Dark Horse from Diamond Distributors for March 16 2011

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL100093 60TH ANNIV CLASSIC PEANUTS STATUE #5 SCHROEDER $49.95

JUL100094 CLASSIC UNCLE SCROOGE STATUE VOL 02 #5 MONEYBAGS $49.95

DEC108331 GANTZ TP VOL 04 NEW PTG (MR) $12.99

NOV100048 GANTZ TP VOL 16 (MR) $12.99

JAN110113 GUILD TINK ONE SHOT RON CHAN CVR $3.50

DEC108314 SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL 01 NEW PTG $17.99

NOV100040 YOUR HIGHNESS TP $7.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 16 2011

IMAGE COMICS

NOV100497 ARTIFACTS #6 (OF 13) CVR A NOTO $3.99

NOV100498 ARTIFACTS #6 (OF 13) CVR B CHRISTOPHER $3.99

MAY100468 BAD DOG #4 (RES) (MR) $2.99

DEC100437 BOMB QUEEN VS HACK SLASH SPEC ONE-SHOT (MR) $3.50

JAN110598 CHEW SCRIPT BOOK (MR) $3.99

JAN110605 HACK SLASH ONGOING #2 ODONAGHUE CVR (MR) $3.50

JAN110604 HACK SLASH ONGOING #2 SEELEY CVR (MR) $3.50

DEC100484 MICE TEMPLAR VOL 3 #3 MICHAEL AVON OEMING CVR $2.99

DEC100485 MICE TEMPLAR VOL 3 #3 VICTOR SANTOS CVR $2.99

JAN110616 MORNING GLORIES #8 $2.99

JAN110661 TWILIGHT GUARDIAN #3 (OF 4) $3.99

JAN110629 WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #11 (MR) $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for March 16 2011

COMICS

NOV101005 2000 AD PACK JAN 2011 $20.00

JAN111020 28 DAYS LATER #21 $3.99

JAN111023 AMORY WARS IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH 3 TP VOL 01 $14.99

JAN111022 AMORY WARS IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH 3 TP VOL 02 $14.99

JAN110941 ARCHIE & FRIENDS #153 $2.99

JAN110947 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #189 $3.99

DEC101071 BRIAN & BOBBI GN $9.99

NOV101092 CHARMED #8 A CVR SEIDMAN $3.50

NOV101093 CHARMED #8 B CVR PHOTO $3.50

JAN111234 COWBOYS AND ALIENS IT BOOKS HC ED $24.99

JAN111053 DARKWING DUCK #10 $3.99

JAN111086 DEATH OF ZORRO #1 $3.99

DEC108145 DF FANTASTIC FOUR #587 CGC GRADED ED $89.99

DEC100943 DF GRIMM FAIRY TALES MYTHS #1 CAMPBELL REMARK CVR $69.99

DEC100949 DF JENNIFER BLOOD #1 EXC RED CVR PI

DEC100940 DF TRUE BLOOD #1 EXC TAINTED CVR $6.99

JAN111027 DO ANDROIDS DREAM DUST TO DUST TP VOL 02 $12.99

JAN110893 DOWNSIZED GN $6.95

AUG100734 EGG STORY (NEW PTG) $3.95

JAN111077 EXCALIBUR CANDLEWICK GN HC ED $21.99

JAN111076 EXCALIBUR CANDLEWICK GN SC ED $11.99

JAN110880 FRITZ LANGS M GN (O/A) $24.95

JAN110961 GRIM GHOST #1 $2.99

JAN110885 JOHNNY CASH I SEE A DARKNESS GN $17.95

JAN110948 JUGHEAD #206 $2.99

SEP100949 KATO ORIGINS WAY O/T NINJA #7 $3.99

JAN111287 KLASSIC KOMICS KLUB HC (O/A) (MR) $14.95

OCT101064 KOLCHAK NIGHT STALKER FILES #2 $3.50

DEC100964 KRAZY & IGNATZ TP 1919 1921 BENEVOLENT BRICK $24.99

OCT100941 LAST PHANTOM #5 $3.99

JAN111062 MICKEY MOUSE #306 $3.99

AUG100786 MINDFIELD #5 COVER A ALEX KONAT $2.99

AUG100787 MINDFIELD #5 COVER B PHIL NOTO $2.99

DEC101078 NEON GENESIS EVANGELION TP VOL 12 $9.99

JAN111301 NEXUS #100 SPACE OPERA ACT 2 OF 4 (O/A) $4.99

JAN111304 NEXUS ORIGIN REMASTERED (O/A) $4.99

JAN111302 NEXUS SPACE OPERA ACTS 3 & 4 (O/A) $4.95

JAN110974 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD DEATH VALLEY #1 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99

