otomo the great txo!?
Not very many people would refute that Katsuhiro Otomo and “grand master” are terms that can be used as synonyms. Anybody who has ever expressed any sort of interest in the world of comics and Anime knows who he is. He first came to attention in the west with Akira – more so for the animated film than foe the comic. He actually started the comic before the film but finished it afterwards. Not surprising if you consider the more than 2,000 pages the comic contains. Akira was first issued in the Spanish State around 1990 by publishers Ediciones B. Due to problems at the printers they had to publish the story in a never-ending stream that took up 38 issues. Some of us watched our youthood pass by in the time it took to publish the whole series. They later re-issued them in a 6-tome version which was sturdier all right, but rather more painful on the pocket.
The people at the publishing company took note of the fame Otomo quickly garnered, and proceeded to publish previous work by him. This time it was Norma Publishers who issued Pesadillas, wich its original title is “Domu”. This time round they published the whole thing in three tomes and his true mastering of his craft. In Pesadillas he used the simple story set around physic powers that would later appear in Akira (Pesadillas appeared before Akira but was published later over here.) In the story a snotty-nosed little girl rages through fiercely violent battles against a brooding ancient. This was later published in single-tomed issues so dear to the publishers.
The last of Otomo’s work that we were treated to was “Memorias”, issued by La Cupula a few years back. You’d swear that the different publishers had all come together in agreement in publishing Otomo’s stories from the longest to shortest. Memorias is a collection of short stories drawn by Otomo. And once again his drawings are brimful of freshness and realism mixed with action, terror, humour and romanticism. All of the stories are set in a not too distant sciencefiction future. La Cupula, as always, published it at a very reasonable price – something that should be pointed out and thanked.
This year La Cupula brings us "Memorias #2". It certainly has nothing to envy from its predecessor. We’re serious! Get down to your nearest comic book shop and get your hands on it. Otomo turned his attention from comics to animation a long time ago and we certainly don’t think that publishers will be snooping around on the look out for old stories of his to publish.
It’s a pity, what the world of animation has gained is a loss to the world of comics. The most we can expect to find are Otomo scripts in comic form like The Legend of Mother Sarah, also published by Norma. Unfortunately, while it may be possible to imitate Otomo’s drawing work, it’s nigh on impossible to equal his standards. Don’t even think about bettering him.
The people at the publishing company took note of the fame Otomo quickly garnered, and proceeded to publish previous work by him. This time it was Norma Publishers who issued Pesadillas, wich its original title is “Domu”. This time round they published the whole thing in three tomes and his true mastering of his craft. In Pesadillas he used the simple story set around physic powers that would later appear in Akira (Pesadillas appeared before Akira but was published later over here.) In the story a snotty-nosed little girl rages through fiercely violent battles against a brooding ancient. This was later published in single-tomed issues so dear to the publishers.
The last of Otomo’s work that we were treated to was “Memorias”, issued by La Cupula a few years back. You’d swear that the different publishers had all come together in agreement in publishing Otomo’s stories from the longest to shortest. Memorias is a collection of short stories drawn by Otomo. And once again his drawings are brimful of freshness and realism mixed with action, terror, humour and romanticism. All of the stories are set in a not too distant sciencefiction future. La Cupula, as always, published it at a very reasonable price – something that should be pointed out and thanked.
This year La Cupula brings us "Memorias #2". It certainly has nothing to envy from its predecessor. We’re serious! Get down to your nearest comic book shop and get your hands on it. Otomo turned his attention from comics to animation a long time ago and we certainly don’t think that publishers will be snooping around on the look out for old stories of his to publish.
It’s a pity, what the world of animation has gained is a loss to the world of comics. The most we can expect to find are Otomo scripts in comic form like The Legend of Mother Sarah, also published by Norma. Unfortunately, while it may be possible to imitate Otomo’s drawing work, it’s nigh on impossible to equal his standards. Don’t even think about bettering him.
