Hashtag Comics Reveals "Tailwands #1" Convention Variant

Hashtag Comics Announces Convention Variants

Three special edition covers unveiled at C2E2

Washington, DC - Indie publisher Hashtag Comics to feature 2 Convention Variant Covers at the Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo (C2E2).

Tailwands #1 Convention Variant:

Tailwands #1 (released April 2015) will have a variant cover drawn by Derrick Fish (Carpe Noctem, Wellkeeper) and colored by Thomas Mason (Avengers, Wolverine, Deadpool)

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"Strange Kids Club Magazine" Returns with "Bronarr" and Kickstarter

Strange Kids Club Magazine Returns with all-new issue

"A morbid romp through the media culture of the 1980’s." - COMIC BOOKED

AUSTIN, TX—Strange Kid and his pals, Lando and Orwell, are back for a comically cosmic misadventure that takes them across time, space and reality. This time, they’re blasting off to outer space where they meet their cartoon hero—Bronarr: Space Barbarian—and must team-up to save the universe from the evil Lord Gammax in a homage to Saturday morning shows like Thundarr and Masters of the Universe.

Based on characters created by Rondal Scott, Editor-in-Chief of Strange Kids Club, writer Benito Cereno (Tales From the Bully Pulpit, Hector Plasm) and illustrator Jonatan Cantero bring to life a brand new chapter in the saga of Strange Kid—a boy with an unusually big imagination and the ability to turn his wildest dreams into reality. His best buds are Lando, a smart but relatively normal kid, and Orwell, a giant purple chupacabra who only speaks Spanish.

"Vibrantly illustrated by many of today’s top talents... [with] artist interviews and gooey handfuls of dark humor." - RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE

"It's hard to work with these characters and not project my own quirky sense of humor onto them," said Rondal Scott. "My hope is that other people will connect with them as well, unleashing their own inner strange kid in the process. Luckily, I have great collaborators in Benito and Jonatan who understand what I'm trying to accomplish and have the amazing talent to translate it onto the page."

This issue introduces a new character, Bronarr: Space Barbarian, who fans of the "sword and planet" sci-fi subgenre will surely recognize as an homage to heroes like Thundarr, Blackstar, Conan and He-man. Some may even recognize references to Zed from the obscure 1974 film, Zardoz, starring Sean Connery. Without a doubt, Bronarr is a crazy mix of pop culture nostalgia, tongue-in-cheek parody and slam-bang action!

STRANGE KIDS CLUB MAGAZINE #5 also features interviews with up-and-coming comic artists, gag strips, parody articles, a Sectuars toy retrospective, creepy clown "horrorscopes" and more! For full release details and preview art, check out the official Kickstarter page (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/228158145/strange-kids-club-magazine-5) or strangekidsclub.com (http://www.strangekidsclub.com/2015/04/06/strange-kids-club-magazine-5-now-on-kickstarter/).

Watch the Bronarr: Space Barbarian Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1a5zEfLq88


ABOUT STRANGE KIDS CLUB
Strange Kids Club (strangekidsclub.com)—an online digest of the strange, geeky and subversive—has been dumpster diving through the underbelly of pop culture nostalgia since 2009. Founded by Rondal Scott, Strange Kids Club began life as an art and culture blog but has since grown into a lifestyle brand focused on comics, toys, film, animation and fashion. While the website delivers a daily dose of satirical and totally biased opinions on entertainment news, the brand is also committed to producing original content which includes a comics magazine, collectible art prints, spoof stickers (Circle Jerks Stickers), digital trading cards (Closet Monsters) and parody apparel.

facebook.com/StrangeKidsClub
twitter.com/StrangeKidsClub
strangekidsclubhouse.tumblr.com
instagram.com/strangekidsclub

"Star Wars" Films on Digital HD Friday, April 10, 2015

Disney, Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox Announce "The Star Wars Digital Movie Collection"

The most iconic movie collection of all time Becomes available for the first time

On Digital HD on April 10, 2015

Now the Force will be with you – everywhere!

YouTube trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdt0lJj3xtE

BURBANK, Calif. As anticipation builds for the December release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the first new film in the Star Wars Saga in a decade, The Walt Disney Studios, Lucasfilm Ltd., and 20th Century Fox today announced the upcoming release of The Star Wars Digital Movie Collection. For the first time ever, all six epic films in the Saga, from The Phantom Menace to Return of the Jedi, will be available on Digital HD throughout the galaxy – or at least here on Earth – globally beginning Friday, April 10, 2015.

“Since the debut of the first film nearly 40 years ago, Star Wars has become a worldwide phenomenon with legions of fans from every generation,” said Alan Bergman, President, The Walt Disney Studios. “It’s only fitting that audiences enjoy this legendary Saga and its many fascinating behind-the-scenes stories on a wide variety of platforms, and we’re very excited to finally bring all six films to Digital HD for the first time.”

