"Sailor Moon" Moonlight Party No. 3 Celebrates Premiere of Season 2

VIZ MEDIA HOSTS SAILOR MOON MOONLIGHT PARTY III TO CELEBRATE ENGLISH DUB PREMIERE OF SEASON 2 OF THE LEGENDARY ANIME SERIES

Join VIZ Media For A Virtual Live Stream Event Marking The Neon Alley English Dub Premiere Of SAILOR MOON R With Added Live Commentary, Real Time Q&A And Trivia Contests

San Francisco, CA, – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, invites SAILOR MOON fans to join the company as it hosts a special free virtual party and unique live stream event to mark the English dub premiere of SAILOR MOON R (Season 2) on Neon Alley/Hulu. Featuring the acclaimed new English dub cast, the exciting second season of the legendary anime series begins streaming on Neon Alley and Hulu for a limited time starting on the evening of Friday, April 10th, 2015. Catch the latest interstellar adventures of Episodes 47-60.

To celebrate, a special SAILOR MOON Moonlight Party III will take place this Friday, April 10th, starting at 6:00pm PDT on VIZ Media’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zjEH2BzgfU. Fans are encouraged to participate in the event, which will present SAILOR MOON R Episodes 47 and 48 (where main character Usagi, voiced by Stephanie Sheh, is reawakened to her mission), along with Episode 54 (where Rei, voiced by Cristina Vee, makes her singing debut), and Episode 60 (the first episode featuring Chiba Usa, voiced in English by Sandy Fox).

As the episodes stream via Neon Alley/Hulu, viewers can take part in a real-time Q&A with VIZ Media staff that will run throughout the evening. Fans are invited to submit questions throughout the event via YouTube, in the comments sections of the actual live stream (as available), or on the official VIZ Media Facebook page, and via Twitter using the special hashtag, #MoonlightParty.

SAILOR MOON Moonlight Party III participants and viewers also can interact with members of the VIZ Media team, which will be present during the live stream to answer questions and offer lively commentary and little known information about the series and these new episodes. A SAILOR MOON trivia contest also will take place and fans and aspiring Sailor Guardians are invited to submit their answers via Facebook and Twitter to win special prizes. SAILOR MOON fans nationwide are also encouraged host their own Moonlight Parties and share pictures using the hashtag #MoonlightParty on favorite social media platforms.

“The SAILOR MOON Moonlight Parties have been an extremely fun and interactive way for fans to join us and celebrate the premiere of new English dub episodes and revel in our shared love for this iconic series,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manager of Animation. “During our latest virtual soirée, we will release the premiere dates and times for the remaining SAILOR MOON R English episodes as well as some other exciting surprises and news! Don’t miss all the excitement!!”

In SAILOR MOON R, Usagi and her friends return to their normal lives after their epic battle, but the Sailor Guardians are called back into action when powerful new enemies appear. By the power of the Legendary Silver Crystal, Sailor Moon gains strength with a dazzling new attach and transformation. The coming battle won't be easy, but things get even more complicated when a mysterious pink-haired girl falls form the sky and goes after Mamoru!

The smash hit SAILOR MOON anime series is inspired by the bestselling manga (graphic novel) series created by Naoko Takeuchi (published in North America by Kodansha). In the series, Usagi Tsukino is a clumsy but kindhearted teenage girl who transforms into the powerful guardian of love and justice, Sailor Moon. Meeting allies along the way who share similar fates, Usagi and her team of planetary Sailor Guardians fight to protect the universe from forces of evil and total annihilation! 

The entire SAILOR MOON Season 1 is now available from VIZ Media on home video as Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs and Standard Edition DVD sets. Fans can also catch the brand new SAILOR MOON reboot – SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL – with new episodes (subtitled) available to stream on the first and third Saturdays each month on Hulu and Neon Alley.

For more information on SAILOR MOON, or other award-winning anime 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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Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of April 5th to 11th, 2015 - Update #18

NEWS:

From Collider:  How to get a Disney animation job.

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From Variety:  Ryan Gosling in talks to star in Guillermo del Toro's "The Haunted Mansion."

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From THR:  Cast set for Baz Luhrmann's Netflix series, "The Get Down."

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From SlashFilm:  Brad Bird writing "The Incredibles 2."

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From TheWrap:  Academy sets Oscar dates for the next three years.

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From YahooMusic:  Frances Bean Cobain on new "Kurt Cobain" documentary.  She's not really a fan of Nirvana's music.

