Category: Comics

Sue, Per Hero – Know Your Comics Law

from GeekChicDaily:

Marvel Comics made a name for themselves featuring heroes with “real-life” problems, but we’re sometimes skeptical. Oh, sure: Peter Parker has dating woes, and Iron Man’s a souse. But are these really the biggest issues such characters would face? Where are all the lawsuits over property destruction? The civil rights acts that protect mutants? Does Superman qualify as an illegal alien, and if so, how would you deport him?

Thankfully, we have the work of James Daily and Ryan Davidson to help us out. Both are actual lawyers, and yes, they spend their free time thinking about issues like these at their blog, Law and the Multiverse.

Watchmen and The Incredibles envisioned scenarios wherein superheroes were simply banned, but it’s hard to imagine those heroes wouldn’t take advantage of all the law has to offer and countersue in the face of such discrimination. Either way, it’s going to be a tough court battle if the defendants can utilize telepathy, shape-shifting, and all that good stuff. In the end, we gotta think these cases would probably come down on the heroes’ side. President Obama has been seen palling around with the likes of Spider-Man and Youngblood. When the chips are down, we imagine he might step in with an executive order or two.

For now, Law and the Multiverse is for entertainment purposes only… but if you’re ever bitten by a radioactive spider due to lab-tech negligence, you might want to drop Misters Daily and Davidson a line.

Power Rings: DC-inspired Jewelry

from GeekChicDaily:

Didn’t get your girlfriend the jewelry she wanted for the holidays? Good news. We’ve got a chance for you to redeem yourself and serve your own selfish desires, all at the same time!

nOir Jewelry’s geek-friendly line of rings, necklaces and bracelets is inspired by the funny books’ fiercest females. Some pieces are straight interpretations, like the Supergirl and Wonder Woman rings.

We’re partial to the items that are a little more abstract. But be aware; sometimes beauty and danger are the same thing. Giving your lady the bejeweled Catwoman claw? You might not want to give it as a make-up gift unless you’re sure the fight has been resolved. If your geek-girl’s okay with going a little over the top, she might dig the Gotham City ring, which evokes both an air of high fashion and the ability to poke the eye out of a mugger’s head.

Admittedly, it’s not exactly like taking your lady to the mall to pick out some heavy ice. It’s more like taking her to Hal Jordan’s hq to choose a power ring. But you never know. If she likes superhero bling, you just might be able to convince her she’d like a superhero costume of her own, too. Which means you could end up with your very own cosplay Star Sapphire in the near future. Think, dude. Isn’t she worth it?

Vork One-Shot Comic & Vote for “The Guild”

from The Guild:

Today sees the release of the one-shot comic Vork from Dark Horse Comics, the continuation of the comic book series set in the time period before the events of Season One of The Guild. From Dark Horse:

As leader of the Knights of Good, Vork rules with an iron spreadsheet. Having devoted his life to gaming and the pursuit of Goodness, he’s earned the nickname “Goody–Two–Greaves” within the game world, but there’s more to Vork than his guild knows. Written by Felicia Day and Vork himself — actor Jeff Lewis — this hilarious one-shot delves into the man behind the rule book!

As previously announced by Dark Horse, The Guild comics will continue with a one-shot for each of the remaining Guild characters. The Vork comic can be found in your local comic shop, find a shop at ComicShopLocator.com or by calling 1-888-ComicBook, and is available online from Things from Another World and other online retailers. Coming a day after the release of Season 4 to DVD and iTunes (see yesterday’s blog entry) and recent release of The Guild trade paperback/graphic novel, it’s a very Guildie Holiday for us as for the first time, we have some great brand new merchandise out for the holidays.

In other, holiday/end-of-year news, we’d love it if you voted for The Guild for Clicker’s Best of 2010, the show is in the category Best Web Comedy (Serial). There’s no registration required, and please take a look at the many other web series listed there — we’re betting you’ll discover some new ones that would love for you to check them out.

The Guild graphic novel has been nominated by fans for a Goodreads Choice Award in the graphic novel category, and we’d love your votes for the book there (NOTE: you need to sign in to Goodreads to vote, but creating an account doesn’t take too long). If you don’t know Goodreads, it’s a social networking site built around books and reading. You can vote for The Guild here, and be sure to friend and follow Felicia, who’s a very active Goodreads member.

