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Elin Winkler is one half of the creative team that runs Radio Comix.
The other half is Pat Duke, seen here with the company's preview books
that were displayed at A-Kon 9. Radio Comix isn't a big company - only
the 47th-largest comics publisher in the U.S. - but those preview books
contain big plans for the future. |
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Biggest of those plans is Radio Comix' move into the field of translated
manga. Artist Tsukasa Kotobuki (shown at Anime Central), the character
designer for Saber Marionette J and Battle Arena Toshinden, will provide
the first manga series for Radio Comix. The working English-language title
is Mechanical Man Blues, described by Duke as the story of an android that
rebels against the humans who killed his creator. This story will be told
in a 3-4 issue mini series, with new Kotobuki color covers for the American
release. If Mechanical Man Blues is successful, it could lead to the release
of more Kotobuki manga by Radio Comix. |
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The funny animal and adult series already released by Radio Comix will
continue, with some additions. Tales of the Fehnik 2 will be released in
June, one year late; a Hit the Beach pin-up issue is due in July, with
two versions (the deluxe version will have a Fred Perry cover); a new series
called Lortnoc comes in June from artist David Sainz ("To say the least
it's very strange. It's Sanrio meets Johnny the Homicidal Maniac - the
art is very beautiful - the panels on one particular page form another
picture," noted Duke); Morning Glory debuts in September from former Furrlough
artists Loran Gayton and Michael Vega, the story of a fairy who lives off
human emotions and ends up causing trouble; and November sees the debut
of Trouble Express from Will "Pervert Club" Allison, the story of a team
of intrepid special delivery agents. |
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The adult anthology Milk is the company's best seller: issue #1 is
completely sold out. Duke said some stories from that line's early issues
might be released in a compilation that has the working title of Condensed
Milk. More Genus, Furrlough and Filthy Animals releases are due as well. |
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Duke didn't mention any particular publishers, but he said that some
American publishers of manga are getting sloppy with translation and touch-up
work. "They're errors that most people wouldn't notice," said Duke. "We
want to produce books we can be proud of because we have to go to conventions
and face our fans." |
