The Phantom: Ghost who Walks #9 Continues "Godfall" Storyline

Press release from Moonstone Books:

THE PHANTOM: GHOST WHO WALKS #9

Story: Mike Bullock

Art: Silvestre Syzilagyi

Colors by Bob Pedroza

Cover A,C by Sedat Ozgen, Cover B : Eugenio Mattozzi

32pgs, color, $3.99

“Godfall” Part II (of V)

In the aftermath of last issue, The Ghost Who Walks must pay a visit to some old friends. While the first provides helpful insight into the coming war, the second visit leads to the hunter becoming the hunted in the depths of the darkest house in all of Africa.

(Cover A=60%, Cover B=30%, Cover C=10%)

”Definitely worth checking out, whether you're a Phantom fan or not." – Scoop

“One of the most incredible Phantom comics I've ever read.” – Comixtreme [END]

Fantagraphics Bookstore is Having a Birthday Party

Press release from Fantagraphics Books:

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKSTORE & GALLERY CELEBRATES THIRD ANNIVERSARY ON DECEMBER 12 WITH ART, MUSIC, COMIX & MORE!

The third anniversary celebration for Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, December 12, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, promises to be an unforgettable affair. The event features appearances by an international cadre of compelling cartoonists and artists as well as the world premiere of PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE: THE LOST ART OF THE VHS BOX with editor Jacques Boyreau. An entertaining panel discussion will be held the following Sunday afternoon, December 13.

PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE: The Lost Art of the VHS Box collects colorful cover art from a selection of vintage exploitation genre films. Cleverly packaged in a VHS slipcase, this anthology celebrates the film format that changed pop culture forever. On opening night Portland-based editor and B movie aficionado Jacques Boyreau will unveil a monumental site-specific “Portable Grindhouse” mural designed by Candice Schroeder. Boyreau commissioned Schroeder to create an equally impressive mural for his “SuperTrash” movie memorabilia exhibition currently on display at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

December 12 also marks the third anniversary of Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. To celebrate the occasion, Fantagraphics Books has assembled an amazing group of cartoonists to socialize and sign books. Among the stellar line-up of guests: Femke Hiemstra (ROCK CANDY) from Amsterdam, Paul Hornschemeier (ALL & SUNDRY) and Jay Ryan (BEASTS!) from Chicago, Portland’s Dame Darcy (MEAT CAKE), and Seattle’s own Peter Bagge (HATE), Jim Woodring (FRANK), Scott Musgrove (THE LATE FAUNA OF EARLY NORTH AMERICA), and Jim Blanchard (TRUCKER FAGS IN DENIAL.) Musical entertainment will be provided by Bagge’s pop combo CAN YOU IMAGINE? featuring Steve Fisk and an opening set by the enchanting DAME DARCY.

On Sunday, December 13 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery presents a panel discussion focusing on PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE. Five distinguished experts in the field will screen short clips from their favorite exploitation film and discuss its influence on their work, as well as the broader social implications of the genre. Panelists include artist Lisa Petrucci (KICKASS KUTIES) of Something Weird, cartoonist Marc Palm of Scarecrow Video, Seattle Times pop culture critic Mark Rahner with film critic and curator Robert Horton, co-writers of horror comic ROTTEN. The panel is moderated by PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE editor Jacques Boyreau and will be followed by a book signing and reception. Admission is free as always.

LISTING INFORMATION
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
Third Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, December 12, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Featuring
PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE Book Launch Party
Featuring Editor Jacques Boyreau

Music by
CAN YOU IMAGINE? featuring Steve Fisk
And DAME DARCY

Starring:
From Chicago Paul Hornschemeier (ALL & SUNDRY) & Jay Ryan (BEASTS!)
From Amsterdam Femke Hiemstra (ROCK CANDY)
From Portland Dame Darcy (MEAT CAKE)
Seattle’s own Peter Bagge (HATE), Jim Blanchard, Jim Woodring (FRANK) and more!

