Saturday, March 31, 2012

X-Men and Iron Man Anime Series on DVD in April 2012

IRON MAN ANIME & X-MEN ANIME Explode onto DVD April 24th

Each Set Includes 12 Episodes From Each Series and New Bonus Features!

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Marvel Animation release the IRON MAN ANIME and X-MEN ANIME on DVD April 24th. With 12 episodes and bonus features in each DVD, bring home the action and adventures of Iron Man and the X-Men in the classic anime style. Guided by New York Times best-selling author Warren Ellis (Iron Man: Extremis, Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis) and produced by Madhouse for Marvel Television and Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan (SPEJ). Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the distributor.

The IRON MAN ANIME stars Adrian Pasdar (Heroes, Castle, Profit) as the voice of Tony Stark. The set contains special bonus features:

· Re-Imagining Iron Man explores the plot and themes of the anime series.

· 21st Century Hero: The Technology of Iron Man introduces fans to Tony Stark’s high-tech suits and gadgets.

· Special Cross Talk round table discussion with the creators of the Iron Man and Wolverine anime series.

· Voicing Tony Stark, an interview with Japanese actor, Keiji Fujiwara.

The X-MEN ANIME features the voice of actor Scott Porter as Cyclops (The Good Wife, Friday Night Lights, Caprica). The set includes:

· Re-Examining The X-Men takes viewers behind-the-scenes of creating X-Men’s mutant tales.

· X-Men: A Team of Outsiders provides an in-depth exploration of Marvel’s most heroic and infamous mutants.

· Special Talk Session round table discussion with the creators of Marvel anime's X-Men and Blade.

IRON MAN ANIME: Tony Stark arrives in Japan to help implement hisgoal of world peace by building the Arc Reactor, a carbon-neutral power plant, that once operational will be able to provide limitless (thus free) energy to the world. Set to retire his Iron Man persona, and about to mass-produce a line of Iron Man armor known as “Iron Man Dio,” Stark’s plans are derailed by a series of high tech Mech monsters. Zodiac, a top secret organization funded by theterrorist group A.I.M. is out to disrupt the Arc Station, steal the Dio armor and put an end to Iron Man. The Armored Avenger’s fight is only just beginning.

X-MEN ANIME: The X-MEN are reunited following the death of a teammate and are summoned by Charles Xavier to Japan following the abduction of Hisako Ichiki. There, they confront the U-MEN, a lunatic cult that steals and transplants mutant organs to further strengthen its own army, and the battle for justice is on. Discovering a series of bizarre occurrences in the area they X-Men investigate only to be confronted with a terrible truththat will force them to confront long buried secrets.

Broadcast Year: 2011 (G4)

IRON MAN ANIME and X-MEN ANIME are rated NOT RATED. The DVD sets each have a total run time of approximately 288 minutes. Artwork and digital clips are available for download at www.sphepublicity.com. Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.


ABOUT SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based SonyCorporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; worldwide television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 142 countries.Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.

ABOUT MARVEL
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media overseventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit http://www.marvel.com/.


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Leroy Douresseaux Reviews: A GAME OF THRONES: The Graphic Novel: Volume 1

A GAME OF THRONES: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, VOL. 1
BANTAM BOOKS/RANDOM HOUSE

WRITER: George R.R. Martin
ADAPTATION: Daniel Abraham
ART: Tommy Patterson
COLORS: Ivan Nunes
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
ORIGINAL SERIES COVERS: Alex Ross, Mike S. Miller
ADDITONAL ART: Michael Komark
COVER: Tommy Patterson with design by Charles Brock, Faceout Studio
ISBN: 978-0-440-42321-8; hardcover
238pp, Color, $25.00 U.S., $29.95 CAN

Born in 1948, George Raymond Richard Martin is best known as George R. R. Martin, the bestselling science fiction, fantasy, and horror novelist. Martin was also a writer and story editor on the mid-1980s revival of The Twilight Zone and was a writer on the 1980s CBS television series, Beauty and the Beast.

Martin is currently a hot commodity because of the HBO television series, “Game of Thrones,” which is adapted from his A Song of Ice and Fire series of high fantasy novels. The first novel in that series was published in 1996 and is entitled, A Game of Thrones.

Last year, Dynamite Entertainment began producing A Game of Thrones, an original comic book adaptation of the novel (not the TV series). The adaptation is expected to run over 24 issues of about 29 pages per issue. The writer responsible for adapting George R.R. Martin’s prose into comics form is science fiction and fantasy novelist, Daniel Abraham, who sometimes collaborates with Martin on fiction. The pencil artist for A Game of Thrones is Tommy Patterson, who has drawn comic books for Boom! Studios and Zenescope Entertainment. Alex Ross and Mike S. Miller are among the artists drawing covers for the series.

Bantam Books has collected the first six issues of the comic book as A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel: Volume 1. This initial story arc focuses on the House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon, who resides in King’s Landing. Located in Winterfell, House Stark is headed by Eddard Stark and his wife Catelyn with their sons: Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; two daughters: Sansa and Arya; and Eddard’s bastard son, Jon Snow.

King Robert is coming to Winterfell to bestow an honor upon Eddard, one he cannot refuse. Meanwhile, Robert’s conniving wife, Queen Cersei, Jamie (her slutty brother), Tyrion (her other brother who is a devious dwarf), and Robert and Cersei’s vainglorious son, Prince Joffrey, begin causing chaos in the House Stark – everything from murder and attempted murder to crass manipulation and conspiracy.

Meanwhile, there is another vainglorious royal, Prince Viserys, heir to the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros. Viserys sets in motion a plot to reclaim the throne, and the first move in this plot is to make his sister, Princess Daenerys, a prize to win the army of a swarthy barbarian chief.

Not being familiar with anything related to A Game of Thrones, I didn’t expect much of this graphic novel/hardback collection, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unlike many mainstream comic books, A Game of Thrones is not a colorful, kinetic adventure filled with superheroes, large fight scenes, and a slavish devotion to continuity. Although this is fantasy and has an involved internal mythology, the character drama drives the story, more so than genre trappings and elements.

This comic book is basically a soap opera with a large-scale cast, but is set in the world of medieval fantasy. I have not read the original novel, and I am still impressed that Daniel Abraham is able to make so many characters interesting and intriguing. Normally, my eyes would cross from trying to keep up with all the machinations and the numerous subplots, but Abraham makes it clear and straightforward.

I think that Tommy Patterson is a good artist; he can certainly draw, but his storytelling is inconsistent. He draws some scenes with an awkwardness that is inappropriate for those scenes – such as the fight scene between the children in issue #5. Considering that this fight leads to recrimination and execution, Patterson’s composition of the fight lacks dramatic impact. For the most part, however, compositionally, stylistically, and graphically, his art creates an attractive world for A Game of Thrones. Although I mostly avoid anything with his name on it, I really liked Mike S. Miller’s cover art for issue #4, with its fine art quality drawing on Jon Snow and his direwolf.

For years, I always hoped that some publisher would take the opportunity to adapt a novel to comics, but also have the patience to produce the adaptation over a long-running series. Over the past few years, Marvel and Del Rey have ventured to do so. I consider A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel: Volume 1 to be the reward for my patience.

As a bonus, The Making of A Game of Thrones is a large section at the back of the book that offers a generous selection of art and text explaining the production of A Game of Thrones the comic book series. Readers that like to see comic book pencil art will find themselves quite satisfied.


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

DC COMICS

JAN128146 ACTION COMICS #1 5TH PTG $3.99

JAN120277 ALL STAR WESTERN #7 $3.99

JAN120215 AQUAMAN #7 $2.99

JAN128140 BATMAN #1 4TH PTG $2.99

JAN128165 BATMAN #4 3RD PTG $2.99

JAN120394 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY SAM KIETH (RES) $80.00

JAN128148 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1 3RD PTG $2.99

JAN128159 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #6 2ND PTG $2.99

JAN120242 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #7 $2.99

JAN120275 BLACKHAWKS #7 $2.99

JAN128147 DETECTIVE COMICS #1 6TH PTG $2.99

DEC110321 DMZ TP VOL 11 FREE STATES RISING (MR) $19.99

JAN120219 FLASH #7 $2.99

JAN120223 FURY OF FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MEN #7 $2.99

NOV110226 GONE TO AMERIKAY HC (MR) $24.99

DEC110336 GREEN LANTERN HAL JORDAN VS PARALLAX STATUE (RES) $295.00

JAN120257 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #7 $2.99

JAN120263 I VAMPIRE #7 $2.99

JAN120262 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #7 $2.99

DEC110289 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA DARK THINGS TP $17.99

JAN120295 LEGION SECRET ORIGIN #6 (OF 6) $2.99

JAN120332 NEW DEADWARDIANS #1 (OF 8) (MR) $2.99

JAN120227 SAVAGE HAWKMAN #7 $2.99

JAN120341 SCALPED #57 (MR) $2.99

DEC110306 SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU TP $12.99

JAN120342 SPACEMAN #5 (OF 9) (MR) $2.99

JAN120232 SUPERMAN #7 $2.99

JAN120278 TEEN TITANS #7 $2.99

JAN120324 UNCHARTED #5 (OF 6) $2.99

JAN120346 UNWRITTEN #35.5 (MR) $2.99

JAN120274 VOODOO #7 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

MARVEL COMICS

DEC110729 ANITA BLAKE VH CIRCUS DAMNED SCOUNDREL PREM HC BOOK 03 (MR) $19.99

JAN120764 ANITA BLAKE VH TP BOOK 02 CIRCUS OF DAMNED INGENUE (MR) $16.99

JAN120693 ASTONISHING X-MEN #48 $3.99

JAN120643 AVENGERS #24.1 $2.99

JAN120622 AVENGERS VS X-MEN #0 (OF 12) AVX $3.99

JAN120656 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #5 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

JAN120673 CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY #628 $2.99

JAN120760 CAPTAIN AMERICA DEATH OF RED SKULL TP $29.99

JAN120706 DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE #23 $2.99

JAN120672 DAREDEVIL #10 $2.99

JAN120651 DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER WAY STATION #4 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120713 DEADPOOL MAX 2 #6 (MR) $3.99

