Category: Arts & Culture

VIZ Media Releases Divine Romantic Comedy “Kamisama Kiss”

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will release the shojo manga (graphic novels for female readers) romantic comedy, Kamisama Kiss, on December 7th. The new series, created by Julietta Suzuki, will be published under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint, is rated “T” for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a mysterious man she’s just saved from a dog attack offers her his home, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his place is a shrine, and Nanami has unwittingly taken over his job as a local deity!

“Plenty of surprises are in store for Nanami as she adjusts to life at the shrine, taking on new responsibilities and facing a whole range of hidden dangers that she doesn’t fully understand yet,” says Pancha Diaz, Editor. “A kiss on the forehead might have bestowed the land-god mark on Nanami, but she will have a lot to learn as she faces a bratty sky god, a mysterious swamp deity, and a strange, cute boy who might have supernatural powers of his own!”

Julietta Suzuki’s debut manga The Day One Becomes a Star appeared in Hana to Yume Plus magazine in 2004. Her other published works include The Devil and Sweets, Karakuri Odette, and Kamisama Kiss, which is currently featured in Hana to Yume.

For more information on Kamisama Kiss, or other shojo titles from VIZ Media, please visit ShojoBeat.com.

It’s a Fun-Filled Celebration for the Whole Family! Kids Comics L.A. Event at Meltdown Comics December 4, 2010

from BOOM! Studios:

Join BOOM! Studios and Meltdown Comics as they celebrate Kid’s Comics L.A., a day of comics, creativity and fun for the whole family, Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 1-3pm!

Kids Comics L.A., gives an opportunity for kids to meet with talented all-ages comic creators and learn learn how to create their own comic books! Two unique comic seminars will help budding creators understand the basics of comics creating. These seminars are open to all attendees giving families the opportunity to to learn together!

Don’t miss your chance to hang out and learn comics creating from Darkwing Duck & Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers writer Ian Brill, Fraggle Rock writer Sam Humphries, Penguins of Madagascar’s David Server & Jackson Lanzing and Reed Gunther’s Shane & Chris Houghton.

This is an all ages event, open to the public and absolutely free. So if you have a budding artist or writer in your household or are a kid at heart come down to Meltdown Comics for Kids Comics L.A.!

What: Kids Comics L.A.

Where: Meltdown Comics & Collectibles
7522 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046

Who’s in Attendance:
Ian Brill (Darkwing Duck & Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, BOOM! Studios, BOOM Kids!)
Sam Humphries (Fraggle Rock, Archaia)
David Server & Jackson Lanzing (Penguins of Madagascar, Ape Entertainment)
Shane & Chris Houghton (Reed Gunther, Independent)

Anything else?: Dine on Los Angeles’ own famous GRILLED CHEESE TRUCK on hand all day to feed comics lovers of all ages!

Grab ‘Bot + Save 20% on All MIMOBOTs! + 10% more on “Star Wars”!

from Mimoco:

20% OFF ALL MIMOBOTs* (for a limited time only!) *Excludes Grab ‘Bot promotion. Save Now!

In Memoriam Irvin Kershner (Director of The Empire Strikes Back). In his memory, we offer this humble celebration from our favorite Star Wars movie. A MIMO-fied reenactment of the infamous deleted scene “Wampas Attack”. R.I.P Mr. Kershner. May the Force be with you. Watch Now!

Weekly Special: Star Wars MIMOBOT! We’re kicking off the holidays with a Star Wars MIMOBOT Series Special! Take an extra 10% off all Star Wars MIMOBOT drives for ONE WEEK ONLY, thru December 8, 11:59PM PST! Shop Now!

Grab ‘bot! Save big with grab bag style MIMOBOT multi-packs!

Stuff We Like: Freeman’s Vader Project Auction Catalog: A 200-plus page, full-color, limited edition catalog that features all 100 helmets, artist bios and some history on the project. Now only $26.00! Save 35% — Get Me!

Our Holiday Shipping Guide! View Now!

*FREE domestic shipping on ALL MIMOBOT orders over $40! (Excludes Hawaii, Alaska)

Wonderdog, Inc.

Wonderdog, Inc.

Arcana Studios (the studio behind the critically acclaimed The Clockwork Girl and Paradox, both of which are in various stages of production to feature films) has a new addition to their action adventure comics. Wonderdog, Inc. is an all-ages story in the vein of classic adventurers like Allan Quatermain and Indiana Jones.

