Friday, December 31, 2010

I Reads You Review: MILESTONE FOREVER #1



MILESTONE FOREVER No. 1
DC COMICS
WRITER: Dwayne McDuffie
PENCILS/INKS: John Paul Leon (framing sequence)
PENCILS: Mark D. Bright
INKS: Romeo Tanghal
LETTERS: Sal Cipriano
COLORS: Snakebite
COVER: Admira
48pp, Color, $5.99

Milestone was a comics imprint published through DC Comics’ from 1993 through 1997. The brainchild of Milestone Media, a collective of African-American comic book creators, the imprint produced comic books featuring minority characters, specifically African-American characters and superheroes. The imprint published several titles including Hardware, Icon, and Blood Syndicate. One of them, Static, gave birth to an Emmy Award winning animated series, Static Shock.

Except for sporadic appearances in DC Comics series, Milestone’s characters mostly disappeared. In the summer of the 2008, Milestone Media co-founder Dwayne McDuffie announced that the Milestone characters would be merged into the DC Universe. Milestone’s universe was known as the “Dakotaverse,” named for the fictional Midwestern city, Dakota, where most of the early stories were set. Published earlier this year, Milestone Forever is the event comic book miniseries that chronicled the events leading to that merger.

Milestone Forever #1 stars the core Milestone characters, but opens with a framing sequence focusing on a character named Dharma. He initiated the “Big Bang,” the event gave characters like Static their superpowers. Now, Dharma needs those same superheroes to save the universe. Meanwhile, the Dakotaverse heroes are having their own issues. They are caught in a struggle begun by Holocaust between the old and new versions of the Blood Syndicate.

Thanks to the pencil art of Mark D. Bright, Milestone Forever #1 has a thoroughly 1980s vibe. Bright’s page design often emphasizes large panels, half-splash pages, and sometimes full splash pages – the better to capture superhero combat. The style recalls John Byrne’s art on his short run on the Hulk in the mid-80s and John Romita, Jr.’s art on Cable and Uncanny X-Men in the early 1990s. This is old school superhero comics (in a good way), but with colorist Snakebite’s fiery hues to give the art a modern touch.

I like Milestone, more now than I did in its original incarnation, but I don’t know if Dwayne McDuffie’s script offers anything new that would attract readers who ignored Milestone a decade-and-half ago. For Milestone fans, this is a nice goodbye that looks like the way it used to be.

B+

[This issue has pin-up pages, including a Hardware illustration by J.H. Williams.]

-------------------


"Lorna, Relic Hunter" Has Darwyn Cooke Cover



ARCHEOLOGICAL GIRL FIGHT
 
Lorna, Relic Wrangler faces off against the forces of evil in March release from Image Comics
 
Fun fact: Washington D.C.'s occult architecture was configured to roll out the red carpet for an extra-dimensional Dark Lord. And only one woman can rescue mankind from certain doom!

In March, Image Comics will tell the tale of mankind's savior in LORNA, RELIC WRANGLER, a one-shot adventure written by Micah S. Harris (HEAVEN'S WAR) and illustrated by Loston Wallace (Elvira Mistress of the Dark, Batman Animated Series), Michael Youngblood, and Olli Hihnala. Eisner-award winning artist Darwyn Cooke (DC: The New Frontier, Richard Stark's Parker) provides the gorgeous cover, while Dean Yeagle supplies a pin-up worthy variant cover.

"Lorna's passions were never those of your typical southern belle," Harris says. "Now, from her trailer park HQ, she tracks the uncanny on a global scale."

"Lorna is Mary Ann and Ginger combined with a mint julep twist of Laura Croft," Wallace adds. "Sexy, funny, and devilishly smart, Lorna fearlessly faces down supernatural dangers wearing cut-off jeans shorts. What's not to like?!"

To defeat a nefarious evil entity, Lorna, Relic Wrangler, must pilfer a mysterious artifact from a Memorial in the heart of our nation's capitol. What she doesn't know is that she's offering herself up as a sacrificial party favor in the process! Lorna also has to face down her high school nemesis -- now a cat-suited villainess -- in a girl fight for the ages!

LORNA, RELIC WRANGLER, a 32-page, full-color one-shot from Image Comics, will be in stores March 23, 2011, for $3.99.


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/.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Final Volume of Shaman King Due Next Week



AN EPIC ADVENTURE REACHES ITS CLIMAX IN SHAMAN KING MANGA FINALE, NEW FROM VIZ MEDIA IN JANUARY
 
VIZ Media unleashes the final volume of Hiroyuki Takei’s SHAMAN KING as the long-running manga (graphic novel) series reaches a grand climax. The concluding installment, Volume 32, (rated ‘T’ for Teens; MSRP: U.S. $9.99 / $12.99 CAN) hits nationwide on January 4th, 2011.
 
Yoh Asakura has spent years training for the Shaman Fight, an epic tournament to determine who will become the Shaman King and shape humanity's future. Unfortunately for Yoh, every shaman in the world is also vying for the same prize.

