We’ve Gone Hollywood with Felicia Day and Filming at the Shoppe

From Clockwork Couture:

We have started to shoot our Spring Offerings and couldn’t be more excited that Felicia Day ( http://feliciaday.com/ ) modeled for us.The actress has an astounding resume that has included Buffy, Eureka, Dr. Horrible, The Guild ( http://www.watchtheguild.com ) and now her new highly anticipated project, Geek and Sundry (http://geekandsundry.com/ ), is just as lovely in steampunk as she is
in armor.

As if that wasn’t enough star- filled fun for our little Clockshoppe,The League of S.T.E.A.M. ( http://leagueofsteam.com/ ) used our store for the villian’s lair in their newest episode, “Prehistoric Peril.” Tune in to see why Djinn, the shoppe cat was all too excited to assist
with filming.

Our crew has also changed a bit and we have recently welcomed a new full-time milliner and customer service gal to our store while our customer service superstar, Sarah, explores other career paths. She’ll
still be here twice a week, though.

It is with sad news that our original milliner, Jill Pfeiffer (http://www.clockworkcouture.com/accessories-1/hats/the-hats-of-jill-pfieffer.html) was lost to us last week. We warmly welcome her student, Shurie (http://www.clockworkcouture.com/accessories-1/hats/lady-bird-s-hatberdashery.html) to our crew to carry on her magnificient french-room work.

We invite you to come visit ( http://www.clockworkcouture.com/visitus) the recently remodeled Clockshoppe and would like to publicly thank the customers who volunteered their day getting paint on themselves to
make that happen. The store is even more beautiful than before. Come in for a spot of tea and to browse our wares, many of which are in-store exclusives.

Don’t forget! ClockworkCouture.com ( http://www.clockworkcouture.com ) now offers free shipping to all of our U.S. customers. Those residing outside the 50 states still enjoy the same $7.95 flat-rate shipping no
matter how heavy your parcel or how many items you buy.

From the captain and crew of the S.S. Clockwork Caravel, I hope you have a splendid week.

Arcana Acquires Part of Bluewater’s Fiction Library

from Arcana Comics:

Arcana Comics is pleased to annouce they have recently picked up the rights to part of Bluewater’s fiction library! The publishers have been in talks for quite a while, leading to the aquisition. Titles include the popular 10th Muse as well as Legend of Isis, and Judo Girl, as well as twenty-three others.

“I have worked with Arcana in the past and am excited to team up with them again. Teaming up with another independent comic book company, the foundation can only strengthen our brands,” says Darren G. Davis, Bluewater President.

“Darren and Arcana did Valkyrie back in the day and it’s great to be working with him again. He is one of the most talented and prolific creators I’ve worked with, and everyone is very excited about these dozens of graphic novels added into our library,” says Arcana’s CEO Sean Patrick O’Reilly.

Starting later this year, Arcana Comics will release collected editions of the comic books in graphic novel form, giving new readers a chance to learn about these exciting titles.

Keep reading below for a run-down of some of these titles.

10th Muse – Greek mythology has documented the nine Muses, the inspirational daughters of the almighty Zeus. But history forgot one–the Tenth Muse. Emma, Brett and Dawn were the best of friends — until Emma disappeared, leaving only a note saying goodbye. Now, eight years later, Emma is back, without answers. What happened to Emma? What is her connection with Grayson Bishop, and, most of all, how did ordinary Emma Sonnet become the mysterious TENTH MUSE? Introducing The Tenth Muse, a new kind of super-hero saga unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. A mystery. An action series. A character- driven saga that will bring you to the edge of your seat. See if you can unravel the mystery of The 10th Muse.. Apologies for the blurred cover image, but there is a new celebrity modeling as the Tenth Muse, and it has to be kept a secret until she makes it public!

Legend of Isis – Trapped 5,000 years out of time, the would-be Egyptian Goddess, Isis, must adjust to her new life in 21st century Los Angeles. Using her mystical staff and some help from a few new friends, Isis will protect those around her from evil that may threaten their world. But how can she protect a world that she doesn’t fully understand? Join Isis in her ongoing series debut issue, as she’s introduced to the modern world and its new ways of life. But it seems Isis is not the only ancient warrior alive in our time – as she must battle the Mummy of Sekhent upon her awakening from the dead!

