Showing posts with label Pokemon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pokemon. Show all posts

Saturday, September 19, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: POKÉMON: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution

POKÉMON: MEWTWO STRIKES BACK – EVOLUTION
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Machito Gomi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Emi Louie-Nishikawa
LETTERS: Susan Daigle-Leach
EDITOR: Annette Roman
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1552-7; paperback; (August 11, 2020); Rated “A” for “All Ages”
128pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 UK

Pokémon is a Japanese media franchise managed by the Pokémon Company, a company founded by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures.  The franchise was created by Japanese video game designer and director, Satoshi Tajiri, in 1995.  The franchise began in 1996 as a pair of video games, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, for the original “Game Boy” handheld game console.  Pokémon is centered on fictional creatures called “Pokémon.”  Humans, known as “Pokémon Trainers,” catch and train the Pokémon to battle each other for sport.

The Pokémon franchise includes a number animated television series (known as “anime”) and animated films.  There are also Pokémon manga (comics), and many are simply comic book adaptations of the Pokémon video games, anime, and films, although there are some manga that feature original stories set in the world of Pokémon.

Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution is a 2019 computer-animated Pokémon film.  It is the 22nd film in the Pokémon film series, and it is also a remake of the first Pokémon film, Pokémon: The First Movie.  Released in 1998, it is also know as Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back.

In 2019, manga writer-artist Machito Gomi produced a manga adaptation of Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution.  It was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, CoroCoro Comic, from May 15 to June 14, 2019.  VIZ Media is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a single-volume, paperback graphic novel.

As Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution opens, a new Pokémon is born.  It wonders where it is and what it is.  It soon learns that it is “Mewtwo,” a clone of the mythical and greatest Pokémon of all time, “Mew.”  Before long, Mewtwo meets the crime lord, Giovanni, the leader of the the criminal organization, “Team Rocket.”  Giovanni reveals to Mewtwo that it was his doing that initiated the creation of Mewtwo, but when the crime lord reveals his diabolical plans for Mewtwo, the newly born and cloned Pokémon rebels.

Escaping from Team Rocket headquarters, Mewtwo heads to New Island where it seeks to find meaning to its life, but also plots revenge against human creators.  Soon, Mewtwo calls forth the world's best Pokémon trainers and their Pokémon to Pokémon Castle to face his challenge.  Ash Ketchum and Pikachu and their friends, Brock and Misty, and their Pokémon find themselves at the center of Mewtwo's rampage.  With the future of the Pokémon world at stake, will our heroes be able to overcome Mewtwo’s challenge…and will Mewtwo be able to find a new meaning for its life?  A surprise Pokémon appearance and a miracle may answer such questions.

THE LOWDOWN:  For adults, the Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution manga will be a quick read.  However, open adult minds will enjoy this manga as much as young readers will most assuredly enjoy reading it.

The Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution graphic novel is also a “kodomo manga” (comics for children), but because it is an adaptation of an important installment in the Pokémon franchise (the first Pokémon film), it could have a broad appeal across the generations of Pokémon fans, which goes back to the mid-1990s.

I am being totally honest when I say that Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution is both the best Pokémon manga or graphic novel that I have ever read and also is one of the most enjoyable comics that I have read this summer.  Why is it a sheer delight?  Writer-artist Machito Gomi captures the things that make Pokémon fun:  the characters, the relationships, the positive attitude, the competition, the possibility for redemption, and the Pokémon.

Gomi's cleaning drawing style, which has a graphic style similar to certain kinds of anime, and the graphical storytelling both make for clear storytelling.  The toning also gives the story a sense of weight and creates an atmosphere of mystery and dramatic tension that makes it feels as if there is something on the line for the characters.  They all have something to lose, especially our heroes.

So I will call Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution one of the summer's delightful comic book and young reader graphic novel surprises.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Pokémon manga will want Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution.