“We’re thrilled that fans will be able to enjoy the Star Wars Saga on their digital devices wherever they go,” commented Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “These films broke new ground in technology, design, sound, and visual effects, and we’ve created some very special bonus material which delves into the Saga’s rich history, including new and never-before-released conversations between legendary Star Wars artists – the masters who helped George bring his iconic universe to life.”

With Star Wars: Episodes I-VI available for purchase as a complete digital movie collection and individually, viewers will have the Rebel forces at their beck and call across their favorite devices anywhere – sunbathing at the beach, relaxing in their living room with friends, or waiting to board a flight to Endor (or elsewhere).  

Enhancing the movie collection are a host of never-before-seen special features including Star Wars: Discoveries from Inside and insightful Conversations between key contributors from across this celebrated film franchise, plus a curated collection of classic Star Wars extras from each film. These are the droids you’re looking for:

BONUS

*Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer

STAR WARS EPISODE I: The Phantom Menace
·      Conversations: Doug Chiang Looks Back
·      Discoveries From Inside: Models & Miniatures
·      Legacy content includes “The Beginning”; The Podrace: Theatrical Edit; plus eight deleted scenes.

STAR WARS EPISODE II:  Attack of the Clones
·      Conversations: Sounds In Space
·      Discoveries From Inside: Costumes Revealed
·      Legacy content includes “From Puppets To Pixels: Digital Characters In Episode II”; State Of The Art: The Previsualization Of Episode II; and “Films Are Not Released, They Escape”; plus Episode II Visual Effects Breakdown Montage and six deleted scenes.

STAR WARS EPISODE III: Revenge of the Sith
·      Conversations: The Star Wars That Almost Was
·      Discoveries From Inside: Hologram & Bloopers
·      Legacy content includes documentaries “Within A Minute: The Making Of Episode III”; The Journey Part 1; and The Journey Part 2; plus six deleted scenes.

STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A New Hope (20th Century Fox)
·      Conversations: Creating A Universe
·      Discoveries From Inside: Weapons & The First Lightsaber
·      Legacy content includes “Anatomy Of A Dewback”; Star Wars Launch Trailer; plus eight deleted scenes.

STAR WARS EPISODE V: The Empire Strikes Back
·      Conversations: The Lost Interviews
·      Discoveries From Inside: Matte Paintings Unveiled
·      Legacy content includes “A Conversation With The Masters” (2010); “Dennis Muren: How Walkers Walk”; “George Lucas On Editing The Empire Strikes Back 1979”; and “George Lucas On The Force: 2010”; plus six deleted scenes.

STAR WARS EPISODE VI: Return of the Jedi
·      Conversations: The Effects
·      Discoveries From Inside: The Sounds Of Ben Burtt
·      Legacy content includes “Classic Creatures: Return Of The Jedi”; “Revenge Of The Jedi Teaser Trailer”; Return Of The Jedi Launch Trailer; “It Began TV Spot”; “Climactic Chapter TV Spot”; plus five deleted scenes.


About The Walt Disney Studios
For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world.

Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Disney|Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company's activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. STAR WARS © & TM 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

About 20th Century Fox
One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, 20th Century Fox Film produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of 20th Century Fox Film: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions, and Twentieth Century Fox Animation.

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Debuting April 8, 2015: "Archie's Musical Mess"

ARCHIE'S MUSICAL MESS (DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE)

As the frontman of The Archies, Riverdale’s favorite redhead is definitely a talented singer and guitarist. But when it comes to other instruments, well… In this digital-only book, Archie and his friends try out some new sounds—and don’t always like what they hear! Check out this value-sized collection—but you might wanna wear earplugs when you do it!

Script: Various
Art: Various
Cover: Fernando Ruiz, Bob Smith, Rosario “Tito” Peña
On Sale Date: 4/10
100-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.

"The J-Pop Summit" Returns to San Francisco in August 2015

J-POP SUMMIT ANNOUNCES DATES FOR 2015 FESTIVAL THAT WILL OFFER A WIDER ARRAY OF JAPANESE POP CULTURE ATTRACTIONS

The Bay Area’s Premiere Japanese Pop Culture Event Moves To Historic

Fort Mason And Transitions To A Ticketed Event Offering An Even Wider Variety Of Japanese Film, Food, Fashion, Music And Entertainment

San Francisco, CA – The J-POP SUMMIT, the Japanese pop culture celebration held annually in San Francisco since 2009, has announced that its 7th annual event will take place Friday, August 7th through Sunday, August 9th, 2015.

