VIZ Media to Release New Fantasy Adventure Series “Arata: The Legend” from Renowned Manga Creator Yuu Watase

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, brings famed manga creator Yuu Watase’s potent blend of mythical fantasy adventure and lavish artwork for the North American debut of Arata: The Legend on March 9th. The new series is published under the Shonen Sunday imprint, rated “T” for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

In a world where humans and gods coexist, Arata is the unfortunate successor to the matriarchal Hime Clan — unfortunate because if he’s not cross-dressing to hide his gender one minute, he’s fleeing for his life the next! When Arata winds up in the modern world and switches places with a boy named Arata Hinohara, it’s a wonder which Arata is actually better off…

In Volume 1, Hinohara is the spitting image of Arata, so he suddenly finds himself fighting people after his life! As he navigates through this foreign world filled with power-hungry warriors, who will come to his aid? One thing’s for sure — it’s not easy being Arata!

“I’m really excited to see Arata: The Legend joining the Shonen Sunday imprint. The art is gorgeous, the series is action-packed and no one can create a lush fantasy world the way Yuu Watase can!” says Amy Yu, Editor, VIZ Media. “Fans who know her work in the shojo genre will experience a whole new side to this creative mastermind.”

Born March 5 in Osaka, Yuu Watase debuted in the Shôjo Comic manga anthology in 1989. She won the 43rd Shogakukan Manga Award with Ceres: Celestial Legend. One of her most famous works is Fushigi Yûgi, a series that has inspired the prequel Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden. In 2008, Arata: The Legend started serialization in Weekly Shonen Sunday.

Arata: The Legend is one of the newest titles under VIZ Media’s Shonen Sunday imprint, the new standard for riveting stories and creative excellence. Titles under this imprint are more than shonen stories with struggling heroes and endless battles. Shonen Sunday characters are tested both mentally and physically, asked to prove their worth alongside loyal allies and encounter legends that have outlasted time itself. Each manga series under the Shonen Sunday imprint will enchant the reader with tales from Japan’s top manga creators featuring complex, intriguing characters in richly imagined worlds.

For more information on this title or other Shonen Sunday series, please visit shonensunday.com.

U.S. Troops Overseas Set to Receive “Mass Effect: Redemption”

from Dark Horse Comics:

In conjunction with the release of the third explosive issue of Mass Effect: Redemption, Dark Horse Comics announced today that they will be donating 5,000 copies of the first issue of this popular series, which has sold out across the country, to U.S. Armed Forces troops around the world.

Dark Horse will work with Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) to ensure that these issues of Mass Effect: Redemption make it into the hands of the men and women serving in the U.S. military throughout the world. Every year publishers’ donations of Free Comic Book Day issues are sent to troops via PMG, this time the annual payload will be stocked with thousands of issues of Mass Effect: Redemption #1 for America’s fighting men and women. Copies will make their way to military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as at bases in Europe and the Far East.

Mass Effect: Redemption tells the exciting back-story that led up to the events of Mass Effect 2, the recently released video game developed by the award-winning creative team at BioWare. The game’s lead writer Mac Walters takes up the pen to give fans exclusive insight into the events that unfolded between the conclusion of the original Mass Effect, and the beginning of Mass Effect 2. Scripted by John Jackson Miller (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, The Invincible Iron Man) and drawn by Omar Francia (Star Wars: Legacy), this four-part series explores the exotic and dangerous future Milky Way of Mass Effect, revealing previously unseen locations, aliens, and enemies of this rich science fiction landscape.

The Mass Effect trilogy is an epic science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding a crew of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich futuristic storyline, stunning space exploration and emotionally engaging characters, the game delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience. Mass Effect 2 was released on the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and PC on January 26, 2010 in North America and January 29, 2010 in Europe and has been rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB and “18+” by PEGI (please visit esrb.org and pegi.eu for more information on ratings). For more news from the development team, please follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/masseffect2 or visit the game’s official website at masseffect.bioware.com.

For those who have yet to read the explosive comic series, both the first and second issues are currently available for download on iTunes for just 99 cents each.

