Ishiro Honda Bio By Ed. Godzisewski and Steve Ryfle

[O.Supreme]

Just trying to play a *bit* of devil's advocate here.

I will be turning the big 4-0 in less than a month. I grew up watching the showa films on TV, and to this day they are my favorites (DAM is still my favorite of all time), and honestly, as old as I am, the reason I watch these films is because of the love of fantasy, and for the monsters. To say I have absolutely zero interest in the human drama wouldn't be fair, but to be honest, it is minimal. I can say for sure however I have more interest in how these films are made, than the human drama in the film. I have listened to all audio commentaries available on DVD/BRD multiple times. Also one of my favorite books is August Ragone's Eiji Tsuburaya Master of Monsters.

Now to dismiss the entire fan base I think is a little unfair. Sure there has no doubt been an inflation of new fans due to G2014. I mean I don't hold any judgment against Ed G. and Steve, I may just feel (perhaps incorrectly), that they may be deflecting their reasons. Maybe they are just not as passionate they once were? maybe they are just simply to busy with other responsibilities in life? Maybe they are just in a lull?

Whatever the reason, I would love to see this project completed one day, and I would fully support it financially. But to make a blanket statement just seems....off to me. Not saying it is entirely inaccurate, just not 100% factual either. But I know I have been jaded about some of my passions before, thinking in my mind "other fans have ruined it for me". It's kind of sad when we start to cannibalize ourselves. Remembering the days when I would handwrite letters . or make phone calls to fellow fans, just to have someone to converse with. now we have this place where hundreds of us can come together, and if all we *seemingly* do is complain, it can be depressing at times.

[lhb412]

I do think that the instant and total accessibility of the modern internet has dissipated a certain type of nerd energy. It's created a short attention span style where news on twitter and comments sections have replaced magazines/fanzines, books, pen-palls, and (yes) message boards.

Shorter bursts of text and images, rapid fire. There's no time for in-depth, only for attention grabbing hot-takes and a bullet-point versions of things.

[Rody]

I'm looking forward to this book.

[Godzilla21]

"As I said earlier, I would love to resume publishing JG, but until I see a change of heart in fandom where enough people are interested to learn about how these films are made, I will have to find some other outlet for writing and researching."

Sad, but understandable. I'd love to hear more of his thoughts on this.

He also said that no one buys them. He said after #10 he had stacks and stacks of them in his office, unsold. I too agree with you that I'd love to see more about how these films are made. JG #9 actually made me like GMK more after I read. And he says he has a ton of info on FCTW.

[tbeasley]

Can you still order issues of Japanese Giants or is the site unresponsive? It's something I've been meaning to do for a while but the site hasn't been updated in years.

[ebirahsmeg1]

"As I said earlier, I would love to resume publishing JG, but until I see a change of heart in fandom where enough people are interested to learn about how these films are made, I will have to find some other outlet for writing and researching."

Sad, but understandable. I'd love to hear more of his thoughts on this.

He also said that no one buys them. He said after #10 he had stacks and stacks of them in his office, unsold. I too agree with you that I'd love to see more about how these films are made. JG #9 actually made me like GMK more after I read. And he says he has a ton of info on FCTW.

Sadly, that doesn't surprise me one bit, considering the type of "fans"(if you can call them that) which make up a good chunk of the "New Fandom". Case in point, on the "other" forum, I have posted photos and info on tons of great Japanese books that have been released over the last 2 years...and they receive next to no interest. In contrast, threads for IDW comics or even Random House's unmade "Godzilla & The Lost Continent" novel (yes, there are still people who actually think this will one day be released ) get endless pages of replies...

Can you still order issues of Japanese Giants or is the site unresponsive? It's something I've been meaning to do for a while but the site hasn't been updated in years.

I ordered mine from there *years* ago. Couldn't tell you about the state of the website now, but the fact he has "stacks" of unsold copies, I would venture to say that they're still available to order...

[Rody]

Can you still order issues of Japanese Giants or is the site unresponsive? It's something I've been meaning to do for a while but the site hasn't been updated in years.