JAN110975 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD DEATH VALLEY #1 (OF 5) GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN110976 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD DEATH VALLEY #1 (OF 5) WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

DEC101173 OATMEAL 5 VERY GOOD REASONS TO PUNCH DOLPHIN SC $14.99

SEP100923 OZ WONDERLAND CHRONICLES JACK & CAT TALES #2 (OF 3) $3.99

OCT100755 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR TP VOL 01 $6.95

JAN110958 PHOENIX #1 $2.99

OCT100749 PLANET OF THE LIVING DEAD #1 $3.50

DEC101022 POSSESSIONS GN VOL 02 GHOST TABLE $5.99

SEP100986 PS238 #49 $2.99

JAN111269 SEA GHOST #1 SEA GHOST I/T MACHINE $3.99

JAN111018 SIMPSONS COMICS #176 $2.99

JAN110953 SONIC UNIVERSE #26 $2.99

NOV100977 SPIDER #1 $2.99

NOV100978 SPIDER BURNING LEAD FOR THE WALKING DEAD GN $7.99

JAN111043 STAN LEE SOLDIER ZERO #6 $3.99

JAN111081 SUDDENLY SOMETHING HAPPENED GN (MR) $20.00

NOV100705 TIME LINCOLN CUBA COMMANDER ONE-SHOT $3.99

JAN111064 TOY STORY TOY OVERBOARD TP $9.99

DEC100860 VAMPIRELLA #4 $3.99

DEC100705 VESHA VALENTINE STORY GN $12.95

DEC100871 WARLORD OF MARS #5 $3.99

JUL100818 WOLFSKIN HUNDREDTH DREAM #5 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99

JUL100820 WOLFSKIN HUNDREDTH DREAM #5 (OF 6) BLOOD THIRST CVR (MR) $3.99

JUL100821 WOLFSKIN HUNDREDTH DREAM #5 (OF 6) PAINTED CVR (MR) $3.99

JUL100819 WOLFSKIN HUNDREDTH DREAM #5 (OF 6) WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN110954 WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #5 $3.99

AUG101105 YO GABBA GABBA COMIC BOOK TIME HC $24.99

MAGAZINES
DEC101141 COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1676 APR 2011 $5.99
DEC101153 DR WHO MAGAZINE #431 (NOTE PRICE) $8.99
DEC101166 HORRORHOUND #28 $6.99
DEC101031 JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #307 $11.99
DEC101167 RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #109 $9.95
DEC101181 SFX SPECIAL #48 VAMPIRES SPECIAL $17.99
NOV101179 STAR WARS FIG COLL MAG #19 PALPATINE $14.00
DEC101198 STAR WARS FIG COLL MAG #21 CLONE TROOPER $14.00
DEC101199 STAR WARS FIG COLL MAG #22 PADME AMIDALA $14.00
NOV101184 STAR WARS VEHICLES COLL MAG #63 SHUTTLE THETA $18.00

VIZ Media on the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

Official Statement From VIZ Media Regarding The Earthquake And Tsunami In Japan:

The terrible events in Japan affects us all at VIZ Media directly, personally and professionally. Our hearts go out to those affected by the tragedy and the ongoing crisis, and we hope for a quick recovery. We know the people of Japan will persevere & prevail.

Sincere thanks to all those who have inquired about our parent companies, Shogakukan, Shueisha and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions. Our colleagues in Tokyo are safe and the situation is stabilizing, though resuming normal day-to-day business activities may take a little while. On a company level, we will be coordinating activities with our parent companies to support the disaster victims.

The victims of this tragedy are in our thoughts, and our gratitude goes out to all of the heroic people around the world pulling together to help them.

Leroy Douresseaux on BATMAN: TIME AND THE BATMAN

BATMAN: TIME AND THE BATMAN

DC COMICS

WRITERS: Grant Morrison and Fabian Nicieza
ARTISTS: Tony S. Daniel, Cliff Richards, Andy Kubert, Frank Quitely, David Finch, Richard Friend, and Scott Kolins
COLORS: Ian Hannin, Alex Sinclair, Tony Aviña, Brand Anderson, and Peter Steigerwald
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher and Travis Lanham
COVER: David Finch and Scott Williams
EXTRAS ART: Mike Mignola, Kevin Nowlan, Dave Stewart, Shane Davis, Sandra Hope, Barbara Ciardo, Juan Doe, Dustin Nguyen, Guillem March, Tim Sale, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Philip Tan
ISBN: 978-1-4012-2989-4; hardcover
128pp, Color, $19.99 U.S., $22.99 CAN

DC Comics recently published a hardcover comic book collection entitled Batman: Time and the Batman. It collects Batman issues 700 to 703 with some extras, including variant covers and a peak inside the Batcave rendered with 3-D modeling.