Ryan Robertson is an average teenager from a boring family. He isn’t really popular or especially gifted, but he’s got a best friend who’s always there for him and a really hot girlfriend who seems to be way out of his league. Just as school is getting out for the summer, he learns that his parents are going on a trip to Europe, and now, instead of hanging with his friend or getting cozy with his girlfriend, he’s got to go spend the summer with his loony old grandfather. Spending the summer at the farm isn’t exactly his idea of excitement, but soon after arriving he finds himself with his hands full of more excitement than he can handle.

Turns out grandpa isn’t as crazy as Ryan thought he was, and his parents aren’t exactly on a vacation in Europe. He and his grandfather end up on an adventure in Bolivia in search of the Fountain of Youth. Along the way, they face dangerous thugs and a villainous vixen as Ryan gets caught up in, learns about, and becomes a part of his family’s secret life.

Wonderdog, Inc. was created and written by Scott Zirkel (A Bit Haywire, Josh Howard Presents: Sasquatch) and illustrated by Matt Hebb (Harry Walton: Henchman for Hire). At 122 pages, this comic is full of great artwork, high adventure, lots of humor, and even a little romance. The story is exciting and uncomplicated enough for any kid to enjoy, yet appealing to adventure-loving grown-ups, too.

The artwork is straightforward, like you find in the classic comics of the 70s and 80s, not the flat, lifeless smears of color and blocky lines that are prevalent in other comics these days. It complements the story well, especially the first part of the book, which is done in sepia tones (because it takes place over 50 years ago) like you might find in a flash-back scene in a movie. I think it’s a really great touch.

As a special bonus, the back-matter of the book includes not only illustrated bios of the writer, artist, letterer and inker, but some great pin-up art in various artistic styles, if you are so inclined to decorate your walls with them. I’d recommend getting two copies if you want to do that, though, because you will probably want to re-read it or pass it on to a friend.

Overall, I found Wonderdog, Inc. to be very entertaining and fun. Even though I hadn’t planned to read it all in one sitting, once I started reading it, I just couldn’t stop. If you like good old-fashioned adventure comics, or you’re looking for something safe to give to younger readers just developing their love of comics, I recommend that you pick up a copy of Wonderdog, Inc.

Wonderdog, Inc. is available at your local comic book store or Amazon.

Split Reason: Happy Holidays!

from Split Reason:

In a few more days it’ll be time to dust-off your battleaxe and slay a tree. If you’re not up for the hunt don’t be afraid to choose the synthetic alternative: no mess, no moral dilemma, and you can buy the fresh tree scent in a can. (Isn’t the future great?) In the spirit of the holiday season we’ll be offering FREE shipping on orders of $75 dollars or more and 10% OFF using the promo code CRINGLE, until December 31st, 2010.

We have some new products from our community and partners this month, as well as new UPS shipping services that offer fast delivery times and tracking at great low rates. Refer to our shipping schedule to make sure you receive your order in time for the holidays and keep checking back for new products and re-stocks throughout December.

We hope everyone has a safe and festive holiday with their friends and families, filled with good times, great food, and countless hours of video games! Facebook Friday and Win Wednesday will continue to run during the holidays so hit us up on Facebook and Twitter for a chance to win, you might catch the competition in the midst of a turkey nap!

Tired of Turkey? How about some Cheezburger!

from I Can Has Cheezburger?:

It’s Here!!! After years of requests from adoring fans, it has finally arrived…
The Cheezburger 2011 Calendar is Here!!!
Our very first calendar has arrived at LOLMart.com! A year of Cheezburger! Twelve LOLs to keep you laughing through the seasons with special holidays so you’ll never forget Chocolate Cupcake or Talk Like a Pirate Day again!

Cheezburger Collectibles
Keep an eye out for our new collectibles! The Winter Collectibles Set is available now!

Looking for Goods?
Get your LOLs off the Internet! Mugs, Mousepads, and Print LOLs OH MY! Your favorite LOLs custom printed on Mugs, Mousepads, or Printed and Framed at LOLMart.com.

HEXBUG News and Holiday Deals

from HEXBUG:

Vote HEXBUG for Toy of the Year!
The HEXBUG Nano Habitat Set has been nominated for a Toy of the Year Award by the Toy Industry Association! We need your help to spread the word and get the vote out for HEXBUG! Make sure to vote for the Habitat Set as Specialty Toy of the Year and then again as Overall Toy of the Year. Vote for HEXBUG at hexbug.com/toty.

