VIZ Media Announces New Manga and Novel Acquisitions for 2016

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW MANGA AND NOVEL ACQUISITIONS

Six New Titles Announced For 2016 Release Include Action And Shojo Titles

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has detailed a wide array of brand new manga (graphic novel) and prose novel acquisitions that include several notable titles to be launched during the Winter and Spring 2016 seasons.

The acquisitions were announced this past weekend at the 2015 Anime Expo, the largest dedicated anime convention in the U.S. New shojo manga titles include SHURIKEN AND PLEATS, the new series by VAMPIRE KNIGHT creator Matsuri Hino; and BEHIND THE SCENES, a dramatic new comedy by Bisco Hatori, the famed creator of OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB.

The highly anticipated post-series spin off to the world’s most popular ninja comic, NARUTO: THE SEVENTH HOKAGE AND THE SCARLET SPRING joins the Shonen Jump catalog. Also joining the lineup will be SCHOOL JUDGMENT: GAKKYU HOTEI, a high school litigation series with story by Nobuaki Enoki and artwork by Takeshi Obata, the acclaimed artist of DEATH NOTE, ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, and BAKUMAN. With the debut of DRAGON FULL COLOR: FREEZA ARC, fans can experience Akira Toriyama’s bestseller in a whole new way.

Finally, from the Haikasoru imprint, literary fans can look forward to the debut in Spring 2016 of THE LEGEND OF THE GALACTIC HEROES: DAWN, the first volume of the classic space opera novel series that translates the European wars of the 19th Century to an interstellar setting and that won the Seiun Award for Best Science Fiction novel in 1987.

“Comedy, drama, and futuristic sci-fi action are on tap for next year with the launches of these forthcoming new series,” says Leyla Aker, Executive Vice President, Publishing. “We look forward to announcing more details on these titles soon and to fans and readers diving into each of the exciting new releases next year!”

New Winter 2016 Acquisitions

NARUTO: THE SEVENTH HOKAGE AND THE SCARLET SPRING · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuting Winter 2016

Naruto was a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. Then he channeled that energy into learning amazing ninja techniques and saving the world! Now Naruto has achieved his dream of becoming the greatest ninja in the village, and his face sits atop the Hokage monument. But new troubles are bubbling up in the shinobi world…

SHURIKEN AND PLEATS, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuting Winter 2016

Created by Matsuri Hino, the renowned creator of VAMPIRE NIGHT, MERUPURI and CAPTIVE HEARTS (all available from VIZ Media), when the master she has sworn to protect is killed, Mikage Kirio, a skilled ninja, travels to Japan to start a new, peaceful life for herself. But as soon as she arrives, she finds herself fighting to protect the life of Mahito Wakashimatsu, a man who is under attack by a band of ninja. From that time on, Mikage is drawn deeper into the machinations of his powerful family.

New Spring 2016 Acquisitions

BEHIND THE SCENES, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuting Spring 2016

BEHIND THE SCENES is a dramatic new comedy from Bisco Hatori, the creator of OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB and MILLENNIUM SNOW! Ranmaru Kurisu comes from a family of hardy, rough-and-tumble fisher folk, and he sticks out at home like a delicate, artistic sore thumb. It’s given him a raging inferiority complex and a permanently pessimistic outlook. Now that he’s in college, he’s hoping to find a sense of belonging. But after a whole life of being left out, does he even know how to fit in?!

DRAGON FULL COLOR: FREEZA ARC · Rated ‘A’ for All Ages · Debuting Spring 2016

Akira Toriyama's original, bestselling series is now available in a full-color version! After his epic battle with Vegeta, Son Goku must obtain the wish-granting Dragon Balls in order to resurrect their fallen allies! Their search will take them all the way to the planet Namek where the evil Freeza and his minions are slaughtering the Namekians in order to fulfill Freeza’s wish for immortality. What will it take to defeat this great evil?

