Friday, November 18, 2011

STAR WARS BLACK FRIDAY
DARK HORSE DIGITAL OFFERS 134 COMICS FOR $100!
November 18, MILWAUKIE, OR – Dark Horse Comics is joining in on the Black Friday madness with a very exclusive limited offer to their digital comics readers…
On Black Friday, for 24 hours only - Dark Horse Digital will offer 134 single-issue Star Wars comics for $100!  A savings of over $166!
This sale will begin at midnight (PST), November 25th!
Dark Horse Digital is available through all modern web browsers and as an app in the iTunes Store for Mac devices. 
Stop by https://digital.darkhorse.com and get all the Star Wars comics you could want and more! 

About Dark Horse Digital
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has grown to become the third-largest comics publisher in the United States and is acclaimed internationally for the quality and diversity of its line. Now, in 2011, the company that revolutionized the comic industry proudly presents its groundbreaking digital-publishing program, Dark Horse Digital.
Having launched with hundreds of titles, Dark Horse Digital offers its most popular titles at an unprecedented value, while providing the highest-quality reading experience possible. Single-issue comics are priced as low as just $0.99, and there is also an extensive list of free introductory #1 issues. Additionally, DH Digital’s “bundles” group together story arcs spanning multiple issues into affordable packages, allowing readers to get the three or four issues that comprise a complete narrative, starting at just $3.99 and up. And through cloud-based technology, Digital Store purchases can be read and enjoyed on your laptop, desktop, mobile browser, and Dark Horse Bookshelf app, available now on iTunes.
To get started, simply log on to Digital.DarkHorse.com or download the app to create an account, and begin building your collection today.
 
JOURNEY ON A COSMIC ADVENTURE BLENDING PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION, HUMAN EVOLUTION AND THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE UNIVERSE IN
TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS

New Novel From VIZ Media’s Haikasoru Imprint Called The Greatest Japanese Science Fiction Novel Of All Time

San Francisco, CA, November 17, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the availability of the acclaimed novel, TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS, by author Ryu Mitsuse. The hardcover book is published by the company’s Haikasoru imprint and carries an MSRP of $25.99 U.S. / $29.99 CAN. The eBook edition is also available on the Amazon Kindle, the Nook, and Apple’s iBooks Store for $9.99.

Haikasoru publishes some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences, and is the first imprint based in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.

In TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS, the philosopher Plato, in his exploration of the ruins of the fabled city of Atlantis, travels through time and space to determine the secret history of the human race, encountering Christ, the Buddha, and other iconic religious figures on the way. This celebrated novel of philosophy and the future has been named the greatest Japanese science fiction novel of all time.

TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS won the title of the greatest Japanese science fiction title ever written in a 2006 poll by Science Fiction magazine,” says Nick Mamatas, Haikasoru’s Editor. “The novel, which comes with a striking glow-in-the-dark dust jacket, delivers a cosmic adventure in the style of Arthur C. Clarke, covering the evolution of humanity, the lives of some of history’s most iconic religious figures, a future techno-dystopia, and the very death of the universe itself. Originally published in 1967, author Ryu Mitsuse revised the novel in later years and republished it in 1973. We’re truly honored to finally release this masterpiece to North American readers.”

Born in Tokyo in 1928, Ryu Mitsuse graduated from Tokyo University of Education with a degree in the sciences, after which he took up the study of philosophy. He debuted with “Sunny Sea 1979” in 1962, and his work—which often combines Eastern philosophy and hard science fiction—includes Tasogare ni kaeru (Returns in the Twilight) and Ushinawareta toshi no kiroku (The Chronicle of a Lost City). Mitsuse made SF history when his short story “The Sunset, 2217 A.D.” was translated into English for inclusion in Best Science Fiction for 1972. With artist Keiko Takemiya, he created the manga Andromeda Stories. Ryu Mitsuse died in 1999.

For more information on TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit www.haikasoru.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and website at www.VIZ.com.