To most people, ghosts are the stuff of horror stories and nightmares. But to Yoh Asakura, a transfer student at Shinra Private Junior High, they're his friends! Yoh Asakura is a shaman, one of the gifted few who can speak to spirits by channeling ghosts into his body – like the long-dead samurai Amidamaru. He can also allow them to possess him and use their powers. But a modern-day shaman faces great responsibilities, because spirits – and the people who work with them – can be very dangerous indeed. In the series’ grand finale, A Song Someday, Yoh and his gang finally reach the end of the line after all these years and all the hard work. Who will be crowned the next Shaman King, and who will go home in defeat?

Unconventional author/artist Hiroyuki Takei began his career by winning the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize. After working as an assistant to famed artist Nobuhiro Watsuki (RURONI KENSHIN, published by VIZ Media), Takei debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997 with Butsu Zone, an action series based on Buddhist mythology. His multicultural adventure manga SHAMAN KING, which debuted in 1998, became a hit and was adapted into an anime TV series. His new series ULTIMO (also published by VIZ Media), a historic collaboration with comics legend Stan Lee (co-creator of many iconic superheroes including Spider-Man™, the Fantastic Four™, and the X-Men™), is currently being serialized in the U.S. in SHONEN JUMP. Takei lists Osamu Tezuka, American comics and robot anime among his many key influences.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Do a Dollop of Dengeki Daisy

I read Dengeki Daisy, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).


DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 29 2010

DC COMICS

OCT100196 ACTION COMICS #896 $3.99

OCT100289 ALL NEW BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #2 $2.99

APR100302 AME COMI ARTEMIS PVC FIGURE $60.00

APR100301 AME COMI CATWOMAN V.1 PURPLE SUIT VAR PVC FIGURE $60.00

SEP100159 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1 $3.99

APR100309 DC CHRONICLES GREEN LANTERN STATUE $99.99

APR100308 DC CHRONICLES THE FLASH STATUE $99.99

OCT100256 DC COMICS PRESENTS JLA #1 $7.99

OCT100254 DC COMICS PRESENTS THUNDER AGENTS #1 $7.99

OCT100177 DETECTIVE COMICS #872 $3.99

SEP100206 FLASH #8 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99

OCT100188 GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #18 $2.99

OCT100222 GREEN ARROW #7 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99

OCT100214 GREEN LANTERN #61 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99

OCT100228 JLA THE 99 #3 (OF 6) $3.99

OCT100229 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #46 $2.99

FEB100290 MICHAEL KEATON AS BATMAN BUST $80.00

AUG100235 RED EYES ONLY #1 $4.99

OCT100231 TEEN TITANS #90 $2.99

OCT100287 TINY TITANS #35 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 29 2010

MARVEL COMICS

SEP100544 ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN WOLVERINE #4 (OF 6) $3.99

JUL100504 ASTONISHING X-MEN XENOGENESIS #4 (OF 5) $3.99

OCT100715 ATLAS TP RETURN OF THREE DIMENSIONAL MAN $16.99

OCT100570 AVENGERS #8 $3.99

OCT100700 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE TP VOL 01 $34.99

OCT100591 BULLSEYE PERFECT GAME #2 (OF 2) $3.99

OCT100584 CAPTAIN AMERICA #613 $3.99

OCT100547 CARNAGE #2 (OF 5) $3.99

OCT100601 CHAOS WAR X-MEN #1 (OF 2) $3.99

JUL100674 CIVIL WAR UNDERSIDE HC $39.99

OCT100650 DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE #4 $2.99

OCT100556 DEADPOOL CORPS #9 $2.99

OCT100707 DEADPOOL CORPS PRELUDE TP $14.99

OCT100557 DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #886 $2.99

OCT100722 ESSENTIAL AVENGERS TP VOL 06 NEW ED $19.99

OCT100667 HEROIC AGE X-MEN #1 $3.99

OCT100606 HULK #28 $3.99

OCT100704 KA-ZAR BY MARK WAID & ANDY KUBERT TP VOL 01 $19.99

JUL100664 MMW MARVEL TEAM-UP HC VOL 01 $54.99

JUL100665 MMW MARVEL TEAM-UP HC VOL 01 DM VAR ED 150 $54.99

OCT100678 MMW UNCANNY X-MEN TP VOL 03 DM VAR ED 24 $24.99

OCT100661 NEW MUTANTS #20 $2.99

OCT100689 ONE MONTH TO LIVE PREM HC $19.99

OCT100565 OSBORN #2 BIG $3.99

OCT100616 SECRET WARRIORS #23 $2.99

OCT100720 SECRET WARRIORS TP VOL 03 WAKE BEAST $15.99

OCT100640 SHIELD #5 $2.99

OCT100698 SIEGE TP THOR $15.99

OCT100697 SIEGE TP THUNDERBOLTS $15.99

OCT100569 SPIDER-GIRL #2 BIG $2.99

OCT100718 SPIDER-MAN TP BLACK CAT $16.99

OCT100693 SUPER HERO SQUAD GN TP INFINITY SWORD QUEST $14.99

MAY100656 TOMB OF DRACULA OMNIBUS HC VOL 03 A ADAMS CVR $99.99

MAY100657 TOMB OF DRACULA OMNIBUS HC VOL 03 COLAN DM VAR ED $99.99

OCT100679 TOMB OF DRACULA TP VOL 03 $24.99

OCT100560 ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS 3 #5 (OF 6) $3.99

