Mag Talk Weekly Shonen Jump [2017] - Discussion and TOC Talk

[Tamil]

I think that My Hero Academia cover has to be the worst manga cover I have ever seen, heck not just manga, probably the worst cover ever in everything: games, magazines, books, manga, etc.. even the expression on the main character looks sad (Though, I dunno if something sad happens in that volume, but still... A sad face isn't the best way to advertise your manga lol)

Anyways here's a short documentary that talks about JUMP, thought you guys would like it, I certainly did, though most of the info in it is nothing new if you read Bakuman, but still is an interesting watch if you like Jump in general.

Academia has a lot of weak volume cover arts. I only liked volume 7 & 11, the rest are either meh or just bad.

Someone posted that already.

 

[Nakura]

My favourite is still volume 1. The worst for me is volume 13. Volume 15 is not that bad. It's bland, but that's as far as my criticism for it goes.

 

[ChocoBar9]

I think that My Hero Academia cover has to be the worst manga cover I have ever seen, heck not just manga, probably the worst cover ever in everything: games, magazines, books, manga, etc.. even the expression on the main character looks sad (Though, I dunno if something sad happens in that volume, but still... A sad face isn't the best way to advertise your manga lol)

Hyperbole much? Someone hasn't seen the HxH covers apparently. Anyways that cover is about offensive as the Gintama, Bleach and World Trigger covers i.e. just bland nothing to get up arms about.

Worst cover of MHA so far.

This is actually better than the previous two covers. Volume 3 still has the worst cover art of the series.

 

[SkerllyFC]

Hey guys, I just found this article showcasing some differences between HxH 99 and 2011. Although most differences are attributed to the production values. What do you think?

https://twolongfourtwitlonger.wordpress.com/2014/12/21/hxh-99-hxh-2011-btw/

 

[Leoat12]

I bet the same people that are criticizing MHA cover for its simplicity said that Assassination Classroom covers were masterpieces although you could do them on Paint easily.

 

[Tamil]

Hey guys, I just found this article showcasing some differences between HxH 99 and 2011. Although most differences are attributed to the production values. What do you think?

https://twolongfourtwitlonger.wordpress.com/2014/12/21/hxh-99-hxh-2011-btw/

Did you post this just to start a 1999 vs 2011 war? Whoever wrote this obviously has biases and doesn't really highlight the strengths of the 2011 adaptation that the 1999 lacks.

 

[ChocoBar9]

I bet the same people that are criticizing MHA cover for its simplicity said that Assassination Classroom covers were masterpieces although you could do them on Paint easily.

I'm starting to feel what everyone's problem with MHA covers are and that there's no underlying consistency among them. AssClass had a consistent theme among its minimalist covers to leads up a rather brilliant reveal for the last cover but the MHA cover tend to go up and down depending on how much Hori wants to fit in one image that covers the content in the specific volume the best covers (1#, 5#, 6#, 7#, 9#, 10# and 11#) do this in one single splash image either focusing on one character or a single action that covers the content of that volume (volume 9 is the best example with Deku fighting Muscular with Tokoyami in the background) while the worst covers try to put too much into a single image (#3, #8, #12, #13, #14) which winds up obstructing the art more so that selling you it (volume 13 has a very good splash image of Todoroki, Inasa and Killer Orca and then you have Deku and Bakugou shopped in or no apparent reason other than their second fight is covered in that volume). I really wish he would find a groove since he's 15 volumes in its like he's bouncing between Oda's covers and Togashi's covers where the quality is unpredictable and is dependent solely on his mood.

 

[G_I_A]

I bet the same people that are criticizing MHA cover for its simplicity said that Assassination Classroom covers were masterpieces although you could do them on Paint easily.

Nope, to me both suck.

 

[savethecat]

I think that My Hero Academia cover has to be the worst manga cover I have ever seen, heck not just manga, probably the worst cover ever in everything: games, magazines, books, manga, etc.. even the expression on the main character looks sad (Though, I dunno if something sad happens in that volume, but still... A sad face isn't the best way to advertise your manga lol)

Anyways here's a short documentary that talks about JUMP, thought you guys would like it, I certainly did, though most of the info in it is nothing new if you read Bakuman, but still is an interesting watch if you like Jump in general.

Geez. Even if you don't like it there's no way you could think it's THAT bad

 

[Avok]

The problem with MHA cover is that it's bland. It's a bad close-up drawing of the MC. If the Izuku drawing was something like this* there wouldn't be a problem, but instead it looks badly proportioned, and overall rushed.

*

http://img1.ak.crunchyroll.com/i/spire1/b8fc6f93712f461b89f9c83dd6e382f51473968066_full.jpg

 

[SkerllyFC]

Did you post this just to start a 1999 vs 2011 war? Whoever wrote this obviously has biases and doesn't really highlight the strengths of the 2011 adaptation that the 1999 lacks.

