Hatter M: Love of Wonder and Looking Glass Wars: Millinery Academy come to Kickstarter

 

New York Times best-selling author Frank Beddor (Looking Glass Wars trilogy) recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the publishing of his Hatter M graphic novel series and his latest prose series for fans of the LGW mythos.

Hatter M, Volume 5: Love of Wonder will be the FINAL graphic novel in the award-winning Hatter M Series and available to Kickstarter backers FIRST.

The campaign has been 20% funded in less then 24 hours from launch! Visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/149372651/the-looking-glass-wars-hatter-m to participate.

In addition, fans asked for another prose series from Frank and the result is Volume 1 of Looking Glass Wars: Millinery Academy.

Discover a young Hatter Madigan as a cadet attending the fabled Millinery Academy where he is trained to protect Wonderland’s Queens.

Beddor commented “It’s a great time to be creative, and I am so lucky to have such a remarkable platform to bring new work to life.”

LOOKING GLASS WARS: MILLINERY ACADEMY

Swordplay! Newfound friendships! School bullies! Budding love! Self-serving rivals! Scheming adults and soulless rebel plotters! Welcome to the world of Cadet Hatter Madigan, who has just entered Wonderland’s Millinery academy as one of the freshmen ‘Brims’. Those born to be Royal Bodyguards are trained at one of the four academies(Heart, Clubs Diamond, Spade) linked to the royal houses. Cadets will study the mystic and martial arts, as well as the sometimes more difficult art of successfully dealing with others. Once Hatter begins his training he is thrown into a competitive world of both boys and girls vying to be the best. Arsenal cubes, blade chasers and Hat blocking 101 are all rites of passage the young milliners first take on together but must eventually perfect, separately.

HATTER M: LOVE OF WONDER

In the 5th and final volume, looking glasses shatter as our worlds collide and characters from Wonderland increasingly cross over to aid or block Hatter in his single-minded quest to find Alyss and bring her home. Redd’s Black Imagination has ruled Wonderland for 13 years without fear of reprisal and now the specter of Alyss’ return to claim the throne has unleashed a storm of paranoiac rage. Hatter Madigan is at the center of this crusade as he must simultaneously battle the enemies of wonder as well as his own beliefs and loyalties. All paths through time and space, through blood and steel, from his world to our world, have led Hatter Madigan to this moment — a life or death confrontation with the only warrior in the Looking Glass Wars universe capable of defeating him and destroying the love of wonder.

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VIZ MEDIA BRINGS THE ACTION IN NEW BLU-RAY AND DVD HOME VIDEO EDITIONS FOR THE SCI-FI FANTASY ANIME SERIES ACCEL WORLD

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From Reki Kawahara, The Creator Of SWORD ART ONLINE, A Bullied Teen Finds Power And Strength In A Virtual Reality Video Game; Special Premium Art Booklet Included As A Free Gift With Purchase From Select Online Anime Retailers

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, invites fans to accelerate with the home video release of the ACCEL WORLD anime series on DVD and Blu-ray on November 26th. The new 2-disc set features 12 episodes of the sci-fi fantasy series, is rated ‘TV-14,’ and carries a DVD MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / 43.24 CAN; Blu-ray MSRP is $59.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN. Preorders are available now through select retailers.

A special 48-page premium art booklet featuring art and character profiles from this popular series and is also included (only while supplies last) as a special free gift with purchase from select online anime retailers including Right Stuf, Anime Pavilion, and Robert’s Anime Corner Store.

ACCEL WORLD dialogue features include English and Japanese stereo audio, English subtitles, as well as a character art gallery, clean opening and closing segments, and the original Japanese broadcast trailers.

In the year 2046, people use portable devices called Neuro-linkers to manage their daily lives in virtual reality networks. But advances in technology haven’t managed to do away with bullies, and 13-year-old Haruyuki Arita finds himself a frequent target. Haruyuki escapes his miserable life in virtual games – until the day Kuroyukihime, the most popular girl in school, introduces him to a mysterious program called Brain Burst and a virtual reality called the Accel World. This set contains Episodes 1-12 on 2 discs.

“ACCEL WORLD is the hottest new anime title to join the VIZ Media home video library and we are very excited to also offer it to buyers with a gorgeous, full-color bonus art booklet that is only available for a limited time through select anime retailers,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Manager, Animation Marketing. “This series blends a highly imaginative online game with real world impact and adds a new twist to one teen’s solution to being bullied. ACCEL WORLD quickly became a fan favorite since VIZ Media debuted it on the same day as its Japanese broadcast and we look forward to the series drawing in new and veteran fans alike with this exciting release that arrives in time for the start of the holiday season.”