8 out of 10

Monday, August 10, 2020


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for April 4 2012

COMICS

DEC111179 2000 AD #1770 $5.25

DEC111213 ADVANCE TEAM GN $15.99

JAN128240 ADVENTURE TIME #2 2ND PTG (PP #1014) $3.99

DEC111112 ANNIE SULLIVAN & THE TRIALS OF HELEN KELLER $17.99

JAN120831 ARCHIE MEETS KISS COLLECTORS ED HC $29.99

JAN120832 ARCHIE MEETS KISS TP $12.99

FEB120905 BOYS #65 (MR) (NOTE PRICE) $4.99

DEC111111 CELESTIAL BIBENDUM DLX HC (MR) $69.95

FEB121085 CHICAGOLAND DETECTIVE AGENCY GN VOL 03 NIGHT O/T LIVING DOGS $6.95

JUL110863 CODE GEASS KNIGHT GN VOL 05 $10.99

SEP110819 CODE GEASS QUEEN GN VOL 05 $11.99

DEC118226 DCD SUMMIT 2012 HULK #50 INKED VAR PI

FEB120925 DEJAH THORIS & WHITE APES OF MARS #1 (MR) $3.99

FEB120794 DICKS COLOR ED #3 (MR) $4.99

FEB120795 DICKS COLOR ED #3 OFFENSIVE CVR (MR) $4.99

JAN121178 DREAM QUEST OF UNKNOWN KADATH & OTHER STORIES HC $24.99

JAN121307 DROPS OF GOD GN VOL 03 $14.95

FEB120828 FANBOYS VS ZOMBIES #1 MAIN CVRS $1.00

DEC110908 FARSCAPE TP VOL 07 WAR UNCHARTED TERRITORIES PT ONE $12.99

FEB120798 FERALS #4 (MR) $3.99

FEB120799 FERALS #4 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB120800 FERALS #4 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB121132 FREEDOM #1 $7.00

NOV110934 GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD #11 (MR) $3.99

FEB121218 GFT APRIL FOOLS SPECIAL 2012 (MR) $3.99

FEB121086 GIRL WHO OWNED A CITY GN $9.95

JAN120775 GLAMOURPUSS #24 $3.00

JAN121328 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #71 A CVR BONK (MR) $2.99

JAN121329 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #71 B CVR SPAY (MR) $2.99

SEP111306 GRIMM FAIRY TALES THE LIBRARY #5 A CVR MYCHAELS $2.99

SEP111307 GRIMM FAIRY TALES THE LIBRARY #5 B CVR PEKAR $2.99

JAN121308 GTO 14 DAYS IN SHONAN GN VOL 02 $10.95

FEB120835 HELLRAISER MASTERPIECES #11 (MR) $3.99

DEC111130 HONEY WEST #5 (RES) $3.99

FEB121065 HULK 100 PROJECT TP (O/A) $10.00

JAN120943 INCORRUPTIBLE #28 $3.99

SEP110990 KIRBY GENESIS #6 $3.99

OCT111141 KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE TP VOL 35 $14.99

DEC111133 KOLCHAK NIGHT STALKER FILES #3 (RES) $3.50

FEB120880 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #16 (MR) $3.99

FEB120881 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #16 SULTRY CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB120882 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #16 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

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DEC110880 LEGEND OF OZ THE WICKED WEST #3 $3.50

DEC111202 LENORE VOLUME II #5 $3.99

FEB121087 LOU GN VOL 01 SECRET DIARY $8.95

FEB121088 MISS ANNIE BOOK 01 FREEDOM $6.95

FEB121089 MY BOYFRIEND IS MONSTER GN VOL 05 $9.95

DEC111119 NEGIMA OMNIBUS GN VOL 04 (MR) $19.99

DEC111110 PANDEMONIUM GN (HUMANOIDS) (MR) $19.95

DEC110879 PENNY FOR YOUR SOUL FALSE PROPHET #4 (OF 7) (MR) $3.50

FEB121189 POKEMON BLACK & WHITE GN VOL 06 $4.99

FEB121188 POKEMON MOVIE WHITE VICTINI & ZEKROM GN $7.99

FEB120714 PUNK ROCK & TRAILER PARKS GN (O/A) $15.95

DEC111011 QUEEN SONJA #28 $3.99

FEB120734 RAMIEL WRATH OF GOD #1 (MR) $3.99

JAN121070 RED SONJA WITCHBLADE #2 $3.99

OCT110790 RICHIE RICH GEMS #45 $3.99

JAN121076 ROBERT JORDAN WHEEL OF TIME EYE O/T WORLD #23 $3.99

FEB121007 SHENZHEN A TRAVELOGUE FROM CHINA SC (MR) $14.95

JAN120843 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #235 $2.99

DEC110929 STAN LEE SOLDIER ZERO TP VOL 03 $14.99

DEC110805 STERLING GN $14.95

FEB121090 SUMMER CAMP SCIENCE MYSTERIES VOL 01 SEARCH O/T FOG ZOMBIE $6.95

JAN128225 SUPURBIA #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG (PP #1013) $3.99