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From TheWrap:  There will be a "Need for Speed" sequel.  It will film mostly in China, where it was a huge hit.  Perhaps the success of Furious 7 got this project rolling...

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From Variety:  New episode of "Arrested Development."

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From THR:  "Tron 3" is a go.

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From YahooTV:  Nina Dobrev to exit "Vampire Diaries."

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From CinemaBlend:  William Shatner wants a 50th anniversary special for "Star Trek."

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From Variety:  The winner of the April 3rd to 5th, 2014 weekend box office is Furious 7 with an estimated take $143.6 million.

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From Variety: Queen Latifah is playing Bessie Smith for HBO (May 16, 2015), and a full trailer is now available.

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From YahooSports:  Wal-Mart won't sell Ronda Rousey's new book, "My Fight/Your Fight," because she is "too violent."  Apparently, customers can pre-order the book, which is due May 12th, on Wal-Mart.com.

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From YahooMovies:  Critics says it is time to end "Fast & Furious" franchise.


COMIC BOOKS: Books and Movies:

From Variety: New Fantastic Four trailer.


STAR WARS:

From ScreenRant: Details about the upcoming "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer #2.


OBITS:

From YahooCelebrity:  One of my favorite actors, Geoffrey Lewis, has died at the age of 79.  The character actor, who died on Tuesday, April 7th, 2015, was the father of Oscar-nominated actress, Juliette Lewis.  He appeared in many Clint Eastwood movies, but I best remember him for the TV series, "Flo," which was a spin-off of "Alice."  Negromancer sends condolences to Lewis' family.

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From YahooTV:  The actor James Best has died at the age of 88.  Best was best known as "Roscoe P. Coltrane" on the CBS TV series, "The Dukes of Hazzard."

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From DreadCentral:  The actor, Tom Towles, has died at the age of 65.  He was known for his work in horror films, such as the 1990 color remake of "Night of the Living Dead."


MISC:

From YahooPolitics:  A great story - bipartisan basketball

Webcomics Update: Grumble #1 Page 24

Page 24 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbleone024.html

NOTE:  Last year, I printed some promotional copies of Grumble: Chapter One through a POD printer.  I will sign and number a copy of this "rare" comic book for $5 post paid, which you can purchase here or http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/p/i-reads-shopping.html

PLUS: New Johnny Bullet episode.

Diamond Comic Distributors to Carry UK Publisher, TPub

UK Publisher TPub Titles Coming to Book Markets Worldwide

(BALTIMORE, Maryland) — (April 8, 2015) —Diamond is pleased to announce a new distribution agreement with British comic book and graphic novel publisher TPub, expanding Diamond’s abilities to distribute TPub’s titles worldwide into comic book specialty markets, gaming and hobby markets, as well as book markets through Diamond Book Distributors. TPub’s publications will be solicited in Diamond’s monthly PREVIEWS catalog where comic book and thriller fans can pre-order TPub graphic novels.

TPub caters to the thrill seeking crowd. Their stories are filled with suspense, terror, mystery and a hint of humor to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Since their beginnings in 2011, TPub’s collections of graphic novels were only available to purchase in the UK or online. The agreement with Diamond will allow comic book shops and book stores to have the opportunity to carry TPub’s titles, expanding reach and audience engagement.

“We are pleased to build on our original agreement with TPub and have the opportunity to offer their titles into new outlets through Diamond Book Distributors,” said Diamond’s Vice President of Purchasing, John Wurzer. “Through our combined efforts, Diamond hopes to bring TPub new success within the industry, increasing audience awareness and continued demand for their printed works.”

"We're very excited to be expanding our agreement with Diamond to include the bookstore market,” said Head of TPub Operations Ryan O’Sullivan. “As creators of graphic novels exclusively, selling our books to bookstores, libraries, and schools was an obvious next step for us as a publishing house. Our goal at TPub has always been to get even more people reading comics, and with the increased reach we now have through Diamond, we're ready to do just that."

The top titles TPub produces includes the Twisted Dark series and the graphic novels, Tortured Life and Tabatha. In 2016, TPub will be breaking into new genres to include titles containing super heroes, dramatic titles and autobiography works for younger readers. 

Customers looking to pre-order TPub Publisher titles should contact their local retailer, or find a comic shop near them at www.comicshoplocator.com. New retailers interested in purchasing TPub’s titles are encouraged to contact Diamond’s New Accounts Department at newaccounts@diamondcomics.com or via phone at 443-318-8001.


