Titan Comics Announces "Surface Tension" Comic Book Miniseries

"A story for our times, written and drawn with passion!"  Pat Mills (Judge Dredd, Sláine)

SURFACE TENSION #1
Writer/Artist: Jay Gunn
1 (of 5) - 40pp - FC - $3.99 - On sale 05/27/2015

WE ARE ALL MADE OF WATER.

Months after mysterious corals drew 99% of humanity into the sea, a band of survivors ekes out a hollow existence on a remote British island.

When two people are cast up on the beach, completely blue, but very much alive, the island is thrown into turmoil.

What caused the mass extinction event? How did these two return from the deep, when billions died? Most importantly, what is the coral, and what does it want with the Earth?

A timely ecological fable of a planet rebelling against it's inhabitants - perfect for fans of The Walking Dead, The Day of the Triffisds, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers - Surface Tension is a gorgeous adventure of unprecedented scope. The oceans have never seemed so threatening!

"Wondrous and grotesque... an unnerving portrait of the human race at it's most helpless!" - Broken Frontier

"A brand-new talent for a brand-new horror, Surface Tension is set to be a monstrous hit!" - Laura Sneddon, Comics Beat

"Mysterious and compelling" - The Scoop

"Colorful visuals, terrifying creatures and melting human flesh... a suspenseful story and a cautionary tale!" -  Fangirl Nation

"Awash in monsters and mystery... an infinite source of inspiration" - Fanboy Comics

WATCH THE TRAILER NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px48D2F1aRQ

SNEAK PEEK AT ART: Check out some superb preview art by Jay Gunn as exclusively revealed at http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=26206

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"Bloody Mary" and "Honey So Sweet" Coming from VIZ Media

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES A MANGA ACQUISITION DOUBLE SHOT WITH NEW SHOJO SERIES BLOODY MARY AND HONEY SO SWEET

A Heretical Supernatural Murder Pact Between Vampire and Exorcist In BLOODY MARY And An Adorable High School Romance Where A Girl Decides Whether A Tough Guy’s Love Is For Real In HONEY SO SWEET

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces the acquisition of two new shojo manga (graphic novel) series – BLOODY MARY, by Akaza Samamiya, and HONEY SO SWEET, by Amu Meguro.

Both titles will be published in English under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint. They will also be available digitally via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from select VIZ Media content partners’ proprietary digital platforms. BLOODY MARY will launch in December 2015; HONEY SO SWEET is scheduled to debut in January 2016.

Creator Akaza Samamiya’s BLOODY MARY is a heart-pounding tale of an unorthodox allegiance between a vampire and an exorcist who is thought to have inherited the power the kill vampires. The Shojo Beat imprint will release new volumes of the ongoing series quarterly.

HONEY SO SWEET is by new manga artist Amu Meguro, and is currently featured in Japan in the iconic shojo magazine, Bessatsu Margaret. Featuring whimsical artwork and an ensemble cast, HONEY SO SWEET offers a heartwarming story about love that begins out of an act of kindness. The ongoing series will be released quarterly.

“Wonderfully memorable but markedly different characters are at the core of each of these exciting new manga titles,” says Nancy Thistlethwaite, Senior Editor, Shojo Beat. “We have supernatural fantasy with two male protagonists in the gothic BLOODY MARY, and the utterly adorable romantic comedy about love and friendship among high schoolers in HONEY SO SWEET. Both are sure to appeal to a broad array of fans and readers!”

BLOODY MARY, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Debuting December 2015

“Bloody” Mary, a vampire with a death wish, has spent the past 400 years chasing down a modern-day exorcist named Maria who is thought to have inherited “The Blood of Maria” and is the only one who can kill Mary. To Mary’s dismay, Maria doesn’t know how to kill vampires. Desperate to die, Mary agrees to become Maria’s bodyguard until Mary can find a way to kill him.

Manga creator Akaza Samamiya's other works include Hatsukoi Canvas (First Love Canvas), Torikago Syndrome (Birdcage Syndrome) and Ouji wa Tadaima Dekasegichuu (The Prince Is Gone on Business), all of which were published in the popular Japanese shojo magazine Asuka.