Judo Girl – Adjusting to life iof modern day is one thing. Fighting the female assassin Silencer is another. Worse, one of Judo Girl’s (Diana Moore) most dangerous adversaries from the 1960s resurfaces to complicate her life, Lincoln Stanley, aka Hep Cat. Has he really reformed, as he claims, or is he back to his old tricks?

Styx and Stone – Upon returning from South Africa, Detective Mel Stone was put on medical leave after he was found almost dead on the cargo ship he was on with no explanation and almost no memory of what happened to him.. Now, he’s back on the force with his new partner investigating a string of gruesome campus murders. On the surface, everything is back to normal, but in reality, Stone is back with an added bonus; he’s sharing his body with the career criminal and murder James Wyatt.

Deathsport Games – In the near future, three teens find themselves thrust into a twisted version of the Olympic Games against a horde of vicious Sportsmen and a blood-thirsty crowd of onlookers!

Orion the Hunter – To tempt the Fates is one thing. To out and out steal from them is sheer lunacy. Yet Orion must pit his destiny against some of the fiercest and most dangerous forces Olympus has to offer. As he peels away another veil of the gods’ deceit, Orion is forced to walk the precipice between myth and mystery only to find himself at the very mouth of Hades.

Blackbeard Legacy – The only thing of any worth to Hanna amongst the wreckage of an unlucky vessel is its sole survivor, who tells the captain about a secret treasure only he knows how to obtain. But he has reasons of his own to employ her aide. And with zombies, threatening weather, and the ever-gaining Captain Purloin, it’s going to be a difficult task for the crew to even get off the island. quest for gold, adventure and her fathers head on a stick.

Paparazzi – Los Angeles; some call it the city of angels, others call it a cesspool of debauchery and self indulgence, but whatever you choose to call it, one thing is clear; L.A. is where all the action is. When an entertainment newspaper stops covering celebrity tabloids and starts to focus on the superhero community, all Hell breaks loose. From closeted capes, to drugged out Do-Gooders, no one is safe from the poison pen of Sara Michaels and her award winning snake of a photographer, Glenn Barry. This book explores what goes on under the spandex, and we aren’t talking Botox!

Warlock – A new story from the cult film WARLOCK from Lionsgate. The Warlock is on a mission to destroy a book that contains a spell which imprisoned six other Warlocks. If the book manages to be destroyed, the dangerous Warlocks would be released back into the world free to cause chaos and destruction. It’s up to a rag-tag group of people to prevent the Warlock from carrying out his plan.

Leprechaun – From the cult film from Lionsgate. This is the tale of Lubdan, the king and sole survivor of the Leprechaun. The last of the Leprechauns! A treasure dealer stumbles across his pot of gold and steals it. In this modern age, he finds buyers all over the planet through on-line auctions. Lubdan finds the thief after the gold is shipped to humans across the globe. Lubdan’s quest takes him all over the planet, across time and space. Battling greed, the genocidal Cluracan and new mystical adversaries, Lubdan must save all life to save himself…but not without taking lives!

ABOUT ARCANA STUDIOS

Arcana Studios, Inc. Arcana owns one of the world’s largest libraries of graphic novels and comics, with over 200 original intellectual properties, 300 graphic novels, thousands of comic issues and an ever-growing character list. Arcana has begun to adapt this library into live action feature films, animated features and episodic television series. Taking a transmedia approach to brand building and the development of intellectual properties, Arcana publishes graphic novels for North America in print, and now digitally as well. Arcana has been published and distributed in dozens different countries and translated into just as many languages across the globe.

ABOUT BLUEWATER

Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis” ”Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts,” et al) and celebrated actor Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

Mistress of Her Universe: Ashley Eckstein’s Sci-Fi Store

From  Her Universe:

As the voice of Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ashley Eckstein lives the fangirl fantasy. Running the online store Her Universe, she hopes to fulfill some of the wishes of others. We caught up with Ashley to talk gender differences, Ahsoka’s arc, Special Editions and even The Brady Bunch.

Nerdist News: Do you ever get guys complaining that they want some of your designs in male sizes?

Ashley Eckstein: We have, actually, and I take that as such a huge compliment! I’ve heard several people say, “Well, what about ‘His Universe’?”, and I say, okay, look on the convention floor. Go to San Diego Comic-Con, and pretty much the entire convention is “His Universe.”

