Arts & Culture – Page 48

Things from Another World: All In-Stock Orders Ship with Two Free Comics!

This Saturday marks the ninth annual Free Comic Book Day, and we couldn’t be more excited to get you some free books! All in-stock orders placed this weekend will get two (2) free comics included in the shipment.

That’s not the only exciting thing starting Saturday! You’ll also save 20% off most in-stock products all month long. That’s right, we’ve doubled our normal in-stock discount this May, and that means one of two things a) more money in your pocket or b) more comics in your collection. 😉

Free Comics and 20% off most in-stock products starting 12:01 AM (PST) on Saturday, May 1. Quantities are limited for these free FCBD comics, which will be included with in-stock orders while supplies last* (we’ve likely got enough to go through early next week), so make sure you get to TFAW this weekend to get your free comics and save 20% off your in-stock order.

Find Out How to Get Free Comics This Weekend!

Save 20% Off Most In-Stock Products May 1 – May 31

*Sorry, we cannot take requests for specific FCBD titles.

Split Reason: April 2010 Newsletter

from Split Reason:

It’s been a fun month over at SPLITREASON! Between new products, partner stores, Super Street Fighter IV and Monster Hunter Tri, we’ve had our hands full! Nothing shakes the dust off your Wii mote faster than a sea monster with an appetite. Not only have we learned to slaughter an array of epic beasts, we can cook raw meat to perfection — well done! Who says video games aren’t educational? No more Kraft Dinner for us, from this day forward we feast on Epioth.

We’re excited to announce the launch of the Sarcastic Gamer Store, fresh off the presses with 5 kick-ass designs for gamers and more on the way! Get your personal pwn protection today.

No month would be complete without a new contest to keep the creative plasmids flowing. We’ve commenced our first annual Lego building contest offering up some awesome Lego prizes, free t-shirts, and store credit for each contest entry! Unleash your inner child and help us build a greater future, one block at a time.

Win Wednesday season 2.0 hit the blog a few weeks back. We’re giving away an iPOD touch for the season finale, so keep your laser sights locked on Twitter for a chance to win.

If you’re looking to save a few bucks this month, the active promo of the moment is: NERDALERT — Go get yourself 10% off! (promo expires on May 15th, 2010.)

We’d also love to send a big “Oh Hai Guys” to our friends over at Thrillist for featuring some of our products and offering a great service to serve your laziness. Cut down hours of web surfing and blog trolling by allowing Thrillist to discover the hidden gems of teh interwebs, and deliver all things awesome directly to your inbox.

Now, step into the light, and see what’s new at SplitReason.com… (Don’t forget to hook up with us on our Facebook page for future perks and promotions).

An Extraordinary View of the Future Shines in “Saturn Apartments” Manga Series from VIZ Media

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, brings the newest title from its partnership with Japan’s IKKI magazine to domestic audiences with the release of Saturn Apartments on May 8th. Created by Hisae Iwaoka, the manga series will be published under the VIZ Signature imprint, is rated “T” for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Far in the future, humankind has evacuated Earth in order to preserve it. Humans now reside in a gigantic structure that forms a ring around the earth, 35,000 kilometers up in the sky. The society of the Ring System is strictly stratified: the higher the floor, the greater the status. Mitsu, the lowly son of a window washer, has just graduated. Five years after his father disappears and is assumed dead, Mitsu takes on his father’s occupation. As he struggles with the transition to working life, Mitsu’s job treats him to an outsider’s view into the living-room dioramas of the Saturn Apartments.

“Saturn Apartments delivers a brilliant vision of a future where Earth is just beyond the grasp of humanity,” says Daniel Gillespie, Editor, VIZ Media. “As Mitsu endeavors to become an adult, he treats us to touching insights on working life, dreams and ambitions, class tension, the value of community and family, and the perplexing loneliness that occurs when people are forced to live on top of one another. It’s a poignant metaphor for urban life, drawn with stunning intricacy and irresistible cuteness.”

Hisae Iwaoka is the creator of several one-shot manga, including Hana Boro (Flower Cookies) and Shiroi Kumo (White Clouds), both of which were serialized in IKKI magazine. Saturn Apartments is her most recent series. A noted artist and illustrator, her installations also have been displayed internationally in the group show “Tokyo Girls Bravo,” which was curated by famed artist Takashi Murakami.

