From Business Wire:
Moviegoers Name Avatar, Star Trek and The Blind Side as 2009’s Best Movies
55 Million Ratings Generated by Flixster Users Determine the Year’s Top 10
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avatar, Star Trek and The Blind Side are the best movies of 2009, based on more than 55 million moviegoer ratings at Flixster (http://www.flixster.com/), the world’s biggest online movie community and leading mobile movie-information provider.
“Lots of critics create year-end ‘best’ lists, but Flixster’s top 10 list is determined by what real moviegoers say”
Flixster's list is based on the average score users gave to each of 150 wide releases. "Out of 55 million ratings, only three movies – Avatar, Star Trek and The Blind Side – received more than 90% positive response, which is really impressive," said Joe Greenstein, Flixster’s co-founder and CEO.
"Lots of critics create year-end ‘best’ lists, but Flixster’s top 10 list is determined by what real moviegoers say," Greenstein said.
Topping Flixster’s Top 10 of 2009 list: Avatar, which has received more than 450,000 ratings since opening Dec. 18, and has a 92% positive rating from moviegoers.
"It may be true that you can’t please everybody, but Avatar comes about as close as you can get," said Steve Polsky, president and COO of Flixster. Star Trek was close behind with 91%, and The Blind Side had 90%. "They all have one thing in common: They’re not just for adults or kids, but movies that all ages can enjoy together."
According to Flixster users, the 10 best movies of 2009 are:
1. Avatar (92% positive)
2. Star Trek (91%)
3. The Blind Side (90%)
4. Up in the Air (88%)
5. Inglourious Basterds (87%)
6. The Hangover (87%)
7. Zombieland (87%)
8. Up (86%)
9. Michael Jackson’s This Is It (85%)
10. Taken and I Can Do Bad All By Myself (tie, 83%)
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the year’s lowest-rated movies were: Whiteout (35%); Year One (32%); Dragonball Evolution (30%); Streetfighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (30%); and Transylmania (25%).
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen had the most reviews and ratings at Flixster – more than 3.8 million ratings (76% positive) and 125,000 reviews since June.
Launched in January 2006, Flixster (http://www.flixster.com/) offers its users access to more than 2.3 billion user ratings and reviews, nearly 20,000 trailers, plus quizzes, games, photos and details about more than 75,000 movies. Flixster’s mobile app is available on the iPhone, Blackberry, Palm Pre, and on Android mobile devices. [END]
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Luffy is the 100 Million Berry Man
I finished reading One Piece, Vol. 25 (One Piece (Graphic Novels))
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the second of 5 volumes slated for release Tues, Jan. 5th.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the second of 5 volumes slated for release Tues, Jan. 5th.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Genesis as Comix
I read The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. I actually finished reading this some weeks ago, but various tediums delayed the review's posting until today. This book is a very revealing way to read Genesis, but ultimately, this is more a Crumb comic book than it is biblical.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. I actually finished reading this some weeks ago, but various tediums delayed the review's posting until today. This book is a very revealing way to read Genesis, but ultimately, this is more a Crumb comic book than it is biblical.
Spotlight on Ren in Nana
I finished reading Nana, Vol. 20
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. Slimmer than usual volume with big turning point.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. Slimmer than usual volume with big turning point.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Call Them Madness
I finished reading Madness Volume 1
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is supposed to be a boys' love or yaoi manga series, but this first volume focuses on action violence a medieval type world.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is supposed to be a boys' love or yaoi manga series, but this first volume focuses on action violence a medieval type world.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Devil's Due Publishing Announces New Digital Comics Offerings
From Devil's Due Publishing:
Devil's Due Brings Mahfood, Seeley, Beranek to Digital Comics
GRRL Scouts, Colt Noble, Loaded Bible, Dracula vs. King Arthur for Sale on iTunes
Devil's Due is adding more titles to its quickly growing line-up of digital comics for the iPhone and iPod Touch. This marks the first announcement of the company making available for sale comics it did not originally publish in print, but the titles are from the library of various creators who each have a natural relationship with the company.
Beginning in December and running through January, the first wave of the digital comics will become available via iTunes, and eventually other digital platforms, including comiXology and iVerse, most retailing for 99¢. Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks is already available at comiXology on the iTunes App store.
The following comics are currently in production, slated for re-release:
- Colt Noble and the Megalords: one-shot special
- Loaded Bible #1
- Loaded Bible #2
- Loaded Bible #3
- Dracula vs. King Arthur
- Carl: The Cat That Makes Peanut Butter Sandwiches
- Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks #1
- Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks #2
- Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks #3
- Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks #4
About Devil's Due Publishing
Proliferators of ComiCulture, Devil's Due Publishing is one of the largest and most established comic book publishers in North America, carrying a diverse line-up of original, creator-owned and licensed properties. Known for launching trends in the industry, from the 1980's retro explosion to unique political satire and collaborations with some of Hollywood's finest, Devil's Due is more than just a publisher - it exists to achieve success through the proliferation of ComiCulture in all areas. DDP's titles include Hack/Slash, Drafted, Sheena, Mercy Sparx, Voltron, and CBS's Jericho. The company currently has over a dozen projects in development with Hollywood studios and producers with a presence in both Chicago and Los Angeles. [END]
DMP to Publish Second Volume of Vampire's Portrait
From Digital Manga Publishing:
Vampire’s Portrait Volume 2 (Yaoi)
ISBN: 1569701334
ISBN13: 9781569701331
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Imprint Name: June
Price USD: $12.95
Writer: Hiroki Kusumoto
Artist: Hiroki Kusumoto
Release Date: December 2, 2009
Size: 6 x 8.25”
Format: Softcover; Page Count: 200pp
Series Volumes: 2 of 2
Recommended Age: Mature 18+
Genre: Yaoi, Fantasy, Romance
Summary:
“I have no intention of forgiving you…” That’s what Sein tells his brother, Verloren, after Verloren wounds him deeply.and this sibling rivalry is what touches off the war between brothers… Sein’s artist client and lover, Lou, steps in to help Sein, but the relationship between Adam, Verloren and Sein is goes so deep that Lou may not be able to step between them…
Other works by creator:
Wild Butterfly (DMP: 9781569705629) [END]
Maybe this is the Health Care Bill the President Wanted...
This Truthout Joe Conason op-ed focuses its ire on Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut) and his obstructionist activities concerning the Health Care overhaul. What Conason should ask - is a health care bill stripped of most of its progressive measures what President Obama really wanted?
Sunday, December 27, 2009
I Reads You Review: DEATH NOTE, VOL. 1
Creators: Story by Tsugumi Ohba; art by Takeshi Obata
Publishing Information: VIZ Media, paperback, 200 pages, $7.99 (US), $9.99 CAN, £5.99 UK
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4215-0168-0 (ISBN-13); 1-4215-0168-6 (ISBN-10)
The shonen manga Death Note, by writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata, remains popular long after its conclusion not just because of any infamy or controversy the series has gained, but also because of the generally thoughtful approach to the storytelling and the series’ philosophical matters.
Death Note, Vol. 1 introduces the primary players and central concepts. Light Yagami is a high school student with great prospects for the future, but in spite of his academic achievements, he is bored. Ryuk is a shinigami – a death god, and he is bored out of his mind with the sorry state of affairs in the Realm of the Shinigami. To have some fun, Ryuk drops his Death Note into the human world. The Death Note is a notebook, and any human whose name is written on a page within the notebook will die.
Light finds the Death Note and learns of its use via instructions included inside, so he decides to use it to rid the world of evil – especially of the vilest criminals. After criminals start dropping dead in large numbers, Interpol assigns the legendary detective, L, to track down the killer of these criminals, a killer they name “Kira.” With L seemingly getting closer to discovering his activities, Light engages in a game of cat and mouse with the detective, while trying to stay true to his noble goal.
The seven chapters that comprise this first volume of Death Note serve to introduce the story, settings, and characters to readers, which they do with some detail and quite a bit of efficiency. Ohba not only moves quickly to establish the hook – how Light Yagami uses the Death Note – but the author also begins to dig into the why of Light’s activities. Ohba presents Light as a very intelligent, thoughtful, and well-meaning young man, but a young man who is also conniving, manipulative, and dangerous. In these early chapters, Ohba does make one wonder to what extent the Death Note has affected Light’s personality. Has this supernatural notebook changed Light or merely brought out his true nature?
The graphic storytelling and art by Takeshi Obata is excellent. Obata establishes Death Note’s suspenseful mood, and balances the narrative’s supernatural and real world aspects. With his drawings, Obata peers into Light’s soul, allowing the reader to investigate the character. Obata also creates an impenetrable aura of mystery around the detective L that makes this excellent series all the better.
A
----------------------
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Making a New (Book of) Friends
I finished reading Natsume's Book of Friends, Vol. 1
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is book is due in bookstores early next year. If you like yokai and the spirits of Japanese folklore, you may like this.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is book is due in bookstores early next year. If you like yokai and the spirits of Japanese folklore, you may like this.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
I Want a New Drug
I finally finished reading ZONE-OO Volume 2
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. Pretty art, but pretty hard to follow.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. Pretty art, but pretty hard to follow.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
"Alec" Omnibus Now Available
From Chris Staros of Top Shelf:
THE EAGLE HAS LANDED -- THE ALEC OMNIBUS IS HERE
EDDIE CAMPBELL'S OMNIBUS, ALEC: THE YEARS HAVE PANTS, IS NOW IN STOCK AND HITTING STORES THIS WEEK!
"My participation in comics originally grew from my personal admiration for the work of Eddie Campbell, both in partnership with Alan Moore (on FROM HELL) and on his own (in the inimitably observant ALEC stories, as well as the irreverent BACCHUS tales). Driven to expose Eddie's work to the widest possible audience, I entered the comics business as Eddie's distributor in the United States, and soon thereafter partnered with Brett Warnock to re-launch Top Shelf. Fifteen years later (!), I'm holding in my hands one of the things I'm most proud of: A gorgeous edition of Eddie's groundbreaking autobiographical comics, collected in a giant 640-page single volume!" -- Chris Staros
A brief description: Brilliantly observed and profoundly expressed, the ALEC stories present a version of Eddie's own life, filtered through the alter ego of "Alec MacGarry." Over many years, we witness Alec's (and Eddie's) progression "from beer to wine" -- wild nights at the pub, existential despair, the hunt for love, the quest for art, becoming a responsible breadwinner, feeling lost at his own movie premiere, and much more! Eddie's outlandish fantasies and metafictional tricks convert life into art, while staying fully grounded in his own absurdity. At every point, the author's uncanny eye for irony and wry self-awareness make even the smallest occasion into an opportunity for wit and wisdom. Quite simply, ALEC is a masterpiece of visual autobiography.
Available in two handsome editions:Softcover with French Flaps:http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=618-- $35.00 (US), Diamond: JUL091081, ISBN 978-1-60309-025-4
Deluxe Hardcover:http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=643-- $49.95 (US), Diamond: JUL091082, ISBN 978-1-60309-047-6
Or see both (and more) at EDDIE CAMPBELL's webpage:http://www.topshelfcomix.com/eddiecampbell
Here's what people are saying:
"ALEC is magic, and even if I knew how all of it was done I'd be doing you a disservice if I pointed out the wires and mirrors. ... It is written by someone who obviously finds being alive an endless source of novelty and conundrum." -- Alan Moore
"Do you need me to tell you how good Eddie Campbell is? Or that ALEC is probably the best book-length comic about art and wine and midlife crises and families and friends and wine and love and art and saying goodbye and terror there is?" -- Neil Gaiman
"This impressive collection -- a high-water mark in the graphic novel's short history -- confirms that no one else in the medium combines emotional truth, literary intelligence, and formal daring with such adroitness and elegance." -- Booklist (starred review)
"Witty and thoughtful ... a great and epic comic documentary novel like no other." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
AND IN THE NEXT DIAMOND PREVIEWS -- OUT JAN 6TH!
TOP SHELF KICKS OFF 2010 WITH SUPER SPY: THE LOST DOSSIERS FROM MATT KINDT & JAMES KOCHALKA'S SUPER F*CKERS COLLECTION!