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THE VAULT TRADE OPENS IN JANUARY
Collecting the sold out 3-issue miniseries
 
Debuting in the Summer of 2011, THE VAULT miniseries received critical acclaim and quickly sold out of each issue within days of their release. Fans, looking to catch up on THE VAULT, won’t have to wait much longer. Image Comics announces that THE VAULT VOL. 1 TP,written by Sam Sarkar (Caliber: First Canon of Justice), illustrated by Garrie Gastonny (Warren Ellis’ Supergod) and edited by Dave Elliott will be on sale January 18th, 2012.
THE VAULT, recently optioned for a feature film adaptation from Johnny Depp’s Infinitum Nihil and Graham King’s GK Films, is about a small team of treasure hunters, struggling to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits Sable Island, the "Graveyard of the North Atlantic." Equipped with all the latest technology, the scientists believe they are prepared against all of nature's fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash.
THE VAULT has garnered rave attention from retailers, reviewers and fans:
“THE VAULT lays the groundwork for an exciting heist gone horribly wrong. You don’t want to miss out on this deep-sea adventure!” - Fangoria
 
“Sam Sarkar and Garrie Gastonny are giving us something very genuine and very scary with this book, and it’s an event I personally haven’t seen the likes of in a long time.” - Comic Attack
 
“The comic delivers the goods in terms of horror.” - Famous Monsters of Filmland
 
“I enjoyed this enough that I know I am all in for a follow-up series. If you like slasher flicks or science fiction horror then this is the series for you.” - Comic List
 
“The Vault is a must read on my list so make it a part of yours… NOW!”Decapitated Dan Royer (decapitateddan.com)
 
“What a gem of a book! I can totally recommend The Vault. Get it now.” - Weekly Comic Book Review
 
“You can judge a book by its cover, because The Vault is a hell of a read, promising even more hell to come.”Comic Book Bin
THE VAULT VOL. 1 TP, a 96-page full-color paperback, will be on sale in stores January 18, 2012 for $9.99 and is available to order in the November 2011 edition of Diamond Previews (NOV110420, ISBN: 978-1-60706-485-5). For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/thevaultcomic or www.twitter.com/thevaultcomic.
ABOUT SAM SARKAR
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sam Sarkar is a 23-year veteran of the entertainment industry. He began his career as an actor and was one of the leads on the long-running, syndicated television series Neon Rider. Following the series, Sam decided to pursue writing and worked for the hit television series Beverly Hills 90210. Stemming from his work on the show, he also co-wrote a television pilot for Spelling Entertainment under the direct guidance of TV legend Aaron Spelling. Deciding then to embark on feature films, Sam took some chances, following a varied path of writing screenplays and working as a sound technician. In 2004, after working on several films with actor Johnny Depp, Sam was asked to help run Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil, headed by Christi Dembrowski. As Senior VP at the company, he continues to serve the varied needs of Hollywood as an executive, producer and writer.
 
ABOUT GARRIE GASTONNY
Having worked as a comic book artist and illustration lecturer, Garrie Gastonny now mainly focuses on illustration to avoid getting beaten up. Garrie also serves as Senior Artist at Imaginary Friends Studios. His credits include Warren Ellis' Supergod, Caliber: First Canon of Justice and Lady Death. For more information about the artist, please visit http://thegerjoos.deviantart.com/.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF
BLEACH THE MOVIE: FADE TO BLACK ON
DVD AND BLU-RAY, AND FOR DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

It’s A Case Of Forgotten Identity As Ichigo Loses Touch With The Soul Society And Faces Down A Deadly New Enemy Alone In The Newest BLEACH Anime Action Feature

San Francisco, CA, November 17, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the release of the latest BLEACH feature film – BLEACH THE MOVIE: FADE TO BLACK. The movie is available on DVD and Blu-ray, is rated ’T’ for Teens, and carries an MSRP of $19.98 for DVD (U.S. / CAN) and $24.98 for Blu-ray (U.S / CAN). BLEACH THE MOVIE: FADE TO BLACK offers with both English and Japanese dialogue options as well as bonus features including production art and the original theatrical trailers.

The film is also available for Download-to-Own (DTO) for only $9.99 and for Download-to-Rent (DTR) for only $4.99 from digital partners including on iTunes (www.iTunes.com), Amazon Instant Video, and Zune® on Xbox Live®. DTO and DTR availability for Playstation®Network is forthcoming,

In this newest supernatural adventure, a strange disturbance in the World of the Living sends Ichigo and Kon to the Soul Society, where the Seireitei has been devastated by an explosion of reishi and Rukia is missing. Stranger still, none of the Soul Reapers remember Ichigo, and they think he’s the one responsible for the destruction. Now on the run, Ichigo is forced into a lonely battle in order to find Rukia and stop the real culprits!

