Category: Comics

The Guild at Comic-Con 2011

from The Guild:

We’re pleased to announce our schedule for 2011 San Diego Comic-Con, which will include a panel on Saturday and signings every day at our booth, #4201.  The entire cast will be in attendance and all of the schedule signings will include them.  In addition, we’ve listed the times for the Dragon Age: Redemption and Eureka panels, both of which feature Felicia Day.

Bookmark this page, we’ll update it with other Guild-related events if they are added, and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for late-breaking updates.

Wednesday, July 20
6 – 8 pm: Signing at booth #4201

Thursday, July 21
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm: PANEL, The Evolution of Web Series: The Guild to Dragon Age. Room 7AB

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Signing at booth #4201

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Signing at booth #4201

Friday, July 22
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Signing at booth #4201

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: PANEL, Eureka. Ballroom 20

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Signing at booth #4201

Saturday, July 23
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Signing at booth #4201

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Signing at booth #4201

4:00 – 5:00 pm: PANEL, The Guild. Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront

Sunday, July 24
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Signing at booth #4201

photo by The One True b!X

 

 

Dragon Age: Redemption Web Series Panel Featuring Felicia Day at Comic Con

from The Guild:

 

We’re pleased to announce a Comic-Con panel for the upcoming Dragon Age: Redemption web series on Thursday, July 21 from 11am – 12 noon in Room 7AB.

The Evolution of Web Series: The Guild to Dragon Age— Writer/actor Felicia Day (The Guild), actor Doug Jones (Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth), Dragon Age: Redemption director Peter Winther (Leverage), and Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah discuss the secrets to The Guild‘s success and what happens when you take that winning formula to the dark fantasy video game universe, Dragon Age, for the upcoming web series Redemption. Room 7AB

 

Elric: The Balance Lost #1 Debuts as Day-and-Date Release

From BOOM! Studios:

Today BOOM! Studios launches their latest epic series ELRIC: THE BALANCE LOST #1 with a historic day-and-date release of print and digital, making this new series available through your local comic shop and online exclusively through the BOOM! Studios Comics App and the Comics by comiXology App at the same time! Paired with this epic promotion, BOOM! also gives comic fans a chance to try out ELRIC absolutely free through their web browser with the ELRIC FREE ONLINE PRELUDE available at www.elriccomic.com. That’s right! Three ways to try the all-new epic series ELRIC: THE BALANCE LOST written by New York Times bestselling author Chris Roberson (iZOMBIE, SUPERMAN) and drawn by white-hot artist Francesco Biagini (DINGO) based on Michael Moorcock’s seminal fantasy creation. Pick up or download your copy today!

BOOM! Studios pioneered day-and-date releases in the comic industry back in January of 2008 with the debut of the NORTH WIND series and continued this innovative promotion with HEXED a year later. With ELRIC, BOOM! enters its third year as the cutting-edge leader of “day-and-date” release.

“We were the first to do day-and-date back in 2008 and now we’re doing it again with Elric! We’re pumped to offer ELRIC: THE BALANCE LOST in both print and digital on the same day partnered with a new website, www.elriccomic.com, that hosts an original 10-page story.  If you love Elric or are new to the character, the website will introduce you to the series and leads directly into the new issue for sale in print or digital!” says BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Chris Roberson and Francesco Biagini take Michael Moorcock’s seminal fantasy character to the next level with such an epic scope from the very first page that it’ll be hard to put down!”

“Jumping aboard an all-new comic series has never been this easy!” says BOOM! Studios Marketing & Sales Director Chip Mosher. “With so many ways to check out ELRIC: THE BALANCE LOST, you’d be crazy to not take advantage of these great promotions. And be sure to let your friends know that they too can check out the exciting prelude to the ELRIC series, absolutely free at www.elriccomic.com!”

“With ELRIC, we’re not only focusing on print and mobile devices exclusively, but getting out onto internet browsers that billions of people use every day,” says Marketing & Sales Director Chip Mosher. “While there are only 25 million iPads out in the marketplace, there are billions of potential readers that have the ability to find comic books through their internet browsers. With our ELRIC microsite at www.elriccomic.com we’ve not only included a complete prelude for free, but information on how and where to buy our comics both in print and digital — linking to both print, mobile vendors, and the lesser-known web-based option where you can buy and read through the browser as well.”

