Harvey Award Winner, Vivek J. Tiwary, To Host 2015 Harvey Awards

Photo by Lt. Blu Norals

THE FIFTH BEATLE'S VIVEK J. TIWARY TO HOST HARVEY AWARDS

Join Host Vivek J. Tiwary at the Harvey Awards

Harvey Awards Dinner & Award Ceremony Tickets Now on Sale

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - On Saturday night, September 26th, 2015 the comic book industry, including professionals, retailers, and fans, will gather at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore to honor the 2015 Harvey Award Nominees for 2014 comic work and present the Harveys to their recipients. This is an exciting evening, highlighted by our host Vivek J. Tiwary, a #1 New York Times bestselling author, Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, and the founder of multi-platform arts and entertainment company Tiwary Entertainment Group.

Harvey Awards tickets are on sale NOW! Tickets to the event, which includes full cocktail hour (cash bar), full service dinner (featuring a Baltimore Crabcake!), awards ceremony, and a gift bag, are now available for $125. Tickets are available at our website via credit card at baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets.

Host Vivek J. Tiwary's graphic novel, The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story (Dark Horse Comics), is based on the untold life story of Beatles' manager Brian Epstein. Written by Tiwary, with art by Andrew C. Robinson and Kyle Baker, it received worldwide critical acclaim and won a number of prestigious literary awards including two Harvey Awards including Best Original Graphic Novel and the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Reality-Based Work. It is a Lambda Literary Finalist for Best LGBT Graphic Novel, an American Library Association Great Graphic Novel for Teens, and has been added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives Permanent Collection.

The Fifth Beatle is now being adapted into a feature film that has secured unprecedented access to Beatles music and counts Simon Cowell amongst its producers. Vivek is writing its screenplay and will serve as a producer.

"I learned to read from reading comics with my parents -- and much to their dismay, I learned to make fun of authority from Harvey Kurtzman and MAD Magazine!" said Tiwary, "So what an honor to now host this show named after Harvey that shines a light on creators who are pushing the boundaries of comics and keeping his torch of intelligent irreverence alive."

On Broadway, Tiwary's productions have won a combined 25 Tony Awards. They include such groundbreaking work as Green Day's American Idiot, The Addams Family, A Raisin In The Sun, and Mel Brooks' The Producers. Vivek is currently working with Alanis Morissette and Pulitzer and Tony Award-winner Tom Kitt to adapt Morissette's breakthrough album Jagged Little Pill for Broadway.

Vivek previously served on the Board of Directors for Valiant Entertainment, a multi-platform company that boasts the third largest universe of comic book characters and has secured a 5-film deal with Sony Pictures.

Vivek held a number of major label music-industry positions working with artists ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Britney Spears.

In addition to hosting the awards ceremony, Vivek will be speaking on a panel and signing books throughout the weekend at the Baltimore Comic-Con.

The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. The Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. Additionally, the Hero Initiative will present 2 awards to outstanding members of the comics community.
The Hero Initiative was established to aid comic creators with a financial safety net when in need of emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. In the years since its inception, the board has created an award to recognize those individuals in the industry that have dedicated their talent over the lifetime of their careers to the comic book community at-large, achieving the status of Hero. Previous recipients include Herb Trimpe, Sal Buscema, John Romita, Joe Kubert, Nick Cardy, Neal Adams, and George Perez. Who will be this year's lifetime Hero?

The Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award will also be presented at the Harvey Awards Banquet. Giordano, who passed away in early 2010, was part of Hero Initiative's Board of Directors. He was also a legendary artist, a guiding force at Charlton Comics and DC Comics for many years, a mentor to his colleagues, and a friend to all who knew him. His legacy epitomizes the caring and commitment Hero Initiative strives to achieve. In his honor, the Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award will recognize one person in comics each year who has demonstrated the generosity and integrity Dick brought to the charity, and to the comic book community at large.

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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"Scooby-Doo" Animated Feature Anounced for September 2018

Scooby-Doo and the Gang Return to the Big Screen in New Warner Bros. Pictures Animated Feature

Opening September 21, 2018, Film Marks Reintroduction of Hanna-Barbera Animated Favorites to Moviegoers Everywhere

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fire up the Mystery Machine! Scooby-Doo and his crime-busting pals will soon embark on a brand new comedy adventure, as Warner Bros. Pictures prepares to bring the beloved Hanna-Barbera franchise back to theaters on September 21, 2018. The announcement was made jointly by Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “Like countless fans, I have always loved the Hanna-Barbera cast of characters. As one of their most famous brand ambassadors, Scooby-Doo will take the lead in re-introducing this pantheon of enduringly popular animated stars on a grand scale with an exciting new movie.”