OCT100564 ULTIMATE COMICS THOR #3 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT100635 WHAT IF 200 $4.99

OCT100594 WIDOWMAKER #2 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT100652 X-23 #4 $2.99

JUN100665 X-FORCE PREM HC CABLE & NEW MUTANTS $24.99

JUN100666 X-FORCE PREM HC CABLE & NEW MUTANTS DM VAR ED 55 $24.99

OCT100665 X-MEN FOREVER 2 #14 $3.99

OCT100663 X-MEN TO SERVE AND PROTECT #2 (OF 4) $3.99

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

IDW from Diamond Distributors for December 29 2010

IDW PUBLISHING

OCT100375 GI JOE #25 $3.99

OCT100387 GI JOE DISAVOWED TP VOL 02 $24.99

OCT100396 TRANSFORMERS BEST OF STARSCREAM TP $19.99

OCT100390 TRANSFORMERS SECTOR 7 #4 (OF 5) $3.99

OCT100405 TRUE BLOOD #6 (OF 6) $3.99

Dark Horse from Diamond Distributors for December 29 2010

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP100054 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER TALES HC $29.99

NOV100022 HELLBOY SLEEPING & DEAD #1 (OF 2) MIKE MIGNOLA CVR $3.50

JUL108139 HELLSING TP VOL 02 NEW PTG $13.99

SEP100119 JOHN CARTER OF MARS WEIRD WORLDS TP $14.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 29 2010

IMAGE COMICS


OCT100543 DARKNESS ACCURSED TP VOL 04 $14.99

OCT100545 ECHOES #1 (OF 5) $2.99

JUN100459 ELEPHANTMEN #29 $3.50

AUG100439 EMITOWN TP $24.99

OCT100541 MAGDALENA ORIGIN TP VOL 01 (OF 2) $14.99

SEP100540 TRACKER TP VOL 01 $19.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for December 29 2010

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
NOV100006 PREVIEWS #268 JANUARY 2011 PI

COMICS
OCT100859 AMORY WARS KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH 3 #5 (OF 12) NYCC $9.99

NOV100727 ARCHIE & FRIENDS TP VOL 07 BETTY & VERONICA STORYBOOK $9.95

SEP100847 FAME LADY GAGA #2 $3.99

SEP100849 FEMALE FORCE BETTY WHITE $3.99

OCT100856 FRANK BELLAMY COMP SWIFT STORIES DLX LEATHER ED $225.99

AUG101154 GATCHA GACHA GN VOL 08 (OF 8) (NOTE PRICE) $12.99

OCT101143 HAPPY CAFE GN VOL 06 (OF 15) $10.99

AUG101254 JIM SILKE JUNGLE GIRLS SC $24.95

OCT101144 KARAKURI ODETTE GN VOL 05 (OF 6) $12.99

OCT100783 LIFE WITH ARCHIE MARRIED LIFE #6 $3.99

OCT101142 NEKO RAMEN GN VOL 03 (OF 4) CAT AFTER ALL $10.99

OCT101147 NG LIFE GN VOL 08 (OF 9) (NOTE PRICE) $12.99

JUN100736 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR #2 (OF 4) $3.95

OCT101141 SECRET NOTES OF LADY KANOKO #1 (OF 3) $10.99

APR100722 SHREK #2 (OF 4) $3.95

OCT101139 SILVER DIAMOND GN VOL 08 (OF 20) $10.99

JUL101163 STREET FIGHTER II ULTIMATE EDITION TP $59.99

JUL101164 STREET FIGHTER ULTIMATE EDITION TP $59.99

OCT101145 VB ROSE GN VOL 11 (OF 14) $10.99

OCT100787 VERONICA #204 $2.99

OCT100788 WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #3 $3.99

OCT100729 YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES ADVENTURES GN $15.95

MAGAZINES
OCT101257 007 MAGAZINE ARCHIVE BOND GIRLS O/T 1980S $17.00
OCT101261 CINEFEX #124 JAN 2011 $12.50
OCT101102 JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #305 $11.99
OCT101214 JUXTAPOZ #120 JAN 2011 $5.99
OCT101265 SFX SPECIAL #47 DR WHO $18.99
JUL101341 STAR WARS FIG COLL MAG #12 COUNT DOOKU $14.00

Monday, December 27, 2010

I Reads You Review: FAMILY COMPLEX



Creator: Mikiyo Tsuda (cartoonist); Duane Johnson (translation)
Publishing Information: Digital Manga Publishing; B&W, paperback, 200pp, $12.95 U.S.
Ordering Numbers: ISBN 13: 978-1-56970-771-5
 
Rated “T” for “Teens 13+”

Mikiyo Tsuda is a manga writer and artist; she also creates under the name Taishi Zao. Tsuda is known for her comedy-shojo manga (with shojo being comics for teen girls). In the comedy-shojo vein is the manga, Family Complex, originally serialized in Japan in 1999 and 2000 and published in the U.S. by Digital Manga Publishing in 2008.