Saturn Apartments is the latest series to be published as part of VIZ Media’s partnership with Japan’s IKKI magazine, bringing a diverse collection of exceptional manga series to audiences in North America. From action to comedy to drama, slice-of-life stories to surrealist fantasies, the uniting themes these works share are an uncommon emphasis on creative quality and on pushing the boundaries of the manga norm. Saturn Apartments is also featured online at SIGIKKI.com, the groundbreaking web destination for a broad range of unique manga designed for mature audiences.

For more information on other VIZ Signature titles and to check out a sneak peek of chapters one through eight of Saturn Apartments, please visit SigIKKI.com.

ThinkGeek <3s your mom (and $10 off)

from ThinkGeek:

Dear overgrown zygotes,

Years and years ago, two people who loved each other very much made you. Our musical friends Paul & Storm remind us that our Moms gave us life, love, a home, food, and clothing and in return, we gave her stretch marks and extra weight that never quite went away. It’s time to rectify this imbalance, and we’re here to help.

No matter what your Mom likes, we have the perfect Mother’s Day gift — even if your Mom isn’t a geek, which is darn near impossible considering how geeky YOU are, friend.

We love Geek Moms!
Get the maximum amount of ThinkGeek to your geek mom this Mother’s Day. Use code GEEKMOM for $10 off your order of $40 or more, now through 4/30/10 11:59pm EDT.

Geek Tested, Mom Approved — Mother’s Day is May 9th!
Assuming you’re not awfully glad to be a Beta, you probably have a mother who deserves an awesome gift for Mother’s Day. We’re stocked full of all sorts of gizmos, gadgets, and doo-dads that your maternal figure will love. We have shirts Mom can wear, umbrellas to keep her dry, brownie pans so she can love you with food, and tons of gifts for new Moms and their geek babies. You can even get Mom a pair of Onion Goggles so she doesn’t cry in the kitchen; unless, of course, she’s crying because you’re such a disappointment.

Find more What’s New items at ThinkGeek!

Giant Monsters Invade San Francisco

from VIZ Pictures:

NEW PEOPLE and VIZ Cinema welcome the 3rd and latest installment of TokyoScope Talk — War of the Giant Monsters — on Friday, May 7th at 7:00pm. Join Otaku USA Editor-in-Chief Patrick Macias, Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters author August Ragone, and Japanese film critic Tomohiro Machiyama at the Bay Area’s hottest film venue for a fun and lively discussion on the “kaiju” (monster) movies featuring rare images and clips of Godzilla, Mothra, Gamera and other iconic creatures from classic Japanese sci-fi cinema. General admission tickets are $10.00.

VIZ Cinema invites Bay Area monster fans to a 5-day Kaiju Shakedown: Godzillathon!, running Saturday, May 8th thru Thursday, May 13th. Featured will be rare screenings of the Big G’s 4 most-loved films including Godzilla vs. Hedora (1971), Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973), and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974). Details and screening times at: vizcinema.com.

Don’t miss a rare chance to see the beauty and enormity of Godzilla in stunning 35mm prints with English subtitles and a premium THX-certified sound system! These events may sell-out. Ticket prices: General Admission: $10.00; Senior & Child: $8.00. Advance tickets on sale at: newpeopleworld.com/films/films-5-2010/#godzillathon.

TokyoScope Talk — War of the Giant Monsters will feature a special raffle giveaway of premium monster collectables including the brand new DVD release from Shout! Factory of Gamera: The Giant Monster (1965). The revered classic features the original Japanese version of the film presented with fresh English subtitles and anamorphic widescreen produced from an all-new HD master created from original vault elements.

VIZ Cinema is the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theatre is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX-certified sound system.

NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass facade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: NewPeopleWorld.com.

VIZ Media Offers a Battle of Brains Versus Brawn in New Manga Series “Maou: Juvenile Remix”

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, brings Maou: Juvenile Remix to North American audiences on May 11th. The new series, by Megumi Osuga and Kotaro Isaka, will be published under the Shonen Sunday imprint, is rated “T+” for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

In the city of Nekota, where rapid modernization threatens everything the longtime residents hold dear, one young man stands up to oppose the progress. Inukai and his team of vigilantes, known as Grasshopper, protect the citizens from the rising crime wave and the greedy businessmen bent on turning every block into a strip mall. But what is this public hero’s true motive? Is this angelic man really a devil in disguise?

