DMP to Publish Yashakiden

From Digital Manga Publishing:


Yashakiden: The Demon Princess Volume 1 (Novel)
ISBN: 1569701458
ISBN13: 9781569701454
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Price USD: $13.95
Writer: Hideyuki Kikuchi
Artist: Jun Suemi
Release Date: December 16, 2009

Size: 5” x 8"
Format: Softcover, Black & White; Page Count: 220
Series Volumes: 1 of 4
Series Frequency: 3-6 months
Recommended Age: Young Adult 16+
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction

Summary
After a devastating earthquake that left most of Japan in ruins, the district ward of Shinjuku in Tokyo has opened up a doorway into another dimension—becoming the halfway-house suspended between the mortal world and the supernatural. It has become a place where the living fights a losing battle with monsters and demons from the netherworld—a constant struggle for control on grounds, which inevitably may plunge into the depths of Hell.

Factory manager by day and moonlighting P.I. by night, Setsura Aki, is no stranger to danger. Specializing in missing-persons cases and considered the best "man hunter" in the business, he allies himself with friend and rival, Doctor Mephisto—a wizard of physical and spiritual surgery. Together in battle, there is none that can compete with their combined wit and power—until now.

Coming from the deepest and darkest parts of China, four immortal vampires, led by one of unmatched beauty and who goes by the ubiquitous title “Princess,” mystically sail into landlocked Shinjuku aboard an ancient ghost ship one roiling hot night. She and her ancient undead entourage with powers never before seen of vampires, have surmounted four thousand years of space and time to seize control of Shinjuku and make it their own. It is up to Setsura and Mephisto to uncover their new formidable foes’ true origins and to reveal the truth behind the Princess’s dark plans for the city. Can the duo stop them before they plunge the living populace into a new level of fear and slavery none can escape?

From acclaimed Japanese horror writer, Hideyuki Kikuchi, comes his next big hit novel series: Yashakiden: The Demon Princess. The novel is based on in the same universe as the popular Wicked City animated series and is spun out of the Demon City Shinjuku world. Of all the novels Kikuchi has ever written, Yashakiden is the one series he has wanted to have published stateside, and he considers it to be in his own words, “…the best novel series I’ve ever written, this is my vampire masterpiece. In my personal opinion, this novel transcends Vampire Hunter D.” The novel is peppered with beautiful illustrations by Jun Suemi, who also illustrated a number of The Guin Saga novels in Japan. Beginning with volume one in December, Yashakiden: The Demon Princess will span four vampire-filled volumes of horror.

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) [END]

Please Keep the Promises of My Dead Lover

I finished reading Boys Love (Yaoi)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  The ending is a total shocker, in this edgy, little yaoi read.

I Reads You Juniors Extra: The Boondocks Season 3

TV Squad has information about the third season of "The Boondocks" via statements from creator Aaron McGruder.

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The Skypiea PD

I finished reading One Piece, Vol. 26




I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

Marvel Announces $1 Comic Book Program

Press release from Marvel Comics:

MARVEL'S GREATEST COMICS $1 First Issue Program Launching


Start Here with Marvel’s Greatest Comics For Only $1.00!

Marvel is proud to announce the all-new Marvel’s Greatest Comics imprint, spotlighting Marvel’s most-acclaimed series with new printings of these must-read issues priced at only one dollar each! This bold new venture, launching in March 2010, offers a perfect jumping on point for new readers as well as provides retailers with a great low cost first chapter to some of the hottest selling Marvel Collected editions. And to really get things going, the first title from this line, Invincible Iron Man #1, is free!

“We’re proud of the books Marvel publishes and now not only are we giving retailers a great way to promote our top collections, but also giving consumers a chance to sample some of our top comics, maybe for the first time and at an unbeatable price,” said David Gabriel, Marvel Senior Vice-President of Sales & Circulation. “Marvel’s Greatest Comics represents one of the best values in comics today and with Free Comic Book Day only months after the initial launch, retailers will want to be well stocked.”
Retailers can check upcoming editions of the Marvel Mailer or with Diamond Customer Service to find out how they can qualify for the free copies.