JAN120746 DEADPOOL PREM HC VOL 10 EVIL DEADPOOL $19.99

JAN120755 DEADPOOL TP VOL 08 OPERATION ANNIHILATION $15.99

JAN120740 FEAR ITSELF YOUTH IN REVOLT PREM HC $19.99

JAN120670 FF #16 $2.99

JAN120686 GHOST RIDER #9 $2.99

JAN128170 KICK-ASS 2 #7 (OF 7) BLANK COMIC OASIS VAR (MR) $4.99

JAN120752 LEGION OF MONSTERS TP $15.99

JAN120667 MIGHTY THOR #12 $3.99

JAN120727 MMW AVENGERS TP VOL 04 $24.99

JAN120728 MMW AVENGERS TP VOL 04 DM VAR ED 38 $24.99

OCT110703 MMW GOLDEN AGE YOUNG ALLIES HC VOL 02 $64.99

OCT110704 MMW GOLDEN AGE YOUNG ALLIES HC VOL 02 DM VAR ED 177 $64.99

JAN120676 MOON KNIGHT #11 $3.99

JAN120644 NEW AVENGERS #23 $3.99

JAN120761 OFF HANDBOOK OF MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z TP VOL 04 $19.99

DEC110695 POWERS PREM HC VOL 05 ANARCHY (MR) $19.99

JAN120744 SECRET AVENGERS RUN MISSION DONT GET SEEN SAVE WORLD $24.99

JAN120750 SECRET WARRIORS TP VOL 06 WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS $14.99

JAN120733 SHATTERED HEROES HC $19.99

JAN120679 SPIDER-MAN #24 $2.99

JAN120751 THUNDERBOLTS GREAT ESCAPE TP $19.99

JAN120689 TWELVE #11 (OF 12) $2.99

JAN120649 ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #8 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

JAN120701 UNCANNY X-FORCE #23 $3.99

JAN120688 WOLVERINE PUNISHER GHOST RIDER OFF INDEX MU #8 (OF 8) $3.99

JAN120704 X-MEN LEGACY #264 $2.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

JAN120448 COBRA ONGOING #11 $3.99
JAN120438 DOROTHY OF OZ PREQUEL #1 (OF 4) $3.99
DEC100416 GEORGE PEREZ ART OF S&N LTD ED HC $79.99
JAN120453 GI JOE 2 RETALIATION MOVIE PREQUEL #3 $3.99
NOV110333 HAWKEN #3 (OF 6) $3.99
JAN120398 INFESTATION 2 GI JOE #2 (OF 2) $3.99
DEC110422 MAGIC THE GATHERING #3 $3.99
JAN120467 STAR TREK ONGOING #7 $3.99
JAN120421 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #8 $3.99
DEC110436 TORPEDO HC VOL 05 $24.99
JAN120459 TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ONGOING #3 $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

JAN120080 ANGEL & FAITH #8 REBEKAH ISAACS VAR CVR $2.99
JAN120079 ANGEL & FAITH #8 STEVE MORRIS CVR $2.99
JAN120072 BPRD HELL ON EARTH PICKENS COUNTY HORROR #1 (OF 2) CLOONAN $3.50
JAN120130 GAME OF THRONES CHARACTER MAGNET SET $8.99
JAN120090 IMMORTAL DEMON I/T BLOOD #4 $3.50
JAN120103 KING CONAN PHOENIX ON THE SWORD #3 (OF 4) $3.50
NOV110055 KUROSAGI CORPSE DELIVERY SERVICE TP VOL 12 (RES) (MR) $11.99
JAN128224 STAR WARS DAWN O/T JEDI FORCE STORM #1 2ND PTG $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

IMAGE COMICS

JAN120575 ALPHA GIRL #2 (MR) $2.99
JAN120491 BLOODSTRIKE #26 CVR A BADILLA & SEELEY $2.99
JAN120492 BLOODSTRIKE #26 CVR B LIEFELD $2.99
JAN120582 BULLETPROOF COFFIN DISINTERRED #3 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
SEP110454 CARBON GREY ORIGINS #2 (OF 2) CVR A NGUYEN (MR) $3.99
MAY100472 CHOKER #6 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
NOV110373 COVER GIRLS HC (MR) $24.99
JAN120512 DARKNESS ACCURSED TP VOL 07 $19.99
OCT110542 ELEPHANTMEN #38 (MR) $3.99
DEC118207 FATALE #1 VAR CVR 4TH PTG (MR) $3.50
JAN128085 INVINCIBLE #89 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99
NOV110462 MORNING GLORIES #17 (MR) $2.99
JAN120608 WALKING DEAD #95 (MR) $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
FEB120001 PREVIEWS #283 APRIL 2012 PI

COMICS
DEC111178 2000 AD #1769 $5.25

DEC111180 2000 AD #1771 SPECIAL $5.50

JAN121095 ABANDON THE OLD IN TOKYO TP (MR) $16.95

DEC111116 ANIMAL LAND GN VOL 04 $10.99

JAN120829 ARCHIE #631 $2.99

JAN121213 ASTERIX OMNIBUS HC VOL 04 $27.95

JAN121240 ATOMIC ROBO REAL SCIENCE ADV #1 $2.75

JAN120834 B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #223 $3.99

JAN121312 BAMBOO BLADE TP VOL 12 $11.99

AUG110803 BLACK CHARITY HC (MR) $19.95

JAN121314 BUNNY DROP GN VOL 05 $12.99

JAN121339 CHARMED #20 (MR) $3.50

DEC111078 CINEMA PANOPTICUM GN $16.99

JAN120883 CROSSED BADLANDS #2 (MR) $3.99

JAN120884 CROSSED BADLANDS #2 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120885 CROSSED BADLANDS #2 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN121010 DARK SHADOWS TP VOL 01 $16.99

JAN121171 DELTORA QUEST GN VOL 05 $10.99

DEC111007 FLASH GORDON ZEITGEIST #4 $3.99

JAN121158 FUN HOME TP (APR073757) $13.95

JAN120924 FUTURAMA COMICS #60 $2.99

OCT111177 GERONIMO STILTON HC BOX SET VOL 1-3 $29.99

DEC111260 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #14 A CVR GARZA (MR) $2.99

DEC111261 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #14 B CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

JAN120778 GONZO A GRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY OF HUNTER S THOMPSON $17.95

JAN121096 GOOD BYE TP (MR) $16.95

OCT111034 GREEN HORNET #23 $3.99

DEC111258 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #70 A CVR YANG (MR) $2.99

DEC111259 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #70 B CVR GARZA (MR) $2.99

DEC110914 HELLRAISER #12 (MR) $3.99

DEC111044 HOUSE OF ODD GN $10.99

JAN121315 IS THIS A ZOMBIE VOL 01 (MR) $11.99

DEC111262 JURASSIC STRIKE FORCE 5 #3 A CVR CACAU $2.99

DEC111263 JURASSIC STRIKE FORCE 5 #3 B CVR QUALANO $2.99

FEB121075 KNOWBODYS GN (RES) $8.99

DEC118184 LADY MECHANIKA #0 CVR H 4TH PTG (PP #1009) $2.99

DEC110796 LAST ZOMBIE NEVERLAND #2 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120841 LIFE WITH ARCHIE #18 $3.99

JAN121316 MELANCHOLY OF SUZUMIYA HARUHI CHAN GN VOL 05 $11.99

JAN121317 PANDORA HEARTS GN VOL 09 $11.99

JAN121202 PAPERCUTZ SLICES BOX SET VOL 1-3 $19.99

DEC111029 PATRICIA BRIGGS ALPHA & OMEGA CRY WOLF VOL 01 #6 $3.99

JAN121094 PUSH MAN AND OTHER STORIES TP (MR) $16.95

JAN120780 RACHEL RISING TP VOL 01 SHADOW OF DEATH $16.99

JAN120981 ROGER LANGRIDGES SNARKED #6 $3.99

DEC111139 ROHAN AT THE LOUVRE HC $19.99

DEC111157 SHARKNIFE GN VOL 01 STAGE FIRST $11.99

DEC111158 SHARKNIFE GN VOL 02 SHARKNIFE ZZ $11.99

DEC111123 SHUGO CHARA CHAN GN VOL 03 $10.99

NOV110989 SINCEREST FORM OF PARODY SATIRICAL COMICS TP $24.99

JAN121239 SLAINE BOOKS OF INVASIONS TP (S&S ED) VOL 01 $19.99

NOV110716 SPACE MN GN (MR) $14.95

JAN121318 SPICE AND WOLF GN VOL 06 (MR) $12.99

JAN120993 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #73 (MR) $2.95

NOV111117 TEZUKA DORORO COMP TP ED $24.95

JAN121040 VOLTRON #4 $3.99

NOV110894 WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH THORIS #11 (MR) $3.99

JAN121053 WARRIORS OF MARS #2 (MR) $3.99

MAGAZINES
JAN121420 CINEFEX #129 MARCH 2012 $12.50
FEB121277 FANGORIA #312 $9.99
FEB121311 GIRLS AND CORPSES MAGAZINE SPRING 2012 (MR) $8.95
FEB121233 JUXTAPOZ #135 APR 2012 $5.99
JAN121429 LOCUS #614 $6.95
JAN121359 NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 23 #2 $5.99
DEC111335 SF&F MODELLER PRES 21ST CENTURY MODELLER VOL 04 $27.99
NOV111240 SFX SPECIAL #54 $17.99

Monday, March 26, 2012

Review: THE ARTWORK OF CARTER ALLEN, VOL. 2



ALL THESE WORLDS: THE ARTWORK OF CARTER ALLEN, VOL. 2
CANDLE LIGHT PRESS/WARNING COMICS

ARTIST: Carter Allen
24pp, Color, $5

Prolific writer/artist, cartoonist, and graphic novelist, Carter Allen, has produced a sequel to his art book, All These Worlds: The Artwork of Carter Allen. It is entitled Galaxy Girls and Hell Hounds: All These Worlds, The Artwork of Carter Allen, Vol. 2.

Galaxy Girls and Hell Hounds is about “nose art.” Nose art is essentially graffiti on airplanes. Nose art is painted on the fuselage of military aircraft, usually near the nose of the craft. The most familiar nose art is probably the art featured on aircraft during World War II. There was pin-up “girlie” art like that on the Memphis Belle and. There was also pin-up art depicting real-life figures like Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable.

Dub Trub, a graphic novel series, and The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch, a comic book series, are two titles by Carter Allen which share a universe. In this universe, the Voyd, an alien race, invade Earth. Humanity fights back with countless space fighters leading the charge. Galaxy Girls and Hell Hounds showcases the nose art that adorn fighter craft, which includes heavenly pin-ups, as well as cartoons depicting kick-ass soldier boys and other fighting types.

Of course, Galaxy Girls and Hell Hounds: All These Worlds, The Artwork of Carter Allen, Vol. 2 is a faux art book. While reading any of the Dub Trub graphic novels, I never noticed nose art on fighter craft, but since there are fighter craft, I suppose that the Dub Trub’s pilots would follow our real-world tradition of painting images on the nose of their glorious flying machines.

