Author: ÜberSciFiGeek

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!

Bill Paxton Presents 7 Holes for Air

from ARCANA Comics:

Arcana Comics is thrilled to announce a special partnership with Award Winning Actor, Director, and Producer, Bill Paxton (HATFIELDS & McCOYS, BIG LOVE, TITANIC), who is bringing us Seven Holes For Air, an engrossing and entertaining celebration of an iconic Western hero’s battle with forces beyond his control.

Written by John J. McLauchlin with art from Mick Reinman, 7 Holes for Air introduces us to Bob Rourke, the kind of man they don’t make anymore. He’s a tough son of a bitch; a fifty-year-old steelworker who smokes, drinks, and never complains, even when he’s in pain.

When Bob is facing the end, disease ravaging his body, he soldiers on at home, at work, and in an alternate Spaghetti Western reality in which his real-life antagonists become actual villains.

Now, Bob will stare down death the only way he knows how – with grit and determination – as he struggles against the ghosts of his past and the desire to leave something behind for his wife and daughter.

7 Holes for Air will debut at San Diego Comic Con 2013, and Bill Paxton will make a special appearance with some of the creative team on Thursday, July 18th at 2pm to sign copies of the book!

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.

Live Stream of Asteroid 2012 DA14 Flyby

Live stream videos at Ustream

Am I the only one who’s remembering “Night of the Comet” over this? 😛

From NASA:

NASA Television will provide commentary starting at 11 a.m. PST (2 p.m. EST) on Friday, Feb. 15, during the close, but safe, flyby of a small near-Earth asteroid named 2012 DA14. NASA places a high priority on tracking asteroids and protecting our home planet from them. This flyby will provide a unique opportunity for researchers to study a near-Earth object up close.

The half-hour broadcast from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., will incorporate real-time animation to show the location of the asteroid in relation to Earth, along with live or near real-time views of the asteroid from observatories in Australia, weather permitting.

At the time of its closest approach to Earth at approximately 11:25 a.m. PST (2:25 p.m. EST / 19:25 UTC), the asteroid will be about 17,150 miles (27,600 kilometers) above Earth’s surface. The commentary will be available via NASA TV and streamed live online at: * http://www.nasa.gov/ntv * and http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2.

This past November, Two NASA astronomers suggested that the size and location of an asteroid belt, shaped by the evolution of the sun’s planet-forming disk and by the gravitational influence of a nearby giant Jupiter-like planet, may determine whether complex life will evolve on an Earth-like planet.

 

You can read more about tomorrow’s near miss at NASA’s website here: http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2013/02/ecoalert-nasa-will-livestream-asteroid-flyby-this-friday.html

 

Behind the Scenes With Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City

The first behind the scenes look at the production of the new fan made web series “Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City” by Like A Boss TV.

Facebook Like A Boss TV

YouTube Like A Boss TV Now

Twitter @likeabosstv #eviliscoming

Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City

The official trailer for the new fan-made web series dropping February 28th, 2013. Experience the horror again as you did when “Resident Evil” first launched for the original Playstation platform! Live action and full of zombie carnage! Watch as three different story lines unfold before you! Better yet…you get to choose who to follow! Iconic characters Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Leon S. Kennedy fight to withstand the evil operations being conducted by Umbrella! Evil is coming!

Facebook Like A Boss TV

YouTube Like A Boss TV Now

Twitter @likeabosstv #eviliscoming

 

Paperman – Full Animated Short Film from Disney Animation

Introducing a groundbreaking technique that seamlessly merges computer-generated and hand-drawn animation techniques, first-time director John Kahrs takes the art of animation in a bold new direction with the Oscar®-nominated short, “Paperman.” Using a minimalist black-and-white style, the short follows the story of a lonely young man in mid-century New York City, whose destiny takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with a beautiful woman on his morning commute. Convinced the girl of his dreams is gone forever, he gets a second chance when he spots her in a skyscraper window across the avenue from his office. With only his heart, imagination and a stack of papers to get her attention, his efforts are no match for what the fates have in store for him. Created by a small, innovative team working at Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Paperman” pushes the animation medium in an exciting new direction.

SuBLime Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary With New Acquisitions & Promos!

SuBLime, the global yaoi manga (graphic novel) publishing initiative between VIZ Media and Japan’s Animate, Ltd., is proud to mark its 1-year anniversary and emergence as North America’s premier yaoi/boys’ love imprint.