ACCEL WORLD is based on a series of popular light novels written by Reki Kawahara (Sword Art Online) and was produced by the famed anime studio Sunrise (TIGER & BUNNY, Mobile Suit Gundam, Code Geass, Cowboy Bebop, KEKKAISHI). Kawahara entered the first novel in the series into ASCII Media Works’ 15th Dengeki Novel Prize in 2008 and won the Grand Prize. ACCEL WORLD has also inspired a popular manga series and several video games.

For more information on ACCEL WORLD and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit www.VIZAnime.com/accelworld

Arcana Acquires Jack Lawrence’s “DARKHAM VALE”

from Arcana Comics:

Hello and happy Tuesday! We at Arcana wanted to share our very exciting news with all of you.

Arcana is thrilled to announce that we have acquired the rights to the critically acclaimed series DARKHAM VALE, by Jack Lawrence.

When Ryan and his recently divorced dad move into the inherited country house in the town of Darkham Vale, they get more than they bargained for. First the mansion hides its own very dark secrets; and dark secret creatures that are willing to do anything necessary to keep themselves hidden. Second, this apparently mild mannered English countryside town is anything but mild mannered. Monster, talking crows and spiders, mysterious demon-dogs and more abound in this Hell-bent town, and its up to paranormal phenomena buff, Ryan to get to the bottom of the mystery that is Darkham Vale. Great for the Harry Potter set!

Check out some of the awesome quotes Darkham Vale has received so far.

“A comic Phenomena.” Benjamin Ong Pang Kean, Newsarama.com

“Think Buffy meets Gen13.” Rich Johnson, Dynamic Forces

“I would recomment Darkham Vale to most people with a love of comics.” Onimedia.com

“Lawrence’s work on this whole series never ceases to amaze me.” Immelda Alty, BrokenFrontier.com

“Certified Cool!” Diamond Previews

“A truly wonderful masterpiece. Stunning sequential art and a story to rival that of Harry Potter.” Hill City Comics

Be sure to check out Jack’s awesome deviantART page!

VIZ MEDIA DELIVERS THE NEW ANIME SERIES COPPELION TO NORTH AMERICAN AUDIENCES THE SAME DAY AFTER THE JAPANESE BROADCAST PREMIERE

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Following A Catastrophic Disaster, Three Genetically Engineered Youths Travel To Save Those Forsaken By The Rest Of The World In A Special Simulcast Series Premiere On VIZ Anime, Hulu and Hulu Plus

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the very special online simulcast premiere of the new sci-fi anime action series – COPPELION – on VIZAnime.com, the company’s own website for free anime, as well as on the free, ad-supported Hulu and Hulu Plus subscription service (www.hulu.com).

The new program (presented in Japanese with English subtitles) launches in North America on Wednesday, October 2nd, the same day after its debut broadcast in Japan, with a new episode to be available to stream domestically each Wednesday.

COPPELION takes place in the not-so-distant future as a catastrophic event has turned the old capital of Japan into a wasteland, forever changing the lives of its people. Decades later, three schoolgirls set foot into the now forsaken city. They are the Coppelion, genetically engineered humans created by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces to operate under the lethal conditions of the contaminated city. Trained since birth, the girls must use all of their skills and resources to carry out their one and only mission: to rescue those left behind.

“COPPELION is one of the most anticipated anime for Fall 2013, and fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to catch the thrilling debut of this lushly animated series this week,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manger, Animation. “Ibara, Aoi and Taeko are a breed of genetically engineered beings known as the Coppelion who embark on often dangerous missions to restore hope and rescue people from the forsaken city. Plenty of action and unique characters are in store as the girls slowly uncover the Old Capital’s dark secrets!”

COPPELION is the animated adaptation of the popular manga series created by Tomonori Inoue that has been ongoing in Japan since 2008 and is currently featured in Monthly Young Magazine. The animated series is produced by GoHands, who also produced the original anime series K, seen domestically on VIZ Media’s VIZAnime and Neon Alley platforms.

To view the COPPELION trailer, please visit http://www.hulu.com/watch/539158.

For more information on COPPELION and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit www.VIZAnime.com.