LEGEND OF THE GALACTIC HEROES: DAWN · Debuting Spring 2016

This latest Haikasoru literary release was authored by Yoshiki Tanaka and launches a highly anticipated series of novels. In the 36th Century humanity has conquered the galaxy and colonized countless star systems. The Galactic Empire, modeled along Prussian lines, and the democratic Free Planets Alliance are at war, and the fate of every human being in the universe hangs in the balance. This classic Japanese space opera, which was adapted into a legendary anime, is finally available in English for the first time.

SCHOOL JUDGEMENT: GAKKYU HOTEI, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuting Spring 2016

In order to curb the crime running rampant in the elementary school system, a new solution has been enacted in the form of the School Judgment System. Now the young students themselves will be responsible for solving the issues that befall them. But are they up for the task?

For more information on manga titles distributed and 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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VIZ Media Announces "Maid-Sama!" for August

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES THE SHOJO ROMANTIC COMEDY MANGA SERIES MAID-SAMA!

Hilarious Romantic Sparks Fly After The Female President Of A Predominantly Male High School Is Found Working In A Maid Café By A Handsome Classmate

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, delivers a romantic comedy manga (graphic novel) series with the launch of MAID-SAMA! on August 4th, 2015.

Creator Hiro Fujiwara’s energetic series is rated ‘T’ for Teens. The first 2 complete volumes of MAID-SAMA! will be bundled into a fresh 2-in-1 omnibus edition that will carry a print MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. The 2-in-1 edition also launches digitally on August 4th via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. Subsequent 2-in-1 volumes of the 9-volume series will be published in English on a quarterly basis under the Shojo Beat imprint.

As if being class president of a predominantly male high school isn’t hard enough, Misaki Ayuzawa has a major secret – she works at a maid café after school! How is she supposed to keep her image of being ultra-smart, strong and overachieving intact once school heartthrob Takumi Usui discovers her double life?! Can Misaki trust Usui to keep her secret from the rest of the kids at school? And why the heck is he always showing up at the maid café? Maybe she should start taking him seriously when he says he likes her – especially when he throws in an unexpected kiss!

“Manga readers got a taste of MAID-SAMA! when it was originally published in North America, but it has been out of print for many years and the exciting conclusion of the series has never been available in English,” says Amy Yu, Editor. “We are very excited to announce the return of this humorous manga series for its complete run. The new VIZ Media editions will feature fresh translations and captivating new cover art that will make each volume a fun read for both new and veteran shojo manga fans!”

Manga creator Hiro Fujiwara is from Hyogo Prefecture in Japan. MAID-SAMA!, was her first long-running manga series and initially ran in Japan in Hakusensha’s LaLa magazine.

For more information on MAID-SAMA! 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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VIZ Media Launches "The Demon Prince of Momochi House"

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES SHOJO MANGA SERIES THE DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE

New Paranormal Romance By KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS Creator Aya Shouoto Now Available

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced the launch of Aya Shouoto’s THE DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE.

The shojo manga (graphic novel) series about a teenage girl who inherits a haunted house is rated ‘T’ for Teens and carries a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. The series is also available digitally via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. Future volumes of the series, which is also ongoing in Japan, will be published quarterly under the Shojo Beat imprint.

On her sixteenth birthday, orphan Himari Momochi inherits her ancestral estate that she’s never seen. Momochi House exists on the barrier between the human and spiritual realms, and Himari is meant to act as guardian between the two worlds. But on the day she moves in, she finds three handsome squatters already living in the house, and one seems to have already taken over her role!

“THE DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE features the exquisite artwork and beautiful character designs that have made Aya Shouoto a star in shojo manga,” says Nancy Thistlethwaite, Senior Editor. “The endearing relationships among the residents of Momochi House will make this a special series for shojo manga fans.”

For more information on Shojo Beat 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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Mark Waid is "Guest of Honor" at 2015 Baltimore Comic-Con

Photo by John Milewski

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces 2015 Guest of Honor Mark Waid

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - The 2015 Baltimore Comic-Con takes place the weekend of September 25-27, 2015 at the Baltimore Convention Center in the beautiful Inner Harbor. Buy your VIP, General Admission, and Harvey Award tickets now!