If you think I´m starting a war... I just posted it to discuss what do you people prefer from the 2 versions of the series. Not everything that is posted here is done to begin a war. Isn´t a discussion made to see people give their points about a certain topic? Also, it´s the author´s opinion, but I know you have some other opinions.

 

[savethecat]

I don't dislike this cover

But it's kind crazy to me how almost all of Horikoshi's color pages and color spreads range from great to incredible. But his volume covers are a bit hit or miss.
The only one I flat out dislike is Volume 3
For all the other covers I dislike there's usually just one little thing that ruins it.

Volume 14 had a great shot of Overhaul. If it was JUST the Overhaul image it would have been a great cover. But the Deku sticker ruins it. It almost makes me mad that he ruined what would have been a great cover with such a small thing.

And with 13, the image of Todoroki fighting that dude in the background looks incredible. But the Deku and Bakugo stickers ruin it.


I don't have an issue with the series not having a theme though. I'm not sure if this is the case, but I've always just assumed that Horikoshi was trying to make the volume covers similar to covers of American superhero comics.
If you pick up an American superhero comic book, there is no theme for cover arts. Usually they're just random(a lot of the time different artist even step in to do the covers). So I just assumed his theme was to have no theme like Superhero comics


For Exp: these Batman covers don't resemble each other what so ever

 

[SkerllyFC]

I'm starting to feel what everyone's problem with MHA covers are and that there's no underlying consistency among them. AssClass had a consistent theme among its minimalist covers to leads up a rather brilliant reveal for the last cover but the MHA cover tend to go up and down depending on how much Hori wants to fit in one image that covers the content in the specific volume the best covers (1#, 5#, 6#, 7#, 9#, 10# and 11#) do this in one single splash image either focusing on one character or a single action that covers the content of that volume (volume 9 is the best example with Deku fighting Muscular with Tokoyami in the background) while the worst covers try to put too much into a single image (#3, #8, #12, #13, #14) which winds up obstructing the art more so that selling you it (volume 13 has a very good splash image of Todoroki, Inasa and Killer Orca and then you have Deku and Bakugou shopped in or no apparent reason other than their second fight is covered in that volume). I really wish he would find a groove since he's 15 volumes in its like he's bouncing between Oda's covers and Togashi's covers where the quality is unpredictable and is dependent solely on his mood.

The problem with the covers of MHA is also the fact that they don´t convey the themes of the arcs in the volume, nor express the traits of a character, nor have a thematic reason for the drawings. The first 3 covers of The Promised Neverland were a good representation of that volume´s plot points, or they conveyed well the characters and their situations. Some MHA covers lack both things. If Vol. 14´s cover only had Overhaul´s image, it would convey his character. By photoshopping Deku there, the feeling about the character is ruined.

 

[ChocoBar9]

The problem with the covers of MHA is also the fact that they don´t convey the themes of the arcs in the volume, nor express the traits of a character, nor have a thematic reason for the drawings. The first 3 covers of The Promised Neverland were a good representation of that volume´s plot points, or they conveyed well the characters and their situations. Some MHA covers lack both things. If Vol. 14´s cover only had Overhaul´s image, it would convey his character. By photoshopping Deku there, the feeling about the character is ruined.

All the volumes thus far hasn't had a problem with with that, I don't think adding Deku to the cover ruined anything but a really good picture of Overhaul. Volumes 5, 7, and 11 pretty much does exactly what you're saying it doesn't.

 

[Koi Kage]

I don't dislike this cover

But it's kind crazy to me how almost all of Horikoshi's color pages and color spreads range from great to incredible. But his volume covers are a bit hit or miss.
The only one I flat out dislike is Volume 3
For all the other covers I dislike there's usually just one little thing that ruins it.

Volume 14 had a great shot of Overhaul. If it was JUST the Overhaul image it would have been a great cover. But the Deku sticker ruins it. It almost makes me mad that he ruined what would have been a great cover with such a small thing.

And with 13, the image of Todoroki fighting that dude in the background looks incredible. But the Deku and Bakugo stickers ruin it.


I don't have an issue with the series not having a theme though. I'm not sure if this is the case, but I've always just assumed that Horikoshi was trying to make the volume covers similar to covers of American superhero comics.
If you pick up an American superhero comic book, there is no theme for cover arts. Usually they're just random(a lot of the time different artist even step in to do the covers). So I just assumed his theme was to have no theme like Superhero comics


For Exp: these Batman covers don't resemble each other what so ever

Not the best cover graphics to use to prove your point Batman issue 9 cover ties in with the current story arc (I am Suicided) the hands at the bottom are the current members of the Suicide Squad in DC and Batman rebirth issue 23 is a variant cover used for the trade not the single issue whose cover actually does tie into what happens within the story arc. For the most part American comics for the single issues do follow a certain theme, the variant covers used for trades are usually the covers that don't necessarily tie into the goings on within the story. Also from all the American Comics I've read very few are as simplistic as some of MHA covers.