I ordered some issues two weeks ago. I never got a confirmation email - but lo and behold, in the mail they came yesterday.
The site is active.

[GaryT]

There is now a Facebook page for the Honda biography, officially titled ISHIRO HONDA: A LIFE IN FILM, FROM GODZILLA TO KUROSAWA:

https://www.facebook.com/IshiroHondaBook/

[Mac]

Why not start a Kickstarter for the funding of new issues? I honestly never bothered with the last issue because there is so much information about the original Godzilla that is already widely available. The idea of getting a magazine solely focused on one of the more obscure films like Frankenstein Conquers the World sounds fascinating, and I would contribute money to see it be made.

[lhb412]

Scorsese's doing the preface?! Amazing! That should bump the title's recognition a bit!

[Godzilla21]

Why not start a Kickstarter for the funding of new issues? I honestly never bothered with the last issue because there is so much information about the original Godzilla that is already widely available. The idea of getting a magazine solely focused on one of the more obscure films like Frankenstein Conquers the World sounds fascinating, and I would contribute money to see it be made.

Count me in

[GaryT]

A friendly suggestion: How about putting posts about JAPANESE GIANTS in the JAPANESE GIANTS thread?:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=14101

I'm not being sarcastic, I just think more people might see them there, and we can keep this thread on-topic.

[ebirahsmeg1]

A friendly suggestion: How about putting posts about JAPANESE GIANTS in the JAPANESE GIANTS thread?:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=14101

I'm not being sarcastic, I just think more people might see them there, and we can keep this thread on-topic.

As much as I bemoan the current status of the fandom (i.e. "fans" who show no interest in learning about the genre beyond a handful of Return of Mothra/Heisei films, Neca/SHMA toys, IDW comics, or fantasy battles) and totally agree with Ed. G's sentiments and see where is coming from, I think being a bit more pro-active in marketing/promoting it (i.e. posting reminders/announcements in various forums every once in awhile that it can still be ordered and how & where it can be ordered) wouldn't hurt, especially when there are supposedly "stacks of the last issue" still lying around unsold. They're not just going to magically sell themselves...

[GaryT]

From the Facebook page for the book:

Very pleased to report that a significant hurdle was cleared this week and it now appears that the path to publication is much clearer and within reach. This was an obstacle that had held up our timeline for some months now, but we hope and expect that it will be relatively smooth sailing hereon. We’re anxious to get a firm publication date and to share that with our friends, and will do so as soon as we can.

[lhb412]

Hell yeah!

[ebirahsmeg1]

Finally the finish line is hopefully in sight. I am very much looking forward to this....have been for years.

[Andrew Nguyen]

We all are looking forward to this.

[tbeasley]

Steve Ryfle has a brief article on Shin Godzilla in Famous Monsters #287, and this is at the end -

Steve Ryfle is co-author, with Ed Godziszewski, of ISHIRO HONDA: A LIFE IN FILM, FROM GODZILLA TO KUROSAWA, due in 2017 from Wesleyan University Press.

[tbeasley]

Brief update: the book is now officially in the production phase

More accurately, I should say that the copy editing has begun. After that's completed (November) the book will be designed. Should have a publication date soon. Stay tuned.

Our publisher is the esteemed Wesleyan University Press. We have been fortunate to have a very supportive relationship with WUP over the past several years as we've moved from the research to the writing and now the editing/production phases of the book.

https://www.facebook.com/IshiroHondaBook/

[lhb412]

^I was like "oh, no! November? It'll be 2018 when this is ready!"... then I looked and saw that those posts were made in October. False alarm, guys.


Can't wait to read this book.

[GaryT]

Release is now October.

[lhb412]

Snazzy. Can't wait to read this thing.

[GaryT]

Revised cover, adding a credit for Honda's granddaughter:

[Geno]

I'm extremely excited for this. Its only a month away and I just can't wait to see the info Ed G. and Steve Ryfle are putting out on Honda. Its been in the making for years and I just know its going to be a fantastic read.

[lhb412]

I'm gonna put it off a few months and save this thing for Christmas: always great to have a Godzilla related present!