An Epic Adventure Reaches Its Climax in “Shaman King” Manga Finale, New from VIZ Media in January

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media unleashes the final volume of Hiroyuki Takei’s Shaman King as the long-running manga (graphic novel) series reaches a grand climax. The concluding installment, Volume 32, (rated “T” for Teens; MSRP: U.S. $9.99 / $12.99 CAN) hits nationwide on January 4th, 2011.

Yoh Asakura has spent years training for the Shaman Fight, an epic tournament to determine who will become the Shaman King and shape humanity’s future. Unfortunately for Yoh, every shaman in the world is also vying for the same prize.

To most people, ghosts are the stuff of horror stories and nightmares. But to Yoh Asakura, a transfer student at Shinra Private Junior High, they’re his friends! Yoh Asakura is a shaman, one of the gifted few who can speak to spirits by channeling ghosts into his body — like the long-dead samurai Amidamaru. He can also allow them to possess him and use their powers. But a modern-day shaman faces great responsibilities, because spirits — and the people who work with them — can be very dangerous indeed. In the series’ grand finale, A Song Someday, Yoh and his gang finally reach the end of the line after all these years and all the hard work. Who will be crowned the next Shaman King, and who will go home in defeat?

Unconventional author/artist Hiroyuki Takei began his career by winning the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize. After working as an assistant to famed artist Nobuhiro Watsuki (Rurouni Kenshin, published by VIZ Media), Takei debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997 with Butsu Zone, an action series based on Buddhist mythology. His multicultural adventure manga Shaman King, which debuted in 1998, became a hit and was adapted into an anime TV series. His new series Ultimo (also published by VIZ Media), a historic collaboration with comics legend Stan Lee (co-creator of many iconic superheroes including Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men), is currently being serialized in the U.S. in Shonen Jump. Takei lists Osamu Tezuka, American comics and robot anime among his many key influences.

VIZ Media Announces the Season Finale of the Online Adventure “Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan”, and the Manga Debut in February

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media has announced that the season one finale of the online streaming anime hit series Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan will conclude on VIZAnime.com, the company’s premier website for anime, on December 27, 2010. Also announced is the manga (graphic novel) version of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, which the anime is based upon. Created by Hiroshi Shiibashi, Vol. 1 will have its North American debut under the Shonen Jump imprint on February 1st 2011, is rated “T” for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

While the day belongs to humans, the night belongs to yokai, supernatural creatures that thrive on human fear. Caught between these worlds is Rikuo Nura. He’s three-quarters human, but his grandfather is none other than Nurarihyon, the supreme commander of the Nura clan, a powerful yokai consortium. So, Rikuo is an ordinary teenager three quarters of the time, until his yokai blood awakens. Then he transforms into the future leader of the Nura clan, leading a hundred demons.

Hiroshi Shiibashi debuted in Japan in Business Jump magazine with the series, Aratama. Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan is his breakout hit. He also worked as an assistant to manga artist, Hirohiko Araki, the creator of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (also published in North America by VIZ Media).

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 1,100 episodes are currently available, and new content is added on a weekly basis. Series currently featured on VIZAnime.com include Bleach, Buso Renkin, Death Note, Honey and Clover, Hikaru no Go, InuYasha, InuYasha: The Final Act, Kekkaishi, Nana, Naruto, Naruto: Shippuden, One Piece and The Prince of Tennis.

To view subtitled Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan animated episodes (rated “T” for Teens) and other VIZ Media animated titles, please visit VIZAnime.com.

For more information on Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan and other Shonen Jump manga titles, please visit ShonenJump.com.

“Vampire Knight”, “Otomen”, “Ouran High School Host Club” and “Rurouni Kenshin” Join Lineup of Legendary Manga Series Available

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media announces the launch of Vampire Knight (rated “T+” for Older Teens), Ouran High School Host Club (rated “T” for Teens), Otomen (rated “T” for Teens), and Rurouni Kenshin (rated “T+” for Older Teens), available now from the VIZ Manga App on the Apple iPad mobile device. The VIZ Manga App is available for free download through the iTunes Store, and all manga volumes are available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada directly within the application for $4.99 per volume.

The recently launched VIZ Manga App is the leading application to read Japanese manga on the iPad, with a downloadable library of the most popular manga series in the world. Readers are encouraged to check the app regularly, as new additions to the store and free Chapter 1 previews of other forthcoming manga series for the iPad are featured.