The Baltimore Comic-Con is privileged to announce this year's Guest of Honor: Mark Waid.

Waid's career in comics began in the 1980s when he wrote for Fantagraphics' comics fan magazine, Amazing Heroes. His first comics contribution, an 8-page back-up story that ran in Action Comics, was at DC Comics, where he would spend his formative years. He took on an editorial role at DC, helming titles including Action Comics, Doom Patrol, Infinity, Inc., Legion of Super-Heroes, Secret Origins, and Wonder Woman. He is also co-creator of the DC Elseworlds line of comics.

In the late 1980s, Waid left his editorial position to begin working freelance, writing for DC's Impact line on titles like The Comet and Legend of the Shield. As he entered the early 1990s, Waid took over the reins on The Flash, where he would spend the next 8 years developing the story lines and characters, including creating the popular speedster, Impulse, who would go on to star in his own Waid-scripted title. In the mid-1990s, he was the mind behind the DC crossover, Underworld Unleashed, writing the limited series.

Taking on his first role at Marvel Comics in the mid-1990s, Mark contributed to the X-Men crossover event, Age of Apocalypse, writing X-Men: Alpha and X-Men: Omega. Also for the X-Men line, Waid co-created Onslaught, the character behind the line-wide event. Later, he went on to pen numerous and acclaimed runs on Captain America and associated titles, including multiple volumes of the core title.

Back at DC, Waid and artist/creator Alex Ross penned the futuristic Kingdom Come, a limited series painted by Ross that would redirect aspects of the DC Universe to match the story written, and which spawned The Kingdom, a follow-on limited series penned by Waid. He also, along with writer Grant Morrison, came up with the concept of "Hypertime" which explained continuity discrepencies in the DC Universe. He wrote numerous Justice League titles, including JLA, JLA: Year One, Justice League Task Force, Justice League Quarterly, and JLA: Heaven's Ladder.

At the short-lived Gorilla Comics, of which he was a co-founder, Waid wrote Empire with artist Barry Kitson (but the title completed its run at DC after Gorilla folded after 2 issues of the title had been released). He also worked for CrossGen, penning the first year of Ruse.

Waid wrote an acclaimed, and briefly controversial due to conflicts with management at the time, run on Fantastic Four at Marvel, with late artist Mike Wieringo. The controversy ended after fan outcry caused a decision to fire the team to be reversed.

In the mid 2000s, Waid's noteworthy work at DC Comics, where he spent 2 years under exclusive contract, included the Superman: Birthright limited series, a run on Legion of Super-Heroes, the 52 crossover series, a relaunch of The Brave and the Bold, and another run on The Flash.

After his DC exclusive ended, Waid's Marvel work was similarly lauded, with contributions to Amazing Spider-Man, the Strange limited series, The Indestructible Hulk, The Hulk, and S.H.I.E.L.D. He is also one of the brains behind the multiple-Harvey and Eisner Award-winning Daredevil title, which has run in multiple volumes under his leadership.

After writing Irredeemable and Incorruptible at BOOM! Studios, Waid became the publisher's Editor-in-Chief in 2007, and briefly took on the role of Chief Creative Officer for the publisher in 2010 before returning to freelancing. He also launched the digital publishing website Thrillbent, with his title Insufferable as the inaugural series. He is currently in the process of recreating the Archie character at Archie Comic Publications.

"Mark Waid has been with us every year except our second," said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "He is an exceptional creative talent, he is an exceptional driver for the forward progress of our industry, and he is an exceptional friend. We love him and, with his 30 years of work in the comics industry and across the publishing landscape, we know his broad fan base loves him too, so we are euphoric to be able to present Mark as our 2015 Guest of Honor."

TICKETS
General Admission and VIP Package tickets for Weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as the Harvey Awards, are now on sale! Visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/ for more information and to purchase your advanced tickets now, and as always, kids 10 and under get into the show free with a paid adult General Admission!

