VIZ Media Launches VIZManga.com

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in the North America, announced the launch of VIZManga.com at their 25th Anniversary Party last night in San Diego during the annual Comic-Con International convention. The website joins VIZ Media’s existing digital manga platform and launched with 40 series currently available on the VIZ Manga App for iOS devices, including the wildly popular titles Naruto, Bleach, Blue Exorcist, Ouran High School Host Club and Vampire Knight. With this expansion of the platform, fans can browse and access their digital manga from VIZManga.com and through the VIZ Manga Apps for the iPad and iPhone/ iPod touch. With one account, registered users will be able to view their purchases across even more devices than ever.

“Our digital publishing team wants manga to be available to as many fans as possible, no matter what device or digital experience people prefer,” said Brian Piech, Vice President, Digital Publishing. “Making our extensive library of the best titles direct from Japan available on VIZManga.com is a natural extension of our current VIZ Manga apps available on all iOS devices. One purchase can now be read across multiple devices.”

VIZ Media’s digital manga platform allows for universal access for fans from their iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or now, VIZManga.com. Pricing for manga titles on the web will be identical to the VIZ Manga app. The first chapter of all manga titles will be available as a free preview. Through July 31st, all Volume 1 manga titles will be 40% off.

The VIZ Media digital platform now has an online destination for reading manga on desktop/laptop computers and on Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. The VIZ Manga App continues to be the top app for reading manga on iOS devices and features a rapidly growing library of the most popular manga series in the world, currently offering 40 series and over 300 volumes, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews added weekly.

For more information, visit VIZManga.com or VIZ.com/apps.

New Mimoco Releases at SDCC’11! “Star Wars” Series 7 + Hello Kitty BLOTz!

from Mimoco:

NEW! 32GB & 64GB CAPACITIES! Now Announcing from San Diego Comic Con 2011 New Product Releases

Star Wars MIMOBOT Series 7 — Featuring Boba Fett (ROTJ Edition), Leia as Boushh, Lando Calrissian, Bossk, and Han Solo with Carbonite Carrying Case

Hello Kitty Loves Animals BLOTz — Free Hello Kitty x MIMOBOT t-shirt with purchase of 9-pack case of HK Loves Animals BLOTz MIMOBOTs! 11 DIFFERENT DESIGNS!

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT — Check out our latest video featuring Hello Kitty Loves Animals BLOTz & Supercute! WATCH NOW

Signings & Exclusives at SDCC’11 — LEARN MORE

REMINDER ABOUT SDCC — Can’t Make it to SDCC to grab our exclusives? We are compiling a waiting list for fans that can’t make it to the show. Any unsold inventory will be offered on a first come first served basis to those who register for the waiting list. Just email SDCC@mimoco.com and reference the design you’d like to reserve in the subject of your email. There is a limit of one exclusive per wait list request. There is also a limit of one unit per customer per exclusive design. After SDCC is over, and if any inventory remains, a member of the Teamoco will be in touch with instructions to secure your waitlisted item(s). You will have 48 hours from receipt of emailed instructions to confirm your waitlisted item(s) before they will be released.

Check out the press release!

Shout! Factory at San Diego Comic-Con

from Shout! Factory:

We are all set to embark on our eighth SDCC adventure. Our booth has moved, so you can now find Shout! at #4248, near the back wall and the food concessions and right across the row from G4. Lots of goings-ons, but the highlights: “The Evolution of Transformers” panel on Friday at 5:30pm in Room 8; Trailers From Hell signing with director Joe Dante and Elizabeth Stanley (Thursday, 3:00); and Battle Beyond the Stars signing with film legends Sybil Danning and John Saxon (Saturday, 2:30).

More details can be found here. Be sure to bookmark the page, as we’ll be posting regular updates from the convention center floor, giving you the full Comic-Con experience!

UBISOFT ® Acquires OWLIENT and HOWRSE Brand, Strengthening its Free-to-Play Expertise and Portfolio

From Ubisoft:

Today, Ubisoft announced the acquisition of free-to-play game developer Owlient.  The team at Owlient has extensive expertise in the management of online game-playing communities, and their Howrse brand has almost two million monthly active users.

Founded in Paris in 2005, Owlient and their 40 team members is a forerunner in creating free to-play games. The company set itself apart for its ability to develop the expertise and technology necessary to manage and entertain an online game community.

“We are thrilled to welcome the talented team at Owlient to Ubisoft.  Over the last five years they have developed an architecture dedicated to  delivering and monetizing  games as a service, as well as the skills of attracting and retaining online communities,”  said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft.  “This acquisition is the  next step in the acceleration of Ubisoft’s free-to-play strategy following last year’s launch of Settlers OnlineCSI Crime City and Heroes Kingdoms, as well as the recent beta launch of our ambitious title Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online.”

“Joining the Ubisoft team will allow us to  accelerate our international business and to  expand our expertise and our games  to new platforms.  It also lets us integrate our proven online services architecture with Ubisoft’s so that we can help grow their brands online,” affirmed Olivier Issaly, chief executive officer of Owlient. “We are proud of what our team has accomplished and  confident that joining Ubisoft will allow us to continue that success.  We’d also like to thank our shareholder Innovacom, who has accompanied the Owlient team over the years as we developed.”

Following acquisitions of Massive Entertainment, Nadeo and Quazal,  Owlient represents the continuation of Ubisoft’s focus on expanding its online expertise and infrastructure in order to expand its portfolio using new online business models.  The recent launch of AAA project Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online in closed beta, the enthusiasm of the TrackMania community, the success of The Settlers Online in Germany and the Uplay online services platform are the most recent realizations of this strategy.