Comic fans, be sure to visit your local comic shop today to pick up your copy of ELRIC: THE BALANCE LOST #1. Not sure where there’s a comic shop near you? Visit http://www.elriccomic.com/local-comic-shop to find out! And for all you folks that love digital comics, you can download ELRIC: THE BALANCE LOST #1 from the BOOM! Studios Comics App or Comics by comiXology App today!

Created by Michael Moorcock, Elric has thrilled comic fans for more than 40 years beginning with an appearance in Marvel Comics’ CONAN THE BARBARIAN #15 in 1972. Neil Gaiman called Michael Moorcock “my model for what a writer was” while Warren Ellis said he is one of the “eight core sites in my creative genome” — now, the godfather of the Multiverse concept brings one of the most critically acclaimed and most recognizable figures in the history of fantasy fiction back to sequential art with BOOM! Studios’ ELRIC: THE BALANCE LOST!

And if you’ve never heard of ELRIC, you’re in luck! BOOM! Studios is offering the ELRIC FREE ONLINE PRELUDE for anyone to read online at www.elriccomic.com! Showcasing an original complete 10-page story not found in the first issue, along with artist bios and a brief history of Michael Moorcock’s Eternal Champion ELRIC!

ELRIC: THE BALANCE LOST features the return of Michael Moorcock’s legendary Multiverse, featuring some of the greatest fantasy characters of all time: Elric of Melniboné, Corum of the Scarlet Robe, and Dorian Hawkmoon in a brand-new story that will test the courage of the Eternal Champion! In this new series, the workings of Fate are being tampered with across the Multiverse, upsetting the Cosmic Balance. Elric of Melniboné must preserve the Balance and save the entire Multiverse from ruin. But no sooner has his journey begun than he is waylaid by dark forces and lost on the Moonbeam Roads. Elric finds himself stranded on a world where Chaos holds sway and where change is the only constant. Heroes are forced into action far and wide, but will they fight on the side of Law or Chaos?

With both the BOOM! Studios Comics App on the iOS platform and the Comics by comiXology App on iOS and Android devices, you can buy ELRIC on either your iPhone, iPad or Android device and enjoy it on that device. When you buy a comic on one of these mobile platforms, you can also enjoy reading the comic through the comics.comixology.com website. If you do not own a mobile device and want to read the comic digitally, all you have to do is go to comics.comixology.com to buy ELRIC to read on your PC or Mac through your browser. Utilizing www.elriccomic.com as an introduction and a portal gives comic book readers an easy way to enjoy the free prelude, then buy the first issue in print at their local comic shop, on their mobile device or on their browser.

In late August, comic book retailers everywhere will be able to participate in the sales of BOOM! Studios digital comics as BOOM! Studios and comiXology roll out retailer digital store fronts.

ELRIC: THE BALANCE LOST #1 debuts in print and digitally today, July 6, 2011, and is written by Chris Roberson (iZOMBIE, SUPERMAN) and drawn by Francesco Biagini (DINGO) and includes an afterword by Neil Gaiman. This title ships with A & B covers in a 50/50 split with art by Francesco Mattina and Francesco Biagini respectively, as well as a 1-in-10 incentive cover by Dennis Calero and a 1-in-25 incentive cover by Tim Bradstreet. This premiere issue can be purchased at your local comic shop, through the BOOM! Studios Comics App, Comics by comiXology App and the web at comics.comixology.com for $3.99. ELRIC: THE BALANCE LOST #1 carries a Diamond Code of MAY110918.

About BOOM! Studios
Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of bestselling comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent, including Mark Waid’s series IRREDEEMABLE, Stan Lee’s SOLDIER ZERO, THE TRAVELER, and STARBORN (the first new series in print from the industry icon in 20 years), new HELLRAISER comics written by Clive Barker as well as 20th Century Fox’s PLANET OF THE APES, 28 DAYS LATER, and DIE HARD, Philip K. Dick’s DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, and The Henson Company’s FARSCAPE. BOOM!’s recently rebranded all-ages imprint, KABOOM! will see publication of PEANUTS, SPACE WARPED, Roger Langridge’s SNARKED, Scholastic’s WORDGIRL and as well as continuing to publish fan-favorite Disney Afternoon series DARKWING DUCK, CHIP ‘N’ DALE RESCUE RANGERS, DUCKTALES along with Disney standards MICKEY MOUSE, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE, and WALT DISNEY’S COMICS AND STORIES.