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

Contact Information

Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:
press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com- for the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com- for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries

About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 15th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

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 20 years, the last 10 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 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.

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"Sailor Moon R" Set 1 Coming to DVD and Blu-ray

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES HOME MEDIA RELEASE OF SAILOR MOON R SET 1

Season 2 Of The Legendary Anime Series Available As Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack With 22 Uncut Episodes, Exclusive Extras And Full-Color Episode Guide

VIZ Media delivers exciting new action to home media audiences with the release of SAILOR MOON R Set 1 as a special Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack as well as a multi-disc Standard Edition DVD Set. The sets are available now at favorite retailers.

The greatest magical girl anime series of all time continues in the second season of the original SAILOR MOON. Fans can expand their home media collections with 22 uncut episodes, presented on Blu-ray and loaded with many never-before-seen extras. Uncut English dubbed as well as Japanese subtitled dialogue options are available on both formats. SAILOR MOON R is rated "TV-PG.”

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 attack 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 new SAILOR MOON R Set 1 Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack contains a deluxe, 6-disc collection (3 DVDs & 3 Blu-rays), packaged in a beautiful reflective chipboard box with extra space to house the concluding edition of the second season of the series. The Combo Pack features Episodes 47-68, presented in crisp 1080p video preserving the original 4:3 aspect ratio. The combo pack also includes exclusive bonus content such as special cast interviews, behind-the-scenes footage from the English dub recording sessions as well as clean opening and ending segments, digital art galleries, and official series trailers. The Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack also comes with a 96-page full-color episode guide. MSRP will be $79.98 U.S. / $93.99 CAN. A Standard Edition Combo Pack is also available for $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN featuring the same on-disc content.

The SAILOR MOON R Set 1 DVD Set contains 3 discs (featuring Episodes 47-68) with beautifully illustrated variant O-card packaging and embossed holofoil printing. Episodes are presented in 480p standard video format. Uncut English dubbed as well as Japanese subtitled dialogue options are available. MSRP will be $44.82 U.S. / $51.99 CAN.

The legendary SAILOR MOON anime series depicts the adventures of Usagi Tsukino, a cheerful 14-year-old schoolgirl who often finds herself in unwanted trouble. One day, she saves a talking cat named Luna from some mean kids, and her life is changed forever. Luna gives Usagi a magic brooch that transforms her into Sailor Moon, guardian of love and justice! Now Usagi must work with Luna to find the other Sailor Guardians and the Moon Princess, whose Legendary Silver Crystal is Earth’s only hope against the dark forces of the evil Queen Beryl!

The 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! 

SAILOR MOON Season 1, Sets 1 and 2 are also available for home media viewers as  Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs and also as Standard DVD Editions.

For more information on SAILOR MOON, or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

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Chris Evans-Captain America to Attend 2015 Salt Lake Comic Con

“Avengers Assemble": Chris Evans Is Coming to Salt Lake Comic Con

- Captain America will be at Salt Lake Comic Con on September 26, 2015, and he “wants you” to be there -

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Salt Lake Comic Con (http://saltlakecomiccon.com/) announced today that actor Chris Evans will be at Salt Lake Comic Con on September 26, 2015, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, and he “wants you” to be there too.

    “Salt Lake Comic Con has become a premier venue for all celebrities, and it’s due to our fans and the incredible support they give us”

Evans is best known for his roles as Captain America in Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Johnny Storm/Human Torch in Fantastic Four. Captain America: Civil War is currently being filmed and is scheduled for release in 2016.

“In polling our fans, we know that Chris is a fan favorite, especially after the blockbuster success of Avengers: Age of Ultron and in anticipation of the soon-to-be-released Captain America: Civil War,” said Dan Farr, Salt Lake Comic Con Founder and Show Producer. “Captain America is such an iconic hero, and Chris does such a wonderful job playing him. We feel lucky to have him and know that our fans will be absolutely ecstatic to meet him.”

