaka in saying this is probably about as good a release as we can expect on such an old, long-running title. I haven't read the very early volumes of the title, but I have read through several of the volumes from the 1980's and the book does often tie into current events. The previous Golgo 13 release from Viz featured him travelling to Argentina during the Falklands War. So, I think Viz is trying to mix it up a bit to ensure that the stories and art don't look too dated to a buying audience that has shown some fickleness when it came to older titles and art styles.

[Spiny Norman]

Okay, maybe my above rant was a bit pessimistic, but I stand by it. I agree that Viz has a pretty good track record of releasing quality editions of some classic series, but you also have to agree that for every Maison Ikkoku, there’s also a Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. The fact is that older series traditionally don’t sell very well here in the States. They’re a niche market within a niche market. Granted more people than ever are buying manga, but a title like Golgo 13 just has no brand recognition. Hell, the only reason I’m familiar with it myself is through the old Streamline release of the movie. A person who goes into their local Borders to snag a copy of the latest volume of Naruto isn’t likely to suddenly decide to pick up something like Golgo 13 on whim. As for releasing it in a “best of� format, stuff like that just irks me. That’s like Viz saying “Well, if it sells well enough we’ll release it from the beginning so you can buy the parts you already have all over again.� Viz is already releasing other long running series like One Piece from the beginning, so why not Golgo 13? Even a whiney bastard like me would buy it then. Basically I’m trying to say that releasing it in a “best of� format isn’t likely to attract anyone not already familiar with the franchise. I doubt people would take it lying down if Viz had decided to release Fullmetal Alchemist or Naruto that way (yes I know those series have over-arching plots and are ill suited for the format to begin with but, unlike Golgo 13, they’re popular franchises). It just seems like a double standard to me when people get all up in arms over newer series being edited (and yes, I consider what Viz is doing with Golgo 13 is a form of editing) but act like it’s no big thing when an older series like this one gets the same treatment.

Whew….

So ends my longwinded bitching session. I was just really looking forward to this release and I’m really disappointed at how Viz is handling it. For the record, <font color="red">I HOPE I'M PROVEN WRONG</font> . I’d love for a series like this to succeed and open the door for more classic series to be released over here. I just ain’t holdin’ my breath for it…

[akcoll99]

[ QUOTE ]
Spiny Norman said:
Okay, maybe my above rant was a bit pessimistic, but I stand by it. I agree that Viz has a pretty good track record of releasing quality editions of some classic series, but you also have to agree that for every Maison Ikkoku, there’s also a Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. The fact is that older series traditionally don’t sell very well here in the States. They’re a niche market within a niche market. Granted more people than ever are buying manga, but a title like Golgo 13 just has no brand recognition. Hell, the only reason I’m familiar with it myself is through the old Streamline release of the movie. A person who goes into their local Borders to snag a copy of the latest volume of Naruto isn’t likely to suddenly decide to pick up something like Golgo 13 on whim. As for releasing it in a “best of� format, stuff like that just irks me. That’s like Viz saying “Well, if it sells well enough we’ll release it from the beginning so you can buy the parts you already have all over again.� Viz is already releasing other long running series like One Piece from the beginning, so why not Golgo 13? Even a whiney bastard like me would buy it then. Basically I’m trying to say that releasing it in a “best of� format isn’t likely to attract anyone not already familiar with the franchise. I doubt people would take it lying down if Viz had decided to release Fullmetal Alchemist or Naruto that way (yes I know those series have over-arching plots and are ill suited for the format to begin with but, unlike Golgo 13, they’re popular franchises). It just seems like a double standard to me when people get all up in arms over newer series being edited (and yes, I consider what Viz is doing with Golgo 13 is a form of editing) but act like it’s no big thing when an older series like this one gets the same treatment.

Whew….

So ends my longwinded bitching session. I was just really looking forward to this release and I’m really disappointed at how Viz is handling it. For the record, <font color="red">I HOPE I'M PROVEN WRONG</font> . I’d love for a series like this to succeed and open the door for more classic series to be released over here. I just ain’t holdin’ my breath for it…

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with your concerns and I would like to see it in order too, but I do differ with you on a couple of your points. I think Golgo 13 DOES have some brand recognition here. You say yourself that you know of the title from the movie. Well, that's brand recognition! You know what the title is. Having no firmly established name, creator, or title would be one thing, but Golgo is a known commodity to the North American market. He has starred in one live action movie, a video game and two animated films that have been released here, including one just a few weeks ago. No, it may not be an A-list title like Dragonball or Naruto, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a following.
I also don't quite see the comparison between how One Piece, Fullmetal Alchemist and Naruto started at the beginning and therefore Golgo 13 should as well. Like I said above, I would love to see it released in order, but it doesn't have the sheen or newness that any of those franchises have, all of which are at least 20 years younger, and I think it NEEDS to be treated a little differently in order to be successful with that same casual buyer you mention.
It's you money, you're free to do what you want with it, but I wouldn't hold my breath either for more old-school manga if you're not going to support the older titles that DO come over here. That just becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy at that point... /images/graemlins/relief1.gif

[BART]

Spiny: [ QUOTE ]
I agree that Viz has a pretty good track record of releasing quality editions of some classic series, but you also have to agree that for every Maison Ikkoku, there’s also a Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.