The 2015 J-POP SUMMIT kicks off on Friday, August 7th with a very special Friday night premiere event at the historic Castro Theatre in association with the 2015 Japan Film Festival of San Francisco.

This year, the popular Bay Area annual celebration of Japanese pop culture, music, art, anime, fashion, and film moves from Japantown, where it has been held since 2009, to the historic Fort Mason Center in San Francisco’s Marina district.

The J-POP SUMMIT also transitions to become a ticketed attraction this year. Tickets will go on-sale on April 10th, 2015. Details and information on featured performers and events will be posted at www.J-POP.com.

Returning as part of the 2015 J-POP SUMMIT will be the 3rd annual Japan Film Festival of San Francisco, the only dedicated Japanese film festival held in the Bay Area. The week-long series of live-action and anime film theatrical premieres will be highlighted by special personal appearances by a variety of prominent Japanese directors and actors and kicks off on Friday August 7th with a special opening night premiere event co-presented by J-POP SUMMIT at San Francisco’s landmark Castro Theatre. The 2015 Japan Film Festival of San Francisco then runs at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema, located inside the NEW PEOPLE venue on Post St. in Japantown, from Saturday August 8th until Sunday August 16th. Tickets and additional information will be available at: www.JFFSF.org.

Notable new and returning fan-favorite events for the 2015 J-POP Summit will include:

LIVE MUSIC: Savor a diverse roster of some of Japan’s hottest pop and rock acts LIVE on-stage in special concert performances. This year, an expanded program of artists will perform live on the J-POP SUMMIT indoor stage at Fort Mason. Exclusive autograph and meet-and-greet sessions are also planned. Announcements of featured performers coming very soon!

FASHION: Straight from the streets of Tokyo come the newest and most cutting edge looks by an array of the latest designers. Catch fashion shows and fun contests by Japan’s hottest brands. Also browse a wide variety of products and exclusive designs for sale from many featured Japanese fashion labels. Look for news on the roster of fashion events and featured brands in coming weeks!

FILM PREMIERES: The 2015 Japan Film Festival of San Francisco will host its opening night premiere event at San Francisco’s celebrated Castro Theatre. Together with NEW PEOPLE Cinema, the Bay Area’s preeminent Japanese film festival will host screenings and receptions featuring popular Japanese actors and directors from Japan’s latest live-action film and anime releases.

INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY: The 2015 J-POP SUMMIT is pleased to present the Bay Area’s very first Japanese IT and Technology-focused showcase event with exhibition, panels and keynote talks. As a trend-setting center of the consumer technology world, San Francisco is the perfect venue to present a variety of pioneers and luminaries at the J-POP SUMMIT including hardware and software, arts and sciences, and entertainment and gaming companies.

TRAVEL: A unique and informative pavilion offers the many sides of Japan to potential travelers. A variety of pop-focused companies will also showcase aspects not normally seen or accessible in traditional tours but of keen interest to many J-POP SUMMIT attendees.

SAKE & JAPANESE FOOD: Let sake flow!! The Sake tasting events that have occurred at previous J-POP SUMMITS transform into the first-ever SAKE SUMMIT, an even larger-scale and more comprehensive event! The 2015 J-POP SUMMIT joins forces with a variety of major sake brands of Japan as well as key players in the sake business in the Bay Area: from distilleries, distributors to retailers. This event will help promote Japanese sake culture to a larger audience and entice more Americans to enjoy Japan’s national spirit. More information will be released in coming weeks!

MANGA & ANIME: Catch insightful discussions and autograph sessions led by a vanguard of Japan’s renowned manga and anime creators. Fans also can atch a wide variety of anime titles at the 2015 Japan Film Festival of San Francisco, which will take place at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema in Japantown.

POP ART: Take in several Japanese pop art exhibitions that accent the 2015 J-POP SUMMIT. Featured live performance art and other exhibits, as well as autograph sessions by world- renowned artists, will be presented as well as vendors offering handmade arts and crafts.

“The J-POP SUMMIT has expanded substantially every year since our very first event in 2009 and it has become an important annual showcase for the latest trends in Japanese popular culture,” says Seiji Horibuchi, Chairman of the J-Pop SUMMIT Committee and the founder of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “This year’s move to Fort Mason and the transition to a ticketed event is the next stage in the evolution of the J-POP SUMMIT and it will allow us to develop and present an even higher caliber of attractions and featured performers. Fort Mason’s expansive festival grounds also will provide for increased secure parking, better show management, and an even higher quality experience for attendees. We look forward to announcing this year’s roster of artists, performers and unique attractions over the coming weeks!”


