Book Party for "Cover Story" in Seattle

Georgetown Records and Fantagraphics Bookstore Host a Party for “COVER STORY: Odd, Obscure and Outrageous Album Art” on Saturday, August 14.

Spend a hot August night with cool music and art at Georgetown Records and Fantagraphics Bookstore in Seattle. The party celebrates the publication of “COVER STORY Volume Two: Odd, Obscure and Outrageous Album Art” on Saturday August 14 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Contributors Aja West and Cheeba preside over the festivities with a show of album art from the book, a book signing, and a rare combined DJ appearance.

COVER STORY Volume Two: Odd, Obscure and Outrageous Album Art, continues a graphic narration of the vibrant subculture of record collecting through the art of the album cover. This edition examines strange and bizarre record covers from across the country and around the globe, illuminating the imaginative past of twelve-inch masterpieces – sadly absent in this era of digital downloads. Published by Wax Poetics in association with powerHouse Books, this colorful 228 page volume celebrates an eccentric era when artistic visions were often so absurd and grandiose they frequently extended beyond the boundaries of the recording and onto the album covers themselves.

The artwork for the COVER STORY series is selected by the staff of Wax Poeticsmagazine, including Seattle siblings Aja West and Cheeba. Both brothers have colorful backgrounds, recording music together and separately, collaborating with an amazing assortment of players along the way. Both also associated with celebrities early in their careers: Aja as the music assistant to comedian Conan O’Brien and Cheeba with the illustrious Dust Brothers production duo. Their first recording together was a remix for the “Fight Club” film that appeared in the Japanese and European version of the soundtrack. They now play in each other’s projects: Aja’s The Mackrosoft and Cheeba’s Cheebacabra.

First published in December 2001, Brooklyn-born Wax Poetics was originally created for a concentrated market of music aficionados. It has since expanded to make musical anthropologists out of average music listeners - illuminating the dark corners of our sonic past while also striving to give new and innovative artists broad exposure.

Georgetown Records and Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery share retail space at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) Phone 206.658.0110. This event coincides with the lively Georgetown Art Attack featuring free visual and performing arts presentations at several locations throughout the historic industrial arts district.

Waiting for Death

I read Yokan - Premonition (Yaoi)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has apps for the iPhone and Palm smart phones and they're FREE FREE FREE!)

I Reads You August 2010

Welcome to I Reads You, my blog about the things I read (mostly comic books, comics, and related books) and about the things I come across worth reading (mostly about comic books, politics, and entertainment). Sometimes I’ll comment on “real” books and the mass media.

I’m Leroy Douresseaux, and I also have another blog: http://www.negromancer.com/. I also write for the Comic Book Bin, which has apps for the iPhone and Palm smart phones.

All images appearing on this blog are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.

Two New Webcomics from Champion City Comics

Champion City Comics Launches Two New Web-Comics

City Comics is proud to announce the launch of two new web-comics, Johnny Knuckles and Naira.

Johnny Knuckles follows the freewheeling life of a truck driver who leads the convoy down the intergalactic highway full of pretty little alien darlings and dirty little alien mobsters. Johnny Knuckles is written and illustrated by Joseph Haemmerle (Seattle, WA).

Naira is a tale about a research scientist who stumbles upon a distant planet inhabited by violent creatures. Inspired by classic science fiction movies, Naira was written by TonyDoug Wright (Kalamazoo, MI) and features the illustration and lettering of Victor Pozzi (Olavarria, Argentina), who also developed the concept of Naira.

Also available at Champion City Comics: The Champion City Fire is a tale of vigilante justice set in a city overrun by dirty cops and criminals written by TonyDoug Wright (Kalamazoo, MI) and features the illustration and lettering of Joseph Haemmerle (Seattle, WA).

The End of Paradise is a gritty noir tale about a small-time criminal hellbent on revenge written by TonyDoug Wright (Kalamazoo, MI) and features the illustration and lettering of A. Kaviraj (Sacramento, CA).

Westwood is a sci-fi suspense story of murder and intrigue written by TonyDoug Wright (Kalamazoo, MI) and features the illustration and lettering of Victor Pozzi (Olavarria, Argentina).

From May 1, 2010 to July 27, 2010, we had over 1,000 readers and Champion City Comics is grateful to those who took the time to read our web-comics.

All five web-comics are available for view at http://www.championcitycomics.com/.

Two Bluewater Titles to Become Radio Programs

Press release:

COLONIAL RADIO THEATRE TO PRODUCE “LOGAN'S RUN - LAST DAY” & “VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS” RADIO PROGRAMS

Colonial Radio Theater on the Air announced today that they have entered into an agreement with the comic book publishers Bluewater Productions to produce “Logan's Run - Last Day”. Based on the the comic books from the novel by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson, and a screenplay by Paul J. Salamoff. CRT'S audio play will bring this incredible story to life with a full cast, full music score, and thousands of sound effects. “We're very excited to have this opportunity to do 'Logan's Run' the way it should have been done - as the author originally envisioned it,” said producer Mark Vander Berg.