The film reunites Oscar-nominated producers Charles Roven and Richard Suckle (“American Hustle”), who previously produced the Studio’s hugely successful live-action features “Scooby-Doo” and “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.” Joining them is BAFTA Award-winning producer Allison Abbate (“The Iron Giant”), who produced the Oscar-nominated features “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” and “Frankenweenie.”

It will be directed by multiple Emmy Award nominee Tony Cervone (“Space Jam,” Cartoon Network’s “The Looney Tunes Show” and “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated”). Renowned animation visionary Dan Povenmire (“Phineas and Ferb,” “Family Guy”) will also bring his creative sensibilities to the production as an executive producer. The screenplay is by Matt Lieberman (“Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief”).

The new Scooby-Doo feature will be a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation under the Warner Animation Group (WAG) banner.

In making the announcement, Silverman acknowledged, “Like countless fans, I have always loved the Hanna-Barbera cast of characters. As one of their most famous brand ambassadors, Scooby-Doo will take the lead in re-introducing this pantheon of enduringly popular animated stars on a grand scale with an exciting new movie.”

Said Fellman, “It’s always a treat to see Scooby-Doo on the big screen and to share his larger-than-life adventures with audiences. As anticipation grows throughout production, the movie’s mid-September release date should start the fall season with a burst of fun.”

Added Kroll, “It’s wonderful to be working with this talented and inspired team of filmmakers. We couldn’t ask for better producers than Charles Roven, Richard Suckle and Allison Abbate, who have such affection and respect for this property and know the Hanna-Barbera universe so well.”

Kwan Vandenberg further stated, “Scooby-Doo and his friends have the kind of universal appeal that reaches across cultures as well as generations. We expect this new take on the franchise to generate even more fans around the world.”

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VIZ Media's Literary Imprint, "Haikasoru" Heads to 73rd Worldcon (Sasquan 2015)

VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU LITERARY IMPRINT PARTICIPATES AT 73rd WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION AND WELCOMES AUTHOR TAIYO FUJII

Award Winning Japanese Author Of GENE MAPPER Comes To One Of The Longest Running Science Fiction Conventions

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media’s Haikasoru literary imprint has announced its participation at Sasquan, the 73rd World Science Fiction Convention. Haikasoru will welcome the acclaimed Japanese author Taiyo Fujii as a panel participant, and will host a retail booth (E4) in the main Dealer’s Room that will offer a wide variety of the imprint’s acclaimed titles at specially discounted prices.

Happening August 19th-23rd, 2015 in Spokane, WA, Sasquan 2015 is the site of the 2015 World Science Fiction Convention, also known as “Worldcon,” an annual gathering of science fiction and fantasy fans. Additional details are available at: www.worldcon.org and http://sasquan.org.

Taiyo Fujii will be featured in several events throughout the convention and participating in several panel discussions:

Thursday, August 20th

11:30am – 12:00pm    Taiyo Fujii Reading (Room 303B)

Join the author as he offers a personal reading of select passages from his works.

Friday, August 21st

11:00am – 11:45am    Self-Publishing – When To Do It, When To Publish
Traditionally (Room 401C)

Taiyo Fujii will be among the authors featured for a discussion of the whys and whens of self-publishing versus traditional publishing.

Saturday, August 22nd

11:00am – 11:45am    The Future of Publishing (Room Bays 111C)

The publishing industry has changed dramatically, moving away from traditional models to online sales, self-publishing and ebooks.  What could the next 20 years bring?

2:00pm – 2:45pm        Kaffe Klatche – Taiyo Fujii (Room 202B)

A special insightful discussion with the author on his work and creative process.

4:00pm – 4:45pm        SpoCon Presents – SubGenre Games
(Grand Ballroom: Salon III)

Are you deep for dystopia? Crazy for cyberpunk? Soft on steampunk? We're pitting ten sub-genres against each-other to see which should shed its "sub" prefix and become a fully-fledged genre alongside the towers of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Join author Taiyo Fujii and Haikasoru Editor Nick Mamatas for this unique forum.

5:00pm – 5:45pm        Seiun Awards & Publishing SF in Japan
(Grand Ballroom: Salon III)

Taiyo Fujii will join two other prominent Japanese authors for a discussion of the famous annual literary award and the process by which science fiction literature is published in Japan.

