There's lots of great new and noteworthy manga, art books and graphic novels coming out in Fall 2009 -- but which ones are generating the most buzz? Check out my picks for the most intriguing new manga series, one-shots, graphic novels and art books that are coming soon to a comics or book shop near you.
41. Yokaiden Vol. 2
© Nina Matsumoto
Author and Artist: Nina Matsumoto
Publisher: Del Rey Manga
Release Date: November 24, 2009
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From Eisner Award-winning artist Nina Matsumoto comes the second installment of her supernatural shonen manga series about a boy, a wise-cracking lantern, an angry water spirit and a whole bunch of yokai (Japanese spirits / demons).
Now that Hamachi has ventured into the world of the yokai to find his grandmother, he encounters a legendary fox spirit, the Ninetails. This Ninetails offers to help Hamachi, but only if he can find three items for him. Sounds simple, but nothing is what it seems when you're dealing with a kitsune.
42. Yu-Gi-Oh R Vol. 1
YU-GI-OH! R © 2004 by Kazuki Takahashi, Akira Ito/SHUEISHA Inc.
Author and Artist: Akira Ito
Publisher: Shonen Jump / VIZ Media
Release Date: October 6, 2009
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Yu-Gi-Oh is the card game that is a manga that is an anime that is perennially popular with young boys, so chances are, Yu-Gi-Oh R is going to sell like gang-busters.
And just to make it extra compelling to pick up when it first hits the stores, Shonen Jump is enclosing a limited edition "VanDalgyon The Dark Dragon Lord Card" in specially marked copies
43. Karakuri Odette Vol. 1
© Julietta Suzuki, HAKUSENSHA
Author and Artist: Julietta Suzuki
Publisher: TokyoPop
Release Date: October 1, 2009
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Karakuri means "puppet," so Karakuri Odette is about a female robot who goes to high school to learn how to be human. Odette is a lot stronger than your average schoolgirl, and a little dense to the ways of high school life. Needless to say, she hasn't quite got that "ordinary school girl" thing down, so of course, hilarity ensues.
44. Tale of the Waning Moon Vol. 1
© Hyouta Fujiyama / HOUBUNSHA
Author and Artist: Hyouta Fujiyama
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: September 15, 2009
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Ryuka got jilted by his girlfriend -- so after drowning his sorrows at a bar, he makes a plea to the heavens for true love. Ixto, the spirit of the waning moon appears before Ryuka to tell him that his wish is granted -- and gives him a selection of men to choose as his next beau. Ryuka is beyond horrified that his wish has been misunderstood -- and more than a little uneasy that Ixto is also attracted to him.
Cat-boys, hunky hunks, sizzling sex scenes and laughs abound in this wickedly funny fantasy tale made especially for boys love manga fans.
45. The Gentlemen's Alliance Cross: Arina Tanemura Illustrations
THE GENTLEMEN ALLIANCE -CROSS- © 2004 by Arina Tanemura / SHUEISHA Inc.
Author and Artist: Arina Tanemura
Publisher: Shojo Beat / VIZ Media
Release Date: November 17, 2009
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Now that Gentlemen's Alliance Cross is winding down, it's a fitting time to pay tribute to Tanemura-sensei's sparkly, detailed and lushly colored illustrations from this hit Shojo Beat series.
See Haine and her classmates in full-color, including a double-sided poster. In addition to the illustrations, Tanemura-sensei also includes commentary on her creative process and the stories behind the pictures featured in this book.
46. Deka Kyoshi Vol. 1
© 2005 Tamio Baba / FLEX COMIX INC.
Author and Artist: Tamio Baba
Publisher: CMX Manga
Release Date: November 11, 2009
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When a grade school teacher dies under mysterious circumstances, a cop goes undercover at the school as a teacher. As if it wasn’t hard enough to manage a classroom full of kids, the detective also meets a student who can see the stress levels of people in the form of demons, who just might give him the key to solving this mystery.
Described as similar to Kindergarten Cop with a supernatural twist, Deka Kyoshi is a detective series that should appeal to fans of mysteries and compelling suspense with a dash of light-hearted fun.
47. Shoujo Art Studio
© The Ilex Press Limited
Author and Artist: Yishan Li
Publisher: Watson-Gupthill / Random House
Release Date: September 8, 2009
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Manga artist Yishan Li provides aspiring artists with the tools to create shojo manga stories on their computer. The CD included with the book provide page templates, screentones, poseable characters and ready-made backgrounds to create a shojo manga stories.
In addition to the computer files, Li also offers tips and tricks of the trade to tell stories with pictures, prose and panels.
48. Domo: The Manga
© NHK-TYO 1998 - 2009 © Domo Production Committee
Author: Clint Bickham
Artist: Rem, Sonia Leong, Lindsay Cibos and Jared Hodges
Publisher: TokyoPop
Release Date: December 1, 2009
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Everyone's favorite animated Japanese TV network mascot makes his English-language comics debut in this full-color collection of short stories. Featuring the talents of Lindsay Cibos and Jared Hodges (Peach Fuzz), rem (Vampire Kisses) and Sonia Leong (Romeo and Juliet), Domo: The Manga delivers several short stories about Domo's misadventures and his well-meaning, but comically destructive ways.
49. The Ghost in the Shell Volume 1
Author and Artist: Shirow Masamune
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
Release Date: October 13, 2009
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While prior versions of Masamune Shirow's cyberpunk sci-fi classic have been published by Dark Horse, Kodansha is making its entry into the U.S. market by publishing new editions of the original Ghost in the Shell manga series.
In the 21st century of Ghost in the Shell, machines are an integral part of everyday life, to the point where cybernetic components enhance the abilities of humans to create a new breed of superhuman beings. But where there are machines, there are hackers; including one who seeks to take control of the man/machine interface.
50. Only One Wish
Publisher: Del Rey MangaRelease Date: September 8, 2009
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From the creator of Tokyo Mew Mew comes a new one-shot story about a witch who grants wishes.
According to the legend, if you look in the mirror at midnight, you'll see an email address. Send your wish to that address and an angel will make your wish come true. Four girls get their wishes granted in the four short stories included in Only One Wish -- but in addition to that, there's also a bonus story featuring some of the characters from Tokyo Mew Mew making a cameo.