Comments on: Previews for December ‘08

By: Rich Watson

Rich Watson — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:20:46 +0000

Yeah, I was searching for articles on DEVIL BLUES after seeing your interest in it and I came across the one I posted today. So I guess teens are reading it after all!

Regarding your question about why the interest in Robert Johnson now: honestly, I don’t think it’s any one particular thing. If you do teach comics, you’re likely aware that manga historically covers an extremely diverse range of subject matter, so from the Japanese perspective, a book like this may not be all that unusual.

STAGGER LEE won four GCAs.

By: Claudia

Claudia — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:43:00 +0000

Yes! I’ve read and really enjoyed both Bluesman and Stagger Lee. I’m impressed by the depths of these stories and the quality of the writing and art. I know Stagger Lee has won quite a few awards (including a Glyph?) but again, I just wonder who makes up the bulk of their readership. Maybe I should also add that I teach comics on the university level – so my interest here is professional, as well as personal. And since it looks like Me and the Devil Blues just won an award, I’m hoping this means that the trend will continue.

By: Rich Watson

Rich Watson — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:00:26 +0000

I haven’t read it yet, no, but I’d imagine it would be of great appeal to music aficionados as opposed to the usual teen manga-reading crowd. Have you read the graphic novels BLUESMAN and STAGGER LEE? They’re in similar veins, though neither one is in the manga format.

By: Claudia

Claudia — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:36:04 +0000

Hey Rich, did you read the first volume of Me and the Devil Blues? I have been meaning to pick it up for a while and now the second volume is about the come out!

I’m curious as to who the audience is for a graphic novel/manga like this one. Nothing would make me happier than for millions of new readers to be introduced to the life and music of Robert Johnson, but I’m skeptical. What’s the appeal and why now? Who’s the intended reader that will buy multiple volumes of this story? It can’t just be nerdy black comics readers like myself, LOL.