FEB120858 SUPURBIA #2 (OF 4) $3.99

FEB120988 THE LONE RANGER #4 $3.99

OCT111218 THE PACK #3 (OF 3) (MR) $4.50

FEB120859 VALEN OUTCAST #5 MAIN CVRS $3.99

FEB120956 VOLTRON YEAR ONE #1 $3.99

FEB121056 VS ALIENS GN $9.95

FEB121220 WAKING DREAM END #1 A CVR GARZA (MR) $3.99

FEB121221 WAKING DREAM END #1 B CVR BASALDUA (MR) $3.99

OCT111055 WAREHOUSE 13 #5 $3.99

JAN120847 WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #16 $3.99

DEC110766 YANKEE GIRL STARS & STRIPES FOREVER #1 $19.95

NOV111047 ZOMBIES VS CHEERLEADERS #6 $3.99

MAGAZINES
FEB121275 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #261 DARK SHADOWS CVR $9.99
FEB121276 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #261 OUTER LIMITS CVR $9.99
FEB121232 HI FRUCTOSE MAGAZINE QUARTERLY #23 $6.95
OCT111351 MEGAMI JAN 2012 #69 $16.60
OCT111352 NEWTYPE JAN 2012 #56 $16.00
DEC111347 SFX #219 $10.99
JAN121263 STAR WARS CLONE WARS MAGAZINE #11 $4.99
JAN120779 TERRY MOORE HOW TO DRAW #3 BEAUTIFUL $4.99
DEC111351 VIDEO WATCHDOG #167 (MR) $8.95

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for November 30 2011

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
OCT110001 PREVIEWS #279 DECEMBER 2011 PI

COMICS
AUG111175 2000 AD #1757 $5.00

SEP111209 2000 AD #1758 $5.00

OCT110870 ANDIE AND THE ALIEN GN (NOTE PRICE) $20.00

OCT110805 ARCHIE #627 (ARCHIE MEETS KISS PT 1) $2.99

AUG111186 ARON WARNER PARIAH #4 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT111190 ASTERIX OMNIBUS SC VOL 10 NEW PTG $19.95

OCT110864 BAD KIDS GO TO HELL TP (NEW PTG) (O/A) (MR) $14.99

SEP110758 BETTY #195 $2.99

SEP110760 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #196 $3.99

OCT111136 BLUE DRAGON GN $19.95

SEP111318 CHARMED #16 $3.50

JUN110815 CHIP PKT MANGA TP VOL 01 $14.95

AUG110950 CISCO KID JOSE LUIS SALINAS & ROD REED TP VOL 01 1951-1953 $24.95

AUG111177 COMP ALAN MOORE FUTURE SHOCKS TP $19.99

SEP110902 DECISION 2012 SARAH PALIN #1 $3.99

AUG111179 DEFOE QUEEN O/T ZOMBIES GN $24.99

AUG110762 DIARY OF A WIMPY KID HC VOL 06 CABIN FEVER $13.95

SEP110931 DONALD DUCK & FRIENDS FEATHERS OF FURY TP $9.99

SEP111157 ELSEWHERE CHRONICLES GN VOL 05 $6.95

SEP111185 ERNEST AND REBECCA HC VOL 01 MY BEST FRIEND IS A GERM $11.99

SEP111191 FIRST LAW OF MAD SCIENCE #1 $3.99

SEP110966 FLASH GORDON ZEITGEIST #1 $1.00

SEP110845 FUTURAMA COMICS #58 $2.99

SEP110998 GAME OF THRONES #3 (MR) $3.99

SEP111114 GI JOE VS COBRA SPECIAL #4 MISSION BRAZIL II $4.95

AUG110764 GOBS #3 (OF 4) $3.99

AUG110763 GOLD DIGGER #133 $3.99

SEP111124 GUMBY SPRING SPECIALS COLL TP (RES) $12.99

AUG110952 JEFF GN $17.99

JUL111032 KEVIN SMITH KATO TP VOL 02 LIVING IN AMERICA $19.99

JUN110816 LAST ZOMBIE INFERNO #5 (OF 5) $3.99

AUG110951 LEONARD STARRS MARY PERKINS ON STAGE TP VOL 09 $24.95

AUG110817 MAGIC OF SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH TP $9.95