Mass Effect: Redemption is the fifth title to arrive in Dark Horse’s ever-growing stable of comics available on the iPhone platform. Other titles available now include Gerard Way’s smash hit Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite, Hellboy: Seed of Destruction, Terminator: Death Valley, and multiple titles from the critically acclaimed line of Star Wars comics.

For more information, please visit www.darkhorse.com/Features/Mobile.

VIZ Pictures Continues to Expand the NEW PEOPLE Artist Series with the DVD Release of “Hisashi Tenmyouya: Samurai Nouveau”

from VIZ Pictures:

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, will release the newest volume of its ongoing NEW PEOPLE Artist Series — Hisashi Tenmyouya: Samurai Nouveau. This interesting documentary follows the life of one of the most talented young artists in Japan today. The DVD, due to release on March 9th with an MSRP of $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN, will be distributed by VIZ Media.

Hisashi Tenmyouya: Samurai Nouveau presents a look into the artist Hisashi Tenmyouya, a graphic designer turned contemporary artist, and his NEO-Traditional Japanese Painting style. He uses gold foil and fine brushes to prepare for various exhibitions while people surrounding the artist share their thoughts. In this film, Tenmyouya reveals his soul through the melding of modern urban subjects with traditional painting methods.

In celebration of this new release, VIZ Pictures has scheduled special screenings of Hisashi Tenmyouya at VIZ Cinema on Saturday, March 6th at 1:00 pm, and Sunday, March 7th at 3:00 pm. VIZ Cinema is located inside NEW PEOPLE, a newly opened entertainment destination in San Francisco at 1746 Post Street devoted to Japanese pop culture. For more information about this event, please visit vizcinema.com or viz-pictures.com.

“Hisashi Tenmyouya has shown steadily since his first show in 1990 at age 24, including shows at the Whitney in New York and others in Tokyo, Berlin, London, Paris, Madrid, Kiev and Sao Paulo,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of VIZ Pictures and the founder of NEW PEOPLE. “Besides winning the Taro Okamoto Memorial Award in 2003, he was chosen as one of 14 artists in the world to participate in the design of the FIFA World Cup Poster for the 2006 World Cup. We’re honored to release this new documentary and look forward to more people discovering the world of Hisashi Tenmyouya.”

The NEW PEOPLE Artist Series is an intriguing collection of documentaries introducing modern Japanese Pop artists to the American audience. All of the highlighted artists possess unique views and inspirations, allowing them to create captivating works of art. For more information on the NEW PEOPLE Artist Series visit viz-pictures.com or newpeopleartistseries.com, and for information on movie schedules at VIZ Cinema, please visit vizcinema.com.

For more information on DVD titles distributed by VIZ Media please visit viz.com.

ElfQuest at WonderCon: San Francisco, April 2-4

from ElfQuest:

Hello!

If you’re in (or able to get to) the San Francisco area April 2-4, Wendy and Richard Pini will be attending WonderCon (http://comic-con.org/wc/) for the entire show. We’ll also have a table in Artist’s Alley promoting both ElfQuest and Masque of the Red Death, so stop on by to chat or get a book (or ten) autographed. We’ll look forward to seeing you there!

Shade and sweet cable cars,
Richard Pini

Irreference Report: March 2010

from Quirk Books:

March 3: The Feeding Frenzy Is Imminent
On Wednesday, March 3, our all-out blog explosion begins! Over 200 bloggers will be participating in our Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls review event and contest. Go to Quirk Classics to see who’s talking about Dawn of the Dreadfuls. We’ll be featuring links to our favorite blogger reviews starting March 5!

March 7: Director’s Cut
The Academy Awards are rapidly approaching. To celebrate, we give you Secret Lives of Great Filmmakers by Robert Schnakenberg. From tales of missing belly buttons and appalling personal hygiene to irrational fears and outlandish fetishes, this collection has all the dirty little secrets you really want to know about the world’s most renowned filmmakers. For instance, what do Bea Arthur and George Lucas have in common?