ABOUT TPUB- TPub is a UK-based comic book publishing company that was founded in December of 2011 by writer Neil Gibson. TPub currently publishes the popular Twisted Dark series, as well as stand-alone graphic novels Tortured Life, Tabatha, Turncoat, Theatrics and The World of Chub. For more information visit www.tpub.co.uk.

ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS (DCD)—Diamond is at the nexus of comics and pop culture. Based in Baltimore, MD, DCD is the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise, serving thousands of retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.

ABOUT DIAMOND BOOK DISTRIBUTORS (DBD)—DBD is a division of Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., and is dedicated to making a wide selection of graphic novels and other pop culture merchandise available globally to bookstores, libraries, schools, online retailers, mass merchants and others. DBD is the home to a number of world class publishers including IDW Publishing, publisher of 30 Days of Night, Locke & Key, My Little Pony, G.I. Joe and Transformers; Image Comics, publisher The Walking Dead, Saga, Chew, and Morning Glories; Oni Press, Top Shelf Productions, and many others.  For more information, visit Diamond Books on the web at www.diamondbookdistributors.com.

© 2015 Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. All rights reserved. Diamond, the Diamond logo, and PREVIEWS are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Diamond Comic Distributors in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective copyright owners.

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VIZ Media Offers Digital Manga Starter Bundles for April 2015

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW DIGITAL MANGA UPDATES FOR APRIL AND CONTINUES DIGITAL MANGA STARTER BUNDLE PROMOTION
Dive Into Digital Series Debuts For JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 2 - BATTLE TENDENCY, GRENADIER And RED HOT CHILI SAMURAI Along With A New Selection Of Manga Bundles And Updates To Dozens Of Continuing Titles

VIZ Media opens the month of April with a fresh digital manga update that features the launch of 3 notable new manga series as well as the latest additions to dozens of other popular continuing titles.

This month, readers are invited join the Joestar family for its latest multigenerational, action-driven exploits with the debut of JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 2 – BATTLE TENDENCY. Then join a buxom and beautiful female gunslinger for wild adventures in the new series, GRENADIER, and slice up some spicy samurai inspired fun with RED HOT CHILI SAMURAI. 

VIZ Media also continues its popular Digital Manga Starter Bundle Promotion throughout April. The latest selection of manga bundles are available for a limited time until April 30th on VIZManga.com, as well as through the comiXology platform. These specially curated digital bundles each contain multiple volumes from popular VIZ Media manga series at a substantial savings over the regular digital MSRPs.

This month’s selections offer readers the opportunity to enjoy unique multi-volume collections of several acclaimed VIZ Media series including CHIBI VAMPIRE, DENGEKI DAISY, TERRA FORMARS and TORIKO.

New April Digital Manga Series Debuts:

JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 2 – BATTLE TENDENCY, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Digital MSRP: $10.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available April 21st! 

The beginning of the Battle Tendency Arc! The Joestar family is called upon to do battle against evil again! This time, it’s Joseph Joestar, the grandson of Jonathan Joestar! And his enemies are more powerful and diabolical than ever! Behold! The terror of the Pillar Men!

GRENADIER, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Digital MSRP: $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available April 21st!  

Rushuna is a golden-haired Senshi – a gunslinger who travels the land with one purpose: to make the world a peaceful place. However, her journey of nonviolence is never easy, and when she joins forces with an ambitious samurai, you better look out! Rushuna just might be forced to display her amazing gun skills-and she's got two big ones!

RED HOT CHILI SAMURAI, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Digital MSRP: $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available April 28th!

Samurai Kokaku Sento likes peppers. Scratch that – he loves them! The only thing Kokaku likes better than eating a hot chili pepper is helping his father kick the butts of bad guys! With the help of his bespectacled friend Ento and cutie-pie girl of action Ran, Kokaku will take a bite out of crime – but not before biting a spicy pepper first!

VIZ Media’s Digital Manga Starter Bundle Promotion continues through April 30th on VIZManga.com as well as comiXology.

