The Other Side of the Mirror (manhua)
Encyclopedia
The Other Side of the Mirror (鏡子的另一邊) is a comic written and illustrated by Jo Chen
. It was originally published by Tong Li Comics
in Taiwan and has been translated into several languages, including English.
to February 1999 in Star Girls
, and later collected in two volumes by Tong Li Comics. It was Chen's first full-length manhua. Volume 1 included a short story entitled "99 Roses", and volume 2 included "Peggy" and "The Funeral Procession of Stars", all originally published in Star Girls in its March, May, and July 1999 issues, respectively. The collected volumes were soon thereafter published in South Korea, China, and Hong Kong.
At Anime Expo
in June 2007, Tokyopop announced it had licensed The Other Side of the Mirror for release in English. In December 2007, Tokyopop
published volume one of the series, and in April 2008, volume two. Translation was provided by J.Y. Standaert with an adaptation by Kereth Cowe-Spigai, and the cover featured praise from Joss Whedon
. The release included the short stories included with the original Taiwanese volumes, plus an interview and sketches by Chen. Chen promoted the release at the 2007 New York Anime Festival
and Anime USA
2007, an event to which she will return in 2008.In 2008, the series was also published in Italian by JPOP.
One reviewer described the English-language release of the work as a "quirky combination of dreamy romance and slapstick comedy". Another felt that though Chen's illustrations were "gorgeous" the story at the heart of the work was slightly lacking, and that Chen was still "miles above the pack" in terms of style, artistry, and storytelling ability. The series' art was described as a "refreshing change" from other works in the genre, which ably improved a mediocre story.
Jo Chen
Jo Chen is a female comic book artist and writer best known for her highly detailed painted comic book covers.-Biography:Chen was born in Taipei, Taiwan and emigrated to the United States in late 1994. Working professionally in the Asian comic book industry since age fourteen, she burst suddenly...
. It was originally published by Tong Li Comics
Tong Li Comics
Tongli Publishing Co. , most known as Tong Li Comics, is a publishing company which distributes a variety of domestic and imported comics in the Republic of China .-History:...
in Taiwan and has been translated into several languages, including English.
Publication
The Other Side of the Mirror was originally serialized in Taiwan from July 19981998 in comics
-Spring:* Gay Comix , with issue #25, publishes its final issue -October:* Toy Biz buys Marvel Comics* Excalibur is canceled by Marvel with issue #125.-November:...
to February 1999 in Star Girls
Star Girls
Star Girls is a Taiwanese anthology magazine published by Tong Li Comics specializing in serialization of manhua comics aimed at young females. It debuted in July, 1992 and is published six times per year in even-numbered months.-Serializations:...
, and later collected in two volumes by Tong Li Comics. It was Chen's first full-length manhua. Volume 1 included a short story entitled "99 Roses", and volume 2 included "Peggy" and "The Funeral Procession of Stars", all originally published in Star Girls in its March, May, and July 1999 issues, respectively. The collected volumes were soon thereafter published in South Korea, China, and Hong Kong.
At Anime Expo
Anime Expo
Anime Expo, abbreviated AX, is an American anime convention held in Los Angeles, California and organized by the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation . With rare exceptions, the convention is traditionally held on the July 4th weekend and lasts for four days...
in June 2007, Tokyopop announced it had licensed The Other Side of the Mirror for release in English. In December 2007, Tokyopop
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
published volume one of the series, and in April 2008, volume two. Translation was provided by J.Y. Standaert with an adaptation by Kereth Cowe-Spigai, and the cover featured praise from Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
. The release included the short stories included with the original Taiwanese volumes, plus an interview and sketches by Chen. Chen promoted the release at the 2007 New York Anime Festival
New York Anime Festival
The New York Anime Festival is an anime and manga convention held annually since 2007 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on the West Side of Manhattan in New York City...
and Anime USA
Anime USA
Anime USA is a fandom convention for anime, manga and Japanese culture enthusiasts. It is an annual three-day event held over a weekend in Crystal City, Virginia , part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area...
2007, an event to which she will return in 2008.In 2008, the series was also published in Italian by JPOP.
Reception
Chen admitted for years she never thought Western audiences would care to read the The Other Side of the Mirror, despite selling well and winning an award in its native language.One reviewer described the English-language release of the work as a "quirky combination of dreamy romance and slapstick comedy". Another felt that though Chen's illustrations were "gorgeous" the story at the heart of the work was slightly lacking, and that Chen was still "miles above the pack" in terms of style, artistry, and storytelling ability. The series' art was described as a "refreshing change" from other works in the genre, which ably improved a mediocre story.