Essentially, a collection of inter-connected short stories, Family Complex focuses on the Sakamotos, a family of extremely beautiful people. There is the 41-year-old father, Hidetoshi, who is pretty rather than handsome, and the 41-year-old mother Nanami, who is more girlish than womanly. The oldest child and son is the tall, dark, and handsome, 17-year-old Harumi, and the 16-year-old elder daughter is Natsuru, a robust young woman. The youngest child is the silent and alluring 10-year-old, Fuyuki.

The only exception to the rule of beauty in the Sakamoto family is the rather ordinary younger son, 14-year-old, Akira Sakamoto. He feels out of place with his family, because people outside the family are taken with the beautiful Sakamotos, but don’t think Akira belongs with his own family! Akira has developed a complex about being different, and it may cause him to turn away from the family that loves him.

I’ve come to enjoy Mikiyo Tsuda’s work, although some of it seems to be the comic book equivalent of mindless, American television situation comedies. Even with elements of and references to Gothic-Lolita, bishounen, boys’ love, and girls’ love, this frothy concoction is for readers who love “cute” and teen-oriented manga about close and lovey-dovey relationships.

I think Family Complex works because the Sakamotos are like a cotton candy version of the Addams Family, except that unlike the Addams, the Sakamotos are liked because they are so pretty, lovable, and open-hearted. Not only are the characters within the manga drawn to them, but so are the readers. Tsuda also manages to tell a sincere story about adolescent insecurity that, in spite of the cuteness, feels authentic when it depicts the struggles of a teen to fit in with family, friends, and schoolmates.

The Sakamotos appear in another Tsuda work, Princess Princess, with Akira being a supporting character in the series. They shine in their own story, Family Complex.

B+


Elephantmen "Jump-on" Issue Coming in March 2011



ELEPHANTMEN: MAN AND ELEPHANTMAN
 
A perfect jump-on issue!

SFX Magazine praises the world of ELEPHANTMEN, calling it "a future gone wrong made to look nightmarishly beautiful," and Comic Book Review Power Rankings says "ELEPHANTMEN is continually one of the most engaging and beautiful books on the stands." The critically praised series that Comic Book Resources calls "subtle, smart and succinct" is seeing a slew of new releases in 2011, particularly during March!

In March 2011, comics fans will get a special treat with ELEPHANTMEN: MAN AND ELEPHANTMAN #1, an INVINCIBLE RETURNS-style one-shot that will please current readers and garner new fans for the series. It's a perfect jump-on issue!

Readers will also get an advance sneak peek of MAN AND ELEPHANTMAN in Robert Kirkman's THE WALKING DEAD #82!

This stand-alone oversized issue from Image Comics, written by Richard Starkings and drawn by Axel Medellin, will feature variant covers by Starkings, Ian Churchill (MARINEMAN, Supergirl) and Ed McGuinness (Superman, Deadpool). It will also feature a special retailer incentive cover by the incomparable J. Scott Campbell (Danger Girl, Fairy Tale Fantasies), the first of triptych of covers that will continue with issues #31 and #32 of the ongoing series.

March 2011 also sees the release of ELEPHANTMEN, VOL. 4: QUESTIONABLE THINGS, a gorgeous hardcover that collects issues #24-30 and features art by Möritat (The Spirit), Medellin, and Marian Churchland (BEAST).

Starkings explains, "We just rounded out our fourth year of publication with Image Comics in 2010, so it's fitting that we move into 2011 with our fourth hardcover collection, featuring the first issues by our new regular artist, Mighty Axel Medellin. After contributing a page to our All Star 25th issue, his first complete issue was #27 and since then he's consistently blown me away with his versatility on each and every issue. He has been a fan of the series from the get-go, and it shows on every page; his work on MAN AND ELEPHANTMAN will make you lick every page -- and I still think I've barely scratched the surface of his abilities. I'm very happy to be starting our next story arc with Axel and a special number #1 issue!"

Adds Image Publisher Eric Stephenson, "Richard has a fantastic eye for talent, and after introducing the world to the stellar work of Möritat and Marian Churchland, he's found another winner in Axel Medellin. If you haven't been picking up ELEPHANTMEN before, now is definitely the time to get hooked on one of the most original and exciting series in comics!"

The Elephantmen are the survivors of genetic engineering experiments by a sinister organization that sought to create biological weapons of mass destruction. Freed and rehabilitated, the Elephantmen now live among the people they were designed to destroy, continually treated with suspicion and contempt except by a handful of trusted allies.

ELEPHANTMEN: MAN AND ELEPHANTMAN #1, a 40-page full-color comic book for $3.99, will be in stores March 30, 2011. ELEPHANTMEN, VOL. 4: QUESTIONABLE THINGS HC, a 312-page full-color graphic novel, will be in stores March 23, 2011. Both books can be ordered through the January issue of Previews.

Also out in early 2011: ELEPHANTMEN: WAR TOYS, VOL.2: ENEMY SPECIES OGN (January 26, $9.99, NOV100423), an all-new 104-page full-color graphic novel by Starkings and artist Boo Cook; and ELEPHANTMEN: COVER STORIES #1 (February 16, $5.99, DEC100455), a 64-page full-color collection of covers and sketches by Ladrönn and Boo Cook that features a flip cover by Cook.