Other series now available for download on the VIZ Manga App include volumes from Bleach (rated “T” for Teens), Bakuman (rated “T” for Teens), Death Note (rated “T+” for Older Teens), Dragon Ball (rated “T” for Teens), Naruto (rated “T” for Teens), and One Piece (rated “T” for Teens).

In Otomen, a romantic comedy by creator Aya Kanno, Asuka Masamune is a guy who loves girly things — sewing, knitting, making cute stuffed animals and reading shojo comics. But in a world where boys are expected to act manly, Asuka must hide his beloved hobbies and play the part of a masculine jock instead. Can Asuka ever show his true self to anyone, much less to Ryo Miyakozuka, the girl that he’s falling for?

In the screwball romantic comedy Ouran High School Host Club by Bisco Hatori, Haruhi, a poor girl at a rich kids’ school, is forced to repay an $80,000 debt by working for the school’s swankiest, all-male club — as a boy! There, she discovers just how wealthy the six members are and how different the rich are from everybody else…

Action, romance, and historical intrigue help make Nobuhiro Watsuki’s Rurouni Kenshin, the tale of a wandering swordsman set against the backdrop of the Meiji Restoration, one of the most popular Shonen Jump titles among fans to date! Himura Kenshin, once an assassin of ferocious power, is now a humble rurouni, a wandering swordsman fighting to protect the honor of those in need.

In fan favorite hit Vampire Knight, by Matsuri Hino, Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorm, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy’s dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires!

For more information on the VIZ Manga App, please visit VIZ.com/apps.

VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump Magazine Evolves for 2011

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, announces the relaunch of its popular Shonen Jump monthly manga (graphic novel) magazine, and also grows the publication’s online presence. Beginning with the January 2011 issue, available now from retailers, Shonen Jump magazine welcomes the new decade with a fresh, contemporary look, and expanded print and web content.

As part of this upgrade, the magazine also launches several new subscriber-only initiatives on the Shonen Jump website at: ShonenJump.com. Among these features will be digital subscriber-only premiums and content, as well as the debut of a brand new manga series, Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan (rated “T” for Teens) that will be serialized online. This will be Shonen Jump’s first title to be serialized digitally on ShonenJump.com.

For its print counterpart, Shonen Jump, which continues to be the best-selling manga anthology in North America, debuts 2 new series — the science fiction thriller, Psyren, and fan favorite Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s. As a special treat to both current and new readers, the January 2011 issue will also include a free Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card, The Winged Dragon of Ra, printed with the autograph of original Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi. These titles join other current monthly Shonen Jump series, Bleach, Naruto and One Piece.

Manga previews are a cornerstone of Shonen Jump coverage and this will continue with newly expanded sneak peeks, both online and in print, starting with massive online manga previews of popular series Toriko and Bakuman. VIZ Media also plans to deliver plenty of fan appreciation throughout 2011 with a variety of contests, sweepstakes and inside information about the exciting and ever-changing world of manga and anime.

“Paying careful attention to all the input from our loyal fans, the Shonen Jump team has revamped the magazine, keeping what devotees already know and love and adding in more awesome stuff than before!” says Christopher Boily, Editor-in-Chief. “The world of media and comics is changing and we’re excited to explore the opportunities that now exist for the magazine and our manga. New series like Nura and Psyren will fit in right alongside Naruto and Bleach to create the best manga mix we’ve ever had, both in print and online. And the new look and feel of the magazine is exactly what our fans have been asking us for!”

For more information on Shonen Jump Magazine and other Shonen Jump titles, please visit ShonenJump.com.

Action-Packed “Gantz” Hits Big Screens Nationwide in One-Night World Premiere

from VIZ Media:

Gantz, a live-action Japanese feature event, is making its world premiere in 325 movie theaters in an exclusive one-night Fathom event on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:30 p.m. PT (tape delayed). Following the feature, Gantz’s two leading actors, Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City) will participate in an exclusive live interview that can only be seen at this event.

Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit the web site (theaters and participants are subject to change).

Presented by NCM Fathom and NEW PEOPLE, in association with Dark Horse Comics, Gantz (English dubbed) tells the story of childhood friends Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato who are accidentally killed while trying to save another man’s life. Rather than find themselves in the hereafter, however, they awaken in a strange apartment in which they find a mysterious black orb they come to know as “Gantz.” Along with similar abductees, they are provided with equipment and weaponry and manipulated into playing a kind of game in which they are sent back out to the greater world to do battle with alien beings, all while never quite knowing whether this game is an illusion or their new reality.