George Lucas: Burn After Watching
The harsh critical response to the last three Star Wars movies may not have fazed Lucas, but there’s one project he’s still too mortified to even discuss: the catastrophic two-hour Star Wars Holiday Special that aired on CBS television stations on November 17, 1978. Larded with misbegotten musical numbers, badly animated cartoons, and guest appearances by Z-list seventies “stars” such as Jefferson Starship, Harvey Korman, and Bea Arthur, the variety extravaganza has been disowned by Star Wars fans and repeatedly ridiculed in popular culture. When prodded by interviews, Lucas will only say it “does not represent my vision for Star Wars.” He once confessed, “If I had time and a hammer, I’d track down every bootleg copy and smash it.”

Beauty and the Geek
In the mid-1980s, Lucas embarked on a long and stormy relationship with pop singer Linda Ronstadt. The seventies hit-maker was in the midst of a protracted career slump and had just come off a nasty break-up with up-and-coming comic Jim Carrey when the recently separated Lucas swept her off her feet. To most observers, it was an unlikely match — especially given Ronstadt’s rock-star looks and Lucas’ nebbishy demeanor. According to People magazine, when the lovebirds walked into a San Anselmo, California, drug store one day, the owner didn’t even know who Ronstadt’s companion was. “I just thought he was her houseboy,” she said. Friends tried to warn Lucas the relationship was doomed: Ronstadt was notorious for cycling through lovers like chewed-up wads of bubble gum. But the smitten director remained ever hopeful. He took guitar lessons, exchanged his nerdy glasses for contact lenses, and even talked of building a honeymoon cottage on his Skywalker Ranch. Sadly, it was not to be. After about five years of on-and-off dating, the odd couple broke up for good.

Check out The Vault on Irreference.com for more fascinating trivia about our filmmakers. It may even earn you some extra credit with your Oscar picks this year.

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20% off Harry Potter Merchandise, Happy Birthday Ron Weasley!

from WBShop.com:

Happy Birthday Ron!

Save 20% Off all Harry Potter Official merchandise and select Blu-ray and DVD!*

March 1st is Ron Weasley’s Birthday and we’re celebrating with a week-long sale. Hurry, this offer ends March 5th at midnight!

FREE SHIPPING on orders of $60 or more!*

Shop Now

Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter

*20% off Harry Potter Official merchandise and select Blu-ray and DVDs. This offer is limited to items in stock and expires March 5th at midnight. Shipping Offer applies to $60 or more merchandise, not including shipping, tax, or gift boxing. Shipping offer applies to US Domestic Ground service only. Offer valid for the contiguous 48 states, not including Alaska, Hawaii, or other US territories. Only one offer per order; offers and coupons may not be combined. Upon checkout the highest discount available will be applied. All offers can be removed at any time.

Jace Hall Storms the J!NX Fortress!

from J!NX:

J!NX Featured on The Jace Hall Show!
We love Jace Hall, so when he told us that he was coming to visit the J!NX Fortress a while back, we were nothing short of thrilled. The visit itself was… well, I’ll let Superfly explain everything in his Spotlight Post. Or, you can catch the episode right here to see every hilarious and violent detail. Watch it!

New J!NX Classics Tee: Table Top Gamer
Good games, like fine wines, get better with age. This week, we salute a fine vintage game that is as entertaining now as it was twenty-odd years ago… and as hunger inducing.

2010 Blowout Sale Extended!
Due to its extreme popularity, we’ve extended our Blowout Sale for another week. Place an order of three or more t-shirts and get $5 off each one! This offer ends Friday, March 5 @ 11:59pm EST and is not valid in combination with any other discount or sale price.

Weta News: Awards, District 9 and Bag End!

from Weta:

Awards Season!
We have previously reported from Critics’ Choice and the Golden Globes. Now the BAFTA’s have been awarded — Avatar took home two of the coveted awards — and the Oscars are looming. And we’re really pleased that Weta’s Make-up Supervisor, Frances Hawker (Richardson) has been nominated for a Saturn Award by the Academy of Science Fiction Fantasy & Horror Films for District 9.

Celebrating the Genesis of the 11th Doctor…
with an awesome exclusive offer for Weta Newsletter readers. For the next week (i.e. before 8 March), we have an AWESOME price on the wonderful Dalek statue. It’s now under GBP100! Check it out!