NN: Do you see any major differences between male and female fans?

AE: Sometimes the male fans are really into the action and adventure and the battles, and we female fans become emotionally attached to the characters. You literally envision your relationships with these characters. I don’t even mean in a romantic way; you just view this character as if they’re another family member of yours.

NN: Can you give us any hints about where The Clone Wars is going?

AE: I just beg the fans who gave up on the show after the movie and season one to give it a chance now, because it’s a completely different show. Dave Filoni is a fan: he cares so much about the show and the storyline…Season two was when it really took off, and I think he’s turned it into what the fans wanted it to be all along.

Catch up with our full Ashley Eckstein interview, then check out her wares at Her Universe.

Arcana and Renegade’s Turning Tiger Roars Into Action This April

from Arcana Comics:

Take one state of the art fully armed sentient military attack robot, let it go rogue, then set the army and more robots after it. And let it happen in downtown Ewanstown, USA . If things get bad, have it kidnap a child and see if you can stop her parents blowing the operation wide open to the media.

Arcana Comics is proud to present the April release of TURNING TIGER: SPECIAL EDITION, written by Richmond Clements, illustrated by Alex Moore and produced by Renegade Arts Entertainment. Collecting the two part miniseries, TURNING TIGER: SPECIAL EDITION is also filled with extras such as an afterwards from Richmond Clements, character designs, and a pin-up gallery from artists such as Shane Oakley (Albion, Cthulhu Tales), Chie Kutsuwada (The Story of Lee), Michael Carroll (2000 A.D., Judge Dredd Megazine) and more.

TURNING TIGER involves a top secret military robot colliding with the world of a suburban American family. TURNING TIGER brings a tale of explosive action, government conspiracies, and above all, family. But why has the robot chosen this family and their daughter in particular? All will be revealed…

Critics have raved about TURNING TIGER:

“Turning Tiger is the perfect tale of sci-fi encountering the family next door, a gripping adventure that we know really could happen. The dynamic storytelling will melt the heart of both the young and adult reader alike, so it’s simply not to be missed!”SciFiPulse.net

“This is a superb comic…”Forbidden Planet International

“…production is really smart, and the art from Alex Moore is stunning.”Comic Buzz

“Ultimately, this is a well-produced piece of work and a worthy first effort.” – Irish Comic News

TURNING TIGER: SPECIAL EDITION, a 58-page full-color paperback, will be on sale in stores April 1st for $7.99 and is available to order in the February 2012 edition of Diamond Previews (FEB120740, ISBN: 978-1-926914-87-9). For more information, please visit http://www.arcana.com/view_title.php?id=265

About Arcana Studios


Arcana Studios, Inc. 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.

About Clements


Richmond Clements is the father of two wonderful boys and lives in the Scottish Highlands with his partner Vicky Stonebridge, with whom he co-organizes HiEx: The Highland International Comic Expo. As well as writing Turning Tiger, and between bouts on his beloved X-Box, he is an editor for FutureQuake Press and writer of the forthcoming Graphic Novels Ketsueki, Corvus and Pinkerton. For more from visit: http://hiexcomics.blogspot.com/

About Alex Moore
Currently studying illustration at Middlesex University, Alex’s artwork has featured in Orang Utan Comics’ FTL anthology. She is currently working on Liberty, a graphic novel for Markosia. Her influences include Juanjo Guarnido, Adrian Alphonsa, and Fabio Moon. For more on Alex visit her blog: http://threepennyorchestra.blogspot.com/.

About Renegade Arts Entertainment


We are a creator owned publisher of comic books, but only a few and we are very discerning with our choices. Our mix so far has been from experienced A-list writers and artists and newer blood who pitched projects just too good to turn down.

Some of our projects have come from within Renegade itself, like Alan Grant and Shane Oakley’s Channel Evil and Alexander Finbow and William Simpson’s Shades Of Grey. We only publish comic books that our creators are 100% passionate about and all of us at Renegade believe are of the highest quality. For more information, please visit us at www.renegadeartsentertainment.com.

Acta Day of Action

from Avaaz.org:

In 24 hours, people across the planet are joining a global street protest to bury ACTA for good.

