A QUICK WORD WITH WITCHBLADE TAKERU'S KAZASA SUMITA

[MattBrady]

February will see the release of Witchblade Takeru from Top Cow. Originally cretaed by Yasuko Kobayashi, head story writer for the Witchblade anime series and artist Kazasa Sumita, the series is a re-presentation of the manga version of the chracater. Rather than being presented in its original format, Witchblade Takeru will be reformatted for American audiences ("flipped" to read left to right) and colored.

We had a chance to speak briefly with Sumita.

Newsarama: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Sumita-san. Why don’t we begin with your feelings on having Witchblade Takeru released in the United States by Top Cow and Bandai?

Kazasa Sumita: It’s my pleasure. American comics have certain significance to me because it was art work from outside Japan that inspired me to pursue my career as a manga/illustration artist.

My own works at one point of my career were also influenced by overseas art works as well. With such a strong attachment, I feel truly thrilled by the release of Witchblade Takeru in US.

NRAMA: As you know, Top Cow will be releasing a version of Witchblade Takeru that will be reformatted for an American audience. How do you feel about having Witchblade Takeru released in the style of American comics? Specifically having your work colored?

KS: I have been a great fan of American comics and was always interested in doing my art in that unique style.

However, the creative process of making American comics and Japanese manga is very different.

The Witchblade Takeru manga, originally drawn in black and white, will be refurnished in color in US. I believe this process will further heighten the sexiness and the anarchic worldview that is distinct of Witchblade Takeru and look forward to seeing that myself.

NRAMA: How do you feel about working with Top Cow Productions?

KS: I have been familiar with Top Cow titles through subscribing to their imported books and comics. They are exceptional in the sexiness and the beauty of artwork. I feel amazed and also much honored that I, as a reader of their works, am now working with them as an artist.

NRAMA: Would you consider working with Top Cow Productions in the future?

KS: I will be more than happy to have other opportunities in future to work with Top Cow.

NRAMA: Any other comments or messages to your US fans?

KS: Witchblade Takeru was drawn to be released in Japan first and hence the style and quality are that of Japanese manga. I am nervous but also very curious to see how this particular manga style will be received by the Witchblade fans in US.

I hope Witchblade Takeru will be loved by as many people as the original Witchblade. I would also like to thank everyone who has given me such great opportunity.

Thanks to Top Cow’s Filip Sablik for facilitating this interview. Click here for additional preview pages from Witchblade Takeru

[DaVeO]

I'm a sucker for western creations turned manga. I might get the first volume.

[bishop-m]

I'll be picking this up....can't wait!!!

[johnny.blaze]

Originally Posted by DaVeO

I'm a sucker for western creations turned manga. I might get the first volume.

I think Spider-Clan may be the best such adaptation. FREE SCOTTIE YOUNG!

[AaronStC]

Rather than being presented in its original format, Witchblade Takeru will be reformatted for American audiences ("flipped" to read left to right) and colored.

Why do American comic companies keep screwing up their chances of capturing the manga crowd. They go apeshit when books are flipped or edited.

[mhawkins]

Aaron,

We're aware of this and that's why we're offering two versions of the Witchblade manga. For the purists who want the straight Japanese, back to front, etc. they can buy the Bandai digests which will be available soon in black and white. We're also offering it colored and flipped in a traditional American format through Top Cow/Image. The formats and styles will be very different, so we're looking at it as a unique experiment. We would never have done it without the blessing of the original publisher and the artist.

Happy New Year all I'm off to go ski for a few days =)

Matt Hawkins

[kitty_tc]

I personally like this concept, and what I've seen of it has me more interested in Witchblade than I have been at any other point to date.

[Mundungus]

This guy had a very professional and exciting air about him. With that kind of mojo on a book, I'd have to pick it up.

[ShinAkuma666]

Thats a great idea Matt, so almost everyone can be happy, theres always whinners is in it ?

I myself prefer reading from left to right and this manga has a good vive to it, will check it out.

[Frankfurt]

Sample pages of the colored version:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/ne...em.cgi?id=9266

I really don't like the coloring in this. Looks messy and amateurish. Not only Blond's coloring looks poor (which is made even worse by all the silly, over-the-top praise this guy receives), but coloring over the screentone made it look dirty.

I checked his website, and i didn't like any of his interior coloring work.

Even old colored manga like Crying Freeman and Akira looked better than this.

The original colored japanese Takeru cover also looks much better than these samples.

[AaronStC]

Originally Posted by mhawkins

Aaron,

We're aware of this and that's why we're offering two versions of the Witchblade manga. For the purists who want the straight Japanese, back to front, etc. they can buy the Bandai digests which will be available soon in black and white. We're also offering it colored and flipped in a traditional American format through Top Cow/Image. The formats and styles will be very different, so we're looking at it as a unique experiment. We would never have done it without the blessing of the original publisher and the artist.

Happy New Year all I'm off to go ski for a few days =)

Matt Hawkins

Ok, that is actually pretty cool. Didn't realize there would be two editions. Hopefully you do well with this project on both fronts.

[beta-ray]

Never heard of the artist but it looks good to me.. and I am not a fan of Witchblade...

[maxx]

Originally Posted by mhawkins

Aaron,

We're aware of this and that's why we're offering two versions of the Witchblade manga. For the purists who want the straight Japanese, back to front, etc. they can buy the Bandai digests which will be available soon in black and white. We're also offering it colored and flipped in a traditional American format through Top Cow/Image. The formats and styles will be very different, so we're looking at it as a unique experiment. We would never have done it without the blessing of the original publisher and the artist.

Happy New Year all I'm off to go ski for a few days =)

Matt Hawkins

no offense to you guys but ive been burned as a manga fan way too many times by the line of we wouldnt do it without the original artist/companies blessing.

cmx and tenjoue tenge anyone?