SEP110697 MEN OF MYSTERY #80 $29.95

OCT111139 MONKEY KING GN VOL 01 BIRTH O/T STONE MONKEY $9.99

DEC100735 MOUSE GUARD BLACK AXE #3 (OF 6) $3.50

SEP111138 NEGIMA GN VOL 32 (MR) $10.99

SEP111183 NINJAGO GN VOL 01 CHALLENGE OF SAMUKAI $6.99

SEP111184 NINJAGO HC VOL 01 CHALLENGE OF SAMUKAI $10.99

AUG111007 PATRICIA BRIGGS ALPHA & OMEGA CRY WOLF VOL 01 #3 $3.99

OCT111264 POKEMON ZOROARK MASTER OF ILLUSIONS GN $7.99

JUL111026 PURGATORY TP $7.99

SEP111041 QUEEN SONJA #25 $3.99

SEP110962 RASL TP VOL 03 $15.00

AUG110946 RAVANA ROAR O/T DEMON KING GN $12.99

JUL111038 RED SONJA REVENGE OF THE GODS TP $19.99

JUL110829 RUST HC VOL 01 $24.95

AUG111134 SALVATORE GN VOL 02 AN EVENTFUL CROSSING $14.99

SEP110848 SIMPSONS WINTER WINGDING #6 $4.99

SEP110766 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #231 $2.99

SEP111186 SYBIL THE BACKPACK FAIRY HC VOL 01 NINA $11.99

SEP110950 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #71 (MR) $2.95

AUG111000 THE LONE RANGER TP VOL 04 RESOLVE $19.99

APR111089 TINTIN YOUNG READERS ED GN TINTIN IN AMERICA $8.99

JUN111134 WALDOS HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY GN REPO MAN SEQUEL NEW PTG (MR) $14.95

SEP111142 WALLFLOWER GN VOL 27 (MR) $10.99

AUG118055 WARLORD OF MARS #9 WAGNER REIS RISQUE RED REORDER CVR $3.99

AUG110971 WARLORD OF MARS FALL OF BARSOOM #4 $3.99

SEP111194 WASTELAND #32 (MR) (NOTE PRICE) $3.99

AUG118057 WOM DEJAH THORIS #5 ADAMS MARTIAN GREEN RISQUE REORDER CVR $3.99

AUG118059 WOM DEJAH THORIS #6 GARZA EARTH BLUE RISQUE REORDER CVR $3.99

AUG118060 WOM DEJAH THORIS #6 GARZA MARTIAN RED RISQUE REORDER CVR $3.99

MAGAZINES
OCT111656 CLUTTER MAGAZINE #15 $9.99
AUG111328 COMIC HEROES MAGAZINE #9 $18.99
OCT111364 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL #53 $14.95
OCT111361 GIRLS AND CORPSES MAGAZINE WINTER 2011 (MR) $8.95
SEP111125 HEAVY METAL JANUARY 2012 (MR) $6.95
SEP111347 NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 22 #6 $5.99
AUG111381 SCI FI & FANTASY MODELLER VOL 23 $27.99
AUG111414 SFX #215 $10.99
OCT111367 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL #55 $14.95
AUG111418 VIDEO WATCHDOG #165 (MR) $8.95