Sci-fi/fantasy anthology, Other Worlds, Debuts at Rose City Comic Con, Sept 21-22

Sci-fi/fantasy anthology, Other Worlds, Debuts at Rose City Comic Con, Sept 21-22

A Wave Blue World and Bricker-Down Productions are pleased to announce the release of their latest anthology, Other Worlds, a compilation of sci-fi, monster, and experimental comic one-shots by writer/creator Justin Zimmerman, featuring the artwork of Mike Lawrence as well as a variety of other incredible, independent talents. Hailed as “ingenious” by Giant Fire Breathing Robot and “unpretentious, simple, elegant and enjoyable” by Comics Forge, Other Worlds will premiere in print at the Rose City Comic Con on September 21st and 22nd after its digital release on ComiXology in early September. Fans can find the book at the con at Booth #728.

Artist Mike Lawrence, currently drawing an upcoming graphic novel for AMP!, headlines the book, contributing the cover and three interior stories done in a range of media from charcoal to watercolor and inked work. Mike enjoyed working on the anthology, but it was his collaboration with the book’s creator that he found particularly satisfying. “Justin is an extremely versatile writer,” says Mike. “The book has something for everyone, from robo-librarians to alien bugs, and Justin can do it all.”

Other artists who’ve contributed to the anthology include the up-and-coming talents of Grace Allison, who’s worked for both IDW and Monkey Brain, and Tym Godek, Russ Brown, Matt Grisgby and Terry Blas.

A Wave Blue World publisher, Tyler Chin-Tanner says, “While comics certainly have their fair share of recycled space battles and monsters, it’s altogether too rare to find stories that captivate our imagination and appeal to our sense of wonder like those found in Other Worlds.”

For more information about Other Worlds, please contact Tyler Chin-Tanner at tyler@awaveblueworld.com.

Or visit www.awaveblueworld.com, or find Other Worlds on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/awaveblueworld.

 

Lys Fulda of Sphinx Group Interviews Ben Dobyns of Zombie Orpheus Entertainment

Ben Dobyns- Head of www.zombieorpheus.com

Q: Zombie Orpheus- There are a ton of webseries under that umbrella. Fill me in on the projects.

We’ve grown from a company creating a single webseries, JourneyQuest, to a cooperative of producers who work together to help everybody succeed.

JourneyQuest is the brainchild of Matt Vancil, a fantasy comedy set in the fictional world of Fartherall. Launched in 2010 under a new distribution model, the show was released for free online under a Creative Commons license. Fan contributions paid off all season one expenses in under a year, allowing us to launch a season two Kickstarter campaign that raised $114,000, an unprecedented amount for a web series at the time. Season two expanded the size of the world, introducing new characters, epic new locations, and  a major leap in production values. Continuing the Fan Supported, Creator Distributed model originated in season one, season two saw Fran Kranz (Dollhouse, Cabin in the Woods) and Bob Sapp (Conan, The Longest Yard) join the Seattle cast.

In addition to JourneyQuest, ZOE produces a semi-weekly webseries entitled Rude Mechanical, which fictionalizes the backstory of our production company, allowing all of us to play warped mirror versions of ourselves as we keep the fans up to date on happenings at the company. Featuring a transdimensional traveler named Zoe Adastra, who brainwashes the members of Zombie Orpheus into believing that she founded and owns the company, the show is a unique blend of news and farce, like 30 Rock with 100% more aliens, academic adventurers, and off-the-wall sci-fi.

We also provide production resources and help co-produce several local shows, most notably &@, the literary id of the World Wide Web, which just premiered its most recent masterpiece, &@ Hamlet.

Beyond ZOE’s productions, our cooperative of shows has grown to include

  • Standard Action, a self-aware fantasy comedy produced in British Columbia
  • Transolar Galactica, a sci-fi satire produced in Spokane, WA
  • Chop Socky Boom, a comedy about the making of a web series produced in Seattle
  • Aidan 5, a revolutionary sci-fi noir produced in Columbus, OH
  • GOLD: The Series, an RPG drama produced in Los Angeles
  • Gamer Chick, an RPG romantic comedy produced in Chicago
  • The Collectibles, a superhero office comedy produced in Seattle
  • Glitch, an 8-bit comedy produced in Seattle
  • Brothers Barbarian, a fantasy comedy produced in Kentucky

Although each is produced independently, the ZOE collective promotes each others shows to the fan base, shares booths at conventions across North America, uses a common base of technology and a common cooperative philosophy, and operates FanSupported.net, a fulfillment resource that offers the best net return to producers for sales on the web. With the idea that equal cooperation can reduce costs, the group has been able to drop the cost of fulfillment below the amount it would cost for each producer to handle independently, putting those additional revenues back into more production.

