Tattooed Samurai
My morning google alert has informed me that the second volume of the Japanese translation of The Painted Man is going on sale November 21!
Because Japanese writing takes up more space than English, it is common to split a long novel into smaller parts in the Japanese market. The Painted Man, for example, has been split into three volumes. I’d tell you what’s covered in each volume, but I don’t read Japanese.
Anyway, you’ll notice volume II is 21 yen cheaper than the first. So if you buy 36 copies, it’s like getting the 37th for free. What a steal!
I haven’t seen the cover art full-sized yet, but I will post that when I have it. In the meantime, there’s the thumbnail above to tide you all over. Looks like a shot of Arlen running from the sand demons after finding the spear. Sweet.
In other news, The Morning Star, which bills itself as Britain’s only Socialist daily newspaper, posted a review of The Painted Man on Monday. You can see the review here. I’m more of a pro-regulation capitalist than a socialist, but with the bi-partisan $700 billion US bailout plan, these days the two are looking close enough for horseshoes, hand grenades, and government work, so there’s no reason we can’t all get along.
Lots of behind-the-scenes stuff going on that I can’t talk about, but maybe soon. In the meantime, my next post will be about Christina Aguilera.
Seriously.
That cover is awesome!!! I know that as a reader you’re meant to build your own mental pictures of what characters look like, etc etc, but it’s great to see images of them in real life.
Also, just wanted to ask – if you have a book signing in the UK for Desert Spear next year, when will it be? I’m going to be away for most of August in Costa Rica on a conservation program and Amazon says the release date for DS is early August…I hope I don’t miss the signing :S
I agree that it is great to see what artists picture of things you’ve pictured in your own mind. It’s never the same, but there’s still something magical about the shared reality.
To be honest, I don’t know when my signing(s) will be. Amazon now lists The Desert Spear as coming out Sept. 7, so I might not be there in August at all. I don’t think the exact release date will solidify until there is a final manuscript and they schedule printing. Once I know, I will make an announcement.
But if you end up missing my signing because you’re in Costa Rica, well boo fricken’ hoo. Having some nerd scribble his name in a book hardly compares to time spent in a tropical paradise. I’m sure anyone at the signing would gladly trade places with you.
I agree with Chantal, it is awesome to see artwork. Seriously I can’t wait for fanart and I’m always erked when I look for fan art from a book I like and cannot find any….
Yeah, the Japanese covers are way kick ass. I know they want the universal sort of appeal in the US and the UK is more simple….but I like the action scenes. If I could read Japanese I would definitely buy the Japanese versions just for the covers and how they seem to pull you visually right to the heart of the action of the story.
Oh, speaking of release dates…do you know the exact release date of PM in the US and where you’re releasing? If it’s going to be in NYC I’m contemplating giving myself a birthday treat and try and make it down for the release.
Er….nevermind, March 10th. Okay. Well yeah, if it’s NYC I’ll try and go somehow.
Somebody save a copy for me. . . *sniff*
Oorah for government work. . .
They will be giving away free copies at NY ComicCon, February 6-8, in NYC. I am doing a big signing there on the 7th (the Saturday). If you can make it, Lo, I’d love to finally meet you, and you’ll have an awesome time at the con. It’s better every year.
I’ll look in to it. 🙂