Not Quite Manga Part 1: American Comics, Japanese culture

I've been meaning to post for a bit, but life got in the way. Sorry about that.

For my return, I'm going to do the first in a series of recommendations for people who read Manga, but want to transition to American comics or just like Japanese culture and want comics about that.

First up are American comic books that are seeped in Japanese culture in various ways. Some are inspired by Japanese ideas, others are from people who love and respect Japanese culture and the language and weaved it into their stories. So.. let's get started.

Kabuki by David Mack - This is an older series that has recently been re-released in "library" editions. David Mack is an extremely talented artist and has spent a good part of his life learning Japanese and Japanese culture. He used these ideas to create a cyber-punk dystopian Japan ruled by the mask wearing Noh who also employ assassins. The main character for most of the series is one said assassin, Kabuki, and her discovery of herself, her history, and seeking revenge and a future. It draws heavily on Japan's past and Japanese culture and the mostly black and white comic will be familiar to Manga readers, though it later switches to color as the plot becomes deeper.

Kaijumax by Zander Cannon - Take the giant monster concept of Godzilla/Gojira (aka a Kaiju) and place them all in a prison where the guards are normal people that can grow to mammoth size (like idk.. Ultraman?) and you have Kaijumax. It sometimes runs a very typical prison series, but using the Kaiju and Ultraman concept works to create something new.


Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai - a long running and epic series that thankfully you don't need to read every issue to understand. Usagi Yojimbo is the story of a wondering rabbit ronin (a masterless samurai). The entire series draws heavily on the history of the samurai as well as classic samurai movies. And the continuity is loose enough that even though it's hundreds of comics long and with massive Legends tomes, that you can pick up pretty much anywhere and understand the basic idea of  the series. It is also beautifully written and done. Great series for all.


Wayward by Jim Zub and Steven Cummings - A young girl, Rori Lane, half Irish, half Japanese, leaves her Irish home and father to live with her Japanese mother and experience the other side of her heritage. However, things become rather strange as Rori can find her way around Tokyo almost instantly and she runs into a gang of Kappa (turtlish demons) roughing up someone. To add to her amazement, a young girl with cat-like features saves her and the two run off together. Rori begins to realize that she can see the yokai (demons/spirits) of Japan. As Rori is drawn to other young people like herself, she begins to discover that dangerous people are aware of her for her abilities. Great series.