Salt Lake Comic Con will be the first comic con event done by Evans that will include opportunities for fans to get photo ops and autographs from him at the show. He’ll also be doing a panel with more than 5,000 attendees.

“Salt Lake Comic Con has become a premier venue for all celebrities, and it’s due to our fans and the incredible support they give us,” said Bryan Brandenburg, Salt Lake Comic Con Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer. “Having Chris Evans as a guest is not only an extreme honor, but it’s a huge win for us and those that attend our show. Word has spread quickly around the comic con circuit, and we hear all the time from celebrities, their agents, artists, authors and vendors how well we and our fans treat them. Salt Lake City has become one of their favorite destinations.”

In addition to Evans, Salt Lake Comic Con 2015 will feature Sean Astin, Morena Baccarin, John Barrowman, Felicia Day, Alex Kingston, Scott Wilson, Linda Blair, Kristin Bauer, Ian Somerhalder, Robbie Amell, Daniel Cudmore, Walter Koenig, Vic Mignogna, Austin St, John, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Joel Hodgson, Christopher Gorham, Bill Corbett and Trace Beaulieu. More guests will be announced before the show in September.

Tickets to Salt Lake Comic Con 2015 are available on the Salt Lake Comic Con website. For more information about Salt Lake Comic Con visit their website at http://saltlakecomiccon.com/.


ABOUT SALT LAKE COMIC CON:
Salt Lake Comic Con is organized by Dan Farr Productions (DFP) in partnership with ABC4/CW30 of the Nexstar Broadcasting Group. DFP is an event and marketing group devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium celebrities and brands in the pop culture arena. DFP is dedicated to producing spectacular celebrations of popular culture that lead the market in providing exceptional and rewarding experiences for our consumers, fans, celebrity guests, vendors and partners. Find out more at: www.SaltLakeComicCon.com, www.abc4.com/.

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George Lucas, Danny Elfman Among 2015 Class of "Disney Legends"

Eight New Disney Legends to Be Honored During D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim

George Lucas, Danny Elfman, Susan Lucci, Andreas Deja and Other Remarkable Contributors To Be Celebrated In A Special Awards Ceremony Hosted By Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger On Friday, August 14.

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Star Wars creator George Lucas, composer Danny Elfman, "All My Children" star Susan Lucci, Disney Animator Andreas Deja and other beloved contributors to the Disney legacy will be named and honored as official Disney Legends during D23 EXPO 2015 at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2015 in Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The ceremony will be hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, and will include special musical performances.

    “as a personification of Disneyland’s world-famous spirit of friendliness and happiness.”

The Disney Legends Awards program is a 28-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, and the first Disney Legend was Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire), who was honored in 1987. The three-day EXPO provides the opportunity for Disney fans to be a part of the memorable and prestigious event.

“The Disney Legend Award is our highest honor, and we are incredibly proud to recognize these eight talented individuals who have contributed so much to the world of entertainment and the Disney legacy,” said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “Their vision and dedication to their work have brought joy to audiences around the globe and earned them a place in Disney history.”

The 2015 Disney Legend Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

GEORGE BODENHEIMER, who retired from his role as Executive Chairman of ESPN in May 2014, enjoyed a remarkable 33-year career that began in the company’s mailroom in 1981. Working his way through the ranks, he became executive vice president of sales and marketing in 1996, before being named the network’s fifth president in 1998. He held that role until 2012, when he stepped down from day-to-day operations.

ANDREAS DEJA is a link to Disney’s past and one of the greatest animators of its modern era. Deja is known for his rich portraits of villainy, having animated Gaston for Beauty and the Beast, Jafar for Aladdin, and Scar for The Lion King. He has also brought life to heroes such as mighty Hercules, the precocious Lilo (Lilo & Stitch), regal King Triton (The Little Mermaid), wise Mama Odie (The Princess and the Frog), and loveable Tigger (Winnie the Pooh). In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Winsor McCay Award for his contributions to the art of animation.

