Sakura-Con '08: Dark Horse Bemoans Manga Sales

Pacific Northwest-based manga (and manhwa) publisher Dark Horse hosted a Saturday afternoon industry panel at Sakura-Con, mostly to talk about their upcoming releases (except for more details about the Clamp "mangettes" project, which is still a closely held secret, other than its vague "Spring 2009" release date).

But what also came out in the lively Q&A with editor Carl Horn was a list of some of Dark Horse's critically-acclaimed titles that are returning disappointing sales figures. Struggling titles mentioned include horror/suspense titles Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service and Mail as well as Hiroshi Hirata's samurai epic, Satsuma Gishiden.

In the case of Satsuma Gishiden, Horn explained, "Hiroshi Hirata has created one of the best samurai manga, ever. But we couldn't continue publishing it after volume 3, because it wasn't selling."

According to Horn, shrink-wrapping adult content was another factor that contributes to slow sales. "Some bookstores just won't order our manga that is shrink-wrapped, so we often hear from readers that they can't find Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service."

Horn also reminded audience members that reading scanlations instead of buying the graphic novels ultimately hurts publishers and manga creators alike. "There's a perception that artists are paid a flat rate when we pick up their book to publish it in the U.S. But you should know that the only way an artist gets paid is if you buy their manga, since they get a royalty based on the amount sold," said Horn. "And manga artists love to know how many American readers are buying their work -- They don't know this if you just download it."

Horn also mentioned that the general perception is that Dark Horse mainly publishes "the violent stuff." Yes, Dark Horse has released the jaw-dropping MPD Psycho and has Hiroya Oku's highly anticipated (and very violent) Hiroya Oku's Gantz on tap for Summer '08 release, but there's a softer side to the Dark Horse lineup.

Look no further for an example of this than the March release of 4 volumes of Akiko Ikeda's bestselling Japanese children's books featuring Dayan, a very cute, inquisitive kitten. Take a peek at preview pages from the first volume, Dayan's Birthday and you'll see what I mean. These charming hardcover books are about the size of Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit books and has a similar whimsical spirit that will appeal to kids and kids at heart.

Which is not to say that Dark Horse's upcoming releases are all sweetness and light. Take a look at Ghost Talker's Daydream by Sankichi Meguro and Saki Okuse, a seinen manga series that was originally showcased in Shonen Ace magazine in Japan and was also developed as a horror/suspense anime released by Bandai Visual.

The main character, Misaki is a professional dominatrix. That's her "regular" job. Her not-so-regular job? Misaki can see and communicate with ghosts and by night, she's a government-hired exorcist who helps troubled spirits find their way to the great beyond. And, just to keep things extra interesting, Misaki is also an albino, and a virgin. Look for this one to hit the comics and braver bookshops in July 2008.

And there's more manly manga in store from legendary creator Kazuo Koike (Lone Wolf and Cub, Lady Snowblood, Sanctuary), with the April 30 release of Color of Rage.

Set in Edo-era Japan, Color of Rage focuses on the plight of two shipwrecked slaves; one black, one Japanese, who wash up on Japanese shores after escaping from their captors. Trouble is, in feudal Japan, any unauthorized foreigners and any Japanese who left the island nation and dared to return were usually sentenced to death. True to Koike's style, Color of Rage promises lots of action, gripping drama and yes, some very sexy scenes of adult men and women doing, well, what adult men and women do, if you know what I mean. Check out this online preview of Color of Rage for a taste of what's in store.

Also, don't forget, if you want to see Volumes 8 and beyond of Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service and more volumes of manga like Mail in English, bug your local bookseller to stock them or order these graphic novels online. And tell them Carl Horn sent you!

Image credit: © Sankichi Meguro, Saki Okuse