Dragon Ball Z Part 1-4 (Viz Monthly Comics)
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| Dragon Ball Z Part 1 No. 4 | |
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| Released | June 1998 |
| Publisher | Viz |
| Volume Data | |
| Format | 6.625" x 10.25" |
| Pages | 32 pages |
| Chapters |
Dragon Ball Chapter 201 Dragon Ball Chapter 202 |
| Viz Publication | |
| Translation | Mari Morimoto |
| Adaptation | Gerard Jones |
| Editor | Trish Ledoux |
| Graphic Novel | Dragon Ball Z Volume 1 |
Dragon Ball Z Part 1 No. 4 is the fourth issue of Viz's "Dragon Ball Z" monthly comics, the original English-language printing of the Dragon Ball manga. It was released in June 1998 alongside the fourth issue of the "Dragon Ball"-branded chapters.
List of Chapters
Further information: Viz Monthly Comics and List of Dragon Ball Chapters
| # | Viz Chapter Title | Original Publication | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | Dragon Ball Z Chapter 7: "Piccolo's Farewell to Arms!?" |
Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #51 (Japan, 15 November 1988) |
1 |
| 202 | Dragon Ball Z Chapter 8: "A Surprise Appearance" |
Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #52 (Japan, 22 November 1988) |
16 |
The title page of chapter 201 is included in its original black and white. The title page of chapter 202 is omitted.
Cover Illustration
This issue's Akira Toriyama cover illustration was drawn for the "Catchphrase Grand Prix" feature in the 1989 #23 issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in Japan. This issue went on sale on 09 May 1989 and featured the original printing of Dragon Ball Chapter 223. The illustration gets full-page reprints in Akira Toriyama - The World[1] and Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 1 ("The Complete Illustrations"),[2] a quarter-page reprint in the Dragon Ball Chōgashū ("A Visual History"),[3] and a small reprint for the "Dragon Ball Secret File" feature in the 30th Anniversary Super History Book.[4]
Advertisements
Page 32 is an advertisement for the July 1998 release of the Tekken 2 comic. The back cover is a full-color advertisement for the Pioneer VHS release of Dragon Ball Z Movie 2: "The World's Strongest"; this advertisement is reproduced on the third "Dragon Ball" issue's page.
Staff
- English Adaptation: Gerard Jones
- Translation: Mari Morimoto
- Touch-Up Art & Lettering: Wayne Truman
- Editor: Trish Ledoux
- Cover & Interior Design: Viz Graphics
- Managing Editor: Hyoe Narita
- Editor-In-Chief: Sataro Fujii
- Publisher: Seiji Horibuchi
Letters Column
This issue is the first to feature a letters column, printed left to right on pages 31-30. There is a standard solicitation for reader letters on the inside of the front cover. A complete transcription of the column is below; fan art is omitted. The responses are written by editor Trish Ledoux. (Parentheses) and [brackets] are Viz; {braces} are Kanzenshuu notes.