Top Shelf is proud to kick off 2010 with more SUPER SPY from Matt Kindt, as well James Kochalka's highly-anticipated SUPER F*CKERS collection! Here's the skinny on both:
SUPER F*CKERS by James Kochalka http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=653
SuperF*ckers collects all four fan-favorite issues of Kochalka's beloved SuperF*ckers series, plus the all-new Jack Krak one-shot! Foul-mouthed, filthy-minded, and completely oblivious, these young "heroes" do everything BUT fight crime – they're too busy getting high, hazing the new kids, playing video games, scheming to be team leader, and designing new costumes. A hilariously rude look at what super-powered teens would really be like, presented with Kochalka's signature sweetness and charm, SuperF*ckers is an over-the-top book with its mind in the gutter and its heart on its sleeve. -- $14.95 (US), Full-Color Flexi-Cover Graphic Novel, 144 pages, ISBN 978-1-60309-052-0
"Probably the perfect superhero book, as it appeals as much to people who love superhero books as it does to people who absolutely hate them." -- J. Caleb Mozzocco, Las Vegas Weekly
SUPER SPY (VOL 2): THE LOST DOSSIERS by Matt Kindt http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=646
Couldn't get enough of the critically-acclaimed and Eisner-nominated SUPER SPY? Curious what all the fuss is about? Have we got a book for you! Creator Matt Kindt has pulled out all the stops to make this an unforgettable supplement to (or first taste of) his 2007 opus. What's inside? Deleted scenes! Standalone spy stories! Sketchbook pages! 3-D comics! Full annotations! Diagrams of spy gadgets and keys to unlock secret codes hidden throughout the original book! Toys and stories for you to cut out and assemble! It's like a secret spy activity book for grown-ups! PLUS: illustrations, photos, and commentary from Matt explaining the real-world spy origins of his stories and techniques! Don't just read this book... USE it! -- $12.95 (US), Full-Color Softcover Graphic Novel, 96 pages, ISBN 978-1-60309-043-8
"[Super Spy] rivals the power of the most complex and serious spy novels and films." -- Booklist (starred review)
Graphic novels for your Top Shelf:www.topshelfcomix.com/perennials
www.topshelfcomix.com/kidsclub
www.topshelfcomix.com/eddiecampbell
www.topshelfcomix.com/mattkindt
www.topshelfcomix.com/jameskochalka
THE EAGLE HAS LANDED -- THE ALEC OMNIBUS IS HERE
EDDIE CAMPBELL'S OMNIBUS, ALEC: THE YEARS HAVE PANTS, IS NOW IN STOCK AND HITTING STORES THIS WEEK!
"My participation in comics originally grew from my personal admiration for the work of Eddie Campbell, both in partnership with Alan Moore (on FROM HELL) and on his own (in the inimitably observant ALEC stories, as well as the irreverent BACCHUS tales). Driven to expose Eddie's work to the widest possible audience, I entered the comics business as Eddie's distributor in the United States, and soon thereafter partnered with Brett Warnock to re-launch Top Shelf. Fifteen years later (!), I'm holding in my hands one of the things I'm most proud of: A gorgeous edition of Eddie's groundbreaking autobiographical comics, collected in a giant 640-page single volume!" -- Chris Staros
A brief description: Brilliantly observed and profoundly expressed, the ALEC stories present a version of Eddie's own life, filtered through the alter ego of "Alec MacGarry." Over many years, we witness Alec's (and Eddie's) progression "from beer to wine" -- wild nights at the pub, existential despair, the hunt for love, the quest for art, becoming a responsible breadwinner, feeling lost at his own movie premiere, and much more! Eddie's outlandish fantasies and metafictional tricks convert life into art, while staying fully grounded in his own absurdity. At every point, the author's uncanny eye for irony and wry self-awareness make even the smallest occasion into an opportunity for wit and wisdom. Quite simply, ALEC is a masterpiece of visual autobiography.
Available in two handsome editions:Softcover with French Flaps:http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=618-- $35.00 (US), Diamond: JUL091081, ISBN 978-1-60309-025-4
Deluxe Hardcover:http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=643-- $49.95 (US), Diamond: JUL091082, ISBN 978-1-60309-047-6
Or see both (and more) at EDDIE CAMPBELL's webpage:http://www.topshelfcomix.com/eddiecampbell
Here's what people are saying:
"ALEC is magic, and even if I knew how all of it was done I'd be doing you a disservice if I pointed out the wires and mirrors. ... It is written by someone who obviously finds being alive an endless source of novelty and conundrum." -- Alan Moore
"Do you need me to tell you how good Eddie Campbell is? Or that ALEC is probably the best book-length comic about art and wine and midlife crises and families and friends and wine and love and art and saying goodbye and terror there is?" -- Neil Gaiman
"This impressive collection -- a high-water mark in the graphic novel's short history -- confirms that no one else in the medium combines emotional truth, literary intelligence, and formal daring with such adroitness and elegance." -- Booklist (starred review)
"Witty and thoughtful ... a great and epic comic documentary novel like no other." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
AND IN THE NEXT DIAMOND PREVIEWS -- OUT JAN 6TH!
TOP SHELF KICKS OFF 2010 WITH SUPER SPY: THE LOST DOSSIERS FROM MATT KINDT & JAMES KOCHALKA'S SUPER F*CKERS COLLECTION!
Top Shelf is proud to kick off 2010 with more SUPER SPY from Matt Kindt, as well James Kochalka's highly-anticipated SUPER F*CKERS collection! Here's the skinny on both:
SUPER F*CKERS by James Kochalka http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=653
SuperF*ckers collects all four fan-favorite issues of Kochalka's beloved SuperF*ckers series, plus the all-new Jack Krak one-shot! Foul-mouthed, filthy-minded, and completely oblivious, these young "heroes" do everything BUT fight crime – they're too busy getting high, hazing the new kids, playing video games, scheming to be team leader, and designing new costumes. A hilariously rude look at what super-powered teens would really be like, presented with Kochalka's signature sweetness and charm, SuperF*ckers is an over-the-top book with its mind in the gutter and its heart on its sleeve. -- $14.95 (US), Full-Color Flexi-Cover Graphic Novel, 144 pages, ISBN 978-1-60309-052-0
"Probably the perfect superhero book, as it appeals as much to people who love superhero books as it does to people who absolutely hate them." -- J. Caleb Mozzocco, Las Vegas Weekly
SUPER SPY (VOL 2): THE LOST DOSSIERS by Matt Kindt http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=646
Couldn't get enough of the critically-acclaimed and Eisner-nominated SUPER SPY? Curious what all the fuss is about? Have we got a book for you! Creator Matt Kindt has pulled out all the stops to make this an unforgettable supplement to (or first taste of) his 2007 opus. What's inside? Deleted scenes! Standalone spy stories! Sketchbook pages! 3-D comics! Full annotations! Diagrams of spy gadgets and keys to unlock secret codes hidden throughout the original book! Toys and stories for you to cut out and assemble! It's like a secret spy activity book for grown-ups! PLUS: illustrations, photos, and commentary from Matt explaining the real-world spy origins of his stories and techniques! Don't just read this book... USE it! -- $12.95 (US), Full-Color Softcover Graphic Novel, 96 pages, ISBN 978-1-60309-043-8
"[Super Spy] rivals the power of the most complex and serious spy novels and films." -- Booklist (starred review)
Graphic novels for your Top Shelf:www.topshelfcomix.com/perennials
www.topshelfcomix.com/kidsclub
www.topshelfcomix.com/eddiecampbell
www.topshelfcomix.com/mattkindt
www.topshelfcomix.com/jameskochalka
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Art of CLAMP and Tsubasa
I finished reading Tsubasa ALBuM De REProDUCTioNS: Original Art Collection
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is an art book containing various images of Tsubasa art used as magazine covers, posters, calendar art, etc.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is an art book containing various images of Tsubasa art used as magazine covers, posters, calendar art, etc.
Ape Entertainment to Publish "Scrach9" Next Summer
Press release from Ape Entertainment:
Ape Entertainment today announced plans to publish the all-new young readers comic book miniseries Scratch9, in the summer of 2010 as part of its newly-unveiled KiZoic imprint.
Created by writer Rob M. Worley, Scratch9 features the adventures of a rascally house cat who gains the ability to summon any of his eight other lives to his side to aid him in his adventures.
"I've seen what today's cats are reading and frankly I'm concerned. They're all walking around saying, 'LOL,' and, 'I can has cheezburger,' when they don't even know how to spell 'cheeseburger,'" said Worley, author of the critically-acclaimed junior novel Heir to Fire. "It's about time we put forth a positive role model for cats. That's what we're doing with Scratch9."
Illustrating the book is Harvey Award nominee Jason T. Kruse, creator of the graphic novel series The World of Quest which has gone on to become a cartoon airing on CW4Kids, Teletoon and Cartoon Network UK.
The four-issue series features covers by Eisner-winning artist Mike Kunkel, creator of Herobear & the Kid and artist on DC Comics' Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam!
"The second that co-publisher Brent Erwin and I saw 'Scratch9,' we knew it was a hit in the making," said Ape Entertainment Co-Publisher David Hedgecock. "Perfect premise matched by an outstanding creative team. We can't wait to get this into the hands of young readers!"
The book is the second announced offering in Ape Entertainment's KiZoic line, following Mecha-Nation. KiZoic specializes in content aimed primarily at young readers.
"I couldn't be more excited to be doing this book with Ape. They've been doing kids comics since day one and I knew Scratch9 would fit right in," Worley said. "And there are some huge things coming from KiZoic. My little cat is going to be keeping some amazing company there."
Current plans are to solicit Scratch9 in the Diamond Previews catalog early next year with the book arriving in comic shops in the summer.
For up-to-date information on Scratch9 please visit http://scratch9.com
For the latest on Ape Entertainment's KiZoic line, please visit http://kizoic.com
For more information about Ape Entertainment, please visit http://apecomics.com [END]
Monday, December 21, 2009
Wallace and Gromit Digital Comic a Hit
Press release from Titan Publishing:
Wallace & Gromit digital comic reaches half a million downloads!
Titan Publishing's Wallace & Gromit digital comic is taking the iPhone by storm with over half a million downloads of its first free app!
Since its launch on November 7, Wallace & Gromit digital comic has reached number one in the UK free books app store, a first for a British comic and has also risen to the number three spot overall in the free apps chart, a cracking feat and no mistake! All four paid for Wallace & Gromit comic apps have been within the top 20 paid apps in the UK book chart since their launch in November.
And it’s not only us Brits who can’t get enough of Aardman’s iconic duo – it’s currently the number one free book download in America and Canada and number 2 in Australia!
Wallace & Gromit digital comics editor Ned Hartley said: "We've been amazed at how well our first app has done - Wallace & Gromit is such a great brand, and iPhone users obviously love them as much as we do!"
You can download the first Wallace & Gromit Comic, ‘The W Files’ for free at www.titanpublishing/digital, and there are four other fantastic Wallace & Gromit comics available at the app store, for just 59p/$0.99 each!
Wallace & Gromit digital comics are also now available for download on PSP! Issue 1 is available for free and subsequent issues are just 79p/$0.99 each – with each issue containing two great Wallace & Gromit stories!
To find out more information and to download some cracking comics, visitwww.titanpublishing.com/digital
About Wallace and Gromit:
Wallace and Gromit are the main characters in a series consisting of four British animated short films and a feature-length film by Nick Park of Aardman Animations. All the characters were made from modelling clay on metal armatures and filmed using stop motion animation.
Wallace, an over-ambitious yet well meaning inventor is a cheese enthusiast (especially for Wensleydale cheese). His companion, Gromit, is an anthropomorphic intelligent dog. Wallace is voiced by veteran actor Peter Sallis; Gromit remains silent, communicating only through facial expressions and body language.
Due to their popularity, the characters have been called positive international icons of modern British culture and of the British people. BBC News has called them "some of the best-known and best-loved stars to come out of the UK." The short films The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave and their full length feature The Curse of the Were Rabbit received Academy Awards. The first short film A Grand Day Out, was nominated for the Academy Award for Animated Short Film, but lost to Creature Comforts, another animated creation of Nick Park.
For more information on Wallace and Gromit, visit: http://www.wallaceandgromit.com/
About Titan Magazines:
Titan Magazines is the largest and most experienced publisher of licensed entertainment properties in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Current titles include: CSI Magazine • Lost Magazine • Heroes Magazine • Star Wars Magazine • Supernatural Magazine • Star Trek Magazine • Stargate Magazine • Torchwood Magazine • Smallville Magazine. • Batman Legends Comic • Simpsons Comics • Futurama Comics • SpongeBob SquarePants Comic • Superman Legends Comic • Star Wars: Clone Wars Comic • Transformers Comic • LazyTown Magazine • Noddy Magazine • Roary the Racing Car Magazine • Fifi and the Flowertots Magazine.