Ando is a high school student who has the power to make others say out loud what he’s thinking. In this chaotic city, these two will come together to weave a story of courage, determination and confrontation. But will this be enough to uncover Inukai’s secrets and stop the plot to control the city?

“It’s a cat and mouse chase and battle of wills between two sides with differing ideals as creator Megumi Osuga and Kotaro Isaka set the stage for an engrossing story with Maou,” says Alexis Kirsch, Editor, VIZ Media. “The new series shows that as crazy as one’s ideas may seem, as long as you believe in yourself and tackle problems head-on, one has the power to change the world. This is the perfect addition to our Shonen Sunday library and we are excited to bring this intriguing series to our fans.”

Megumi Osuga made her debut in Shonen Sunday R with the manga series, Tonpachi, and also had a short series called Honou no Ana no Yomi featured in Shonen Sunday Super. Maou: Juvenile Remix launched in Weekly Shonen Sunday in 2007.

Born in 1971 in Chiba Prefecture, Kotaro Isaka is one of the most popular Japanese novelists and has received numerous awards. He has many titles under his belt, and most of them have been turned into live-action movies.

To read free previews of Maou: Juvenile Remix or for more information on other Shonen Sunday series, please visit shonensunday.com.

Mimoco: Celebrate Earth Day with GURP + check out our 40th Anniversary Earth Day Spectacular!

from Mimoco:

GURP
Recycle. Enjoy. MIMOBOT.
Send in your old, sad flash drives & earn MIMOBOT credit!

mimoZine’s 40th Anniversary Earth Day Spectacular!
In celebration of all things good and green, mimoZine is happy to share all the enviro-memories that we gathered at ROTHBURY Music Festival — a 4-day music event featuring the best in Music, art and environmental awareness.

Earth Friendly Tee-Shirt
Show your love for the world with an Earth Friendly 100% organic cotton and ink tee-shirt!

Adopt an Earth Friendly MIMOBOT!
They’ve been transported to Earth from their Mother Planet blõôh to safe-guard & protect your files!

What is GURP?
Learn more about what you can do with your old, sad USB flash drive with our Greenbot USB flash drive Recycling Program, aka GURP!

FREE Shipping on orders over $75*!

Time to Get Your Read On!

from Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to get your read on!

Once again, Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls will be invading the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Being held this weekend (April 24th – 25th) on the beautiful UCLA campus, this festival is one of the largest literary events in the world.

A few events being held at the festival are special lectures by authors, book signings and reviews, poetry readings, as well as story-telling and live performances on the children’s area stage.

So come on by and check us out. We are in the children’s book section — Booth 854.

And, as a special bonus, those at the festival who buy a Galaxy Girl Doll online at our booth will get an original MWGG illustration by creator Lauren Faust!

For more details, please visit the Festival of Books website.

Hope to see you there!

Over and Out!

Mother Earth

Introducing Weta Legs — a costuming revolution!

from Weta:

Introducing:
Weta Legs — a costuming revolution!

Weta is today hugely excited to bring to the world Weta Legs, a digitigrades leg extension for performers, costumers and anyone who’s ever wanted to walk like an animal.

Since they were displayed a year ago on the Internet for the first time, there has been tremendous interest from performers across the world.

Weta Legs are a unique, low profile, professional grade, reverse leg stilt for creature and costume performances in movies, television, theatre, circus, street performances and other creative contexts. Something previously reserved for commercial film and television projects, they are the first of their kind available commercially to the public.

Check out the Product Video on wetaNZ.com.

“It’s a real thrill to be able to present these stilts to performers across the world,” says Richard Taylor, Weta’s Creative Director and five time Academy Award winner. “Kim Graham has really nailed this and we’re very proud to be working with her to bring these legs to the market.”

Kim Graham — the inventor of the Weta Legs:

“The greatest challenge was to build something all my friends could wear and build cool costumes over the top of. And this was a tremendous challenge. I wanted to incorporate everything, low profile, ease of use, light weight, comfort and adaptibility. All of these are extremely important to a performer who will be wearing these for long periods of time”.

Weta Legs are sold online at wetaNZ.com and shipped world wide.

What is “digitigrades”?

In essence, it means “walks on its toes”. Us humans put our heels flat on the ground, but what we call the foot on an animal such as a dog, is really its toes. Its “heel” is therefore the next joint off the ground and it points backwards. By using the Weta Legs, you can imitate this way of walking.

Other words for digitigrades leg extensions are “digilegs”, “reverse leg stilts” or “dogleg stilts”.