There is also a gallery of Batman illustrations, a portfolio of sorts entitled “Creatures of the Night: A Batman Gallery.” I won’t say that this gallery is worth the cost of the book, but it is worth at least a quarter of this book’s cover price. There are two hot pieces from Dustin Nguyen and a striking piece by Guillem March, among others.

Batman: Time and the Batman is essentially a bridge story arc that connects Batman R.I.P., Final Crisis, and Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne to one another. In the opening chapter, “Time and the Batman,” the three Batmen: Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Damian Wayne fight the past, present, and future. Batman’s most dangerous adversary, the Joker, and a few others use the Maybe Machine, the invention of Professor Carter Nichols, to raise hell in Gotham City across decades.

Next, in a missing chapter of R.I.P., Batman faces Darkseid and trap that will have him doubting his own mind and perceptions and also lost in time. Finally, in “The Great Escape,” the new Batman and Robin face the Gateway Genius and Damian is confronted by how little he knows about his father. It is a sentimental and highly-enjoyable story from the underrated Fabian Nicieza and artist Cliff Richards.

I recently saw an article that began by describing Grant Morrison as a god to fans, and yes, I’m tired of hearing about fanboy gods. Still, there is reason to love some Grant Morrison because his current run on Batman has been so much fun to read. Let’s face it, pretty much every Batman comic book since Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns has lived in the shadow of (ominous music) The Dark Knight Returns.

To me, at least, Grant Morrison’s Batman is more Dennis O’Neil than it is Frank Miller, but what defines Morrison’s Batman is what defines most of his work, imagination. From page to page, the reader never really knows what to expect and from panel to panel the reader never knows what will come out of the characters’ mouths. After 70 years, Batman can be forgiven for suffering from sameness. In Morrison’s hands, Batman is fresh and bouncy. I swear that when I read this I sometimes think that the whole Batman universe is brand new.

Now, this doesn’t always work that way. “R.I.P. – The Missing Chapter” is a rambling mess; it’s the kind of nonsensical, tie-in comic that is the poster child for why crossover events have been done to death. On the other hand, “Time and the Batman,” the opening story, is sparkly and energetic. The story dances across the pages, as Morrison takes us from one Batman to the next (including Batman Beyond).

Most of this book is good, and although the “missing” chapter of R.I.P. is a true blue misfire, Batman: Time and the Batman is a Grant Morrison Batman book to have.

B+

Rosario+Vampire Bites iPad

ROSARIO+VAMPIRE MANGA SERIES LAUNCHES FOR THE iPad AS VIZ MEDIA CONTINUES SPECIAL DIGITAL OFFERS FOR MARCH MANGA MADNESS

Special Monthly Promotion Makes All Volume 1 Titles Available For Only $0.99; New Series Complements Latest Updates To 6 Other Popular Manga Titles

VIZ Media continues to celebrate March Manga Madness with another round of new updates to the VIZ MANGA APP for the Apple® iPad™ mobile device. Today the company debuts the sexy action series ROSARIO+VAMPIRE and continues a special March-only promotion that makes all Volume 1 manga titles available for only $0.99 (instead of $4.99).

The VIZ MANGA APP is the ideal destination for iPad users to download best-loved manga (graphic novel) series. By the end of March, over 100 volumes will be available for download. Users are also encouraged to enter to win a $50 iTunes gift card by taking the VIZ Manga App survey.

ROSARIO+VAMPIRE (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) was written and created by Akihisa Ikeda and has become a best-selling fan favorite. All-around average teenager Tsukune can't get accepted to any high school save one...but on his first day, he finds the rest of the student body doesn't appear average in the least. Best of all, the cutest girl on campus can't wait to fling her arms around his neck! Wait a sec'--are those her teeth around his neck too...? Tsukune's going to have one heck of a hickey when he gets home from Monster High! But does he have a chance in H-E-double-hockey-sticks of raising his grades at a school where the turf war isn't between the jocks and the nerds but the vampires and the werewolves?

The latest updates for March also feature additions to 6 other popular VIZ Media series currently available. More special offers will be announced throughout the month of March and users should check the App frequently for new announcements.

Seventeen series are now available on the VIZ Manga App; additional new manga volumes available this week include:

DEATH NOTE Vol. 8
DRAGON BALL Vol. 15
NARUTO Vol. 16
ONE PIECE Vol. 16
OURON HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB Vol. 4
RUROUNI KENSHIN Vol. 8

The VIZ MANGA APP is free through the iTunes Store and manga volumes are generally available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the application for $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) per volume. The platform is the leading application to read Japanese manga on the iPad, with a downloadable library of the most popular manga series in the world. Readers are encouraged to check the app regularly, as new additions to the store and free Chapter 1 previews of other forthcoming manga series for the iPad are featured.