For more information on Titan Magazines, visit:
Magazines - http://titanmagazines.com/
Comics - http://titancomicsuk.com/
Pre-School - http://titantots.com/ [END]
Wallace & Gromit digital comic reaches half a million downloads!
Titan Publishing's Wallace & Gromit digital comic is taking the iPhone by storm with over half a million downloads of its first free app!
Since its launch on November 7, Wallace & Gromit digital comic has reached number one in the UK free books app store, a first for a British comic and has also risen to the number three spot overall in the free apps chart, a cracking feat and no mistake! All four paid for Wallace & Gromit comic apps have been within the top 20 paid apps in the UK book chart since their launch in November.
And it’s not only us Brits who can’t get enough of Aardman’s iconic duo – it’s currently the number one free book download in America and Canada and number 2 in Australia!
Wallace & Gromit digital comics editor Ned Hartley said: "We've been amazed at how well our first app has done - Wallace & Gromit is such a great brand, and iPhone users obviously love them as much as we do!"
You can download the first Wallace & Gromit Comic, ‘The W Files’ for free at www.titanpublishing/digital, and there are four other fantastic Wallace & Gromit comics available at the app store, for just 59p/$0.99 each!
Wallace & Gromit digital comics are also now available for download on PSP! Issue 1 is available for free and subsequent issues are just 79p/$0.99 each – with each issue containing two great Wallace & Gromit stories!
To find out more information and to download some cracking comics, visitwww.titanpublishing.com/digital
About Wallace and Gromit:
Wallace and Gromit are the main characters in a series consisting of four British animated short films and a feature-length film by Nick Park of Aardman Animations. All the characters were made from modelling clay on metal armatures and filmed using stop motion animation.
Wallace, an over-ambitious yet well meaning inventor is a cheese enthusiast (especially for Wensleydale cheese). His companion, Gromit, is an anthropomorphic intelligent dog. Wallace is voiced by veteran actor Peter Sallis; Gromit remains silent, communicating only through facial expressions and body language.
Due to their popularity, the characters have been called positive international icons of modern British culture and of the British people. BBC News has called them "some of the best-known and best-loved stars to come out of the UK." The short films The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave and their full length feature The Curse of the Were Rabbit received Academy Awards. The first short film A Grand Day Out, was nominated for the Academy Award for Animated Short Film, but lost to Creature Comforts, another animated creation of Nick Park.
For more information on Wallace and Gromit, visit: http://www.wallaceandgromit.com/
About Titan Magazines:
Titan Magazines is the largest and most experienced publisher of licensed entertainment properties in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Current titles include: CSI Magazine • Lost Magazine • Heroes Magazine • Star Wars Magazine • Supernatural Magazine • Star Trek Magazine • Stargate Magazine • Torchwood Magazine • Smallville Magazine. • Batman Legends Comic • Simpsons Comics • Futurama Comics • SpongeBob SquarePants Comic • Superman Legends Comic • Star Wars: Clone Wars Comic • Transformers Comic • LazyTown Magazine • Noddy Magazine • Roary the Racing Car Magazine • Fifi and the Flowertots Magazine.
For more information on Titan Magazines, visit:
Magazines - http://titanmagazines.com/
Comics - http://titancomicsuk.com/
Pre-School - http://titantots.com/ [END]
New Storyline Begins at Asylum Ink
From Asylum Ink:
Asylum Ink is proud to announce the beginning of the 4th ELLIUM story at asylumink.net – LITTLE DEATHS. ELLIUM has been presented online for free every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday since August 2009 and is an ongoing series in full color.
“An encounter with a dark seductress named Riel starts Charlie, a molecular geneticist, on a downward spiral towards his own destruction.” LITTLE DEATHS is created by Matt Krizan and Jason Moser.
Also available at asylumink.net are the ELLIUM stories DIAMOND MINE and BLOOD RED SNOW all available for free or as a convenient PDF download.
So why waste time? It’s free and it’s available today!
www.ASYLUMINK. net
ABOUT ASYLUM INK:"Where does one go from a world of insanity? Somewhere on the other side of despair."-- T.S. Eliot
ASYLUM INK was founded on May of 2006 by Jason Moser as an evolution to Genome Studios, the former production studio responsible for the line of Ellium graphic novels. Formed with the stated goal of quality entertainment at an affordable price, Asylum Ink is working with some of the finest creators in the entertainment industry and continues to strive for excellence with its flagship creation, Ellium. For additional information, Jason Moser and Asylum Ink can be reached via email at contact@asylumink. net.
There's always room for one more in the Asylum! [END]
Asylum Ink is proud to announce the beginning of the 4th ELLIUM story at asylumink.net – LITTLE DEATHS. ELLIUM has been presented online for free every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday since August 2009 and is an ongoing series in full color.
“An encounter with a dark seductress named Riel starts Charlie, a molecular geneticist, on a downward spiral towards his own destruction.” LITTLE DEATHS is created by Matt Krizan and Jason Moser.
Also available at asylumink.net are the ELLIUM stories DIAMOND MINE and BLOOD RED SNOW all available for free or as a convenient PDF download.
So why waste time? It’s free and it’s available today!
www.ASYLUMINK. net
ABOUT ASYLUM INK:"Where does one go from a world of insanity? Somewhere on the other side of despair."-- T.S. Eliot
ASYLUM INK was founded on May of 2006 by Jason Moser as an evolution to Genome Studios, the former production studio responsible for the line of Ellium graphic novels. Formed with the stated goal of quality entertainment at an affordable price, Asylum Ink is working with some of the finest creators in the entertainment industry and continues to strive for excellence with its flagship creation, Ellium. For additional information, Jason Moser and Asylum Ink can be reached via email at contact@asylumink. net.
There's always room for one more in the Asylum! [END]
D N Angel Secrets Revealed
I finished reading D.N.Angel Volume 13
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. I liked this volume much more than I did the previous one.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. I liked this volume much more than I did the previous one.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Ape Entertainmet to Publish "A Second Chance at Sarah"
From Ape Entertaiment:
About A Second Chance at Sarah:
Solicitations information:
A newborn son, a dying wife, and an arcane talisman, that’s what Johnny stares at when he considers the demon’s deal – Johnny’s soul in exchange for a chance to save his wife (whose soul has just been collected.) Johnny nods and instantly, he’s a teenager again, a child of the 90’s, and now he must relive a day from his youth. Johnny has the next twenty-four hours to befriend his future wife, uncover her secret past, and stop her from selling her soul to the demon.
As Johnny gets pulled into his wife’s hidden history, he starts questioning whether he can, or even should, put a stop to her supernatural deal.
From writer Neil Druckmann (co-writer of the award winning videogames: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves) and acclaimed digital painter Joysuke Wong comes this gripping supernatural adventure about love, loss, and time-travel.
Written by: Neil Druckmann
Art by: Joysuke Wong
Cover : Joysuke Wong
Duration: OGN
Page Count: 94 Pages
Price: $12.95
Publisher: Ape Entertainment [END]
About A Second Chance at Sarah:
Solicitations information:
A newborn son, a dying wife, and an arcane talisman, that’s what Johnny stares at when he considers the demon’s deal – Johnny’s soul in exchange for a chance to save his wife (whose soul has just been collected.) Johnny nods and instantly, he’s a teenager again, a child of the 90’s, and now he must relive a day from his youth. Johnny has the next twenty-four hours to befriend his future wife, uncover her secret past, and stop her from selling her soul to the demon.
As Johnny gets pulled into his wife’s hidden history, he starts questioning whether he can, or even should, put a stop to her supernatural deal.
From writer Neil Druckmann (co-writer of the award winning videogames: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves) and acclaimed digital painter Joysuke Wong comes this gripping supernatural adventure about love, loss, and time-travel.
Written by: Neil Druckmann
Art by: Joysuke Wong
Cover : Joysuke Wong
Duration: OGN
Page Count: 94 Pages
Price: $12.95
Publisher: Ape Entertainment [END]
Bluewater Comics for March 2010
Press release from Bluewater Productions:
Here are the solic for Bluewater for MARCH 2010:
Wrath of the Titans (trade paperback)
Author(s): Darren G. Davis & Scott Davis
Artist(s): Nadir Balan
Cover Artist(s): Azim
In time for the release of CLASH OF THE TITANS. For years, the land of Argos has been at peace. The legendary hero Persues has taken the crown and guided the kingdom into a new era of prosperity and good fortune. And with the news that an heir has been born, puts the citizens in a celebratory mood. Yet lurking in the shadows are forces of hate and discontent that threaten to wreak havoc on Argos and destroy Perseus. Wrath of the Titans revisits the magical world of Ancient Greece where gods and myth are part of life's everday fabric and heroes are forged by great and powerful events.
Political Power: Bill Clinton
Author(s): Robert Schnakenberg
Artist(s) David McNeil
Cover Artist(s): cover by Vinnie Tartamella
They call him Bubba, the Big Dog, Slick Willie, and the Man from Hope. Everyone's got an opinion about Bill Clinton, but how well do we really know him? Take a fresh look at the life and career of America's 42nd president, from his hardscrabble Arkansas childhood to the days of triumph and turmoil in the Oval Office and beyond.
Sinbad, Rogue of Mars (Trade Paperback)
Author(s): Greg Thompson & Ryan Burton
Artist(s): Jeff Cruz
Cover Artist(s): Jeff Cruz & Diego Simone
He's sailed the seven seas and explored unknown lands, fought countless monsters and battled evil wizards, but Sinbad's newest adventure may be the greatest, and most dangerous, he's ever had! Eight years have passed since the assassination of the benevolent Zhar Dadgar and the curious disappearance of his heir. Akhdar, Dadgar's villainous nephew, has usurped the Dozhakian throne and enslaved the Azurian people, igniting a civil war within the once peaceful kingdom. A prophecy foretells the coming of a stranger from a distant land who will vanquish the false king and restore the rightful ruler to the throne. Could Sinbad be that stranger, or is he merely a pawn in Akhdar's treacherous game?
Logan’s Run #3
Author(s): Paul J. Salamoff
Artist(s) Daniel Gete
Cover Artist(s): Daniel Gete
On the run, Logan and Jessica make their way into the depths of Cathedral, a ruined part of the Los Angeles Complex and first stop en route to Sanctuary. But Cathedral is also home of the Cubs, ruthless gangs of kids with only murder on their minds. With ex-partner Francis and Gant hot on their trail, Logan and Jessica’s flight to freedom may end, before it even starts.
William Shatner Presents: Man O’ War
Writer: CJ Henderson
Pencils: Pat Broderick
Cover Artist(s): cover: 2 covers 50/ 50 Pat Broderick
In the second issue of William Shatner’s "Man O’ War, diplomat Benton Hawkes is fighting mad and on his way to Mars. Someone is tampering with his life, and he’s determined to stop them. He just may be able to, if he can stop the shipful of space pirates out to kill him, that is.
Female Force: Ellen Degeneres
Author(s): Sandra C. Ruckdeschel
Artist(s) Pedro Ponzo
Cover Artist(s): cover by Viinie Tartamella
Ellen DeGeneres is taking the world by storm! Emmy’s! Endless accolades! It all seems so easy, but Ellen’s journey to get where she is now was not always a smooth one. She’s felt the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But through it all, she managed to stay true to herself and prove that she is a female force to be reckoned with!
Jason and the Argonauts: Kingdom of Hades (Trade Paperback)
Author(s): DR WHO Novelist: David McIntee
Artist(s): Rantz
Cover Artist(s): MIKE GRELL
From the writer of DR Who comes a new Ray Harryhausen Presents adventure. The quest to find the Golden Fleece is over, but now Jason and his band of Argonauts must embark on a new and more difficult journey- the journey home. Pursued by a vengeful Aeetes, the Argonauts will brave many dangers, and encounter old friends and new, and old enemies and new... But when the gods play games, no-one can avoid reaching the lands of the dead forever...
Vincent Price Presents #17
Writer: Nick Lyons
Pencils: Juan Tomajok
Cover Artist(s): Juan Tomajok
After her husband is brutally murdered by a psychotic gunslinger named Soulless Sam, Emily and her son Peter try to start a new life. But, can Emily and Peter live in peace or will Soulless Sam continue to terrorize them?
