Re: Weekly Shonen Jump [2011] - Discussion and TOC Talk - Part 2
There are a maximum of four volumes a year and 48 chapters for a weekly manga. While mangaka can earn more for a tankobon it is less reliable money. It is based on a percentage, income is dependent on sales, and sales decline over time no matter how popular a manga. Chapters are steady, weekly work and a reliable weekly pay check. If it were me and I had an opportunity to supplement my income while getting featured in the front or center of the magazine, I would not be one to turn it down. Not only is the money better, color pages increase prestige and exposure.
Oda is a great artists and his color pages are not bad, but they are nothing special either. He has been drawing the same splash for a decade now, his drawing style shows almost no variation, his choice of colors are usually uninspired, and his splashes are to busy. He makes crowded panels work but spread over two pages it's a bit of overload. Bakuman color is fantastic, I almost forgot about it. One of the best in the magazine, without a doubt.
I actually can't see any difference between new Bleach color pages and old. He still does everything well that he used to. Here are his last seven color pages:
Not only has he maintained previous quality, he has added some new tricks. A few pages use a sketchier, more impressionistic style, for example. He also demonstrates an outstanding sense of design and composition; there is a always a good sense of motion, nice balance, understanding of focal points, perfect use of color, and considerable amount of variety from one page to another. Plot quality aside his color pages shows an understanding of art and design that goes beyond manga. To many mangaka are good at drawing manga but have little understanding of art beyond comics.
Art is not subjective: it is a discipline, there are standards on how to create specific visual and psychological effects. Whether painting, sculpture, comics, or typography when something necessary is missing it is immediately apparent. There are many ways to make objectively good art, many different styles, many ways to move beyond conventions. But none are subjective, as with any other craft or discipline art works with a specific set of goals in mind. Taste may be subjective, but there is no accounting for taste nor does it make a work good or bad. If art is subjective Van Gogh would remain unknown. He died virtually unknown, his paintings having failed to find buyer or audience.
^^ *bliss*