 

ARCANA COMICS now available for the iPad and iPhone

From Arcana Comics:

Arcana Studios, an award winning comic book publisher and transmedia producer, is excited to announce that an app is now available, showcasing all of the amazing books Arcana has to offer.

Joining in with the digital revolution, Arcana Studios has been looking for the best way to offer their readers access to their substantial library of over 150 comic book titles on smart devices. Using the comiXology platform, Arcana has developed an app bringing their books into the hands of the masses. Available now as a free download for the iPad and iPhone, Arcana’s app will allow readers to download any of a large number of books for some of the most competitive prices in the industry. The app features a number of free comics available for download and other titles are $5.99 each. The majority of these downloads are full length graphic novels! View screen shots of the app and download a free copy at http://appshopper.com/books/arcana-comics.
About Arcana Studios:

Since 2004 Arcana Studios has established itself as an innovative leader in developing content in numerous mediums. Arcana owns one of the world’s largest libraries of graphic novels and comics, and has adapted this library into live action feature films, stereoscopic 3D animated features, episodic television series and toys. Arcana focuses on a transmedia approach to the scaffolding process of developing brands and intellectual properties.

Arcana’s primary method for establishing new brands has been through comic book publishing since their inception, Arcana Comics has published over 150 original intellectual properties in nearly 200 graphic novels reaching sales of over 2,000,000 units. Arcana is found on 15 different countries and translated into seven languages across the globe. Winning the Shuster Award for Top Publisher, the Moonbeam Award for Top Children’s Graphic Novel, Foreward Magazine’s Top Graphic Novel at Book Expo America, BIV’s Top 40 Under 40 Award and the Top 40 Under 40 in Canada are just a few of the accolades that Arcana has achieved. Arcana has also been awarded the Digital Readiness Grant from BCFilm, a development fund from Telefilm, the Digital Springboard Program from NMBCA, the CME’s Top Export Award and BIV’s Top Fastest Growing Companies Award.

Each graphic novel showcases the high quality branded entertainment that contains over 5000 characters. These characters and storyworlds transcend gender, age, cultural and geographic boundaries. Arcana’s focus towards new media platforms has kept it ahead of the industry’s curve providing customer choice for distribution and format of content.

Our History:

Completing our debut title Kade, we had great success with the gothic hero and began to see the potential we had uncovered. Ant was Arcana’s follow-up title and completely sold out in less than 9 days, an unprecedented feat for an independent publisher. Ezra and 100 Girls went on to be featured as one of the top 12 books of the year in Wizard’s Secret Stash. Arcana Studio is an official Disney vendor, and has been hired by Disney, Sony Animation, Spike TV, MTV, HBO, CAPCOM, NBC, Warner Bros, Mattel, American Girl, the National Hockey League, Harley Davidson, THQ and more to establish new worlds, characters, stories and brands.

Arcana is a transmedia company that has aggressively pursued establishing brands through engaging storytelling and compelling art. With a strong foothold in the print publishing world, Arcana continues to be a premier content provider. Arcana owns one of the world’s largest libraries of graphic novels and comics, and has adapted this library into live action feature films, stereoscopic 3D animated features, episodic television series and toys.

Arcana Studio Inc. remains independent of major entertainment studio affiliation. Arcana Studio is currently in production of the stereoscopic 3D animated feature, The Clockwork Girl. Arcana is also partnered with Gale Ann Hurd (“Terminator”, “Aliens”) on Gearhead, Alexandra Milchan (Sylvestor Stallone’s “Head Shot”) on Blade of Kumori, Hans Rodinoff and Hollywood Media Bridge (“Lost Boys: The Tribe”) on Raise Kane, Scott Milam (“Mother’s Day”) on Gauze, Ben Magid (“Hack/Slash”) on Trout, Jar Productions (“Hidden Howie”) on Philosopher Rex, Terry Dougas (“The Invention of Lying”) on The Tower, Doc Wyatt (“Napoleon Dynamite”) on 100 Girls, JC Spink (“The Hangover”) on Continuum, Adrian Askarieh (“The Hitman”) on Amnesia and also is producing a three slate at Codeblack/Universal for Light’s Out, Ant and Blam!