Ninomiya and Matsuyama are two of Japan’s biggest stars. Ninomiya, best known in America for his role in Clint Eastwood’s 2006 blockbuster, Letters from Iwo Jima, is both an actor and a singer. He is world-renowned as a member of the Japanese boy band “Arashi,” which topped Japan’s music charts in 2009 with the three best-selling singles. Matsuyama has been one of the most sought-after actors in Japanese film and has won several awards including Japanese Academy Awards Best New Actor (2007) and Most Popular Actor (2009). Matsuyama is recognized for his part as L in Death Note (2006), Death Note II: the Last Name (2006) and Death Note: L, change the WorLd (2008).

“Gantz is the kind of kinetic action film that pushes the boundaries of the sci-fi genre,” said Seiji Horibuchi, founder of NEW PEOPLE. “We’re very excited to work with NCM Fathom and Dark Horse Comics to organize this special event and look forward to the property’s domestic popularity growing even more following this new release.”

Gantz will appear in 325 theaters, including AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark USA Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Cobb Theatres, Goodrich Quality Theatres, Hollywood Theaters, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements, Rave Motion Pictures, R/C Theatres and Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, as well as The Beacon Cinema (Pittsfield, MA), The Carolina Theatre (Asheville, NC) and Palace Cinema 9 (South Burlington, VT), through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network — North America’s largest cinema broadcast network.

“Gantz offers a thrilling world that nobody has ever seen in live-action,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. “Incredibly popular in Japan as well as among American manga and anime enthusiasts, this new Gantz rendition is sure to thrill audiences in local movie theaters around the country.”

VIZ Media Releases Divine Romantic Comedy “Kamisama Kiss”

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will release the shojo manga (graphic novels for female readers) romantic comedy, Kamisama Kiss, on December 7th. The new series, created by Julietta Suzuki, will be published under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint, is rated “T” for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a mysterious man she’s just saved from a dog attack offers her his home, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his place is a shrine, and Nanami has unwittingly taken over his job as a local deity!

“Plenty of surprises are in store for Nanami as she adjusts to life at the shrine, taking on new responsibilities and facing a whole range of hidden dangers that she doesn’t fully understand yet,” says Pancha Diaz, Editor. “A kiss on the forehead might have bestowed the land-god mark on Nanami, but she will have a lot to learn as she faces a bratty sky god, a mysterious swamp deity, and a strange, cute boy who might have supernatural powers of his own!”

Julietta Suzuki’s debut manga The Day One Becomes a Star appeared in Hana to Yume Plus magazine in 2004. Her other published works include The Devil and Sweets, Karakuri Odette, and Kamisama Kiss, which is currently featured in Hana to Yume.

For more information on Kamisama Kiss, or other shojo titles from VIZ Media, please visit ShojoBeat.com.

It’s a Fun-Filled Celebration for the Whole Family! Kids Comics L.A. Event at Meltdown Comics December 4, 2010

from BOOM! Studios:

Join BOOM! Studios and Meltdown Comics as they celebrate Kid’s Comics L.A., a day of comics, creativity and fun for the whole family, Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 1-3pm!

Kids Comics L.A., gives an opportunity for kids to meet with talented all-ages comic creators and learn learn how to create their own comic books! Two unique comic seminars will help budding creators understand the basics of comics creating. These seminars are open to all attendees giving families the opportunity to to learn together!

Don’t miss your chance to hang out and learn comics creating from Darkwing Duck & Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers writer Ian Brill, Fraggle Rock writer Sam Humphries, Penguins of Madagascar’s David Server & Jackson Lanzing and Reed Gunther’s Shane & Chris Houghton.

This is an all ages event, open to the public and absolutely free. So if you have a budding artist or writer in your household or are a kid at heart come down to Meltdown Comics for Kids Comics L.A.!

What: Kids Comics L.A.