SuBLime is celebrating this important milestone with the announcement of six new title acquisitions. TABLEAU NUM…RO 20, by celebrated creator est em, and MAN OF TANGO, by Tetuzoh Okadaya, will both be available Fall 2013 in print and digital editions. Digital-only titles available Summer 2013 include PERFECT TRAINING by Yuiji Aniya, SWEET MONSTER by Tsubaki Mikage, PRETTY MEN FIGHTING DIRTY by Sakira, and LOST LETTERS by Sakae Kusama.

A couple of special discounts and promotional offers will also be available to fans for a limited time. Leading manga and anime retailer Right Stuf is offering 40% off on all SuBLime print manga orders of 2 volumes or more starting today through February 13th. A special Valentine’s Day freebie will also be available directly from the SuBLime website starting February 14th at: www.SuBLimeManga.com.

“VIZ Media’s SuBLime imprint achieved an important milestone with our first year anniversary, and over the past 12 months we’ve developed a substantial collection of celebrated yaoi titles from a cadre of the genre’s top creators,” says Jennifer LeBlanc, Editor, SuBLime. “From AWKWARD SILENCE to YEBISU CELEBRITIES, SuBLime offers an expanding catalog of manga titles to impress even the most discriminating reader. 2013 will be an even more exciting year for SuBLime as we continue to nurture the expansion of the yaoi/boys’ love genre globally and prepare a potent roster of new title debuts.”

Since launching in January 2012, SuBLime has released 20 different titles available as print and/or digital releases. SuBLime digital editions are available with an MSRP of $5.99 (U.S.), and print editions are offered with an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN. Digital versions are available worldwide from SuBLimeManga.com and are viewable as a download-to-own PDF on any enabled eReader device or computer, or may be directly accessed via the online manga viewer found on the web site.

New 2013 SuBLime Print+Digital Titles

Man of Tango, by Tetuzoh Okadaya
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers · Available September 2013

Tableau NUM…RO 20, by est em
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers · Available October 2013

New 2013 SuBLime Digital Titles

PERFECT TRAINING, by Yuiji Aniya
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers · Available June 2013

SWEET MONSTER, by Tsubaki Mikage
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers · Available June 2013

PRETTY MEN FIGHTING DIRTY, by Sakira
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers · Available July 2013

LOST LETTERS, by Sakae Kusama
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers · Available August 2013

In addition to the new acquisitions, fans can look forward to the debut of 11 additional new titles this year, including:

BLUE MORNING Vol. 1, by Shoko Hidaka
BOYS, BE AMBITIOUS!, by Saburo Nagai
EGOISTIC BLUE, by Mio Tennohji
EMBRACING LOVE Vol. 1: 2-in-1 Edition, by Youka Nitta
FALSE MEMORIES Vol. 1, by Isaku Natsume · Creator of DEVIL’S HONEY, also published by SuBLime
Hide And seek, by Yaya Sakuragi · Sequel to BOND OF DREAMS, BOND OF LOVE, also available from SuBLime
THE MATCH SELLER, by Sakae Kusama
THE RAVISHING OF THE CROWN PRINCE, by Wang Yi & Feng Nong
SLEEPING MOON Vol. 1, by Miyamoto Kano
SPIRITUAL POLICE Vol. 1, by Youka Nitta
SWORD AND MIST, by Hayate Kuku

For up-to-date news and release information, please visit the SuBLime website at SuBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga, Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga, or Tumblr at sublimemanga.tumblr.com.

About SuBLime

SuBLime is a global yaoi/boys’ love manga publisher, and is a partnership between VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, and Japan’s Animate, Ltd. (Animate). This bold, global publishing initiative will present English-speaking fans everywhere with a broad selection of high quality titles. SuBLime will offer titles digitally worldwide available at www.SuBLimeManga.com, with many available in download-to-own format, and selections in print also available in English-language editions worldwide.

Injustice: Gods Among Us Trailer

Today, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment released the newest trailer from Injustice: Gods Among Us. Featuring Lex Luthor and other major players from the game’s story, the video provides the first glimpse into the battle lines being drawn among heroes and villains.

Injustice: Gods Among Us is an all-new game in development by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, creators of the definitive fighting game franchise Mortal Kombat. The title debuts a bold new fighting game franchise that introduces a deep, original story featuring a large cast of favourite DC Comics icons such as Batman, Green Arrow, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, Nightwing, Solomon Grundy, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and many others. Set in a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred, players will experience heroes and villains engaging in epic battles on a massive scale.

For more information on the game, visit www.injustice.com.

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.