Yu-Gi-Oh R U Ready

I finished reading Yu-Gi-Oh!: R, Vol. 2 (Yu-Gi-Oh! (Graphic Novels))

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

Moonstone Books to Release The Phantom Double Shot #4

From Moonstone Books:

PHANTOM Double Shot #4: KGB Noir (of6)

Stories: Mike Bullock, Jai Nitz

Art: Fernando Peniche

Cover: Dennis Calero

24pgs, b/w, $2.99

A Special Noir Mini-Series Starring The Phantom with Tectonic Tie-In Tales Featuring Moonstone Books’ Best and Brightest Stars!

*Deep in the bowels of Madeira Island, the Ghost Who Walks feels the Hammer Strike!

And then, Captain Action is caught between Salavdoran ex-cops and a Russian Spetsnaz team, while a woman from his dad’s past stirs things up! [END]

DMP Announces "9th Sleep"

From Digital Manga Publishing:

9th Sleep (Yaoi)

ISBN 1569708347

ISBN13 9781569708347

Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing; Imprint Name: June Price

USD $12.95

Writer Makoto Tateno; Artist Makoto Tateno

Release Date: December 16th, 2009

Size: 6 x 8.25”

Format: Softcover Page; Count: 200pp

Series Volumes: Oneshot

Recommended Age: Young Adult 16+

Genre: Yaoi, Fantasy

Summary: The planet had died once before… On the day of Despaira, a god appeared in the sky and saved the world. His name was King Shishioh. But now with the throne of the king empty, a vicious battle between two brothers is unfolding. Who will ascend the throne?

Other works by creator:

Red Angel (DMP: 9781569707241)

Angelic Runes (DMP: 9781569701225)

Happy Boys (DMP: 9781569700884)

Comics Bronze Age Updates for December 2 2009

From Andrew Wahl at Comics Bronze Age:
Dear Readers:
A few things from Comics Bronze Age that might be of interest to your readers:

• December's Talking Point discussion question is "What are your favorite Christmas-themed comics of the Bronze Age?" http://www.comicsbronzeage.com/?p=5936

• Recent reviews include:
- The time-travel adventure from Marvel Team-Up #41-46: http://www.comicsbronzeage.com/?p=5481

- Individual reviews of the first 25 issues of John Byrne's Fantastic Four: http://www.comicsbronzeage.com/?s=%22John+byrne%E2%80%99s+ff%22

- This week it's DC's short-lived, under-appreciated Ragman series: http://www.comicsbronzeage.com/?p=5484

• Next week, in addition to daily reviews, I'll be posting the second set of my Bronze Age Grad School reaction papers. These papers are being written as part of my Master’s studies through Fort Hays State University. The first set can be found here: http://www.comicsbronzeage.com/?tag=bronze-age-grad-school

Cheers (of the holiday kind, no less),
Andrew [END]

Steven Grant Co-Writes Captain Action Special #1

Press release from Moonstone Books:

CAPTAIN ACTION Special #1

Story: Steven Grant, Tony Lee

Art: Art Thibert, Jake Minor

Colors: James Brown

Cover A: Eduardo Barretto

Cover B: Jerry Ordway

Cover C: Dan Spiegle

48pgs, color, $5.50

Having just caught his breath after seemingly vanquishing the Red Crawl, Captain Action now must face the woman called Offshoot in this thrilling full length stand-alone tale! And the action doesn’t stop – with two exciting back-up stories featuring a spy thriller Lady Action tale, and Action Boy’s ferocious black panther, Khem, in a solo adventure!

(covers ship as COVER A = 75%, Cover B =25%)

**RETAILER INCENTIVE: for every 3 copies purchased, you can purchase one copy of the Dan Spiegle variant, retail = $5.50

***If a total of 5 or more copies are purchased (of all covers), then you can order one FREE copy of Cover C! [END]

Anime DVD Releases from VIZ Media for January 2010

Press release from VIZ Media:

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW DVD RELEASES FOR JANUARY 2010

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced their list of DVD titles scheduled for release in January 2010. This includes the first box set of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN in regular and special editions, the next installments in POKÉMON ELEMENTS, as well as the latest episodic releases of the popular BLEACH and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series. VIZ Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.