Embracing crowdfunding and giving the fans the power to keep shows that they love alive, ZOE cooperative shows renewed so far for second (and third!) seasons by the fans include JourneyQuest, Chop Socky Boom, Standard Action, Transolar Galactica, Aidan 5, and Gamer Chick.

Q: What makes Zombie Orpheus different from shows on Hulu or cable TV?

Our shows are entirely ad-free. We focus on creating a phenomenal viewing experience for the fans, who show their support with contributions that far exceed what traditional advertising pays per thousand impressions.

Additionally, our shows are entirely owned by their creators. No third party exists who cancel them, empowered the fans to keep the shows they love alive. Our motto is No Studio, No Network, No Cancellation, which is our promise to the fans that we won’t put the fate of our shows into the hands of third parties. This gives the creators of each show an unprecedented freedom to produce with a unique and unfiltered voice, rather than attempting to appeal to a mass market.

Q: Journeyquest 2 City of the Dead just hit DVD April 24th. Can anyone pick this up and follow what’s going on?

Yes. We designed the season carefully to stand on its own, although people familiar with the first season will certainly have more of an investment in the characters and ongoing story. We highly encourage people to check out Season One for free online.

Q: What was it like working with higher profile people like MMA fighter Bob Sapp and Cabin in the Woods star Fran Katz?

Bob and Fran are both collaborative and giving professionals. Working on set with them was a joy. Fran especially, with his massive television experience, was able to lead by example and teach us a ton about how to keep the filmmaking process fun and cooperative within the context of quickly paced shooting schedules.

Q:  Why do you think the fan support for your projects has been so strong?

Support has been strong because we explicitly empower the fans to support content that they love. So many people were burned in the prior decade by the cancellations of beloved shows. We participated in the time and effort that fans put into saving doomed series like Firefly and Jericho and, from that experience, learned that there is no reasoning with studio and network executives. By putting the power to keep shows they love back into the hands of the fans, we show that we trust our fan base, that they do have the power to get an entire story told, and that the process can be mutual and collaborative, rather than run by top down decree. Also, we’re producing quality work with a unique and appealing vision. Our production values are outstanding for the budget level at which we work. We take the time and care to get the scripts right, to craft extraordinary performances, and to design and build immersive and believable worlds. And despite the fantastic genres in which we work, we keep everything grounded in accessible and honest human emotions and desires.

Q: What projects or developments should people pay attention to in the next 6 months.

We’ll soon be launching ZOE Phase II. In the works for over four years, this is the next step in crowdfunding and sustainable support. Taking the lessons we’ve learned from accepting direct fan contributions and through our four successful Kickstarter campaigns, we’ve created a support model that will allow us to remain in production constantly without becoming a financial hardship to our fans and supporters.

In conjunction with Phase II we’ll be launching a number of exciting new projects:

  • A JourneyQuest roleplaying game campaign setting
  • Several web comics, including Demon Hunters, Strowers: Argonautica, and more
  • Regular production of Rude Mechanical
  • Preproduction on JourneyQuest season three

Q: What is the one geek related item you possess that you would fight 16K Bob Sapps for?
We wouldn’t fight Bob Sapp for anything. But we might stare sternly at him if he ate the last cookie at craft service. Or go make more cookies.

New PreOrders, Releases, & Events from ARCANA!

from ARCANA Comics:

Arcana Comics is counting down the days until FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2013, where we will debut The Steam Engines of Oz, a gorgeous re-imagining of the world of Oz, set 100 years after the events from The Wizard of Oz, a story we all love and cherish. That’s not all that we’re up to, however, so keep on reading and learn all about what Arcana is up to… New Releases, Pre-Orders, and Events!

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ:
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY & BEYOND

The Steam Engines of Oz is just TWELVE days from hitting the shelves on Free Comic Book Day. We have received a LOT of attention for the book, and the following issues If you havent seen the preview pages, if you havent seen the solicits, you need to! This is an epic re-imagining of the World of Oz set 100 years after the events in The Wizard of Oz, and everything has changed. Chapter 1 debuts on FCBD, and Issue 1 debuts in June. Its not too late to pre-order the title! Head to your local comic shop, call, email, or send smoke signals, but please make sure they carry the book! Also, we JUST received the solicit information for Issue 2, which hits stands in July. Things are heating up!

