Monday, May 30, 2016
VIZ Media to Animate "Gakkimals" Property
VIZ MEDIA TO DEVELOP ORIGINAL ANIMATED KIDS SERIES GAKKIMALS
Japanese Children’s Property Combines Animals And Music Licensed For Development Into An Original Animated Series
San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, has acquired the production and licensing rights to develop an original animated series based on the Japanese children’s property, GAKKIMALS.
The series will be produced under license from ShoPro, a subsidiary of three of Japan's largest publishing houses, Shogakukan Inc., Shueisha Inc. and Hakusensha Inc., that focuses on licensing and merchandising the properties owned by Shogakukan Inc. GAKKIMALS is based on an original concept created by Japanese production duo, PecanNuts.
Welcome to the wonderful adventures of the GAKKIMALS, where madcap mash-ups of musical instruments and animals combine to bring happiness and harmony to their fun-filled world.
“The acquisition of GAKKIMALS represents an important step in our initiative to develop new and engaging global content in partnership with our creative partners in Japan,” says Brad Woods, CMO, VIZ Media. “GAKKIMALS is a truly unique children’s property that combines the evergreen appeal of music and animals into a vibrant environment that inspires early childhood learning with a fun cast of endearing characters. We look forward to working closely with our partners at ShoPro to develop this exciting new show.”
For more information on GAKKIMALS and other titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premiere company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.
Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.
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Sunday, May 29, 2016
Image Comics Announces Return of "Casanova: Acedia"
CASANOVA: ACEDIA CELEBRATES TEN YEARS
Issue #5 begins an all-new story arc in the beloved, fan-favorite series
Bestselling creators Matt Fraction (SEX CRIMINALS, ODY-C), Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay), Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon (Daytripper) return for an all-new story arc this June.
CASANOVA: ACEDIA #5 begins a new chapter in the fan-favorite series as the world-melting CASANOVA returns. Casanova Quinn doesn’t remember who he is or how he got here—the only thing he knows is an awful lot of people want him dead and the world might be ending.
Psychedelic, sexy, and surreal science-fiction abounds and sees the continuation of Pulitzer prize-winning author Michael Chabon's Metanaut backup collaborations with Gabriel Bá. The series celebrates ten trippy years of adventures with fans.
CASANOVA: ACEDIA #5 Cover A (Diamond Code APR160677) and Cover B (Diamond Code MAR168905) hit stores on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
CASANOVA: ACEDIA, VOL. 1 (ISBN: 978-1632154774), is available now. It can be ordered by retailers from Diamond Book Distributors with Diamond Code: AUG150556 or on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and Indigo.
ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
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I Reads You Comics Review: AMERICAN MONSTER #1
AFTERSHOCK COMICS – @AfterShockComix
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
WRITER: Brian Azzarello
ARTIST: Juan Doe
COLORS: Juan Doe
LETTERS: Juan Doe
COVER: Juan Doe
VARIANT COVERS: Dave Johnson; Alexis Zuritt; Phil Hester
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2016)
For mature readers
American Monster created by Brian Azzarello
Chapter 1: “American Monster”
American Monster is a new ongoing comic book series created and written by Brian Azzarello (DKIII: The Master Race) and drawn by Juan Doe. The series is set in a small Midwestern town beset by corrupt cops and violent rural gangs and focuses on a mysterious newcomer with mysterious intentions.
American Monster #1 opens at night in a palatial rural estate in the which the inhabitants are about to experience a home invasion. Meanwhile, a behemoth of a man gets off a bus, seeking food and lodging. His horribly scarred face spooks the locals, and his taciturn manner makes it difficult for the townsfolk to discover his identity and intentions.
The first time I read Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso's seminal crime comic book series, 100 Bullets (DC Comics/Vertigo), I was spellbound. It was a magical reading experience, and yes, I used the world “magical.” I read the first two trade paperback collections in one weekend, and I was practically desperate to find individual issues.
I wouldn't call my reading experience with American Monster #1 as magical. This first issue is intriguing and vague, as are so many first issue these days, whether it be for ongoing titles or miniseries. American Monster #1 is too dark and brutal to evoke feelings of a face sprinkled by fairy dust. But I want more American Monster real bad, daddy. I need my second-issue fix real soon.
Seriously, I think Juan Doe's clean drawing line and stylish, but matter-of-fact storytelling is perfect for bringing this ugly, taxi-to-the-dark-side story that Azzarello is spinning. This ain't no Dark Knight Bat-guano, fill-the-corporate-coffers comic book. American Monster promises the real Brian Azzarello, the dangerous storyteller who has just got off the bus in comic book town.
