Indie Comics, Manga, and a Millennial: The JM Matthews Story

First of all, manga and indie comics never used to be so friendly and integrated as an art form, medium, and hybrid genre as they are now. Simplified or abstracted and surreal artwork in black and white, with manga-oriented storytelling techniques, constructs and methods.

Not all books stay in the crossroads successfully. Some tend to gravitate more towards manga than indie comics. And artists like Frank Miller never classify their work as "manga", and instead simply acknowledge Japanese aspects to their works influences, so it's a loose interpretation and adaptation.

I prefer to stay right in the middle. It's where I am most comfortable. Well, that and being a millennial self publisher.

·        Frank Miller

·        Scott McCloud

·        Todd McFarlane (who didn't draw actual manga but always showed it love. Definitely not a playa hater)

·        Fred Gallagher

·        Adam Warren

·        Kristy Lijewski

·        Paul Pope

·        Bryan Lee O'Malley

·        Chynna-Clugston

·        Dirk I. Tiede

·        Faith Erin Hicks

My work reflects my interests. In other words, while yes I can appreciate hypercomplex visuals, in some ways I lack perfection in that area, but that doesn't bother me as I'm here to make indie comics with manga elements. Not just manga with hyper-detailing.

So I am an indie cartoonist with manga influence.