Thursday, October 8, 2009

Hot for Teacher, Yaoi Style

I finished the yaoi manga Cause of My Teacher

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is a short story collection from Temari Matsumoto, the creator of Just My Luck. Here, just about all these stories should have been longer because there were good ideas and drama behind them.


Star Trek Exhibition Begins Friday

Press release from Business Wire:

STAR TREK® THE EXHIBITION Beams into Hollywood & Highland October 10

Exhibition to Feature Props and Costumes from 2009 Blockbuster Film

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION will open October 10 for an interactive, hands-on limited engagement at Hollywood and Highland in Hollywood, Calif. Presented by the Event Agency, under license from CBS Consumer Products, the 10,000 square foot touring exhibition contains the world’s most comprehensive collection of authentic Star Trek ships, set recreations, costumes and props from five television series and 11 films spanning more than 40 years. This exhibit includes props and costumes from the 2009 J.J. Abrams directed film Star Trek.

This unparalleled experience enables the public to step inside the Star Trek universe and become active participants in the legacy that has captivated imaginations for generations. Whether it’s sitting on the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise or traveling through space on motion simulators, STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION fully immerses visitors in the legendary adventure that has become synonymous with scientific innovation and ingenuity.

“STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION is the ultimate voyage through a legendary piece of history, giving visitors a first-hand look at the scientific endeavors of the Enterprise crew,” states Brian Bouquet, president of The Event Agency. “This opportunity will go a long way to inspire the next generation to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and motivate everyone to boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Highlights of STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION include:
Props and costumes from the J.J. Abrams directed film, Star Trek.

Capt. Kirk’s chair with a visitor photo opportunity using green screen technology

Recreation of the Engineering Room from the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D

Shinzon’s throne featured in the film Star Trek: Nemesis

Recreation of the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D, featured in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Visitors can sit in Jean-Luc Picard’s Captain’s Chair.

A replica of the sickbay from Star Trek: The Next Generation. The ship’s sickbay was the setting for many of the show’s most important scenes.

Recreation of Quark’s Bar from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine featuring live music and special event entertainment.

Tickets for STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION range from $10.50 to $16.50 and can be purchased at the box office or in advance at www.ticketweb.com. The exhibit is open seven days a week: Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, text “Hollywood” to 75309 or call 866-940-3976. The address for the exhibit is 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.

Visit the STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION fan page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hollywood-CA/Star-Trek-The-Exhibition-in-Hollywood/143005187981?ref=ts. And follow the exhibition on Twitter @StarTrekhwood

STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION is produced by The Event Agency and licensed from CBS Consumer Products. The Event Agency, Inc. is a Southern California entertainment marketing firm specializing in the marketing promotion of touring events. It serves as a one stop shop for clients including: Bodies… The Exhibition, Titanic The Artifact Exhibition, Motor Trend Auto Shows and AMP Live Events. The Event Agency independently produces and tours over 60 events nationally and internationally every year.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Two-Book Inio Asano Set Coming Soon


Press release from VIZ Media:
VIZ MEDIA TO PUBLISH THE POIGNANT NEW MANGA SERIES WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

Series Offers A Powerful Collection Of Realistic Vignettes That Explore The Angst-Ridden Lives Of Young People On The Brink Of Adulthood

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, expands its notable VIZ Signature manga imprint with the publication of Inio Asano’s WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD! on October 20th. The 2-volume series (each sold separately but launch simultaneously) is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

A poignant collection of intersecting vignettes depicting twenty-something angst, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD! explores the various ways that modern life can be at once ridiculous and sublime, terrible and precious, wasted and celebrated. In Volume 1, what begins with a college dropout bored of her mediocre routine soon becomes a fantastic series of stories about the unexpected ways that different lives intersect. Filled with magical realism in the face of the cold reality of daily modern life, at their core these stories are about young people discovering something precious amidst the chaos of existence. Volume 2 explores similar themes including the cruelty of childhood, the delusion of adulthood, the permanence of death, and how people find a way to remain resolute and laugh in the face of reality.

“Inio Asano masterfully captures the essence of youth, and WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD! depicts both the exhilaration and frustration felt by a diverse group of twenty-somethings trying to find their place amidst the impersonal urban sprawl of Tokyo,” says Candice Uyloan, Director, Brand Management for VIZ Media. “Fans of everything from Catcher in the Rye to Reality Bites will find this series an impressive and heartfelt read. Asano’s realistic story is ultimately a commentary on how modern life and the choices one makes impact the struggle to grow up and fit in and we look forward to readers discovering this thought-provoking new title.”