Also slated is Bluewater's cult comic book anthology series “Vincent Price Presents”. One of classic Hollywood's most famous scary men, Vincent Price made a name for himself in classic mysteries and thrillers throughout the 1940's, 50's and 60's. Now Vincent Price Presents comes to Bluewater Productions as their 1st ongoing monthly series. The series will feature some of Prices's films as well as developing new frightening ones with his estate.

Explained producer Jerry Robbins: “Audio drama is very close to what the author intended. When reading a book, people have a certain image of the characters, the setting, the action. When it's made into a movie it's all shattered because it doesn't look like what's in their mind. The good thing about audio is that it looks just like you pictured it. Your vision is perfectly intact. This is the Theatre of the Mind - you supply the vision, we supply the sound.”

Celebrating it's 15th year, the award winning Colonial Radio Theatre on the Air's goal is to resurrect an old medium - making it modern and relevant - in a new and unique way for people to enjoy. With people's busy schedules keeping them on the road and limiting their time to read, “This is the future,” said Vander Berg, “audio drama is the next wave.”

The production of “Logan's Run” continues an increasingly strong science fiction addition into CRT's lineup of historical dramas, classic literature, fairy tales, and westerns with upcoming releases by both Ray Bradbury and Walter Koenig. Unlike video, when audio is digitally recorded now as CRT does it - with the best talent in the industry - it will never become dated by passing fashion and film techniques.

”Logan's Run - Last Day” depicts an ageist future society in which both the population and resources are maintained by requiring the death of everyone reaching a particular age. The story follows Logan, a man charged with tracking down and killing citizens who "run" from society's lethal demand - only to end up "running" himself.

“Logan's Run - Last Day” is expected to be released in early 2011 on Sirius/XM Radio, by download on the internet, and on Brilliance Audio CD available at retail outlets. “Vincent Price Presents” will be released in October 2010.

More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.colonialradio.com/


About Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis” ”Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts,” et al) and celebrated actor Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry's top artists and writers.

For more information, visit http://www.bluewaterprod.com/.

VIZ Media Offers Summer of Diversity

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW SUMMER MANGA SERIES TO DELIGHT FANS OF ALL INTERESTS

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has provided details regarding the launch of brand new manga series set for release this summer. The series will tantalize the most discriminating manga tastes and features romantic dramas, fantasy driven action, the trials of aspiring manga creators, and a tasty slice of life story set in a romantic bistro in Rome.

Bakuman。· Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN · Available August 3rd

By the creative team that brought you DEATH NOTE! Average student Moritaka Mashiro enjoys drawing for fun. When his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world?

DENGEKI DAISY · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN · Available Now

After orphan Teru Kurebayashi loses her beloved older brother, she finds solace in the text messages she exchanges with DAISY, an enigmatic figure who can only be reached through the cell phone her brother left behind. Meanwhile, mysterious Tasuku Kurosaki always seems to be around whenever Teru needs help. Could DAISY be a lot closer than Teru thinks?

GENTE · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $12.99 US / $16.99 CAN · Available August 17th

Buona sera! Welcome to Casetta dell'Orso, a quaint little restaurant in the heart of Rome. The food's delicious, but the handsome staff of bespectacled gentlemen is the real draw. Follow these dashing men home and witness their romances, heartaches, hopes and dreams in this delightfully whimsical continuation of Natsume Ono's beloved Ristorante Paradiso.

HYDE & CLOSER · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN · Available Now

Shunpei Closer is your average... well, slightly below average kid in junior high who finds himself in the middle of a great battle of dark sorcery. With cursed dolls coming after him one after another, Shunpei's life is in constant danger! If that weren't enough, Hyde, the teddy bear given to him by his grandfather, suddenly comes alive to rescue him. Hyde was a gift from Shunpei's grandfather, Alsyd Closer, who was the King of Sorcerers. After a mysterious attack, Shunpei also learns that he is the target of sorcerers all over the world. With Hyde as his main protector and teacher, Shunpei must learn how to gain confidence in himself and use the magic that he has inherited to battle the dark forces that now threaten him.

Seiho boys’ high school! · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN · Available August 3rd

Remote, lonely and surrounded by the ocean… This isn't Alcatraz we're talking about--it's Seiho Boys' High School, where the student body is rife with sexually frustrated hunks! How can these young men get girlfriends when they're stuck in the middle of nowhere? These are the stories of the students of Seiho High and the trouble they get into as they awkwardly pursue all girls who cross their paths.

