Manga Melonoma

Star Trek: The Manga

I'm getting sick of this. Why does pop culture insist on turning things that we know and love into generic-looking regurgitation in the name of money-making? Okay, okay, I haven't read this book, so maybe it's actually complimentary to Star Trek, but is it any coincidence that other big names like Star Wars and Spawn have manga counterparts, or that LEGO recently released a new series of anime-inspired giant robots, complete with generic spikey-haired pilots?

Don't get me wrong. I like the manga style. Hell, I draw in the manga style. But just because something has manga stylings doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be as good as DBZ or Rurouni Kenshin. I've read just as much manga that I love and adore as I have manga that bored the hell out of me and made me want to rip my eyes out (hint: Fruits Basket sucks). And I can say the same about western comics. Manga is just like western comics: it's not a genre, it's just a COMIC BOOK. It's a medium, just like movies or books, that can utilize genres to create stories whose quality depends on the ability of the writer/artist. It's not about giant eyes or pointy chins or spikey hair, it's about whether or not it's a good comic book.

And it frustrates me that, once again, the adult world couldn't give a shit. Comics continue to be considered a kids' thing, despite the fact that most big name publishers now include an age rating system on their books, despite the fact that a huge deal of manga contains nudity and violence not seen since the likes of Sin City. Good manga, manga that could only be appreciated by those past pre-pubescence, is being ignored while generic and poor action/comedies are being snatched up just because they look cool. I'm frustrated that I can't find Tezuki novels anywhere, while the availability of "Spikey-haired Young Hero Battles Monsters With Ninja Powers Part 4!!!" volumes stretches past three bookcases.

Sigh. I guess the best way to look at the situation is that if there wasn't all this generic shit dulling the place up, the true masterpieces of the media wouldn't shine as brightly.