Summertime MANGA Reading Heats Up With New July VIZ MANGA App Updates

from VIZ:

VIZ Media delivers more summer manga reading fun as it announces the debut of four new manga (graphic novel) series that join the extensive library of VIZ MANGA APP titles currently available for digital download for the Apple iPadT, iPhoneT and iPodT Touch.

Launching during the first-half of July will be Shunju Aono’s slacker-inspired I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL TOMORROW, as well as GRAND GUIGNOL ORCHESTRA, creator Kaori Yuki’s twisted tale of horror and tortured romance.  The newest round of updates also features the debut of the VIZBIG omnibus version of Rumiko Takahashi’s classic supernatural adventure, INUYASHA. After shopping, also enter to win a $50 iTunes gift card by taking the VIZ Manga App survey, running through the end of August.

The VIZ MANGA APP is now available for free for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices through the iTunesR Store, and all manga volumes are generally available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada from within the application for only $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) per volume.

I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL TOMORROW Vol. 1 . Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens . Available July 4th

Created by Shunju Aono, I’LL GIVE MY ALL TOMORROW is the story of a hapless forty year-old salaryman who quits his job to pursue his dream of becoming a manga artist – and the family that has to put up with him. While not terribly unhappy, Shizuo Oguro can’t fight the feeling that something in his life just isn’t right, so he walks away from his stable (yet boring) day job to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Unfortunately for his family, this journey also involves playing video games all day while his teenage daughter and elderly father support him. Will Shizuo succeed in creating a true manga masterpiece, or will he be just another dropout living a life of slack?

INUYASHA VIZBIG Vol. 1 . Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens . Available July. iPad Exclusive!

Kagome is an ordinary modern schoolgirl living an ordinary life. Who would have thought the dried-up old well on the site of her family’s shrine would be a gateway to Japan’s ancient past? Drawn through the gate against her will, Kagome finds herself battling demons for control of what she thought was a worthless trinket but is actually a powerful magical gem, the Shikon Jewel! Together with an unlikely ally, the half demon Inuyasha, Kagome begins a quest to recover the shards of the Shikon Jewel and learn more about her link to the past.

GRAND GUIGNOL ORCHESTRA Vol. 1 . Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens . Available July 11th

GRAND GUIGNOL ORCHESTRA is the latest series from gothic manga queen Kaori  Yuki. Lucille loves heading up the traveling Grand Orchestra, roving from town to town, entertaining the masses and making money. But now the musicians have met their toughest audience yet: people infected with the Guignol Virus, turning them into zombie dolls intent on killing all humans!

Additional new VIZ Media manga volumes launching include:

June 4th:

  • BLACK BIRD Vol. 7
  • BLEACH Vol. 18
  • CLAYMORE Vol. 13
  • DENGEKI DAISY Vol. 2
  • D. GRAY MAN Vol. 14
  • DRAGON BALL Z Vol. 16
  • HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES Vol. 3
  • NARUTO Vol. 33
  • ONE PIECE Vol. 33

June 11th:

  • DRAGON BALL Z Vol. 17
  • FUSHIGI YUGI: GENBU KAIDEN Vol. 4
  • HYDE & CLOSER Vol. 3
  • KEKKAISHI Vol. 8
  • NARUTO Vol. 34
  • ONE PIECE Vol. 34
  • ROSARIO + VAMPIRE Vol. 10
  • RUROUNI KENSHIN Vol. 17
  • THE STORY OF SAIUNKOKU Vol. 3

The VIZ MANGA APP is the leading application to read Japanese manga on the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, with an extensive downloadable library of the most popular manga series in the world. The app now offers nearly 300 volumes available for download. Readers should check the app regularly, as new additions to the store and free Chapter 1 previews of other forthcoming manga series are featured.

For more information on the VIZ MANGA APP, please visit www.VIZ.com/apps/.