CHIBI VAMPIRE Bundle · Promo MSRP $45.00
Bundle includes:
·         CHIBI VAMPIRE Vols. 1-14 + AIRMAIL

DENGEKI DAISY Bundle · Promo MSRP $30.00
Bundle includes:
·         DENGEKI DAISY Vols. 1-10

TERRA FORMARS Catch-Up Bundle · Promo MSRP $25.00
Bundle includes:
·         TERRA FORMARS Vols. 1-5

TORIKO Bundle · Three Available Bundles To Choose From
Available bundle selections:
·         TORIKO Vols. 1-4 “Appetizer Dish” MSRP: $12.00
·         TORIKO Vols. 1-10 “Salad Dish” MSRP: $20.00
·         TORIKO Vols. 1-15 “Main Dish” MSRP: $30.00

Additional digital manga content for April includes updates to 24 other continuing series. Included in this month’s update are exciting new volumes for popular continuing titles such as ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM (Vol. 3), BLACK LAGOON (Vol. 10), DEADMAN WONDERLAND (Vol. 8), MY LOVE STORY!! (Vol. 4) RATMAN (Vol. 2), and SKIP BEAT! (Vol. 34), as well as must-read series finales for HONEY BLOOD (Vol. 2), METEOR PRINCE (Vol. 2), and WISH (Vol. 4).

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 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 2,600 volumes across more than 225 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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Makoto Tateno to Appear at YaoiCon 2015

Makoto Tateno to be Guest of Honor at YaoiCon 2015

YaoiCon welcomes prolific manga-ka Makoto Tateno as Guest of Honor at this year’s YaoiCon, held September 18-21, 2015, in San Francisco, California. A fan favorite, Makoto Tateno has been known for creating both shōjo and boys’ love manga, many which have been licensed by Digital Manga, Inc. (DMI). Most recently, DMI has released A Murmur of the Heart. Among Western fans, Tateno’s Yellow series continues to be one of her most popular series. SuBLime has also licensed and released Makoto Tateno’s How’s Your Ex? digitally. She was also a guest at YaoiCon in 2009 and we are honored to have her return.  

Martha Asahi has also been announced as an industry guest. She is known as a cosplayer and boys’ love manga-ka. Active in the cosplay community in Japan at conventions and photo shoots, Martha has released two manga, Nayameru Giin no Renai Kiyaku and Kimi o Nakasetai! both published by Okala Shuppan.

To view more information about our guests, please visit www.yaoicon.com/guests.php


About YAOICON:
YaoiCon is a one-of-a-kind 18+ convention for fans of all things yaoi. Founded in 2001, the convention is run by dedicated staff and volunteers each year and has been formally sponsored by Digital Manga, Inc., since 2012. YaoiCon delights attendees with unique programming and a fan-centric atmosphere, including (but not limited to!) hosting a celebrated Guest of Honor, presenting industry and fan panels related to the genre, and holding the iconic and not-to-be-missed Bishounen Auction, YaoiCon is the place for dedicated yaoi fans. Come join us this year at the lovely Hyatt Regency SFO in Burlingame, California, for three days of risqué and friendly fun!

Features:
Artist alley, Anime, Bishounen Auction, Bishounen Bingo, ‘Dance Your Pants Off!’, Dealers hall, Industry guest, Mascot gallery, manga, Masquerade, Opening/Closing Ceremonies, and Swap Meet.

Visit www.yaoicon.com for additional information.

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Daniel Clowes Returns to Fantagraphics Bookstore on April 18, 2015

Daniel Clowes Returns

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is pleased to host the return engagement of one of America's most influential artists, Daniel Clowes. His cynical satires of popular culture in the pages of the wildly popular Eightball comic book series helped define the attitudes and aesthetics of an entire generation. His appearance in Seattle on Saturday, April 18, 2015 marks the global debut of The Complete Eightball 1-18 (http://www.fantagraphics.com/browse-shop/the-complete-eightball-1-18-pre-order--6.html?vmcchk=1). Clowes will be available to sign a limited number of advance copies of this collection as well as other publications from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Clowes' meticulously rendered artwork and cinematic narratives set a standard for the alternative comix movement. Eightball comics combined long form stories spanning multiple issues with wickedly funny invectives of contemporary culture. The early issues included Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron, a mysterious excursion into madness that set the stage for his later effort, Ghost World. This stunning story was adapted into the feature film of the same name and became a generational touchstone while earning Clowes an Oscar nomination for best screenplay adaptation. Equally appealing are Clowes' clever observations of the human condition including "Message to the People of the Future," "Paranoid," "My Suicide," "Chicago," "Art School Confidential" and many more.
Fantagraphics Books celebrates the 25th anniversary of its publication with a deluxe two-volume slipcase set that authentically recreates the original layout of this iconic comic book series. Don't miss this rare opportunity to meet this extraordinary artist and the debut of the exceptional Complete Eightball collection.

Listing information:

Daniel Clowes presents The Complete Eightball 1 - 18
Saturday, April 18, 2015 - 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street
Seattle, WA 98108 | 206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM.

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