DMP to Publish Second Volume of "Kurashina Sensei's Passion"

Press release from Digital Manga Publishing:

Kurashina Sensei’s Passion Volume 2 (Yaoi)
ISBN: 1569708371
ISBN: 139781569708378
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Imprint Name: June
Price USD: $12.95
Writer: Natsuho Shino
Artist: Natsuho Shino
Release Date: December 16, 2009
Size: 6 x 8.25”
Format: Softcover
Page Count : 200pp
Series Volumes: 2 of 3
Series Frequency: 3 – 5 months
Recommended Age: Young Adult 16+
Genre: Yaoi, Comedy, School Life

Summary
Welcome back to the renowned Shoei Acadamy, a school which prides itself on educating young men from respected families from kindergarten all the way through senior high school. Newly-arrived teacher Reiji Kurashina is just as popular with his students as ever, inspiring feelings of passion in all of them. And now the battle between the executive committee and the student council for the teacher and is under way!

Kurashina Sensei’s Passion is an interesting twist on the classic all boys’ school plot that will charm both yaoi and casual readers. Shino Natsuho premiered in the US with a side story in J-Boy by Biblos (DMP: 9781569708750) Kurashina Sensei’s Passion is the sequel to this story.

Other works by creative teams:
J-Boy (DMP: 9781569708750)
Stop Bullying Me (DMP: 9781569705919) [END]

Driving Kurashina Sensei Crazy

I finished reading Kurashina Sensei's Passion Volume 1 (Yaoi)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.

Bring Bandes Dessinees to the USA

Publishing Trends recently offered this nice article on the obstacles of bring French comics to outside markets, in particular the United States. A Highlight:

Coissard has ideas on how the countries can work together. He would like to visit American publishers more often. “They don’t travel very much,” he said, “We don’t see you at Frankfurt. If you don’t want to trouble, we should come to you.” Also, could American publishers please tone down their contracts, whose excessive terms are “at odds with the French notion of moral rights”? (Sorry, won’t happen, Siegel told him.) Mostly, Coissard stressed that American publishers should have “more faith in the capacity of the American reader to take interest in the world.” Turning to Frank and Siegel, he added politely, “I hope I didn’t shock you.”

Mohawk Media Searching for Comic Book Artists

PRESS RELEASE: Mohawk Media

PUBLISHER PUTS OUT CALL TO COMIC ARTISTS

Mohawk Media launches talent search

Publisher Mohawk Media (http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/) has today announced that it is in search of artists for upcoming comic book and graphic novel projects.

Having had success with its Mr. T graphic novels, the publisher is readying to get new projects underway in 2010.

To help spearhead this search, Mr. T author, Christopher Bunting, has been appointed as Editor-In-Chief.

Bunting says: "As a freelance writer, one in the early stages of his career, I know just how tough it is to break into comic books."

"I’ve often heard aspiring artists say there are no openings. I’m therefore proud to be part of this Mohawk Media initiative to give artists the opportunity to become published, and be involved in some of the coolest titles of 2010!"

The publisher recommends the following:
A brief email about yourself and any published experience, accompanied by a minimum of 5 sequential pages

Story pages only (no pinups, paintings or portraits)

Your strongest and preferably, recent work

A variety of genres if possible

Samples in jpeg or PDF format only. Links will not be opened

All submissions to chris@mohawkmedia.co.uk

Bunting continues: "Remember, comics are a storytelling medium. Those are the skills that you need to demonstrate."

"We’re excited to see what comes in. Good luck!" [END]

The official Mr. T graphic novel is distributed to the comic book trade through Diamond Comics Distributors, and to the book trade by Bertrams. ISBN: 9780956018908. It is also available signed by the author from the Mohawk Media store: http://www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/mr-t-store.htm

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TOKYOPOP Announces BLU Releases and Titles for Next Year

Press release from TOKYOPOP:

BLU Presents: The Spring 2010 Publishing Lineup

Forget February - Romance Is in the Air All Year with BLU in 2010

Romance blooms all year long with the latest releases from BLU. Fans will swoon over the latest JUNJO ROMANTICA, laugh through several unique short story collections, and fall in love with all new yaoi manga from Japan.

The year starts out with LOVE HURTS by Suzuki Tanaka (MENKUI!) in January - a truly unique collection of supernatural stories that are sometimes gruesome and unsettling, and often hilarious. From mysterious corpses to mystical crime lords, this manga will keep you on your toes and your thoughts spinning.

In February, the month of love, world-renowned manga-ka Hinako Takanaga (YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE and LITTLE BUTTERFLY) brings us CROQUIS. Follow Nagi's path to love and acceptance as a fledgling drag queen saving up for some big changes! When his secret is revealed, will his dreams of love be dashed?

In March, BLOOD HONEY by Sakyou Yozakura introduces us to Yuki Akabane, a vampire's descendant who also happens to be a popular nurse--at a blood donation clinic! He enjoys drinking the blood of the pretty women who come through, but when he tastes the blood of donation-obsessed Osamu Mayuzumi, will he be able to drink another's blood again?