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for November 16 2011

COMICS

SEP111065 ACME NOVELTY LIBRARY VOL 18.5 PX PORTFOLIO (O/A) (MR) $32.00

SEP111132 ARISA GN VOL 05 $10.99

AUG111182 ATOMIC ROBO GHOST OF STATION X #3 (OF 6) $3.50

SEP110759 B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #219 $3.99

AUG110801 BERONAS WAR HC VOL 02 FIGHT FOR AMITY (RES) $19.95

AUG110795 BLOOD SHELLS & ROSES GN (MR) $14.95

SEP110961 BONE ONE VOL COLOR 20TH ANN SLIPCASED ED $150.00

SEP111218 BONNIE LASS #3 (OF 4) $2.99

SEP110981 BOYS BUTCHER BAKER CANDLESTICKMAKER #5 (MR) $3.99

JUN111004 BOYS DEFINITIVE ED HC VOL 02 ENNIS SGN $75.00

AUG110837 CAPTAIN SWING HC (MR) $27.99

AUG110836 CAPTAIN SWING TP (MR) $17.99

JUN111048 CHARLAINE HARRIS GRAVE SIGHT GN VOL 02 (OF 3) $7.99

AUG111178 CRADLEGRAVE GN $22.99

JUN111050 DEAN KOONTZ NEVERMORE #5 (OF 6) $3.99

SEP110894 DECISION 2012 MICHELE BACHMANN #1 $3.99

JUL111074 DF GREEN ARROW #1 KRUL SGN ED $29.99

MAY111058 DF X-MEN #1 HAESER REMARK CVR $49.99

AUG111254 DOGS TP VOL 06 (MR) $12.99

AUG110782 DREAM REAVERS #2 (OF 4) $3.99

SEP111136 FAIRY TAIL GN VOL 16 $10.99

JUL110859 FLASH GORDON MERCY WARS SIX PACK $9.99

JUL111105 FRACTURE OF THE UNIVERSAL BOY GN (MR) $27.99

JUL111211 FURRLOUGH #191 $9.99

AUG111151 GODSPEED KURT COBAIN GN $15.95

AUG111238 INU YASHA VIZBIG ED GN VOL 09 $17.99

SEP110761 JUGHEAD #210 $2.99

SEP111012 KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN #4 $3.99

SEP110879 KEY OF Z #2 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99

AUG110959 KIRBY GENESIS CAPTAIN VICTORY #1 $3.99

AUG111094 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #180 $5.99

AUG111239 KUROZAKURO GN VOL 07 (OF 7) $9.99

JUN110981 LADY DEATH ORIGINS HC SGN ED VOL 02 $34.99

JUN110980 LADY DEATH ORIGINS HC VOL 02 $27.99

JUN110979 LADY DEATH ORIGINS TP VOL 02 $19.99

OCT111259 LEGEND OF ZELDA BOX SET $69.99

JUL118144 LEGEND OF ZELDA BOX SET (PP #986) $69.99

SEP111050 LIVING CORPSE EXHUMED #4 (OF 6) $3.99

JUL111046 LOVEPHOBIA GN VOL 01 (MR) $12.95

SEP110707 NIGHTMARES & FAIRY TALES TP VOL 01 (JAN042064) (MR) $14.95

JUL110861 NINJAS VS ZOMBIES #4 $3.99

SEP110882 PLANET OF THE APES #8 $3.99

AUG111236 POKEMON BLACK & WHITE GN VOL 04 $4.99

OCT111265 POKEMON DIAMOND & PEARL ADV BOX SET $59.99

JUL118145 POKEMON DIAMOND & PEARL ADV BOX SET (PP #986) $59.99

AUG110747 PREDATORS ANTHOLOGY $14.99

AUG110978 QUEEN SONJA #24 $3.99

JUL111047 RABBIT MAN TIGER MAN GN VOL 02 (OF 2) (MR) $12.95

AUG111255 REAL GN VOL 10 $12.99

AUG111240 RIN-NE GN VOL 07 $9.99

SEP110846 SERGIO ARAGONES FUNNIES #5 $3.50

SEP110847 SIMPSONS COMICS #184 $2.99

JUL110782 SPEED RACER CIRCLE OF VENGEANCE #1 (OF 4) $3.99

JUL111165 SPIDER SATANS SEVEN SWORDSMEN GN VOL 01 $9.95

SEP110885 STAN LEE STARBORN #12 $3.99

JUL111048 STRANGE MYSTIFYING STORY GN VOL 03 (OF 3) (MR) $12.95

SEP111115 TRANSFORMERS TIMELINES #6 STUNTI CON JOB $7.95

JUN110825 TROUT GN (MR) $14.95

JUL111152 UNTIL THE FULL MOON GN VOL 02 (MR) $10.99

AUG110741 VESSEL OF TERROR GN (MR) $17.99

JUL110973 WAR GODDESS #3 (MR) $3.99

JUL110975 WAR GODDESS #3 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

JUL110974 WAR GODDESS #3 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

AUG111159 WASTELAND TP VOL 06 ENEMY WITHIN $14.99

JUL111279 X 3-IN-1 ED VOL 01 $19.99

SEP111040 ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #5 (OF 12) $3.99

MAGAZINES
JUL111342 BACK ISSUE #52 $8.95
AUG111405 CINEMA RETRO #21 $11.99
AUG111348 DR WHO INSIDER #8 $6.99
JUN111398 G FAN #97 $5.95
SEP111379 HORRORHOUND #32 $6.99
JUL111333 ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #35 $15.00
SEP111344 JUXTAPOZ #131 $5.99
AUG112098 KOBOLD QUARTERLY MAGAZINE #19 $8.99
SEP111397 LOCUS #610 $6.95
SEP111381 RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #117 $9.95
AUG111441 STAR WARS SOUVENIR SPECIAL $14.99
JUN111347 TOMARTS ACTION FIGURE DIGEST #200 $5.99

Friday, June 3, 2011

VIZ Media Fights Illiteracy and Fosters Manga Love

VIZ MEDIA OFFERS LIBRARIANS FREE HEROES OF MANGA LIBRARY KITS

New Kits Highlight Popular VIZ Media Manga Properties And Help Foster Literacy And A Love Of Japanese Pop Culture Among Library Patrons Of All Ages

San Francisco, CA, June 2, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, gives librarians across the country a useful new tool to promote reading, literacy and love of manga (graphic novels). The company has made available Heroes of Manga Library Kits, full of items to entice patrons to explore the exciting world of Japanese pop culture and comics.