Taiyo Fujii is the author of the mystery thriller, GENE MAPPER, and won a 2014 Nihon SF Taisho Award by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan. GENE MAPPER was Fujii’s first novel and became Amazon Japan’s Number One Kindle bestseller of for 2012 when it was originally published. The novel was later revised and republished in both print and digitally in Japan as Gene Mapper – full build – by Hayakawa Publishing in 2013 and also was nominated for the Nihon SF Taisho Award and the Seiun Award. Fujii’s second novel, Orbital Cloud, won the 2014 Nihon SF Taisho Award and also took first prize in the “Best SF of 2014” in SF Magazine. Fujii’s English-language short fiction debut, the novelette “Violation of the TrueNet Security Act” appeared in Lightspeed Magazine in July 2015.

During Sasquan 2015, Haikasoru will offer GENE MAPPER along with a wide variety of its other titles for purchase with special convention pricing. Titles to be offered will include: ALL YOU NEED IS KILL (the novel which inspired the 2014 blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow); BATTLE ROYALE REMASTERED and the BATTLE ROYALE SLAM BOOK; GENE MAPPER; anthologies PHANTASM JAPAN and THE FUTURE IS JAPANESE (includes the Hugo Award-winning Ken Liu story, “Mono no Aware”); RED GIRLS and DENDERA.

For more information on GENE MAPPER and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit the dedicated website at www.haikasoru.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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"Fantastic Beasts" Begins Shooting in England

Filming Gets Underway on “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

Much-anticipated new film, written by wizarding world creator J.K. Rowling and being directed by David Yates, starts production in England

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated feature “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The all new adventure is set in the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling in her best-selling Harry Potter books, which were adapted into the highest-grossing film franchise of all time.

Filming started Monday, August 17, 2015, at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” feature films.

Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”) stars as Newt Scamander, the wizarding world’s preeminent magizoologist, who stops in New York following his travels to find and document magical creatures.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” also stars Katherine Waterston (“Inherent Vice”) as Tina; Alison Sudol (“Dig,” “Transparent”) as Tina’s sister, Queenie; Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”) as Jacob; Ezra Miller (“Trainwreck”) as Credence; two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton (“In America,” “Sweet and Lowdown”) as Mary Lou; Jenn Murray (“Brooklyn”) as Chastity; young newcomer Faith Wood-Blagrove as Modesty; and Colin Farrell (“True Detective”) as Graves.

Marking the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, the script was inspired by her character Newt Scamander’s Hogwarts textbook, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The film is being produced by David Heyman, producer of all eight of the blockbuster “Harry Potter” features; J.K. Rowling; Steve Kloves; and Lionel Wigram.

Collaborating with Yates behind the scenes are: Oscar-winning director of photography Philippe Rousselot (“A River Runs Through It,” the “Sherlock Holmes” movies), three-time Oscar-winning production designer Stuart Craig (“The English Patient,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” “Gandhi,” the “Harry Potter” films), three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (“Chicago,” “Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Alice in Wonderland”), Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Tim Burke (“Gladiator,” the “Harry Potter” films), Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Christian Manz (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1”), and Yates’ longtime editor Mark Day (the last four “Harry Potter” films).

Warner Bros. Pictures has slated “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” for worldwide release in 3D and IMAX on November 18, 2016.

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"Pokemon The Series: XY Set 1" Now on DVD

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES HOME MEDIA RELEASE OF POKÉMON THE SERIES: XY SET 1

Journey To A Stylish New Land For Dazzling Adventures In The Latest POKÉMON Anime Series Box Set Available On DVD Now

Exciting new Pokémon adventures await fans of all ages as VIZ Media announces the home media release of the latest anime series for the venerable franchise. Inspired by the new generation of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y video games, Pokémon THE SERIES: XY Set 1 is now available on DVD.

The 3-disc set, rated ‘TV-Y7,’ for viewers ages 7 and older, features Episodes 1-24 of the exciting new series and will carry an MSRP of $26.95 U.S. / $31.98 CAN.

Ash Ketchum’s journey continues in Pokémon the Series: XY as he arrives in the Kalos region, a land bursting with beauty; full of new Pokémon to be discovered! Setting his sights on the Kalos League, Ash is ready to battle and catch as many new Pokémon as possible. Along the way he will have to face the formidable Gym Leaders of this region and gain some exciting new insights into Pokémon Evolution. While he has new friends Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie at his side, there are also plenty of familiar faces and Pokémon along the way as Ash pursues his dream of becoming a Pokémon Master!