Roger Corman Presents: Battle Amongst The Stars
Writer: Martin Fisher
Pencils: Ben Hansen
Cover Artist(s): 2 covers : Ben Hansen & Azim
30 years before the movie, Zed of Akir boards an alien space craft and drawn into a open galaxy unknown to him. There he finds himself in a race against time to stop a race called the Oztem’s from being wiped out by the ruthless Remlar of the Malmori, and his 1st Lieutenant Sador.
Legend of Isis #11
Writer: Aaron Stueve
Pencils: Silvo dB
It's guest stars galore as Artemis and Valkrie join Isis in her battle against the deranged Medusa on the streets of LA! Meanwhile, Detective Gleason deals with the ramifications of spending time as a statue and Scott's relationship with Crystal hits a wall when Isis shows her true feelings for him. And just what exactly is Dr. Love up to? [END]
Here are the solic for Bluewater for MARCH 2010:
Wrath of the Titans (trade paperback)
Author(s): Darren G. Davis & Scott Davis
Artist(s): Nadir Balan
Cover Artist(s): Azim
In time for the release of CLASH OF THE TITANS. For years, the land of Argos has been at peace. The legendary hero Persues has taken the crown and guided the kingdom into a new era of prosperity and good fortune. And with the news that an heir has been born, puts the citizens in a celebratory mood. Yet lurking in the shadows are forces of hate and discontent that threaten to wreak havoc on Argos and destroy Perseus. Wrath of the Titans revisits the magical world of Ancient Greece where gods and myth are part of life's everday fabric and heroes are forged by great and powerful events.
Political Power: Bill Clinton
Author(s): Robert Schnakenberg
Artist(s) David McNeil
Cover Artist(s): cover by Vinnie Tartamella
They call him Bubba, the Big Dog, Slick Willie, and the Man from Hope. Everyone's got an opinion about Bill Clinton, but how well do we really know him? Take a fresh look at the life and career of America's 42nd president, from his hardscrabble Arkansas childhood to the days of triumph and turmoil in the Oval Office and beyond.
Sinbad, Rogue of Mars (Trade Paperback)
Author(s): Greg Thompson & Ryan Burton
Artist(s): Jeff Cruz
Cover Artist(s): Jeff Cruz & Diego Simone
He's sailed the seven seas and explored unknown lands, fought countless monsters and battled evil wizards, but Sinbad's newest adventure may be the greatest, and most dangerous, he's ever had! Eight years have passed since the assassination of the benevolent Zhar Dadgar and the curious disappearance of his heir. Akhdar, Dadgar's villainous nephew, has usurped the Dozhakian throne and enslaved the Azurian people, igniting a civil war within the once peaceful kingdom. A prophecy foretells the coming of a stranger from a distant land who will vanquish the false king and restore the rightful ruler to the throne. Could Sinbad be that stranger, or is he merely a pawn in Akhdar's treacherous game?
Logan’s Run #3
Author(s): Paul J. Salamoff
Artist(s) Daniel Gete
Cover Artist(s): Daniel Gete
On the run, Logan and Jessica make their way into the depths of Cathedral, a ruined part of the Los Angeles Complex and first stop en route to Sanctuary. But Cathedral is also home of the Cubs, ruthless gangs of kids with only murder on their minds. With ex-partner Francis and Gant hot on their trail, Logan and Jessica’s flight to freedom may end, before it even starts.
William Shatner Presents: Man O’ War
Writer: CJ Henderson
Pencils: Pat Broderick
Cover Artist(s): cover: 2 covers 50/ 50 Pat Broderick
In the second issue of William Shatner’s "Man O’ War, diplomat Benton Hawkes is fighting mad and on his way to Mars. Someone is tampering with his life, and he’s determined to stop them. He just may be able to, if he can stop the shipful of space pirates out to kill him, that is.
Female Force: Ellen Degeneres
Author(s): Sandra C. Ruckdeschel
Artist(s) Pedro Ponzo
Cover Artist(s): cover by Viinie Tartamella
Ellen DeGeneres is taking the world by storm! Emmy’s! Endless accolades! It all seems so easy, but Ellen’s journey to get where she is now was not always a smooth one. She’s felt the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But through it all, she managed to stay true to herself and prove that she is a female force to be reckoned with!
Jason and the Argonauts: Kingdom of Hades (Trade Paperback)
Author(s): DR WHO Novelist: David McIntee
Artist(s): Rantz
Cover Artist(s): MIKE GRELL
From the writer of DR Who comes a new Ray Harryhausen Presents adventure. The quest to find the Golden Fleece is over, but now Jason and his band of Argonauts must embark on a new and more difficult journey- the journey home. Pursued by a vengeful Aeetes, the Argonauts will brave many dangers, and encounter old friends and new, and old enemies and new... But when the gods play games, no-one can avoid reaching the lands of the dead forever...
Vincent Price Presents #17
Writer: Nick Lyons
Pencils: Juan Tomajok
Cover Artist(s): Juan Tomajok
After her husband is brutally murdered by a psychotic gunslinger named Soulless Sam, Emily and her son Peter try to start a new life. But, can Emily and Peter live in peace or will Soulless Sam continue to terrorize them?
Roger Corman Presents: Battle Amongst The Stars
Writer: Martin Fisher
Pencils: Ben Hansen
Cover Artist(s): 2 covers : Ben Hansen & Azim
30 years before the movie, Zed of Akir boards an alien space craft and drawn into a open galaxy unknown to him. There he finds himself in a race against time to stop a race called the Oztem’s from being wiped out by the ruthless Remlar of the Malmori, and his 1st Lieutenant Sador.
Legend of Isis #11
Writer: Aaron Stueve
Pencils: Silvo dB
It's guest stars galore as Artemis and Valkrie join Isis in her battle against the deranged Medusa on the streets of LA! Meanwhile, Detective Gleason deals with the ramifications of spending time as a statue and Scott's relationship with Crystal hits a wall when Isis shows her true feelings for him. And just what exactly is Dr. Love up to? [END]
The Soaked Children of the Sea
I finished reading Children of the Sea , Vol. 2
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is yet another exceptional VIZ Signature title.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is yet another exceptional VIZ Signature title.
Third "Jackass" Movie Due Next October
Press release from Paramount Pictures:
JACKASS 3D CREATORS PROMISE A ‘WHOLE NEW DIMENSION’ OF 3D IN THEATERS ON OCTOBER 15, 2010
Dickhouse’s Jeff Tremaine, Spike Jonze and Johnny Knoxville Return For Paramount and MTV Films
The third installment of JACKASS from Paramount Pictures and MTV Films will hit theaters on October 15, 2010, this time in eye-popping 3D. Johnny Knoxville and the boys will begin shooting in late January with Dickhouse Production’s Jeff Tremaine at the helm and producing alongside Spike Jonze and Knoxville.
The addition of 3D to the new film will raise the mayhem factor to new heights, promises star/producer Johnny Knoxville. “We're going to take the same 3D technology James Cameron used in AVATAR and stick it up Steve O's butt. We're taking stupid to a whole new dimension.”
2002’s “Jackass: The Movie” earned more than more than $64 million and was heralded as “a disgusting, repulsive, grotesque spectacle, but also hilarious and provocative. God help me, thumbs up” by esteemed critic Richard Roeper. Released in 2006, “Jackass: Number Two” earned over $72 million and was heralded by The New York Times as being “debased, infantile and reckless in the extreme, this compendium of body bravado and malfunction makes for some of the most fearless, liberated and cathartic comedy in modern movies. [END]
JACKASS 3D CREATORS PROMISE A ‘WHOLE NEW DIMENSION’ OF 3D IN THEATERS ON OCTOBER 15, 2010
Dickhouse’s Jeff Tremaine, Spike Jonze and Johnny Knoxville Return For Paramount and MTV Films
The third installment of JACKASS from Paramount Pictures and MTV Films will hit theaters on October 15, 2010, this time in eye-popping 3D. Johnny Knoxville and the boys will begin shooting in late January with Dickhouse Production’s Jeff Tremaine at the helm and producing alongside Spike Jonze and Knoxville.
The addition of 3D to the new film will raise the mayhem factor to new heights, promises star/producer Johnny Knoxville. “We're going to take the same 3D technology James Cameron used in AVATAR and stick it up Steve O's butt. We're taking stupid to a whole new dimension.”
2002’s “Jackass: The Movie” earned more than more than $64 million and was heralded as “a disgusting, repulsive, grotesque spectacle, but also hilarious and provocative. God help me, thumbs up” by esteemed critic Richard Roeper. Released in 2006, “Jackass: Number Two” earned over $72 million and was heralded by The New York Times as being “debased, infantile and reckless in the extreme, this compendium of body bravado and malfunction makes for some of the most fearless, liberated and cathartic comedy in modern movies. [END]
More Wis-dumb from Jo(k)e Quesada
I found the quote below at Comic Book Movie. It is a quote from Joe Quesada who says that the success of the films made from Marvel Comics' various franchises is that Marvel's comic book writers are involved:
"But the beauty of the Marvel films now, is that guys who work in comics are involved," said Joe Quesada. "That's more than we could have said ten years ago about comic book movies that were getting made."
"Matt Fraction is a perfect example," he continued. "He got to sit down with Jon Favreau and Kevin Feige and discuss the new Iron Man movie. Being the current 'Iron Man' writer, Matt could offer a unique perspective on the character. Bendis is involved in the Marvel Creative Committee, as am I. I'm sure, from time to time, we'll be bringing more creators in as projects call for them. More and more, the Marvel film world reaches out to the comics world, and now you're starting to see that other studios and comic companies are taking note and are looking to copy that formula in some way."
Matt Fraction - give me a fucking break! If Hollywood wants insights into Marvel Comics characters, they should be talking to writers like Stan Lee, Steve Ditko (who probably wouldn't speak to anyone), Roy Thomas, Chris Claremont, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Walt Simonson, Gerry Conway, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Roger Stern, and a few others who actually created and/or defined the concepts and characters that are used in superhero film franchises like Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four, etc.
"But the beauty of the Marvel films now, is that guys who work in comics are involved," said Joe Quesada. "That's more than we could have said ten years ago about comic book movies that were getting made."
"Matt Fraction is a perfect example," he continued. "He got to sit down with Jon Favreau and Kevin Feige and discuss the new Iron Man movie. Being the current 'Iron Man' writer, Matt could offer a unique perspective on the character. Bendis is involved in the Marvel Creative Committee, as am I. I'm sure, from time to time, we'll be bringing more creators in as projects call for them. More and more, the Marvel film world reaches out to the comics world, and now you're starting to see that other studios and comic companies are taking note and are looking to copy that formula in some way."
Matt Fraction - give me a fucking break! If Hollywood wants insights into Marvel Comics characters, they should be talking to writers like Stan Lee, Steve Ditko (who probably wouldn't speak to anyone), Roy Thomas, Chris Claremont, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Walt Simonson, Gerry Conway, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Roger Stern, and a few others who actually created and/or defined the concepts and characters that are used in superhero film franchises like Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four, etc.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
I Reads You Review: BLOODY KISS, VOL. 1
Creator: Kazuko Furumiya
Publishing Information: TOKYOPOP, B&W, paperback, 208 pages, $10.99 (US), $13.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4278-1579-8 (ISBN-13)
Bloody Kiss, Vol. 1 takes the reader to a crumbling mansion located deep in a fog-enshrouded forest. This is the new home young Kiyo Katsuragi has just inherited from her late grandmother, Lady Mineko. She wants to sell it so that she can use the money to attend law school. However, the mansion comes with two squatters, Lord Kuroboshi and his attendant, Alshu. And they’re both sexy vampires; well, Kuroboshi is actually a dhampir – half-human/half-vampire.
Of course, Kuroboshi and Alshu discourage Kiyo from selling the mansion, but things take an even weirder turn. Apparently vampires choose to drink blood from only one person, called a “bride.” In order to be a full-fledged vampire, one must have a bride, and Kuroboshi chooses Kiyo.
The beautiful art from Bloody Kiss creator Kazuko Furumiya may remind readers of Matsuri Hino’s art for Vampire Kiss, but without the heavy black of the inking and the severe toning of Hino’s manga. A combination of gothic-lite and airy romance, the illustrations and graphics that compose Bloody Kiss create an atmosphere somewhere between syrupy teen love and slightly creepy. Visually, the murky forest and gloomy mansion interiors create a perfect atmosphere from fantasy romance that involves vampires. When beauty needs to be emphasized, as in the school ball that takes place in the third chapter, Furumiya adds sparkles and flower effects to lighten the mood, and for just a moment, Bloody Kiss seems like a normal love story.