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ FCBD Debuts Saturday, May 4th on FCBD.

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ ISSUE 01 Continuing where the FCBD edition leaves off. DIAMOND PREVIEWS ORDER CODE APR13 0795! Releasing June 2013.

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ ISSUE 02 Find out what happened to the Munchkins who lived in the Emerald City after the Wizard of Oz. These guys aint from the Lillipop Guild! DIAMOND PREVIEWS ORDER CODE MAY13 0797. Releasing July 2013.

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ ISSUE 03 The epic finale to the first Steam Engines of Oz arc. Find out what happened to the Scarecrow, and see the showdown between the Tin Man and his forces against Munchkins and Lions and Victoria, oh my! Releasing August 2013.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY EVENTS

Did you think we were only releasing a book on Free Comic Book Day? Oh no, Arcana Comics is doing more than that to celebrate the Steam Engines of Oz! See below for some of the events happening around the country on Saturday, May 4th!

Galaxy of Comics in Van Nuys, CA (17306 Saticoy St). Sean O’Reilly, co-created of The Steam Engines of Oz and Chris ‘Doc’ Wyatt will be appearing, AND we are very excited to announce that members of The League of S.T.E.A.M. will also be joining Arcana from 12-2!

So Cal Comics (8280 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #124, San Diego). Erik Hendrix will be doing a signing at So Cal Comics from 10-5! Pick up a signed copy of The Steam Engines of Oz while supply last from the co-creator and writer!

Metropolis Comics and Toys in Bunaby, BC Canada. We have Artist Ana Svarc doing signings and Sketches from noon until 4! Be sure to come down and grab your free preview copy of “The Steam Engines of Oz”. And to help promote “The Steam Engines of Oz” There will be a prize for best Steampunk costume!

The Comic Book Shoppe 1 & The Comic Book Shoppe 2 in Ottowa and Nepean, Ontario. Members from Steampunk Canada and Steampunk Ottawa will be doing a meet and greet and handing out copies of Steam Engines of Oz for Free Comic Book Day!

 

 

REGULAR SHOW is available for pre-order and subscription this week!

from BOOM! Studios

REGULAR SHOW…IT’S ANYTHING BUT! Cartoon Network’s powerhouse series now has its own comic book series! Hot on the heels of the smash hit adaptation, ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! unveils the next all-ages comic phenomenon! Join Mordecai the Bluejay and Rigby the Raccoon, a couple of best bros in their twenties just tryin’ to chill for a bit, man. But when you’re livin’ in as crazy a world as they are, no day can be called…regular! SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE NOW!

New People Travel Posts New Interview with Japanese Pop Culture Artist Yoshitaka Amano

NEW PEOPLE, Inc, a San Francisco-based entertainment company bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, has just posted its latest edition of NEW PEOPLE Travel, an intriguing free Japanese pop culture web magazine. Readers are invited to catch the latest installment of an ongoing multi-segment interview with famed anime creator, character designer, and pop culture artist Yoskitaka Amano. The interview is available now at: www.newpeople.jp/travel/eng/amano.html.

NEW PEOPLE Travel is a unique web magazine that introduces Western audiences to a variety of Japanese creators that work across borders and the diverse scenery of Japan and journeys they have experienced. It provides an opportunity to see Japan through the eyes of artistic visionaries recognized around the world.

In the latest exclusive NEW PEOPLE Travel interview segment, Yoshitaka Amano sheds light on his highly evolved creative process and how he conceives his designs. He interestingly cites diverse visual cues ranging from the world heritage site of the Kumano Shrine in Japan to the jewelry of Cartier to the intricate costumes of kabuki performers as memorable influences that he has incorporated into his work.

In two previous NEW PEOPLE Travel interview installments with Yoshitaka Amano, the artist discussed his unabashed love for U.S. pop culture and concepts of Western fantasy. He went on to trace how he blends these motifs with traditional Japanese motifs and how concepts based on both Western and Asian mythology often permeate his work.

“Yoshitaka Amano personifies the essence of Japanese pop culture, drawing his influences from both modern and traditional influences, and his work has become internationally recognized for its striking visual power,” says Seiji Horibuchi, the founder of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “These interviews are a rare opportunity for readers to gain insights into what moves and influences this icon of the pop art world. Don’t miss the new installment that just posted on New People Travel!”