The BLEACH animated film and TV series are based on a smash hit manga (graphic novel) series created by Tite Kubo, and follows the adventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.
BLEACH is a tremendously successful multimedia property internationally. The manga has been licensed to more than a dozen countries and has sold over 50 million copies in Japan alone. In North America, the manga has been a sales hit and the popular animated series (both rated 'T' for Teens) is viewed weekly by millions in the United States and Canada. This success has further spawned an array of related video games, apparel, action figures, trading cards and other merchandise.

For more information on BLEACH please visit www.bleach.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 monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, 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.
HENRY ROLLINS, COREY TAYLOR OF SLIPKNOT, DAVE NAVARRO,
SCOTT IAN OF ANTHRAX, DAVE LOMBARDO OF SLAYER, AND  
SHEPARD FAIREY
ALL COME TOGETHER FOR DROP IN THE BUCKET'S STAR-STUDDED BENEFIT CONCERT NOV. 30
ADDITIONAL ARTISTS TBA!!!
ALL AGES!!!

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For One Night, Rock Legends Will Come Together
to Raise Money to Build Water Wells in Troubled South Sudan

(Los Angeles, CA. November 17, 2011) On Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 at the Legendary Avalon Theater in Hollywood, Slipknot/Stone Sour's frontman Corey Taylor, Dave Navarro, Dave Lombardo of Slayer, Anthrax's Scott Ian, John 5 and members of Rob Zombie's band along with host Henry Rollins will perform at a star-studded benefit concert for Drop In The Bucket, a Los Angeles- and Gulu, Uganda-based non-profit that builds water wells and sanitation systems at large rural schools in sub-Saharan Africa.

Legendary artist Shepard Fairey, who designed the exclusive poster for the event, will be a guest DJ, and Kate Flannery of "The Office" will deliver a hilarious musical comedy routine with her ironic lounge act, The Lampshades. Many more surprises to be announced.

Taylor hot off his recent book tour for the NY Times bestseller "Seven Deadly Sins" is currently in the middle of a very successful and almost entirely sold out acoustic tour, had this to say "In a time when money is suspect, and politics looks a lot like schoolyard bullying, people forget that there are far greater issues going on in the world. One of which is the fact that millions of people live without water on a daily basis when we as Americans treat it like used tissue paper. Its only common sense to think that if I can do something to not only help, but also raise awareness, then that's exactly what I'm going to do. Drop in the Bucket is one of the most important and selfless causes I have ever had the privilege to be a part of. And I can only hope that I do some good for it. And to be able to do that by putting on an awesome show with friends like Roy Mayorga, Scott Ian and John 5 just shows how good this business can be sometimes!"

Rollins, a renowned musician, author and punk rock icon, has worked closely with Drop In The Bucket, traveling to Africa last year to see its work on the ground first-hand. "Drop In The Bucket is trying to make things better," says Rollins. "There's no profit incentive here. It's only about getting people to water and keeping them alive and healthy."

Funds raised at the event will be used to expand Drop In The Bucket's vital programs into the northern region of Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan. This area is on the verge of a major humanitarian crisis due to the sudden influx of returnees coming from North Sudan following South Sudan's recent independence.

Tickets will be available for pre-sale purchase at $25 through Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.com and at the door for an increased price with availability pending. VIP tickets and Tables inquiries please contact Alden Kirkman alden@giantclub.com / 323.683.5390.

Special thanks to the always awesome sponsors Vans, Guvera and The Avalon for coming on to support this event.  