In fact, it is the illustrative and graphical style that makes Bloody Kiss. The story doesn’t drive this narrative; rather the impressions and ambiance created by the art capture the imagination. The reader won’t think her way through this manga. This is about feeling the way Kiyo and the rest of the cast do – the wants, dreams, fears, and hurts. Kiyo’s gloomy mansion may be a place readers want to visit time and again.
This volume also includes a bonus story, “Angel Love Song,” about mending broken hearts and true love that is a straight, non-fantasy romance. It’s OK, and can be missed.
B+
Archaia Entertainment Publishes First Volume of "The Engineer"
Press release from Archaia Entertainment:
THE ENGINEER VOL. 1: KONSTRUKT
(W) Brian Churilla and Jeremy Shepherd (A) Brian Churilla
An ancient sentient entity is feasting on the very fabric of space and time. Only one man can stop it: The Engineer, last survivor of the destroyed Earth. Utilizing a colossal pipe organ that enables pan-dimensional travel, The Engineer pursues the lost components of The Konstrukt, an archaic mechanism that imbues whoever possesses it with the ability to manipulate reality itself, in the hopes of using it to defeat the creature and undo the incalculable damage it has already done. Giant bat creatures, were-crabs, immense rock creatures, amorphous witches and armies of undead abound in this pulpy sci-fi romp for all ages! Collects and completes The Engineer series.
The Engineer is the first in a series of discounted hardcovers from Archaia to introduce new readers to the publisher’s unique library of titles.
Hardcover Full Color 128 pages $9.95 All Ages (10 and up; series contains Mild Violence) [END]
THE ENGINEER VOL. 1: KONSTRUKT
(W) Brian Churilla and Jeremy Shepherd (A) Brian Churilla
An ancient sentient entity is feasting on the very fabric of space and time. Only one man can stop it: The Engineer, last survivor of the destroyed Earth. Utilizing a colossal pipe organ that enables pan-dimensional travel, The Engineer pursues the lost components of The Konstrukt, an archaic mechanism that imbues whoever possesses it with the ability to manipulate reality itself, in the hopes of using it to defeat the creature and undo the incalculable damage it has already done. Giant bat creatures, were-crabs, immense rock creatures, amorphous witches and armies of undead abound in this pulpy sci-fi romp for all ages! Collects and completes The Engineer series.
The Engineer is the first in a series of discounted hardcovers from Archaia to introduce new readers to the publisher’s unique library of titles.
Hardcover Full Color 128 pages $9.95 All Ages (10 and up; series contains Mild Violence) [END]
The Kitchen Princess Searches for the Mystery White Cake
I finished reading Kitchen Princess: Search for the Angel Cake
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is a light novel based upon the Kodansha-published shojo manga. The novel is actually a lot better than I thought it would be. Nice read.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is a light novel based upon the Kodansha-published shojo manga. The novel is actually a lot better than I thought it would be. Nice read.
Friday, December 18, 2009
D.Gray-man: Black Star, Red Star
I finished reading D. Gray-Man, Vol. 15 (D.Gray-Man)
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the most I've enjoyed this series since the fourth volume (the first one I read).
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is the most I've enjoyed this series since the fourth volume (the first one I read).
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Archaia Offers "Days Missing" for Pre-order
Press release from Archaia:
ARCHAIA AND RODDENBERRY ANNOUNCE DELUXE ‘DAYS MISSING’ HARDCOVER
GRAPHIC NOVEL COLLECTS ALL FIVE ISSUES PLUS A HOST OF NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN EXTRAS
Combining Archaia’s longstanding commitment to producing high-quality hardcover graphic novels and Roddenberry’s goal to produce sophisticated, intelligent and entertaining science fiction in the tradition of Star Trek, the companies announced today they will publish a deluxe Days Missing hardcover that collects all five issues of the critically acclaimed mini-series plus a host of extra features, available in February 2010.
The Days Missing hardcover is available for pre-order now through comic retailers (Diamond Item Number DEC09 0662) and online outlets like Amazon.com (ISBN 1-932386-84-X). (To find your nearest comic shop, visit www.comicshoplocator.com.)
Days Missing tells the stories of a mysterious being known as “The Steward.” His ability to literally “fold” days of time has allowed him to secretly remove critical days from our shared history that have forever changed the course of mankind…or so he thinks. In these missing days, The Steward battles Frankenstein, the Spanish conquistadors and artificial lifeforms, among other history-shaping forces.
Archaia and Roddenberry Productions brought together four all-star creative teams to each work on standalone, reader-friendly issues of Days Missing that tie into the overall mini-series story arc. The writer/artist teams include: Phil Hester (Firebreather, The Darkness, Green Arrow) and Frazer Irving (Batman and Robin, Seven Soldiers of Victory) for issues 1 and 5; David Hine (Batman: Battle for the Cowl) and Chris Burnham (X-Men: Divided We Stand) for issue 2; Ian Edginton (Stormwatch) and Lee Moder (Legion of Super-Heroes) for issue 3; and Matz (The Killer) and Hugo Petrus (Wolverine: First Class) for issue 4. The legendary Dale Keown (The Incredible Hulk, Pitt) provided the main covers to each issue.
The extra features in the Days Missing hardcover include:• A foreword written by the legendary Warren Ellis, award-winning creator of graphic novels such as Fell, Ministry of Space, Planetary and Transmetropolitan.
• A gallery featuring all 16 covers of the five issues.
• A collectible poster on the reverse side of the dust jacket, joining together all of Frazer Irving’s complete chase covers to Days Missing.
• Interviews with all of the writers and Roddenberry Productions’ Trevor Roth , creator of Days Missing.
• Revelation of the secret code contained in the Days Missing logo.
• A stat sheet of The Steward, plus a tour of his library.
• The evolution of a comic page, from script to pencils, inks and colors.
Here is what the critics are saying about Days Missing:
“One of the best things that came out this year.”
– Blair Butler, G4’s Fresh Ink Online
“Innovative and cool.”
– Brendan McGuirk, Newsarama.com
“A rare treat.”
– Christopher Baggett, TheHomeWorld.net
“Poetic…beautiful…impressive.”
– Sara Lima, ComicVine.com
About Archaia
Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. With a slate including such popular Eisner-Award winning titles as Mouse Guard and The Killer, as well as Awakening, Gunnerkrigg Court, Robotika, Killing Pickman, Artesia and the Publisher’s latest additions of Titanium Rain, God Machine, Roddenberry Productions’ Days Missing, The Jim Henson Company library and Mr. Murder Is Dead and Lucid with Before the Door Pictures, Archaia has become synonymous with quality content.
For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit www.Archaia.com. Archaia can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/archaiacomics), MySpace (myspace.com/archaiacomics) and Twitter (twitter.com/archaiacomics).
About Roddenberry Productions
Roddenberry Productions is a science-fiction leader with a tradition of groundbreaking entertainment and quality merchandise. Originally founded in 1967 by Gene Roddenberry, the company has since led a steady stable of science fiction successes including Gene Roddenberry’s Earth: Final Conflict, Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda and, most notably, the Star Trek brand. Roddenberry Productions continues to produce entertainment for all audiences, employing a viewer-centric creative process and resulting in insightful visions of humanity. Its merchandising business is based on quality and authenticity providing memorabilia for fans in today’s new multimedia generation. Roddenberry Productions has set itself apart by creating content that surpasses mere entertainment; it acknowledges the intelligence of audiences by challenging them to think, question and explore the world, and those potentially beyond. [END]
ARCHAIA AND RODDENBERRY ANNOUNCE DELUXE ‘DAYS MISSING’ HARDCOVER
GRAPHIC NOVEL COLLECTS ALL FIVE ISSUES PLUS A HOST OF NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN EXTRAS
Combining Archaia’s longstanding commitment to producing high-quality hardcover graphic novels and Roddenberry’s goal to produce sophisticated, intelligent and entertaining science fiction in the tradition of Star Trek, the companies announced today they will publish a deluxe Days Missing hardcover that collects all five issues of the critically acclaimed mini-series plus a host of extra features, available in February 2010.
The Days Missing hardcover is available for pre-order now through comic retailers (Diamond Item Number DEC09 0662) and online outlets like Amazon.com (ISBN 1-932386-84-X). (To find your nearest comic shop, visit www.comicshoplocator.com.)
Days Missing tells the stories of a mysterious being known as “The Steward.” His ability to literally “fold” days of time has allowed him to secretly remove critical days from our shared history that have forever changed the course of mankind…or so he thinks. In these missing days, The Steward battles Frankenstein, the Spanish conquistadors and artificial lifeforms, among other history-shaping forces.
Archaia and Roddenberry Productions brought together four all-star creative teams to each work on standalone, reader-friendly issues of Days Missing that tie into the overall mini-series story arc. The writer/artist teams include: Phil Hester (Firebreather, The Darkness, Green Arrow) and Frazer Irving (Batman and Robin, Seven Soldiers of Victory) for issues 1 and 5; David Hine (Batman: Battle for the Cowl) and Chris Burnham (X-Men: Divided We Stand) for issue 2; Ian Edginton (Stormwatch) and Lee Moder (Legion of Super-Heroes) for issue 3; and Matz (The Killer) and Hugo Petrus (Wolverine: First Class) for issue 4. The legendary Dale Keown (The Incredible Hulk, Pitt) provided the main covers to each issue.
The extra features in the Days Missing hardcover include:• A foreword written by the legendary Warren Ellis, award-winning creator of graphic novels such as Fell, Ministry of Space, Planetary and Transmetropolitan.
• A gallery featuring all 16 covers of the five issues.
• A collectible poster on the reverse side of the dust jacket, joining together all of Frazer Irving’s complete chase covers to Days Missing.
• Interviews with all of the writers and Roddenberry Productions’ Trevor Roth , creator of Days Missing.
• Revelation of the secret code contained in the Days Missing logo.
• A stat sheet of The Steward, plus a tour of his library.
• The evolution of a comic page, from script to pencils, inks and colors.
Here is what the critics are saying about Days Missing:
“One of the best things that came out this year.”
– Blair Butler, G4’s Fresh Ink Online
“Innovative and cool.”
– Brendan McGuirk, Newsarama.com
“A rare treat.”
– Christopher Baggett, TheHomeWorld.net
“Poetic…beautiful…impressive.”
– Sara Lima, ComicVine.com
About Archaia
Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. With a slate including such popular Eisner-Award winning titles as Mouse Guard and The Killer, as well as Awakening, Gunnerkrigg Court, Robotika, Killing Pickman, Artesia and the Publisher’s latest additions of Titanium Rain, God Machine, Roddenberry Productions’ Days Missing, The Jim Henson Company library and Mr. Murder Is Dead and Lucid with Before the Door Pictures, Archaia has become synonymous with quality content.
For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit www.Archaia.com. Archaia can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/archaiacomics), MySpace (myspace.com/archaiacomics) and Twitter (twitter.com/archaiacomics).
About Roddenberry Productions
Roddenberry Productions is a science-fiction leader with a tradition of groundbreaking entertainment and quality merchandise. Originally founded in 1967 by Gene Roddenberry, the company has since led a steady stable of science fiction successes including Gene Roddenberry’s Earth: Final Conflict, Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda and, most notably, the Star Trek brand. Roddenberry Productions continues to produce entertainment for all audiences, employing a viewer-centric creative process and resulting in insightful visions of humanity. Its merchandising business is based on quality and authenticity providing memorabilia for fans in today’s new multimedia generation. Roddenberry Productions has set itself apart by creating content that surpasses mere entertainment; it acknowledges the intelligence of audiences by challenging them to think, question and explore the world, and those potentially beyond. [END]
Radical Comics to Publish Second FVZA After New Year
From Radical Publishing:
FVZA: FEDERAL VAMPIRE AND ZOMBIE AGENCY #2 (2 of 3)
Writer DAVID HINE
Penciler ROY ALLAN MARTINEZ and WAYNE NICHOLS
Painter KINSUN LOH and JERRY CHOO
Letterer RICHARD STARKINGS and COMICRAFT’S JIMMY BETANCOURT
64 pages, Full Color for only $4.99
Writer DAVID HINE
Penciler ROY ALLAN MARTINEZ and WAYNE NICHOLS
Painter KINSUN LOH and JERRY CHOO
Letterer RICHARD STARKINGS and COMICRAFT’S JIMMY BETANCOURT
64 pages, Full Color for only $4.99
After a successful raid on the zombie-infected town of Corben, the newly reinstated FVZA recruits are on high alert. But as the agency scans the world for new outbreaks of the undead virus, the vampire high council begins its plan for domination of the United States. Only the knowledge of newly appointed agency adviser Hugo Pecos and the battle skills of his grandchildren, Landra and Vidal, will give the FVZA a fighting chance at extinguishing the undead threat once and for all!