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/.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

I Wishes You a Very Merry Christmas

This is I Reads You's second Christmas, and I am as thankful as ever for you, dear reader.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Spawn Reaches 200th Issue in January



RECORD SETTING 200th ISSUE BECOMES COMICS' BEST VALUE IN YEARS
 
SPAWN hits the #200 mark with a double-sized issue for only $3.99!

SPAWN, already the best-selling independent comic of all time, celebrates the release of its 200th issue in January! What was once slated as a 27-page story has now ballooned into a staggering 53 pages of artwork. With double the story, the 200th issue benchmark is simply too large to contain. The book may be bigger, but the price remains the same -- only $3.99, making it the best value in recent comic book history.

SPAWN will celebrate its 200th issue in high fashion, with the return of series creator Todd McFarlane to the interior artwork. McFarlane has called up an all-star team of award-winning comics luminaries to help him make SPAWN #200 the best issue yet: Greg Capullo (HAUNT, THE CREECH), David Finch (CYBERFORCE, Batman), Jim Lee (All Star Batman and Robin, Batman: Hush), Rob Liefeld (YOUNGBLOOD, Deadpool), Marc Silvestri (THE DARKNESS, CYBERFORCE), Danny Miki (SPAWN, Avengers) and Ashley Wood (HELLSPAWN, Zombies vs. Robots) all contribute to this landmark issue!

Robert Kirkman -- creator of THE WALKING DEAD, the comic book on which the Golden Globe nominated TV series is based -- provides an origin story for Omega Spawn. But he doesn't just write the story -- he draws it, too!

Finally, new series artist Szymon Kudranski, who takes over art duties with issue 201, provides a stunning epilogue, giving fans a taste of what's to come in 2011!

"In 1992, Image Comics was formed, and a handful of new titles came out of the chute," says McFarlane. "Spawn was one of those titles. At that time, none of us thought any of the titles we were releasing would hit 200 issues. Yet here we stand, eighteen years later, with the 200th issue of Spawn."

McFarlane continues, "I'm glad to be joined on this book by some of the great creators in our industry -- Jim Lee, Robert Kirkman, Marc Silvestri, Rob Liefeld, Michael Golden, David Finch, Ashley Wood, Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and FCO Plascencia. We look forward to giving you what I believe will be the best value comic you'll buy this year. Spawn #200 has now grown to over twice the size of the original, but the price remains the same."

"This marks only the second time an independent comic has reached the 200-issue mark," says Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. "Few ongoing series from any publisher have the longevity and permanence SPAWN has. Todd has made it into the record books once again, but more importantly, he has created a series that has an enduring place in the hearts and minds of fans all around the world. This milestone issue is a perfect example of why the series so richly deserves its accolades, and after seeing what the creative team has planned, I guarantee you, the best is yet to come."

In SPAWN #200, the most ruthless villain in the Spawn universe returns. Can Jim Downing survive a face-to-face confrontation? Downing will battle his most fearsome opponent yet and get answers from an astonishing source, as two fan-favorite characters make a glorious return in this double-sized issue.

SPAWN #200, a 56-page full-color comic book, celebrating 18 years of the hit independent series with an all-star lineup of comics creators, will be in stores January 5, 2011, for the obscenely low price of $3.99!

Further, 2011 will be a big year for SPAWN: New series artist Szymon Kudranski is already several issues ahead. Issues 201-205 will be coming out bi-weekly, to build on the momentum of the landmark 200th issue.


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/.

Death Note Gets New Release in "Black Edition"



A SHINIGAMI DEATH GOD AND THE HUNT FOR AN ‘ETHICAL’ SERIAL KILLER TO ENTHRALL THE MANGA WORLD AGAIN IN THE RELEASE OF VIZ MEDIA’S DEATH NOTE BLACK EDITION
 
New Edition of the Riveting Supernatural Crime Mystery Features A Larger Size And Added Full Color Pages

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 DEATH NOTE BLACK EDITION, an oversized version of the acclaimed supernatural crime thriller. Volume 1 hits stores on December 28th and includes the first two editions of the popular manga (graphic novel) series as well as added full-color pages. The DEATH NOTE BLACK EDITION will be offered under the Shonen Jump Advanced imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will retail for $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects—and he’s bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal…or his life?

“DEATH NOTE took the manga world by storm and became an international bestseller with its sinister plot and captivating artwork,” says Beth Kawasaki, Sr. Editorial Director. “The BLACK EDITION is an ideal way for those who never read the original series to finally see what the buzz is all about in six volumes versus the original 12-volume run. For established fans or anyone that might have missed later DEATH NOTE volumes, the new version also presents a great opportunity to revisit the series with its larger trade paperback size, new cover design, and bonus color pages.”

The original DEATH NOTE series, a 12-volume mystery created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata, continues to be a must-read among legions of ardent fans, having sold over 1.2 million copies in the U.S. to date. DEATH NOTE has spawned not only a fanbook (DEATH NOTE: HOW TO READ 13) and two novels (DEATH NOTE ANOTHER NOTE: THE LOS ANGELES BB MURDER CASES and DEATH NOTE: L, CHANGE THE WORLD), all published by VIZ Media, but also a 37-episode animated series (available streamed online for free at VIZAnime.com and on DVD from VIZ Media), three live-action feature films and a plethora of related posters, toys and action figures. The DEATH NOTE manga and anime are both rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens.