Drop In The Bucket believes we can help create a world in which children are safe, healthy, educated and free from fear. And we believe that the key to achieving those ends is clean water and sanitation. For more information on Drop In The Bucket, please visit www.dropinthebucket.org
BARBIERE AND RADL’S WHITE SUITS INVADES
 DARK HORSE PRESENTS #11!
November 17, MILWAUKIE, OR—From the Cold War to the present day, a mysterious group of killers known as the White Suits have left their bloody fingerprints throughout modern history. Making their Dark Horse Presents debut, Frank Barbiere and Luke Radl turn back the clock to a time of Iron Curtain brutality with The White Suits! 
“We’re extremely happy to have the opportunity to introduce The White Suits in the pages of Dark Horse Presents. I’m thrilled to be working with longtime collaborator Luke Radl, who’s been with me every step of the way in fleshing out the White Suits mythos. Luke brings a unique, textured style and compelling visual storytelling to the black-and-white world of our story,” says Frank J. Barbiere.
When a young girl trying to scrape by in a crime-ridden late-1980s Moscow ghetto encounters one of the Suits during a mob deal gone wrong, she is forced to make a decision that will change her life forever—or end it!
Luke Radl says, “I feel very fortunate to be working with people who believe in this story and support the hard work that goes into it. Dark Horse puts out some of the best comics out there, so I’m proud to be in good company. I hope readers enjoy this glimpse into the world of The White Suits as much as we’ve enjoyed crafting it.”
Dark Horse Presents #11 is on sale April 18, 2012.

About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the BarbarianMass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.
GUILT-RIDDEN LIARS ACROSS U.S. REJOICE AT ANNOUNCEMENT OF NATIONAL LIAR'S REMORSE DAY

National Liar's Remorse Day to coincide with theatrical release of THE LIE on November 18, 2011!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (New York, NY) November, 17, 2011 - Increasingly paralyzed by guilt, liars across the country are expressing relief at the announcement of National Liar's Remorse Day, which will be celebrated on November 18, 2011. Timed to coincide with the release of THE LIE, National Liar's Remorse Day will give otherwise well-meaning liars a nationally sanctioned opportunity to confess.

 

One of the holiday's founders, a prominent psychologist, states that the holiday was created to address the recent nationwide surge in lying. "With everything that's going on in our country, the truth just isn't very appealing anymore. Ordinarily honest people are resorting to an option once reserved for politicians, bank executives and CEOs: large-scale lying. Unlike their liar counterparts in government and business, however, honest people tend to experience intensely unpleasant, often overwhelming feelings of guilt when they lie. National Liar's Remorse Day was created to address that guilt, to give regular people across the country the opportunity to come clean."

Repentant liars are invited to confess on THE LIE's Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/theliemovie. The individual who shares the most compelling lie (as judged by THE LIE writer/director/star, Joshua Leonard) will receive a prize package to include a home lie detector kit and a $100.00 gift certificate to 1-800-FLOWERS to facilitate the liar's atonement.

You can also celebrate National Liar's Remorse Day by tweeting your lie, using the hashtag #liarsremorse.

Initial response to the announcement of the holiday from liars across the country has been overwhelmingly positive. "Man, I have just got to get this thing off my chest," a New York liar who preferred to remain anonymous stated. "This lie is huge. This isn't your run-of-the-mill, 'I got stuck in traffic' kind of lie. I could get my face clawed off for this lie. I had no idea what I was going to do before National Liar's Remorse Day came along. You better believe I'm counting the days until November 18."

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/theliemovie.
  
ABOUT NATIONAL LIAR'S REMORSE DAY
National Liar's Remorse Day is a United States holiday observed on November 18. The inaugural holiday coincides with the theatrical release of THE LIE, directed and co-written by Joshua Leonard, who stars alongside co-writers Jess Weixler and Mark Webber. The holiday was created to allow ordinarily honest citizens a chance to confess and atone for their lies, thereby avoiding a chain reaction of deception that causes their lives to spiral out of control. Note: Due to the questionable nature of their remorse, politicians, corporate executives and celebrities are prohibited by law from participating in the holiday.
                                                                                                  
ABOUT THE LIE
When they first met, Lonnie (Joshua Leonard) and Clover (Jess Weixler) were young idealists, but an unplanned baby forced them to flip the script. Lonnie put his music on hold and got a shitty job. And now Clover is abandoning her activism for an "opportunity" in the corporate world. Drowning in disappointments, Lonnie decides he needs some time off work to reexamine his life. He calls in sick, but his abusive boss demands he show up or get fired. Lonnie panics and tells a shocking lie to justify his absence - and once the lie is out, there's no going back. Now, it's only a matter of time before the grenade he's thrown on his life explodes and Lonnie is suddenly pushed to figure out who he is, what he wants, and just maybe, what it means to be a father.
  