Featuring covers by Clint Langley and Yang Xueguo.
Diamond Code – Langley cover: SEP090957
Diamond Code – Xueguo cover: SEP090958
DMP to Publish Taimashin Manga
From Digital Manga Publishing:
Taimashin: The Red Spider Exorcist Volume 1
ISBN: 1569701342
ISBN13: 9781569701348
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Price USD: $9.95
Writer: Hideyuki Kikuchi
Artist: Shin Yong-Gwan
Release Date: December 16 2009
ISBN: 1569701342
ISBN13: 9781569701348
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Price USD: $9.95
Writer: Hideyuki Kikuchi
Artist: Shin Yong-Gwan
Release Date: December 16 2009
Size: 5” x 8”
Format: Softcover
Page Count: 200
Series Volumes: 1 of 2 (+on going)
Series Frequency: 3 – 5 months
Recommended Age: Mature 18+
Format: Softcover
Page Count: 200
Series Volumes: 1 of 2 (+on going)
Series Frequency: 3 – 5 months
Recommended Age: Mature 18+
Summary - Traveling in-between the world of the living and the twilight world of the dead, Akamushi,the shaman is known as the Red Spider Exorcist. With the powers of a giant spider, he combats the demons of the netherworld. When career woman Megumi is suddenly pursued and attacked by unholy demons, she seeks Akamushi's help. But as it seems, the minions of the underworld may also be too much for Akamushi to handle. But why are these creatures of twilight after her? What truths will unravel about her true self and everyone around her? And what of Akamushi—can he use his unique shamanic spider-like powers to cast out and purify himself from the demon scourge?
Taimashin: The Red Spider Exorcist is based upon a novel series also by Hideyuki Kikuchi, and is illustrated by manwha artist Shin Yong-gwan. An ongoing series in Japan, with over 20,000 units sod, Taimashin: With amazingly detailed art by Shin Yong-Gwan, this manga will appeal to horror lovers.
From acclaimed Japanese horror writer, Hideyuki Kikuchi, Taimashin - The Red Spider Exorcist—vol.1 of an ongoing series—takes you to a world of monsters and demons that'll twist your senses and blur your mind, in and out of reality
All part of Dark December “D”emon month from Digital manga Publishing - Campaign that includes print ads and online ads on paid sites and DM’s network of affiliate sites.
Other works by creative team:
Hideyuki Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D Manga Volume 1 (DMP: 9781569708279)
Mysterious Journey to the North (DH Press: 9781595821072)
Tale of the Dead Town (DH Press: 9781595820938)
All the Happy Boys Say, "Welcome home, madam"
I finished reading Happy Boys Volume 1
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is a DokiDoki title from Digital Manga Publishing, but it isn't romantic - at least the first volume isn't.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is a DokiDoki title from Digital Manga Publishing, but it isn't romantic - at least the first volume isn't.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Welcome Back to Neo-Tokyo
I finished reading Akira Volume 1 (Akira)
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This release is a new edition of the Akira manga similar to the Dark Horse Comics editions published earlier this decade.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This release is a new edition of the Akira manga similar to the Dark Horse Comics editions published earlier this decade.
Radical Comics' Hercules Series Concludes After New Year
From Radical Publishing:
HERCULES: THE KNIVES OF KUSH #5 (5 of 5)
Writer STEVE MOORE
Artist CRIS BOLSON and MANUEL & LEONARDO SILVA
Colorist DOUG SIROIS and CLIFF CRAMP
Letterer TODD KLEIN
28 pages, FC, $2.99
The stunning conclusion! After an explosive showdown of thunder and lightning on the battlefield, Hercules and his companions are set to end Egypt’s civil war. But even with a cunning plan to defeat Khadis, Lord of Lightning and the insurgent king Amenmessu, there still remains a traitor in the royal house of Seti II. When the dust has settled on the grounds of war, the future of Egypt is in the hands of Hercules.
Featuring two incredible covers from Clint Langley.
Diamond Code – Langley Wraparound cover: SEP090959
Diamond Code – Langley regular cover: SEP090960 [END]
not simple to Appear Under VIZ Signature Imprint
Press release from VIZ Media:
VIZ MEDIA TO KICK OFF 2010 WITH THE RELEASE OF NEW MANGA not simple
Emotional Slice-of-Life Story About A Man’s Search For Family, Love And His Place In The World Engages Fans Of Both Manga And U.S. Indie Comics And Previewed On SigIKKI.com
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, kicks off 2010 with the release on January 19th of Natsume Ono’s manga, not simple. The story, contained in a single volume, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, will be published by the VIZ Signature imprint and carries an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $19.99 CAN.
To celebrate this launch, a preview of the prologue of not simple will be available on SigIKKI.com, VIZ Media’s premiere website for presenting a diverse collection of titles which include the most inventive, bold, and compelling titles in the world of contemporary manga.
not simple follows Ian, a young man with a fractured family history, as he travels from Australia to England and on to America in the hope of realizing his dreams and reuniting with his beloved sister. His story unfolds backwards through the framing narrative of Jim, a reporter driven to capture Ian's experiences in a novel titled not simple.
“This new release will captivate readers with its unconventional story and artwork,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media. “Natsume Ono’s art blends manga aesthetics with a graphic style reminiscent of many western indie and alternative comics, and fans of both genres will enjoy this title. We also welcome not simple as the newest addition to SigIKKI.com, the hottest outlet for online manga. Fans can check out the prologue chapter after December 17th at www.SigIKKI.com!”
Another of Ono’s manga series, HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES, is an action drama about samurai during the height of the shogun's rule in Edo-era Japan and is also currently serialized on SigIKKI.com.
Natsume Ono is one of today's top creators of seinen manga – designed for adult readers of mature and more sophisticated stories. She made her professional debut in 2003 with the web comic LA QUINTA CAMERA and subsequent works not simple, Ristorante Paradiso, and GENTE (a continuation of Ristorante Paradiso) have met with both critical and popular acclaim. In 2009 Ristorante Paradiso was adapted into an animated TV series. Her manga drama HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES (Saraiya Goyou) is currently published in Japan in IKKI magazine.
For more information on this title please visit www.SigIKKI. For information on all other VIZ Media titles please visit www.VIZ.com. [END]
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
IDW Offers Paranormal Activity Digital Comic
Press release from IDW/Paramount Pictures:
Paranormal Activity Continues in IDW’s First Exclusive Digital Comic
Comic offers continuation of fright-fest movie
iPhone and iPod touch exclusive available now
Paranormal Activity, the smash hit from Paramount Pictures, has frightened millions of people worldwide, and now the terror continues at the iTunes App Store with Paranormal Activity: The Search For Katie, A Case Study by Dr. Johann Averys DMN. iPhone and iPod touch users have exclusive access to this digital comic, which begins AFTER the film’s shocking cliff-hanger ending. IDW Publishing’s first digital-exclusive comic follows a brilliant demonologist named Dr. Johann Averys, as he tries to find Katie, the tragic main character of Paranormal Activity.
Written by comic great Scott Lobdell (X-MEN; Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Music Box), Paranormal Activity: The Search For Katie pairs Dr. Averys with feisty S.D.P.D. Detective Singh; together they attempt to discover the origins of the demon who haunted Micah and Katie. Mark Badger (The Gargoyle) provides captivating art that expertly depicts the horror of this tale.
“Paranormal Activity impressed me not only through the movie itself, but also the way its audience was built online,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief. “So an online-only, and specifically iTunes-only, release of a new story in comic form seemed like a great way to extend the filmmakers’ efforts and world of the characters alike.”
Michael Corcoran, Paramount Pictures President, Consumer Products & Recreation Group, said, “This is a film that owes its enormous popularity to the fans who made it such a hit through word-of-mouth. We are excited to be able to work with IDW to explore new story lines and themes touched upon in the film.”
Paranormal Activity: The Search For Katie digital comic ($0.99) is now available at Apple’s iTunes App store. Paranormal Activity will be available on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download on December 29th. [END]
Paranormal Activity Continues in IDW’s First Exclusive Digital Comic
Comic offers continuation of fright-fest movie
iPhone and iPod touch exclusive available now
Paranormal Activity, the smash hit from Paramount Pictures, has frightened millions of people worldwide, and now the terror continues at the iTunes App Store with Paranormal Activity: The Search For Katie, A Case Study by Dr. Johann Averys DMN. iPhone and iPod touch users have exclusive access to this digital comic, which begins AFTER the film’s shocking cliff-hanger ending. IDW Publishing’s first digital-exclusive comic follows a brilliant demonologist named Dr. Johann Averys, as he tries to find Katie, the tragic main character of Paranormal Activity.
Written by comic great Scott Lobdell (X-MEN; Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Music Box), Paranormal Activity: The Search For Katie pairs Dr. Averys with feisty S.D.P.D. Detective Singh; together they attempt to discover the origins of the demon who haunted Micah and Katie. Mark Badger (The Gargoyle) provides captivating art that expertly depicts the horror of this tale.
“Paranormal Activity impressed me not only through the movie itself, but also the way its audience was built online,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief. “So an online-only, and specifically iTunes-only, release of a new story in comic form seemed like a great way to extend the filmmakers’ efforts and world of the characters alike.”
Michael Corcoran, Paramount Pictures President, Consumer Products & Recreation Group, said, “This is a film that owes its enormous popularity to the fans who made it such a hit through word-of-mouth. We are excited to be able to work with IDW to explore new story lines and themes touched upon in the film.”
Paranormal Activity: The Search For Katie digital comic ($0.99) is now available at Apple’s iTunes App store. Paranormal Activity will be available on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download on December 29th. [END]
Amazon.com and Penguin Group Announce Novel Competition
From Business Wire:
Amazon.com and Penguin Group (USA) Announce Third Annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Competition
Third annual competition introduces new young adult category and is open to previously self-published works
SEATTLE & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Penguin Group (USA) (NYSE: PSO) today announced the third annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, the international competition seeking the next popular novel. For the first time, the competition will award two grand prizes: one for general fiction and one for best young adult novel. The 2010 competition will also now be open to novels that have been previously self-published. Writers around the world are encouraged to begin preparing their manuscripts for entry into the competition, which is scheduled to launch on Jan. 25, 2010.
“We are looking forward to working with Penguin again to engage a whole new group of novelists for the third annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award,” said Jeff Belle, Amazon.com’s vice president, U.S. Books. “By offering two grand prizes and providing additional opportunities for self-published authors, we’ll be able to support an even larger group of talented authors and their work.”
“The success of the competition in discovering new writers has led to exciting growth and new directions in this third year, including the addition of a young adult prize. This development is in response to the writing community, and it enables Penguin and Amazon to discover new fiction for readers of all ages,” said Tim McCall, Penguin’s vice president of Online Sales and Marketing.
Between Jan. 25 and Feb. 7, 2010, writers with an English-language novel manuscript can submit their work at www.amazon.com/abna. Up to 10,000 total initial entries will be accepted, with up to 5,000 each in the general fiction and young adult categories. Amazon.com editors will select 1,000 entries from each category to advance to the next round. In the subsequent round, Amazon.com editors and at least one top reviewer on Amazon.com will read excerpts of the 2,000 entries and narrow the pool to 500 quarter-finalists (250 in each category). Reviewers from Publishers Weekly will then read, rate and review the full manuscripts, and 50 semi-finalists for each category will be selected. Penguin editors will evaluate the manuscripts of the 50 general fiction and 50 young adult semi-finalists, and choose three finalists for each award.