For more information on DEATH NOTE, please visit DeathNote.viz.com.

To view animated DEATH NOTE episodes for free, please visit http://www.vizanime.com/.

For more information on other Shonen Jump titles, please visit http://www.shonenjump.com/.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; and website at http://www.viz.com/.



Thursday, December 23, 2010

Online "Nura" Ends Monday; Manga Begins in Feb. 2011



VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE SEASON FINALE OF THE ONLINE ADVENTURE, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, AND THE MANGA DEBUT IN FEBRUARY
 
VIZ Media has announced that the season one finale of the online streaming anime hit series NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN will conclude on VIZAnime.com, the company’s premier website for anime, on December 27, 2010. Also announced is the manga (graphic novel) version of NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, which the anime is based upon. Created by Hiroshi Shiibashi, Vol. 1 will have its North American debut under the Shonen Jump imprint on February 1st 2011, is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

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 he transforms into the future leader of the Nura clan, leading a hundred demons.

Hiroshi Shiibashi debuted in Japan in Business Jump magazine with the series, Aratama. NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN is his breakout hit. He also worked as an assistant to manga artist, Hirohiko Araki, the creator of JOJO’s BIZARRE ADVENTURE (also published in North America by VIZ Media).

VIZAnime.com is a free-to-use web destination that is now the permanent home to some of the company’s best-loved animated series. Over 1,100 episodes are currently available, and new content is added on a weekly basis. Series currently featured on VIZAnime.com include BLEACH, BUSO RENKIN, DEATH NOTE, HONEY AND CLOVER, HIKARU NO GO, INUYASHA, INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT, KEKKAISHI, NANA, NARUTO, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, ONE PIECE and THE PRINCE OF TENNIS.

To view subtitled NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN animated episodes (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and other VIZ Media animated titles, please visit VIZAnime.com.

For more information on NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN and other Shonen Jump manga titles, please visit http://www.shonenjump.com/.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Sayonara, Old Year

I read Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei 8 (Sayonara Zetsubou-Sensei)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).


DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 22 2010

DC COMICS

OCT100189 AZRAEL #15 $2.99

OCT100179 BATMAN ANNUAL #28 $4.99

MAY100187 BATMAN DARK KNIGHT ARCHIVES HC VOL 07 $59.99

OCT100172 BATMAN INCORPORATED #2 $3.99

OCT100187 BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #18 $3.99

APR100317 BLACKEST NIGHT SER 6 BLACK LANTERN HAWKGIRL AF PI

APR100314 BLACKEST NIGHT SER 6 BLUE LANTERN FLASH AF PI

APR100316 BLACKEST NIGHT SER 6 GREEN LANTERN HAL JORDAN AF PI

APR100315 BLACKEST NIGHT SER 6 STAR SAPPHIRE WONDER WOMAN AF PI

SEP100250 BLUE BEETLE BLACK AND BLUE TP $17.99

OCT100288 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #55 $2.99

MAY100315 DC COMICS 75TH ANNNIVERSARY SUPER DLX KUBRICK SET $99.99

OCT100260 DC COMICS PRESENTS SUPERMAN #3 $7.99

OCT100257 DC COMICS PRESENTS YOUNG JUSTICE #3 $7.99

OCT100244 DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES #8 (OF 10) $3.99

OCT108156 DETECTIVE COMICS #871 2ND PTG $3.99

OCT100217 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #55 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99

OCT100216 GREEN LANTERN LARFLEEZE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL #1 $3.99

SEP100252 HITMAN TP VOL 03 LOCAL HEROES NEW PTG $17.99

OCT100212 JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #16 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99

OCT100226 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #52 $3.99

OCT100240 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #8 $3.99

OCT100293 MAD MAGAZINE #507 $5.99

OCT100192 OUTSIDERS #35 $2.99

OCT100250 POWER GIRL #19 $2.99

OCT100302 RATCHET AND CLANK #4 (OF 6) $3.99

OCT100203 SUPERMAN BATMAN #79 $2.99

APR100300 SUPERMAN VS MUHAMMAD ALI STATUE $250.00

OCT100233 TEEN TITANS COLD CASE #1 $4.99

SEP100258 TEEN TITANS RAVAGER FRESH HELL TP $14.99

OCT100310 TELARA CHRONICLES #4 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT100295 WILDCATS #30 $2.99

SEP100190 WONDER WOMAN #605 $2.99

OCT100312 WORLD OF WARCRAFT CURSE OF THE WORGEN #2 (OF 5) $2.99

OCT100253 ZATANNA #8 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 22 2010

MARVEL COMICS

OCT100688 BLACK WIDOW PREM HC NAME OF ROSE $24.99

OCT100600 CHAOS WAR DEAD AVENGERS #2 (OF 3) $3.99

OCT100555 DEADPOOL #30 $2.99

OCT100558 DEADPOOL PULP #4 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT100607 FANTASTIC FOUR #586 BIG $2.99