Like the first volume of All These Worlds, the second volume, Galaxy Girls and Hell Hounds, shows off Allen’s brand and style of good girl art. I’m always surprised how he uses computer art to turn photographic models into shiny vinyl goddesses and ice cream fantasies. My favorite piece is the space craft on the first page, which is as slick and as cool and as the sexy pin-ups.

Galaxy Girls and Hell Hounds: All These Worlds, The Artwork of Carter Allen, Vol. 2 is like the first book. Both are nice primers and entry points into the futuristic and funky world of Carter Allen.

This book is available for sale at http://www.candlelightpress.com/shop.htm

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Friday, March 23, 2012

VIZ Media Presents "The Navidad Incident"

VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU IMPRINT RELEASES AWARD WINNING NOVEL THE NAVIDAD INCIDENT: THE DOWNFALL OF MATIAS GUILI

A Modern Classic Of Magical Realism And Political Satire That Reinvents Myths Of 20th Century Japan

VIZ Media’s Haikasoru imprint has announced the release today of author Natsuki Ikezawa’s surrealistic novel, THE NAVIDAD INCIDENT: THE DOWNFALL OF MATIAS GUILI. The book is published by the company’s Haikasoru imprint and carries an MSRP of $24.99 U.S. / $28.99 CAN / £16.99 UK. An eBook edition is also available on the Amazon Kindle, Apple’s iBooks Store, the Barnes & Noble’s Nook Books Store, and the Sony Reader™ Store.

Haikasoru publishes some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences, and is the first imprint based in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.

In this sweeping magical-realist epic set in the fictional south sea island Republic of Navidad, Ikezawa gives his imagination free rein to reinvent the myths of the twentieth century Japan. The story takes off as a delegation of Japanese war veterans pays an official visit to the ex-World War II colony, only to see the Japanese flag burst into flames. The following day, the tour bus and its passengers simply vanish. The locals exchange absurd rumors – the bus was last seen attending Catholic mass, the bus must have skipped across the lagoon – but the president suspects a covert guerrilla organization is trying to undermine his connections with Japan. Can the real answers to the mystery be found, or will the president have to be content with the surreal answers?

“Natsuki Ikezawa crafts an engrossing story that combines charmingly surreal set pieces, traditional fantasy tropes such as ghosts, with a story of international politics,” says Nick Mamatas, Haikasoru Editor. “We invite readers to take the journey to the mysterious nation of Navidad and uncover the truth behind these unexplained occurrences in this newest release from Haikasoru!”

Author Natsuki Ikezawa was born in Hokkaido, Japan in 1945 and was formerly enrolled at Saitama University before leaving to become a poet and author. Presently, he writes fiction and literary criticism and is also an active public speaker. Several of his works including STILL LIVES and A BURDEN OF FLOWERS have been published in English. In 1993, THE NAVIDAD INCIDENT: THE DOWNFALL OF MATIAS GUILI was the winner of the prestigious Tanizaki Jun’ichiro Prize.

To read an excerpt of THE NAVIDAD INCIDENT, please visit: http://www.scribd.com/doc/84566677/The-Navidad-Incident-The-Downfall-of-Matias-Guili

To enter to win a copy of THE NAVIDAD INCIDENT, please visit: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/18397-the-navidad-incident-the-downfall-of-matias-guili

For more information on THE NAVIDAD INCIDENT and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit the dedicated website at http://www.haikasoru.com/.


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

"Listen, Whitey!" and Pat Thomas in the U.K. in April

Pat Thomas Travels Over Land and Sea With

Listen Whitey!: The Sights and Sounds of Black Power

Fantagraphics Books and Light in the Attic Records are excited to announce that author, lecturer, and music-man Pat Thomas is hitting the road with Listen Whitey!: The Sights and Sounds of Black Power. Meet the mofo behind the book that pays tribute to the Black Power Movement of the ’60s-’70s. Heading up the West Coast and then across the pond to England, Thomas will be giving talks, signing books, and playing tracks at both bookstores and record shops.

While researching this book project in Oakland, Thomas discovered rare recordings of speeches, interviews, and music by noted activists Huey Newton, Bobby Seale, Elaine Brown, and others that form the framework of this definitive retrospective. Listen, Whitey! chronicles the forgotten history of Motown Records’ Black Power subsidiary label, Black Forum, which released politically charged albums by Stokely Carmichael, Langston Hughes, Bill Cosby, and Ossie Davis, among others. Obscure records produced by African-American sociopolitical organizations of the period are examined, along with the Isley Brothers, Nina Simone, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Watts Prophets, Roland Kirk, Horace Silver, Angela Davis, H. Rap Brown, Stanley Crouch, and many more. Thomas will give a slide and music presentation, and then sign copies of Listen, Whitey! and the companion CD of the same title from Seattle-based Light in the Attic Records. The album features rare tracks from African-American activists like Dick Gregory, Eldridge Cleaver, and the Last Poets, with protest music by Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Gil Scott-Heron, Roy Harper, and more.

Listen, Whitey! features nearly 200 pages of text accompanied by over 250 large sized, full-color reproductions of album covers and 45 rpm singles — most of which readers will have never seen before. The book creates a cultural context for the iconic images and the accompanying album.

For a preview and more information, visit www.fantagraphics.com/listenwhitey.

LISTEN, WHITEY!: THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF BLACK POWER
By Pat Thomas
$39.99 USA
ISBN 978-1-60699-507-5
Published by Fantagraphics Books

Event listing information:

Monday, April 2, 12-1PM
University of Southern California
Ronald Tutor Campus Center
Geoffrey Cowan Forum, Room 207
Annenberg School across from Heritage Hall.
3607 Trousdale Pkwy
LOS ANGELES, CA 90089
213.821.3015
http://www.annenberg.usc.edu/

Wednesday, April 4, 7pm
Book Soup
8818 Sunset Blvd.
W. HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069
310.659.3110
http://www.booksoup.com/

Thursday, April 5, 7-8PM
AMOEBA Records, LA
6400 Sunset Blvd.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90028
323.245.6400
http://www.amoeba.com/

Saturday, April 7, TBA
Warbler Records & Goods
131 E De La Guerra St
SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101
805.845.5862
http://www.warblerrecords.squarespace.com/

Tuesday, April 10, 7:30PM
The Booksmith
1644 Haight St.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117
415.863.8688
http://www.booksmith.com/

Wednesday, April 11, 7:30 pm
Pegasus Books 2349 Shattuck Ave.
BERKELEY, CA 94704
510.649.1320
http://www.pegasusbookstore.com/

Sunday, April 22, 7:30 PM
Powell’s City of Books
1005 W Burnside
PORTLAND, OR 97209
503.228.4651
http://www.powells.com/

Wednesday, May 9, TBA
University of Southampton
University Road, SOUTHAMPTON SO17 1BJ
+44 (0)23.8059.5000
http://www.southampton.ac.uk/

Thursday, May 10, TBA
SPONSORED AND PRESENTED BY
THE WIRE MAGAZINE
Cafe OTO
18 - 22 Ashwin St.
Dalston, LONDON E8 3DL
http://www.cafeoto.co.uk/

Friday, May 11, TBA
Rough Trade East “Dray Walk”
Old Truman Brewery
91 Brick Lane, LONDON
E1 6QL
+44 (0)207.392.7788
http://www.roughtrade.com/

Tuesday, May 15, TBA
Durham University
Lecture Room of the Music Department
The University Office
Old Elvet, DURHAM
DH1 3HP
+44 (0)191.334.6305
http://www.dunelm.org.uk/


20th Century Boys: The Man Who Came Back

I read Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 19

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has free comics).


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 21 2012

DC COMICS

JAN120236 BATMAN #7 $2.99

JAN120239 BATMAN #7 COMBO PACK $3.99

JAN120290 BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED #2 $3.99

JAN120286 BATMAN ODYSSEY VOL 2 #6 (OF 7) $3.99

JAN120246 BIRDS OF PREY #7 $2.99

JAN120281 BLUE BEETLE #7 $2.99

JAN120222 CAPTAIN ATOM #7 $2.99

JAN120251 CATWOMAN #7 $2.99

JAN120289 DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #26 $2.99

JAN120225 DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #7 $2.99

JAN120321 DIABLO #3 (OF 5) $2.99

JAN120334 DOMINIQUE LAVEAU VOODOO CHILD #1 (MR) $2.99

JAN120329 FABLES #115 (MR) $2.99

DEC110280 FLASHPOINT WORLD OF FLASHPOINT GREEN LANTERN TP $17.99

DEC110281 FLASHPOINT WORLD OF FLASHPOINT THE FLASH TP $17.99

DEC110295 GREEN LANTERN CHRONICLES TP VOL 04 $14.99

JAN120256 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #7 $2.99

JAN120338 HELLBLAZER #289 (MR) $2.99

JAN128108 JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 7TH PTG $3.99

JAN120210 JUSTICE LEAGUE #7 $3.99

JAN120213 JUSTICE LEAGUE #7 COMBO PACK $4.99

DEC110290 JUSTICE LEAGUE RISE AND FALL TP $17.99

JAN120284 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #7 $2.99

JAN120252 NIGHTWING #7 $2.99

JAN120250 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #7 $2.99

DEC110285 RED ROBIN SEVEN DAYS OF DEATH TP $19.99

JAN128114 SUICIDE SQUAD #6 2ND PTG $2.99

JAN120235 SUPERGIRL #7 $2.99

JAN120292 THUNDER AGENTS VOL 2 #5 (OF 6) (NOTE PRICE) $3.99

JAN120316 TINY TITANS #50 $2.99

JAN120217 WONDER WOMAN #7 $2.99

JAN120317 YOUNG JUSTICE #14 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 21 2012

MARVEL COMICS

JAN120658 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #682 ENDS $3.99

OCT110612 ANITA BLAKE CIRCUS DAMNED SCOUNDREL #5 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99

JAN120757 ANNIHILATORS EARTHFALL TP $14.99

JAN120719 ASTONISHING X-MEN WHEDON CASSADAY ULT COLL TP BOOK 02 $29.99

OCT110707 AVENGERS WEST COAST LOST SPACE TIME PREM HC $34.99

OCT110708 AVENGERS WEST COAST LOST SPACE TIME PREM HC DM VAR ED 86 $34.99

JAN120633 AVENGERS X-SANCTION #4 (OF 4) $3.99

JAN120712 DEADPOOL #52 $2.99

SEP110645 ELEKTRA ASSASSIN PREM HC (MR) $24.99

SEP110646 ELEKTRA ASSASSIN PREM HC DM VAR ED 85 (MR) $24.99

JAN120766 ESSENTIAL HULK TP VOL 03 NEW ED $19.99

JAN120741 FEAR ITSELF DRACULA PREM HC $19.99

JAN120685 FEAR ITSELF FEARLESS #11 (OF 12) $2.99

JAN120742 FEAR ITSELF SPIDER-MAN PREM HC $19.99

JAN120653 FORMIC WARS SILENT STRIKE #4 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120711 GENERATION HOPE #17 $2.99

