Last weekend at Gen Con I got to catch up with noted gentleman and scholar Jim Lowder (always a pleasure), and we got to discussing one of his recent projects editing the Worlds of Dungeons & Dragons Anthologies for Devil's Due. The gist on these is that there's a metric ton of D&D short stories out there spanning a number of campaign settings, and Jim and Devil's Due are navigating a licensing labyrinth to bring some of these stories back in graphic novel form. All this was news to me (God I miss First Watch). I mean, I knew Devil's Due had done a good deal of Dragonlance and Drizzt stuff, but I had no clue about these anthologies. So I snagged from the Devil’s Due booth and it turns out they're pretty awesome. Anthology #3 has Ed Greenwood's "Elminster at the Magefair" and Jim's own Ravenloft Lord Soth tale "The Rigor of the Game" (featuring the only time I’ve ever thought of the concept of a werebadger and not chuckled to myself). The art's top notch and the stories are cool and kind of nostalgic as I read most of them in high school. Overall, great stuff, but what I found myself thinking as I was reading the Drizzt story in the trade paperback compilation was that the comic format just feels natural for these stories. With so much fighting and flashy spell effects and cool monsters, the action of the illustrated page adds a great deal. I told Jim as much and I meant it.
Tonight I was at Barnes and Nobles for about two hours. I picked up Watchmen (finally, I know) and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier, and was poring through the three wall-sized displays that comprised the store's manga section (they never carry Berserk). As I'm looking, though, I'm remembering a lot of our recent discussions about Pathfinder fiction, and the Worlds of D&D Anthologies, and the feeling of how right those short stories felt with the shinny new edits and illustrations. I'm also noticing how comics have one wall case, and manga has three... not to mention a loiter for each case, crouched between the stacks like the store was a lending library—more then the whole sci-fi/fantasy row had. I'm also seeing manga for Warcraft, Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Panzer Dragoon, Devil May Cry, hell, even the movies Enchanted and Ratatouille. Seems popular.
So, this is mostly just train of thought, but I wanted to throw it out there. If there was Pathfinder manga—and I'm not saying INSTEAD of novels—would you be interested? Or is that not your thang?
So, this is mostly just train of thought, but I wanted to throw it out there. If there was Pathfinder manga—and I'm not saying INSTEAD of novels—would you be interested?
Yes. As long as its more along the lines of Berserk (probably have to tone down some of the gore though) and not Naruto.
Yes. As long as its more along the lines of Berserk (probably have to tone down some of the gore though) and not Naruto.
I'd expect something like this to be in a similar vein to the Warcraft series: actiony, while leaning toward showing off the cool world and characters.
So, this is mostly just train of thought, but I wanted to throw it out there. If there was Pathfinder manga—and I'm not saying INSTEAD of novels—would you be interested? Or is that not your thang?
*whimpers, gives puppy-dog eyes* Oh pleeeeeeeease? I can't wait for the novels...having manga too (especially colored - I know, I know, that's not really manga, but have a look at the Warlands graphic novels by Dreamwave!) would be like...having an extra Christmas the IRS knows nothing about!
*whimpers, gives puppy-dog eyes* Oh pleeeeeeeease? I can't wait for the novels...having manga too (especially colored - I know, I know, that's not really manga, but have a look at the Warlands graphic novels by Dreamwave!) would be like...having an extra Christmas the IRS knows nothing about!
Just to be clear (aka just to cover my ass), this is NOT something anyone at Paizo has discussed. I was just at the bookstore tonight and had a "wouldn't it be cool if..." moment. I really am interested in hearing what people think about the idea though. This is the big way we learn what our audience wants after all. And you never know...
Just to be clear (aka just to cover my ass), this is NOT something anyone at Paizo has discussed. I was just at the bookstore tonight and had a "wouldn't it be cool if..." moment. I really am interested in hearing what people think about the idea though. This is the big way we learn what our audience wants after all. And you never know...
No takebacks! WE'VE BEEN PROMISED MANGA!!!
Seriously though, I'd love to have Pathfinder manga. I can't imagine it not doing well...it'd be like...the spiritual successor to Record of Lodoss War!
If you promise to never, ever call it a manga again, I would be interested.
I agree! Call it Graphic Novel!!! Never Manga...EVER! Finding artists for this would be fun.
I agree! Call it Graphic Novel!!! Never Manga...EVER! Finding artists for this would be fun.
Wow. SHOCK. Like the third time Sarah EVER posts it's for a random freak-out. WEIRD. :P
But yeah, I agree. If only we knew some super talented Asian artists, right?
So long as they don't do any of the usual "big eyes, little mouth" stuff, sure.
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I would be down with that! I would love to see multiple art styles used though, not in the same arcs, but to set separate arcs apart. Like the actual Pathfinder books, I'd love to see those different styles pulled together to approach different stories in different ways.