[This comic book also includes a preview of the comic book, “Strayer #1,” by writer Justin Jordan and artist Juan Gedeon.]
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Saturday, May 28, 2016
Image Comics Spreads New "Spread" Story
SPREAD PLUNGES AHEAD
Issue #14 ushers in a new chapter: SANCTUARY
Writer Justin Jordan (LUTHER STRODE, DEAD BODY ROAD), artist John Bivens (DARK ENGINE), and colorist Felipe Sobreiro (LUTHER STRODE) will launch a new story arc in their ongoing gore-iffic survival story this July.
Previously in SPREAD, Jack and Molly struggled to save No's life as enemies new and old came at them from all sides.
In SPREAD #14, No and company have found a place where civilization seems to have survived and where safety can be found. Is it too good to be true? Also, starting this issue: a special four-part series of interlocking covers by co-creator KYLE STRAHM!
"New arc. New artist. Same bloody mayhem,” said Jordan. “Get ready for the craziness.”
"Pretty sure my cover has the largest nipple ever on the front of an Image comic,” added Bivens.
"The work John has been doing on this arc is right in line with the spirit of SPREAD,” said co-creator and original artist Kyle Strahm. “He puts the juice in all the right places."
"Much like the Spread itself, we've been hidden underground, extending our carrion tentacles and getting ready to grab people when they least expect it...” said Sobreiro. “Wait, I shouldn't have warned you just now. CRAP!”
SPREAD #14 Cover A by Kyle Strahm and Felipe Sobreiro (Diamond code: MAY160619) hits stores Wednesday, July 6th, 2016. SPREAD #14 Cover B by John Bivens and Felipe Sobreiro (Diamond code: MAY160620) will also be available Wednesday, July 6th, 2016. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, June 13th, 2016.
ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
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Image Comics Announces Book Collection of Chynna Clugston Flores' "Blue Monday"
Chynna Clugston Flores (IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS, Scooter Girl) will release the fan-favorite first volume of BLUE MONDAY, with all-new colors from Jordie Bellaire, this July.
Experience the Pepsi-fueled misadventures of Bleu L. Finnegan, comics’ favorite blue-haired, Buster Keaton-obsessed, Adam Ant-worshipping teenager from the very beginning! Featuring an introduction from Kieron Gillen (THE WICKED + THE DIVINE), this collects the original first volume miniseries as well as early short stories and more.
"BLUE MONDAY in full color is like a dream come true for me, since it's always appeared in the brightest of colors in my head,” said Flores. “The whole thing has been remastered in a sense––the art's been cleaned, it's as bright and alive as it always wanted to be, and it'll be full comic size instead of digest. It'll be at full-volume, maximum obnoxiousness, and I really can't wait for everyone to see its new incarnation."
"I grew up reading BLUE MONDAY in my teenage years, and it is the foundation for exposing me to all sorts of music, comics, and films that saved my adolescence from shit-kicker suburban hell,” said editor Ian Shaughnessy. “As a fan and now a friend, I couldn’t be happier working as Chynna’s editor on these new full-color editions, as well as on the new adventures of Bleu and the gang in future BLUE MONDAY comics. Jordie Bellaire’s vibrant palette is the perfect match for Chynna’s material, and seeing it in color is like reading it all over again, for the first time."
BLUE MONDAY, VOLUME 1: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT (ISBN 978-1-63215-704-1) hits comic book stores Wednesday, July 27, 2016 and bookstores Tuesday, August 2, 2016, and will be available for $9.99. It can be ordered by retailers with the Diamond code APR160791. It can be preordered now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and Indigo.
PRAISE FOR CHYNNA CLUGSTON FLORES AND BLUE MONDAY:
"I think a generation owes Blue Monday. It's the missing link. You remove it, you remove huge chunks of the 00s, or at least the stuff that made the 00s worth living, and the stuff that grew from the 00s into the present scene."—Kieron Gillen (THE WICKED + THE DIVINE, PHONOGRAM)
"The art has attitude, just like the characters."—Comics Worth Reading
"I love Blue Monday. Like John Hughes before her, Chynna perfectly recreates that feeling of hanging out with your high school friends (except Chynna has way better taste in music than your high school friends). It’s a beautifully rendered time capsule of a time in your life when the stakes were so small but felt so big. The perfect blend of boredom, anxiousness, and sexual frustration that is high school."—Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Office, Clark and Michael)
“As charming and funny and melodramatic as anything you could want.”—Multiversity
“Her art style is always welcome: with tight, slightly angular lines defining a sleek figure, there's something about it that is just instantly appealing.”—Comic Book Resources
ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
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