Sunday, December 13, 4:00 to 6:00 PM
PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE PANEL & BOOK SIGNING
Screening and panel discussion on vintage exploitation video with
Lisa Petrucci (KICKASS KUTIES) Something Weird Video.
Mark Rahner (ROTTEN) Seattle Times pop culture critic
Robert Horton KUOW film critic and Frye Art Museum film curator
Marc Palm (AKA Swellzombie) Scarecrow Video
Moderated by PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE editor Jacques Boyreau

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.)
Seattle, WA 98108
206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM
www.fantagraphics.com

VIZ Media Launches New Josei Title

Press release from VIZ Media:

VIZ MEDIA RELEASES NEW SHOJO MANGA SERIES BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS

Zany Comedy About Office Romance And Social Class Introduces The ‘Josei’ Genre Of Manga Aimed At Older Female Readers

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies has announced the North American debut on December 1st of BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS, a new manga series that takes place against a backdrop of office romance and social class. BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS, published under the Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences will be available December 1st with a MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Choko Kuze is the sensible daughter of a venerable family who went bankrupt. She joins a real estate company as an entry-level office worker, but her eccentric boss is harder on her than anyone else in the company! After hearing him inadvertently call her "milady," she realizes he was the young servant boy she knew as a child. At work he's a tyrant, but after hours he insists on treating her like a lady of the nobility. Is romance even possible for a couple locked in such a crazy role reversal?

“BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS is a josei manga, a comic aimed primarily at female readers over the age of 18,” says Candice Uyloan, Director Brand Marketing, VIZ Media. “Readers familiar with the genre will enjoy this lighthearted story that is often funny and more than a bit sexy. As shojo manga readers mature and their interests expand, we are delighted to be able to offer titles that are aimed at a grown up audience. We look forward to readers discovering this zany romantic comedy.”

BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS was created by Yuki Yoshihara. She debuted in 1988 with Chanel no Sasayaki which appeared in the pages Betsucomi magazine. Yoshihara is also the creator of numerous josei manga series including Darling wa Namamono ni Tsuki and Itadakimasu. [END]

Slam Dunk Plays Basket-Brawl

I finished reading Slam Dunk, Vol. 7

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

Interscope Records Announces Eminem's Relapse Version 2.0

From PR Newswire:

Eminem to Release Relapse: Refill on December 21st

SUPERSTAR HIP-HOP ARTIST RELEASES HIS CHART-TOPPING ALBUM RELAPSE WITH FIVE UNRELEASED TRACKS TO TIDE FANS OVER TILL RELAPSE 2

Multi-platinum hip-hop artist Eminem will release Relapse: Refill on December 21st, 2009, on Aftermath/Interscope Records. This re-release of Eminem's chart-topping fifth studio album includes seven bonus tracks, including the single "Forever," also featuring Drake, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne (previously found on the More Than A Game soundtrack), "Taking My Ball" (also released only with the DJ Hero video game), and five never-before-heard tracks.

"I want to deliver more material for the fans this year like I originally planned," Eminem says. "Hopefully these tracks on The Refill will tide the fans over until we put out Relapse 2 next year." Eminem has been busy in the studio creating even more new material since Relapse was released. "I got back in with Dre and then a few more producers, including Just Blaze, and went in a completely different direction which made me start from scratch. The new tracks started to sound very different than the tracks I originally intended to be on Relapse 2, but I still want the other stuff to be heard."

One of the most anticipated albums of the year, the platinum-selling Relapse entered the Billboard Top 200 album chart at No. 1 in May 2009 and sold more than 618,000 domestic copies in the U.S. in its first week. Relapse is also the top selling hip-hop album of 2009. The first song to debut from the album, "Crack a Bottle," was released in February and set a first-week record for digital sales at the time, while the first official single and video, "We Made You," debuted in April. The best-selling hip-hop artist of the SoundScan era, Eminem has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide. His previous studio album, Encore, reached No. 1 and dominated the charts in late 2004. The Grammy-nominated disc was certified quadruple-platinum, generated four Top 40 Hot 100 hits, and has sold more than 11 million copies. In October 2008, Eminem published Eminem: The Way I Am, a compilation of thoughts, stories and memorabilia that entered the New York Times bestseller list at No. 11. [END]

Radical Comics for January 2010

Press release from Radical Comics:

ALADDIN: LEGACY OF THE LOST #1 (1 of 3)
Writer IAN EDGINTON
Series Illustrators PATRICK REILLY and STJEPAN SEJIC
64 pages, FC, $4.99

From the mystical city of Shambhalla to the ends of the Earth comes a tale of magic, mystery and the motivations of power. It is the world of Ala ad-Din, better known as ALADDIN.