JAN120763 INCREDIBLE HULK PAST PERFECT TP $39.99

OCT110713 INCREDIBLE HULKS WORLD WAR HULKS HC $49.99

JAN120675 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #514 $3.99

JAN120655 JOHN CARTER GODS OF MARS #1 (OF 5) $2.99

DEC110692 KICK-ASS 2 #7 (OF 7) (MR) $4.99

DEC110738 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS UNITED DIGEST TP $9.99

JAN120637 MARVELS AVENGERS PRELUDE FURYS BIG WEEK #2 (OF 4) $2.99

JAN120708 NEW MUTANTS #39 $2.99

JAN128107 SCARLET SPIDER #1 3RD PTG STEGMAN VAR (PP #1011) $3.99

JAN128106 SCARLET SPIDER #2 2ND PTG STEGMAN VAR (PP #1011) $2.99

JAN120714 SUPERCROOKS #1 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99

JAN120681 THUNDERBOLTS #171 $2.99

JAN120747 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN BY NICK SPENCER PREM HC VOL 01 $24.99

JAN120696 UNCANNY X-MEN #9 $3.99

JAN120754 VENOM BY RICK REMENDER TP VOL 01 $16.99

JAN120700 WOLVERINE #303 $3.99

JAN120762 WOLVERINE AND NICK FURY SCORPIO TP $19.99

JAN120745 WOLVERINE GOODBYE CHINATOWN PREM HC $19.99

JAN120709 X-FACTOR #233 $2.99

JAN120756 X-MEN FIRST TO LAST TP $15.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for March 21 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

DEC110435 CARTOON MONARCH OTTO SOGLOW LITTLE KING HC $49.99

JAN120455 CLASSIC GI JOE TP VOL 14 $24.99

JAN120427 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS DRIZZT HC VOL 01 NEVERWINTER $24.99

JAN120476 GHOSTBUSTERS ONGOING #7 $3.99

JAN120403 INFESTATION 2 TMNT #2 (OF 2) $3.99

JAN120430 MEMORIAL #4 (OF 6) $3.99

DEC110427 MICHAEL KALUTA SKETCHBOOK SERIES SC VOL 01 $9.99

DEC110430 MONOCYTE #3 (OF 4) $3.99

JAN120408 ROCKETEER ADVENTURES 2 #1 (OF 4) $3.99

JAN120417 SMOKE AND MIRRORS #1 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120446 SNAKE EYES ONGOING (IDW) #11 $3.99

JAN120472 STAR TREK LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #6 (OF 6) $3.99

JAN120471 STAR TREK ONGOING TP VOL 01 $17.99

DEC118180 STEPHEN KING JOE HILL ROAD RAGE #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG $3.99

JAN120405 STEPHEN KING JOE HILL ROAD RAGE #2 (OF 4) $3.99

DEC110380 TRANSFORMERS CLASSICS UK TP VOL 02 $29.99

DEC118181 TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE ONGOING #2 2ND PTG $3.99

DEC118182 TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ONGOING #2 2ND PTG $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 21 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV110051 AXE COP TP VOL 03 $14.99

JAN120074 BPRD HELL ON EARTH LONG DEATH #2 FEGREDO CVR $3.50

DEC110057 BPRD PLAGUE OF FROGS HC VOL 03 $34.99

JAN120089 DARK HORSE PRESENTS #10 STAPLES VAR CVR $7.99

JAN120088 DARK HORSE PRESENTS #10 YEATES CVR $7.99

DEC110061 EERIE PRESENTS HUNTER HC $19.99

DEC110059 GOON #38 $3.50

NOV118143 GOON TP VOL 06 CHINATOWN & MYSTERY MR WICKER (NEW PTG) $15.99

JAN120085 RAGEMOOR #1 $3.50

JAN128223 STAR WARS DAWN O/T JEDI FORCE STORM #0 2ND PTG $3.50

JAN120097 STAR WARS DAWN O/T JEDI FORCE STORM #2 $3.50

DEC110071 STAR WARS OLD REPUBLIC TP VOL 03 LOST SUNS $18.99

DEC110072 STAR WARS OMNIBUS OTHER SONS OF TATOOINE TP $24.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 21 2012

IMAGE COMICS

JAN120494 DARKNESS #101 CVR A HAUN (MR) $2.99

JAN120495 DARKNESS #101 CVR B SILVESTRI (MR) $2.99

JAN128122 FATALE #2 VAR CVR 3RD PTG (MR) $3.50

JAN120586 HACK SLASH #14 CVR A SEELEY & PASSALAQUA (MR) $3.50

JAN120587 HACK SLASH #14 CVR B WHITE (MR) $3.50

DEC110556 HEART #4 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99

JAN120502 HOAX HUNTERS #0 $2.99

FEB110461 INFINITE VACATION #4 (OF 5) $3.50

JAN120518 LAST OF THE GREATS TP VOL 01 (MR) $12.99

JAN120597 NEAR DEATH #6 $2.99

JAN128166 NO PLACE LIKE HOME #1 VAR CVR 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99

JAN120598 NO PLACE LIKE HOME #2 (MR) $2.99

JAN128112 PETER PANZERFAUST #1 VAR CVR 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50

JAN128086 PROPHET #22 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99

JAN120601 PROPHET #23 $2.99

JAN120503 REBEL BLOOD #1 (OF 4) (MR) $3.50

JAN120602 REED GUNTHER #9 $2.99

JAN120605 STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #6 (OF 6) (MR) $2.99

DEC110574 SUPER DINOSAUR #9 $2.99

DEC110576 WITCHBLADE #154 CVR A CHRISTOPHER $2.99

DEC110577 WITCHBLADE #154 CVR B BERNARD & BENES $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for March 21 2012

COMICS

DEC111177 2000 AD #1768 $5.25

DEC111193 AMAZING AGENT LUNA OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 $14.99

JAN120830 ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #14 $3.99

JAN121068 ARMY OF DARKNESS ONGOING #2 $3.99

JAN120923 BART SIMPSON COMICS #69 $2.99

JAN121313 BRIDES STORY HC GN BOOK 03 $16.99

JAN121077 CHARLAINE HARRIS GRAVE SIGHT GN VOL 03 (OF 3) $7.99

DEC110833 COMEBACK KINGS #1 2ND PTG DIRECTORS CUT (RES) $2.99

OCT110783 DARK AXIS RISE O/T OVERMEN #3 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99

NOV110703 DARK AXIS RISE O/T OVERMEN #4 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99

OCT110934 DARKWING DUCK #14 GET A SKETCH SDCC VAR CVR $9.99

DEC110843 DEAD MANS RUN #2 CVR A PARKER $3.50

DEC110844 DEAD MANS RUN #2 CVR B BRADSTREET $3.50

JAN120907 DINOPOPOLOUS HC $7.99

DEC111197 DPD DOKTORMENTOR JAIL BABE SURGEON #5 (MR) $9.95

OCT111103 EIGHTBALL LIKE A VELVET GLOVE CAST IN IRON TP NEW PTG (O/A) $19.95

DEC110850 FATHOM VOL 4 #5 CVR A KONAT $3.50

DEC110851 FATHOM VOL 4 #5 CVR B OUM $3.50

FEB120802 FERALS #1 AUXILIARY ED (MR) $3.99

DEC111256 GFT ALICE IN WONDERLAND #3 A CVR SEJIC (MR) $2.99

DEC111257 GFT ALICE IN WONDERLAND #3 B CVR CHEN (MR) $2.99

JAN121320 GFT JUNGLE BOOK #1 A CVR CROUCHED GIRL (MR) $2.99

JAN121321 GFT JUNGLE BOOK #1 B CVR SPEAR GIRL (MR) $2.99

JAN121322 GFT JUNGLE BOOK #1 C CVR WILDCATS (MR) $2.99

JAN121323 GFT JUNGLE BOOK #1 D CVR MONKEY MAN (MR) $2.99

JAN121324 GFT JUNGLE BOOK #1 E CVR GARZA GATEFOLD (MR) $9.99

NOV111161 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #69 A CVR YANG (MR) $2.99

NOV111162 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #69 B CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

DEC111194 GUNSLINGER GIRL OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 $16.99

JAN120942 HELLRAISER MASTERPIECES #10 (MR) $3.99

DEC111247 HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES TP VOL 06 $12.99

NOV110692 HOW TO DRAW SCIFI POCKET MANGA TP $14.95

JAN121157 ICHIRO GN $19.99

DEC110885 JOHN SAULS GOD PROJECT #1 (MR) $3.99

JAN120836 JUGHEAD #212 $2.99

JAN120837 JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #179 $3.99

JAN121341 JUMP START WINDY HOLLOWS GN (RES) $5.99

DEC110999 KIRBY GENESIS SILVER STAR #4 $3.99

JAN120840 KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA ARCHIVES TP VOL 02 $9.99

FEB120886 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #10 AUSTIN CON CVR (MR) $9.99

FEB120884 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #12 AUXILIARY CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB120885 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #9 DREAM TRIO CVR (MR) $9.99

OCT111101 NANCY IS HAPPY GN COMPLETE DAILIES 1943-1945 (RES) $24.99

DEC111120 NINJA GIRLS GN VOL 09 (MR) $10.99

JAN120978 PEANUTS #3 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT111154 PHOENIX WRIGHT GN VOL 04 $10.99

JAN120952 PLANET OF THE APES #12 $3.99

JAN121078 ROBOCOP ROAD TRIP #4 (MR) $3.99

DEC111121 SAILOR MOON TP KODANSHA ED VOL 04 $10.99

JAN121176 SAMMY THE MOUSE TP VOL 01 (MR) $14.00

JAN121217 SIXTH GUN #20 $3.99

DEC110826 SONIC GENESIS HC $24.99

JAN120844 SONIC UNIVERSE #38 $2.99

JAN120848 STAN LEES MIGHTY 7 #1 $2.99

JAN120849 STAN LEES MIGHTY 7 #1 SAVIUK VAR CVR $2.99

JAN120958 STEED AND MRS PEEL #3 (OF 6) $3.99

FEB120797 STITCHED #3 AUXILIARY ED (MR) $3.99

JAN121149 TAKE WHAT YOU CAN CARRY GN $12.99

NOV111094 UNDERTOW GN $19.99

NOV110916 VAMPIRELLA #15 $3.99

JAN121340 WORLDS MOST DANGEROUS ANIMALS GN (RES) $9.99

DEC111195 YOUNG MISS HOLMES COLL TP VOL 01 CASE 1-2 $16.99

JAN121075 ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #9 (OF 12) $3.99

MAGAZINES
NOV110868 BLUESPEAR ONE SHOT (RES) $11.99
OCT111319 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #1 BATMAN WHITE KING $16.00
JAN121393 DIABOLIQUE #9 $9.98
DEC111317 DR WHO MAGAZINE #444 $8.99
NOV111220 FREAKY MONSTERS MAGAZINE #8 $9.95
NOV111230 HOBBY JAPAN FEB 2012 $16.60
DEC111182 JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #320 $12.25
JAN121402 SCARY MONSTERS 2012 YEARBOOK MONSTER MEMORIES #20 $8.95
JAN121435 STAR WARS INSIDER #132 SPECIAL NEWSSTAND ED $6.99
JAN121436 STAR WARS INSIDER #132 SPECIAL PX ED $6.99