Bag End
Work has progressed very well on our new Bag End collectible. You may have read Daniel Falconer’s previous account of how the idea was conceived. Daniel is now bringing us a new update and makes some stunning revelations…

New and lower shipping costs to destinations in Asia and the Pacific Islands
We were recently alerted by a friend in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that our shipping costs to that continent were outrageous. So, we did something about it. Asian destinations were previously served out of our US warehouse but will in the future be served from New Zealand. Here are some comparative examples of the new shipping costs — we have used Malaysia as the destination for these examples:

New District 9 Products
Joining the rapidly sold-out Arc Generator and the Gas Projector previously launched, we now also have some smaller items from District 9 available.

Matchstick Miniature Marvel
Patrick Acton is a man who plays with matches. Well, not plays so much as creates beautiful miniatures. We were sent some photos of his latest creation and we really want to share it with you. It’s a rather well known location and miniature from The Lord of the Rings…

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VIZ Media Announces New DVD Releases for April 2010

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced their list of DVD titles scheduled for release in April 2010. This includes the final box set release of Nana, the next episodic releases of the popular Bleach and Naruto: Shippuden series, and the latest box set release of Naruto: Shippuden. Also releasing is the live action feature film, K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces, from VIZ Pictures. VIZ Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.

New Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden Releases Include:

Naruto: Shippuden Box Set 2 Special Edition
Rated “T+” for Older Teens
MSRP: $69.97 US / $99.99 CAN
Available April 20
Team Kakashi is joined by Team Guy in their pursuit of Gaara’s kidnappers, Deidara and Sasori, but their way to the Akatsuki hideout is fraught with familiar enemies and deadly traps. Once inside, Sakura and Granny Chiyo must take on Chiyo’s own grandson, the puppet master Sasori, whose complex tricks and genius puppetry demand every last ounce of Chiyo’s and Sakura’s strength and skill to counter. Meanwhile, Naruto and Kakashi take off after Deidara, who is once again on the run with Gaara in tow… The Special Edition Box Set contains 13 episodes on 3 discs, exclusive art card, and a collectible Naruto: Shippuden Mininja figure (Deidara).

Naruto: Shippuden Box Set 2 Standard Edition
Rated “T+” for Older Teens
MSRP: $49.95 US / $71.99 CAN
Available April 20
DVD-only collection featuring 13 episodes on 3 discs. Exclusive art card and collectible figure not included.

Naruto: Shippuden Volume 8
Rated “T+” for Older Teens
MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN
Available April 6
Supported by Naruto’s powerful chakra, Granny Chiyo performs the Reanimation Ninjutsu to revive Gaara, but the cost is high. Back in the Leaf Village, Kakashi must spend time in the hospital to recover from his use of the Mangekyo Sharingan. With two open spots on Team Kakashi, Naruto is prepared to recruit some of his friends from the village. But unbeknownst to him, the replacements are being chosen by the village elders, and at least one of them he’s really going to hate! Episodes 31-34.

Naruto Uncut Season 2 Volume 2 Box Set
Rated “T+” for Older Teens
MSRP: $39.97 US / $57.99 CAN
Available April 27
The destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village has been averted, but at great cost. While the village mourns, a new menace arrives in the form of Sasuke’s brother, Itachi Uchiha — but why is he after Naruto? Then Jiraiya whisks Naruto away on a training journey to find the legendary kunoichi Tsunade, who’s been selected to become the new Hokage. But they’d better hurry, because Orochimaru is looking for her as well!

For more information on Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, please visit NARUTO.com.

Additional VIZ Media DVD releases include:

Nana Box Set 4
Rated “M” for Mature
MSRP: $59.90 US/ $85.99 CAN
Available April 13
Life is a whirlwind — will the Nanas make it through the storm without each other? As if Blast’s debut wasn’t causing enough stress, Takumi and Nana K.’s announcement sends everyone reeling, but none more than Nana O. and Reira. While Reira turns to Shin for comfort, Nana is drawn to Yasu and his calm understanding, leaving her questioning her relationship with Ren. Nana K. meanwhile is happily nesting in her new home, but her continued estrangement from Nana O. weighs heavily on her heart. Contains episodes 35-47.

For more information on Nana, please visit nana.viz.com.