OCT100705 HIT-MONKEY TP YEAR OF MONKEY $14.99

OCT100604 INCREDIBLE HULKS #619 $3.99

OCT100612 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #33 $3.99

OCT100611 IRON MAN RAPTURE #3 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT100608 KLAWS OF PANTHER #4 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT100682 MARVEL UNIVERSE VS PUNISHER HC $19.99

OCT100702 MARVELS TP EYE OF CAMERA (RES) $19.99

OCT100656 NAMOR FIRST MUTANT #5 $2.99

OCT100621 PUNISHER IN BLOOD #2 (OF 5) $3.99

OCT100571 SECRET AVENGERS #8 $3.99

OCT100622 SPIDER-MAN #9 $2.99

OCT100717 SPIDER-MAN TP REAL CLONE SAGA $19.99

OCT100703 THOR VS SETH SERPENT GOD TP $19.99

OCT100634 THOR WOLVES NORTH #1 $3.99

OCT100561 ULTIMATE COMICS DOOM #1 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT100563 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #151 $3.99

OCT100659 UNCANNY X-MEN #531 $3.99

OCT100636 WHAT IF DARK REIGN $3.99

OCT100657 X-MEN #6 $3.99

OCT100662 X-MEN LEGACY #243 $2.99

OCT100691 X-MEN NOIR TP MARK OF CAIN GN $14.99

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

IDW from Diamond Distributors for December 22 2010

IDW PUBLISHING

OCT100400 ANGEL ILLYRIA #2 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT100384 CLASSIC GI JOE TP VOL 10 $24.99

OCT100440 FX 2 LOST LAND TP $19.99

OCT100438 GULLIVERS TRAVELS HC VOL 01 $16.99

SEP100407 JEFFREY JONES A LIFE IN ART HC $49.99

OCT100408 JOE HILLS THE CAPE ONE-SHOT $3.99

OCT100429 KILL SHAKESPEARE #8 (OF 12) $3.99

OCT100434 REID FLEMING WORLDS TOUGHEST MILKMAN HC VOL 01 $29.99

OCT100436 TRAIN ME GAMBLE TP VOL 01 $17.99

Dark Horse from Diamond Distributors for December 22 2010

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP100104 AXE COP TP VOL 01 $14.99

OCT100038 GUILD VORK #1 DARICK ROBERTSON CVR $3.50

OCT100027 KULL THE HATE WITCH #2 (OF 4) TOM FLEMING CVR $3.50

SEP100127 MILO MANARA MENS T/S LG $17.99

SEP100126 MILO MANARA MENS T/S MED $17.99

SEP100128 MILO MANARA MENS T/S XL $17.99

SEP100129 MILO MANARA MENS T/S XXL $19.99

AUG100057 NGE SHINJI IKARI RAISING PROJECT TP VOL 07 $9.99

OCT100025 ROBERT E HOWARDS SAVAGE SWORD #1 $7.99

SEP100105 SINFEST VIVA LA RESISTANCE $14.99

NOV100018 STAR WARS INVASION RESCUES #6 (OF 6) $2.99

OCT100042 USAGI YOJIMBO #134 $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 22 2010

IMAGE COMICS

OCT108160 ARTIFACTS #3 (OF 13) CVR E 2ND PTG VAR CVR (PP #949) $3.99

AUG100510 ARTIFACTS #4 (OF 13) CVR A BROUSSARD $3.99

AUG100511 ARTIFACTS #4 (OF 13) CVR B CHRISTOPHER $3.99

JAN100489 BROKEN TRINITY PANDORAS BOX #1 (OF 6) SGN ED $14.99

OCT100456 DYNAMO 5 HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2010 #1 $3.99

JUL100446 HAUNT #12 $2.99

OCT100446 MICE TEMPLAR VOL 3 #1 MICHAEL AVON OEMING CVR $3.99

OCT100447 MICE TEMPLAR VOL 3 #1 SANTOS & GANDINI CVR $3.99

SEP108187 MORNING GLORIES #4 VAR CVR 2ND PTG (PP #947) $3.50

OCT100513 MORNING GLORIES #5 $3.50

OCT100515 SAVAGE DRAGON #167 $3.50

SEP108188 SKULLKICKERS #3 VAR CVR 2ND PTG (PP #948) $2.99

OCT100516 SKULLKICKERS #4 $2.99

OCT100538 TOP COW HOLIDAY 2010 SPECIAL GN $12.99

OCT100534 TOP COW LOGO BASEBALL CAP $19.99

SEP100537 VELOCITY #1 (OF 4) SUPERCON BLANK SKETCH VAR CVR $10.00

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for December 22 2010

COMICS

OCT100857 28 DAYS LATER #18 $3.99

OCT100858 AMORY WARS KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH 3 #7 (OF 12) $3.99

OCT100776 ARCHIE #616 $2.99

AUG108177 ARCHIE #616 VAR SUPER CVR $2.99

OCT100928 ART OF VAMPIRELLA HC $29.99

OCT100781 B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #210 $3.99

OCT100853 BART SIMPSON COMICS #57 $2.99

JUL101123 CHARLEYS WAR GREAT MUTINY HC $19.95

OCT101163 CHI SWEET HOME GN VOL 04 $13.95

SEP101185 CHILDREN OF THE SEA TP VOL 04 $14.99

OCT100734 CHIMICHANGA #1 (OF 3) (O/A) $3.00

SEP100776 CYCLOPS #1 $3.95

JUL100998 DF DEADPOOL PULP #1 JAE LEE SGN ED $29.99

JUL100995 DF WOLVERINE #1 JAE LEE SGN ED $29.99

AUG101324 DILBERT IM TEMPTED TO STOP ACTING RANDOMLY TP $12.99

OCT101159 DRACULA THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST GN VOL 01 $9.99