| Dragon Ball Z Letters Page c/o Viz Comics P.O. Box 77010 San Francisco, CA 94107 viz@j-pop.com |
| {to the left: artwork of Vegeta} Anthony Moore, Norfolk VA |
| Welcome to the first installment of what we hope will be a continuing feature, the Dragon Ball Z letters page! You are all invited to send your rants, raves, fan art and other communiques here. Before we go directly to what you have to say, one request: Because both DB and DBZ are being printed concurrently, it's important that, if your letter is more appropriate to one series than the other, you address your envelope as such. We can usually figure out which book you're talking about when you mention only the one series, but with comments such as "I love DB, but not so much DBZ," {sic} it's hard to know in which comic you'd like to see your letter printed. So, to repeat, if you want your letter in one comic or the other (we're not so hurtin' for reader mail that we have to print one letter in BOTH books), let us know! |
| Dear Viz, First off, I wish to thank Viz for finally publishing Sensei Toriyama's masterpiece. I can't describe the jubilation I felt holding an Americanized repro-manga. I actually felt the excitement I used to feel when I purchased a mainstream comic. This is going back aways, since mainstream comics—with the exception of Kingdom Come—haven't piqued my interest in years. Well, enough of the accolades and on to my gripes. (In the first) eleven months (after) I became a "zetophile,"[a] I amassed an extensive amount of knowledge about DBZ. So it irks me to find Viz is so far planning nine issues of the manga. Why?!!! All the true fans know about the 42 tankôbon— [...] Greg Clark Omaha, NE |
| You'll be glad to hear, Greg, that nine issues isn't the stopping point for the series. With any luck, we'll be doing all 42 of the import-only Japanese tankôbon in English eventually, and— well— Aw, heck, we've just gotta ask: What exactly is a "true fan," to your way of thinking? Did you have to take a test, or something? |
| Dear Mr. Toriyama, 1. What is the deal with having different titles like Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT? 2. Why are the dragon balls so small in the Dragon Ball comic book, and in the Dragon Ball Z cartoon, (they're) the size of their heads? 3. Why isn't the comic book Dragon Ball in color? {/column} Til next ish, Kakarrot, {drawing of Goku, Shenlong, Freeza's eyes, and the Dragon Balls} Adam Cline Elsmere, DE |
| Poor Toriyama, stuck in Japan drawing new manga, while we get to answer the mail...! We hope you don't mind, Adam, if we answer for him. It makes sense, when you think about it, to change the name of your TV series when it changes. For example, would you agree that American TV shows like Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Joanie Loves Chachi should all be known by the same title, as they're all part of the original "Happy Days" universe? Of course not! It's the same with anime series. Even though Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT are all descended from Toriyama's original DB manga, the shows these titles represent are not the same thing. DBZ, for example, features the adventures of a grown-up Goku and friends, while DBGT focuses on (more or less) the hijinks of Goku & Co.'s kids and granddaughter. So, even though they're all set in the same "Dragon Ball" universe, their stories are very different...thus the different show titles. AS for the confusion over dragon ball size, you're probably thinking of the Namekkian {sic} dragon balls from Piccolo's home planet (a story which we'll be getting to, by and by). Finally, as for why the series isn't in color...uh...because Toriyama only drew it in black and white? |
| Hey! Hey! I've been a fan of Magna {sic} for a long time. I have to give a "Biggg Upps" to the creator of the Dragon Ball Z series. That means I give him the utmost respect and gratitude. {/page} I love to watch cartoons, magna/anime, Japanimation and comic books. Ever since I saw Dragon Ball Z on television, I was in love. Yes, I said, finally a cartoon with some hard-hitting action. I started worrying my comic shop dealer's poor nerve about when are they going to make a Dragon Ball Z-based comic for the United States. My prayers came true and I instantly put both titles on my subscription. Then he got me a set on a plan to purchase every Dragon Ball Z video when it crosses the border. I know hundreds are going to write a letter to this effect, but unlike them, I would really, really, really, really, really really x10100 (appreciate it) if you would publish this letter. Until next time, Make Mine Magna.[b] Sincerely, Anthony Moore {address redacted} Norfolk, VA 23513-1910 |
| Um, thanks, Anthony. We like "magna," too. |
| {meticulously proofread handwritten letter with drawing:} Dear Dragon ballZ: I love your show. And your comics. I was thinking about Dragon baballZ the movie. Please write me. Love your new friend: Thomas Barcous. P.S. My brother loves your show to. Goku. {arrow pointing to drawing of Goku's head} |