Where: Meltdown Comics & Collectibles
7522 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046

Who’s in Attendance:
Ian Brill (Darkwing Duck & Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, BOOM! Studios, BOOM Kids!)
Sam Humphries (Fraggle Rock, Archaia)
David Server & Jackson Lanzing (Penguins of Madagascar, Ape Entertainment)
Shane & Chris Houghton (Reed Gunther, Independent)

Anything else?: Dine on Los Angeles’ own famous GRILLED CHEESE TRUCK on hand all day to feed comics lovers of all ages!

Wonderdog, Inc.

Wonderdog, Inc.

Arcana Studios (the studio behind the critically acclaimed The Clockwork Girl and Paradox, both of which are in various stages of production to feature films) has a new addition to their action adventure comics. Wonderdog, Inc. is an all-ages story in the vein of classic adventurers like Allan Quatermain and Indiana Jones.

Ryan Robertson is an average teenager from a boring family. He isn’t really popular or especially gifted, but he’s got a best friend who’s always there for him and a really hot girlfriend who seems to be way out of his league. Just as school is getting out for the summer, he learns that his parents are going on a trip to Europe, and now, instead of hanging with his friend or getting cozy with his girlfriend, he’s got to go spend the summer with his loony old grandfather. Spending the summer at the farm isn’t exactly his idea of excitement, but soon after arriving he finds himself with his hands full of more excitement than he can handle.

Turns out grandpa isn’t as crazy as Ryan thought he was, and his parents aren’t exactly on a vacation in Europe. He and his grandfather end up on an adventure in Bolivia in search of the Fountain of Youth. Along the way, they face dangerous thugs and a villainous vixen as Ryan gets caught up in, learns about, and becomes a part of his family’s secret life.

Wonderdog, Inc. was created and written by Scott Zirkel (A Bit Haywire, Josh Howard Presents: Sasquatch) and illustrated by Matt Hebb (Harry Walton: Henchman for Hire). At 122 pages, this comic is full of great artwork, high adventure, lots of humor, and even a little romance. The story is exciting and uncomplicated enough for any kid to enjoy, yet appealing to adventure-loving grown-ups, too.

The artwork is straightforward, like you find in the classic comics of the 70s and 80s, not the flat, lifeless smears of color and blocky lines that are prevalent in other comics these days. It complements the story well, especially the first part of the book, which is done in sepia tones (because it takes place over 50 years ago) like you might find in a flash-back scene in a movie. I think it’s a really great touch.

As a special bonus, the back-matter of the book includes not only illustrated bios of the writer, artist, letterer and inker, but some great pin-up art in various artistic styles, if you are so inclined to decorate your walls with them. I’d recommend getting two copies if you want to do that, though, because you will probably want to re-read it or pass it on to a friend.

Overall, I found Wonderdog, Inc. to be very entertaining and fun. Even though I hadn’t planned to read it all in one sitting, once I started reading it, I just couldn’t stop. If you like good old-fashioned adventure comics, or you’re looking for something safe to give to younger readers just developing their love of comics, I recommend that you pick up a copy of Wonderdog, Inc.

Wonderdog, Inc. is available at your local comic book store or Amazon.

“The Guild” Comic gets Trade Paperback release, and DVD out 12/21

from The Guild:

Today the initial three part mini-series of The Guild comic is released as a trade paperback (all three issues in a bound collection). The trade paperback includes some new extras, including a sketchbook section and pinups, as well as a foreward by director of The Guild Sean Becker. While many of you reading this may already have all three issues (and even in duplicate covers, and as a digital comic too!), hopefully you’ll consider buying this in “graphic novel” form or making it a gift to someone who might enjoy the show.

Publishing the comic in trade paperback form gets The Guild into traditional bookstores and gets it in front of new audiences. The Guild comic received great reviews, and that continues with the trade paperback. The New York Journal of Books calls it “Equal parts geeky love letter and cautionary tale … (it) succeeds on a number of nuanced levels and should appeal to most readers, regardless of their own backgrounds in pop culture,” and Tor.com has a great review which calls the book “a well-written, well-drawn mini-series that should entertain new readers and fans of The Guild alike.”

The Guild from Dark Horse Comics is available in bookstores everywhere, as well as comic shops (find your local store at ComicStoreLocator.com or by calling 1-888-ComicBook). Online you can purchase at TFAW.com, Amazon.com, Borders.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Chapters.ca and more.

In other release news, The Guild Season 4 on DVD will be released December 21 exclusively on Amazon.com. Yes, for the first time, we scrambled and got the DVD out in time for Christmas.