Comic relief
By Daily Bruin Staff
Nov. 21, 2000 9:00 p.m.
 Illustration by RODERICK ROXAS/Daily Bruin
By Mary Williams
Daily Bruin Contributor
Japanese-style drawings and animation are infiltrating
Westwood.
Another Pokemon movie?
No, but with the art supplies now available at Comic World, a
recently opened store for artists and Japanese comic book fans
alike, you can draw your own comics to tide you over until your
next Pokemon fix.
The store, which opened Oct. 1 on Gayley Avenue, sells art
supplies specifically for those interested in drawing manga, a
style of Japanese comic book, as well as the comics themselves and
how-to books on drawing.
 PRIYA SHARMA Angela Wang draws her own
cartoons in Comic World, a comic store which recently opened in
Westwood. Manga artists use special paper, pens and ink, which can
be hard to find in the United States. Comic World specializes in
imported art equipment.
“I work with every style including simple comic book
drawings,” said Kim McGill, a Comic World supervisor.
“Supplies are hard to find everywhere else.”
Other merchandise includes toys from anime movies and TV shows,
as well as toys from live-action American films, such as “Dr.
Seuss’ The Grinch” and “Star Wars.”
For artists who are just beginning or who want to improve their
skills, Comic World holds classes Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Classes cost $5 and supplies are free. They are taught by Akemi
Katsumura, a former professional manga artist in Japan, who now
gives one-on-one advice to students.
“I saw her teach a person who said they didn’t know
how to draw people,” said Angela Wang, president of the UCLA
Japanese Animation Club. “She went through the steps on how
to draw people and by the end he had drawn a person.”
More advanced manga artists can exhibit and sell their work at
the Showcase Gallery and Trade, held from Nov. 26 to Dec. 9 in the
store. Participating artists are chosen on a first-come,
first-served basis.
Comic World is owned by art supplies manufacturer, S. E. Inc.,
which is based in Japan. The company owns stores in Korea and
Taiwan, but this is its first in the United States.
“Japanese manga is becoming popular, and they want to
introduce not only watching TV and movies, but some materials to
use and be creative,” said Comic World’s manager,
Hiroko Stacey.
Being owned by an art supply manufacturer allows the store to
sell its supplies at a lower price than other retailers, McGill
explained.
“Before the store opened, there was a lot of stuff you
couldn’t get except online, and online it’s really
expensive,” said Melissa Louie, a member of the UCLA Japanese
Animation Club.
While it may not be widespread here, practicing the art of manga
is common in Korea, Taiwan and Japan, according to Stacey.
“Many high school and university students love to draw,
make stories, and exchange them,” she said.
The term “manga” was coined in 1814 by artist
Katsushika Hokusai, and literally means “involuntary
pictures” although it can be loosely translated as
“cartoon” or “caricature,” according to
Steve Pearl of www.otaking.com, a Web site dedicated to the history
of manga.
According to Pearl, the style did not gain popularity until the
early 1950s, when Tezuka Osamu began experimenting with several
drawing traditions. Many of his assistants became important manga
artists in the following decades.
Manga has slowly gained popularity in the West, especially in
Spain, Italy and France. In the United States, manga usually
reaches audiences in the form of comic books of about thirty pages,
translated from the original Japanese manga magazines.
Comic books such as these can be found in Comic World. UCLA
Japanese Animation Club members receive a 10% discount with a club
membership card on comics and other merchandise. Currently, the
store is also holding a sale on pens, markers and comic book
beginner sets. Until Dec. 31, these items are available at a 20%
discount.
With Comic World nearby, manga enthusiasts can start the new
year right, with everything a fledgling artist needs.
ART: Comic World is located at 1080 Gayley
Ave., the former Penny Lane location. The store is open from 11
a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, and is closed Tuesdays.
Call (310) 208-9533 for more info.