For official photos: http://brgd.net/TheLie_Photos 
For official trailer:  http://brgd.net/TheLie_TrailerFinal
The Force is with Children in Need
Star Wars™ Gold Heart pin to raise funds for charity

LOS ANGELES, CA – Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox have partnered with Variety the Children’s Charity to create a pin featuring fan favorites C-3PO and R2-D2 to raise funds for Variety programs that serve children who are disabled and disadvantaged.  The collector’s item will be sold for $3.00 in more than 1,000 movie theatres and select retail outlets nationwide from November 2011 – April 2012.


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The program coincides with the all-new 3D presentation of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace in theatres.

Since 1991, the Gold Heart Pin Campaign has been Variety’s signature fundraising endeavor worldwide.  Variety works with one major motion picture studio every year, including Sony, Paramount, DreamWorks, Universal, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and Warner Bros. to design a pin based on a film or character that is sold primarily in movie theatres across the country.  Through this partnership, the Gold Heart pin campaign has raised millions of dollars to help children in need.

Star Wars is a phenomenon that reaches throughout the globe and across generations,” said Erica Lopez, national manager of Variety the Children’s Charity of the United States.  “We encourage everyone to be a hero and purchase a pin to improve the life of a child in their community.”
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With an eight-decade legacy of caring for children across the globe, Variety the Children’s Charity has grown to 43 chapters in 13 countries, raising more than $1 billion to assist the treatment and care for children who are disabled and disadvantaged. 
Variety comes through when income, insurance and the government cannot.  Through our national mobility program, we supply funding for children with special needs throughout the country to get walkers, wheelchairs, strollers, specially-designed adaptive bikes and other mobility devices.  Variety also takes children who are disadvantaged on special excursions and supports children’s hospitals, funds local camps and boys & girls clubs, and encourages education through scholarships, arts programs and literacy programs.
VIZ MEDIA FIRES THE IMAGINATIONS OF YOUNGER FANS AND READERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH NEW LEGEND OF ZELDA, MAMESHIBA AND POKÉMON RELEASES

San Francisco, CA, November 16, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has plenty to delight even the youngest manga (graphic novel) and anime fans this holiday season with a variety of new releases from VIZ KIDS to fill young minds with wonder and fire imaginations with fun adventures with characters from POKÉMON, MAMESHIBA and THE LEGEND OF ZELDA.

This year, VIZ Media highlights THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Box Set, which celebrates the series’ 25th Anniversary and bundles all 10 volumes of the fantasy action manga adventure series based on the hit Nintendo video game. MAMESHIBA will delight young readers with adorable characters in a winter-themed story and pop-out play scene. The timeless fun of POKÉMON is also well-represented this holiday season with the DVD release of the latest feature film, POKÉMON – ZOROARK: MASTER OF ILLUSIONS, as well as a POKÉMON DIAMOND AND PEARL ADVENTURE! Manga Box Set, and much, much more!

Manga Gift Releases:

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Box Set · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $69.99 U.S. / $80.99 CAN · Available Now! 
The box set contains all 10 volumes of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA manga series and a collectible poster. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA takes place in the mystical land of Hyrule, where three spiritual stones hold the key to the Triforce. Whoever holds them will control the world. A boy named Link sets out on a quest to deliver the Emerald, the spiritual stone of the forest, to Zelda, Princess of the land of Hyrule. The journey will be long and perilous, and Link will need all his skill and courage to defeat evil. The battle for Hyrule and the Sacred Realm has begun!


MAMESHIBA WINTER · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN · Available Now! 
It's a BEAN! It's a DOG! It's... BOTH?! Not quite one or the other – they're Mameshiba, cute little bean dogs with their own personalities and strange facts to share.

When it's cold and snowy, Mameshiba are ready to play! The clever beans are building a snow castle, and you can join in the fun! With MAMESHIBA WINTER  you can decorate the snowy scenes with stickers and play around the castle with your very own Mameshiba figures. Plus, keep the beans warm by dressing them up in winter gear!

POKÉMON – ZOROARK: MASTER OF ILLUSIONS · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN · Available Now! 
Ash and Pikachu travel to Crown City to watch the Pokémon Baccer World Cup competition, but it’s not all fun and games. The powerful Pokémon Zoroark has attacked! Ash and his friends must solve an old mystery before they can stop Zoroark and save the people of Crown City!