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Lynda Barry Books Spotlighted at Fantagraphics Bookstores

Susan E. Kirtley discusses Lynda Barry: Girlhood Through the Looking Glass with Cathy Hillenbrand at Fantagraphics Bookstore on Saturday, March 24

The idiosyncratic work of cartoonist Lynda Barry, a Seattle native, is the subject of a new book by Portland author Susan E. Kirtley. Lynda Barry: Girlhood Through the Looking Glass is the first comprehensive critique of this influential American artist. Kirtley will discuss her book with Real Comet Press publisher Cathy Hillenbrand, who published Barry’s first four books, on Saturday, March 24, at 6:00 PM at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. An informal reception and book signing will follow the discussion. This event coincides with the inaugural Georgetown Music March, featuring free performing arts presentations throughout the historic arts community.

Kirtley’s book examines the influence of Lynda Barry’s youthful experiences on her creative output via personal interviews and rigorous analysis of published work. Kirtley’s thought-provoking conclusions invite readers to reassess Barry’s body of work though the lens of an often-tormented adolescent girl. Kirtley is associate professor of English at Portland State University. Her book is part of the University Press of Mississippi’s Great Comics Artists Series, which includes works on cartoonists such as Chris Ware, Alan Moore, Carl Barks, Jack Kirby, Garry Trudeau, and Walt Kelly.

Real Comet Press is the subject of the current retrospective exhibition at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. Taking it’s name from the publisher’s slogan “From Comix to Critique,” it features original art, graphics, and book works by Lynda Barry, Michael Dougan, Art Chantry, and Ruth Hayes. An informal reception and book signing will follow the discussion.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) Phone 206.658.0110.

Listing Information:
Susan E Kirtley discusses Lynda Barry: Girlhood Through the Looking Glass
Saturday, March 24, 6:00 PM

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street
Seattle, WA Phone: 206.658.0110


Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Great Michael Golden at Anaheim WonderCon

Wonders at WonderCon-- Golden "Special Guest"; Calero Added to line-up!

Anaheim, CA-- WonderCon, one of the country's best comics and pop culture conventions, moves to Anaheim, CA and the beautiful Anaheim Convention Center for 2012 with Special Guest-- Michael Golden in attendance for the first time. Also from Eva Ink Artist Group, we are please to announce that artist Dennis Calero and writer Renee Witterstaetter will also be attending this West Coast mainstay event.

Taking place the weekend of March 16-18 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), WonderCon is coming off its best year ever, with over 49,000 attendees in its 25th annual event.

This year proves to be equally exciting. Here's a little about one of this year's invited guests, Michael Golden:

MICHAEL GOLDEN
Dr. Strange, The 'Nam, Micronauts, Bucky O'Hare

Artist/writer/creator Michael Golden, co-creator of the X-Men's Rogue character, Spartan X, and Bucky O'Hare, is known for his groundbreaking work on The 'Nam, Micronauts, G.I. Joe, Dr. Strange, and numerous other characters and titles. He is counted as one of the best cover designers and storytellers in the business. Currently, Golden's work can be seen as the regular cover artist for Spawn, while future work includes a few secret projects for IDW and DC and the Spartan X trade paperback.

Michael will be located at table AA 060, along with writer, Renee Witterstaetter

DENNIS CALERO
X-Men Noir, Legion of Superheroes, Cowboys and Aliens

Dennis Calero is the award winning and internationally recognized artist of X-Men: Noir and Legion of Superheroes. His work includes 28 Days Later: The Aftermath, Cowboys and Aliens, Dark Tower, Fallen Angel, Hawkgirl, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes, Magic The Gathering, Countdown to Final Crisis, Wolverine: First Class and JSA Classified. During his tenure on X-Factor the title was nominated for the Harvey Award for Best New Series (2006). Calero also co-founded Atomic Paintbrush, one of the first computer-coloring companies working in the comic-book field.

Dennis will be located at table AA 020

WonderCon will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center this year, which is within easy walking distance of Disneyland's free Downtown Disney district, featuring shopping and fine dining.

WonderCon itself offers attendees, professionals, and exhibitors the complete convention experience. In addition to the Exhibit Hall featuring comics and items from the many worlds of the popular arts, fans can expect exclusive programming from the top comics publishers in the country, movie and television panels, anime, autographs, games, the Masquerade, and portfolio review, providing one of the best conventions out there. With the change of venue to Anaheim in 2012, WonderCon is more than ever a "must-attend" event on the convention calendar, especially with the addition of the beautiful Anaheim Convention Center and surrounding area as a bonus to both long-time and new attendees. Make it a long late-winter weekend in Anaheim and visit WonderCon, then take in Disneyland right next door after the convention!

But for that first bit of "wonder," stop and visit Golden and Calero at the show!

For information on getting on the sketch list for this show contact Eva Ink Artist Group at: evaink@aol.com, or go to: http://www.evainkartistgroup.com/

For more information on WonderCon go to: http://www.comic-con.org/wc/

To follow all Eva Ink news, follow our blog at: http://witterstaetterwrites.blogspot.com/2012/03/wonders-at-wondercon-golden-special.html

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 14 2012

DC COMICS

DEC110335 AME COMI WONDER WOMAN REPAINT PVC FIGURE $70.00

JAN120249 BATGIRL #7 $2.99

JAN120245 BATMAN AND ROBIN #7 $2.99

NOV110192 BATMAN YEAR ONE DELUXE EDITION HC $24.99

JAN120247 BATWOMAN #7 $2.99

JAN120318 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #67 $2.99

OCT110248 DC UNIVERSE BY ALAN MOORE HC $39.99

DEC110286 DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS TP VOL 02 $19.99

JAN120272 DEATHSTROKE #7 $2.99

JAN120268 DEMON KNIGHTS #7 $2.99

DEC110277 FLASHPOINT WORLD OF FLASHPOINT BATMAN TP $17.99

DEC110278 FLASHPOINT WORLD OF FLASHPOINT SUPERMAN TP $17.99

DEC110279 FLASHPOINT WORLD OF FLASHPOINT WONDER WOMAN TP $17.99

JAN120264 FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #7 $2.99

JAN120253 GREEN LANTERN #7 $2.99

JAN120271 GRIFTER #7 $2.99

NOV110200 HAWK AND DOVE GHOSTS AND DEMONS TP NEW ED $14.99

JAN120283 LEGION LOST #7 $2.99

JAN120226 MISTER TERRIFIC #7 $2.99

JAN120296 MY GREATEST ADVENTURE #6 (OF 6) $3.99

JAN120340 NORTHLANDERS #49 (RES) (MR) $2.99

DEC110323 NORTHLANDERS TP VOL 06 THORS DAUGHTER (MR) $14.99

JAN120293 RAY #4 (OF 4) $2.99

JAN120267 RESURRECTION MAN #7 $2.99

JAN120325 SAUCER COUNTRY #1 (MR) $2.99

JAN120297 SHADE #6 (OF 12) $2.99

NOV110201 SHOWCASE PRESENTS YOUNG LOVE TP VOL 01 $19.99

DEC110341 STARCRAFT PREMIUM SER 2 KERRIGAN AF (RES) PI

DEC110340 STARCRAFT PREMIUM SER 2 TYCHUS AF (RES) PI

JAN120273 SUICIDE SQUAD #7 $2.99

JAN120234 SUPERBOY #7 $2.99

JAN120345 UNWRITTEN #35 (MR) (NOTE PRICE) $4.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 14 2012

MARVEL COMICS

JAN120642 AVENGERS #24 $3.99

JAN120638 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #1 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

JAN120718 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE HISTORY OF EARTHS HEROES GN TP $14.99

OCT110710 AVENGERS BY BENDIS HEROIC AGE HC JRJR DM VAR ED $39.99

OCT110709 AVENGERS BY BENDIS HEROIC AGE HC MOVIE CVR $39.99

NOV110652 AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE HC $34.99

JAN120717 AVENGERS ROAD TO MARVEL AVENGERS TP $24.99

JAN120771 AVENGERS VS X-MEN BY JIM CHEUNG A POSTER $8.99

JAN120770 AVENGERS VS X-MEN BY KUBERT POSTER $8.99

JAN120680 BATTLE SCARS #5 (OF 6) $2.99

JAN120664 CAPTAIN AMERICA #9 $3.99

JAN120768 CARNAGE BY CRAIN POSTER $8.99

JAN120661 CARNAGE USA #4 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120705 DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE #22 $2.99

JAN120769 DAREDEVIL BY RIVERA POSTER $8.99

DEC118228 DEADPOOL #50 2ND PTG JOHNSON VAR (PP #1010) $3.99

JAN120749 ELEKTRA BY GREG RUCKA ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP $34.99

JAN120765 ESSENTIAL HULK TP VOL 02 NEW ED $19.99

JAN120767 ESSENTIAL X-MEN TP VOL 10 $19.99

JAN120671 FANTASTIC FOUR #604 $3.99

JAN120669 INCREDIBLE HULK #6 $3.99

JAN120665 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #635 $2.99

JAN120743 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY FEAR ITSELF FALLOUT PREM HC $19.99

JAN120759 MARVEL FIRSTS 1970S TP VOL 02 $29.99

OCT110701 MMW MIGHTY THOR HC VOL 11 $59.99

OCT110702 MMW MIGHTY THOR HC VOL 11 DM VAR ED 176 $59.99

JAN120654 NORTHANGER ABBEY #5 (OF 5) $3.99

FEB110640 POWERS #9 (MR) $3.95

JAN120674 PUNISHER #9 $2.99

JAN120662 SCARLET SPIDER #3 $2.99

JAN120758 SPIDER-MAN AND NEW WARRIORS HERO KILLERS TP $24.99

JAN120678 SUPER HEROES #24 $2.99

JAN120724 ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS VS NEW ULTIMATES DOSM TP $19.99

