First off, for those of you who regularly read this column, let me apologize for the fact that this month’s column is late. As it turns out, I just got married last week and I have to admit that more than one of my professional obligations was somewhat neglected in the wedding whirlwind.

Now that that’s out of the way, I’m looking forward to San Diego Comic Con, which is coming up real soon. I’ve never been before. I’ll be going purely as a fan—no being chained to a table for me! I want to see lots of things, meet lots of people, and hopefully do it without spending too much money.

I’ll also be curious to see how the manga/anime scene will be at the con. I know TOKYOPOP and Viz will probably have a strong presence as always, but I’m also curious about the smaller companies—and about any individual aspiring manga artists that may be in Artists’ Alley.

I always enjoy meeting creators of American manga. Not only did I get to work with ten of them while putting together Mangaka America (coming out this November!), but I have befriended a number of young Western manga artists thought the Internet as well.

In fact, this has made me think about some of the cultural differences that exist between Japan and the West. In Japan, manga artists are celebrities, maybe even superstars. They are respected and, in some cases, revered. Japanese mangaka also have a reputation for being rather secretive and elusive. It seems that many of them are reluctant to do interviews or even show their faces at all. This surely adds to their mysterious charm and I’m sure some of it has to do with Japanese reluctance to place the individual beneath a spotlight. But I have to admit that I am often frustrated by Japanese creators and their secretive, coy ways.

Every time I read an interview with a Japanese mangaka I feel like they are holding back—giving polite answers and speaking only from the surface. I crave to know more about them: What makes them tick? How did they develop their style? Where do their ideas really come from? What are their lives like? But it is rare that I read an interview that gives me a glimpse into the things I really want to know.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s just a translation thing. Perhaps the English language has butchered and concealed all the intricate nuances and secret thoughts of the interviewee. Maybe only a Japanese person can read an interview and really understand what it is that is being said below the surface!

But then again, maybe it’s not like that at all and Japanese mangaka are just plain secretive—or actually are boring individuals with not a lot to say. Who knows? All I can say that in America, it’s different. Here, our young manga artists are certainly basking within the glow of their respective fan bases, and seem more than happy to connect with their readers. And while they have a ways to go before they reach superstar status, I have no doubt that, down the line, they will become as well known and admired as many Japanese mangaka.

In fact, I think it may happen sooner than it would in Japan simply because Western creators are so willing to share themselves with their fans. Very few American manga artists are secretive and elusive. Most of them seem perfectly happy and willing to blog frequently, giving fans an intimate glimpse into their personal lives and thoughts. They attend conventions and events regularly; they volunteer to teach classes at libraries. They form actual friendships with their fans; they debate with them. They share their work, their thought processes, and accept criticism (some better than others).

The point is, my belief is that this openness will propel these artists’ careers and help them reach new heights. Of course, it could also be argued that some secrecy is also a good thing. Not only for the artists who may regret what they blog in front of hundreds of fans, but for the fans as well. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has idolized someone only to be disappointed upon finally meeting them. After all, we’re only human, and realizing that someone that you have looked up to is just an average person with faults can be somewhat disenchanting.

Despite that, I think I’d still prefer to know an artist as a person, faults and all. I also wonder if part of Western mangaka’s openness is due to their age. Many of the emerging American mangaka are under thirty years old and, therefore, are about as old as their fans. So it would seem natural that friendships would form more easily between the creators and their readers—no doubt they have a lot in common. Conventions aren’t just a place to line up and meet young creators, but to hang out with them too. In return, the creators are active on various Web sites and message boards providing advice, critiques, and support to aspiring artists. I think this kind of rapport is wonderful and I hope it continues even as the creators become more and more famous.

A notable downside to this back-and-forth conversation is that the Internet is a breeding ground for misinterpretation. Tempers often flare and feelings can be easily hurt when someone says exactly what they think of someone’s art. I realized, when I first started a blog and became more vocal on the Web, that not all the people I communicated with would be nice. And I have, indeed, been on the end of spiteful criticism or strange requests from various people I will probably never meet. But even though it may be tempting at times to retreat into obscurity, where I’m protected from harsh opinions, I won’t. Because I really believe that to create loyal fans, you have to treat them with the same respect they treat you. It works both ways. And, hey, I’ve made some good friends along the way as well.