It used to be that American comics influenced artists in other parts of the world, notably Japan, in helping to engender their style of anime. But the roles have now been reversed, as anime (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comics) have exploded into the mainstream of western culture. Now, instead of exclusively publishing imports of authentic Japanese manga, American publishers - and American artists - have begun to assimilate some of the Japanese aesthetics into their new comics. The result is the development of 'Manga Fusion,' a new, edgy genre, which is at the vanguard of today's comics and graphic novels. 'Manga Fusion' can be readily seen in the figurative style of these new comics - instead of being gargantuanly muscular, the bodies are leaner and more athletic. The facial features borrow some of the subtleties of manga, with more elegant eyes, a small, sharper nose, and fewer of the blockhead/square-chin type characters; and the hair is often either spiked, or longer and more dashing. Examples of characters that exhibit manga fusion flair are: Fantastic Four, the Marvel Age series, from Marvel Comics, Darkminds and Warlands, from Image Comics, Out There and Gen 13, from Wildstorm/DC Comics, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider for Top Cow/Image. The third title in the Drawing Cutting Edge series, is the first ever tutorial that shows how to draw American-style comics with a manga influence. The book demonstrates essential comic book techniques, both basic and advanced, which will be a valuable resource for comic book fans, whether they are interested in American anime, pure manga, or pure American-style comics.