SHONEN JUMP releases include:

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Special Edition Box Set 1 • Rated 'T+' for Older Teens • MSRP: $69.97 US / $99.99 CAN • Available January 26
Naruto Uzumaki is back! After two and a half years of training on the road with Jiraiya of the Sannin, Naruto is back in the Village Hidden in the Leaves, and he's ready to show off his new skills. He and Sakura team up to take on their old master Kakashi, who's pretty impressed with their progress. They'll have plenty of opportunity to put it into action when news arrives from the Sand Village that Gaara, Naruto's former rival and now Kazekage of the Sand, has been kidnapped! And the culprits are the very same group who are after Naruto--the Akatsuki! The Special Edition Box Set features 13 episodes on 3 discs and also includes a collectible NARUTO Shippuden Mininja figure.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Box Set 1 Standard Edition • Rated 'T+' for Older Teens • MSRP: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN • Available January 26

DVD-only collection featuring 13 episodes from the hit series on 3 discs; (collectible figure is not included.)

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Volume 5 • Rated 'T+' for Older Teens • MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN • Available January 12

Team Guy and Team Kakashi finally reach the Akatsuki hideout, only to encounter a tricky five-seal barrier that triggers an even stranger trap. While Team Guy face some pretty tough opponents--themselves!--Kakashi and Naruto must take off after Deidara who has absconded with Gaara. Sakura and Granny Chiyo are left behind to confront Sasori of the Red Sand. Granny Chiyo may be the only one with the ability to see through his many complex traps and skilled puppetry, but even one scratch from his poisoned weapons could mean instant death!

BLEACH Volume 24 • Rated ‘T’ for Teens • MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN • Available January 19

Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya is assigned to lead the defense of the Soul Society and mobilize the Soul Reapers to find and kill the intruding Bounts. But the Bount leader Jin Kariya has gathered a huge mob of ruffians and plans to use them in his quest for revenge. Meanwhile, it is discovered that Maki Ichinose, the banished Soul Reaper helping the Bounts, has infiltrated the Seireitei and has been secretly manipulating their data. What strategies will play out, and how can Ichigo and his allies stop them?

New POKÉMON Releases Include:

POKÉMON ELEMENTS, Volume 7: Psychic • Rated 'A' for All Ages • MSRP: $9.98 US/ $14.99 CAN • Available January 26

POKÉMON ELEMENTS, Volume 8: Dragon • Rated 'A' for All Ages • MSRP: $9.98 US / $14.99 CAN • Available January 26

Following the POKÉMON All Star series set, the POKÉMON: ELEMENTS collection consists of the most important episodes commemorating the different types of Pokémon characters. Each disc showcases a Pokémon type with three all-time favorite episodes. [END]

I Reads You Review: MARIA HOLIC, VOL. 1

Creator: Minari Endou

Publishing Information: TOKYOPOP, B&W, paperback, 192 pages, $10.99 (US), $13.99 CAN, £7.99 UK

Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4278-1671-9 (ISBN-13)

Maria Holic introduces readers to Kanako Miyamae, a teen girl who transfers to Ame no Kisaki Junior and Senior High School for Girls, a combination all-girls school and mission school. Kanako has not transferred to this elite school merely for its academic reputation and selective enrollment. Kanako is a lesbian, and she’s hoping to find the ideal mate. Kanako thinks she’s found a freshman that meets her criteria. Mariya Shidou is beautiful and captivating, but she is also a he. Mariya is not only a cross-dressing boy, but he’s also sadistic and blackmails Kanako to keep his secret.

Maria Holic, Volume 1 finds Kanako in the midst of a tough adjustment to Ame no Kisaki. Not only must she deal with the conniving Mariya and his maid, Matsurika, she must also find a way to be accepted by the other students, who are suspicious of and, in some cases, jealous of her. The cause of the jealousy is Ryuken Ishima, a statuesque, strikingly beautiful girl who is beloved by the other students. When Ryuken takes special notice of Kanako, the other girls are furious, and they make sure that Kanako’s troubles with Mariya aren’t her only problems.

Several of Maria Holic’s characters are interesting, and some also have the potential to really grab the reader. Much of the narrative, however, focuses on being a showcase for the usual feuds and conflicts one would expect to find in an all-girls setting. Yes, this manga sometimes seems like one long catfight. What is refreshing about Maria Holic is the rather bold way creator Minari Endou presents Kanako’s lesbianism. Rather than being controversial, the lesbianism simply seems like a plot element ripe for exploitation.

Endou depicts Kanako as lustful, and but she is no more ashamed of her desires than a teen male character lusting after his female classmates. In fact, Kanako is like a lesbian version of the teenaged male character, Junpei Manaka, from the shonen manga, Strawberry 100%. Maria Holic is quite yuri – a manga which depicts a romance between female lead characters, at least not yet. Hopefully, Maria Holic will become an exceptional romantic comedy, but that will happen only if the narrative focuses more on the trials of teen love and dating and less on girl fights.

B

Buy Maria Holic Volume 1