"Library Wars" Takes on Censorship

A LOVE OF BOOKS AND READING INSPIRES A GIRL TO STAND AGAINST CENSORSHIP IN NEW MANGA SERIES LIBRARY WARS: LOVE AND WAR

New Shojo Adventure Follows A Young Recruit In The Library Defense Forces As She Protects The Right To Read

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, brings a new literary manga adventure to North American readers with the release of LIBRARY WARS: LOVE & WAR on June 1st. The series, with story and art by Kiiro Yumi and based on the original concept by Hiro Arikawa, will be published under the Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

In the near future, the federal government creates a special committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. But the libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves – the Library Defense Forces!

In the opening volume, Iku Kasahara has dreamed of joining the LDF ever since one of its soldiers stepped in to protect her favorite book from being confiscated in a bookstore when she was younger. But now that she's finally a recruit, she's finding her dream job to be a bit of a nightmare. Especially since her hard-hearted drill instructor seems to have it in for her!

“Manga lovers will root for the cute librarians in this fun new series that also addresses some important issues like liberty, freedom of speech and censorship,” says Candice Uyloan, Director, Consumer Marketing, VIZ Media. “LIBRARY WARS is based on a collection of novels also written by Hiro Arikawa that were extremely popular in Japan, selling more than one million copies. Fans will definitely want to add this adventure to their summer reading lists!”

Hiro Arikawa won the 10th Dengeki Novel Prize for her work Shio no Machi: Wish on My Precious in 2003 and debuted with the same novel in 2004. Arikawa is probably best known for the LIBRARY WARS series and also her trilogy about Japan’s military Self Defense Forces, Jieitai Sanbusaku (The SDF Trilogy), which consists of In the Sky, The Bottom of the Sea, and City of Salt.

Kiiro Yumi won the 42nd LaLa magazine Manga Grand Prix Fresh Debut award for her manga Little Billy's Depression. Her latest series, LIBRARY WARS: LOVE & WAR is currently featured in Japan’s LaLa magazine.

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

I Reads You Review: LOST IN THE WASH “THE FIRST HALF”

Creators: John Ira Thomas (writer) and Will Grant (artist)
Publishing Information: Candle Light Press, B&W, paperback, 72pp












Ordering information: http://www.candlelightpress.com/

Lost in the Wash: “The First Half” contains the first two chapters of Lost in the Wash, “Presoak” and “Agitate.” LitW is a graphic novel from writer John Ira Thomas (Zoo Force) and artist Will Grant (The Scrounge Was Here!). I first read and reviewed this book for the Comic Book Bin: (http://www.comicbookbin.com/lostinthewash001.html) back in September 2007. I just read it again in preparation for reading the latest installment, Lost in the Wash: 2010 Lint Trap Edition. Reading it again allowed me to catch some things I missed the first time around, and now, I must admit to liking it even more.

Lost in the Wash is set in the town of Isco (formerly Francisco until “patriotic” locals removed the “France” from the name). The story focuses on Darin, a down and out 20 or 30-something who works at his uncle’s Laundromat. Darin comes across as a loser, but his uncle IS an asshole. The Laundromat’s customers tend to be white trash jerk-offs who give Darin a hard time. Then, one day, something wet, wicked, and monstrous pops out of a washer and devours a tiresome customer. Darin decides that a monster in the washers is a good thing, especially if it will rid him of his main problem – rude customers.

This water, elemental thing isn’t the only thing haunting Darin. Terisa Salazar, a local motel proprietress, operates a haunted tour called, Gothic Colorado, for the tourists/suckers that pass through Isco. Terisa is also a figure from Darin’s past, and meeting her again leads to Darin wanting to know the truth about his parents and about a childhood accident, although he may not like how ugly this truth gets.

Lost in the Wash: “The First Half,” for me at least, recalls the spirit of the horror comics published by EC Comics in the 1950s and by Warren Publishing from the 1960s to the 70s. It’s as if EC artist Graham “Ghastly” Ingels’ tortured spirit inhabits the imagination and drawing hand of Will Grant. Grant can draw horror comic books with the best of ‘em – even those pros drawing for Vertigo, IDW and whatever publishers still doing scary books.

John Ira Thomas’ clever script always keeps the reader guessing, and his dialogue, with its layers and subtexts, adds richness to this raw tale. Thomas, through his narrative, tends to promise more to come with each page, and Lost in the Wash: “The First Half” is promising some good stuff to come.

