VIZ Media Releases New Sci-Fi and Fantasy Novels

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER HAIKASORU IMPRINT RELEASES

 

The Hard Science Fiction THE OUROBOROS WAVE And Fantasy DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD Are Perfect for Holiday Gifting

 

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, releases today a pair of riveting novels under its Haikasoru imprint– the philosophical hard science fiction title THE OUROBOROS WAVE by Jyouji Hayashi, and the paperback edition of the hit heroic fantasy DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD by Noriko Ogiwara.

Haikasoru is a unique imprint with a dedicated focus on publishing some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences.

THE OUROBOROS WAVE by Jyouji Hayashi; Price: $14.99 U.S. / CAN $19.99 • Available Now!

Ninety years from now, a satellite detects a nearby black hole scientists dub Kali for the Hindu goddess of destruction. As human society expands to Mars and beyond, the generations-long project to harness the power of the black hole pits the retrograde humans of Earth against the imminently rational men and women of the Artificial Accretion Disk Development association. While conflicts simmer, a mystery within Kali itself tests the limits of intelligence—that of both human and machine.

Jyouji Hiyashi was born in Hokkaido in 1962. Having worked as a clinical laboratory technician, Jyouji Hiyashi debuted as a writer in 1995 with his cowritten Dai Nihon Teikoku Oushu Dengeki Sakusen. His popularity grew with the Shonetsu no Hatou series and the Heitai Gensui Oushu Senki series – both military fiction backed by real historical perspectives. Beginning in 2000, he consecutively released Kioku Osen, Shinryakusha no Heiwa, and Ankoku Taiyo no Mezame, stories that combine scientific speculation and sociological investigations. He continues to write and act as a flag-bearer for a new generation of hard SF.

DRAGON SWORD AND WIND CHILD by Noriko Ogiwara; Price: $13.99 U.S. / CAN $18.99 • Available Now!

The forces of the God of Light and the Goddess of Darkness have waged a ruthless war across the land of Toyoashihara for generations. But for fifteen-year-old Saya, the war is far away—until the day she discovers that she is the reincarnation of the Water Maiden and a princess of the Children of the Dark. Raised to love the Light and detest the Dark, Saya must come to terms with her heritage even as she tumbles into the very heart of the conflict that is destroying her country. The Light and Dark both seek to claim her, for she is the only mortal who can awaken the legendary Dragon Sword, the fearsome weapon destined to bring an end to the war. Can Saya make the dreadful choice between the Light and Dark, or is she doomed—like all the Water Maidens who came before her…?

Noriko Ogiwara was inspired to write by the classic Western children's books she read as she was growing up. Dragon Sword and Wind Child is her first book, part of the award winning Magatama Trilogy. The second book of the Magatama Trilogy, Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince will be also available from Haikasoru in May 2011. Her other books include The Good Witch of the West and Fuujin Hisho. Ms. Ogiwara makes her home in Japan.

For more information on Haikasoru, please visit the dedicated website at http://www.haikasoru.com/.

The Great Michael Golden at Virginia ComiCon with Exclusive Print

Michael Golden and Eva Ink Artist Group "Im-print" at Virginia ComiCon!

 

Golden, Scott, Jusko and Ramos round out the roaster!

 

Richmond, VA-- The Biggest Comic Convention in Virginia, the Virginia ComiCon is coming up this weekend! And an exclusive Michael Golden print is marking the occasion-- available at registration!

Eva Ink Artist Group will be at the show en force with legendary artist and creator Michael Golden. Michael is known for his groundbreaking work on such books as “The’Nam,” “G.I. Joe,” “Doctor Strange,” “The Micronuats,” and much more. And currently Golden is working on “Spawn 200” with Todd McFarlane, as well as a few other special books in the works with IDW and more. Michael will have copies of his new book “Michael Golden: MORE Heroes and Villains” at the show, in addition to other books , DVD's and prints. Golden will be signing and sketching both days of the show.

Artist Steve Scott, fresh off his successful “Batman Confidential” gig for DC Comics, will have copies of his sketchbook “Steve Scott Sketches” as well as some new prints he’ll be debuting in Virginia for the occasion. Steve’s work has recently graced issues of “X-Men Forever,” “Green Lantern”-- special projects, and also includes amazing work on Hulk, Indiana Jones, and production work for “Smallville” as well. Steve will be signing and sketching both days of the show.

Writer and color artist Renee Witterstaetter will also be on hand to sign copies of her books “Excess: The Art of Michael Golden,” “Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira,” “Dying for Action—The Life and Films of Jackie Chan,” “Spartan X,” and her new book “Kerry and the Scary Things.”

Also joining the convention is fine art painter supreme, Joe Jusko, who is also the subject of two new Eva Ink Publishing sketchbook, the first one hitting stands now--“Joe Jusko: Savage Beauty.” Copies of the book will be available at the show while supplies last. Joe is know for his beautiful cover work featuruing Marvel, DC and Edgar Rice Burroughs characters, and much more, including beautifully painted Lara Croft sequential pages, and creation of the comic book series "Cops: The Job." With a legacy too lengthy to even mention here, Joe will be signing and sketching at the show both days.