Who is Kim Graham?

Kim Graham, from Seattle, Washington, has been sculpting since the 80s in a wide variety of media and sizes ranging from 22′ wide fiberglass dragons to fired clay figuratives to architectural ceramic pieces. Primarily self-taught, Kim has in recent years moved away from her special effects/fantasy based mold-making work to focus intensely on one-of-a-kind fine art sculptures.

Kim started the development of the Weta Legs three years ago and has continually refined and developed the design. She has worked for the last year in Wellington with the Weta Workshop technicians.

Follow Weta Online! Twitter | Facebook

“Flower in a Storm” Brings On a Frenzied Romantic Chase in a Fun New Shojo Series from VIZ Media

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, offers Flower in a Storm, an imaginative romantic comedy from a fresh new talent of the shojo manga world, Shigeyoshi Takagi. Set to be published under the Shojo Beat imprint and released on May 4th, Flower in a Storm is rated “T+” for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Riko Kunimi is trying to lead a normal high school life when Ran Tachibana bursts into her classroom carrying a gun and tells her that her life is now his. Ran, who is the richest and most powerful 17-year-old in Japan, wants her as his wife, and he’s not taking no for an answer!

If Ran can’t capture her by five o’clock the next day, he’ll give up, but he has all that money can buy at his disposal. However, Riko has one trick up her sleeve — she has superpowers!

“Flower in a Storm is a zany, sweet, over-the-top story of a girl with superhuman abilities who just wants to lead a normal life and a boy who leads anything but a normal life but just wants to make her his,” says Leyla Aker, Editorial Manager, VIZ Media. “We hope shojo readers will enjoy this fresh, funny debut series from a young creator.”

Flower in a Storm is a two-volume series that was originally featured in Lala and Lala DX magazines (also the original home of Vampire Knight). This is the first graphic novel from Shigeyoshi Takagi.

For more information on this title, or other shojo titles from VIZ Media, please visit shojobeat.com.

VIZ Media Titles Dominate “New York Times” Manga Best Seller List

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media has announced that 9 of its manga titles have made the New York Time’s Manga Best Seller list for the week ending April 10th.

VIZ Media Best Selling Manga Titles on the list include (In Listed Order):

Rosario + Vampire: Season II, Vol. 1
Yu-Gi-Oh! R, Vol. 4
Naruto, Vol. 47
The Gentlemen’s Alliance †, Vol. 11
One Piece, Vol. 40
One Piece, Vol. 39
One Piece, Vol. 41
One Piece, Vol. 43
One Piece, Vol. 42

The rankings reflect sales of graphic novels at thousands of retailers and venues nationwide. These include hundreds of independent book retailers; national, regional and local chains; online and multimedia entertainment retailers; university, gift, supermarket, discount department stores and newsstands.

“It’s exciting to see such a wide variety of VIZ Media titles reach this level of popularity,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales, VIZ Media. “From the irresistible bite of Rosario + Vampire to the high seas pirate adventures of One Piece to the romantic shojo hijinks of The Gentlemen’s Alliance, these titles continue to show the diversity of the manga genre and its strong appeal among readers of all ages and interests.”

Rosario + Vampire: Season II, Vol. 1
Rated “T+” (For Older Teens)
Shonen Jump Advanced
Average human teenage boy Tsukune accidentally enrolls at a boarding school for monsters — no, not jocks and popular kids, but bona fide werewolves, witches, and other unnamable monsters out of his wildest nightmares!

Yu-Gi-Oh! R, Vol. 4
Rated “T” (For Teens)
Shonen Jump
The twisted Yako Tenma has taken control of the gaming company KaibaCorp, using its high-tech dueling machines to resurrect the dead… but the original master of KaibaCorp is not happy! Kaiba, Yugi’s archrival, challenges Yako to a duel to see just who will control Japan’s biggest gaming company. Can Kaiba’s Blue-Eyes White Dragon stop Yako’s evil plan. Look for an ultra-rare Angel 07 Card inside! (Limited quantities available).

For more information on Yu-Gi-Oh! and to read free online previews of the manga, please visit ShonenJump.viz.com.

Naruto, Vol. 47
Rated “T” (For Teens)
Shonen Jump
Naruto inches ever closer to discovering the true identity of his nemesis, Pain, but is it worth it as the frustrated ninja begins to morph at last into the dreaded Nine Tails? Plus an unexpected confession reveals incredible secrets about his past as Naruto prepares for the ultimate battle with Pain. Can the chakra-challenged Naruto win when one misstep could spell disaster?