The titles launching in March, at one per week, are:

March 3: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1
March 10: CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
March 17: WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #1
March 24: THOR #1
March 31: PUNISHER MAX #1

Stay tuned for more details on Marvel’s Greatest Comics at www.marvel.com!

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com/ [END]

Deadwind Sea, Novel Due from Josh Wagner

Press release from Josh Wagner:

Josh Wagner, creator of the award-winning mini-series Fiction Clemens published by Ape Entertainment, and writer of the current Image Comics series Sky Pirates of Neo Terra will be releasing his second novel, Deadwind Sea, in January of 2010. The book’s cover is painted by comic-artist, Joiton (of Fiction Clemens), and designed by comic-designer, Tim Daniel (Powers, Existence 2.0).


Deadwind Sea synopsis:

Before America became the "Land of the Free", it was the Land of the Dead—the realm beyond the setting sun, to which expired spirits made their lonely way. Deadwind Sea is a collection of interwoven short-story myths, some deeply moving, others hilarious and bizarre, centering around one unfortunate shepherd's journey across the Ocean Sea to rescue his true love from death.

Sergio, a young shepherd of medieval Spain, has a knack for mucking things up. To the shock of his fellow villagers, Sergio manages to win the heart of the most beautiful girl in town. When his love unexpectedly dies, Sergio undertakes a voyage to the Land of the Dead on a quest to bring her home.

The story begins in 14th century Spain, making stops in Rome, Byzantium, and the North Pole before following the setting sun into the timeless Land of the Dead. Here, on the untouched continent that history would later call "America", spirits prepare a New World for the imminent arrival of the living. Sergio finds himself at the heart of a drama to liberate the new frontiers from stagnation, a drama that takes him at last far beyond the edge of the earth.

The sub-stories of Deadwind Sea interact with the overarching narrative in richly innovative ways, pushing the boundaries of the very art of storytelling. Highly accessible, yet starkly intelligent, Deadwind Sea maintains an air of whimsy and imagination, while packing one heck of an emotional punch.

You can find out more about the book (and download sample chapters) here: http://www.deadwindsea.org/

I Reads You Review: VAGABOND, VOL. 29

Creators: Takehiko Inoue; Yuji Oniki (English adaptation)
Publishing Information: VIZ Media, paperback, 200 pages, $9.95 (US), $11.50 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4215-3148-9 (ISBN-13); 1-4215-3148-8 (ISBN-10)

In the manga series, Vagabond, Takehiko Inoue (Slam Dunk) presents a fictionalized account of the life of Miyamoto Musashi. Vagabond also loosely adapts Eiji Yoshikawa’s 1935 novel, Musashi, another fictionalized account of the Japanese swordsman, duelist, and author (The Book of Five Rings) who lived from the late 16th century until the mid 17th century.

Vagabond, Vol. 29 finds Musashi imprisoned at Nijō Castle. He survived a battle in which he single-handedly killed 70 men of the Yoshioka Clan, but is left with an injury to his right leg that may end his sword-fighting days. Takuan Sōhō, the monk who is trying to bring enlightenment to Musashi, takes up that mantle again. Meanwhile, Kōetsu receives two visitors. One of them is an accomplished swordsman named Ogawa Ienao, who promptly challenges the twig-wielding Sasaki Kojiro.

Anyone who has read Takehiko Inoue’s wheelchair basketball drama, Real, knows that Inoue’s ability at character drama can be described, at the very least, as brilliant. Vagabond is also a robust character drama, in which Inoue not only plumbs the depths of Musashi’s soul, but also investigates the lives of the supporting characters. It seems as if Inoue doesn’t leave one intricate thread connecting one character to another unexamined. Vagabond is also a philosophical samurai drama; using Takuan Sōhō as a medium, the narrative contemplates the meaning of existence, seeing it through the prism of Musashi’s violent nature and activities.

But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Vagabond is a kick-ass, comic book version of the chambara – the post World War II samurai movies that were more action-oriented than earlier samurai films. Like these “sword fighting movies,” Vagabond offers the startling, immediate, visceral violence of sword cleaving into flesh. Great violence plus great drama equals a fantastic read.

A

Buy Vagabond, Vol. 29 (Vagabond (Graphic Novels))