EYVIND EARLE, one of the greatest of Disney artists, brought his unique style to a number of memorable projects but perhaps the purest realization of his vision remains the visual styling and backgrounds for the Disney classic Sleeping Beauty. Earle’s career with Disney began in 1951, working on background artwork for Peter Pan. He created the look of the 1953 animated short Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom, which won an Academy Award® for Best Short Subject, Cartoons in 1954. His most noticeable contribution, however, remains his work on Sleeping Beauty. The film’s eye-catching look, in its design and backgrounds, is the perfect representation of his unique style.

DANNY ELFMAN provided the songs and score for The Nightmare Before Christmas, for which he also provided the singing voice of Jack Skellington. He also scored several Disney films including Alice in Wonderland, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Dick Tracy, Dead Presidents, Flubber, Good Will Hunting (Oscar® Nomination: Best Score), A Civil Action, Instinct, Frankenweenie, and Oz the Great and Powerful. Elfman also wrote the theme for ABC’s Desperate Housewives and penned the music for the Mystic Manor attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland. His music is featured in Disneyland’s annual Haunted Mansion Holiday. His upcoming Disney projects include Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass.

GEORGE LUCAS, whose Star Wars films made him one of the most successful filmmakers of all time, is also a longtime Disney fan who has left an indelible impression on Disney parks. His first project with Disney was Captain EO, the 1986 3-D spectacular starring Michael Jackson and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Star Tours and Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, as well as Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril in Disneyland Paris, and two blockbuster Indiana Jones Adventure attractions at Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea round out Lucas’ timeless work in conjunction with Disney.

SUSAN LUCCI portrayed Erica Kane on ABC’s fabled soap opera All My Children for 41 years, a role that TV Guide deemed unequivocally the most famous character in the history of daytime television, earning Lucci 21 Daytime Emmy® nominations to which she won the prestigious Emmy for Best Actress to an industry-wide standing ovation on her 19th nomination. Shortly thereafter, she received her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, presented to her by Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. The iconic actress has also appeared on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and Hope & Faith, as well as Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven. Lucci currently stars in the international hit Lifetime series, Devious Maids, produced by ABC Studios, as the wealthy and effervescent socialite, Genevieve Delatour.

JULIE REIHM CASALETTO, who began her Disney career as a tour guide, became Disneyland’s first Ambassador in 1965—a role created to help Walt, who found it increasingly difficult to attend all the events to which he was invited. As Disneyland’s first Ambassador, she was chosen “as a personification of Disneyland’s world-famous spirit of friendliness and happiness.” She became the template upon which decades of Ambassadors would pattern themselves.

CARSON VAN OSTEN helped bring Disney characters to life in a variety of media, all around the world, for three decades. During Van Osten’s tenure, he oversaw creative content for motion picture tie-in advertising, many Disney publications, and also established some of the first licensing style guides for Disney Consumer Products. The talented artist designed logos for Mickey Mouse’s 50th and 60th birthdays, the Walt Disney Studios logo and water tower design, and the Disneyland Hotel clock tower “Mickey” logo in Paris.

Each honoree receives a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity, and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients will also participate in a handprint ceremony at the end of the event, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

Admission to the ceremony will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to D23 EXPO 2015.

Including this year’s honorees, a total of 257 Disney Legends have been named. Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Robin Williams, Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Regis Philbin, Annette Funicello, Peter Jennings, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Sir Tim Rice, Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Walters. With the inaugural D23 EXPO in 2009, thousands of Disney fans were able to enjoy the Legends Awards ceremony for the first time. Honorees that year included Robin Williams, Beatrice Arthur, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Betty White, Tony Anselmo, Bill Farmer, Harry Archinal, Don Iwerks, and Leota Toombs Thomas.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.


About D23 EXPO 2015
D23 EXPO—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 EXPO 2015 news, visit D23EXPO.com. To join the D23 EXPO conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 on Twitter and use #D23EXPO.

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

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