This week our massive 2 million ACTA petition caused shockwaves in Brussels, and we’ve just learned that Germany has put ACTA on ice and other governments are close to following suit. If Europe says no to ACTA, it dies!  We’re at a tipping point — If enough of us join the protest tomorrow, we can secure our online freedom and end the threat of ACTA’s censorship nightmare.

Let’s turn out in thousands to protest or, if we can’t be there in person (most of the protests are in Europe), send messages of solidarity to our fellow citizens who are marching. Click here to use our map tool to find an event near you, or leave a solidarity message for marchers:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/acta_day_of_action_hub/?vl

Our massive ACTA petition was personally delivered to leading EU politicians in Brussels this week as it grew to 2.2 million signers and beyond. The European Parliament is choosing their new point person on the treaty right now. Let’s make sure that person realises that ACTA is too hot to handle.

Four Eastern European governments and now Germany have just said they’ll stall their decision on the treaty. Now, if hundreds of thousands of people attend thousands of rallies all across Europe tomorrow, we can ensure that all politicians across the 27 EU countries are put on notice that people don’t want ACTA and will continue to take action until the treaty is buried.

Those of us in Europe can join the protests. And we all can send messages of solidarity to encourage the people there and use social media to pile the pressure on key parliamentarian. Click here to check out the action centre, and tell everyone.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/acta_day_of_action_hub/?vl

Again and again, we’ve shown how people power can work. When our fundamental freedoms are at stake, and we act together, we can forge an unstoppable force that makes politicians turn away from the corporate lobbies, and work in the interests of all of us. Let’s do it again.

With hope and determination,

Alex, Alice, Pascal, Emma, Ricken, Maria Paz, Luis and the rest of the Avaaz team

More information:

Acta activates mass opposition (Euractiv)
http://www.euractiv.com/infosociety/acta-activates-european-civil-society-news-510533

Acta: Europe braced for protests over anti-piracy treaty (BBC) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16906086

Latest pact on internet piracy set to be derailed (Financial Times) http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/a52f57ec-533d-11e1-aafd-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1lzG5htN5

Czech Republic, Slovakia freeze anti-piracy pact (AFP) http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gguBSrXtQKnr0famyhxMlNK2plDQ?docId=CNG.956cc047c755305c8ad4580183554bcc.71

ACTA vs. SOPA: Five Reasons ACTA is a Scarier Threat to Internet Freedom
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/286925/20120124/acta-sopa-reasons-scarier-threat-internet-freedom.htm?cid=2

Act on Acta now if you care about democracy and free speech (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/03/act-acta-democracy-free-speech

The secret treaty: Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) and Its Impact on Access to Medicines
http://www.msfaccess.org/content/secret-treaty-anti-counterfeiting-trade-agreement-acta-and-its-impact-access-medicines

Support the Avaaz Community!
We’re entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way.

 

Billy Connolly Joins the Cast of The Hobbit

From WETA:

Billy Connolly is joining the cast of Tolkien’s epicThe Hobbit.

The announcement was made today by Peter Jackson, who is currently in production on “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” with the films shooting back-to-back in New Zealand.

In the films, Connolly (“The Last Samurai,” “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events“) will play Dain Ironfoot, a great dwarf warrior and cousin of Thorin Oakenshield. Peter Jackson welcomed the news of Connolly to Middle-earth: “We could not think of a more fitting actor to play Dain Ironfoot, the staunchest and toughest of Dwarves, than Billy Connolly, the Big Yin himself. With Billy stepping into this role, the cast of “The Hobbit” is now complete.

We can’t wait to see him on the Battlefield!”

 

The Princess Bride Duel Statues and Other New Items from Factory Entertainment

from Factory Entertainment:

Roses are red, violets are blue, Factory Entertainment has something new! Embrace your loved one and “inner-geek” simultaneously this Valentine’s Day by pre-ordering two of the most beautiful statues you’ll ever see! We’re proud to offer for the first time in Princess Bride history the mysterious Dread Pirate Roberts and Latin heart-throb Inigo Montoya, replicating one of the most memorable sword fights ever seen on screen. We call them our Princess Bride “Duel” statues and in our opinion, nothing says romance like a sword fight for love! Check them out below and pre-order today!

Looking for a unique “ring” that is sure to take his or her breath away? We’ve got you covered! Our James Bond Limited Edition SPECTRE Ring and Universal Monsters Elite Edition Dracula Ring Prop Replicas are now in stock and shipping!