HEXBUG Nano Holiday Bundles now available! Free Shipping!
Just in time for the holidays, 6 different HEXBUG Nano Holiday Bundles have been released on HEXBUG.com. These bundles are a collection of our most popular HEXBUG Nano products at great prices. Holiday Bundles come in a box that is perfect for gift wrapping and, for a limited time only, we are offering Free Shipping on all Holiday Bundles! Check out the savings today at hexbug.com/holiday.

Shout! Factory: A Little DARKSTAR for the MSTies

from Shout! Factory:

Last month we told you all about the release of Darkstar: The Interactive Movie starring Mystery Science Theater 3000 cast members Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff, Mary Jo Pehl, J. Elvis Weinstein and Beez McKeever. Well, guess what? You can soon order it directly from ShoutFactory.com. And while you’re visiting the site, check out the newest addition to our contest page. Enter to win the Darkstar: Special Edition Captain’s Box plus MST3K: Volume XIX. This absolutely unique Darkstar package features five hand-autographed glossies of the cast (including Beez McKeever, Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff and Clive Robertson); a Darkstar flash drive preloaded with the All Revealed Guide and Coffee Table Book (PDFs); a Darkstar T-shirt autographed by Joel Hodgson, J. Elvis Weinstein, Trace Beaulieu, Mary Jo Pehl, Frank Conniff and creator J. Allen Williams; a copy of Darkstar: The Interactive Movie autographed by all of the above; and the Darkstar soundtrack album. Three runners-up win MST3K: XIX, Darkstar: The Interactive Movie and soundtrack.

Deals And Schpeals
We plan to be fat and sleepy come Friday morning, but not too groggy to miss out on treating you to some great deals. Check ShoutFactory.com on Friday morning to see what we have up our sleeves. You’ll be glad you did!

Keep up with the latest Shout! news throughout your day by following us on Twitter and Facebook. Plus, visit our YouTube page for trailers, clips and music videos.

Get “Silly Rhymes” for the Holidays!

from Cinematic Titanic:

Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children
The new book written by Trace Beaulieu, with illustrations by Len Peralta

NOW AVAILABLE for Holiday Delivery

You certainly don’t need to be a belligerent child to appreciate these silly rhymes by Mystery Science Theater 3000’s and Cinematic Titanic’s Trace Beaulieu — but you may learn a thing or two about handling infected pets or living dangerously through sledding. While the subject matter may make you a bit queasy, you’ll delight in the perfect storytelling encapsulated in each poem. Each selection is a dark and distasteful delight — a fascinating collection of raw honesty, cool understatement and looming tragedy, all brought to life by the whimsical illustrations by Len Peralta. Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children is not the book you’ll keep on the bookcase for decades. It’s the book you’ll keep under your bed and in easy reach so you can page through it long after you’ve committed all the poems to memory.

What people are saying:

“Mr. Beaulieu’s twisted, Gorey-esque poetry and Mr. Peralta’s delightfully demented illustrations seem perfectly suited to warping impressionable young minds.” — “Weird Al” Yankovic

“With these fiercely dark and funny poems, Trace Beaulieu and Len Peralta show they know what Edward Gorey and Shel Silverstein knew: that children do not mind being vomited upon, blown up, buried in snow, or eaten by tigers, so long as it rhymes.” — John Hodgman

BoingBoing.net
Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children: gross poetry from MST3K’s Trace Beaulieu
“Mystery Science Theater 3000’s Trace Beaulieu and Geek-a-Week’s Len Peralta have teamed up to produce a delightfully grody book of nasty children’s poetry, called Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children. Beaulieu’s poetry is firmly in the Shel Silverstein/Edward Gorey vein, and Peralta’s icky drawings are the perfect companions to [these rhymes].” — Cory Doctorow

The Retroist.com
Trace Beaulieu’s Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children Now Available
“…This wonderful new book, which was written by Mystery Science Theater 3000 alum Trace Beaulieu and was illustrated by Len Peralta, is filled with silly rhymes about kids who meet horrible ends and other wonderful things (like why chickens are awesome). Every last page is a treat for the brain and the eyes and all are guaranteed to make adults cringe and bring instant joy to the young and young at heart.” — The Retroist

Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children is available exclusively at: tracebeaulieu.com/sillyrhymes

NOTE: All orders ship USPS Priority Mail. To insure domestic delivery (within the US) for Christmas your order must be placed by December 20th 2010. For international delivery, orders must be placed by December 9th. For delivery in Africa, as well as Central and South America, orders must be placed by December 3rd 2010.