A-

New VIZ Signature Title

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE OF NEW MANGA SERIES I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL…TOMORROW

Story Of A Salaryman Who Embarks On A Quest To Become A Manga Artist Offers A Unique Journey Of Self-Discovery

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the release of I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL… TOMORROW. The series, created by Shunju Aono, will debut on May 18th under the VIZ Signature imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

This is the story of a hapless forty year-old salaryman who quits his job to pursue his dream of becoming a manga artist – and the family that has to put up with him. While not terribly unhappy, Shizuo Oguro can't fight the feeling that something in his life just isn't right, so he walks away from his stable (yet boring) day job to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Unfortunately for his family, this journey also involves playing video games all day while his teenage daughter and elderly father support him. Will Shizuo succeed in creating a true manga masterpiece, or will he be just another dropout living a life of slack?

In the opening volume, Shizuo Oguro is living his dream… sort of. Feeling like his life has been a complete waste Shizuo breaks free from the corporate rat race and charts a new and fairly random career course to become a published manga artist. Sure, he lacks the talent, discipline, or any of the other skills necessary to become a success in the manga industry, but that won’t stop Shizuo from achieving his dream!

“It’s a long way to the top in the manga business, but Shizuo’s endearing journey reminds us that life is filled with endless challenges, and that resilience and humor can give Shizuo (or any budding manga artist) the fortitude to pursue their dreams despite his family’s consternation,” says Kit Fox, Editor, VIZ Media. “I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL… TOMORROW is one of the flagship titles featured in Japan’s IKKI magazine and is a great example of the kind of high quality manga series aimed at older readers. We look forward to fans discovering this great new story.”

Creator Shunju Aono won Young Magazine’s 45th Chiba Tetsuya Award in 2001 and also won the 17th Ikkiman IKKI Newcomers Award in 2005 for his manga series KALEIDOSCOPE. His current series, I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL… TOMORROW, is currently featured in IKKI magazine.

VIZ Media’s innovative partnership with Japan’s IKKI magazine brings a diverse collection of exceptional manga series to audiences in North America. From action to comedy to drama, slice-of-life stories to surrealist fantasies, the uniting themes these works share are an uncommon emphasis on creative quality and on pushing the boundaries of the manga norm.

I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL… TOMORROW is currently featured online at SigIKKI.com, the groundbreaking web destination for a broad range of unique manga for mature audiences.

For more information on other VIZ Signature titles and to check out a sneak peek of Chapter one through five of I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL… TOMORROW please visit www.SigIKKI.com.

Denver Brubaker Announces "Tales of a Checkered Man" Webcomic

TALES OF A CHECKERED MAN is a new webcomic by Michigan based cartoonist Denver Brubaker.

Follow the thrill-a-minute adventures of a grim anti-hero, armed to teeth with big guns, sharp blades and a bad attitude as he wages a one-man war on crime and corruption in our modern day and age...or not.

How about a masked mystery man who can’t get his internal clock adjusted to nightly patrols and has a fear of falling from great heights? Yeah, that’s more like it!

“…off to a great start!” -DAVID PETERSON (Mouse Guard)

“Looks good to me." -ROB GUILLORY (Chew)

“This work is just stunning and I cannot wait to see more.” -BRIAN DOUGLAS AHERN (Bumpkin Buzz)

"I really dig The Checkered Man! Solid art with fun puns! That's the best and rarest team-up going! I can't wait to see more of this character's ...'checkered past' in future installments!" -CHRIS YAMBAR (Bart Simpson Comics / Creator of Mr. Beat)

“Great stuff! Keep at it!” -RICHARD STARKINGS (Comicraft)

“LOOKS fantastic--very cool style, crisp and clear work--and the premise certainly has potential--there's a LOT you could do here!” -TODD DEZAGO (Perhapanauts, Tellos)

Fans of superhero satire and parody as well as classic adventure pulps and traditional newspaper strips will enjoy this all-new comic strip adventure – think Charlie Brown as a masked-vigilante.

TOACM made its internet debut on April 6th, 2010 at http://www.thecheckeredman.blogspot.com/.

New comics debut each and every Tuesday and Thursday; same checkered time, same checkered blog!!!

Biomega 2

I read Biomega, Vol. 2

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which now has an iPhone app).

Kabuki Red

I read Kabuki Volume 2: Red (Yaoi) (v. 2)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which now has an iPhone app).  This is a yaoi manga title from June Manga.

Undeleted Scenes' Short but Sweet Stuff

I read Undeleted Scenes

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  This is a new collection from Jeffrey Brown, featuring shorter works produced in the last decade.