For an amateur, that's pretty darn good. I will definately continue reading it (as soon as I have time) but most likely after I finish the Persona 2 games...
 
"No sabrás distinguir la realidad de la fantasía hasta que llegue el momento de morir."
 
Um. Is this: There is no way to distinguish reality from fantasy except for the moment of death? I'm sorry, but I took French for most of my educational life and I'm only in Spanish 1 this year (which is about as helpful as being able to communicate what I want in a Hispanic grocery store)

I remember when you posted your work on the old boards Emilio.  I used to go by Aven then.  Is there any particular reason that you choose to represent your story as a graphic novel?  Do you still have professional aspirations of becoming an artist?  If so I think it's important that you embrace an academic understanding of visual ideas and culture, or even a freer more intuitive one.  It's also important that you continue to do the fun stuff on the side though.  The two will only enrich one another.

Do you know where you are going to college already, and also if you are planning on taking art as an elective in addition to another major or as your major?  It kind of makes a big difference.  I mean, I don't want to come off as a snob as often the most inspiring of artists are people who have worked intuitively from their surroundings etc (especially in the field I am studying, ceramics), but I think you would completely benefit from coming to understand the field of illustration.  You want to use imagery as a vessel for communication, and the clarity an academic art education will provide you is invaluable.  
 
I mean, I don't really remember where you are.  It took me all of my years in high school to develop a portfolio necessary to get into the schools I aspired of being a part of.  I'd advise that if you want to solely get an art education, you should start researching what programs you want to join and what standards you must meet to be considered by them.  Also, get to know other people who want to pursue the same programs and figure out how you are progressing in comparison to your prospective peers.  
 
Also, just try to read art history.  I really needed to do a lot more of that than I did in high school.  It will awaken you to a lot of possibilities you may not be considering right now.

Graphic Design is a good field to go into.  It will certainly teach you a lot about layout and composition, which will only help your endeavors with pursuing manga.  Will your school also make you take studio classes, like figure drawing, etc?

Quote from Emilio Morales on 04/04/08 at 00:32:37:

 
Only massive weeaboo faggots go to Japan and study anime/manga. Find your own damn style and work with it.

Nothing against those who study animation since my friend did that.  Though she graduated 4 years ago and still doesn't have a job, so just keep that in mind.  Plus the pay is shit and you have to do an ass ton of work (especially in Japan).  Only do an animation major if you love love love love love love it.

Yeah, art is a really hard field to go into, but with a graphic design background you shouldn't worry--the pay may not be great but you can almost always find work.  People don't know what say when I say I am studying ceramics.  A lot of them honestly think I am wasting myself, but then again, they're completely ignorant of the field.  I don't really know what to say about manga.  Personally, I find it distasteful that so many outsiders to the culture are abandoning their own heritage to imitate a style that is only in the least of ways connected to them.  It's not a sincere way to work.  But then again, there's so many people in my field who are obsessed with Japanese pottery etc.  I .... can't relate, but I focus more on sculptural things and when I do choose to throw I think about a tradition that was founded here in the states.