Previous Ubisoft acquisitions in the online segment:

  • November 2008: acquisition of Massive Entertainment, renowned for their specialty in creating multiplayer games. Massive is collaborating on or responsible for the development of several ambitious unannounced projects.
  • October 2009: acquisition of Nadeo, creator of cult hit multiplayer driving game, TrackMania. TrackMania 2 Canyon and ManiaPlanet will be launched in 2011.
  • November 2010: acquisition of Quazal, a leader in the creation of online technical solutions. Assassin’s Creed implements Quazal technology for its multiplayer mode, which received the Game Critics Award for “Best Online Game” at E3 2010.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close inUbisoft’s second quarter of fiscal 2012.

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

 

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/.

Explore the Farthest Reaches of the Galaxy with Star Wars: The Clone Wars on DVD and Blue-Ray

From starwars.com:

Pull back the starry curtain and reveal the secrets of the galaxy – with Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ The Complete Season Three, coming to DVD and high-definition Blu-ray Disc on October 18th from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner Home Video. Featuring stunning high-definition animation as well as a host of behind-the-scenes bonus materials, the complete collection explores the untold stories of “a galaxy far, far away” and reveals the magic behind the making of the cutting edge series.

Relive all 22 Season Three episodes – featuring familiar faces including Jabba the Hutt, Greedo, Tarkin and Chewbacca the Wookiee, as well as assassins, bounty hunters, witches, monsters and mysteries surrounding the very essence of the Force itself – and then explore the Lucasfilm vaults with behind-the-scenes insights on the making of the remarkable series. Bonus materials include five behind-the-scenes featurettes, each with director and crew interviews. And exclusive to the Blu-ray disc, The Jedi Temple Archives provides in-depth access to an extensive database of creative materials – including early test animations, concept art, 3D turnarounds and more than 30 deleted/extended scenes.

“In our third season, we told stories we couldn’t have imagined when we first started making the show,” says Supervising Director Dave Filoni. “George expects the best, every week, so we keep raising the bar. Everything’s gotten better. This series is for everyone that’s ever wondered what went on during this period, and we’re exploring it all. Sorcery, the Force and even Darth Maul’s origins. We are doing things that just wouldn’t have been possible before, and the animation is up to the challenge of bringing the layered Star Wars galaxy to life. And it looks spectacular in high-definition.”

Created and executive produced by George Lucas, the first-ever TV production from Lucasfilm Animation explores the tumultuous time between Episodes II and III, expanding the scope of Star Wars beyond anything seen in the feature films. Featuring the voices of Matt Lanter (90210), Ashley Eckstein (Her Universeapparel line), Dee Bradley Baker (American Dad), James Arnold Taylor (Johnny Test), Catherine Taber (Just Like Heaven) and Tom Kane (Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes), the third season also features a formidable line-up of guest stars – including Emmy-winner Seth Green (Robot Chicken), Sam Witwer (Being Human), Clancy Brown (Superman: The Animated Series), Jaime King (Sin City) and Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season Three will be available on October 18th for the suggested retail price of $44.98 for DVD and $59.99 for Blu-ray.

Special Features:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season Three is presented in widescreen with English, Spanish and French 5.1 DTS audio and English, French and Spanish subtitles.  Bonus features include:

·               Featurettes

o   Creating Kamino

o   Hutts and the Underworld

o   Witches and Monsters

o   Secrets of Mortis

o   Chewbacca Returns

·               Blu-ray Exclusive – The Jedi Temple Archives

o   An extensive database exploring special effects footage, early concept art, 3D character and object turnarounds, early animation and more than 30 deleted/extended scenes. The Archives is a rare look at the assets in various stages of creation for The Clone Wars, with a wealth of surprises and never-before seen moments sprinkled throughout

Synopsis:

Mystery and adventure await the heroes of the Republic in the transformative third season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. As the dark side grows ever stronger and the Jedi Knights are pushed to their breaking point, alliances will be tested, truths will be questioned and galaxy-changing secrets will be uncovered to shake the very foundations of the Star Wars universe. From the nature of the Force itself to secrets about the destiny of “The Chosen One,” surprises wait at every turn – all while the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.

Order your copy today at Amazon!

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.

VIZ Media Launches a Special Summertime “Heroes of Anime” Sweepstakes Contest

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, announced the kick-off of a special Heroes of Anime summer sweepstakes. The contest, which also celebrates VIZ Media’s 25th Anniversary, runs throughout the summer. Entry details and more information are available at: viz.com/25years.

The Heroes of Anime Grand Prize will award one lucky winner with 2 passes to attend the exclusive U.S theatrical premiere of the latest Naruto feature film — Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds — set to take place in New York City around New York Comic-Con. The winner will also receive airfare and hotel accommodations for themselves and a guest as part of the Grand Prize package.

Follow-up prizes will include an Apple iPad, awarded to one lucky contestant, as well as several prize packages that will go to other winners and will include fun tchotchkes and collectibles from a variety of top VIZ Media anime properties.

In Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds, a group of mysterious flying ninja have arrived from overseas to launch a sudden attack against the Hidden Leaf Village, leaving behind a wake of destruction. The group is revealed to be the “Sky Ninja” from the Land of Sky, a nation thought to have been destroyed by the Hidden Leaf Village long ago. To save their village, Naruto and his friends set out to stop this new threat. During the course of the mission, Naruto crosses paths with Sasuke, his friend who has parted ways from the Leaf Village.

“Fans won’t want to miss their chance to win a special trip to New York City to attend the U.S. theatrical premiere of the newest Naruto Shippuden feature film,” says Candice Uyloan, Director, Marketing. “It will be a truly memorable event that will feature some fun interactive activities, celebrity appearances, and plenty of photo opportunities. Come help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary and submit your entry for the Heroes of Anime sweepstakes today!”

More information on Naruto is available at Naruto.com.