Battle Angel Alita - Last Order

[Inkthinker]

Check it out- for fans of the previous Alita series by manga bad-ass Yukito Kishiro, this is an alternate ending that starts off around the beginning of the final book... right after Docter Nova blows Alita to smithereens in a boobytrap. The artwork shows off some of Kishiro's new techniques and skills, polished on his recent [Aqua Knight[/i] series, but still very much resembles the original style of Battle Angel Alita. He's begun using a variety of new techniques involving the use of computers and 3D as well... something that is gaining a greater a greater following in the comics maelstrom that is Japan (see, for instance, the massive amount of 3D work in Masamune Shirow's new Ghost in the Shell: Man-Machine Interface ). For those who worry about such techniques looking bad against the hand-drawn material, trust me... he does it so well that you won't even notice.

The writing is still a bit strange... Kishiro has a penchant for gobbledygook pseudo-science that goes straight over my head, but when the action kicks in he shines with the masters... the fight at the end of this first issue is a beautiful example of well-choreographed hand-to-hand fighting as depicted in panel-to-panel sequential art, and many an illustrator would do well to check it out just for that. His designs are still well thought-out and I like the variety in his characters... something many manga favorites lack.

The first issue of the new series is on the shelves now... I highly recommend it to any fan of cyberpunk, sci-fi, or fantasy martial arts. The plot may be a bit hard to catch up on if you haven't read the first series, but you can find any of those books at a Borders, not to mention your local comics shop.

And for those of us who enjoyed the first nine-volume series, this is an absolute must-buy.

:D

[Kaligula]

I just got it. And I'm just realizing for the first time how much I've jacked -- uh, I mean been influenced, by this guy. Kishiro is da man.

[...o...k....]

I agree that Battle Angel was an amazing visual concept; however, Kishiro could burn in hell for this work on Ghost in the Shell. I saw a preview of it and I don't like it though it is a huge leap from the original Ghost in the Shell movie, which I just won't comment on (urgh).

[Carter]

Originally posted by ...o...k....
I agree that Battle Angel was an amazing visual concept; however, Kishiro could burn in hell for this work on Ghost in the Shell. I saw a preview of it and I don't like it though it is a huge leap from the original Ghost in the Shell movie, which I just won't comment on (urgh).

What? What? What are you talking about?

--Carter--

[Inkthinker]

I think he's confusing Yukito Kishiro with Shirow Masamune.

Kishiro is the creator of Battle Angel Alita, Ashen Victor, and Aqua Knight, all available in the States from Viz Comics.


Shirow is the creator of Appleseed, M-66, Orion, and of course Ghost in the Shell, just to name a few. His work is published through Dark Horse Comics.


I've heard more than a few people complain about Shirow's love affair with computer-gernated elements in his artwork... if you read his commentary in the art collection Intron Depot you can see that even before he got heavily into CG material he was pushing the envelope with techniques developed through the use of color copiers and various tricks designed to add texture to his material.

Sometimes he does it well, sometimes not... but I rather like his new book (in which he uses extensive amounts of CG) Ghost in the Shell: Man-Machine Interface.

This is one of those polarizing issues... either you like the work or you don't.

[Krosis]

Originally posted by Inkthinker
I think he's confusing Yukito Kishiro with Shirow Masamune.

Shirow is the creator of Appleseed, M-66, Orion, and of course Ghost in the Shell, just to name a few. His work is published through Dark Horse Comics.
(snip)
This is one of those polarizing issues... either you like the work or you don't.

Yeah.. and if you *like* Shirow's work.. head over to the arena and join the Shirow drawoff!! go.. shoo! scat! get on over there. ;)

-cheers

[Devilman]

she's coming out with her own 3d animation, you know.

[Inkthinker]

She?

Huh... no kidding? That's interesting... I had no idea. I thought for certain that Kishiro was a guy... I'm pretty sure I've seen him referred to in print as... well... "him" or "he".

I could be wrong, tho... I mean, it does happen. At least once every millennia or so, that is.

:D

[danimation2001]

I remember the first time that I read Battle Angel Alita, when Hugo died, I cried like a little baby. :P

I've actually always hoped that hugo would come back in some way or form.