Two panels of esteemed publishing professionals will then read and post their critiques of the top three manuscripts on http://www.amazon.com/. The panel for the general fiction category includes Tana French, New York Times-bestselling author of “In the Woods”; Julie Barer, of Barer Literary, LLC; and Molly Stern, editorial director and executive editor of Viking Books. The panel for the young adult category includes New York Times-bestselling authors Sarah Dessen (“Along for the Ride”) and Nancy Werlin (“Impossible”); Amy Berkower, president of Writers House, LLC; and Ben Schrank, president and publisher of Razorbill. In the final stage, Amazon.com customers will have seven days to vote for a Grand Prize Winner in each category. The two Grand Prize Winners will be announced in Seattle on June 14, 2010. Each winner will receive a publishing contract with Penguin, which includes a $15,000 advance.
The 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition drew several thousand entrants, representing all 50 U.S. states and 21 countries around the world. The winning novel, “Bill Warrington’s Last Chance” by James King, will be published in August 2010 by Viking, a division of Penguin Group (USA).
CreateSpace.com, part of the Amazon group of companies and a leader in self-publishing services, will again host the contest entry platform, which includes a community for authors that will keep them up to date on the contest and help them prepare their entries by soliciting feedback from the community and accessing online content through Preview. CreateSpace will also offer all entrants one free proof copy of their novel, and 10 percent off any one service for a limited time.
“We’re thrilled to once again be working with both Amazon.com and Penguin on the third annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award—and for the first time to be including authors of fiction for young adults. As the foremost book review publication for the publishing industry, Publishers Weekly sets the standard in offering early insight on the work of new authors. It’s a pleasure to bring our expertise and perspective to bear on the new talent that will be a part of the 2010 competition,” said Brian Kenney, editorial director, Publishers Weekly.
For complete terms and conditions for the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award and more information about the contest, please visit www.amazon.com/abna. For more information on the CreateSpace self-publishing service, or to visit the CreateSpace Community, please visit http://www.createspace.com/.
About Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as books, movies, music & games, digital downloads, electronics & computers, home & garden, toys, kids & baby, grocery, apparel, shoes & jewelry, health & beauty, sports & outdoors, and tools, auto & industrial.
Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Examples of the services offered by Amazon Web Services are Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), Amazon SimpleDB, Amazon Simple Queue Service (Amazon SQS), Amazon Flexible Payments Service (Amazon FPS), Amazon Mechanical Turk and Amazon CloudFront.
Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.amazon.co.uk/, http://www.amazon.de/, http://www.amazon.co.jp/, http://www.amazon.fr/, http://www.amazon.ca/ and http://www.amazon.cn/.
As used herein, “Amazon.com,” “we,” “our” and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
About Penguin Group (USA)
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (http://www.penguin.com/) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
About CreateSpace
CreateSpace is a leader in manufacture on-demand services for independent content creators, publishers, film studios and music labels. CreateSpace provides inventory-free, physical distribution of Books, CDs and DVDs On-Demand, music downloads via Amazon MP3 and video downloads via Amazon Video On Demand. CreateSpace is a brand of On-Demand Publishing LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN).
About Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is the leading publication serving all segments involved in the creation, production, marketing and sale of the written word in book, audio, video and electronic formats. A 135-year-old magazine, PW is the leading publication for international and U.S. book publishing needs. [END]
Amazon.com and Penguin Group (USA) Announce Third Annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Competition
Third annual competition introduces new young adult category and is open to previously self-published works
SEATTLE & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Penguin Group (USA) (NYSE: PSO) today announced the third annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, the international competition seeking the next popular novel. For the first time, the competition will award two grand prizes: one for general fiction and one for best young adult novel. The 2010 competition will also now be open to novels that have been previously self-published. Writers around the world are encouraged to begin preparing their manuscripts for entry into the competition, which is scheduled to launch on Jan. 25, 2010.
“We are looking forward to working with Penguin again to engage a whole new group of novelists for the third annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award,” said Jeff Belle, Amazon.com’s vice president, U.S. Books. “By offering two grand prizes and providing additional opportunities for self-published authors, we’ll be able to support an even larger group of talented authors and their work.”
“The success of the competition in discovering new writers has led to exciting growth and new directions in this third year, including the addition of a young adult prize. This development is in response to the writing community, and it enables Penguin and Amazon to discover new fiction for readers of all ages,” said Tim McCall, Penguin’s vice president of Online Sales and Marketing.
Between Jan. 25 and Feb. 7, 2010, writers with an English-language novel manuscript can submit their work at www.amazon.com/abna. Up to 10,000 total initial entries will be accepted, with up to 5,000 each in the general fiction and young adult categories. Amazon.com editors will select 1,000 entries from each category to advance to the next round. In the subsequent round, Amazon.com editors and at least one top reviewer on Amazon.com will read excerpts of the 2,000 entries and narrow the pool to 500 quarter-finalists (250 in each category). Reviewers from Publishers Weekly will then read, rate and review the full manuscripts, and 50 semi-finalists for each category will be selected. Penguin editors will evaluate the manuscripts of the 50 general fiction and 50 young adult semi-finalists, and choose three finalists for each award.
Two panels of esteemed publishing professionals will then read and post their critiques of the top three manuscripts on http://www.amazon.com/. The panel for the general fiction category includes Tana French, New York Times-bestselling author of “In the Woods”; Julie Barer, of Barer Literary, LLC; and Molly Stern, editorial director and executive editor of Viking Books. The panel for the young adult category includes New York Times-bestselling authors Sarah Dessen (“Along for the Ride”) and Nancy Werlin (“Impossible”); Amy Berkower, president of Writers House, LLC; and Ben Schrank, president and publisher of Razorbill. In the final stage, Amazon.com customers will have seven days to vote for a Grand Prize Winner in each category. The two Grand Prize Winners will be announced in Seattle on June 14, 2010. Each winner will receive a publishing contract with Penguin, which includes a $15,000 advance.
The 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition drew several thousand entrants, representing all 50 U.S. states and 21 countries around the world. The winning novel, “Bill Warrington’s Last Chance” by James King, will be published in August 2010 by Viking, a division of Penguin Group (USA).
CreateSpace.com, part of the Amazon group of companies and a leader in self-publishing services, will again host the contest entry platform, which includes a community for authors that will keep them up to date on the contest and help them prepare their entries by soliciting feedback from the community and accessing online content through Preview. CreateSpace will also offer all entrants one free proof copy of their novel, and 10 percent off any one service for a limited time.
“We’re thrilled to once again be working with both Amazon.com and Penguin on the third annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award—and for the first time to be including authors of fiction for young adults. As the foremost book review publication for the publishing industry, Publishers Weekly sets the standard in offering early insight on the work of new authors. It’s a pleasure to bring our expertise and perspective to bear on the new talent that will be a part of the 2010 competition,” said Brian Kenney, editorial director, Publishers Weekly.
For complete terms and conditions for the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award and more information about the contest, please visit www.amazon.com/abna. For more information on the CreateSpace self-publishing service, or to visit the CreateSpace Community, please visit http://www.createspace.com/.
About Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as books, movies, music & games, digital downloads, electronics & computers, home & garden, toys, kids & baby, grocery, apparel, shoes & jewelry, health & beauty, sports & outdoors, and tools, auto & industrial.
Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Examples of the services offered by Amazon Web Services are Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), Amazon SimpleDB, Amazon Simple Queue Service (Amazon SQS), Amazon Flexible Payments Service (Amazon FPS), Amazon Mechanical Turk and Amazon CloudFront.
Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.amazon.co.uk/, http://www.amazon.de/, http://www.amazon.co.jp/, http://www.amazon.fr/, http://www.amazon.ca/ and http://www.amazon.cn/.
As used herein, “Amazon.com,” “we,” “our” and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
About Penguin Group (USA)
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (http://www.penguin.com/) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
About CreateSpace
CreateSpace is a leader in manufacture on-demand services for independent content creators, publishers, film studios and music labels. CreateSpace provides inventory-free, physical distribution of Books, CDs and DVDs On-Demand, music downloads via Amazon MP3 and video downloads via Amazon Video On Demand. CreateSpace is a brand of On-Demand Publishing LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN).
About Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is the leading publication serving all segments involved in the creation, production, marketing and sale of the written word in book, audio, video and electronic formats. A 135-year-old magazine, PW is the leading publication for international and U.S. book publishing needs. [END]
Female Force Welcome Ellen Degeneres
Press release from Bluewater Productions:
ELLEN DEGENERES FEATURED IN "FEMALE FORCE" BIOGRAPHY COMIC BOOK SERIES
She entertains millions everyday with her quirky wit and timeless charm. Now daytime talk show host and veteran comic Ellen DeGeneres’ life story will be the featured subject of an upcoming issue of Bluewater Productions’ Female Force biography comic series.
Female Force: Ellen DeGeneres, scheduled for a March 2010 release, follows the comedienne from her youth in Louisiana, through the endless smoke-filled comedy club circuit, to her breakthrough sitcom and finally as an Emmy-winning daytime talk show host.
“People forget what a groundbreaking talent she is and that fame did not come overnight,” said Bluewater president Darren Davis. “But through all her highs and lows, she managed to stay true to herself and prove that she is a female force.”
The issue, written by Sandra C. Ruckdeschel and penciled by Pedro Ponzo also delves into Ellen’s personal life as an openly gay performer and an advocate for gay rights. “It is part of who she is and any telling of her story without acknowledging the importance she places on her identity would be disrespectful to her accomplishments,” said Ruckdeschel.
According to Davis, fans of Ellen will be able to revisit several of the entertainer’s most iconic moments including her 1986 appearance on the Tonight Show, the 1997 episode of her sitcom where her character announces she is gay, her entrance as host of the 2006 Oscars, and even her “trademark” dance moves. It evens covers the recent announcement of Ellen joining the judging panel for American Idol.
Female Force offers a broad examination of strong and influential women who are shaping modern history and culture. In past issues, the monthly series has featured Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Stephenie Meyer, JK Rowling, Barbara Walters and others.
The comic book series, launched earlier this year, has drawn considerable media attention, including features on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, “The View” and “Live with Regis and Kelly.” It has also been featured in such periodicals as People Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today and thousands of blogs and other media outlets.
The suggested retail price (SRP) for the upcoming trade paperback is $3.99.
Female Force individual issues are also available on Amazon.com, where they have been ranked among the site’s top 300 books. [END]
Phantom Dream Offers Big Reveal in Third Volume
I finished reading Phantom Dream Volume 4
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is an excellent series - a dark fantasy as timeless romance.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is an excellent series - a dark fantasy as timeless romance.
Here Comes Geek-Girl!
PRESS RELEASE:
“With great glasses comes great responsibility:” Ruby Kaye is GEEK-GIRL!
New up-and-coming writer Sam Johnson (Cabra Cini, Gold Town and the creator of comics’ über-cheesecake site, FANBABES) and artist Sally Thompson (Little Thoughts) introduce us to the world’s newest, klutziest super-heroine: Ruby Kaye a.k.a. Geek-Girl!
When 'Little Miss Popular' RUBY KAYE lands a pair of super-tech glasses--invented by brainiac college geek Trevor Goldstein--in a game of Strip Poker, she's granted flight, super-strength, and--due to a flaw in the glasses' programming--super-klutziness.
“We’re used to it being the geek that stumbles upon super-powers and becomes cool as a result. Geek-Girl is a flip on that,” says Johnson.
A co-ed studying Public Relations at Acorn Ridge college in Maine, Ruby Kaye is something of an ‘it’ girl. She hangs with the in-crowd, is top of the party-invite list, and has guys queuing up. “But…” Johnson continues, “When she gets ahold of these glasses that she thinks are going to be oh-so-cool, she finds that what they do to her is seen as anything but by her clique--headed by the über-bitchy Karin Carpenter--who thinks Ruby’s lost it, big time.
“This is where Ruby finds out just how flimsy her ‘cool kid’-based friendships are,” says Johnson; “and by the end of Geek-Girl #0, she ain’t gonna have many left.
“Oh, but that’ll be the least of her problems, with who--or what--then shows up.”
And Geek-Girl #0 is just the beginning for Ruby Kaye, says Johnson, “How she adapts to her new-found powers and clique-alienating klutziness just might be the making of her--as she learns that with great glasses comes great responsibility, and that geeky can be sexy!”
As well as featuring Geek-Girl’s 12-page introduction, Geek-Girl #0 also includes a 3-page preview of the in-the-works 4-issue Geek-Girl mini-series, illustrated by red hot artist Pablo Martinena. Johnson says, “I’ve been keeping Pablo’s pages to myself until now, and when you guys see them--and his smokin’ variant cover--jaws are gonna drop.”
