edited by Gary Groth The now-annual Comics Journal Special Edition focuses this time on the phenomenal manga (Japanese comics) invasion. Our cover feature is manga superstar Hideshi Hino, whose 30-year career and inimitable style have put him at the forefront of Japan's horror genre. Our manga section also features essential interviews with or profiles of the most notable artists, including Yoshiharu Tsuge, Surhiro Moruo, Saseo Ono, Yoshihiro Tatsumi, and the undisputed king of manga, Astro Boy creator Osamu Tezuka! Meanwhile, Vaughn Bodé, the legendary and enduring underground cartoonist (and current inspiration of graffiti artists everywhere) is given the full treatment with an illuminating profile by Bob Levin (The Pirates & the Mouse), a critical essay by Donald Phelps (Reading the Funnies), and exclusive excerpts from his private diaries. Also, Bill Blackbeard profiles the madcap cartoonist Milt Gross. Finally, there's our renowned comics section whose theme this issue is "Seduction," which will include accomplished artists like: Los Bros Hernandez, Carol Lay, Arnold Roth, Rick Altergott, Colleen Coover, Marc Bell, Debbie Drechsler, Spain, and Bill Griffith!