It was one of the best freak'n endings to a comic book chapter that I've ever read. It moved me to tears damn it. :D

I picked up this new puppy as soon as it got on the shelf. :)

[jacon]

holy shizzo! i didn't even know about this at all! thanks! battle angel is one of my favorite all time comics... i can read through all nine graphic novels in a day if i wanted.


ooooo! this make me so happy! please tell me where i can order this! :eek:

[Devilman]

Originally posted by Inkthinker
She?

Huh... no kidding? That's interesting... I had no idea. I thought for certain that Kishiro was a guy... I'm pretty sure I've seen him referred to in print as... well... "him" or "he".

I could be wrong, tho... I mean, it does happen. At least once every millennia or so, that is.

:D




why the hell would somone animate Kishiro in 3d? I was talking about Alita, you criminal! Here's some pics to look at


http://www.spasang.com/gunnm.jpg


I could tell you more, but you'll apreciate it more if you find out this kind of stuff for yourself and then only hint to people that you know about it. *pats self on back*

[jacon]

those motorball races are sooo cool

[Kaligula]

Oh baby. I'm creaming my pants already.

[Inkthinker]

Originally posted by Devilman





why the hell would somone animate Kishiro in 3d? I was talking about Alita, you criminal! Here's some pics to look at

I could tell you more, but you'll apreciate it more if you find out this kind of stuff for yourself and then only hint to people that you know about it. *pats self on back*

Yeah, except that you're wrong in this case...

That's not coming out, that's old news. Those are from a short music-video-type film of a Motorball race. I thought I posted a link to that here a month or so ago...

Just do a search for "Alita Motorball Movie" and you should be able to find it. It's about 30 Megs or so...

Kishiro had been doing quite a bit of 3D modeling himself...

[Devilman]

actually, YOU'RE wrong. That's a little DVD that came with the special edition books to create buzz for the new series, but it was all i had to illustrate what i was talking about being that THEY HAVEN'T MADE THE MOVIE YET. Plus, if you were really up on things, you'd know that there is also ,(very likely), going to be an American made movie. It's been discussed that it will probably be either CGI (or THREE D), or live action.


Sorry for you to be wrong, friend. One day god will make us fair.

[Inkthinker]

Thbbt. I never said what it came in... that page shows stills from the short 3D film that came with the sixth book, if you lived in Japan where they package neat goodies in with stuff.


A link for your perusal... (http://www.cammyfan.com/Miscellaneous/gunnm-cg/gunnm-cg.htm)

And if you want to check out the movie itself, Then download it from here... (http://it.geocities.com/gunnmjyumu/video.htm)

Ahhh... feels good to be right... Hoorah!!

:D

[jacon]

quit it you boys... let's get to the point here! nobody has told me where i can order "Last Order"!

[Inkthinker]

Viz Comics is producing the book.

[Krosis]

Originally posted by jacob_phatty
those motorball races are sooo cool

Ever pick "Ashen Victor" also by Kishiro? It's a separate story line having to do with Motorballers from the Alita "Universe" I have 1.. count it.. 1 issue that I've mangaed to find..

-cheers

[Devilman]

Originally posted by Inkthinker


Yeah, except that you're wrong in this case...

That's not coming out, that's old news.


no, you're wrong. the movie i'm talking about is still in conceptual stages. The pic, as you pointed out, is from a lil' dvd that came with the special edition book. The MOVIE, and you're going to have to realize this sooner or later, because I'm just telling you the same thing over and over, is slated to be made by an American company and it's not been set in stone whether it's going to be cgi or live-action. Hence "she's going to be in a 3-d movie."

[Inkthinker]

All right, all right... gimme a link. Let me see some corroboration, and MAYBE we'll both turn out to be right.

Shyeah...

:rolleyes:

:D

[Devilman]

why don't you just read the own link you submitted, the info seems to be there as well.

[jacon]

Originally posted by Inkthinker
Viz Comics is producing the book. so it's not done yet?

[Inkthinker]

Not sure if it's finished in Japanese or not...