“I’ve got huge plans for Geek-Girl, and it all begins here, in Geek-Girl #0,” concludes Johnson.
Geek-Girl #0 and Geek-Girl #0 Limited Variant Edition, published by FANBABES, are 16-pages b&w, with color cover, and priced $1.99 and $2.50 respectively. Out Now and available to purchase at www.geekgirlcomic.com and at IndyPlanet.com [URL="http://www.indyplanet.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=geek+girl&osCsid=4nhuf549700na6gi9u743o2a34"]here![/URL] [END]
New Episode of Stan Lee's Time Jumper Arrives
The text of the press release below actually had to do with the 6th episode of Stan Lee's web motion comics, Time Jumper. The 8th episode arrives today at iTunes:
ABOUT EPISODE 6: DESTINATION UNKNOWN
Charity and Sam meet in an undisclosed warehouse. They appear to be scheming something together. Sam continues to pop pills to relieve his body aches of deteriorating DNA. Could he be in on her ploy to dominate the world?
Meanwhile, Terry is in a Washington DC prison cell and has a notebook on hand that his father Arthur left him. It’s crammed with random number sequences, DNA coils, odd symbols and words in German. Lee Excelsior appears before Terry in jail and hands him his Articulus to escape. Terry makes several jumps in time -- to Siberia, then to the British Isles, then to the Paleozoic era and then to 2026 -- where he finds himself with an aged Eric Bellmont.
Eric explains to Terry all the different ways Charity has affected wrinkles in time and confirms her evilness. She almost knocked Earth off its timeline! Suddenly, Terry spots Sam Dixon...the plot thickens.
REMAINING RELEASE SCHEDULE:
EPISODE 7 - 12/1
EPISODE 8 - 12/15
EPISODE 9 - 12/29
EPISODE 10 - 12/29
Purchase Time Jumper on iTunes:
Individual Time Jumper episodes retail for just $0.99 on iTunes.com or for just $7.99 you can purchase a “Season Pass” which automatically loads all 10 episodes on your iTunes account as they become available. To purchase, visit www.itunes.com/timejumper.
About Time Jumper:
Stan Lee (creator of Spider-Man, X-Men, The Hulk, and the Fantastic Four) and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment have joined forces to co-produce Time Jumper, an exciting new superhero story told in 5-8 minute episodes. This original short form content combines motion graphics, video, music, and voice over to create a unique comic book experience set to release on multiple platforms including but not limited to mobile, online, games, DVD and publishing.
Time Jumper is being written and developed to offer a dynamic opportunity for consumers to engage in a multi-dimensional narrative adapted specifically for various platforms, to maximize their experience and interaction with the characters and their universe trans-media. Consumers will have the accessibility to download single or multiple episodes onto a media platform of their choice anytime, anywhere, as well as purchase the comic book in print. The new digital motion comic format combines the traditional print look and feel, including dialogue and thought bubbles, with today’s cutting edge multimedia elements, including edgy visuals, music, voices and a fast-paced storyboard, to take a classic genre into the next dimension.
Storyline Synopsis:
Twenty-year-old college student Terry Dixon has the most unique mobile device on Earth -- The Articulus, a time travel device developed by Terry’s genius father, Arthur Dixon. To prevent the Articulus from falling into the wrong hands, Arthur coded it to work only with his DNA. After a laboratory experiment claims Arthur’s life, Terry and his older brother Sam become the only people capable of using it.
Recruited into secret crime fighting organization H.U.N.T. (Heroes United, Noble and True) after the mysterious disappearance of golden boy Sam, Terry becomes a reluctant hero living in his brother’s shadow. As he struggles to fill his new role, unnatural shifts in the course of history send Terry hurtling through time to capture Charity Vyle, the diabolical leader of criminal cartel C.U.L.T. (Council of Unstoppable, Lethal Terrorists).
But something more than just Terry’s molecules are being reconfigured as he leaps across time, and it threatens to corrupt everything he understands about who he is, and whether the world is actually worth saving after all…
For more in-depth information about the series, characters and behind-the-scenes video please visit www.TimeJumperComics.com. [END]
ABOUT EPISODE 6: DESTINATION UNKNOWN
Charity and Sam meet in an undisclosed warehouse. They appear to be scheming something together. Sam continues to pop pills to relieve his body aches of deteriorating DNA. Could he be in on her ploy to dominate the world?
Meanwhile, Terry is in a Washington DC prison cell and has a notebook on hand that his father Arthur left him. It’s crammed with random number sequences, DNA coils, odd symbols and words in German. Lee Excelsior appears before Terry in jail and hands him his Articulus to escape. Terry makes several jumps in time -- to Siberia, then to the British Isles, then to the Paleozoic era and then to 2026 -- where he finds himself with an aged Eric Bellmont.
Eric explains to Terry all the different ways Charity has affected wrinkles in time and confirms her evilness. She almost knocked Earth off its timeline! Suddenly, Terry spots Sam Dixon...the plot thickens.
REMAINING RELEASE SCHEDULE:
EPISODE 7 - 12/1
EPISODE 8 - 12/15
EPISODE 9 - 12/29
EPISODE 10 - 12/29
Purchase Time Jumper on iTunes:
Individual Time Jumper episodes retail for just $0.99 on iTunes.com or for just $7.99 you can purchase a “Season Pass” which automatically loads all 10 episodes on your iTunes account as they become available. To purchase, visit www.itunes.com/timejumper.
About Time Jumper:
Stan Lee (creator of Spider-Man, X-Men, The Hulk, and the Fantastic Four) and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment have joined forces to co-produce Time Jumper, an exciting new superhero story told in 5-8 minute episodes. This original short form content combines motion graphics, video, music, and voice over to create a unique comic book experience set to release on multiple platforms including but not limited to mobile, online, games, DVD and publishing.
Time Jumper is being written and developed to offer a dynamic opportunity for consumers to engage in a multi-dimensional narrative adapted specifically for various platforms, to maximize their experience and interaction with the characters and their universe trans-media. Consumers will have the accessibility to download single or multiple episodes onto a media platform of their choice anytime, anywhere, as well as purchase the comic book in print. The new digital motion comic format combines the traditional print look and feel, including dialogue and thought bubbles, with today’s cutting edge multimedia elements, including edgy visuals, music, voices and a fast-paced storyboard, to take a classic genre into the next dimension.
Storyline Synopsis:
Twenty-year-old college student Terry Dixon has the most unique mobile device on Earth -- The Articulus, a time travel device developed by Terry’s genius father, Arthur Dixon. To prevent the Articulus from falling into the wrong hands, Arthur coded it to work only with his DNA. After a laboratory experiment claims Arthur’s life, Terry and his older brother Sam become the only people capable of using it.
Recruited into secret crime fighting organization H.U.N.T. (Heroes United, Noble and True) after the mysterious disappearance of golden boy Sam, Terry becomes a reluctant hero living in his brother’s shadow. As he struggles to fill his new role, unnatural shifts in the course of history send Terry hurtling through time to capture Charity Vyle, the diabolical leader of criminal cartel C.U.L.T. (Council of Unstoppable, Lethal Terrorists).
But something more than just Terry’s molecules are being reconfigured as he leaps across time, and it threatens to corrupt everything he understands about who he is, and whether the world is actually worth saving after all…
For more in-depth information about the series, characters and behind-the-scenes video please visit www.TimeJumperComics.com. [END]
Monday, December 14, 2009
Detroit Metal City Demands a Dark Lord's Cherry
I finished reading Detroit Metal City, Vol. 3
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. Lord Krauser must lose his virginity, but does he?
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. Lord Krauser must lose his virginity, but does he?
Friday, December 11, 2009
VIZ Media to Ship Final Oishinbo in January
Press release from VIZ Media:
FINAL VOLUME OF THE ULTIMATE FOOD MANGA - OISHINBO RELEASING JANUARY 19TH!
The Last Hand-Selected Volume Out of A 100+ Volume Hit Series Exploring Essential Elements of Japanese Cuisine is coming to an end. Volume 7 Izakaya-Pub Food Is Here!
VIZ Media announced today the release of the final volume of the mega hit food manga by Tetsu Kariya, OISHINBO due out on January 19th. Volume 7, Izayaya-Pub Food is rated ‘T’ for Teens and carries an estimated retail price of $12.99 US and $16.99 CAN.
Izakaya occupies the same vital space in the Japanese culinary landscape as tapas bars in Spain or tavernas in Greece. Unpretentious and frequently boisterous, they're places to meet with friends or business partners to unwind over drinks and small dishes that range from hearty standards to refined innovations. In this volume of OISHINBO, Yamaoka and Kurita investigate classic Izakaya foods such as edamame and yakitori, devise new dishes to add to the menu of an old shop, and discover how the concept of "play" is essential to the enjoyment of food.
OISHINBO creator Tetsu Kariya, writer and essayist extraordinaire graduated from prestigious Tokyo University. Kariya was employed with a major advertising agency before making his debut as a manga writer in 1974 when he teamed up with legendary manga artist Ryoichi Ikegami to create Otoko Gumi (Male Gang). The worlds of food and manga were forever changed in 1983 when Kariya, together with artist Akira Hanasaki, created the immensely popular and critically acclaimed OISHINBO.
“Fans of Japanese cuisine and culture have been delighted with every volume of the critically acclaimed OISHINBO series and we are excited to bring them this final volume that covers the excitement of izakaya,” says Evelyn Dubocq, Sr. Director of Public Relations, VIZ Media.
OISHINBO (or “The Gourmet") depicts the adventures of journalist Shiro Yamaoka, who writes for the fictional newspaper Tozai News. When the paper’s top executives decide to create “The Ultimate Menu” to celebrate the paper’s 100th anniversary, Yamaoka, known for his reputation as a foodie with culinary skills to match, is given the daunting assignment. With the help of his coworker Kurita, Yamaoka begins an epic saga to find unique and tasty dishes that will compose this ultimate bill of fare. Each volume of OISHINBO focuses on specific foods and culinary trends such as sake, sushi, vegetables, rice dishes, ramen, and Izakaya (pub food). VIZ Media has served up selected highlights from this epic 100+ volume series and compiled them into seven a la carte editions that can be enjoyed individually or as a series. OISINBO has further inspired a 136-episode anime series, a live-action film and TV dramas, video games, recipe collections, and TV shows in Japan.
For more information on OISHINBO and other VIZ Media titles please visit www.Viz.com. [END]
Thursday, December 10, 2009
DMP to Publish Selfish Demon King Yaoi Novel
Press release from Digital Manga Publishing:
Selfish Demon King (Yaoi Novel)
ISBN: 1569701326
ISBN13: 9781569701324
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Imprint Name: June
Price USD: $10.95
Writer: Kyoko Wakatsuki
Artist: Naduki Koujima
Release Date: December 16, 2009
ISBN: 1569701326
ISBN13: 9781569701324
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Imprint Name: June
Price USD: $10.95
Writer: Kyoko Wakatsuki
Artist: Naduki Koujima
Release Date: December 16, 2009
Size: 4.25 x 6.75”
Format: Softcover
Page Count: 200
Series Volumes: Oneshot
Recommended Age Young Adult 16+
Genre: Yaoi, Fantasy, Romance
Summary
Shizuku is an adorable and spunky high school student, but even he doesn’t know the secret he’s hiding. When Shizuku comes home from school one day, he’s met by a stunningly beautiful man. This paragon of exquisite beauty, Doga, tells Shizuku that the Shizuku’s true nature is that of a sexual mage. Doga is actually the king of the magical realm and that once every hundred years, right at the cusp of mating season, he has to take a sexual mage as his lover… What is Shizuku to do?
Shizuku is an adorable and spunky high school student, but even he doesn’t know the secret he’s hiding. When Shizuku comes home from school one day, he’s met by a stunningly beautiful man. This paragon of exquisite beauty, Doga, tells Shizuku that the Shizuku’s true nature is that of a sexual mage. Doga is actually the king of the magical realm and that once every hundred years, right at the cusp of mating season, he has to take a sexual mage as his lover… What is Shizuku to do?
Other works by creative team:
Our Kingdom – Arabian Nights (DMP: 9781569701287)
Great Place High School (DMP: 9781569707470)
Bullets and Carnage, Now with More Cleverness
I finished reading Dogs, Vol. 2: Bullets & Carnage (Dogs (Viz Media))
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This volume is a big improvement over earlier volumes.
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This volume is a big improvement over earlier volumes.
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