Viz Premiers Cliffhanger Series Finale of NEURO: SUPERNATURAL DETECTIVE

from Viz:

VIZ Media has announced that the exciting concluding episode of the anime series NEURO: SUPERNATURAL DETECTIVE will stream beginning Friday, July 1st on VIZAnime.com (www.VIZAnime.com), the company’s own premier website for free anime, as well as the streaming content provider HULU (www.Hulu.com).

NEURO: SUPERNATURAL DETECTIVE (rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences) is based on a popular manga (graphic novel) series created by Yusei Matsui, and was produced by the famed animation studio, MADHOUSE. The series depicts the adventures of Neuro Nogami, a demon that feeds on unsolved criminal mysteries and riddles of the human world. In order to protect his identity, he forms a secret partnership with Yako, an incisive 16-year-old high school girl. This unlikely crime-solving duo devours one mystery after another in search of the ultimate appetizing mystery!

In the series’ final episode, Neuro’s demon powers do not work inside the ruins, and he is near-death as monstrous Sai the Thief impales him. Yako stops Sai as he is about to end Neuro’s life, and she gets to the bottom of all the unsolved mysteries. She also figures out who killed her father, why Laritta seems to have seen Selene, and who Selene truly is. Yako even unravels details of Sai’s birth and his innermost thoughts. Sai is taken aback, but that won’t stop him from trying to kill Neuro!

VIZAnime.com is a free-to-use web destination that is now the permanent home to some of the company’s best-loved animated series. Over 1,700 episodes are currently available, and new content is added on a weekly basis. Series currently simulcast on VIZAnime.com include TIGER & BUNNY, BLUE EXORCIST, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN and BLEACH. Other fan-favorite series available include CROSS GAME, DEATH NOTE, FULL MOON, INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT, KEKKAISHI, NAOKI URASAWA’S MONSTER, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, ONE PIECE, VAMPIRE KNIGHT, and more!

For more information on NEURO: SUPERNATURAL DETECTIVE and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit www.VIZAnime.com.

A Sentient Fighter Plane Faces its Most Dangerous Mission in GOOD LUCK, YUKIKAZE, New from Viz Media’s Haikasoru Imprint

from Viz:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, brings the next chapter of author Ch?hei Kambayashi’s YUKIKAZE space war saga to North American readers with the publication of GOOD LUCK, YUKIKAZE, by the company’s Haikasoru imprint, on July 19th. The new novel will carry an MSRP of $15.99 / $18.99 CAN. The digital book edition will also be available simultaneously.

Haikasoru publishes some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences. The imprint is the first to launch in North America with a dedicated focus on Japanese science fiction.

In GOOD LUCK, YUKIKAZE, the alien JAM have been at war with humanity for over thirty years…or have they? Rei Fukai of the FAF’s Special Air Force and his sentient plane Yukikaze have seen endless battles, but after declaring “Humans are unnecessary now,” and forcibly ejecting Fukai, Yukikaze is on her own. Is the target of the JAM’s hostility really Earth’s machines? And have the artificial intelligences of Earth been acting in concert with the JAM to manipulate Yukikaze? As Rei tries to ascertain the truth behind the intentions of both sides, he realizes that his own humanity may be at risk, and that the JAM are finally about to make themselves known to the world at large.

“Ch?hei Kambayashi’s philosophical approach to military science fiction is extremely methodical–he tangles with the alien mind, the human personality, the impact of the social world on the individual, and even questions of theology,” says Nick Mamatas, Haikasoru’s Editor. “The YUKIKAZE series also has plenty of aerial assaults and frightening set pieces as well. The books were national bestsellers in Japan, where the book series spawned two popular anime series. Ch?hei Kambayashi has been called the Philip K. Dick of Japanese science fiction. Come discover why!”

Author Ch?hei Kambayashi was born in 1953. In 1979 he won the 5th Hayakawa Science Fiction contest with his debut work, Dance with a Fox. He followed that with his first novel, May Peace Be on Your Soul. His numerous long and short series have won him the prestigious Seiun Award four times, and in 1999 he also won the 16th Japan SF award.

For more information on GOOD LUCK, YUKIKAZE and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit the dedicated website at www.haikasoru.com.

HARPER COLLINS to release new printing of THE CLOCKWORK GIRL

From Arcana Comics:

Arcana Studios, an award winning comic book publisher and transmedia producer, is proud to announce that Harper Collins is to release a new printing of THE CLOCKWORK GIRL, the amazing creation of Sean Patrick O’Reilly and Kevin Hanna, this July.