Keeping things open to European artists would be cool too. Massamiliano Frezzato doing anything sword-and-sorcery pulp related would be a dream come true.
Graphic novel sounds better than manga... Anyway, count me in!
Definitely, but please note that I'm a fan of Slayers.
Not that it can't be funny but with all that Logue stuff that could be involved we may be looking at more Call of Cthulhu than atypical swords and sorcery.
(I think thats another irony right there!)
PS: Slayers Revolution, and I'm not saying more on that subject since that should be more than enough.
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A Pathfinder Graphic Novel would rock my socks off.
Something along the lines of Artesia (by the most excellent Mark Smylie - please do yourself a favor and check the first three volumes, they're astounding!) or the Conan comics from Cary Nord and Kurt Busiek published by Dark Horse.
Not just some cool looking guys doing stunts with flashy colouring. Please.
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SPEAKS IN A GODLY TONGUE OFFERING HAPPINESS AND JOY TO ALL.
You evil Man...I would trade your soul for a Manga/Japanese quality Anime of the Pathfinder Setting - the DRAGONLANCE film was wretched quality showing a lack of experience in annimation and it would have been better done by the guys FUGI TV employed on DragonBallZ.
Yet my most loved Comic collection (other than the little GROO I have) is Forgotton Realms by DC.I would have to insist that the core story path be the outcome of the Pathfinder Society Organized Play so the Core Story - requiring a lot of recording of what happens and who says what so that it matches what is going on in the Core Game History. I would love a Dragon Ball Z quality animation from you guys with a continuous story arc - rather than 'one TREK episode unrelated to the next' thinking. It need the adult violence and scaryness. It need that darkness that is consistent (including the blood, the corpses of children stacked on Wagons, ect) with the setting.
Even I had a selection of Pathfinder Adventure ideas floating around here that I would love in a an animated series but know they will never be bought or licenced from me for use in such a project...mainly cause they dont want a story about a mile high Doomwheel rolling around the Cinderlands crushing communities - powered by 400 plus name level Kobold Druids.
Of course if you do...my fee is a signed Pathfinder issue for each one used...:)
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I would like to second Yellow Dingo on the Forgotten realms comic series. Great stuff. Interesting characters. Let me see if I can remember the crew of the Realms master. There was Dwamilier Oman, the wizard, Foxlion Cardluck the halfing thief (addicted to Cheeese if memory serves), Priam Agrivar, the alcoholic paladin, Ishi Barasume the oriental fighter, and the iron golem, who housed the spirit of Minder a dwarven female fighter.
Perhaps a graphic novel pathfinder take some of the iconic characters, flesh them out, (you already have great backgrounds for the iconic characters) and run them through say, rise of the Rune lords, or the Curse of the Crimson Throne, or maybe a Second Darkness.
Just my two coppers.
I would absolutely be interested! Also being a long-term fan of Berserk! as well, I like the gritty and harsh 'realities' of that world. That'd likely be too much for the average reader of PF, but tone that down a bit and make it have a wider appeal would fine.
I'll also second that this might even give PF a chance to follow up on Record of Lodoss War, another series I enjoyed greatly (regardless of the disjointed story and differing versions, OAV and TV series).
Petition SIGNED!
Personally, not interested. I walked away from comics years ago, and could never get into manga at all. This despite being an otherwise huge japanophile!
I'm having a hard time being interested in the Pathfinder fiction, too. And that's all your fault. I've been reading nothing but classic fantasy, mostly from Planet Stories but including R. E. Howard compilations, for several months now, with zero interest in any other fiction. I used to devour Drizz't novels, but that's fallen by the wayside. I never realized just how good those classic stories really were. And Howard can write an amazing fight sequence! He's literally become my favorite author, and I still have a lot to read.
I would subscribe as well. I would also buy some for my school library if it were like the Warcraft manga.
See, yeah, that's exactly what I'm thinking. And I suspect that's not what many folks here are talking about. Ask your typical D&D fan if he prefers Marvel's format or Tokyopop's format and I bet I can guess the majority's answer.
I know screw-all about what actually goes into the creation of graphic novels (regardless of what hemisphere they come from), but know folks who do both. As an outside observer, it seems like one is cheaper and has better saturation through bookstores, and the other is more expensive, but looks nicer and is more in line with our current audience's desires. Though I doubt you're going to see Worlds of D&D at any libraries.