J!NX: Our “World of Warcraft” Holiday 2010 Line is Here!

from J!NX:

The World of Warcraft Holiday 2010 Line is Here!
Just in time for the holidays, here’s a whole new set of awesome World of Warcraft apparel for you! While you’re recovering from your turkey-and-stuffing gorge-fest, load up your shopping cart with a hefty helping of new tees (including two new Legendary tees to complete your set), but remember to save room for our eagerly anticipated polos and hoodies, as well! The new Murloc hoodies will be on the top of many a wishlist this season, so order yours before they sell out!

Something for the Ladies: DIY Shirt-Dress Tutorial from Leeloo!
Ladies, listen up! Have you been lamenting that your favorite J!NX tee isn’t offered in a women’s size? Well, lament no more! Our amazing fashion designer, Leeloo, has put together a DIY tutorial to show you how to turn an over-large t-shirt into a fabulous shirt-dress! It’s easy enough for even the greenest of sewing n00bz to follow. Check it out here!

The More You Buy, the More You Save!
The Holiday season can be an expensive time, so to keep your wallet as stuffed as your stockings, we’re running a very special promotion, where the more you buy, the more you save. Orders over $50 will get 5% off, orders over $75 will get 10% off, and orders over $100 will save 15% when you enter the code SPARECHANGE. Happy Shopping!

5% off $50+ order
10% off $75+ order
15% off $100+ order
Use Promotion Code: SPARECHANGE

This offer expires Friday, December 17, 2010 at 11:59PM PDT, so don’t wait!
*can’t be used in combination with any other offer or discounts

The Real Life Super Hero Project

Real Life Superheroes

For those of us watching Smallville this season, one of the ongoing story lines is public and government reaction to masked vigilantes. As young people growing up and into their abilities, we’ve witnessed every day people like Clark Kent, Oliver Queen and Arthur Curry take on the mantle of justice fighters, defending people in the name of Truth and Justice. In previous seasons, we saw the Justice Society of America and the scandal that put them out of the superhero business and now, as a new Justice League is forming, we see similar rumblings both pro- and anti-vigilante.

In a case of life imitating art here in my home state, a group of citizens has banded together to create their own team of superheroes patrolling the streets of Seattle. The Rain City Superhero Movement is a collection of masked vigilantes with military, martial arts and other special abilities. Seattle isn’t the only place you’ll find these Real Life Super Heroes, and it’s not a new movement. Heroes from all over the world are taking an active part in trying to improve the life of citizens in their communities, not only by fighting crime but hunger, disease, poverty and every other blight on humanity. Sometimes these heroes are praised for their efforts, and other times they are criticized or even mocked.

In a time when governments are failing to protect us, the interests of corporations have more weight then the needs of people, and apathy rules supreme, maybe now, more than ever, Real Life Super Heroes are needed. Maybe you can’t immobilize a thug with two fingers or take down a purse snatcher with a bola, but you can get involved and do something, however small, to improve the lives of the people in your community. From donating your time to feed the hungry at the local food shelter or helping build a home for a low income family, to raking an elderly neighbor’s lawn or participating in an AIDS or Cancer Walk, there are many things you can do to help improve someone’s life, not by spending money, which most of us don’t have much of, but time, which we spend too much of on frivolous things.

Have you thought about embracing your inner hero?

You can learn more about Real Life Super Heroes here:

The Real Life Super Hero Project
Real Life Superheroes.org
The Real Life Super Hero Project on Twitter
The Real Life Super Hero Project on Facebook
Real Life Superheroes Registry
Real Life Super Hero Manual

If you are looking for ways you can be a superhero without taking on an alter ego, check out these sites:

Rebuilding Together
Habitat for Humanity
AIDS Walk
Feeding America
Teachers Without Borders
MAP International
American Wildlife Foundation
Adopt a Highway

These are just a few of thousands of organizations, both local and international, that are doing good things that you can be a part of. Maybe you aren’t ready to save the world yet, but doing something in your own neck of the woods is a good place to start.