POKÉMON BLACK & WHITE, Vol. 4 · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $4.99 U.S. / $5.99 CAN · Available Now! 
Meet Pok̩mon Trainers Black and White! His entire life, Black has dreamed of winning the Pok̩mon League! Now he embarks on a journey to explore the Unova region and fill a Pok̩dex for Professor Juniper. White has an exciting career as the Trainer of a talented troupe of performing Pok̩mon. She dreams of making her Tepig Gigi a star! Together, Black and White continue on their journey... What surprising new Pok̩mon Рand people Рwill they meet next?!

POKÉMON DIAMOND & PEARL ADVENTURE! Manga Box Set · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $59.99 U.S. / $67.99 CAN · Available Now! 
Contains all 8 volumes of the POKÉMON DIAMOND & PEARL ADVENTURE! series and a collectible poster. Most kids spend their days at school, but not Hareta. Raised in the wild by Pokémon, he can climb as high as an Aipom, swim as fast as a Magikarp, and even eat bark like a Bidoof! Recruited by Professor Rowan, Hareta decides to become a Pokémon Trainer. Along with his first Pokémon, Piplup, and his new friend Mitsumi, he sets off in search of the legendary Pokémon Dialga. But Team Galactic is hunting for Dialga too. Can Hareta and Piplup defeat Team Galactic and stop their evil plans?

POKÉMON MAGNET PLAY BOOK · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $8.99 U.S. / $10.99 CAN · Available Now! 
Now children of all ages can have their own adventures in the Unova Region! This book includes eight magnets that can be used in the book or on any other magnet-friendly surface, featuring Oshawott, Snivy, Tepig, Pikachu, Axew, Pansage, Reshiram and Zekrom.


Anime Gift Releases:

POKÉMON – ZOROARK: MASTER OF ILLUSIONS DVD · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $19.98 U.S. / CAN · Available Now! 
As Ash and his friends journey to Crown City to join the crowds watching the Pokémon Baccer World Cup, mysterious forces are in motion that could bring untold misfortune to them all! What secrets does Zorua, a Pokémon they befriend along the way, hide? Why is the powerful Zoroark rampaging through the city, and what does the appearance of the Legendary Pokémon Raikou, Entei, and Suicune mean? All these questions and more will be answered in POKÉMON—ZOROARK: MASTER OF ILLUSIONS! 

POKÉMON DP GALACTIC BATTLES DVD Gift Set, Vol. 4 · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $24.92 U.S. / $24.98 CAN · Available November 22nd 
The DVD gift set contains POKÉMON DP GALACTIC BATTLES Vols. 7-8! When it comes to Pokémon, the more, the merrier:  two new friends have joined Ash, Dawn, and Brock on their Sinnoh journey!  Together, they’ll chase a rogue Gible and face off in a tag battle. Before long, however, things take a turn for the worse as Team Galactic and Pokémon Hunter J return with a vengeance. Now Team Galactic is poised to achieve its ultimate goal: summoning the Legendary Dialga and Palkia in order to destroy the world! Are Ash and his friends ready to face the biggest Galactic battle of all?

For more information on these and other titles available from VIZ Media’s VIZ KIDS imprint, please visit www.VIZKids.com or www.VIZ.comwww.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 monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like Naruto, Bleach and InuYasha, 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.
WITCH DOCTOR PUTS HORROR UNDER THE KNIFE
Seifert & Ketner's Witch Doctor Trade Paperback to Release in December

Berkeley, CA17 November 2011 – Brand Seifert and Lukas Ketner's WITCH DOCTOR miniseries was one of the best-received original miniseries of 2011 – but they're not stopping there!  In fact, in addition to the upcoming WITCH DOCTOR: THE RESUSCITATION one-shot, the exploits of Seifert  and Kettner's Dr. Vincent Morrow is getting the trade paperback treatment courtesy of Image Comics and Robert Kirkman’s Skybound imprint! 

The WITCH DOCTOR, VOL. 1: UNDER THE KNIFE TP will include the first four issues of the fan-favorite WITCH DOCTOR series, plus zero issue originally publishing as a flip-book with THE WALKING DEAD #85, and an introduction from Robert Kirkman.

"We hoped people would enjoy WITCH DOCTOR — but Lukas and I weren't prepared for just how well it's gone over!" said Seifert. "We've gotten a massive amount of love from readers, and a whole lot of praise from retailers and the press. It's very humbling how much people like our weird little medical horror comic!"