At the end of the day, would it even be worth it? Even if there's the added benefit of High School Sam picking up the 200 page, pocket-sized, black-and-white, manga-like Pathfinder dealie in addition to our diehard readers, would the four pages of ads in the back draw him toward RPGs and our subscription based lines? Maybe... but honestly, seems doubtful. On the other side of things, doing a full-color series of Pathfinder comics then compiling them into some sturdy trade paperback via some cool licensee like Devil's Due... who doesn't think that'd be hot (scoff, Devil's Due probably). But with the high price point and seemingly small outlet, wouldn't that just be gilding the lily for folks who already love Pathfinder? Don't get me wrong, I totally prefer gilded lilies to normal ones and if we ever found a way to do it profitably I'm sure we'd leap at the chance. Seems like a tough tough market, though.
Either way, we've got no plans on this front, but honestly, as far as pipe dreams go, I think in either format something like this would be super cool.
You are walking a dangerous line there Mr. Schneider. You've whipped this crowd into a frenzy ...
I would so love Pathfinder graphic novels.
What? The Pathfinder's Journal in EVERY volume isn't doin' it for ya? They've got stories, they've got pictures, the ratio's a little skewed, but hey, what more do you want! :P
Honestly Manga is not my thing, so I don't think I would buy this. Keep in mind though that it doesn't mean it wouldn't sell well. I am not sure I am representative of the majority of your fans in this regard (as evidenced in the thread). Also looking at my players though, I don't think any of them are into it either...
Sean Mahoney
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How well did the Ptolus comics do? That might give a sense of the market...
I don't really buy comics by line, I buy them by author - just like my rpgs.
Paizo have my money because of the quality of their work. If you could do the same thing with comcis and have Alan Moore and Grant Morrison writing them then I'd snap them up. But if it's just milking the brand then I'd skip it.
Basically: Yeehaw! in theory, but only if you can find a really talented comic writer who gets Pathfinder/Galorian and a fine artist.
Right now Paizo = Quality; don't let that go.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8
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What? The Pathfinder's Journal in EVERY volume isn't doin' it for ya? They've got stories, they've got pictures, the ratio's a little skewed, but hey, what more do you want! :PYou are walking a dangerous line there Mr. Schneider. You've whipped this crowd into a frenzy ...
I would so love Pathfinder graphic novels.
Yes, but that addiction is already satisfied on a monthly basis.
I'd be down with this. The design work and concept art for Pathfinder so far has been great, and I'd love to see the world explored in comic form, as it's a great way of conveying a story in very rapid chunks. Call it manga or don't, I don't mind. Heck, I'd even read it if it was anime/manga styled, but I'm an otaku as well as a gamer.
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((wow that was a long post))
I'm in, as long as I get to write one.
I recommend going the Manga route over the traditional comic book route, there's a bigger market for it nowadays (unfortunately). The traditional 22 page comic is going to be a hard market to break into I think.
BUT I love the idea, especially if you guys as a publisher decide to expand this route to other IP. I've been wanting to get my own comic series published forever but you either need an artist (which I can't seem to find) or they only want people who can write for their own IP.
If you promise to never, ever call it a manga again, I would be interested.I agree! Call it Graphic Novel!!! Never Manga...EVER! Finding artists for this would be fun.
"There's no such thing as an Asian werewolf."
And I agree as well... Call it a graphic novel.
Yeah... I'd buy it. Consider that a pledge.
Count me in. I like a good fantasy comic (or manga). Lodoss is one of my favorite anime/manga series, and I just finished reading the manwha Archlord which ended up being a decent yarn, despite it being painfully obvious it is based on a videogame.
I agree! Call it Graphic Novel!!! Never Manga...EVER! Finding artists for this would be fun.
Yes. I wants the graphic novel! :P
*feverishly works on her art skills for consideration*
Make it a Graphic Novel and add it to my subscription please!
i'd love some sort of graphics based project for pathfinders stuff.
I've really gotten back into comics over the last two years, what with having gotten into artesia and now fall of cthulhu. I'd be cool with manga, but i would prefer a more western approach. I have nothing against manga, i love lone wolf and cub and enjoy ghost in the shell comics, not to mention a love of anima, but i just think comic good comic art would be a better fit for the stories i'd wanna read coming out in a pathfinder comic.
Oh.... sarah...while i remember....can we have more pigtails!
Oh.... sarah...while i remember....can we have more pigtails!
Oooooh, I'm tellin'.
Sorry, comics just aren't for me. Unless they're funny... "Mount Zogon" was awesome! "Calvin and Hobbes" is one of the best of all time. "Rise of the Runelords" would have to be screamingly hilarious from the first panel to have any hope of me purchasing it.
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Sorry, comics just aren't for me. Unless they're funny... "Mount Zogon" was awesome! "Calvin and Hobbes" is one of the best of all time. "Rise of the Runelords" would have to be screamingly hilarious from the first panel to have any hope of me purchasing it.
something like "huey, louie and dewey meet the chelaxian duckmanatrix"?