JAN120650 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #9 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

JAN120748 UNCANNY X-MEN BY KIERON GILLEN PREM HC VOL 01 $19.99

JAN120698 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #7 $3.99

JAN120707 X-23 #21 $2.99

JAN120703 X-MEN LEGACY #263 $2.99

JAN120729 X-MEN SEASON ONE PREM HC WITH DIG CDE $24.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for March 14 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

DEC110438 ARCHIE AMERICANA HC VOL 03 BEST OF THE 60S (IDW) $24.99

JAN120483 ART OF MOLLY CRABAPPLE SC VOL 01 WEEK IN HELL $9.99

JAN120416 CLASSIC NEXT MEN TP VOL 03 $29.99

JAN120463 DOCTOR WHO ONGOING VOL 2 #15 $3.99

DEC100415 GEORGE PEREZ ART OF HC $49.99

JAN120423 GODZILLA LEGENDS #5 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120395 INFESTATION 2 GI JOE #1 (OF 2) $3.99

NOV111845 LOCKE & KEY CARD GAME $30.00

NOV110301 LOCKE & KEY CLOCKWORKS #5 (OF 6) $3.99

NOV110352 MARK TWAIN TALES OF MYSTERY HC $16.99

JAN120484 MICHAEL RECYCLE AND THE TREE TOP COPS HC $15.99

JAN120452 SNAKE EYES ONGOING TP VOL 02 $17.99

JAN120470 STAR TREK 100 PAGE SPECTACULAR 2012 $7.99

JAN120457 TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE ONGOING #3 $3.99

JAN120462 TRANSFORMERS TP VOL 07 CHAOS $19.99

NOV110296 WOMANTHOLOGY HEROIC HC $50.00

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 14 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV110054 ART OF TARA MCPHERSON HC VOL 03 BUNNY I/T MOON $23.99

JAN120082 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #7 JEANTY VAR CVR $2.99

JAN120081 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #7 NOTO CVR $2.99

JAN120100 CONAN THE BARBARIAN #2 CARNEVALE CVR $3.50

NOV110052 CRIME DOES NOT PAY ARCHIVES HC VOL 01 $49.99

JAN120093 DARK MATTER #3 (OF 4) $3.50

JAN120134 GAME OF THRONES COASTER SET HOUSE SIGIL $9.99

JAN120132 GAME OF THRONES COFFEE MUG STARK $12.99

JAN120133 GAME OF THRONES COFFEE MUG TARGARYEN $12.99

JAN120137 GAME OF THRONES EMBROIDERED PATCH BARATHEON $4.99

JAN120138 GAME OF THRONES EMBROIDERED PATCH LANNISTER $4.99

JAN120135 GAME OF THRONES EMBROIDERED PATCH STARK $4.99

JAN120136 GAME OF THRONES EMBROIDERED PATCH TARGARYEN $4.99

JAN120131 GAME OF THRONES HAND O/T KING METAL PIN $12.99

JAN120129 GAME OF THRONES HOUSE SIGIL MAGNET SET $8.99

JAN120125 GAME OF THRONES JOURNAL DAENERYS $9.99

JAN120126 GAME OF THRONES JOURNAL THRONE $9.99

JAN120127 GAME OF THRONES MAGNETIC BOOK MARK SET $6.99

JAN120128 GAME OF THRONES PLAYING CARDS $4.99

JAN120076 LOBSTER JOHNSON THE BURNING HAND #3 (OF 5) $3.50

NOV110026 MONSTERMEN AND OTHER SCARY STORIES HC $24.99

JAN120104 ORCHID #5 $3.50

JAN120083 PC CAST HOUSE OF NIGHT #5 (OF 5) $2.99

NOV110045 ROBERT E HOWARDS SAVAGE SWORD #4 $7.99

JAN120095 STAR WARS AGENT O/T EMPIRE IRON ECLIPSE #4 (OF 5) $3.50

JAN120098 STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC WAR #3 (OF 5) $3.50

JAN120084 STRAIN #4 (OF 12) (MR) $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 14 2012

IMAGE COMICS

JAN120574 ACTIVITY #4 $3.50

OCT110534 ARTIFACTS #15 $3.99

JAN120581 BLUE ESTATE #10 (MR) $2.99

NOV110387 DARKNESS ACCURSED TP VOL 06 (MR) $19.99

DEC118223 GLORY #23 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99

JAN120585 GLORY #24 $2.99

AUG110441 LAST MORTAL HC (MR) $19.99

OCT110559 MARKSMEN #6 (OF 6) $2.99

JAN120526 MORIARTY TP VOL 02 LAZARUS TREE $14.99

DEC110564 NANCY IN HELL ON EARTH #2 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99

JAN120599 PETER PANZERFAUST #2 (MR) $3.50

DEC110483 QUEEN CRAB HC (MR) $12.99

JAN120485 SAGA #1 (MR) $2.99

DEC110522 SPAWN 20TH ANNIVERSARY POSTER #1 (OF 4) $9.99

NOV110415 SPAWN NEW BEGINNINGS TP VOL 02 $14.99

JAN120536 SPAWN ORIGINS TP VOL 14 $14.99

DEC118235 THIEF OF THIEVES #1 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99

JAN120607 THIEF OF THIEVES #2 $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for March 14 2012

COMICS

JAN128240 ADVENTURE TIME #2 $3.99

JAN128109 ADVENTURE TIME #1 (3RD PTG) (PP #1011) $3.99

DEC111037 AMBIGUOUS RELATIONSHIP GN (MR) $12.95

NOV110711 AMOUR GN VOL 01 (MR) $14.95

NOV110712 AMOUR GN VOL 02 (MR) $14.95

DEC110815 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #227 $3.99

DEC110816 ARCHIE THE MARRIED LIFE TP VOL 02 $19.99

DEC111036 BEAST & FEAST GN (MR) $12.95

DEC111128 BLACK BAT GN (O/A) $8.99

DEC111038 BLUE SHEEP REVERIE GN VOL 05 (MR) $12.95

DEC111126 BUCKAROO BANZAI #1 (RES) $3.99

DEC111264 CHARMED #19 (MR) $3.50

DEC110832 COMEBACK KINGS #2 (RES) $2.99

SEP110834 COMICS THREE STOOGES (ONE SHOT) $3.99

DEC111081 COMPLETE CRUMB TP VOL 01 EARLY YEARS OF BITTER STRUGGLE $24.99

DEC111082 COMPLETE PEANUTS HC VOL 17 1983-1984 $28.99

JAN121272 CORTO MALTESE TP VOL 01 BALLAD OF THE SALT SEA $25.00

JAN120877 CROSSED BADLANDS #1 (MR) $3.99

JAN120878 CROSSED BADLANDS #1 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120879 CROSSED BADLANDS #1 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120871 CROSSED HC SGN ED VOL 03 PSYCHOPATH (MR) $34.99

JAN120870 CROSSED HC VOL 03 PSYCHOPATH (MR) $27.99

JAN120869 CROSSED TP VOL 03 PSYCHOPATH (MR) $19.99

NOV110923 DARK SHADOWS #4 $3.99

DEC111035 DEPRESSION O/T ANTI ROMANTICIST GN (MR) $12.95

DEC111054 DF NINJETTES #1 EXC RED CVR $5.00

OCT111079 DF WARLORD OF MARS #15 EXC RISQUE JUSKO CVR PLUS $19.99

OCT111081 DF WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH #10 EXC RISQUE CVR $14.99

OCT111082 DF WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH #10 EXC RISQUE CVR PLUS $19.99

DEC111064 DF ZOMBIE INVASION HAESER SET $69.99

JAN120937 ELRIC THE BALANCE LOST #9 $3.99

JAN120955 EXILE ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 (OF 4) $3.99

DEC111117 FAIRY TAIL GN VOL 18 $10.99

JAN120861 FATHOM KIANI VOL 2 #0 CVR A NOME $2.50

JAN120862 FATHOM KIANI VOL 2 #0 CVR B TAKEDA $2.50

DEC110788 GEARHEARTS STEAMPUNK GLAMOR REVUE #2 $3.99

DEC111266 GFT DREAM EATER SAGA TP VOL 02 (MR) $15.99

DEC111268 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS TP VOL 02 (MR) $15.99

OCT111290 GFT PRESENTS NEVERLAND HOOK #4 A CVR GARZA $2.99

OCT111291 GFT PRESENTS NEVERLAND HOOK #4 B CVR MYCHAELS $2.99

NOV110690 GOLD DIGGER #136 $3.99

NOV110677 GOLDEN AGE GREATS SPOTLIGHT VOL 08 GOOD GIRL ART (MR) $29.95

OCT111283 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #68 A CVR YANG (MR) $2.99

OCT111284 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #68 B CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

SEP111301 GRIMM FAIRY TALES SINBAD TP $15.99

NOV110713 GRUNTS TP $14.95

DEC110799 HYPER ACTIVES GN (RES) $14.95

OCT111217 INTREPID ESCAPEGOAT TP $12.95

DEC111113 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #184 $5.99

DEC110823 MEGA MAN #11 $2.99

NOV110779 MISADVENTURES OF ADAM WEST ONGOING #2 $3.99

OCT111152 MONSTER HUNTER ORAGE TP VOL 04 (MR) $10.99

NOV110717 MOUSE GUARD BLACK AXE #4 (OF 6) $3.50

NOV110714 NIEVES GN (MR) $14.95

JAN121032 NINJETTES #2 (MR) $3.99

NOV110951 NOWHERE MAN #2 (OF 4) $3.99

NOV110791 ORBIT CAST OF DOCTOR WHO BK MKT ED $7.99

NOV110790 ORBIT CAST OF DOCTOR WHO DIRECT MARKET ED $3.99

NOV110792 ORBIT JACK KIRBY $3.99

DEC110899 POLITICAL POWER RON PAUL $3.99

JAN120823 PRIMORDIA HC W/ DUST JACKET (RES) (MR) $19.95

NOV110781 QUATERMAIN #2 $3.99

DEC110889 QUATERMAIN #3 $3.99

NOV110715 REDFOOT GN $8.95

JUL110800 RICHIE RICH DIGEST GN VOL 01 BOON UNDER THE BAY $6.99

DEC110802 ROMEROS REQUIEM GN (MR) $9.95

DEC110803 SCIONIC GN (RES) $14.95

JAN121215 SECRET HISTORY OF DB COOPER #1 $3.99

NOV110782 SHERLOCK HOLMES VICTORIAN KNIGHTS #2 $3.99

DEC110804 SIDESHOWS GN $9.95

JAN120925 SIMPSONS COMICS #188 $2.99

JAN121203 SMURFS GN VOL 11 SMURF OLYMPICS $5.99

JAN121204 SMURFS HC VOL 11 SMURF OLYMPICS $10.99

OCT111219 STUFF OF LEGEND TP VOL 03 $15.95

SEP110739 SUBCULTURE WEBSTRIPS GN RETURN OF THE KINGS THRONE (MR) $9.95

JAN121309 TWIN SPICA GN VOL 12 $13.95

DEC111045 UGLIES SHAYS STORY GN $10.99

JAN121319 ULTIMATE 7 TP VOL 01 $14.95

NOV110849 WAR GODDESS #6 (MR) $3.99

NOV110851 WAR GODDESS #6 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV110850 WAR GODDESS #6 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV110891 WARLORD OF MARS #16 (MR) $3.99