[/ QUOTE ]

Viz's treatment of Jojo is probably better than more successful Jump titles out there. There are no re-drawn sound fx, and They released the third arc in the series, because the anime covered that arc. But if they're going to publish Golgo, why mix it from different decades, when they could just release the stuff that came out this and/or last year? Anyway, I just hope they don't censor the porn. I'd be really pissed if they slapped a mature label on it, and still saw nipples blacked out.

[ QUOTE ]
They’re a niche market within a niche market. Granted more people than ever are buying manga, but a title like Golgo 13 just has no brand recognition.

[/ QUOTE ]

It probably has more brand recognition than Lupin, the continuation of which still is technically up in the air after the 6th volume of WMW.

[ QUOTE ]
Hell, the only reason I’m familiar with it myself is through the old Streamline release of the movie. A person who goes into their local Borders to snag a copy of the latest volume of Naruto isn’t likely to suddenly decide to pick up something like Golgo 13 on whim.

[/ QUOTE ]

The last ova came out on dvd only 5 years ago. I think there's a recent audience for it, or UV wouldn't have released the 20+ year old one on dvd. Plus the Excel parody certainly helped familiarize the newbies.

Hrmm.

Well, I do like for things to be the way they were intended. I prefer for manga to be unflipped, I like tv and movies in their OAR, etc etc etc. However, as Jarred and osaka have already pointed out, I think this type of manga lends itself to non linear storytelling. At least, that's how it sounds to me.

I'm kinda looking forward to it, personally.

[FnordChan]

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Spiny Norman said:Viz is already releasing other long running series like One Piece from the beginning, so why not Golgo 13?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because One Piece has a story arc to follow and Golgo 13 doesn't. It's an episodic title with a simple premise - in every story Golgo 13 performs a different assassination. That's absolutely all you need to know, as all the stories are entirely self-contained. Sure, it would be nice for Viz to release the entire series from volume one, but the series will read just fine as best-of compilations.

I recently saw a couple of fat Japanese collections of G13, one featuring the fan-favorite stories and the other showcasing the author's own favorites. This may well be what Viz winds up publishing. Recently a friend and I were wondering why someone hadn't just published these two volumes, but it looks like Viz may have taken us up on the notion.

FnordChan

[Jarred]

[ QUOTE ]
FnordChan said:
I recently saw a couple of fat Japanese collections of G13, one featuring the fan-favorite stories and the other showcasing the author's own favorites. This may well be what Viz winds up publishing. Recently a friend and I were wondering why someone hadn't just published these two volumes, but it looks like Viz may have taken us up on the notion.


[/ QUOTE ]
VIZ's product page (http://store.viz.com/browse/GOLGO13/s.FqkfneWF) at their store now has the story summaries up, so you can get an idea of which ones were included in this first volume.

[ QUOTE ]
In 1991, UN inspectors found the incomplete Project Babylon - a cannon capable of hurling a shell 600 miles. In 1995, the Clinton administration learns of a second, hidden Iraqi supergun - now operational, and with a much, much longer range… There are only two options to destroy the supergun: send in an airstrike, or send in Golgo 13!

Then, flash back to 1979 on the streets of San Francisco, where a hit-and-run accident intersects with a mob boss's terror that he is G13's next target… Plus excerpt from the Golgo 13 dossier revealing the secrets of his personal data, false identities, alias, and more!

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[Spiny Norman]

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[b][i]FnordChan said:Because One Piece has a story arc to follow and Golgo 13 doesn't.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, that was a bad example. The more I think about it, the more I feel like I'm overreacting to this. American comic book publishers do stuff like this all the time, and I still buy the trade paperbacks that they put out. I mean, I'm okay with the fact that DC Comics will never publish the complete run of Swamp Thing in trade form, so why am I getting so worked up about what Viz is doing with Golgo 13? Maybe I'm just getting cantankerous in my old age... I'm still kind of on the fence about whether or not I'll be buying it or not. I'll have to peruse it once its released to really be able to make a decision.

[MarkMcMurray]

[ QUOTE ]
Mortimer said:
Anyway, I just hope they don't censor the porn. I'd be really pissed if they slapped a mature label on it, and still saw nipples blacked out.


[/ QUOTE ]
Hey,
I'm retouching and lettering this series, and I thought you might like to know that I haven't had to delete or censor any of the booby scenes!
On a side note...I've been enjoying working on this book...the editor has been a nice guy to work with. Hope you like the way it came out!
Thanks...now back to work...

Mark

[akcoll99]

[ QUOTE ]
MarkMcMurray said:
[ QUOTE ]
Mortimer said:
Anyway, I just hope they don't censor the porn. I'd be really pissed if they slapped a mature label on it, and still saw nipples blacked out.


[/ QUOTE ]
Hey,
I'm retouching and lettering this series, and I thought you might like to know that I haven't had to delete or censor any of the booby scenes!
On a side note...I've been enjoying working on this book...the editor has been a nice guy to work with. Hope you like the way it came out!
Thanks...now back to work...

Mark

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the confirmation, Mark. I look forward to seeing your work on the series. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[mangajunky]

[ QUOTE ]
MarkMcMurray said:
Hey,
I'm retouching and lettering this series, and I thought you might like to know that I haven't had to delete or censor any of the booby scenes!
On a side note...I've been enjoying working on this book...the editor has been a nice guy to work with. Hope you like the way it came out!
Thanks...now back to work...

Mark

[/ QUOTE ]

I've worked with Mark McMurray before and he's top notch. All you Golgo-heads should be happy with the results!

-Franky