POKÉMON is one of the most successful international entertainment franchises of all time. To-date more than 260 million POKÉMON video game titles and over 21.5 billion Pokémon Trading Cards have been sold in more than 73 countries in addition to substantial publishing and merchandise sales. Pokémon THE SERIES: XY is the 17th season of the POKÉMON animated series and has aired in the U.S. on Cartoon Network. VIZ Media is the official North American publisher for POKÉMON manga graphic novel series including POKÉMON ADVENTURES X & Y, POKÉMON ADVENTURES, POKÉMON ADVENTURES: DIAMOND & PEARL, POKÉMON ADVENTURES: HEART/GOLD SOUL/SILVER, POKÉMON ADVENTURES: BLACK & WHITE and distributes a wide variety of POKÉMON home media including animated series and feature films.

For more information on other Pokémon manga and anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

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Win a "Star Trek Beyond" Walk-On Role

STAR TREK BEYOND

Chris Pine and Idris Elba want you to be part of Star Trek history .  Win a walk-on role by donating to the Omaze campaign

Watch the video here:  https://youtu.be/DId-VOJmkYs

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VIZ Media Has New Content for Neon Alley, Including "Coppelion"

VIZ MEDIA CONTINUES SUMMER ANIME ACTION WITH A NEW CONTENT UPDATE FOR AUGUST FOR THE NEON ALLEY ANIME PLATFORM

Don’t Miss The Streaming Premiere Of New SAILOR MOON SUPER S And NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Episodes Along With COPPELION Complete Series And Just-Added KEKKAISHI And RANMA ½ Installments

VIZ Media continues the summertime anime fun with new content for its Neon Alley streaming platform throughout August.

Out of this world Sailor Guardian anime action continues all month long with a two subtitled SAILOR MOON episodes premiering each Monday, beginning with SAILOR MOON Episodes 128 & 129 as well as Episodes 130 & 131, which are available now. The newest episodes also mark the beginning of the epic fourth season of the legendary series.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN simulcasts also take place throughout August with subtitled streams of the latest action packed episodes straight from Japan every Thursday. Don’t miss the newly simulcast Episodes 422 & 423 on Hulu freshly added this week. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN action also continues on weekends with new dubbed installments available to stream each Saturday: Episodes 297 & 305, which are available now. Want to start from the beginning? Additional dubbed NARUTO action continues with the premiere of Episodes 168 to 179, which are available to stream now in their entirety.

The latest August 2015 update is further highlighted by additional new episodes from additional top-rated VIZ Media anime properties including:

COPPELION
·         Dive into the post-apocalyptic action and drama of COPPELION with the complete series (Episodes 1-13) now available to stream in its entirety with both subtitled and English dubbed options.

·         COPPELION takes place in the not-so-distant future as a catastrophic event has turned the old capital of Japan into a wasteland, forever changing the lives of its people. Decades later, three schoolgirls set foot into the now forsaken city. They are the Coppelion, genetically engineered humans created by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces to operate under the lethal conditions of the contaminated city. Trained since birth, the girls must use all of their skills and resources to carry out their one and only mission: to rescue those left behind.

KEKKAISHI
·         Join the supernatural action of KEKKAISHI with the streaming premiere of dub Episodes 14 to 26. (Episodes 1-26 are now available subtitled and English dubbed)

·         KEKKAISHI is based on a hit manga series created by Yellow Tanabe (also published in North America by VIZ Media). Mystical forces are powerful in the region called Karasumori. For over 400 years, it has been the duty of a clan of “kekkaishi” – barrier masters – to guard the land and exterminate the supernatural creatures that are drawn to the area night after night.

RANMA ½
·         Neon Alley viewers can watch dubbed Episodes 1 to 69 with the addition of Episodes 47 to 69 this month available to stream! This addition joins Episodes 1 to 161 subtitled with Japanese dialogue streaming now.

·         In RANMA ½, Ranma Saotome never thought a martial arts training mission to China would turn out like this! An accidental dunk in a cursed spring changes boy Ranma into a young girl, every time he is splashed with cold water. Hot water reverses the effect - but only until next time!

Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s consolidated online destination for FREE streaming anime content in the U.S. with over 3,700 subtitled and English dubbed episodes and movies from more than 32 series! Neon Alley also reaches an expansive on-demand U.S.-based audience on Hulu, which enables viewers to watch shows anytime, anywhere across devices including Xbox One, PlayStation®4 (PS4™), Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and mobile devices. A full list of Hulu -enabled devices can be found at http://www.hulu.com/plus/devices.

Additional information on Neon Alley is available at: www.NeonAlley.com and http://blog.neonalley.com.

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