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Thursday, January 9, 2014

Dark Horse Galloping Towards 2014 Wizard World Portland Comic Con

Award-Winning Publisher Dark Horse Will Have Big Presence At Wizard World Portland Comic Con, January 24-26

The Premier Publisher Will Create Giveaways For Attendees, Host Booth And Programming Panels At Oregon Convention Center

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dark Horse, bridging the gap between the best licensed and original comics work from the industry’s top talent, will make their debut at Wizard World Portland Comic Con, January 24-26 at the Oregon Convention Center. The Oregon-based Premier Publisher, which produces such notable titles as Tomb Raider, Mass Effect, Halo, Terminator, Serenity, Star Wars, Hellboy, and Conan, will be appearing at Portland Comic Con for the first time.

Located in nearby Milwaukie, Ore., Dark Horse will feature several of its top creators signing at its booth including Christos Gage (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Eric Powell (The Goon) and more! Dark Horse will host three panels throughout the show, with details to be announced shortly!

Additionally, fans will enjoy special exclusive items produced by Dark Horse and available for the first time at Wizard World Portland Comic Con! Visitors to the Dark Horse booth (#201) can check out new and classic offerings as well as giveaways throughout the event.

“Dark Horse is one of the premier publishers in the industry today,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO. “What makes them unique is many of their properties, including Hellboy, have been seen on the big screen. And knowing that Hellboy's Ron Perlman is attending, and Dark Horse is located in Portland, there are so many synergies that make this work. It is exciting for the fans, vendors, and everyone involved.”

“After Wizard World's impressive first year in Portland, we knew Dark Horse would enthusiastically join the 2014 line up of exhibitors," said Dark Horse president and publisher, Mike Richardson. "We've got one of our biggest years yet coming in 2014, and what better place to kick it off than right here in our own backyard.”

Norman Reedus of “The Walking Dead,” “Star Trek's” “Captain Kirk” William Shatner, WWE® Superstar CM Punk® and Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee are among the top celebrities scheduled to attend Wizard World Portland Comic Con. The standout roster will also include Ron Perlman of Hellboy, Robert Englund (“Freddy Kruger” of A Nightmare on Elm Street), Bruce Campbell of Evil Dead, pop culture icons Billy Dee Williams (The Empire Strikes Back, Brian's Song) and Adam West (“Batman”) Nicholas Brendan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and many others.

It is the first of 16 events currently scheduled in the 2014 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions. Wizard World Portland Comic Con show hours are Friday, Jan. 24, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2014 Wizard World Portland Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-portland.html.

About Dark Horse
Founded by Mike Richardson in 1986, behind the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals, Dark Horse Comics (www.darkhorse.com) has grown to become the third-largest comics publisher in the United States and is acclaimed internationally for the quality and diversity of its line. By attracting the top talent in the field, Dark Horse Comics continues to change the shape of the industry and grow its brand throughout the world.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

Wizard World 2014 Schedule

January 24-26 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
March 7-9 – Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con
March 28-30 – Wizard World Louisville Comic Con
April 4-6 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 2-4 – Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con
May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
June 19-22 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 1-3 – Wizard World San Antonio Comic Con
August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond Comic Con
September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
October 2-4 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con
November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Comic Con

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Review: NISEKOI: False Love Volume 1

NISEKOI: FALSE LOVE, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Naoshi Komi
TRANSLATION: Camellia Nieh
LETTERS: Stephen Dutro
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5799-1; paperback (January 2014), Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S. $12.99 CAN

Double Arts was the first title manga creator Naoshi Komi had serialized in Japan’s manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump. His current Weekly Shonen Jump series is Nisekoi, which also appears in North America in VIZ Media’s Weekly Shonen Jump digital manga magazine.

Nisekoi: False Love focuses on Raku Ichijo. There are two things to know about him that are important. Raku was born into a yakuza family, and he is searching for his childhood sweetheart. Ten years ago, he met a girl, and they declared that they would meet as adults and marry. The sign of their promise is a pendant lock around his neck as a memento, for which the girl has the key. Years later, Raku can’t even remember the girl’s name or face, and now, a new relationship threatens Raku’s promise.

As Nisekoi: False Love, Vol. 1 (subtitled The Promise – Chapters 1 to 7) opens, Raku is getting ready for school and dealing with the yakuza members that crowd his life at home. Today, however, there is going to be a surprise when Raku meets his newest classmate, Chitoge Kirisaki. It is hate at first sight (and a knee-to-the-head at first sight) when the two meet, but they are more alike than not. Both their fathers are yakuza!

Unfortunately for the new rivals, Raku’s gangster father has made a shocking arrangement with Chitoge’s criminal father, Adelt Kirisaki Wagner. In order to maintain peace between their fathers’ warring yakuza factions, Raku and Chitoge enter into a false love match. The problem is that Raku and Chitoge can barely stand each other.

