Rinne and Sakura Meet the Ghost in the Swimming Pool

I finished reading RIN-NE, Vol. 2

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  I'm loving this strange series.

Simply a Downer

I finally finished reading not simple

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  This manga looks and reads like an American indie graphic novel.  The story is also really padded and way too much of a downer.  Not one of my more enjoyable reading experiences.

Babymouse in a Soapbox Car

I enjoyed reading Babymouse #12: Burns Rubber

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

VIZ Media Announces "Crown of Love"

Press release from VIZ Media:

HOW FAR WILL A BOY GO FOR LOVE? FIND OUT IN NEW MANGA SERIES CROWN OF LOVE


The Story of a Teenage Boy Who Becomes a Pop Idol To Get Close To The Pop Idol Girl He Adores

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the debut of Yun Kouga’s shojo manga (graphic novels for female readers) CROWN OF LOVE on February 2nd. CROWN OF LOVE is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, will be published by the Shojo Beat imprint, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Sixteen-year-old Hisayoshi "Kumi" Tajima wasn't looking for love. But after he accidentally bumps into teen idol Rima Fujio, he can't stop thinking about her. Living worlds apart, he'll never have a chance to meet her again. Until Rima's former agent Ikeshiba gives him the perfect opportunity – by turning Hisayoshi into an idol himself! Too bad Rima only sees him as competition for Ikeshiba's attention.

“CROWN OF LOVE offers a complex story of unrequited love between a pair of teenagers who are each on the brink of stardom,” says Elizabeth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Media. “Creator Yun Kouga has already attracted legions of North American fans with her popular manga series GESTALT, also published by VIZ Media, and we look forward to readers enjoying this new story about two driven characters who find out that fame and life in the limelight isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

Yun Kouga began her career as a manga artist in 1986 with the series METAL HEART, which was serialized in Comic VAL. She is also the creator of the popular series LOVELESS and EARTHIAN, along with many other manga and anime projects, including developing the character designs for GUNDAM 00.

For more information on this title, or other shojo titles from VIZ Media, please visit http://www.shojobeat.com/. [END]

Moonstone Books Gives Kolchak More Lovecraft

From Moonstone Books:

Kolchak: Lovecraftian Damnation

Story: CJ Henderson
Art: Robert Hack
Colors: Evan Shaver
Covers: Robert Hack, Doug Klauba
48pgs, color, $4.99

Long awaited sequel to The Lovecraftian Horror!

Tired of waiting for either fame or fortune, all Carl Kolchak really wants out of life is a good meal washed down by good Scotch. As you might guess, once again even such modest wishes aren't in the cards. This time around, the man in the pork pie hat is beset by not only an all-powerful horror from beyond, but one that has gained both a staggering intellect and Necronomicon! Told in “widevision”!

(Robert Hack cover=75%, Klauba cover=25%)

*RETAILER INCENTIVE: any retailer who purchases 2 copies of Lovecraftian Damnation & one copy of Lovecraftian Horror will receive one free copy of Damnation! [END]

Boise State Football Team to the White House?

Sounds like a good idea from Senator Orrin Hatch, as related in this Fanhouse article.

Paul Cornell, Andy Diggle and More at Forbidden Planet

Press release from Forbidden Planet:

TOP COMICS TALENT SIGNING AT FORBIDDEN PLANET

Forbidden Planet London is the flagship of comics retail industry, the mecca of geek and the largest store of its kind in the world.

And we’re delighted to be welcoming: -

Thursday 28th January 6 – 7pm: PAUL CORNELL signing Captain Britain
Thursday 4th February 5:30 – 7pm: THE 45 EVENT from Com.X
Friday 25th February 6 – 7pm: ANDY DIGGLE & JOCK signing The Losers

In Captain Britain and MI13: Vampire State, Paul brings us the tale of the King of the Vampires – and he’s back! What does he want with Spitfire? And how will an election help his cause? Surely Captain Britain and the rest of MI13 have a way to defeat him! Plus: Meggan is Captain Britain's wife, an X-Man in Hell. she get back to Earth in time to help her husband turn back Dracula and his evil invasion?

Our ‘45’ event brings together Andi Ewington and an all-star creator-cast for one of our famous and trademark free-form signings – no tables, no queues. With an array of fantastic Com.X titles on hand, this event blows away the barriers and gives readers and fans a change to mix and chat on a less formal level, grab some great sketches, and really find out what goes on in the world of comics!

Needing no introduction, The Losers was winner of the Best New Comic, National Comics Awards 2004, and nominated for the Best New Series, Eisner Awards 2004 – and it’s now a major motion picture. Come and meet the creators!

Some of the biggest names in Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comics and Cult Entertainment have come to the FORBIDDEN PLANET London Megastore for signing events, including: Sam Raimi, Guillermo del Toro, Terry Gilliam, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg, William Gibson, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett and Stephen King.

For more news about our signings please go to: http://forbiddenplanet.com/events/ [END]