JAN121218 WASTELAND #35 (MR) $3.99

NOV110786 WILLIAM SHATNER MAN O WAR ONGOING #1 (MR) $3.99

MAGAZINES
DEC111297 COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1688 APR 2012 $5.99
JAN121376 DRAW #22 $7.95
JAN121398 HORRORHOUND #34 $6.99
DEC111333 RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #120 $9.95
JAN121250 SUNDAY FUNNIES COLLECTED VOL 01 $30.00

Monday, March 12, 2012

Book Review: MM9

MM9
VIZ MEDIA/Haikasoru

AUTHOR: Hiroshi Yamamoto
TRANSLATION: Nathan Collins
COVER: Izumi Evers
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4089-4; paperback, Rated “T” for “Teen”
256pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Hiroshi Yamamoto began his career as a video game writer, designer, and developer. As a fiction writer, he created the Ghost Hunter series and gained acclaim for his science fiction novel, God Never Sleeps. 2010 saw the publication of his novel, The Stories of Ibis, in English. In January 2012, Haikasoru, an imprint of VIZ Media, published a second Yamamoto novel in English.

Originally released in Japan in 2007, MM9 is a science fiction novel composed of five interconnected short stories. MM9 follows the challenging labor of a Japanese unit that fights giant monsters called “kaiju.” The kaiju are monsters/creatures of the Godzilla, 50-Foot Woman, and giant plant variety.

MMD is an acronym for Monsterological Measures Department, a special unit under the Meteorological Agency. The MMD is a special anti-monster unit in Japan that deals with “natural disasters of a high ‘monster magnitude.’” “Monster magnitude” is a measure and designation related to the size of a monster and how much damage it can cause with MM9 being the most powerful and most dangerous kaiju.

The stories follow the members of the MMD as they fight various kaiju. There is Ryo Haida, a top member of the MMD’s Mobile Unit, and Sakura Fujisawa, a soft-hearted young woman and a specialist of Mobile Unit, Vehicles and Transportation, and she’s actually a whiz at driving to avoid monsters. Yojiro Muromachi, Mobile Unit, Director, keeps these two in line and on the job. Yuri Anno is the resident astrophysicist, but she sometimes feels out of place. Department Chief Shoichi Kurihama sweats the details and the small stuff, but when he really needs to be in control, he’s the ultimate take-charge guy who can manage a crisis as well as anyone.

In the opening story, “Crisis! Kaiju Alert!,” a sea-based kaiju threatens Japan, but nothing about the way this kaiju moves or its composition makes sense. The MMD will have to solve this mystery in time to save the coast of Japan. In “Danger! Girl at Large!,” meet Princess, the girl who is taller than a five-story building… and growing. Is she really a kaiju or a science experiment? Sakura will put her life on the line to get all the answers. In “Menace! Attack of the Flying Kaiju,” Ryo Haida and his date, Eiko Hamaguchi, find their night-out interrupted by a radioactive, flying kaiju with Tokyo on its mind.

A TV camera crew follows the MMD in “Scoop! Twenty-Four Hours with the MMD!.” All is quite, but a plant menace may turn a documentary special into a disaster movie. In “Arrival! The Colossal Kaiju of the Apocalypse!,” meet the kaiju with an ages-old mystery of history behind it. And it may also be the end of the world as we know it.

In the eight years that I have written reviews for the Comic Book Bin, publishers have sent me copies of their manga titles for review. Sometimes, they also send copies of the light novels they publish.

I was surprised to find that the MM9 novel is not like other light novels, if it can be labeled a light novel, at all. Middle and high school students that already read novels can comprehend this, but while MM9’s subject matter is light (giant monsters), Yamamoto executes it in an inventive manner, which shows that he clearly intends on engaging adult readers.

Hiroshi Yamamoto’s novel shares elements and ideas similar to the Men in Black film franchise and Warren Ellis and John Cassaday’s Planetary. MM9 is a high concept like the former and a deeper excursion into subgenres like the latter. This is not just a novel about giant monsters and the characters that fight them. This is also science fantasy; in the sense that Yamamoto takes fantasy, mythology, and real-life faith and belief systems and builds a scientific structure in which the natural and supernatural are not opposites, but are related. They are part of the human condition and part of our history.

MM9 is smarter than you think, because you might think an author would not put so much thought into a novel about a special agency that fights giant monsters. On a scale of 1 to 10, MM9 won’t even settle for 9.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Thursday, March 8, 2012

Second "Bleach" Character Book, "Bleach Masked" Now Available

VIZ MEDIA INVITES FANS TO EXPLORE THE SUPERNATURAL WORLD OF THE HIT MANGA SERIES BLEACH IN NEW BLEACH MASKED: OFFICIAL CHARACTER BOOK 2

Informative Character And Story Guide Features Extensive Data, Full Color Poster, Color Art, Creator Interviews And Much More!

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, offers BLEACH fans a treasure trove of information about the smash hit manga (graphic novel) series with the release of BLEACH MASKED: OFFICIAL CHARACTER BOOK 2 on March 6th. The new edition is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Uncover the many secrets of BLEACH in this informative profile book that contains extensive data on the characters and storylines from Volumes 21-37 of the manga series (also published by VIZ Media; digital manga available on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for iOS devices). The new release also includes exclusive color art, a full-color poster, bonus materials and a special interview with creator Tite Kubo. Step into the ghostly world of BLEACH like never before!

Ichigo Kurosaki never asked for the ability to see ghosts – he was born with the gift. When his family is attacked by a Hollow, a malevolent lost soul, Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper and dedicates his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured spirits find peace.

“BLEACH fans will not want to miss the release of this enlightening new edition that contains plenty of interesting story and character background from the hit action series,” says Alexis Kirsch, Editor. “BLEACH is one of the world’s most popular manga titles, and this new edition is an ideal companion that will give manga readers plenty of inside information and back stories to their favorite characters as well as insights from creator Tite Kubo!”

BLEACH (rated ‘T’ for Teens) is author/creator Tite Kubo's second manga title. Kubo made his debut with ZOMBIE POWDER (also published in North America by VIZ Media), a four-volume series appearing in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. To date, BLEACH has been translated into numerous languages and has also inspired an animated TV series that began airing in Japan in 2004. Beginning its serialization in 2001, BLEACH remains a mainstay in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump. In 2005, BLEACH was awarded the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award in the shonen (boys) category.

For more information on BLEACH please visit Bleach.viz.com.


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

I Reads You Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE #5

JUSTICE LEAGUE #5
DC COMICS

WRITER: Geoff Johns
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair with Gabe Eltaeb
LETTERS: Patrick Brosseau
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams, with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER: Eric Basaldua with Nei Ruffino
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

The subject of this comic book review is Justice League, the flagship title of “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comic book line, which began August 2011. As I’ve done in previous reviews of this new Justice League series, I come in praise of it.

In the previous issue, Darkseid was revealed as the villain behind the worldwide invasion of earth by alien/extra-dimensional forces. As Justice League #5 (“Part Five”) opens, Superman and Flash are taking their shots at Darkseid – to no avail. Batman and Green Lantern agree to a truce in their petty rivalry as The Dark Knight hatches a plan for a rescue mission. Meanwhile, Green Lantern leads the charge of the heroes still standing.

As I learn to enjoy Geoff Johns, at least while I’m reading Justice League, I also realize that he has stretched this story beyond reason. After five issues, Johns has written what would have been about a single issue’s worth of story for Stan Lee back in the 1960s. Of course, Lee’s frequent collaborator, artist Jack Kirby, would have squeezed the action into smaller panels than the ones drawn by Johns’ Justice League collaborator, artist Jim Lee.

Honestly, I would not still be reading this if not for Jim Lee. (I love you, Jim Lee!) As long as he is drawing it, I’m down. Well, I didn’t read his Superman arc with writer Brian Azzarello, because reading it bored me severely.

For extras, there are two pages of Wonder Woman sketches by Cliff Chiang, two of Aquaman by Ivan Reis, and two pages of Cyborg by Jim Lee. There is also a two-page sneak peek of Suicide Squad #6-7, with art by Clayton Henry.

B+


Stepping on Roses: The Battle for Ashida Products

I read Stepping on Roses, Vol. 7

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE comics).


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 7 2012

DC COMICS

JAN120228 ACTION COMICS #7 $3.99

JAN120231 ACTION COMICS #7 COMBO PACK $4.99

JAN120265 ANIMAL MAN #7 $2.99

DEC118213 BATMAN #5 2ND PTG $2.99

DEC110282 BATMAN BIRTH OF THE DEMON TP $29.99

NOV110251 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE MIKE MIGNOLA VARIANT (RES) $95.00

JAN120244 BATWING #7 $2.99

JAN120320 BEYOND THE FRINGE #1 $3.99

JAN120288 DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #25 $2.99

JAN120240 DETECTIVE COMICS #7 $2.99

JAN120327 FAIREST #1 (MR) $2.99

DEC110276 FLASHPOINT TP $14.99

DEC110284 GOTHAM CITY SIRENS TP VOL 04 DIVISION $14.99

JAN120224 GREEN ARROW #7 $2.99

JAN120280 HAWK AND DOVE #7 $2.99

JAN120294 HUNTRESS #6 (OF 6) $2.99

JAN120339 IZOMBIE #23 (MR) $2.99

JAN120214 JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #7 $2.99

JAN120276 MEN OF WAR #7 $3.99

JAN120291 NIGHT FORCE #1 (OF 6) $2.99

JAN120266 OMAC #7 $2.99

JAN120259 RED LANTERNS #7 $2.99

JAN120319 SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #19 $2.99

JAN120282 STATIC SHOCK #7 $2.99

JAN120269 STORMWATCH #7 $2.99

DEC110294 SUPERMAN LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON TP VOL 02 $14.99