When I first heard of the Nisekoi: False Love manga, I did not realize that it was supposed to be a comedy. When VIZ Media sent me a copy of Nisekoi: False Love Volume 1 for review, I was pleased to discover that it is indeed funny.

The leads, Raku Ichijo and Chitoge Kirisaki, are funny not just because of their predicament, forced to date each other to avert a gang war, but also because of their personalities. Raku knows what he wants, but he’s a simpering coward when it comes to being honest about his romantic feelings; it would be too simple if he were merely shy – and not as funny. Chitoge is stubborn and too proud; both make her lash out at everyone, and so she has a hard time making friends. She is full of fury and mostly impotent.

Their different goals and personalities mean the two characters clash, but creator Naoshi Komi offers his readers a treat. The two teens have something in common, but Komi is going to have fun making the good part of them shine through the crass and selfish exteriors. Nisekoi: False Love has potential. Readers looking for romance in a shonen vein will want to try Nisekoi: False Love.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 8 2014

DC COMICS

OCT130284 100 BULLETS BROTHER LONO #7 (MR) $2.99
NOV130158 ACTION COMICS #27 $3.99
OCT130248 BATMAN 66 THE TV STORIES TP $14.99
NOV130219 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE #5 $4.99
OCT130236 BATMAN DARK KNIGHT TP VOL 02 CYCLE OF VIOLENCE (N52) $14.99
NOV130164 BATMAN SUPERMAN #7 $3.99
NOV130166 BATMAN SUPERMAN #7 COMBO PACK $4.99
NOV130182 BATWING #27 (GOTHTOPIA) $2.99
SEP130282 DEADMAN TP VOL 04 $14.99
OCT130251 DEMON FROM THE DARKNESS TP $14.99
OCT130242 DEMON KNIGHTS TP VOL 03 THE GATHERING STORM (N52) $19.99
NOV130179 DETECTIVE COMICS #27 COMBO PACK (NOTE PRICE) $8.99
NOV130175 DETECTIVE COMICS #27 CVR A (GOTHTOPIA) (NOTE PRICE) $7.99
NOV130150 EARTH 2 #19 $2.99
OCT130291 EX MACHINA TP BOOK ONE (MR) $19.99
OCT130289 FAIREST #22 (MR) $2.99
NOV130273 FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS #7 (MR) $2.99
NOV130137 FOREVER EVIL ARKHAM WAR #4 $2.99
NOV130146 GREEN ARROW #27 $2.99
NOV130196 GREEN LANTERN #27 $2.99
NOV130198 GREEN LANTERN #27 COMBO PACK $3.99
OCT130250 GREEN LANTERN SECTOR 2814 TP VOL 03 $16.99
OCT130267 GREEN LANTERN THE ANIMATED SERIES TP VOL 02 $12.99
NOV130267 HINTERKIND #4 (MR) $2.99
NOV130208 MOVEMENT #8 $2.99
NOV130259 SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #2 $2.99
NOV130224 SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 ALIEN #2 $3.99
NOV130210 STORMWATCH #27 $2.99
SEP130276 SUPERMAN HC VOL 03 FURY AT THE WORLDS END (N52) $22.99
OCT130246 SUPERMAN TP VOL 02 SECRETS AND LIES (N52) $16.99
NOV130209 SWAMP THING #27 $2.99
OCT130292 SWAMP THING BY BRIAN K VAUGHN TP VOL 01 (MR) $19.99
OCT130294 TERRA OBSCURA SMASH OF TWO WORLDS TP $24.99
NOV130130 TRINITY OF SIN THE PHANTOM STRANGER #15 (EVIL) $2.99
NOV130216 VAMPIRE DIARIES #1 $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 8 2014