If jewelry is too much of a commitment and you’re only looking for something to tell your special someone, “You rock,” we have the perfect alternative. Literally! Our KISS Mount KISSmore Polystone Statue based on Mount Rushmore has just landed in our warehouse and is ready for gifting!

Don’t miss out, order now!

Viz Media Expands Digital Manga Titles Available for Barnes & Noble’s NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color

15 New Shonen Jump Series Now Available For Barnes & Noble’s 7-Inch NOOK© Devices, Including BAKUMAN?, BLEACH, DEATH NOTE, NARUTO, ONE PIECE And More!

From VIZ:

The digital manga convergence continues across North America as VIZ Media, LLC, largest distributor and publisher of anime and manga in North America, announces the launch of 15 additional manga (graphic novel) series for the Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color. Beginning today, the company expands its library of digital manga titles offered in the NOOK Store™ to include a variety of popular manga series published under the Shonen Jump and Shonen Jump Advanced imprints.

Volumes are presented in their original Japanese Right-to-Left reading format and are available for purchase and fast download in the U.S. and Canada for $4.99 -$9.99 (U.S. / CAN) each. Over 35 series and 400+ volumes are now available, and new digital manga volumes, including previews, are added weekly.

Viewing manga on NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color is authentic thanks to Barnes & Noble’s newly implemented technology that formats manga in its original right-to-left reading order. Fans can read favorite graphic novels on the award-winning NOOK 7-inch devices, which feature a full-color VividView™ touchscreen. NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color also give users access to the world’s largest digital bookstore, popular movies, TV shows, music and more through the top entertainment services, as well as a collection of high-quality apps, fast Web browsing and email.

The following VIZ Media manga titles are now available, with more to be announced soon:

BAKUMAN? Vols. 1-8 ·  Rated “T” for Teens

BLEACH Vols. 1-37; Vols. 49-50 ·  Rated “T” for Teens

BLUE EXORCIST Vols. 1-6 ·  Rated “T+” for Older Teens

CLAYMORE Vols. 1-19 ·  Rated “T+” for Older Teens

D.GRAY-MAN Vols. 1-21 ·  Rated “T+” for Older Teens

DEATH NOTE Vols. 1-12 (Full Series!) ·  Rated “T+” for Older Teens

DRAGON BALL Vols. 1-16 (Full Series!) ·  Rated “A” for All Ages

DRAGON BALL Z Vols. 1-26 (Full Series!) ·  Rated “T” for Teens

NARUTO Vols. 1-57 ·  Rated “T” for Teens

NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN Vols. 1-6 ·  Rated “T” for Teens

ONE PIECE Vols. 1-58 ·  Rated “T” for Teens

ROSARIO + VAMIPRE Vols. 1-10 (Full Series!) ·  Rated “T+” for Older Teens

ROSARIO + VAMPIRE  SEASON 2 Vols. 1-6 ·  Rated “T+” for Older Teens

RUROUNI KENSHIN Vols. 1-28 (Full Series!) ·  Rated “T+” for Older Teens

TORIKO Vols. 1-7 ·  Rated “T” for Teens

 

For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit www.VIZ.com.

For more information on NOOK devices, please visit www.nook.com.

To purchase VIZ Media manga titles for the NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color, please visit the NOOK Book Store at www.barnesandnoble.com/s?view=grid&store=EBOOK&sort=DD&PN=viz&FMT=KA

Japanese Live Game Sensation “The Real Escape Game” Comes to the Bay Area for Special Sessions at New People

from NewPeopleWorld.com:

NEW PEOPLE, the dynamic San Francisco entertainment destination showcasing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture, brings the newest Japanese live game sensation to the United states for the first time ever with a special installment of “The Real Escape Game: The Escape From The Werewolf Village,” beginning Friday, March 23rd thru Sunday March, 25th.

“The Real Escape Game” is an inventive live game event that requires players to cooperate and use their detective skills to solve multiple mysteries to
locate a hidden key in order to escape from a locked room within a limited time. The U.S. edition, “The Escape From The Werewolf Village,” will be
staged inside the venue’s spacious 3rd Floor SUPERFROG Gallery at NEW PEOPLE, which will be remade as a mysterious village where werewolves have been known to attack people by night. As villagers disappear one by one,players must work together and use their deductive skills and gather clues to escape before the werewolves attack! The game setting will be accentuated with the use of actors, music, sound effects and lighting elements to add ambiance and immerse players in the environment.

