Manga Makers to Deliver Comics via Wii

[Ghostbear]

From Newsarama (http://www.newsarama.com)

According to a report from PC World, your newest way to read comic books may just be that Wii sitting in your living room.

Kadokawa, Kodansha, Shueisha and Shogakukan – the four largest manga publishers of Japan have formed a joint venture which will bring digital versions of comics to the console. The new venture, called “Librica” will deliver comics through the Wii Ware software channel to Wii users, according to PC World, and expansion to Ninentdo DS is planned.

Rest of the Article here (http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080724-ComicsViaWii.html)

Not a bad idea at all.

[Sandman]

Anyone wanna bet we don't see this here?

[Kweli]

What is Magna comics anyway?

[Wraith]

I read some manga on my PC (mostly stuff that's been fan translated and doesn't have an English release yet). With a 20" monitor at 1600x1200, it's manageable, and scrolling is minimal. I can't imagine the experience would be that great in 480p/480i.

[violentp]

Been reading Hellboy and Watchmen on my TV via PS3. I admit, it's not a bad way of doing it.

[Serapth]

I read some manga on my PC (mostly stuff that's been fan translated and doesn't have an English release yet). With a 20" monitor at 1600x1200, it's manageable, and scrolling is minimal. I can't imagine the experience would be that great in 480p/480i.

Exactly, unless I suppose it was 1 panel per screen.

I really can't see the value in this, but then I am not the target market as I dont read/buy Manga. That is, unless of course they pass on the cost savings of not having to print/distribute/etc... So, instead of being 5$, its 1$. Thats the strange thing about digital distribution though.... we still seem to pay full price for everything, even though all their costs have gone down.

[MightyDog]

Exactly, unless I suppose it was 1 panel per screen.

I really can't see the value in this, but then I am not the target market as I dont read/buy Manga. That is, unless of course they pass on the cost savings of not having to print/distribute/etc... So, instead of being 5$, its 1$. Thats the strange thing about digital distribution though.... we still seem to pay full price for everything, even though all their costs have gone down.

True. But at least the people who created the content get more for their work. I'm all for that.

[Andruil]

The people with the physical media scream bloody murder when you try and do that because then people don't buy their stuff as much...

[Kelegacy]

Been reading Hellboy and Watchmen on my TV via PS3. I admit, it's not a bad way of doing it.

That's a great idea. I read Sin City on my PC.

I always seem to forget the PS3 has options of that sort. I'm not used to the freedom! :)

[violentp]

That's a great idea. I read Sin City on my PC.

I always seem to forget the PS3 has options of that sort. I'm not used to the freedom! :)

Another one I've been doing is watching full playthroughs of old Dos games. I'm a sucker for nostalgia. With Google Desktop you could save any Youtube video locally to the PS3. Makes it easy as cake.

[Valkyrist]

What is Magna comics anyway?
I honestly can't tell if this was sarcasm or not. In case it was a genuine question:

Quote from the wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga), because it explains it better than I could.

Manga is the Japanese word for comics and print cartoons. In their modern form, manga date from shortly after World War II but have a long, complex history in earlier Japanese art.

In Japan, manga are widely read by people of all ages, so that a broad range of subjects and topics occur in manga, including action-adventure, romance, sports and games, historical drama, comedy, science fiction and fantasy, mystery, horror, sexuality, and business and commerce, among others.
...
Manga are typically printed in black-and-white, although some full-color manga exist (e.g. Colorful manga, not the anime series). In Japan, manga are usually serialized in telephone book-size manga magazines, often containing many stories each presented in a single episode to be continued in the next issue. If the series is successful, collected chapters may be republished in paperback books called tankōbon. A manga artist (mangaka in Japanese) typically works with a few assistants in a small studio and is associated with a creative editor from a commercial publishing company. If a manga series is popular enough, it may be animated after or even during its run, although sometimes manga are drawn centering on previously existing live-action or animated films (e.g. Star Wars).

[Kweli]

I honestly can't tell if this was sarcasm or not. In case it was a genuine question:



It was a serious question.... Thanks..
Basically a black and white Japanese comic

[Kelegacy]

Another one I've been doing is watching full playthroughs of old Dos games. I'm a sucker for nostalgia. With Google Desktop you could save any Youtube video locally to the PS3. Makes it easy as cake.

That's a great idea. I need to virus clean my PC this weekend (I have some persistent junk on there from those damn porn sites) so perhaps I'll install Google Desktop on there. Or just slap it on my laptop since they all share the same wireless LAN.

Is there a way to do other things on the PS3, like emulation? I was thinking about that this weekend. Not that I'd use it probably, I was just curious about the other nifty things I can do on the Sony PC3.

[Serapth]

The people with the physical media scream bloody murder when you try and do that because then people don't buy their stuff as much...

Why should I as a consumer give a shit that someone somewhere has a flawed/archaic business model?

[Headcase]

What is Magna comics anyway?

You must be quoting NOA (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58324) here :D

[violentp]

That's a great idea. I need to virus clean my PC this weekend (I have some persistent junk on there from those damn porn sites) so perhaps I'll install Google Desktop on there. Or just slap it on my laptop since they all share the same wireless LAN.

Is there a way to do other things on the PS3, like emulation? I was thinking about that this weekend. Not that I'd use it probably, I was just curious about the other nifty things I can do on the Sony PC3.

Linux is your best bet for emulation.

[Valkyrist]

It was a serious question.... Thanks..
Basically a black and white Japanese comic
It's...well it's not quite that.

It's honestly better to think of them as graphic novels than comics. Most manga do not involve spandex-clad superheros. And there is a complete lack of umbrella companies like DC or Marvel, where there is a persistant universe that's ongoing. Manga is typically written and drawn by one or two people from start to end. And most manga come in a small collection of books, maybe 4 to 12 volumes, and are done.

Just wanted to make the distinction, because they are VERY different than your typical american superhero comic book. Think of the difference of anime to american cartoons/animation (ie Disney). Now just translate that anime into printed form.

I'd suggest hitting your local bookstore. Most of the major ones have entire manga sections these days. Flip though a few and see if one catches your interest. There's all kinds, from sappy romance to mystery/whodunnits: There's always something for everyone.

Oh and if you do, keep in mind they're from japan, so you read them Right to Left (it takes some getting used to).