Lovers come together in many different ways in LOVE KNOT, a new collection of short stories by Lemon Ichijo. A series of chapters explores the relationship of twins and their respective lovers as they struggle to get along, while, others find love where they least expect it, whether that's with a childhood friend, at the school nurse's office, or even in the kitchen!

Blossoming in May is CUTE DEVIL by Hiro Madarame. The story follows Akiyoshi Tohru, a picture of the ideal student. Not only does he have perfect attendance and top grades, he's also the student council president of his all-boys school. The school "princess," Naruse Futa, takes a shining to Akiyoshi - and a princess ALWAYS gets what he wants. Will Akiyoshi be able to escape Naruse's sadistic clutches?

The hot summer sun of June brings ISLE OF FORBIDDEN LOVE by Duo Brand, the creators of CRIMSON WIND and CROSS X BREAK. Aki, a detective, meets the handsome and mysterious Kuga while investigating a string of murders in ancient Edo. Will Kuga help him to solve the crime, or will he turn out to be a much different man than Aki believes him to be?

From Miu Ootsuki, the popular creator of a number of series, including EIEN NO SHICHIGATSU, STAY GOLD, UKKARI CHERRY and YURI HIME WILDROSE, comes the BLU release of CALLING in July. Kazuaki's life is so ordinary and dull, he can't tell the difference between one day and the next. But one night he witnesses a rather embarrassing rendezvous, which unexpectedly turns his life upside down...

SCARLET, another title from Hiro Madarame, releases in August. College student Akio is dating Ryo, a gorgeous and seemingly innocent philanderer, unable to withstand the slightest loneliness. Every time a girl approaches him, he just can't say no! What's Akio to do with his wandering-eye of a boyfriend?!
And mark your calendars for these new releases of ongoing series:

In April, volume 4 of TEA FOR TWO by Yaya Sakuragi hits the yaoi shelves. In this volume, Christmas is right around the corner for Tokumaru and Hasune, but a romantic night out and a sweet gift exchange is out of the question for this eccentric couple...or is it?

May brings volume 2 of YOU WILL DROWN IN LOVE, another great yaoi title by Hinako Takanaga. Reiichiro and Jinnai's relationship may have started in volume 1, but it hasn't stopped rocking! An old acquaintance shows up and creates waves, triggering doubts for both parties. Will this awkward couple ever understand each other?

August offers us Yamimaru Enjin's VOICE OR NOISE volume 3. Shinichiro and Narusawa continue to explore the question: Can the ability to talk to the animals translate into the language of love? Back after his three years abroad Narusawa is ready to pick up his relationship with Shinichiro right where they left off-but how has the passage of time changed his young lover?

And lastly - September ushers in a Fall of boys' love with the much-anticipated New York Times bestseller JUNJO ROMANTICA volume 12 by Shungiku Nakamura. The ever-lovable Misaki faces all new challenges and obstacles in life and love. Will his relationship with Akihiko be able to survive his 4th year of college and Akihiko's pushy, jealous cousin moving in?

BLU is an imprint of TOKYOPOP.

About TOKYOPOP:Founded by multi-cultural media visionary Stuart Levy, TOKYOPOP is hailed as a leading youth-oriented entertainment brand and an innovator of manga creation, with a revolutionary artistic vision that transcends countless platforms. From the introduction of the first-ever extensive manga publishing program in North America, to the development of its manga-originated intellectual properties into film, television and digital entertainment, TOKYOPOP has changed the way teens experience pop culture. The company's global reach has expanded to Europe and Asia, with offices in the UK and Germany, in addition to its Los Angeles and Tokyo operations. With millions of fans logging onto the new social networking site www.TOKYOPOP.com, reading its books, which are licensed in 41 countries in more than 20 languages, and watching its DVDs and television programs, TOKYOPOP's award-winning catalogue of licensed and original properties has made the company a visionary in an ever-growing teen entertainment marketplace. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information. [END]

Clash Comics is New Online Comics Publisher

Press release from Clash Comics:

CLASH COMICS LAUNCHES ONLINE COMICS REVOLUTION

Clash Comics is here! The newly-launched, online-only comicbook publisher is aiming to change the way comics are read, moving them from the printed page to the online page, and calling it the evolution of comics, the revolution of online comics.

Having gathered a small but growing number of like-minded writers and artists, Clash has already put together half a dozen diverse titles ranging from the ever-popular superhero genre to sci-fi, horror and fantasy with plans to release at least one new title each and every month. Having just launched their debut title, Clash is determined to build an online-only stable of high quality, high concept, cutting-edge titles comparable to any traditional comicbook publisher.