NEW PEOPLE Game Times For “The Real Escape Game”

Friday, March 23rd: 6pm, 9pm
Saturday, March 24th: 2pm, 5pm, 8pm
Sunday, March 25th: 11am, 2pm, 5pm

Advanced tickets are now available for $20.00; Tickets at the door are $25.00. Each game session lasts about 90 minutes. Advance tickets and
complete game details are available at: http://www.newpeopleworld.com/2012/01/18/come-play-real-escape-game/

**Note: The Game puzzles require no special skills or knowledge to solve; all puzzles can be solved with use of intuitive logic and deductive reasoning. All aspects of The Game will be conducted in English.

“The Real Escape Game” was first played in Tokyo in 2007 and since then, more than 100,000 participants have played in multiple cities across Japan,
China, and Singapore. “The Real Escape Game” was the brainchild of Takao Kato, the founder of the Kyoto-based publishing company, SCRAP. Over 2,300 sessions have been staged to-date with as many as 10,000 participants taking part simultaneously. The Game was recently played by several hundred participants at massive arena venues including the Tokyo Dome and the city’s Jingu Baseball Stadium. The San Francisco session at NEW PEOPLE will be the first time “The Real Escape Game,” has been played in the United States.

“The Real Escape Game has become a big sensation in Japan and is a fun wayfor people to meet and work together to solve ingenious puzzles,” says Seiji Horibuchi, president and founder of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “The Real Escape Game is often staged in eclectic settings ranging from small theatres to large sporting arenas to cathedrals. NEW PEOPLE will be transformed into a foreboding village beset with werewolves and ingenious hidden puzzles that players must solve in order to escape! Come meet new friends and try out the latest live game phenomenon from Japan with this fun event happening in March!

About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc.  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. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment ( <http://www.newpeopleent.com> 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.

VANCAF Announces Inaugural Line-Up

From VANCAF:

The Vancouver Comic Arts Festival has announced the initial line-up for its inaugural exhibition, taking place May 26th-27th 2012 at the Roundhouse Community Arts Centre.  The Festival, which will feature local and international independent cartoonists, will be open to the public and free to attend.  The guests will include indie successes such as Jeph Jacques, Ryan North, and Sarah Leavitt, with artists, creators, inkers, colorists, writers, and small press collectives rounding out the exhibitors.  Special events taking place throughout the festival will be announced shortly.

Artists wishing to exhibit at VanCAF can apply to do so by filling out the application form on the website at http://www.vancaf.com/exhibitors.php.

Further inquiries can be directed to Shannon Campbell, Event Coordinator, at shannon@vancaf.com

Follow them on TwitterGoogle+, or Facebook to get all the latest news on VanCAF and comics in general!

About VanCaf:

The Vancouver Comic Arts Festival is a weekend-long celebration of comics slated to enjoy its launch in May 2012. This festival of local cartoonists will feature galleries, readings, panels, and workshops, culminating in a two-day convention for cartoonists from across the country and down the coast to connect with their readers and peddle their wares.

The goal of VanCAF is to appeal to everyone, whether they’re already die-hard comics fans or simply experimenting. For this reason, admission to all events will be free, and table costs for exhibitors will be as low as possible. We’re not so much concerned with making a profit as we are transforming Vancouver into a city of story-telling and comics.

Although we take inspiration from other great Canadian shows, such as the Calgary Comic Expo and Toronto Comic Arts Festival, we are not affiliated with either event. Check back soon for updates on events andexhibitors.

The Vancouver Comic Arts Festival is managed and organized by theVancouver Comic Arts Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting local cartoonists with the community.

An OPEN Internet

In response to the continuing debate of proposed law changes and aggressive attacks on freedom of speech and information on the internet, my state Senator is revealing information about her proposed changes to fight piracy and copywrite infringement without sensoring the internet. I’d like your feedback. What do you think of her proposals?

from Senator Maria Cantwell:

Thank you to the thousands of Washingtonians who raised your voices last week to support an open and free Internet. Thanks for your phone calls and emails to our office regarding the PROTECT IP Act.

