Comparing Shonen Manga to Superhero Comics

Really fascinating look at the similarities and differences between fight manga and superhero comics.

In the hearts of Japanese boys (and those who read stuff aimed at them), the fight between Goku and Vegeta, or the fight between Kenshiro and Raoh, cast a shadow as long as the Fantastic Four vs. Galactus, or Superman vs. Batman in The Dark Knight Returns. Of course battle manga draws comparison with superhero comics. Incredible powers — good vs. evil — fight scenes — basically aimed at children — umm, hello? There is a major difference, however. By the time the Direct Market developed in the late ’70s, superheroes had been the dominant species in American comics for so long, they evolved into new genres like finches isolated on an island. Science-fiction superheroes. Comedy superheroes. Occult superheroes. Battle manga, on the other hand, is a formula. It may involve sports (Eyeshield 21, Slam Dunk). Board games (Hikaru no Go). Cooking (Iron Wok Jan). If superheroes are ultimately a trapping of the story, battle manga dictates the very structure of that story. In some ways this is more flexible, in other ways more limiting.