For more information on Naruto and to read free online previews of the manga, please visit Naruto.com.

The Gentlemen’s Alliance †, Vol. 11
Rated “T+” (For Older Teens)
Shojo Beat
Haine goes to Shizumasa and Takanari’s grandfather, the head of the Togu family, to ask him to release the twins from their fate. He tells her she must pass the same trial the twins went through for determining the Togu heir. Haine agrees, but little does she know that a former friend is now out for her life.

For more information on The Gentlemen’s Alliance † and to read free online previews of the manga, please visit ShojoBeat.com.

One Piece, Vol. 39
Rated “T” (For Teens)
Shonen Jump
Sanji, Usopp and Franky are on their own against the Navy as the rest of the Straw Hats hurry to catch up to the speeding Sea Train. But freeing Robin from the clutches of CP9 won’t be an easy task with a train full of enemies. And even if they do reach her, does she even want to be rescued?!

One Piece, Vol. 40
Rated “T” (For Teens)
Shonen Jump
Hankering for a fight, Luffy’s got a jump start on the battle to rescue Robin and Franky before they’re sentenced by the Navy’s court at Enies Lobby. Now that the Straw Hats and the Franky Family have banded together, the World Government is in for an epic battle. But did the Navy deceive Robin into sacrificing herself in order to trap the Straw Hats?!

One Piece, Vol. 41
Rated “T” (For Teens)
Shonen Jump
Robin and Franky have been captured by CP9 and locked in the courthouse on Enies Lobby. The Straw Hats and Franky’s crew must join forces if they want to save their friends. But before they can rescue them, they must face Spandam’s six deadly assassins. Can the two groups work together, or will CP9 finally win?

One Piece, Vol. 42
Rated “T” (For Teens)
Shonen Jump
The Straw Hats have infiltrated the Tower of Justice to save Robin, but they still need a special key to release her. One of the CP9 assassins holds the right key, but Luffy and his crew may have to defeat them all. Can the Straw Hats thwart CP9 and rescue Robin?

One Piece, Vol. 43
Rated “T” (For Teens)
Shonen Jump
Luffy has made it to the tower where Robin is being held captive, but in order to save her he must get past the deadly assassin Rob Lucci. The rest of the Straw Hats are busy fighting their own battles to find the key that will free Robin. Can the crew find the right key in time?!

For more information on One Piece and to read free online previews of the manga, please visit OnePiece.viz.com.

For more information on these titles, or others from VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.

VIZ Media Transports Readers to “Kingyo Used Books” — A Fantastic Place Where Readers Find Their Dreams in Manga

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, transports readers to an unassuming store that stocks all the manga a fan could ever desire with the release of Kingyo Used Books on April 20th. The new series, by Seimu Yoshizaki, will be published under the VIZ Signature imprint, is rated “T+” for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

In Kingyo Used Books, a businessman discovers how his childhood memories can brighten his day. An art student finds inspiration. An archer hits a surprising bull’s-eye. A housewife rediscovers romance. A teenager discovers his true self in the pages of a manga magazine. Welcome to Kingyo Used Books, a place where people find their dreams in manga…

“Kingyo Used Books is the little shop that every fan dreams of. The endearing vignettes that take place there show how peoples’ lives can be affected by books in a significant way,” says Leyla Aker, Senior Editorial Manager, VIZ Media. “Kingyo Used Books uses a variety of genres to take readers on a journey that traces the history and evolution of manga. We hope this new series will strike a chord that inspires fans to similarly revisit a cherished manga title from their own past.”

Kingyo Used Books is currently featured in Japan in IKKI magazine, home to some of the most innovative and compelling titles in the world of contemporary manga. The series is also featured at SigIKKI.com, VIZ Media’s unique online destination for edgy new manga designed for mature audiences.

Seimu Yoshizaki was born in Kanagawa, Japan. She made her manga debut with Aka–chan to Tenshi (Baby and Angel) in 1989. Aside from Kingyo Used Books, which is currently being serialized in IKKI magazine, she is the creator of many other titles, including Telekinesis (Yamanote TV Kinema Room), Ugokashiya, Kaban Toshokan and Deka Girl.

For more information on other SIGIKKI titles and to check out a sneak peek of chapter one through eight of Kingyo Used Books, please visit SigIKKI.com.