For more information on the VIZ MANGA APP, please visit www.VIZ.com/apps/.

WonderCon Goes Green - as in "Green Lantern" Movie

“Green Lantern” Shines Bright at WonderCon

Stars of the Upcoming Film—Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard—Kick Off the Weekend and the Super Hero’s Multi-Platform Presence at the Con

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fans attending on Friday, April 1st, the first day of WonderCon, will be treated to a special “Green Lantern” talent signing and panel featuring the stars of the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures feature film: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Peter Sarsgaard. The signing begins at 4 p.m., followed by the panel discussion at 5.

The highly anticipated “Green Lantern” movie, in theatres on June 17, 2011, will be the first live-action feature film to star the popular DC Comics character. The film relates the origin story of alter ego Hal Jordan (Reynolds), a test pilot and the first human chosen to wear the ring that provides him his superpowers.

Following the opening day panel, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps will have a deep and diverse presence throughout the weekend due to the combined efforts of DC Entertainment (DCE) and the various divisions of Warner Bros. Entertainment, including Warner Home Video (WHV), Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) and Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP).

WHV will present the World Premiere of the Blu-ray and DVD feature “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” on Friday evening in the Esplanade Ballroom, immediately followed by a panel discussion featuring filmmakers and voice cast members. Panelists will also take part in an autograph session on Saturday. The all new DC Universe Animated Original Movie weaves six interlocking stories of the Green Lantern Corps’ rich mythology around preparations for an attack by an ancient enemy.

Also on Friday, DC Comics will host a panel about the Green Lantern comic books and the 2011 War of the Green Lanterns crossover event. The DC booth will host Green Lantern-themed signings and giveaways throughout the weekend.

WBIE and DCE will showcase “Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters,” an action-adventure videogame that will be available in conjunction with the theatrical release of “Green Lantern.” Throughout the Con, visitors to the DC Comics booth will be able to get hands-on time with the game that delivers an immersive experience for Green Lantern fans of all ages.

WBCP’s worldwide licensing program for the highly anticipated “Green Lantern” film has already taken the industry by storm. Product manufacturers around the world have come together to capture and unleash the power of Green Lantern, who lit the way at this year’s Toy Fair, with master toy licensee Mattel bringing to life a comprehensive toy line inspired by the upcoming film. Visitors at WonderCon will get a sneak peek of the toy line, along with the opportunity to be “chosen” to win some of the popular products, long before they hit retail shelves.

All this and more begins with the “Green Lantern” signing at 4 p.m. and panel at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2011. WonderCon opens the doors to the main floor at noon. The event runs all weekend, through Sunday, April 3rd, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Go to http://www.comic-con.org/wc/ for tickets to the “Green Lantern” opening day panel and for information about all of the Warner Bros.- and DC Entertainment-related events.


About the feature film “Green Lantern”
“Green Lantern” stars Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Jay O. Sanders, Temuera Morrison, Taika Waititi, Jon Tenney, Angela Bassett and Tim Robbins. Martin Campbell directs the film from a screenplay by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg, story by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, based upon characters appearing in magazines published by DC Comics. The film is being produced by Donald De Line and Greg Berlanti. Herbert W. Gains and Andrew Haas serve as executive producers. The film will open in 3D and 2D on June 17, 2011. “Green Lantern” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. www.greenlantern.com.

About “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights”
As the battle approaches, Hal Jordan (voiced by Nathan Fillion) mentors new recruit Arisia (Elisabeth Moss) in the history of the Green Lantern Corps, telling tales of Avra (the first Green Lantern) and several of Hal’s comrades, including Abin Sur, Kilowog, Laira and Mogo. In the end, Arisia must rise to the occasion to help Hal, Sinestro and the entire Green Lantern Corps save the universe from the destructive forces of Krona. The cast also features actor/spoken word artist Henry Rollins, Jason Isaacs, legendary professional wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Arnold Vosloo, Kelly Hu and Wade Williams. Bruce Timm is executive producer, and the directors are Lauren Montgomery, Jay Oliva and Christopher Berkeley. Penned by comic book luminaries Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, Peter J. Tomasi, Eddie Berganza, Alan Burnett, Todd Casey and Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” will be distributed June 7, 2011 by Warner Home Video as part of the build up to the release of the highly anticipated live action film, “Green Lantern,” in theatres June 17.

About “Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters”
The game is inspired by the feature film. Players will utilize over a dozen constructs and take flight across the deepest parts of the universe to restore intergalactic order by wielding the ultimate weapon: the Green Lantern power ring. The game will be available this summer for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ and delivers an immersive experience for Green Lantern fans that the entire family will enjoy. For more information, visit http://www.greenlanternvideogame.com/.