MARVEL COMICS

NOV130650 A PLUS X #16 $3.99
OCT130779 ALL NEW INVADERS #1 BY SINGH POSTER $8.99
NOV130543 ALL NEW MARVEL NOW POINT ONE #1 ANMN $5.99
OCT130780 ALL NEW MARVEL POINT ONE #1 BY LARROCA POSTER $8.99
NOV130607 ALL NEW X-FACTOR #1 ANMN $3.99
OCT130783 ALL NEW X-MEN #22.NOW BY IMMONEN POSTER $8.99
OCT130756 ALL NEW X-MEN INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK SSM ARMS OCTOPUS TP $14.99
OCT130757 ALL NEW X-MEN TP VOL 01 YESTERDAYS X-MEN $19.99
NOV130583 AVENGERS AI #8.NOW ANMN $2.99
NOV130569 AVENGERS WORLD #1 ANMN $3.99
OCT130786 AVENGERS WORLD #1 BY CASSADAY POSTER $8.99
NOV130587 BLACK WIDOW #1 ANMN $3.99
OCT130782 BLACK WIDOW #1 BY NOTO POSTER $8.99
NOV130688 CABLE AND X-FORCE #18 XFV $3.99
NOV130656 CATACLYSM ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #3 $3.99
OCT130671 CATACLYSM ULTIMATES LAST STAND #3 $3.99
NOV130649 DAREDEVIL DARK NIGHTS #8 $2.99
NOV130695 DEADPOOL #22 $2.99
OCT130767 FANTASTIC FOUR INHUMANS TP ATLANTIS RISING $39.99
NOV130699 FANTOMEX MAX #4 (MR) $3.99
OCT130768 GUARDIANS OF GALAXY BY JIM VALENTINO TP VOL 01 $34.99
OCT130784 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #11.NOW BY PICHELLI POSTER $8.99
SEP130670 INFINITY HEIST #4 INF $3.99
NOV130617 INHUMANITY AWAKENING #2 $3.99
NOV130648 IRON MAN #20 $3.99
NOV130667 MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #4 $3.99
NOV130679 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #4 SYU $2.99
OCT130787 MIRACLEMAN #1 BY YU POSTER $8.99
NOV130700 PAINKILLER JANE PRICE OF FREEDOM #3 (MR) $2.99
NOV130642 REVOLUTIONARY WAR ALPHA #1 $3.99
NOV130602 SAVAGE WOLVERINE #14.NOW ANMN $3.99
OCT130758 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TEAM-UP TP FRIENDLY FIRE $17.99
OCT130781 THUNDERBOLTS #20.NOW BY FLETCHER POSTER $8.99
NOV130693 WOLVERINE #13 $3.99
OCT130747 X-MEN BATTLE OF ATOM HC $49.99
NOV130653 YOUNG AVENGERS #15 $2.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for January 8 2014

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 8 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV130014 ABE SAPIEN #9 $3.50
SEP130079 DOCTOR SOLAR ARCHIVES TP VOL 02 $19.99
AUG130118 GAME OF THRONES PINT GLASS STANNIS $9.99
AUG130119 GAME OF THRONES PINT GLASS TYRELL $9.99
NOV130034 HALO ESCALATION #2 $3.99
SEP130069 HALO INITIATION HC $14.99
NOV130052 SHAOLIN COWBOY #4 $3.99
NOV130027 STAR WARS #13 2013 ONGOING $2.99
SEP130067 STAR WARS OMNIBUS ADVENTURES TP $24.99
SEP130081 TRIGUN MAXIMUM OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 $19.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 8 2014

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

SEP130613 APHRODITE IX #7 [DIG] $2.99
OCT130480 ARTIFACTS TP VOL 06 [DIG] $16.99
OCT130496 COMPLETE MULTIPLE WARHEADS TP (MR) [DIG] $17.99
NOV130500 DRUMHELLAR (PREVIOUSLY STRANGEWAYS) #3 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
SEP130619 ELEPHANTMEN #53 (MR) [DIG] $3.99
NOV130419 ELEPHANTMEN TP VOL 06 EARTHLY DESIRES (MR) [DIG] $24.99
AUG130693 FATALE #19 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
OCT130601 FIVE GHOSTS #8 [DIG] $2.99
NOV130438 HEAVENS WAR TP NEW PTG $16.99
OCT130602 HOAX HUNTERS #13 CVR A WALSH [DIG] $3.50
OCT130603 HOAX HUNTERS #13 CVR B ROSSMO $3.50
NOV130505 INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #9 [DIG] $2.99
NOV138097 MANIFEST DESTINY #2 2ND PTG $2.99
NOV130508 MANIFEST DESTINY #3 [DIG] $2.99
NOV130413 MINIMUM WAGE #1 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
OCT130609 MORNING GLORIES #36 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
OCT138368 SEX CRIMINALS #1 4TH PTG (MR) $3.50
OCT138369 SEX CRIMINALS #2 3RD PTG (MR) $3.50
OCT138244 SEX CRIMINALS #3 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50
OCT130623 SEX CRIMINALS #4 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
NOV130434 SHELTERED #6 [DIG] $2.99
NOV130525 SPAWN #239 [DIG] $2.99
SEP130555 SPAWN ORIGINS DLX ED S/N HC VOL 04 $150.00
OCT138370 THREE #1 3RD PTG $2.99
OCT138371 THREE #2 2ND PTG $2.99
NOV130528 THREE #4 [DIG] $2.99
OCT138253 VELVET #2 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
OCT138242 WALKING DEAD #116 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
NOV138091 WALKING DEAD #117 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
NOV130532 WALKING DEAD #119 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

NOV132025 ASSASSINS CREED IV EDWARD KENWAY RESIN STATUE PI
NOV132026 HALO 4 MASTER CHIEF RESIN STATUE PI
SEP130658 TMP SPORTS NFL SERIES 33 JULIO JONES AF PI