Renowned inker and illustrator Rodney Ramos, will be joining the group as well in his first ever appearance in Virginia! Rodney will have a plethora of pages and prints available for the Virginia ComiCon. And will be sketching and signing as well. Rodney has worked for every major comic book company out there, on their most prominent characters. If you collect comics, you have a hundred of his works in your collection, no doubt. Don't miss his first appearance at the VA ComiCon!

In addition to Golden, Jusko, Scott, Ramos and Witterstaetter, the amazing guest list for this weekend includes Ethan Van Sciver, Arthur Suydam, Larry Hama, Mike McKone, Billy Tucci, Tim Seeley, Jim Calafiore, Budd Root, Brian Pulido, and many more!

For more information or to book a sketch with the featured artists above, contact Renee Witterstaetter at: evaink@aol.com

For more information on the VA ComiCon, go to: vacomicon.com

Image and Collider Entertainment Present "The Mission"

HEAVEN SENT

 

The mission is murder in new Image Comics title from Marc Guggenheim's Collider Entertainment

 

An average man gets sent on a heavenly task this February in THE MISSION, from Marc Guggenheim's Collider Entertainment.

In THE MISSION, a typical working guy finds his life upended when he's approached by a mysterious figure who claims to be the archangel Gabriel. Gabriel tells him he's been chosen for a mission in the battle between good and evil. The mission? Murder! Did our hero actually get a command from an angel or is he losing his mind?

Written by JON HOEBER and ERICH HOEBER, who wrote the screenplays for Red and Battleship, THE MISSION is produced by ALISA TAGER (HALCYON, Serenity) and MARC GUGGENHEIM (HALCYON, No Ordinary Family). The series is stunningly illustrated by WERTHER DELL'EDERA (Dark Entries, Loveless) and colored by ARIANNA FLOREAN.

"Jon and Erich have written the perfect supernatural thriller," says Guggenheim. "People have questioned the existence of God and angels for millennia, but the main character of THE MISSION has to face the reality of this conundrum, and the twists and turns will have the readers guessing as well. Werther's art is a flawless companion to the story, putting into pictures the discord our hero confronts."

Whether the battle is between good and evil or between sanity and lunacy, it begins in THE MISSION #1 (DEC100433), a 32-page full-color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores February 23, 2011. Collider Entertainment's first release with Image Comics, HALCYON #1, is available now.


Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit http://www.imagecomics.com/.

 

Tyrannosaurus Rex One-Shot Coming from Image

RUMBLE IN THE CRETACEOUS

 

Man meets dinosaur in TYRANNOSAURUS REX one-shot from Image Comics

 

In February, Image Comics gets prehistoric with TYRANNOSUARUS REX, a one shot from Mark Kidwell ('68, Frazetta's Dark Kingdom) and Jay Fotos ('68, Frazetta's Death Dealer), with art by Jeff Zornow (Day of the Dead: Desertion, Halloween Comics, Fright Rags) and Fotos.

In TYRANNOSAURUS REX, man and dinosaur share the food chain. The delicate balance between the two is destroyed one fateful day, leaving one man to face the eternally deadly Tyrant Lizard. This man will risk it all to defend his village, save his tribe, and protect his lady-love, fur bikini and all!

"This project hit home on satisfying any giddy child-like fantasies," says Fotos. "I told myself that if I could make a dinosaur comic, the main influences would be a lifetime of Ray Harryhausen flicks, the image of Raquel Welch in a fur bikini, and a heaping helping of Warner Brothers Looney Tunes. It's all non-stop dino-carnage in TYRANNOSAURUS REX!"

TYRANNOSAURUS REX ($3.99, DEC100446), a 32-page full-color one shot comic book from Image Comics, will be in stores February 9, 2011.


Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Vagabond VIZBIG Duel

I read Vagabond, Vol. 9 (VIZBIG Edition)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  This collects Vagabond, Vols. 25-27.

VIZ Media Announces New Titles for Spring and Summer 2011

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW MANGA ACQUISITIONS FOR SPRING & SUMMER 2011

 

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, announced the forthcoming releases for Spring and Summer 2011. The diverse new lineup offers something for everyone, from the supernatural adventures of NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN and BLUE EXORCIST, to the rough-and-tumble action of TENJO TENGE, to a slice-of-life peek at the tenants of an apartment in Italy in LA QUINTA CAMERA, to the long-awaited artbook of the hit VAMPIRE KNIGHT series.

NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN Volume 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • Shonen Jump • MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN • Available February 1, 2011

While the day belongs to humans, the night belongs to yokai, supernatural creatures that thrive on human fear. Caught between these worlds is Rikuo Nura. He's three-quarters human, but his grandfather is none other than Nurarihyon, the supreme commander of the Nura clan, a powerful yokai consortium. So, Rikuo is an ordinary teenager three quarters of the time, until his yokai blood awakens. Then Rikuo transforms into the future leader of the Nura clan, leading a hundred demons.