Long out of print, THE CLOCKWORK GIRL, was originally released in five illustrated stories and sold more than 340,000 copies worldwide. The full story of THE CLOCKWORK GIRL (Harper Design//On Sale:July 12, 2011//ISBN:9780062080394) comes to life again in this beautifully illustrated graphic novel with a new forward from the original authors, Sean Patrick O’Reilly and Kevin Hanna, along with playful, full-page pin-ups of the characters.

The story takes place in a whimsical land far, far away where inventors compete to show off their latest trinkets and inventions at the local fair. A mad scientist, determined to win the top prize at the fair, creates a robot Clockwork Girl. Against all odds, she finds love and companionship in Huxley, the amazing mutant circus boy. Despite the threats of their warring families, they begin to explore the world together and discover what it means to be human—to move, to think, and ultimately, to love.

THE CLOCKWORK GIRL has won the Moonbeam Award, as well as the Graphic Novel of the Year Award at Book Expo America by ForeWord magazine.

This fall, THE CLOCKWORK GIRL will be released a a 3-D luximation animated film, voiced by a “dream team” of talents, including Carrie Ann Moss (Matrix), Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development), Alexa Vega (Spy Kids), Jesse McCartney (Horton Hears a Who) and Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond). An exciting sneak peek teaser is available online at http://www.theclockworkgirl.com.

About Arcana Studios:
Arcana Studio Inc. is an entertainment company with over 150 graphic novels and remains independent of major entertainment studio affiliation. Arcana Studio is currently in production of the stereoscopic 3D animated feature, The Clockwork Girl. Arcana is also partnered with Gale Ann Hurd (“Terminator”, “Aliens”) on Gearhead, Alexandra Milchan (Sylvestor Stallone’s “Head Shot”) on Blade of Kumori, Hans Rodinoff and Hollywood Media Bridge (“Lost Boys: The Tribe”) on Raise Kane, Scott Milam (“Mother’s Day”) on Gauze, Ben Magid (“Hack/Slash”) on Trout, Jar Productions (“Hidden Howie”) on Philosopher Rex, Terry Dougas (“The Invention of Lying”) on The Tower, Doc Wyatt (“Napoleon Dynamite”) on 100 Girls, JC Spink (“The Hangover”) on Continuum, Adrian Askarieh (“The Hitman”) on Amnesia and also is producing a three slate at Codeblack/Universal for Light’s Out, Ant and Blam!

Viz Media Debuts a Snapshot of Life in LA QUINTA CAMERA Manga Series

From Viz:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will delight fans and readers with the release of Natsume Ono’s single-volume manga (graphic novel), LA QUINTA CAMERA, on July 19th. The title is highly anticipated as accolades for Ono’s works continues to grow across North America. LA QUINTA CAMERA will be published under VIZ Media’s Signature imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN.

LA QUINTA CAMERA revolves around the tenants of an apartment in Italy. In four of the rooms live four single men with singular personalities. Into this peculiar ménage steps an exchange student, the new tenant of the fifth room. Brought together by chance, friends by choice, they pursue their dreams together as the days drift gently by.

“Natsume Ono first drew acclaim in Japan in 2003 with LA QUINTA CAMERA, which marked her professional debut,” says Amy Yu, Editor. “Ono thrilled North American audiences with her recent live appearances in New York City and also at the 2011 Toronto Comics Art Festival, and her fame continues to grow among domestic readers. LA QUINTA CAMERA wonderfully exhibits Ono’s unconventional artistic style and skillful storytelling abilities, and we hope that her fan base will expand even more with the release of this inspiring manga.”

Natsume Ono’s work is characterized by a minimalist yet sensual art style and composed psychological portraits that explore the relationships and dramas of everyday life. Ono made her professional debut in 2003, and her subsequent works including not simple, RISTORANTE PARADISO, GENTE and HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES (all published under VIZ Media’s Signature imprint) have pushed the manga genre in intriguing new directions. RISTORANTE PARADISO and HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES have also been adapted into animated TV series.

Ono’s HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES, a many-sided tale of drama and intrigue set in the world of old Edo, was also recently nominated for a 2011 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material – Asia.