HONEY SO SWEET, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Debuting January 2016

Little did Nao Kogure realize back in middle school that when she left an umbrella and a box of bandages in the rain for injured delinquent Taiga Onise that she would meet him again in high school. Nao wants nothing to do with the gruff and frightening Taiga, but he suddenly presents her with a huge bouquet of flowers and asks her to date him—with marriage in mind! Is Taiga really so scary, or is he a sweetheart in disguise?

Newcomer Amu Meguro debuted with the one-shot manga Makka na Ringo ni Kuchizuke wo (A Kiss for a Bright Red Apple). Born in Hokkaido, her hobbies are playing with her niece and eating. HONEY SO SWEET is her current series in Bessatsu Margaret magazine.   

For more information on BLOODY MARY, HONEY SO SWEET, or other manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

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Webcomics Update: Grumble #1 Page 19

Page 19 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbleone019.html

Fantagraphic Books Announces Guido Crepax Comics Project

Fantagraphics Finds Paranormal Romance with Guido Crepax

Fantagraphics Books is proud to announce a 10-book series beginning November 2015 collecting the comics of Italian maestro Guido Crepax, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the creation of his character Valentina. A composite of Louise Brooks, Anna Karina, and his wife, Crepax's depiction of Valentina's sensuality is so sophisticated that it undeniably legitimized erotic Eurocomics. Just as with Tom of Finland, he blew apart the boundaries of the medium.

Crepax: Dracula, Frankenstein, and Other Horror Stories is the first book in the series. It features the artist's take on the eponymous literary works by Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley; a half dozen stories, some never before published, starring Valentina--arguably the strongest and most independent female character in European comics up till that time--from the '60s and '70s, and shows how Crepax influenced fashion, architecture, and the French New Wave.

Only a handful of Crepax's works have been reprinted in English, none currently available-until now. With more than 440 pages each of comics and contextual material from consulting editor Manuel Espírito Santo, comics historian Paul Gravett, erotica scholar Tim Pilcher, and testimonies of Guido Crepax heirs, these books will be the most complete and unabridged collections of the award-winning cartoonist Guido Crepax's work ever assembled.

Born in Milan, Italy, Guido Crepax (1933-2003) was an internationally acclaimed cartoonist. After he got his degree in architecture, he worked on national publicity campaigns for Shell and Dunlop, and illustrated book covers and record jackets. He began contributing to the seminal Italian comics magazine Linus in 1965, where his pop art and psychedelic surrealism-inspired graphics exploded into the public consciousness.

CREPAX: DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN, AND OTHER HORROR STORIES
By Guido Crepax
November 2015 | $75.00
Hardcover | 440 pages
Black-and-White | 10 1/4" x 14"
ISBN: 978-1-60699-890-8

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Titan's "Sally of the Wasteland" Collection Due March 25, 2015

SALLY OF THE WASTELAND

WRITER: Victor Gischler
ARTIST: Tazio Bettin
PUBLISHER: Titan Comics
PAGECOUNT: 128 ​pp​
FORMAT: HC, FC​
ISBN: 9781782760726
PRICE: $19.99​/$22.95 CAN/£14.99 UK​
RELEASE DATE: Wednesday, March 25, 2015
​ORDER CODE:​ OCT141654

TARANTINO MEETS MAD MAX IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC NEW ORLEANS FROM THE WRITER OF ANGEL & FAITH!

COLLECTS SALLY OF THE WASTELAND #1-5

Sally’s just your everyday post-apocalyptic young woman, shooting mutant fauna by day, hanging at the local bayou bar by night. She might be slightly insane, but that’s all to the good after the fall of civilisation. But Sally cares about one thing above all others, and that’s her innocent, fair-haired boy, Tommy.

When Tommy takes off on a treasure hunt to the forbidden city of New Orleans, Sally follows the boy she loves on his expedition, because hell knows he can’t take care of himself...!

A satirical popcorn adventure, punctuated with garish set pieces and bawdy one-liners, Sally of the Wasteland is intended for the enjoyment – and delight – of mature audiences!

Check out the trailer:​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IykEi3csN4

For more information visit: http://titan-comics.com/c/176-sally-of-the-wasteland/

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VIZ Media Announces "Tokyo Ghoul" As Digital-First Title and Other March 2015 Updates

VIZ MEDIA WELCOMES SPRING WITH A NEW DIGITAL MANGA UPDATE AND CONTINUES PROMOTION FOR DIGITAL MANGA STARTER BUNDLES

Kick Start Your Digital Manga Collection With New Special Bundles Featuring Volume 1’s For Acclaimed Popular Series; Also Catch The Digital Launch Of 6 New Manga Series And Updates To 18 Other Continuing Titles

VIZ Media invites manga fans and readers to shake off the winter doldrums with a new digital update for March. March updates include the launch of six brand new manga series, as well as new volume releases for scores of other continuing titles.