Thief, gambler, liar and cheat, Aladdin’s reckless soul falls under the eye of the sorcerer Qassim, who has spent his life scouring the sands for the Dreaming Jewel. This lost relic of shattering power will enable Qassim to steal the magic of the Djinn of the Lamp and reshape the world in his own malicious design. But to do so, he requires a mystical ability carried within Aladdin's blood...power that not even Aladdin himself knows about. An epic adventure that twists the classic saga into dark, unexplored territories with multi-Eisner nominated writer Ian Edginton!

Featuring covers from Marko Djurdjevic (Dark Reign: The List – Avengers), Arthur Suydam (Marvel Zombies) and a limited edition 1:10 incentive cover from Clayton Crain (X-Force)

Aladdin #1 Cover A – Marko Djurdjevic; Diamond Code: NOV090903
Aladdin #1 Cover B – Arthur Suydam; Diamond Code: NOV090904
Aladdin #1 Incentive cover (1:10) Clayton Crain


LEGENDS: THE ENCHANTED ISSUE #0
Creator and Writer NICK PERCIVAL
Illustrator NICK PERCIVAL
24 pages, FC, $1
Following the same standard for our debut miniseries Hercules: The Thracian Wars and Caliber: First Canon of Justice, Radical Publishing presents a special $1 introductory issue for the upcoming hardcover graphic novel by award-winning illustrator Nick Percival (Dead of Night).

You think you know them… Think again!

Violently ripped from the pages of folklore emerge the Enchanted, supernatural immortals living in a dark, steampunk, creature-infested world where nature, technology and foul magic are in constant conflict. When the twisted, burnt remains of the half-wooden, half-mechanical warrior, Pinocchio are discovered, wolf-hunter Red Hood and giant-killer Jack realize the fragile rules of their existence have been shattered. With the help of the other Enchanted (the mercenary Goldilocks and psychic exterminators Hansel and Gretel), Jack and Red team up on an adventure to stop whatever, or whoever, is destroying their powers and murdering their kind.

The last time Radical debuted their $1 books, they quickly sold out and had to go to a second printing. Don’t miss out again on this limited, one-time-only event!

Legends #0 Cover A – Nick Percival; Diamond Code: NOV090906


Offered Again

HERCULES: THE THRACIAN WARS (Trade Paperback)
Writer STEVE MOORE
Artist ADMIRA WIJAYA
Colors by SUNNY GHO and SIXTH CREATION
ISBN: 0-9802335-9-3 ISBN-13: 978-0-9802335-9-9
Price: $14.95 (C: $17.99); Page Count: 156; Format: TPB, Full Color
Diamond Code: NOV090907

Collecting the five-issue miniseries in a new deluxe trade paperback format that has Ain’t it Cool News calling it, “One of the most strongly written versions of the character ever to hit comics.” This paperback edition includes an in-depth interview with writer Steve Moore as well as character renderings and a gallery of artwork from Jim Steranko, Arthur Suydam, John Bolton, Clint Langley, Stjepan Sejic, Clint Langley, Greg Broadmore of Weta Workshop and more. Soon to be a major motion picture produced by Spyglass Entertainment and Peter Berg’s production company Film 44.

From the pen of Steve Moore (Dr. Who, Jonni Future) comes a tale of Hercules in his darkest hour. When the Thracian King summons the Greek hero and his six battle-worn companions to mold the Thracian army into a bloodthirsty, ruthless killing machine, the Son of Zeus rushes to answer the call of war and gold. But within the nation of Thrace lies an epic tale of murder, deception and sacrifice that shows how far from grace he’s fallen – and what he must accomplish for redemption. [END]

New Moon on Monday

I finished reading New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. Saw the movie, too, and there's also a review of it at the Bin.