For more information on Natsume Ono or to check out other VIZ Signature titles, please visitwww.SigIKKI.com.

 

VIZ Media to Premiere the Tense High-Speed Action of New Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Manga Series

From VIZ:

High Stakes, High Drama And High Speed Turbo Duels Await Readers In TheLatest Saga Of Classic Fantasy Action Franchise

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largestdistributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will releasethe next exciting chapter of the venerable YU-GI-OH! franchise as thecompany launches the brand new YU-GI-OH! 5D’S manga (graphic novel) serieson July 5th.

The new series, written by Masahiro Hikokubo with artwork created by MasashiSato, will be published under the company’s popular Shonen Jump imprint, israted ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.First editions of the premiere volume will also include a special YU-GI-OH!Dark Highlander collectible trading card.

In New Domino City, the hottest game in town is the Turbo Duel, fought fromblazingly fast motorcycles called Duel Runners. On the outskirts of NewDomino City, in a district known as Satellite, a new Turbo Duel hero emerges- Yusei Fudo! On his custom-built Duel Runner, Yusei takes on allchallengers, fighting for his friends and the future of Satellite!  In theopening volume of the new YU-GI-OH! 5D’S series, a high-speed Turbo Duelthrough the streets of Satellite brings Yusei Fudo and his friend Sectface-to-face with an urban legend incarnate! Will Yusei lose Sect to theSkeleton Knight? And what sinister plans does Jack Atlas, master of NewDomino City, have in store for Yusei?

“High stakes, high drama and tense high-speed action await readers in thenew YU-GI-OH! 5D’S manga adventure,” says Mike Montesa, Editor. “InYU-GI-OH! 5D’S, the classic card game of dueling monsters has evolved tonow include ‘turbo duels’ waged in giant stadiums on fantastic racingmotorcycles outfitted with built-in magical dueling equipment. ExistingYU-GI-OH! fans won’t want to miss the launch of this exciting new series,which is also an ideal entry point for readers that are new to the YU-GI-OH!world. We can’t wait for the series launch this July!”

Masahiro Hikokubo is a writer with extensive experience on several notableYU-GI-OH! animated series, having worked on the original YU-GI-OH! animeseries as a duel designer before going on to write scripts for YU-GI-OH! GX,YU-GI-OH! The Movie: Pyramid of Light, as well as the latest YU-GI-OH! 5D’S.

Masashi Sato debuted as a manga artist in Akamaru Jump in the summer of 2004with the short story, Mikakushi Tsumuji. He was also named a semi-finalistfor the 64th Tezuka Award for his work, Guhou Daichi. After working as anassistant to the YU-GI-OH! manga creative team, Sato became the lead artiston YU-GI-OH! 5D’S.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one ofthe most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga(graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing ofJapanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensorsof manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., andShogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in thepublishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiencesin North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is aglobal ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offersan integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthologySHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets,licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumersof all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133;Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and website at www.VIZ.com.

RiffTrax’s Riff of “X-Men: The Last Stand” is Coming Out Next Week!

from RiffTrax:

For some reason, San Francisco has become the go-to location for hack directors to set their abysmal movies. The mere sight of the Golden Gate Bridge or Lombard Street are enough to trigger unpleasant memories of Tommy Wiseau’s ass. And as if to prove that the city’s unique charms were no fluke, James Ngyuen broke out the coat hangers and did him one better with Birdemic.

But we venture to say that with X-Men: The Last Stand, director Brett Ratner has outdone both of those movies in terms of resources squandered and the resulting tonnage of raw suckitude.

For while The Room gave us endless catchphrases, breast cancer scares and Chris-R, and Birdemic delighted us with Hangin’ Out With My Family, bark beetles and solrpnls, X-Men 3 only offers up the ridiculous sight of Kelsey Grammer in bright blue fur as a means of easing the pain of cliché ridden dialogue, disinterested performances and Vinnie Jones.

Mike, Kevin and Bill were extremely disappointed to learn that X-Men:The Last Stand even lies with its name, as the franchise continues to stand to this day, despite repeated requests at ever escalating volumes to please, PLEASE, in the name of all that is holy, take a seat!

Only $3.99!

Get more info here.