Bleach Volume 27
Rated “T” for Teens
MSRP: $24.92 US / $35.99 CAN
Available April 20
With the Bounts defeated, Ichigo and his friends settle down to what they think will be an ordinary life of school and battling Hollows. But things take a turn for the unusual when a new student arrives at school who seems to know all about Ichigo — including the Hollow within him that’s getting stronger all the time. With a menacing Spiritual Pressure descending on Karakura Town, Isshin and Urahara are worried that someone is creating an army of Arrancar — Hollows with Soul Reaper powers — and that someone may be former Soul Reaper captain Sosuke Aizen! Episodes: 110 thru 113.

For more information on Bleach, please visit BLEACH.viz.com.

From VIZ Pictures (Live Action Feature Films):

K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces
MSRP: $24.92 US/ $35.99 CAN
Available April 20
It is 1949 in Japan, in a world where World War II never happened and the nobility system is still in place. Heikichi, a circus acrobat, is deceived by “The Fiend (Kaijin) with Twenty Faces” and is set up to take the fall for the phantom thief. Now, Heikichi must wage war against K-20. Directed by Shimako Sato, starring Takeshi Kaneshiro, Takako Matsu, and Toru Nakamura.

For more information on VIZ Pictures titles please visit VIZ-Pictures.com.

Split Reason: Twitter Contest and Olympics Discount

from Split Reason:

Lately, we’ve been taking part in the Alien Vs. Predator 2010 Olympics! Acidic blood has poured, spines have been removed, and many, many marines have uttered their final words. It’s been a gruesomely stimulating event.

On a more positive note, we’ve started a new recurring contest on Twitter called Win Wednesday! We’re offering 1 free t-shirt every week to the first person who can answer a geek/gamer trivia question. Check our blog for details and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for a chance to win!

If your brain is not a repository of nerdy facts acquired over a lifetime of video games, comic books, and science fiction, fear not! We’re also offering a 15% off promotion for the duration of the Olympics, just enter the promo code ZOMBIEOLYMPICS during the check-out process and save a few bucks! (This offer expires on March 8th, 2010)

MIMOBOT Special: Take 15% Off all Core Series products!

from Mimoco:

It’s a Core Series Special!

The MIMOBOT Core Series characters are the original inhabitants of Planet Blõôh. Adopt a clone… a tee, iPhone skin, or pure vinyl art toy ‘cuz it’s all about Planet Blõôh!

Take 15% OFF all Core Series products now!
SHOP NOW

rayD80 MIMOBOT designer USB flash drive
He’s the glowing gate-keeper to the Underworld… and to your files! He’s low-stock so get him before he’s gone for good!
$21.21 (was $26.45)

PupStar MIMOBOT designer USB flash drive
Starry-eyed and a dreamer, PupStar was always meant for big things and now he can be yours for a Bargain ‘Bot Special!
$14.41 (was $18.00)

Stylin’ MIMOBOT tees, tanks, and baby onesies!
Available in six electrifying styles (“Earth Friendly” in coal)!
$16.99 (was $19.99)

Fun MIMOBOT iPhone skins by Infectious
Available in two styles — Fairybit and MIMOscape!!
$12.74 (was $14.99)

Factory Entertainment: The Green Hornet, The Princess Bride Prop Sword Video, Universal Monsters

from Factory Entertainment:

The Green Hornet

HAVE YOU HEARD THE BUZZ?!

Factory Entertainment is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. to produce a range of collectibles and gift items relating to Columbia Pictures’ 2010 tentpole film, The Green Hornet.

The license also extends to the classic 1966 The Green Hornet television series and the two The Green Hornet movie serials produced in the 1940s.

Products to be released will include action figures, collectible die-cast vehicles, full-sized and scaled replicas of props, and more. Products will begin launching late 2010.

The Princess Bride — The Sword of the Dread Pirate Roberts Limited Edition Prop Replica Prototype Video

Universal Monsters

Look! It’s moving… It’s alive… it’s ALIVE!

Prop Replicas
Jewelry & Costume Accessories
Die-Cast Vehicles
Trading Cards
Lithographs
…AND MUCH MORE!

COMING SOON!

Follow us on Twitter, we proudly add to the mostly inane babble but we also throw in more than the occasional gem!