For more information on Bakuman。and other Shonen Jump titles from VIZ Media, please visit http://www.shonenjump.com/.

For more information on DENGEKI DAISY, SEIHO BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL, and other Shojo Beat titles from VIZ Media, please visit http://www.shojobeat.com/.

For more information on HYDE & CLOSER and other Shonen Sunday titles from VIZ Media, please visit http://www.shonensunday.com/.

Alex Ross to Cover Archaia's New "Days Missing" Series

FIVE SUPERSTAR COVER ARTISTS ANNOUNCED FOR ARCHAIA AND RODDENBERRY’S ‘DAYS MISSING: KESTUS’

ALEX ROSS, DALE KEOWN AND DAVID MACK AMONG THE ARTISTS ILLUSRATING THE COVERS TO THE SECONG VOLUME OF THIS HIT MINISERIES

At the Archaia: Black Label panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Archaia Entertainment and Roddenberry Productions proudly announced the all-star lineup of cover artists contributing to the second volume of the critically acclaimed comic book series DAYS MISSING.

A different artist will illustrate each of the five upcoming covers of Days Missing: Kestus, which launches in September. As previously announced, Alex Ross (Kingdom Come, Astro City) will be creating the cover for issue #1. Jorge Molina (Marvel Superhero Team-Up, What Is? Spiderman: House of M) will design the cover of issue #2, and Ryan Benjamin (Grifter/Midnighter, New Mutants) will lend his talents to the cover of issue #3. David Mack (Daredevil, Atomika) has signed on to draw issue #4’s cover, and Dale Keown (The Darkness, Pitt), who illustrated all of the covers for Days Missing volume 1, will return to illustrate the cover to issue #5.

“Each talented cover artist brings his own perspective of The Steward and Kestus to the series, which creates a richer, deeper understanding of these multi-layered characters,” said Roddenberry Productions Head of Development Trevor Roth.

Artist David Marquez (Syndrome: The Graphic Novel) will illustrate the pages of all five issues of the continuing epic, which fan-favorite and Eisner Award-nominated author Phil Hester (Firebreather, The Darkness, Green Arrow) will write.

Days Missing: Kestus continues the tale of The Steward, a mysterious being who has the ability to literally “fold” days of time, secretly removing critical days from history. At the end of the first series, hints were dropped that The Steward was not alone in his powers. The second series will focus on his relationship with a new being, Kestus, as well as more days for him to “fold.”

Hester and Marquez joined Archaia’s SDCC panel along with Roddenberry Productions’ CEO Rod Roddenberry. Fans were treated to a limited run, complimentary preview book written by Creator Trevor Roth and drawn by David Marquez.

“Archaia and Roddenberry Productions have assembled five of the best cover artists in the industry today to lend their talents to this exciting franchise,” said Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy. “It just goes to show that Days Missing is one of the best science-fiction comics out there, and this new set of issues will not only just add to its popularity, but bring in new fans!”

Days Missing: Kestus will be published under Archaia’s new Black Label line of titles, which specializes in co-developing intellectual properties with prestigious partners who are seeking to flesh out and realize their original ideas through the use of Archaia’s resources.

Issue #1 of Days Missing Vol. 2: Kestus (five-issue miniseries, full color, $3.95, 32 pages, Diamond Order Code JUL10 0764) is set to debut in September wherever comic books are sold.

Future updates on the series, including preview images and other behind-the-scenes material, can be found at http://www.daysmissing.com/.


About Archaia Entertainment
Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. Archaia is: An Elegy for Amelia Johnson, Artesia, Awakening, Beautiful Scars, Berona’s War, The Black Knight, Critical Millennium, Cyclops, The Dark Crystal, Dark Fall, Days Missing, The Devil’s Handshake, The Engineer, Everlast, Feeding Ground, Fraggle Rock, God Machine, The Grave Doug Freshley, Gunnerkrigg Court, Hybrid Bastards!, Inanna’s Tears, The Killer, Killing Pickman, Labyrinth, The Lone and Level Sands, Lucid, Miranda Mercury, Moon Lake, Mouse Guard, Mr. Murder Is Dead, Okko, One in a Million, Primordia, Return of the Dapper Men, Robotika, Saga, The Secret History, Some New Kind of Slaughter, Starkweather: Immortal, Syndrome, Titanium Rain, Trial By Fire, Tumor and 10 more new titles in 2010.

For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit www.Archaia.com or the Archaia Facebook page at facebook.com/archaiacomics. Follow Archaia on Twitter at 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.

For more information on Roddenberry Productions please visit www.Roddenberry.com. Roddenberry Productions can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/roddenberrycom) and Twitter (twitter.com/roddenberry).