During March, VIZ Media also continues its Digital Manga Starter Bundle Promotion that offers the opening volumes from a wide collection of acclaimed manga series. The latest selection of manga bundles are available for a limited time from March 2nd thru March 31st on VIZManga.com, as well as through the comiXology platform. The specially curated digital manga bundles each contain multi-title opening volumes sampled from popular VIZ Media imprints including Shonen Jump and the VIZ Signature line. Each bundle features five Volume 1 editions at a substantial savings over the regular digital MSRPs.

This month, readers can look forward to the digital launch of six new manga series including the supernatural horror saga, TOKYO GHOUL, the paranormal shojo drama, SPELL OF DESIRE, and four additional titles debuting digitally under the VIZ Select imprint: CALLING YOU (single volume), GIRLS BRAVO, RATMAN, and SOMEDAY’S DREAMERS: SPELLBOUND.

A special new selection of manga series bundles also offers readers the opportunity to enjoy unique multi-volume collections of several acclaimed VIZ Media titles including BIOMEGA, CROSS MANAGE, NANA and PSYREN at a substantial savings over regular digital MSRPs.

New March Digital Manga Series Debuts:

SPELL OF DESIRE, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers · DIGITAL MSRP: $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available March 3rd! 

In this paranormal drama by Tomu Ohmi (creator of MIDNIGHT SECRETARY), Kaoruko Mochizuki runs an herb shop in a small seaside town. One day, a mysterious man dressed in black named Kaname Hibiki enters her shop and reveals that Kaoruko is actually a witch. And what’s more, Kaoruko needs Kaname to help control her awakening power!

CALLING YOU (Single Volume) · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · DIGITAL MSRP: $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available March 10th! 

In these preternatural tales, a girl creates a cell phone in her imagination, with which she can communicate with others...A young boy discovers his new friend has the power to heal others-and learns about true friendship and sacrifice...And the restorative power of love confronts the tragedy and horror of a deadly train accident.

TOKYO GHOUL, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Digital First! DIGITAL MSRP: $8.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available March 17th! 

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way – except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

GIRLS BRAVO, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · DIGITAL MSRP: $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available March 17th! 

Meet Yukinari Sasaki, an average high school boy who has extreme girl-phobia - and an allergic reaction when girls touch him. One day, he befriends an alien named Miharu, who comes from a planet that houses only women. Remarkably, Yukinari is able to touch Miharu without breaking into a sweat. Accompanied by Miharu, he returns to his own world: but shortly thereafter, other girls follow them...and his life turns into one big mess!

RATMAN, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · DIGITAL MSRP: $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available March 24th! 

Shuto Katsuragi is a superhero otaku. Only problem is, he's too short and always getting teased for his height...especially when he tries to emulate his favorite superhero! To make matters worse, Shuto suddenly gets abducted and tricked into participating in some rather sketchy and super-villainous experiments! What's a shrimp to do when his dreams come true in ways he never expected?

SOMEDAY’S DREAMERS: SPELLBOUND, (2-Volume Series) · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · DIGITAL MSRP: $4.99 each (U.S. / CAN) · Vol. 1 Available March 24th; Vol. 2 available March 31st!

Eighteen-year-old Nami is a magic user with a keen interest in helping everyone...but herself. Ryutaro is the new boy in school--he's rough around the edges and has a mysterious past, but beneath his rugged exterior is a gentle soul. When these two meet, they leave each other spellbound! It's new love in the world of Someday's Dreamers!

VIZ Media’s Digital Manga Starter Bundle Promotion continues through March 31st on VIZManga.com as well as comiXology.