Creator Inio Asano drew initial attention for his short story HELLO FROM OUTER SPACE, which won the 1st Sunday GX rookie prize in 2001. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD also appeared in the pages of Sunday GX. Asano’s other works include CITY OF LIGHT, OYASUMI PUN PUN and the acclaimed SOLANIN (which is published in North America by VIZ Media and was nominated for a Will Eisner Comic Industry Award).
For more information on this titles, and others from VIZ Media, please visit www.viz.com.

Boys over Coda

I finished Boys Over Flowers: Jewelry Box (Boys Over Flowers: Hana Yori Dango)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is a stand alone volume with two stories set a year after the end of the original series in Vol. 36.



The New Girl

I finished Strawberry 100%, Volume 10 (Strawberry 100 %)

I posted the review at the Comic Book Bin. Manga-ka Mizuki Kawashita introduces another hottie, Chinami, who is sure to make Junpei's life hell.



Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Last Days of American Crime Solicited This Month

Press release from Radical Publishing:

RICK REMENDER BEGINS THE COUNTDOWN TO THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME

In the not-too-distant future, as a final response to terrorism and crime, the U.S. government plans in secret to broadcast a signal making it impossible for anyone to knowingly commit unlawful acts. To keep this from the public, the government creates a distraction, installing a new currency system using digital charge cards.

Radical Publishing is excited to announce the December 2009 debut of The Last Days of American Crime, created and written by critically acclaimed author Rick Remender (Punisher, Fear Agent) and Illustrated by Greg Tocchini (Thor, 1602: New World). The bi-monthly, three-issue miniseries will be the latest in Radical Publishing’s 64-page bookshelf format with a low $4.99 price point.

The Last Days of AmericanCrime tells the story of Graham Brick, a petty criminal never quite able to hit the big score. In a grand scheme, Graham intends to steal one of the charging stations, skip the country and live off unlimited funds for the rest of his life. But the media has leaked news of the anti-crime signal one week before it was to go live... and now Graham and his team have just a few days to turn the heist of the century into the last crime in American history.

“The Last Days of American Crime is one of the most unique crime stories on or off the printed page and Radical is very proud to be a part of it” said Radical Publishing President and Publisher, Barry Levine. “We’re especially excited to work with Rick Remender, one of the most talented creators in comics today. His writing is bringing a new and unique voice to the crime genre and we couldn’t be more pleased to help bring his story to life.”

In discussing how Last Days came to Radical, Rick Remender states, “Barry Levine called me after reading some of my other books and said he was looking for original genre pitches. I had one that I’d been itching to do for a long time in The Last Days of American Crime. It’s hardcore crime with an apolitical bent and it took someone like Barry and Radical to see the potential of such a thing.”
Readers can preview the first 15 pages of The Last Days of American Crime on Radical Publishing’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/radicalpublishing.

The Last Days of American Crime #1 appears in the October 2009 issue of Diamond Previews and features two separate covers, one by Alex Maleev (DCD# OCT091056) and another by series artist Greg Tocchini (DCD# OCT091057).

Johnny Ryan at Fantagraphics Bookstore

Press release from Fantagraphics Books:

Johnny Ryan comes to Seattle Oct. 10

JOHNNY RYAN’S ANGRY YOUTH AT FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKSTORE & GALLERY ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery loudly presents transgressive cartoonist Johnny Ryan on Saturday, October 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Ryan will sign books and present an exhibition of his original comix, colorful silkscreen prints, and sculpted figures.

This event marks the launch of Ryan’s original graphic novel Prison Pit combining his love for WWE wrestling, Gary Panter’s “Jimbo” comics, and Kentaro Miura’s “Berserk” Manga into a brutal showcase of violence, survival and revenge. The prolific Los Angeles-based cartoonist is best known for his outrageous 14-issue Angry Youth Comix series published by Fantagraphics Books. Ryan also pens the weekly comic stripBlecky Yuckerella, which has been collected in three volumes including the recently released Comics are for Idiots.
Please join us to welcome this wildly entertaining and talented cartoonist on Saturday, October 10 for 6;00 to 9:00 PM.Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) only minutes south of downtown. This event coincides with the colorful Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack featuring exciting visual and performing arts presentations in close proximity throughout the creative arts community.

LISTING INFORMATION:
Johnny Ryan
Art show and book signing
Saturday, October 10, 6:00 to 9:00 PM

Exhibition continues through November 4, 2009

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.)
Seattle, WA 98108
206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM
www.fantagraphics.com