Dazzling sword play! Vengeful assassins! Heroic battles; no, I am not describing a Steven Seagal movie(sorry Comic Fans, but you have to forgive me for that one)but more so, MAS is highlighting the elaborate treading that binds together the world we came to know as Manga Entertainment and Story-telling(Manga being the Japanese word for art meaning "whimsical style"). This phenomenon, unbeknownst to some American Comic book fans is not a new thing, but an age old art form which dates as far back as the 13th century, originally scene in Japanese scrolls. Today, few art forms have blended into Americans mainstream visual mediums with such force and permanence as Manga Art. So the question is, why did Manga art succeed where so many before it had failed?

Truly, the art form never left us.The arts evaluation is due to American art influence during World War II. It came out of the GI's bringing their American comic books overseas during war time while stationed in Japan. The Art consequently fused itself with the Japanese art style, only later to find itself being brought back to the states. Still, beyond that little geographic tidbit of info, we still should ask ourself, "Why Manga?" Hell, America has always been a vat of borrowed cultures, customs and ideologies, why this?

Well, lets face it...we are in tougher times! No Archie and Happy Days here. Contemporary views are dead as Conventional ideologies had steadily begun to shatter apart in the growing years like a neatly placed vase in the path of a surging storm! Rap is the new religion! Anti-establishment is the new battle cry! People, at the heart of it, see a nation whose fading morality and white picked fences are("figuratively speaking...of course")being thrown away like items at yesterdays yard sale. A Conservative Nation is yesterday's news!

Upcoming generations want and abashed slice of the truth and they want it medium rare. Manga is that succulent side dish.

But there are other reasons for this constant wave of Artistic expression which, at its core, describes its basic, overall appeal; Story! Story! Story! There is virtually no where Manga creators won't go in order to authenticate their stories. No material is too risky! No subject matter is too taboo! And although the violence of their work does make quire boys of American animation films(I mean this is the home of Disney), along with the nudity and what some might consider advert sexuality, each vise is used for one purpose, to move along and enhance the overall story development, even at the sake of the projects world wide commercial appeal.
It's not about the boardroom exec., puffing on an imported cigar or folding back the cuffs of his white, Brook Brothers suit, but rather, it is about the story and the lessons in them that is to be passed down to future generations, lessons which will steadily shape the Japanese culture and the constructs of their homes and communities, but American artist have caught on...

Such artist as Jason Scott Campbell(Danger Girl,X-Men) and probably the most obvious one, Humberto Ramos(Wolverine, Amazing Spider man) echoes Manga in every line captured in their panels. So, what is the future of Manga?

I would say a bright one, from more advanced motion comics to future 3d and possibly 4d game and film development;virtually whatever advancements are needed to further enhance the story telling process. Either way, let me tell ya, I am pretty sure American creators, both in and out of the comic world are taking notes.

Mc Bride

When looking at any historically based, literary prose, especially those which rest within the "African American Experience," particular works come to mind, ("The Narrative's of Fredrick Douglas," James Baldwin's classic novel, "Go Tell it On the Mountain,"or Richard Wright's highly acclaimed "Black Boy"). One can't help but see these gems resting in the margin of literary history. Added to that list of illustrious, gifted writers is James Mc Bride!

But he is not a new comer to this field.

James Mc. Bride has garnered a host of Best Selling novels which reads like an all-star roster in the NBA! His debut book, "The Color of Water" was an instant best seller and an Oprah's, Book Club Choice. That success was then followed up by another best seller, "Miracle at Saint Anna," which later was adapted into a film by Spike Lee. Now, his third novel, "Song Yet Sung," is no exception.

Stirring with a true insightful voice that leaps from the page, we are told the story of Liz, a runaway slave who we follow in her pursuit to freedom from her vicious slave master, Patty Canon. During her struggles she is guided by a set of codes, given to her by another slave, codes which mask a hidden message that might inevitably hold the key to Liz's possible freedom.

To some readers, this tune might be somewhat familiar, maybe even overplayed. The story of this type of enslavement, to some, has become a standard theme for "African American" authors. The idea of going home or discovering a sense of meaning where one might not truly exist is not new, but that is where the ingenuity of Mc Bride's writing exist, the connection to those universal ideas that might be all but forgotten by other authors in this modern age. Mc Bride is not, in any way, shape or form, "preaching to the quire," telling you, the reader how to think or feel. No line and/or paragraph is flashing a neon sign saying, "slavery is bad, slavery is bad! Don't be prejudice! It's up to us!" No, in his writing you are not let off the hook that easily. Rather, he lays back on his themes, telling the story action by reaction, letting it play out while
re-working the proverbial noted being played.

"There is one simple truth, though, through out the book that's not to be taken lightly...

"It ain't the song but the singer of it."(Pg. 18, Song Not Yet Sung).

Simply put, "Song Yet Sung" is a harrowing look at one women's push towards freedom and, hence, herself; an unflinching literary triumph forcing a dazzling glimpse into the reader's greater self and my guess is that it will become a classic for generations to come.

And for all you literary crazed readers(that includes me), I would suggest to keep an eye out for Mr. Mc Bride's future novels. I have a feeling this author's literary legacy is just taking shape.

P.S.: If you like this book, you might want to check out his earlier work, "The Color Of Water", "Miracle at St. Anna", and, of course, "Song Yet Sung,"and don't be surprised if you see this book as a Oprah Book Club Choice. Just remember, you heard it here first.