Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Another Yaoi Publisher?! Again?!

Yes, more perusing around the internet has found me info on a collaboration of sorts in the BL publishing world. Apparently, DMP announced at Yaoi Jamboree that it was partnering up with Japanese publisher Shinshokan (which publishes Dance magazines and BL??), to form a new BL line called "Doki Doki" (the Japanese sound of a heart beating). The original article is at Boys on Boys on Film, so check it out.

So, this new publisher plans to release BL titles that June would have licensed anyways? Except, this time, all the titles will be from Shinshokan? You know what? If they had said "Shinkosha" (Japanese publisher of Virtuoso and other DQ titles) instead, I would have been thrilled. That's not to say Shinshokan is a ho-hum publisher of BL, it just raises the question, "Well, what's the point?"

Shinshokan is the publisher of the magazines, "Dear+", "Wings", and "Boys JAM!". Maybe we could see licenses from "Boys JAM!". Just look at that sexy cover! --->

Go to http://www.shinshokan.com/comic/ to learn more.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Crash and Burn

Yes, folks. 801 Media's poetry contest has ended, and I am seething with rage that I didn't win! If you don't know about this, find it on their blog yourself. I wrote about the journey of love since love really is a journey. There are going to be pitfalls and struggles, but the stronger love survives these. What's not to love about that? The prize? Yeah, THE Uki Ogasawara artbook with her breathtaking images from Virtuoso and other works. God, I really hope DramaQueen survives.

Anyways, check out the letter I left on DramaQueen's forum: click here.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

The End of DramaQueen?

Wow, some scary things have been popping up on the 'net concerning our favourite publisher.

In a blog post from mangablog.net, a translator working for DramaQueen, L.L.C. states that the investors may not pull through for DQ after all. Our beloved publisher seems to be disappearing off the face of the Earth along with Be Beautiful. Read that post here.

What has happened? Is this a sad time for the Yaoi Kingdom? Is it a genre destined to fall? Two Publishers already bowing out of the game (DQ, Be Beautiful), new Publishers taking their place (Deux, Yaoi Generation), and too many titles being licensed(June, DQ) all spell trouble for this ailing genre.

Methinks Yaoi is not as popular as the Publishers think. They need to re-evaluate the situation and look at license choices. For example, I read "Say Please" from Deux Press, but I would have rather read "Naked Jewels Corp." or "10k Lover"(Aijin Ichimanyen). These titles may never see the light of day as English releases, but they're the type of licenses I want to see more of.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Another Yaoi Publisher?!

Dear Readers:

While searching the 'net for new Yaoi developments, I came across a brand new website supposedly of a new, strictly-Yaoi Publisher. What does this Publisher plan to offer us so late in the Yaoi game? Why, 2 books/month and a new six-issue annual magazine, that's what.
Go to this website: Yaoi Generation

Being that I am so damn poor at the moment, I wonder if I will be able to buy any books at all from this publisher. I have no care for the magazine (as I think it was hinted that they are taking OEL submissions) so what I'm hoping for is a cheap price point, and good licenses. There is so much that needs to be licensed in English, it's crazy. If they begin to charge $12.99-$15.99 for their books, I might just stick to DQ since they are licensing the proper Yaoi titles (and 801 to a lesser extent). Again, I'll have to see the actual titles to know if I'm gonna buy 'em or not.

Friday, June 6, 2008

DRUG me

Hey y'all, I'm in pretty high spirits and here's why. I'm just starting to get interested in CLAMP's works and, being a yaoi connoisseur, I just had to check out "Legal Drug" from Tokyopop. To my dismay, I could not find the first volume...anywhere.

I was however, ecstatic when I popped into my fave USED bookstore and found not one, but the first TWO volumes of "Legal Drug" for $4.99 each (in not bad condition, mind you)!! Being a completest, I went and bought a new copy of volume 3, and that's why I am happy. It only cost me $20 for the whole (for now) series.

This manga is...nothing short of amazing. It's not Yaoi, and it's not quite Shonen-ai, but there is some element of Boys' Love in there to enjoy. This is one trippy fantasy manga. Our couple, so to speak, is Rikuo and Kazahaya. They work for a pharmacy where they have the option of doing "side-jobs" for extra money. These side-jobs are where the manga gets trippy. Kazahaya and Rikuo encounter strange missions where they have to retrieve symbolic objects, or just simply watch a movie. Observing how the events play out really pulls you deeper and deeper into the story.

CLAMP really shines when it comes to representing deep emotions and themes in their manga. Whereas most Yaoi manga I have read all seem to be quick and forgettable thrills, "Legal Drug" stuck in my mind after I finished the last page. It just offers something more beyond the budding romance and fantasy elements.

If you haven't yet got your hands on these volumes, I suggest you do so now. I was afraid I wasn't even going to find the first volume at all. So if you passed "Legal Drug" in the bookstore with nary a thought in mind, now's your chance to read a very fine manga.

P.S. For those who are wondering if CLAMP is going to continue this series or not, the buzz around the internet is that they ARE in fact going to resume production soon, most likely after they've finished "xxxHolic" and "Tsubasa"

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Most Wanted Yaoi 2008

Hello All! (P.S. You can vote for as many titles as you like in the poll)

As I keep getting poorer and poorer, I tend not to splurge at the comic store for all the Yaoi that they stock. Instead, I like to read whatever reviews I find on the 'net to weed out the stinkers. Then, I look at all the titles I would probably enjoy and pick the best ones. I find this method helps me the best when I'm trying to save money. Here are some titles that sound reasonable and/or are must-haves for upcoming 2008 titles:

Of the "Coming Soon" DramaQueen" releases that most likely will come out this year, I would most likely get "Cage of Thorns" because of the hot banner on the DQ BL Portal. "Naked Jewels Corp." and "Worthless Love" also seem worthy of a purchase. Surprisingly, I'm not that interested in "Tyrant Falls in Love", so sue me!

Of the 801 Media titles soon to be published, both "Black Sun" and "Meeting You" caught my attention. "Black Sun" for me, is a definite must-have.

The Deux Press schedule looks alright with titles like, "Mister Mistress" and "Freshmen". It looks like their later releases improve with appeal.

From Kitty Media, every upcoming release seems to be a good one with, "Dog Style 2", "The Crimson Spell 2", and "Family" (by Yuuya). If nothing else, I will just get Kitty Media books for the rest of the year as they are cheap and also must-haves.

June always has a lot books announced but for now, only "Pathos" seems like a Best Bet.

Well, there's the rundown of my list of good, upcoming releases. I know this post may seem selfish, but you can use this information to save money and help you decide for yourself which books are worthy of your hard-earned cash, and which ones you just have to leave on the store shelf (or online catalogue).