Massive: Gay Erotic Manga and the Men Who Make It

Massive: Gay Erotic Manga and the Men Who Make It represents a groundbreaking anthology in manga publishing, marking the first English-language collection of gay manga. Published by Fantagraphics Books in 2014, the work features nine comics from prominent Japanese artists including Gengoroh Tagame and Jiraiya. The anthology pairs each manga story with an in-depth interview of its creator, providing context about the artists' backgrounds, creative processes, and influences. The featured works span various genres and themes, from historical fiction to science fiction, exploring different aspects of male relationships and desire. The collection brings together established voices in the gay manga scene, showcasing diverse artistic styles and storytelling approaches. Each story maintains its original right-to-left reading format, preserving the authentic manga experience for English-speaking readers. This anthology serves as a significant cultural document, highlighting an often-overlooked segment of manga literature while examining the intersection of art, identity, and expression in Japanese comic culture.

Readers value this as an art collection and historical record of gay manga, though note the content is sexually explicit and not for everyone. The interviews with manga artists add context about the genre's evolution and cultural relevance. Likes: - High quality printing and presentation - In-depth artist interviews - Mix of art styles and creators - Cultural/historical background provided Dislikes: - Some find content too sexually graphic - Limited selection of artists featured - Price point ($35) considered high by some - Paper quality could be better, per multiple reviews Ratings: Goodreads: 4.12/5 (276 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (104 ratings) Reader quote: "The historical context and creator interviews make this more than just an art book - it documents an important but overlooked manga genre." - Goodreads review Several readers note this works better as a reference/coffee table book than as light reading due to explicit content.

Fangs by Billy Martin Chronicles vampire stories through a queer lens, combining horror and romance in graphic novel format with stark black-and-white illustrations that echo manga storytelling techniques.

My Brother's Husband by Gengoroh Tagame A manga series that follows a single father in Japan who receives a visit from his deceased brother's Canadian husband, examining cultural perspectives on gay relationships.

Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi A manga focused on art school culture that incorporates LGBTQ+ themes and characters while exploring creative expression through a Japanese lens.

That Blue Sky Feeling by Okura, Coma Hashii A manga series depicting the development of friendship between two male high school students, one openly gay and one questioning.

Our Dreams at Dusk by Yuhki Kamatani A manga series centered around an LGBTQ+ community space in Japan, presenting multiple perspectives on gender and sexuality through interconnected stories.

1. 🖋️ Gengoroh Tagame, one of the featured artists, began his career creating illustrations for gay magazines in the 1980s and became known as the "Tom of Finland of Japan" due to his distinctive portrayal of masculine figures. 2. 📚 The book's unique three-part editing team included Chip Kidd, one of the most celebrated book designers in American publishing, known for his iconic work with authors like Michael Crichton and Haruki Murakami. 3. 🗾 Gay manga, known as "bara" in Japan, developed separately from mainstream manga and yaoi/BL genres, emerging from underground gay magazines in post-war Japan. 4. 🎨 The anthology showcases works from nine different artists, each representing different decades of gay manga development, from the 1970s to contemporary creators. 5. 📖 Unlike yaoi manga, which is typically created by and for women, gay manga is primarily created by gay men for gay male audiences, reflecting authentic experiences and aesthetics of Japan's gay community.