http://comicsintheclassroom.net/oo2007_aug14_manga_guide_interview.htm Comics in the Classroom has posted an interview with Jason Thompson

I find this this passage of note to my own interests-

"CitC: I just found out that Korean comics, called manhwa, are becoming more popular in North America . I know absolutely nothing about these, but I would guess that they are printed in a similar format to manga and have similar style art. Is there anything you can tell us about manhwa?

Jason: Most of the manhwa that have been translated into English have been highly influenced by manga, so it's difficult for the casual reader to tell it apart, aside from the fact that it reads left to right (Korean reads left to right, unlike Japanese) and the characters' names are Korean. In content and themes, they're pretty similar to manga. Sadly there hasn't been nearly as much written about the history and background of Korean comics as there has been about manga. Whereas many American manga fans are also interested in Japanese pop culture in general, there isn't much of a subculture of "manhwa" fans who are interested in manhwa and Korea specifically. Instead, it's easier to see Korean comics as part of a general movement by publishers to print "manga-style" comics from all countries, such as Tokyopop and Seven Seas' lines of American and European manga-influenced comics (OEL manga). For the moment, the foreignness and specific qualities of Japanese pop culture is a large part of the appeal of manga; but as American and Korean manga-style comics proliferate, it's possible that this foreign element will melt away in the melting-pot and that manga will truly become a "style" and lose the connotation of any particular country. Personally, whenever I read a Japanese or Korean or American comic, I always keep in mind that it's Japanese or Korean or American... but if you ask the upcoming generation of manga readers who are now in junior high, you might get a different answer.

I do admit that as I read more Manwha, my interest in Korean culture is growing- as more Korean animation works it's way over [and establishes itself domestically within Korea], Korean pop music stars such as BoA [of Inu Yasha fame] work their way into pop culture, and Korean comics continue to grow more diverse in what's imported, I think we'll see some shifts in what's thought of Korean works. Likewise, as someone who started reading manga in late junior high slightly over a decade ago, I do lean towards the "different answer" camp when it comes to what manga is.

Anyhoo, been watching Twelve Kingdoms, which is fairly awesome stuff, but due to assorted business and still finding the new layout confusing, I'm not posting as much. Hope no one minds. When really interesting news does pop up I'll be sure to let you know about it :)