AUG100841 FATHER YOD & THE SOURCE #1 $3.99

AUG100731 FEMFORCE #154 $9.95

SEP101142 FRUITS BASKET ULTIMATE ED GN VOL 06 (OF 7) $14.99

SEP101162 GENTE TP VOL 02 $12.99

SEP101214 GIANT-SIZE GFT 2010 HOLIDAY ED A CVR RIO $5.99

SEP101215 GIANT-SIZE GFT 2010 HOLIDAY ED B CVR CUMMINGS $5.99

OCT100746 GOLD DIGGER CHRISTMAS SP #4 $3.50

SEP100952 GREEN HORNET GOLDEN AGE REMASTERED #5 $3.99

AUG100928 GREEN HORNET YEAR ONE #7 $3.99

AUG101240 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #54 $2.99

SEP101165 HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES TP VOL 02 $12.99

SEP101163 ILL GIVE IT MY ALL TOMORROW TP VOL 02 $12.99

SEP101048 INCAL CLASSIC COLLECTION DLX HC $99.95

OCT100863 INCORRUPTIBLE #13 $3.99

OCT100972 JOHN MOORE PRESENTS DEAD SOLDIER #4 (OF 4) $3.99

JUL100924 KEVIN SMITH KATO #6 $3.99

SEP101054 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #169 $4.99

JUN100733 LAST ZOMBIE #3 (OF 5) $3.99

MAR100767 LOGANS RUN #5 $3.99

SEP100966 LONE RANGER & TONTO #4 $4.99

OCT100899 MICKEY MOUSE & FRIENDS #303 $2.99

JUL100850 NANNY & HANK #2 $3.99

SEP101166 NAOKI URASAWA 20TH CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 12 $12.99

OCT101060 ON THE CASE WITH HOLMES & WATSON GN VOL 05 ADV SPECKLED BAND $6.95

APR101015 PHANTOM GENERATIONS TP $19.99

APR101017 PHANTOM GUARDIAN O/T EASTERN DARK TP $24.95

APR101018 PHANTOM KGB NOIR HAMMER TP $8.95

AUG100755 POCKET GOD #2 $3.95

SEP100963 ROBERT JORDAN WHEEL OF TIME EYE O/T WORLD #7 $3.99

SEP100860 ROGER CORMAN PRESENTS DEATHSPORT #1 $3.99

MAY101067 ROTTEN TP VOL 01 REACTIVATED $15.95

OCT100736 ROYAL HISTORIAN OF OZ #3 $2.95

AUG100753 SCRATCH 9 #3 (OF 4) $3.95

MAY101068 SHERLOCK HOLMES & KOLCHAK TP CRY OF THUNDER $11.95

OCT101086 SIXTH GUN #7 $3.99

OCT100784 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #220 $2.99

OCT100881 STAN LEE TRAVELER #2 $3.99

SEP100971 STARGATE VALA MAL DORAN TP $14.99

SEP101119 STUFF OF LEGEND THE JUNGLE #3 (OF 4) $4.25

JUL101202 TALES FROM WONDERLAND TP VOL 03 $12.99

SEP101122 TANK GIRL BAD WIND RISING #1 (OF 4) $3.99

SEP101049 TIKITIS HC $29.95

AUG100899 TOY STORY TALES FROM TOY CHEST #4 $2.99

SEP100967 UNTOUCHABLE ONE-SHOT $5.99

JUL100912 VAMPIRELLA ARCHIVES HC VOL 01 $49.99

AUG101235 WAKING TP $12.99

OCT100907 WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #714 $2.99

OCT100938 WARLORD OF MARS #3 $3.99

MAGAZINES
SEP101240 CLASSIC MARVEL FIG COLL MAG #136 SNOWBIRD $12.00

SEP101241 CLASSIC MARVEL FIG COLL MAG #137 WASP $12.00

OCT101228 COMICS REVUE PRESENTS DEC 2010 $19.95

SEP101249 DC SUPERHERO FIG COLL MAG #70 POWER GIRL $14.00

SEP101250 DC SUPERHERO FIG COLL MAG #71 LIGHTNING LAD $14.00

NOV101144 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #253 $9.99

AUG101327 HOBBY JAPAN NOV 2010 $12.99

JUL101306 MEGAMI OCT 2010 $17.99

JUL101307 NEWTYPE OCT 2010 $13.99

OCT101274 STAR WARS INSIDER #122 SPECIAL NEWSSTAND ED $7.99

OCT101275 STAR WARS INSIDER #122 SPECIAL PX ED $7.99

AUG101359 STAR WARS VEHICLES COLL MAG #57 AIRSPEEDER $18.00

SEP101688 WHITE DWARF #371 PI