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.

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).

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]

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

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

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+

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.

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.