Manga is one of the most requested categories in libraries today. The Heroes of Manga Library Kit features some of VIZ Media’s most popular properties, such as NARUTO, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN and POKÉMON, designed for a range of readers from All Ages to Young Adult. Each library kit contains 50 book covers, 300 bookmarks, 50 buttons, 5 assorted VIZ Media bags, and a full-color poster featuring NARUTO, and is available for FREE to library professionals. For more information, or to receive a kit, please submit information here before June 8, 2011. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

“VIZ Media celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year and throughout our history, we have made it our mission to help fans of all ages foster a love of reading through manga,” says Candice Uyloan, Director of Marketing. “Our latest campaign provides librarians with a free Heroes of Manga Library Kit that contains a variety of fun premiums that highlight some of our most popular properties. Our first efforts to promote the kits resulted in such an enthusiastic response that we have decided to extend the program and increase the number of kits produced. We invite librarians to send in for their free kit today and use the goodies exclusively created for them to inspire their patrons to explore the exciting world of comics from Japan!”

VIZ Media manga titles are regularly recognized by leading library associations for their imaginative stories and high quality. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) recently recognized several notable VIZ Media manga titles recommended for those ages 12-18, meet the criteria of both good quality literature and appealing reading for teen readers. For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the U.S. leader in selecting books, videos, and audio books for teens.

For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit www.viz.com/manga.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for June 1 2011

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
APR112031 GAME TRADE MAGAZINE #136 PI
APR110001 PREVIEWS #273 JUNE 2011 PI

COMICS
FEB111126 2000 AD PACK APR 2011 $20.00

MAR111235 ABATTOIR #5 (OF 6) (MR) $3.50

MAR111237 ABYSS FAMILY ISSUES #4 (OF 4) $3.50

MAR110869 BETTY #192 $2.99

MAR110871 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #191 $3.99

APR110957 BOYS #55 (MR) $3.99

MAR111335 BRIDES STORY HC GN BOOK 01 (MR) $16.99

APR110894 CHIP N DALE RESCUE RANGERS #7 $3.99

JAN110967 COMEBACK KINGS #1 $2.99

MAR111104 CONSTRUCTIVE ABANDONMENT HC $15.95

APR110988 DEAN KOONTZ FRANKENSTEIN PRODIGAL SON TP VOL 02 $16.99

APR110973 DEATH OF ZORRO #4 $3.99

NOV100918 DF INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500 FRACTION SGN ED $19.99

FEB110836 DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #23 (OF 24) $3.99

DEC100802 DON LAWRENCE WESTERNS LTD HC WELLS FARGO & PONY EXPRESS $50.99

MAR110962 DRACULA COMPANY OF MONSTERS #10 $3.99

DEC100759 FATHOM PRIMER #1 $1.00

FEB110766 FATHOM VOL 4 #0 CVR A KONAT $2.50

FEB110767 FATHOM VOL 4 #0 CVR B KONAT $2.50

OCT100793 FLASH GORDON INVASION O/T RED SWORD #2 $3.99

NOV100741 FLASH GORDON MERCY WARS #0 $2.99

MAR111238 FOSTER BROUSSARD #1 (OF 5) DEMONS O/T GOLD RUSH $3.50

NOV100877 GREEN HORNET YEAR ONE #10 $3.99

FEB110755 GRIM GHOST #2 $2.99

MAR111194 HACK SLASH MEETS ZOMBIES VS CHEERLEADERS #1 $3.99

MAR111336 HIGURASHI WHEN THEY CRY OMNIBUS ED GN DEMON EXPOSING ARC $18.99

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Sunday, May 15, 2011

VIZKIDS Offers Pokemon Travel Activity Kit

NEW POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT FROM VIZ MEDIA GIVES KIDS HOURS OF FUN THIS SUMMER

Just in time for summer, VIZ Media delivers hours of Pokémon fun with the POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT! Featuring Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott and other new Pokémon from the Unova region, the POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT includes an activity pad, poster, stickers and six chunky crayons, all packaged in a suitcase-style case! Recommended for ages 5 and up, the POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT also makes a wonderful gift.

The POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT will be available on May 31st from the VIZKIDS imprint for the suggested retail price of $11.99 U.S. / $13.99 CAN, and includes:

• One 64-page POKÉMON activity pad (featuring word finds, mazes and other puzzle activities)
• Two full-color POKÉMON sticker sheets
• One double-sided poster for POKÉMON sticker play
• Six POKÉMON crayons
• Don’t forget to pull out the divider for bonus Legendary Reshiram and Zekrom standees!

The POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT is one of several Pokémon releases from the VIZKIDS imprint. Look for POKÉMON BLACK & WHITE, the manga series inspired by the most recent POKÉMON video game releases, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems. Meet all-new Pokémon from the fastest-selling Pokémon video games in history. VIZ Media will launch the POKÉMON BLACK & WHITE series in July 2011.

For more information on VIZ Media’s POKÉMON manga and anime titles, please visit www.VIZ.com/Pokemon/.

Friday, April 15, 2011

VIZ Kids Adds Five New Titles

VIZ MEDIA EXPANDS VIZ KIDS IMPRINTWITH A FULL SLATE OF NEW ACQUISITIONS

New Titles Include Global Blockbuster Franchises MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS, POKÉMON And VOLTRON FORCE, And Rising Stars MAMESHIBA and HERO 108

San Francisco, CA, April 11, 2011 – VIZ Media, the largest distributor of anime and manga in the United States, announced a full slate of acquisitions for its kids imprint, VIZ Kids. The acquisitions include DVD, Download-To-Own, and graphic novel licenses for a wide range of well-established global franchises.

“VIZ Media is excited to expand our kids imprint to include a variety of fun new properties,” said Elizabeth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director of VIZ Media. “These new titles use strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics and empowering themes to engage a younger generation of fans.”

• HERO 108 – VIZ Kids will be distributing DVDs of this popular series which airs on Cartoon Network. HERO 108 chronicles the battle for peace in the Hidden Kingdom. In addition, VIZ Kids will make the episodes available for download through iTunes. DVDs will be available in May 2011 while downloadable episodes will launch in June 2011.

• MAMESHIBA – The irresistibly cute and irrepressibly curious Mameshiba are not quite beans, not quite dogs--they’re a hybrid of both! VIZ Kids will release a graphic novel, MAMESHIBA: ON THE LOOSE!, and a character guide, MEET MAMESHIBA, in July 2011.

• POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE: VIZ Kids will release manga, a travel activity kit, and other select merchandise based on the most recent incarnation of the juggernaut POKÉMON™ video game franchise, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. Meet all-new Pokémon from the fastest-selling Pokémon video games in history. The travel activity kit will be available in May 2011; Volumes 1 and 2 of the manga will be available in July 2011.

• MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS – Mr. Happy, Little Miss Sunshine and all their Dillydale friends are about to take the graphic novel world by storm! Under the VIZ Kids imprint, VIZ Media will create and distribute original graphic novels starring the lovable MR. MEN and LITTLE MISSES. Little Miss Sunshine, Mr. Bump, Mr. Strong and Little Miss Daredevil books will be available in Spring 2012.

• VOLTRON FORCE – Voltron®, the ultimate space adventure from the 1980s, is ready to take the world by storm again! VIZ Kids will produce and distribute original graphic novels based on the all-new animated series VOLTRON FORCEÔ, set to debut on Nicktoons this summer. VOLTRON FORCE reignites the story of five brave space explorers who pilot mighty robot lions that combine to form Voltron, Defender of the Universe. Joining the team are three new cadets, who have the opportunity of a lifetime to fight alongside their heroes and unlock incredible new powers. Let’s Voltron! The books will be available in Spring 2012.

HERO 108, MAMESHIBA, MR. MEN, and VOLTRON FORCE are unique acquisitions because they are properties not owned by any of VIZ Media’s parent companies, Shueisha, Shogakukan and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions. These acquisitions join an already robust manga and anime VIZ Kids library, which includes THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, PANDA MAN, TARO, BEYBLADE and DINOSAUR KING.

For more information on VIZ Kids, visit http://www.vizkids.com/.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

VIZ Media Announces New Manga for Second Half of 2011

VIZ MEDIA MANGA ACQUISITIONS SLATED FOR RELEASE THE SECOND HALF OF 2011

Eagerly Anticipated New Titles Include Kids Favorites, Stirring Sci-Fi Action, Shojo Fantasy Drama, And Works By Natsume Ono And The Celebrated CLAMP Manga Creative Team

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has detailed a variety of notable new manga (graphic novel) acquisitions for the second half of 2011.

Scheduled for release in coming months, perfect for kids’ summertime fun, are a pair of new POKÉMON™ titles including a Travel Activity Kit and the debut of the POKÉMON BLACK & WHITE manga series. The highly anticipated cute and quirky bean dogs of MAMESHIBA will also debut in their own manga and in a character guide. Other titles aimed at Teen and Older Teen readers will feature the high-speed action of YU-GI-Oh! 5D’s in an innovative new original story, the tense mystery drama PSYREN, a re-mastered 3-in-1 collection of the classic apocalyptic saga X by the celebrated manga creative team CLAMP, an anthology of 14 never-before-released stories by Natsume Ono in TESORO, and the dramatic fantasy of DAWN OF THE ARCANA.

POKEMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT • Rated ‘A’ for All Ages • MSRP: $11.99 US / $13.99 CAN • Available May 2011

This Activity Kit offers a variety of brand-new Pokémon from the new Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games. The box of fun delivers hours of entertainment and allows kids to play alone or with friends. Included is a 64-page activity pad (featuring word puzzles, mazes, etc.), two sheets of stickers, one double-sided play poster, six crayons and two standees. All of this is contained in a durable, suitcase-type package with Velcro closures and a handle for easy portability.

POKÉMON BLACK & WHITE Vols. 1-2 • Rated ‘A’ for All Ages • MSRP: $4.99 US each / $5.99 CAN each • Available July 2011

Meet Pokémon Trainers Black and White! White has a burgeoning career as a Trainer of performing Pokémon. Black is about to embark on a Training Journey to explore the Unova region and fill a Pokédex for Prof. Juniper. Who will Black choose as his first Pokémon? Who would you choose...? Plus, meet brand-new Pokémon Tepig, Snivy, Oshawott, and many more never-before-seen Pokémon from the unexplored Unova region!

Mameshiba: ON THE LOOSE! • Rated ‘A’ for All Ages • MSRP: $6.99 US / $7.99 CAN • Available July 2011

It's a BEAN! It's a DOG! It's...BOTH?! Meet Mameshiba, the cute little bean dogs with bite! Starring in their first-ever adventures, they rescue friends, explore outer space and offer interesting bits of trivia when you least expect it! Hold on tight--Mameshiba are on the LOOSE! And don't miss the Mameshiba Shorts!

MEET Mameshiba • Rated ‘A’ for All Ages • MSRP: $6.99 US / $7.99 CAN • Available July 2011

Are they beans? Are they dogs? Not quite either one--they're Mameshiba! Though they all love to share weird facts, each has its own quirky personality. Find out about Edamame, Chili Bean, Lentil and all their friends in this insider's guide packed with trivia, quizzes, comics and activities!

YU-GI-OH! 5D’s Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN • Available July 2011

In New Domino City, the hottest game in town is the Turbo Duel, fought on blazingly fast motorcycles called Duel Runners. On the outskirts of New Domino City, in a district known as Satellite, a new Turbo Duel hero emerges named Yusei Fudo! On his custom-built Duel Runner, Yusei takes on all challengers, fighting for his friends and the future of Satellite! Also included in first print-run editions is a bonus Dark Highlander collectible trading card!

PSYREN Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN • Available October 2011

Ageha Yoshina just got transported to a warped alternate dimension where you've got to fight your way back to our world – or die trying. "Save me!" Those were Sakurako Amamiya's last words to her friend Ageha Yoshina before she mysteriously went missing. Now Ageha's on a quest to find her. He's convinced that the mythical Psyren Secret Society has something to do with the recent rash of disappearances. And now he seems to be caught up as a player in their very deadly game...

X 3-IN-ONE Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • MSRP: $19.99 US / $22.99 CAN • Available October 2011

X, the epic fantasy series from CLAMP, will be released in deluxe collector’s editions. The pages have been recomposed in the original right-to-left reading format and restored to their highest quality. Each volume contains three of the original graphic novels, along with gorgeous, full-color illustrations never before published outside Japan!

In X, Kamui Shiro is a young man followed by mystery. Taken from Tokyo by his mother while still a child, he must leave behind his closest friends. Returning to Tokyo after his mother's death, Kamui is now a changed young man – moody and distant to his old friends, yet determined to protect them from the dark forces that constantly swirl around him. He is the nexus of a great cataclysm to come, and the inheritor to a strange destiny that could decide the fate of the entire world.

TESORO • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $12.99 US / $14.99 CAN • Available November 2011

This is an engrossing manga treasure trove containing 14 charming stories about family, friends, couples and unexpected bonds. Written by Natsume Ono over ten years, here is the long-awaited collection of her early work, including numerous illustrations and previously unpublished stories!

Dawn of the Arcana Vol. 1 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $12.99 US / $14.99 CAN • Available December 2011

To end the conflict between the warring kingdoms of Senan and Belquat, Princess Nakaba of Senan is sent to Belquat to marry Prince Caesar. Accompanied solely by her half-beast attendant Loki, Nakaba must learn not only how to survive the intrigues of a hostile court but also how to handle the mercurial Caesar. And in the swirl of secrets and treachery, there could be one thing greater than all: the mysterious power of the Arcana.