Yoshitaka Amano was born on March 26, 1952 in Shizuoka, Japan and famously became a character designer at Tatsunoko Productions beginning at age 15 until going independent in 1982. In 1987, he worked on the concept designs for the Final Fantasy video game and gained a massive international following. He also collaborated with other artists and writers on several theater set designs and illustrations for novels. Around 1995, Amano began to do lithograph work and held solo exhibitions in 1997 and 1999 New York. Since 2002, he has gone on to exhibit in London, Paris, France, Germany, and Hong Kong. In 2009, his DEVA LOKA USA exhibition opened at NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco, California and displayed a never before seen colorful vividness and boldness captivating viewers with a daring depiction of the moment of creation, pulling out the definite presence of the infinite power of life. Amano’s latest work— DEVA ZAN – is now available through Dark Horse.

NEW PEOPLE Travel is now available at: www.newpeople.jp (select ENGLISH from the menu bar), or at: www.newpeople.jp/travel/eng/index.html.

More information on NEW PEOPLE is available at www.newpeopleworld.com.

About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.

Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (www.newpeopleworld.com) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films as well as various forms of entertainment. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the “Kingdom of Pop” for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.

VIZ Media Announces 2013 Launch of Max Steele Original Graphic Based on New Kids Animated Superhero Series

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced its newest forthcoming original graphic novel series with the launch of MAX STEEL. Scheduled to debut in the Fall of 2013, MAX STEEL will be published under the VIZ Kids imprint, is rated ‘A’ for All Ages, and will carry an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.

Developed by Mattel, MAX STEEL is a global boy’s entertainment franchise spanning toys, publishing and consumer products. In addition, a new MAX STEEL CGI animated series co-produced with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME)will premiere in the U.S. on the Disney XD channel on March 25, 2013.

Max Steel is the ultimate aspirational teen hero with a secret! The story revolves around the trials and tribulations of a teenaged boy named Maxwell McGrathT and his out-of-this world alien companion, Steel. Both have super strengths and powers, Max with Turbo energy and Steel with alien intellect. Steel gives Maxwell the ability to harness his power while merging his own to create one unified super force, Max Steel. When they combine forces to create Max Steel, the ultimate superhero is unleashed- unlocking their inner heroes.

“MAX STEEL is a fun and action-packed adventure that we look forward to launching this year,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Kids. “Max and his sidekick, Steel, embark on all sorts of adventures as they battle evil forces and monstrous villains while balancing school, first dates and homework. Our latest original graphic novel property will add an exciting new dimension to the MAX STEEL franchise. Max and Steel will soon discover that facing challenges together is always better than facing them alone and the power of two is always greater than the power of one!”

The new original graphic novel series from VIZ Media and the forthcoming animated series launches the MAX STEEL storyline with exciting characters, villains and a superhero for today’s tech forward kid. For more information on MAX STEEL or other VIZ Kids titles, please visit http://www.vizkids.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan’s largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa.

With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

Star Wars Celebration Europe Coming to GERMANY in 2013

Tickets now available

Star Wars Celebration Europe, the official Lucasfilm event for all things Star Wars, is coming to Messe Essen, Germany July 26-28, 2013. Tickets are now available at http://www.starwarscelebration.eu

The event, which is expected to draw between 25,000 and 30,000 Star Wars enthusiasts to Essen, marks only the second time Lucasfilm has presented an official Celebration in Europe, the first time being in 2007 in London.

“Essen is a perfect location for Celebration Europe,” says Mary Franklin, Sr. Events Lead at Lucasfilm. “The passion and enthusiasm for Star Wars and The Clone Wars is tremendous in Germany. Messe Essen offers an ideal meeting place for the fan community from all over Europe and a good setting for all the special Star Wars programming we are planning.”

Star Wars Celebrations feature live entertainment, celebrity appearances, and interactive events for adults and families, in addition to an exhibit floor with dealers and exclusive Celebration merchandise. Lucasfilm has been producing Star Wars Celebrations since 1999, with six being held in the United States, as well as one in Japan, and the first Celebration Europe in London. The most recent, Celebration VI, attracted more than 30,000 attendees to Orlando, Florida this past August.