BLUE EXORCIST Volume 1 • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • Shonen Jump Advanced • MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.00 CAN • Available April 5, 2011

Raised by Father Fujimoto, a famous exorcist, Rin Okumura never knew his real father. One day a fateful argument with Father Fujimoto forces Rin to face a terrible truth—the blood of the demon lord Satan runs in Rin’s veins! Rin swears to defeat Satan, but doing that means entering the mysterious True Cross Academy and becoming an exorcist himself. Can Rin fight demons and keep his infernal bloodline a secret? It won't be easy, especially when drawing his father’s sword releases the demonic power within him!

TENJO TENGE Volume 1 • Rated ‘M’ for Mature • VIZ Signature • MSRP: $17.99 US / $21.00 CAN • Available June 21, 2011

By popular demand, VIZ Signature presents an all-new publication of a fan favorite—now 100% faithful to the original and in 2-in-1 editions featuring 16 pages of full-color art!

Knuckle-busting brawls, badass babes, and the toughest student body ever to mix it up under one roof. Welcome to Todo High, where the only rule is: get strong or get schooled. Soichiro Nagi and Bob Makihara have always been the meanest street brawlers around. When they enter Todo High they plan on carving out a reputation as the strongest fighters in their new school—easier said than done in a place that's dedicated to training its students in the art of combat!

LA QUINTA CAMERA • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • VIZ Signature • MSRP: $12.99 US / $14.99 CAN • Available July 19, 2011

A charming suite of linked stories from the acclaimed author of not simple and House of Five Leaves, set in an apartment in Italy. In four of the rooms live four single men with singular personalities. Into this peculiar ménage steps an exchange student, the new tenant of the fifth room. Brought together by chance, friends by choice, they pursue their dreams together as the days drift gently by.

THE ART OF VAMPIRE KNIGHT • Shojo Beat • MSRP: $24.99 US / $28.00 CAN • Available September 6, 2011

Cross over into the world of VAMPIRE KNIGHT with the lush, full-color artwork of Matsuri Hino. This deluxe hardcover edition includes an extensive gallery with author comments, a how-to tutorial, and an exclusive poster.

For more information on these titles, or others from VIZ Media, please visit http://www.viz.com/.

Actionopolis Has "Henrietta Hex" on Kindle

ACTIONOPOLIS Publishes Highly Anticipated New Series HENRIETTA HEX

HENRIETTA HEX: SHADOWS FROM THE PAST –Highly Anticipated First Book in the Henrietta Hex Series - Now available on Kindle

LOS ANGELES---- ACTIONOPOLIS, LLC launches the eagerly anticipated Henrietta Hex: Shadows from the Past with a Kindle edition first printing. Steven Philip Jones, author of the Young Adult fantasy-adventure novels Talismen: The Knightmare Knife and Wizard Academies: The House with the Witch’s Hat, introduces readers to Henrietta Hex: Shadows From The Past, a new fantasy about a young paranormal investigator who can see and speak with ghosts. Henrietta Hex simultaneously releases in downloadable e-book apps compatible on iPad, iPhone, PC, Mac, Kindle, and the Android readers.

HENRIETTA HEX - Folks living in and around the tiny seaport of Spouke's Hollow, Maine often refer to it as "Spooks Hollow." The town has more than its share of things that go bump in the night, as young Henrietta Heckes finds out after she moves there with her mother from Boston. Henrietta also discovers that she is a medium who can communicate with spirits from the town’s past, including the vengeful ghost of a former medium who would like to destroy Spooks Hollow.

For more information about the new line of ACTIONOPOLIS books visit http://www.actionopolis.com/.

ACTIONOPOLIS: When Adventure Is Your Destination!


ABOUT STEVEN PHILIP JONES
Steven Philip Jones most current credits include the graphic novels Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Twisted Minds and Worlds of H.P. Lovecraft, Volumes 1 & 2. Jones’ other novels include King of Harlem (“a gripping read” – Clive Cussler) and Bushwhackers, and he has written over 60 graphic scripts for Marvel Comics, Caliber Comics and Malibu Graphics. Jones is a graduate of the University of Iowa and was accepted into Iowa’s prestigious Writer’s Workshop Master of Fine Arts Program. Visit him on the web at www.stevenpjones.com.

ABOUT ACTIONOPOLIS
Actionopolis is the brainchild of publisher Shannon Eric Denton, who has years of experience with companies such as Cartoon Network, Warner Brothers, Disney, Sony, ToyBiz, Marvel Entertainment, FoxKids, DC Comics, and Nickelodeon. He and his Komikwerks co-founder Patrick Coyle have been publishing comics online and in print through their publishing company KOMIKWERKS since 2000.

ABOUT KOMIKWERKS
Komikwerks has been partnered with Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment to publish a line of premiere Internet comics called Stan Lee's Sunday Comics on Komikwerks.com. Komikwerks also provided exclusive content to the AOL: RED website. Komikwerks has been featured in many news and entertainment periodicals including Variety, USA Today, and Wizard Magazine.