Darrell Andrews, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher, explains his vision: “There’ll always be printed comics – and I wouldn’t want it any other way – but the comic medium now has the perfect opportunity to expand its audience and reach the new, ever-growing audience of webcomic readers, those who don’t go into a comicbook store to buy their comics, they read and search online for their regular four-color fix. The internet is the perfect method of distribution and delivery and it makes for a potentially huge, eagerly awaiting readership. Digital publication is the evolution of comics, I have no doubt of that, and Clash intends to revolutionize comics online!”

“Clash is going to be much more than a cool-sounding name! It’s going to reflect the diversity of material we intend to publish! I want our comics to push the boundaries of the comicbook medium and not to be afraid to take chances on a title or concept that may usually find it hard to reach an appreciative audience in print. Ultimately, we want to publish a whole range of titles to suit each and every reader’s taste who may visit us. We want to have something for everyone.

And yes, if readers want teen angst or romance then we’ll give them a comic with it all in abundance.”

Clash’s debut title is called The Dream Team and is about a dysfunctional group of characters who come together each night during their sleep in a virtual reality dreamworld. With their minds networked together by means of a device called the DreamBox, they become powerful super-heroes who team-up to relax and kick-back while fighting the forces of evil.

Darrell Andrews continues: “It’s the X-Men meets The Matrix with some Life on Mars (UK TV version) added into the mix. The Dream Team is about a group of strangers who meet-up each night in their dreams to become super-powered heroes in a limitless new dimension. But, like any new frontier, there are those who want to control it and gain power. Our heroes not only have problems of their own to conquer in the real- world, they also have to contend with a whole new life they have made for themselves and the new set of troubles that brings them in their dreams. Really, if you like super-team books then you’ll love The Dream Team and the new take on a classic genre we’ve developed!”

The next two titles appearing on the Clash Comics website after The Dream Team are a horror comic entitled Bloodlust and the return of a super-heroine bad girl some long-time comics readers may have heard of called Octobriana.

“Bloodlust is going to be one exciting comic! If you hadn’t guessed from the title, it’s about everyone’s favorite creatures-of-the-night and it asks the question of how would an underworld of olde-worlde vampires handle the emergence of a whole new breed of blood-sucking immortals kitted-out with an arsenal of the most powerful high-tech weaponry modern warfare has to offer and all at their disposal? You just know there’s going to be trouble with the two factions and mankind is stuck in the middle of the conflict. But what makes this title extra special is the two opposing antagonists – a couple of well-known literary vampires each with their own stake in winning the undead war. And it’s drawn by one helluva great artist too!”

“Octobriana is the return of comicdom’s original bad girl, the Russian Devil-Woman herself, out from the public domain darkness once again and back into the spotlight in her own, ongoing series. We’re staying true to the character’s origins – and if you know Octobriana then you’ll know how risqué that could get! – while at the same time giving her a much-needed makeover visually. It’s not a re-imagining or a relaunch, we’re just updating her for today’s more demanding audience. It’s action-packed, it has a trio of wonderful supporting characters including a witch from the Salem Witch Trials, a Native American Indian from post-Revolutionary times and an alien pilot for Oct’s Wonder Machine. It’s really hot too and is definitely not to be missed if you like great comics!”

So what makes Clash Comics different to other online ventures? “We’re offering each title on a regular, monthly schedule by subscription only. It’ll be quick and easy to sign-up and even quicker to cancel if need be. We don’t want our readers to come back at random intervals whenever they think about it, we’re making it simple for them to register once and then easily add or swap more titles when they want to. We believe offering our titles as subscription-only will be an important factor in the key to success.”

“Don’t miss out on great comics! Read them, either online or in print, but don’t overlook a comic you may really enjoy. Give digital comics the chance they deserve and support them now! Comics are comics whichever format they are published in.”

The Dream Team is available to subscribe to now from the Clash Comics website at: http://www.clashcomics.com [END]

DMP to Publishing "How to Capture a Martini"

From Digital Manga Publishing:

How to Capture a Martini (Yaoi)
ISBN: 1569700826
ISBN13: 978-1-56970-082-2
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Imprint Name: June
Price USD: $12.95
Writer: Makoto Tateno
Artist: Makoto Tatano
Release Date: December 16, 2009
Size: 5 x 7.25”
Format: Softcover
Page Count: 200pp
Series Volumes: Oneshot
Recommended Age: Mature 18+
Genre: Yaoi, Romance

Summary: He was my lover in High school, my upperclassman, beautiful, malicious Shinobu. He was also the one who took away everything, whether it was my first kiss, or my first time. Then, after the graduation ceremony, he completely disappeared. Four years have passed since then, and right when I thought I’d already forgotten all memories about him, he suddenly appeared in front of my eyes, more beautiful and charming than ever… Now, even though he’s willing to open his body for everyone, the only thing he gives me is his cruel words. But no matter what, I still want to be by his side… So I started working a part-time job at the bar where he’s working… Makoto Tateno’s super dry superior beauty capture method.

Other works by creator:
Red Angel (DMP: 9781569707241)
Angelic Runes (DMP: 9781569701225)
Happy Boys (DMP: 9781569700884)