JAN120323 SUPERNATURAL #6 (OF 6) $2.99

JAN120260 SWAMP THING #7 $2.99

JAN120344 SWEET TOOTH #31 (MR) $2.99

NOV110210 WONDER WOMAN ODYSSEY HC VOL 02 $22.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 7 2012

MARVEL COMICS

JAN120690 AGE OF APOCALYPSE #1 $2.99

JAN120657 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #681 $3.99

DEC110748 ASTONISHING THOR TP $16.99

DEC110699 AVENGERS 1959 TP $16.99

JAN120646 AVENGERS ACADEMY #27 $2.99

NOV110503 AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE #9 (OF 9) $3.99

DEC110702 AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES ULT COLL TP $34.99

DEC110701 AVENGERS KORVAC SAGA TP NEW PTG $24.99

DEC118178 AVENGERS X-SANCTION #3 (OF 4) 2ND PTG MCGUINNESS VAR $3.99

JAN120682 DEFENDERS #4 $3.99

DEC110723 FEAR ITSELF AVENGERS ACADEMY PREM HC $24.99

JAN120684 FEAR ITSELF FEARLESS #10 (OF 12) $2.99

DEC110721 FEAR ITSELF INVINCIBLE IRON MAN PREM HC $19.99

JAN120668 HULK #49 $2.99

JAN120636 MARVELS AVENGERS PRELUDE FURYS BIG WEEK #1 (OF 4) $2.99

JAN120666 THOR DEVIANTS SAGA #5 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120677 TOY STORY #1 (OF 4) $2.99

JAN120647 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #8 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

JAN120695 UNCANNY X-MEN #8 $3.99

JAN120660 VENOM #14 $2.99

JAN120687 VILLAINS FOR HIRE #4 (OF 4) $2.99

JAN120663 WINTER SOLDIER #3 $2.99

JAN120699 WOLVERINE #302 $3.99

JAN120697 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN ALPHA AND OMEGA #3 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120710 X-CLUB #4 (OF 5) $2.99

JAN120702 X-MEN #26 $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for March 7 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

JAN120474 30 DAYS OF NIGHT ONGOING #5 $3.99
JAN120465 DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS SERIES IV #2 (OF 6) $3.99
JAN120466 DOCTOR WHO ONGOING 2 TP VOL 03 CAME OUTER SPACE $19.99
JAN120450 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #176 $3.99
JAN120444 GI JOE VOL 2 ONGOING #11 $3.99
JAN120400 INFESTATION 2 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1 (OF 2) $3.99
NOV118075 LOCKE & KEY CLOCKWORKS #1 & #2 REPRISE ED (PP #1003) $4.99
JAN120414 NEXT MEN AFTERMATH #41 $3.99
DEC118132 TMNT MICRO SERIES #2 MICHELANGELO GLOBAL CONQUEST ED $3.99
NOV110283 TRUE BLOOD FRENCH QUARTER #6 (OF 6) $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 7 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV110038 COMPLEAT TERMINAL CITY TP $24.99
OCT110020 HELLBOY TP VOL 12 THE STORM AND THE FURY $19.99
NOV110039 MIGHTY SAMSON JUDGMENT TP $15.99
NOV110053 OCCULT FILES DOCTOR SPEKTOR ARCHIVES HC VOL 04 $49.99
NOV110031 STAR WARS CLONE WARS YR TP VOL 07 ENEMY WITHIN $7.99
DEC110069 STAR WARS CRIMSON EMPIRE III EMPIRE LOST #5 (OF 6) $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 7 2012

IMAGE COMICS

JAN120507 68 TP VOL 01 BETTER RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE (MR) $19.99
NOV110442 AVENGELYNE #7 CVR A LIEFELD $2.99
DEC110490 EMITOWN TP VOL 02 $24.99
JAN120584 FATALE #3 (MR) $3.50
JAN120501 HELL YEAH #1 $2.99
DEC110506 KING CITY TP (MR) $19.99
SEP110472 MAGDALENA #11 $3.99
JAN120486 MANHATTAN PROJECTS #1 $3.50
MAY110517 MICE TEMPLAR VOL 3 #8 MICHAEL AVON OEMING CVR $3.99
MAY110518 MICE TEMPLAR VOL 3 #8 SANTOS & GANDINI CVR $3.99
NOV110411 RED SPIKE TP VOL 01 $14.99
JAN120604 SPAWN #217 $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for March 7 2012

COMICS

JAN128109 ADVENTURE TIME #1 (2ND PTG) (PP #1009) $3.99

NOV111082 2000 AD #1766 $5.25

NOV111026 AIR GEAR GN VOL 22 (MR) $10.99

DEC111244 ARATA THE LEGEND TP VOL 09 $9.99

DEC111196 BETTIE PAGE IN DANGER #2 (MR) $9.95

DEC110820 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #199 $3.99

DEC111237 BLACK BIRD GN VOL 13 $9.99

DEC111269 BLUE GRYPHON EXC COVER PACK (MR) $40.00

JAN121268 BLUE HC (MR) $14.95

JAN121021 BOYS #64 (MR) $3.99

JAN121022 BOYS TP VOL 10 BUTCHER BAKER CANDLESTICKMAKER (MR) $19.99

NOV111030 CAGE OF EDEN GN VOL 04 $10.99

NOV111089 CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC RAILGUN GN VOL 03 $11.99

NOV110747 CHARISMAGIC #5 CVR A RANDOLPH $3.50

NOV110748 CHARISMAGIC #5 CVR B OUM $3.50

DEC111226 CHI SWEET HOME GN VOL 08 $13.95

DEC111238 DENGEKI DAISY GN VOL 09 $9.99

FEB111024 DF APRIL SHOWERS 50 BOOK STARTER SET $49.99

OCT111078 DF WARLORD OF MARS #15 EXC RISQUE JUSKO CVR $14.99

AUG111034 DF WOLVERINE & X-MEN #1 STAN LEE SGN ED $299.99

JAN120889 DICKS COLOR ED #2 (MR) $4.99

JAN120890 DICKS COLOR ED #2 OFFENSIVE CVR (MR) $4.99

OCT110784 DREAM REAVERS #4 (OF 4) $3.99

DEC111243 EARL AND FAIRY VOL 01 $9.99

DEC110768 EXO 1 AND THE ROCKSOLID STEELBOTS GN VOL 01 $14.95

NOV111105 EXTINCT GN (MR) $17.99

JAN120896 FERALS #3 (MR) $3.99

JAN120897 FERALS #3 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120898 FERALS #3 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

DEC111246 FLUFFY FLUFFY CINNAMOROLL GN VOL 02 $7.99

DEC111077 FRIENDS WITH BOYS GN $15.99

OCT110994 GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD #10 (MR) $3.99

NOV111104 GIRL GENIUS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 AGATHA AWAKENS $34.99

DEC111235 HANA KIMI 3-IN-1 ED VOL 01 $14.99

JAN120980 HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET CHARLIE BROWN TP (JUL110962) $9.99

OCT110786 HELLDORADO #3 (OF 3) (MR) $3.99

JAN120941 HELLRAISER MASTERPIECES #9 (MR) $3.99

NOV110693 HONEY BADGER ADVENTURES #1 $3.50

JAN121399 HP LOVECRAFT AT MOUNTAIN OF MADNESS ILLUSTRATED CLASSICS SC $14.95

JAN120950 IRREDEEMABLE #35 $3.99

DEC111228 JONATHAN KELLERMAN ALEX DELAWARE GN BOOK 01 SILENT PARTNER $23.00

DEC111239 KIMI NI TODOKE GN VOL 13 FROM ME TO YOU $9.99

NOV110878 KIRBY GENESIS CAPTAIN VICTORY #4 $3.99

DEC111240 LA CORDA DORO TP VOL 15 $9.99

JAN120982 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #15 (MR) $3.99

JAN120983 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #15 SULTRY CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120984 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #15 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

DEC110769 MONSTERS ARE JUST LIKE US $12.95

DEC111231 NARUTO TP VOL 55 $9.99

NOV111116 NO LONGER HUMAN GN VOL 03 (MR) $10.95

DEC111232 ONE PIECE TP VOL 61 $9.99

DEC111241 ORESAMA TEACHER GN VOL 07 $9.99

JAN121200 PAPERCUTZ SLICES GN VOL 04 HUNGER PAINS $6.99

JAN121201 PAPERCUTZ SLICES HC VOL 04 HUNGER PAINS $10.99

JAN121275 POKEMON BLACK & WHITE GN VOL 05 $4.99

DEC111233 PSYREN GN VOL 03 $9.99

DEC110765 RACHEL RISING #6 $3.99

DEC111245 RIN-NE GN VOL 08 $9.99

DEC111027 ROBERT JORDAN WHEEL OF TIME EYE O/T WORLD #22 $3.99

SEP111311 SALEMS DAUGHTER HAUNTING #5 A CVR YANG (MR) $2.99

SEP111312 SALEMS DAUGHTER HAUNTING #5 B CVR REYES (MR) $2.99

DEC118111 SHONEN JUMP APRIL 2012 $4.99

DEC111236 SKIP BEAT 3-IN-1 ED VOL 01 $14.99

JAN121311 SOULLESS MANGA GN VOL 01 $12.99

DEC110770 SPACE TIME CONDOMINIUM SEASON ONE TP VOL 01 $14.95

NOV110682 SPARKO GN $14.95

DEC111242 STEPPING ON ROSES GN VOL 07 $9.99

DEC110864 STITCHED #3 (MR) $3.99

DEC110865 STITCHED #3 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

DEC110866 STITCHED #3 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120927 SUPURBIA #1 (OF 4) $3.99

JAN121206 SYBIL THE BACKPACK FAIRY HC VOL 01 NINA (O/A) $11.99

DEC110957 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #69 DOUBLE DLX ED (MR) $21.99

JAN121020 THE LONE RANGER #3 $3.99

JAN120964 VALEN OUTCAST #4 MAIN CVRS $3.99

DEC111015 VAMPIRELLA VS DRACULA #2 $3.99

JAN120855 WULF #5 (RES) $2.99

MAGAZINES
NOV111185 CLASSIC MARVEL FIG COLL MAG #168 SHANNA $14.00
NOV111188 DC SUPERHERO FIG COLL MAG #102 STATIC SHOCK $14.00
JAN121394 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #250 $9.99
JAN121349 JUXTAPOZ #134 $5.99
JAN121401 MONSTER BASH #14 $8.99
DEC111348 SUPERNATURAL MAGAZINE #31 NEWSSTAND ED $9.99
DEC111349 SUPERNATURAL MAGAZINE #31 PX ED $9.99
DEC112059 WHITE DWARF #386 PI