 

[savethecat]

Not the best cover graphics to use to prove your point Batman issue 9 cover ties in with the current story arc (I am Suicided) the hands at the bottom are the current members of the Suicide Squad in DC and Batman rebirth issue 23 is a variant cover used for the trade not the single issue whose cover actually does tie into what happens within the story arc. For the most part American comics for the single issues do follow a certain theme, the variant covers used for trades are usually the covers that don't necessarily tie into the goings on within the story. Also from all the American Comics I've read very few are as simplistic as some of MHA covers.

It's true that I used a variant cover. Didn't realizizr that. But regardless, the covers still look very different even when it's the main cover.
I've never seen a super hero comic follow a cohesive feel like with series like One Piece and Bleach.
And when I say follow a theme I don't mean following the themes of the story. I mean following a theme with all the covers feeling cohesive and looking like each other.
And there's definitely quite a few minimal covers that pop ever every few months or so

 

[ChocoBar9]

I don't dislike this cover

But it's kind crazy to me how almost all of Horikoshi's color pages and color spreads range from great to incredible. But his volume covers are a bit hit or miss.

His color pages didn't start looking good until the second half of 2015 where he finally got the hang of his digital coloring.

I don't have an issue with the series not having a theme though. I'm not sure if this is the case, but I've always just assumed that Horikoshi was trying to make the volume covers similar to covers of American superhero comics.

Volumes 6, 9 and 10 get the "American superhero comic" aesthetic down right which is why they're standouts the rest don't really give that same sort of vibe to me.

If you pick up an American superhero comic book, there is no theme for cover arts. Usually they're just random(a lot of the time different artist even step in to do the covers). So I just assumed his theme was to have no theme like Superhero comics


For Exp: these Batman covers don't resemble each other what so ever

American comic books tend to have variants done by several artist which tend to not have anything to do with with what's covered in the issue and are just commissions but they tend to do have a theme amongst each other even if its subtle.

 

[savethecat]

His color pages didn't start looking good until the second half of 2015 where he finally got the hang of his digital coloring.

Volumes 6, 9 and 10 get the "American superhero comic" aesthetic down right which is why they're standouts the rest don't really give that same sort of vibe to me.

American comic books tend to have variants done by several artist which tend to not have anything to do with with what's covered in the issue and are just commissions but they tend to do have a theme amongst each other even if its subtle.

When I say theme I don't mean covering the content within the volume. I mean the covers having the same aesthetic as far as design and layout.
One Piece covers follow the same type of look. With all them being cluttered with a ton of characters and having a border typically

Bleach covers all follow a particular look with it only including one character with a white background

Assassination Classroom followed a theme of just being simple covers with just Koro Sensei's face

Even if you ignore Varient covers, American comics tend to swap artist sometimes when major arcs change. And during down issues that are between arcs. So even without including variants the art and aesthetic of one issues arcs will feel completely different between arcs because someone else entirely doing the art.
And there isn't really a "comic book style" that represents American comics as a whole. The covers you listed kind of look like what people think of when they think of comic book covers. But covers can really look like anything

If you guys are claiming that the covers of MHA don't relate to the content within the volume I don't really see where you're getting that from. The volume covers seem to include something that happens in the volume to me.

 

[Doughboy]

The only benefit of singular volumes covers is they lack spoilers but if I was a casual buyer browsing online or in store I would find an actual scene or phase portrayed from the volume content more interesting than just a boring single character. MHA vol. 8 is a great depiction of how to put onus on a single character but to add subtle content adjacent to the center image to give the reader notice to watch closely when these specific characters appear. Hori is just too inconsistent with them, if it was between Deku pondering his thoughts or the Big 3, some of the VA, or even the yakuza on the cover I would take second choice.

 

[ChocoBar9]

When I say theme I don't mean covering the content within the volume. I mean the covers having the same aesthetic as far as design and layout.

That's exactly what I was arguing, the problem has nothing to do with the cover not conveying the content but the fact that the aesthetics are all over the place so you don't really know what to expect which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on what type of cover from him do you like.

Even if you ignore Varient covers, American comics tend to swap artist sometimes when major arcs change. And during down issues that are between arcs. So even without including variants the art and aesthetic of one issues arcs will feel completely different between arcs because someone else entirely doing the art.
And there isn't really a "comic book style" that represents American comics as a whole. The covers you listed kind of look like what people think of when they think of comic book covers. But covers can really look like anything

Actually there is a definitive style that separates an American style comic from a European and a Japanese one . For western comics, it makes sense that comic books tends to be varying levels of detail and quality as still images or frame by frame pictures because western artists would have just used the western classical art experience gained in school for their illustrations so when you see a cover it feels more like its trying to sell you on that particular issue than trying to convey what to expect .