The Energon Pub

I just received my copy of BW:The Gathering from Coles, and I think I bought the wrong book. It's like a quarter of the size of the G1 TPBs. And it's in black and white. I got the wrong one didn't I?

Isn't that called the Manga edition or something? I almost accidently ordered a version of Infiltration that was really tiny, and it was called Manga. I've seen that word a lot before, but I haven't the slightest what it means.

From my understanding, Manga is essentially just a Japanese word for "comic book", and they are published in smaller digest sized graphic novels. Also, they are printed in black and white. I think in Japan most manga comes out weekly rather than monthly, which could explain the black and white, but I'm not certain on that. Also, actual manga is read right to left. Feel free to correct me if I was mistaken about anything.

But anyway, I think the whole "manga version" is a really, really dumb idea from IDW. Unless it's noticeably cheaper, why even bother printing what I see as an inferior product? Do they just greyscale print the pages, or is it like the Marvel essentials, using the original inks and pencils without the color? Didn't know it was smaller though.

Yeah, I'd get the real thing, bub.

You got the Manga version.

At least you get to look at (much smaller versions of) the excellent BW line art....

I returned the manga version, and they did not have the TPB version available, nor are the able to order it. I've check the web, and all I can find is a used one on Amazon for more than twice the MSRP. IDW says product cannot be found. Does anyone know why this book is so hard to find? And do you know where I can buy it, cheaper than near on $60 buck?

UltraPrimal wrote:I returned the manga version, and they did not have the TPB version available, nor are the able to order it. I've check the web, and all I can find is a used one on Amazon for more than twice the MSRP. IDW says product cannot be found. Does anyone know why this book is so hard to find? And do you know where I can buy it, cheaper than near on $60 buck?

Believe it or not, I just found it on Books-a-million.com. And with my military discount, it is $9.53. However, they cannot guarantee availability. You order it, and they notify you in 3-4 weeks if you can't get it.

What i know is that Manga is the local name of the yellow fruit abundant in the Philippines.

I saw those manga versions monday, and if I remember it correctly it's even smaller than a manga from Viz, Tokyopop etcetra....

I'd like to buy the manga versions one day because I actualy like the pencil art.

Auto Bot wrote:What i know is that Manga is the local name of the yellow fruit abundant in the Philippines.

Thats Mango...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango

I actually enjoy eating mango. Quite good fruit.

Wing Zero Custom wrote:I saw those manga versions monday, and if I remember it correctly it's even smaller than a manga from Viz, Tokyopop etcetra....

I'd like to buy the manga versions one day because I actualy like the pencil art.

Auto Bot wrote:What i know is that Manga is the local name of the yellow fruit abundant in the Philippines.

Thats Mango...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango

I actually enjoy eating mango. Quite good fruit.

Haha. Complete with wikipedia reference!

I'm impressed.

Way to go, man! I love Netherlands!

hmm.. my sister is a bigger Manga fan than i am a TF fan, having bought me my first comic, and manga after the breaking of my favored Omega Supreme toy. Also one of the few people i know who actually learned to read Konji (*sp) for her fanatisism.

I recently also went to a BarnseNoble (*sp) with her, on her B-day, and showed her one of the TF black n white books labeled as Manga. She wasn't happy...

I didn't see the colored comic version there though so i'm not sureif it's a price thing, or just amarketing ploy to have TFs fit nicely in a manga collectors collection. I did notice it was "grey-scaled" and the font was smaller like the pages. I wouldn't recommend this version to anyone.

Maybe you could contact a few book stores or a local comic shop. Sorry if this is not helpful UltraPrimal

AxiomScion wrote:Konji (*sp)

I think that should be Kenji, but don't quote me on that. Off the top of my head that's how I seem to see it spelled most often.

As far as availability of the Gathering TPB goes, the first printing sold out from IDW and I'm not sure if they've put anything into a second printing as yet. Basically this means that unless you can find someone who already has it in stock or from a private seller you're out of luck for the time being as people can't get hold of it direct from IDW or from Diamond. As a stopgap measure you could try picking up IDW's Transformers Magazine. This is in a larger format page size than standard US comics, similar to UK comic format, and the first four issues are reprinting The Gathering along with Stormbringer and various Marvel issues. Don's art looks superb in the larger size but unfortunately they've seen fit to put a border on the outside of the pages with the original issue's title on. This does detract somewhat from the overall presentation.

Anyone else not surprised that IDW's TPB have sold out on many places as well? The Movie really has opened up a whole new level of fans.

The TPB's are still available for order of many Australian bookstore websites , but I am unsure of their shipping overseas.

I doubt IDW will take too long in reprinting 2nd and 3rd runs, so a little patience may save you a lot of $$$.

waaaaghlord wrote:

AxiomScion wrote:Konji (*sp)

I think that should be Kenji, but don't quote me on that.

Close. It's Kanji. There's also Romaji, but that's something else.

Manga is japanese for comic book and is read from right to left (backwards). Most Manga is published in japan in large volumes with multiple chapters of a seperate volume, most of them are called 'somethin'-Jump; Shonen Jump, Shojo Jump, Sunday Jump, once a week. There are some titles that are published monthly. Then they are published in a volume form (like the kidn we see in the USA).


I don't see why IDW would even consider printing their comics in this way. It's not as if people buy manga just because it's smaller then a regular comic.

i_amtrunks wrote:Anyone else not surprised that IDW's TPB have sold out on many places as well? The Movie really has opened up a whole new level of fans.

The TPB's are still available for order of many Australian bookstore websites , but I am unsure of their shipping overseas.

I doubt IDW will take too long in reprinting 2nd and 3rd runs, so a little patience may save you a lot of $$$.

I have ordered several online and only one order has been cancelled. Don't know why, but it was a special order and maybe they knew it wasn't available.