About J-POP SUMMIT
The J-POP SUMMIT is an annual Japanese Pop Culture celebration held in San Francisco, CA that features live bands and artists from Japan, pop culture panel discussions, film premieres, fashion shows and events, food and spirits, art, and celebrity appearances. In 2014, the two-day event attracted 125,000 attendees. Details on J-POP SUMMIT are available at www.J-POP.com.

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VIZ Media to Begin Publishing Manga Based on "Yo-Kai" Video Game

VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT ACQUIRES YO-KAI WATCH MANGA SERIES
Japan’s Massive Hit Action Series About A Boy That Can See Japanese Yo-kai Launches in the U.S. This Fall

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced the acquisition of a new manga (graphic novel) property – YO-KAI WATCH.

The supernatural comedy adventure series is inspired by the explosively popular YOKAI WATCH video game created by LEVEL-5 for the Nintendo 3DS and launched to wide acclaim in Japan in 2013. The YO-KAI WATCH manga will be published under the company’s Perfect Square imprint, written and drawn by Noriyuki Konishi under the guidance of the LEVEL-5 team. This September, the phenomenal franchise is finally coming to North America with the launch of the YO-KAI WATCH manga series, fueled as well by the debuts of anime and toy products around the same time.

Yo-kai, inspired by the yokai of Japanese folklore, are not ghosts or monsters or creatures. They can’t be seen by the human eye, but they’re everywhere, and whether they're phantoms or everyday objects discovering their higher purpose, Yo-kai personalities are distinctly humanlike!

The YO-KAI WATCH manga will be rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will be available exclusively in print on a bi-monthly basis. In Japan, the series originally appeared in Coro Coro Comic magazine, published by VIZ Media parent company Shogakukan, and won both the 60th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2015 and the 38th Kodansha Manga Award in the Best Children’s Manga category in 2014.

Nathan Adams is just an average kid until the mysterious Whisper gives him a device that allows him to see what others cannot, Yo-kai of all shapes and forms!  Now, armed with the Yo-kai Watch, Nathan, Whisper and their new invisible friends embark on an all new supernatural adventure!

“The whole YO-KAI WATCH cast of characters, especially Jibanyan, Komansan and Whisper, already have huge followings in Japan, and now North American fans get to join the fun,” says Joel Enos, Senior Editor. “The manga’s a fun and zany take on traditional Japanese Yo-kai, and the watch that lets Nathan see and summon them is especially fun. The series will appeal to readers of all ages!”

YO-KAI WATCH manga artist Noriyuki Konishi hails from Shimabara City, Nagasaki Pref., Japan. He debuted in 1997 with the one-shot title, E-CUFF, which appeared in Monthly Shonen Jump Original. He is also known for manga adaptations of AM Driver and Mushiking: King of the Beetles, along with Saiyuki Hiro Go-Kū Den!, Chōhenshin Gag Gaiden!! Card Warrior Kamen Riders, and Go-Go-Go Saiyuki: Shin Gokūden.

VIZ Media’s pop-culture centric Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering comics, manga, graphic novels and other books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of both young readers and the young at heart.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on other manga titles from 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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Call for 28th Annual Harvey Award Nominations

2015 HARVEY NOMINATION BALLOTS AVAILABLE

NOMINATION BALLOTS DUE MAY 11

BALTIMORE, MD -- The Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con are proud to present the official Nomination Ballot for this year's Harvey Awards, honoring work published in the 2014 calendar year. Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art.  The 28th Annual Harvey Awards will be presented Saturday, September 26th, 2015 as part of the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Harvey Awards nomination ballots may now be submitted using an online form.  If you are a comics professional, you can vote online at harveyawards.org/2015-nomination-ballot/.  Ballots are due for submission by Monday, May 11th, 2014.

Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators - those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit, or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field. The Harvey Awards are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. 

We look forward to your participation and input in this process, and we look forward to seeing you at the Baltimore Comic-Con and the Harvey Awards.

The Harveys would not be possible without the generous sponsors of the Awards.  Sponsors for the last year's 2014 Harvey Awards included Presenting Sponsors Cards, Comics & Collectibles and the Baltimore Comic-Con; Gold Sponsors BOOM! Studios and Comic WOW!, Silver Sponsors Akuna Entertainment, ComicMix, Geppi's Entertainment Museum, Insight Studios Group; Painted Visions Comics, Top Shelf Productions, and Valiant; and Gift Bag Sponsors Abrams ComicArts, Archie Comic Publications, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, DC Entertainment, Del Rey Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, First Second, Popfun Collectibles, and Valiant Entertainment.

Companies and individuals interested in sponsoring the 2015 Harvey Awards may do so by contacting us at harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 25-27, 2015.  The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 26th.  Additional details about the Harvey Awards and the awards ceremony will be released over the next few months.



About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 28 years, the last 8 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in 22 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.  For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org


About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 16th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 25-27, 2015. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

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