Star Wars Celebration Europe will showcase milestones and personalities from the more than 35 years of Star Wars history as well as a glimpse into the future of the Saga. Star Wars: The Clone Wars Supervising Director Dave Filoni will be the first guest making the journey to Germany! Filoni’s panels at Celebrations in the US have been standing room only, and we can’t wait to see him and his trademark fedora in Europe. For more on the convention and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.starwarscelebration.eu.

1821 Comics (www.1821comics.com), comic legend Stan Lee and his company POW! Entertainment are teaming up for STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE DAY

1821 Comics (www.1821comics.com), comic legend Stan Lee and his company POW! Entertainment are teaming up for STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE DAY, an event in Los Angeles on February 2 for kids celebrating the first properties from 1821 Comics, Stan Lee and POW!’s new family-friendly publishing imprint STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE (SLKU) which include Digital E-Books, books and games for multiple platforms. The children participating in STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE DAY will get an exclusive sneak preview of the new line of family friendly properties and will engage in a variety of fun activities. STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE DAY will take place on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at Giggles N’ Hugs (www.gigglesnhugs.com) in Century City, and will include invited children and their parents. STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE is a children’s multimedia company specializing in graphic novels, picture books, digital books, and games.

STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE DAY is scheduled to feature the following activities*:

A book reading session for the kids with Stan Lee, where he will be giving out signed copies of books from the new imprint.

Lunch and games with characters from the Stan Lee’s Kids Universe.

Playtime with rescued animals.

Arts and craft sessions for the kids.

STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE is the brainchild of Paris Kasidokostas Latsis and Terry Dougas, founders of the graphic novel and comic book company 1821 Comics, Comic legend Stan Lee, Founder, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of POW! Entertainment and his producing partner, President and CEO of POW! Entertainment Gill Champion. STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE DAY marks the official unveiling of the properties, which will be available for purchase immediately following the event.

1821 Comics co-founder Paris Kasidokostas Latsis commented, “It’s an exciting time for 1821 Comics, after the successful launch of our first book with Stan Lee Romeo & Juliet The War, which was an instant NY Times Best-Seller, we get to officially unveil our new label STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE. The brand at its core is a fun, creative and family friendly imprint that we are hoping will change the game. We are looking forward to STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE DAY on February 2.”

“The day has come to officially unveil STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE and we are excited to share the properties with kids and their parents during this special celebration,” added 1821 Comics co-founder and CEO Terry Dougas. “It’s truly an honor to continue working with POW! Entertainment and the legend himself Stan Lee—we can’t wait to share these new projects with the world in the coming weeks.”

“STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE was created to provide children with big imaginations an entirely new universe to explore, with the aim of telling stories that they haven’t read before yet provide educational value as well,” said Stan Lee. “It’s a thrill to be able to bring this new franchise and its colorful characters to life. I am excited to meet a new generation of brigadiers.”

Get the latest news from STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE via:

Facebook at facebook.com/StanLeesKidsUniverse

Twitter at twitter.com/stanleeskidsu

To request a review of the book Monsters vs Kittens, please submit a request email to Billy@1821media.com. Your request will be reviewed and someone will be in contact with you regarding the inquiry.

* Activities at STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE DAY are subject to change.

About 1821 Comics

1821 Comics is a comic book/graphic novel company based out of Los Angeles, California founded by entrepreneurs Paris Kasidokostas Latsis and Terry Dougas. The company is devoted to bringing exciting eye popping new titles to the world of comics. Along with its own titles 1821 is teaming up with some of the top publishers on new cutting edge books. 1821 Comics will remain a diverse publisher with projects for men, women, and children spawning all age groups. The company is highly devoted to story, content, and artwork that will move readers from beginning to end. For further information visit www.1821comics.com.

About POW! Entertainment, Inc.

POW! Entertainment, Inc. (OTCQB: POWN), a multi-media entertainment company, was founded by noted comic book writer Stan Lee, together with award-winning producer Gill Champion and the late intellectual property specialist Arthur Lieberman. POW!’s principals have extensive backgrounds in the creation and production of original intellectual properties, including some of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. POW! is utilizing Stan Lee’s historical background by perpetuating his legacy while creating and developing all new live-action films, television, digital games, merchandising, licensing and related ancillary markets, all of which contribute to global expansion. POW! partners with third parties and strategic alliances, including studios and networks, in the production and distribution of new POW! character franchises. For further information visit www.powentertainment.com.