Classic JUMP Bundle II · Promo MSRP $9.99

Bundle includes:
·         DR. SLUMP, Vol. 1
·         DRAGON BALL, Vol. 1
·         KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC, Vol. 1
·         ROSARIO + VAMPIRE, Vol. 1
·         YU-GI-OH!, Vol. 1

VIZ Media Mature Starter Bundle · Promo MSRP $20.00 (*Only available via VIZManga.com)
·         BIOMEGA, Vol. 1
·         BLACK LAGOON, Vol. 1
·         DOGS, Vol. 1
·         IKIGAMI, Vol. 1
·         NANA, Vol. 1

VIZ Signature Starter Bundle · Promo MSRP $20.00
·         BOKURANO: OURS, Vol. 1
·         CHILDREN OF THE SEA, Vol. 1
·         I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL TOMORROW, Vol. 1
·         OISHINBO, Vol. 1
·         SATURN APARTMENTS, Vol. 1

VIZ Media March Manga Series Bundles
·         BIOMEGA, Vols. 1-6; $12.00
·         CROSS MANAGE, Vols. 1-5; $10.00
·         NANA, Vols. 1-10; $20.00
·         Claymore, Vols. 1-10; $20.00

Additional digital manga content for March includes updates to 18 other continuing series. Included in this month’s update are exciting new volumes for popular continuing titles such as FOOD WARS! (Vol. 5), NARUTO (Vol. 69), ONE-PUNCH MAN (Vol. 6), SGT. FROG (Vol. 6), TERRA FORMARS (Vol. 5) and many more! 

Readers can enjoy all of these new manga titles that are available on VIZManga.com and the VIZ MANGA App for the iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones and 7” tablets. The titles may also be purchased through the Nook, Kindle, Kobo, comiXology, iBooks and GooglePlay stores. These dynamic digital platforms offer fans the opportunity to explore and enjoy a massive catalog of new and classic manga titles that spans over 2,500 volumes across more than 220 different series.

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. Through the innovative VIZ Manga digital platform registered users are able to use one account to view their purchased manga across more devices than ever. New series and volumes are added every Tuesday. Fans can also find these titles and more for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo eReaders, as well as in the comiXology, iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.

Most manga volumes are available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the VIZ Manga application starting from only $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) each. Readers can also explore free Chapter 1 previews of every series. For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.

To learn more about VIZ Manga, please visit www.vizmanga.com.

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12-Gauge Comics Announces "ICE: Bayou Black Out

ICE: BAYOU BLACKOUT #1 (of 3)
Writer: Doug Wagner
Artist: Daniel Hillyard
Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff
Cover Artist: Daniel Hillyard with Charlie Kirchoff
$3.99 | 40 pgs. | T+ | On sale May 6th

Synopsis:
The Infektsi, a group of Chechen mercenaries, have entered the city of New Orleans, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. ICE agents Cole and Ezra head to Louisiana to try and keep the terrorists from taking out a main hub of the US power grid. Launching directly out of FCBD, you won't want to miss the Giant-Sized, 40-page issue of ICE: BAYOU BLACKOUT #1!


About the Publisher
12-Gauge Comics was founded by Keven Gardner in 2004 and currently publishes some of the most successful and critically acclaimed independent comic books in the marketplace today. Initial success came quickly for the company, when its debut title, THE RIDE, launched as the top-selling new black and white comic of the year in 2004. That was quickly followed by the release of Jason Pearson's smash-hit BODY BAGS, which sold out immediately. 12-Gauge then solidified its position as a force to be reckoned with by packaging THE O.C.T. (Occult Crimes Taskforce), an original comic book concept co-created and starring actress ROSARIO DAWSON. THE O.C.T. has been featured on "The Today Show," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," "Access Hollywood," and many other media outlets.

In 2009 12-Gauge began to firmly solidify its unique identity by publishing under its own banner (prior titles were through Image Comics), starting with the company's first licensed property, THE BOONDOCK SAINTS: The Comic Series. Featuring original stories by series creator/director TROY DUFFY, the comics were a huge success. 12-Gauge then moved into the untapped market of country music with superstar recording artist TRACE ADKINS. In LUKE MC BAIN, Adkins lends his likeness to a hard-as-nails character in an adventure story of revenge and redemption. Adkins went on a wide publicity tour for the comics, with highlights being a guest appearance on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" and a feature story in "USA Today." Critical praise has continued to follow the release of other new titles, such as the high-concept series MAGUS,  R.P.M. from NYT #1 Bestselling author MICK FOLEY, the action-franchise ICE, gritty crime drama LOOSE ENDS, and Gale Anne Hurd's ANTI. For more information, please visit www.12gaugecomics.com or email info@12gaugecomics.com.

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