| Thanks for writing, Thomas. Even though we only work on the comic version of Dragon Ball—not the TV series!—we think about the movie, too, sometimes. If you'd really like people to write you (or your brother), send us a quick note with your name and address, and we'll print it here in the comic book letters page. We won't print your address unless you tell us it's okay, though. |
| Dear Viz Staff, It's about DAMN time! I'm one of the few veterans that have been a faithful ally of the Z-Soldiers long before the existence of any English translation of the saga, so I think that should prove authority enough to speak on behalf of— [...] Well, I think you've all heard quite enough of my jabbering for one column, so I think I'll quit while I'm ahead. But before I go, I would like to say: "Mr. Toriyama, domo arigato gozaimasu," this was lonnnggg awaited and once no more than a fantasy for vets like me! Finally! It's here! Also, I'd— [...] Robin Cumberbatch Orlando, FL {/column} |
| We've been pretty faithful to the series ourselves here, Robin, lo these many years, and so before we all start trying to knock the batteries off each other's shoulders, let's state for the record that, to our way of thinking, the only TRUE authority on the DB series is creator Toriyama himself. Compared to him, we're all kinda clueless newbies, dontcha think? |
| Dear Ed, Finally! D.B. in English! I used to fanatically watch and read Dragon Ball in Spain, then after moving back to the UK, I relied on French satellite TV to see the ending. Now, there's the English version, in case I missed anything... First of all, I was wondering, after the "x-issue limited series" of DB + DBZ, will Viz be printing translated versions of the books? Even then, at one a month, the English version will take ages to catch up! I've never seen Dragon Ball GT yet, but will that be (released through) Viz Video? I've got Dragon Ball Z in front of me, and here are a few comments... It's great that its {sic} being printed unflopped! It's nice to see it in the original form. However, I don't like the "Americanization" of Goku, the way he speaks...but I like the way Piccolo is different. In the European versions he spoke normally, yet here he sounds like Yoda from Star Wars! How about translating Dragon Quest, the other popular manga by Akira Toriyama? Finally, how about a penpals section and a small profile on each character on the upcoming issues of Dragon Ball Z? Thanks for listening! Toby |
| We hear the Victorians of Dickens' time used to crowd the London docks—sometimes even pushing each other into the water in their frenzy!—in order to get their hands on the latest installments of his prose, and while we're hardly comparing Dragon Ball to a serialized Dickens novel, good things take time. Be patient. As for DBGT being released through Viz Video, it's unlikely, mainly because we've already got our plates full with TV episodes already licensed. (Sorry, but no plans for the U.S. version of the Dragon Quest, either.) Finally, about the proposed penpals section—we've generally found that, rather than taking up the space issue after issue with a formal, dedicated space, those who're looking for correspondents need only include their full name and address at the end of their letter (the envelope doesn't count). That way, other readers may contact you at their discretion. In the meantime, we'll think about the "profile" idea...it's a good one. Until next time, keep those letters coming. About fan art: Since DBZ is a black and white comic, it's probably better if you send only black and white artwork. Also, pen reproduces better than pencil. See you next time! |
| Got a title for our letters page? (It's gotta be better than what we've come up with...namely, nada.) If so, send it in. If we decide to use it, we'll send you some kinda swag for your troubles. (We'll decide what it is we're sending when we get around to bullying the intern to pack it up for you.) |
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Notes
- ↑ Judging by the extremely limited Google results for "zetophile", it appears to have been a name for Dragon Ball Z fans that never really caught on. It is presumably based on the "zetto" (ゼット) pronunciation of "Z" in Japanese.
- ↑ The "Make Mine _____" meme originated with American comics; the phrase "Make Mine Marvel!" was a common sign-off in reader letters featured in Marvel comics issues.
Notes
References
- ↑ "Dragon Ball". Akira Toriyama - The World. Japan: Shueisha, 15 January 1990. ISBN 4-08-858130-X). (p. 34)
- ↑ "1989". Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 1: Complete Illustrations. Japan: Shueisha, 25 June 1995. ISBN 4-08-782751-8. (p. 73)
- ↑ "1989". Dragon Ball Chōgashū. Japan: Shueisha, 09 May 2013. ISBN 978-4-08-782520-6. (p. 55)
- ↑ "The PERIOD of DRAGON BALL: EPISODE 1989-1992". 30th Anniversary: Dragon Ball Chōshishū –Super History Book–. Japan: Shueisha, 21 January 2016. ISBN 978-4-08-792505-0. (p. 52)
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