Like you, I believe that America’s economy thrives on innovation and freedom of speech. The Internet allows entrepreneurs in Washington state and around the world to create ground-breaking companies and fuel economic growth. We cannot afford to rush an Internet policy that could trample on our innovation economy.

That’s why I opposed the PROTECT IP Act in the Senate from the beginning, and have offered an alternative – the OPEN Act. We need to protect creative content on the Internet from piracy by rogue foreign websites, but we must do so in a way that also protects freedom of speech, innovation and security on the Internet. Read more about the OPEN Act here, or read the full bill text here.

A Response from Senator Maria Cantwell Regarding SOPA/PIPA

As many of you know, ÜberSciFiGeek participated in the recent SOPA/PIPA protest by “Going Dark” for a day. All content was blocked and was replaced with information about why we were protesting and how you could learn more. I also took the time to contact my representative via several of the contact forms available through sites like Google and Wikipedia. Today I received a response from my Senator, Maria Cantwell. I felt I should share this with those of you who are following the issue and would like to know where things currently stand.

Thank you for contacting me about the internet streaming of copyrighted material. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.

On May 12, 2011, Senator Leahy (D-VT) introduced S. 968, the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property (PROTECT IP) Act. Under current federal law, U.S. law enforcement officials and holders of copyrights, trademarks, and patents, have limited legal remedies available to combat internet websites that are registered in foreign countries but operate in the United States by selling products, services, and/or content that violates U.S. intellectual property law. If enacted, the proposed legislation would create an expedited process for the Department of Justice and intellectual property rights holders to shut down through a court order these websites by targeting the owners and operators of the Internet site, if known, or the domain name registrant associated with the Internet site.

While I am supportive of the goal of protecting intellectual property, I am deeply concerned that the definitions and the means by which the legislation seeks to accomplish these goals will have unintended consequences and hurt innovation, job creation, and threaten online speech and security. On November 17, 2011, I signed a letter along with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) objecting to the bill as it is currently written.

On December 17, 2011, Senator Wyden introduced the “Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade” (OPEN) Act (S. 2029), of which I am an original co-sponsor. The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee, where it is currently awaiting further review. The OPEN Act is a more effective approach to stop foreign web sites that are found to be primarily and willfully used to infringe intellectual property rights. The OPEN Act builds on the existing legal framework used by the International Trade Commission (ITC) for addressing unfair acts in the importation of articles into the United States, or in their sale for importation, or sale within the United States after importation.

Our trade laws have yet to catch up to deal with the global digital economy. The OPEN Act recognizes that the Internet has created new opportunities for foreign products to reach the U.S. market and that there is little difference between downloading a pirated movie from a foreign website and importing a counterfeit movie DVD from a foreign company. For those foreign web sites that are determined after an investigation to be primarily and willfully infringing, the International Trade Commission will issue a “Cease and Desist” order. The “Cease and Desist” order may also be served on financial intermediaries that provide services to that foreign web site, compelling financial payment processors and online advertising providers to cease doing business with the foreign site in question.  This would cut off financial incentives for this illegal activity and deter these unfair imports from reaching the U.S. market.

The OPEN Act addresses the same challenges as the PROTECT IP Act, while protecting freedom of speech, innovation, and security on the Internet. The challenge of rogue web sites is one that many nations face. The United States has always been seen as a leader on Internet issues. Laws we establish in the United States regarding the Internet are likely to be used as models around the world. And because the Internet is global in nature, it is important that we carefully consider how the laws and policies we adopt in this area may be received and translated by other countries.

The Protect IP Act was scheduled to go to the Senate floor for a procedural vote on January 23, 2011. Due to the effective grassroots advocacy and public outcry against the bill, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has pulled the proposed legislation from the floor calendar.

I appreciate Majority Leader Reid’s decision to postpone a vote on the PROTECT IP Act. America’s economy thrives on innovation and freedom of speech. We can’t afford to rush an Internet policy that could trample on our innovation economy. The American people clearly spoke and their voices were heard. As we move forward, I’ll continue to advocate for a policy that protects both creative content and online freedom of speech.

Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter. You may also be interested in signing up for periodic updates for Washington State residents. If you are interested in subscribing to this update, please visit my website at http://cantwell.senate.gov. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator

For future correspondence with my office, please visit my website at
http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/