"I'm really excited to have the past year's haul in one volume!" added Ketner. "I'm nothing short of honored to have so many enjoying our series. I hope our readers enjoy this collection as much as I enjoyed drawing it. The response has made it worth the effort a thousand times over."

Here's what reviewers (and Warren Ellis!) are saying about WITCH DOCTOR:

“[WITCH DOCTOR] is mental.” — Warren Ellis (writer of Transmetropolitan and Planetary)

“A superbly smart and riveting medical thriller” — Fangoria

“Kirkman made a very wise choice in selecting WITCH DOCTOR as the first original book from his Skybound imprint.” — Newsarama

“Top stuff. Super clever/humorous in the way I like and the art is really top notch. Basically, I'm jealous. Bastards!” — Ben Templesmith (artist of 30 Days of Night and Fell)

“Eminently entertaining” — io9

The WITCH DOCTOR, the sardonic Dr. Morrow, is looking for a vaccine... for the apocalypse! In his quest to understand the biology of the supernatural, he faces vampires, demonic possession, faeries and more!

WITCH DOCTOR, VOL. 1: UNDER THE KNIFE TP (OCT110522, ISBN: 978-1-60706-441-1), a 112-page full-color medical horror trade paperback for $12.99, will be on sale in stores and digital platforms on December 14. WITCH DOCTOR: THE RESUSCITATION (OCT110447), a 32-page full-color one-shot for $2.99, will be on sale December 21.

ABOUT ROBERT KIRKMAN
Robert Kirkman is a New York Times bestselling author known for being the cultural zeitgeist of the comic book industry. Following the grassroots success of the self-published BATTLE POPE (2000), Kirkman caught the eye of Image Comics founding partner Erik Larsen. After several short-term projects (SUERPATRIOT and TECHJACKET), he achieved superstar status in 2003 with INVINCIBLE and THE WALKING DEAD. During a subsequent stint at Marvel Comics, he gained many new fans with the haunting and hilarious Marvel Zombies. MTV translated Kirkman's INVINCIBLE into a motion comic -- one of the first in a growing industry trend. Kirkman's SKYBOUND imprint, under the Image Comics umbrella, is committed to fostering up-and-coming talent in the industry, and all acquisitions are hand-picked by Kirkman himself. Kirkman won the 2010 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series for THE WALKING DEAD. Kirkman is an Executive Producer/writer on AMC's hit series, "The Walking Dead," based upon his comics. The series is highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S. and was launched around the world simultaneously where it's become a success in 120 countries, translated into 33 languages and is in 250 million households.  For more information about Skybound, visit www.skybound.com.

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, 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.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

MILO MANARA SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES!
DISTRIBUTOR SOLD OUT OF VOLUME 1! 
November 16, MILWAUKIE, OR – Demand for the controversial and critically acclaimed collection from the legendary Milo Manara has driven distributors to a sell out of Volume 1!   This library marks the first comprehensive North American hardcover collection of Italian comics legend Milo Manara’s work.
The first of nine volumes, The Manara Library Volume 1 collects two of Manara's seminal works in a magnificently appointed, deluxe hardcover edition. The sweeping epic Indian Summer, a collaboration with celebrated creator Hugo Pratt, is collected here along with Manara's The Paper Man, both translated by Euro comics expert Kim Thompson.  It also features a fantastic foreword by Frank Miller!

In February, Dark Horse will publish Volume 2 of The Milo Manara Library! This deluxe hardcover features the newly translated, sweeping historical epic El Gaucho, the second of Manara's storied collaborations with his mentor Hugo Pratt, author of the internationally acclaimed Corto Maltese. Rounding out this volume is Trial by Jury, a series of shorts, never before published in the US, in which some of history's most notorious figures undergo a mock trial.
This is the first and only comprehensive English collection of Manara's work, so head to your local comic retailer and pick up a copy before the first printing is gone for good!
"In the hand of Milo Manara, the Old West is a generous, delicious feast for the eyes." -Frank Miller on Manara
"Beautiful historical work with gorgeous people and really erotic undertones." -Neil Gaiman on Manara
Manara Library Volume 1 is on sale now and is scheduled for a reprint!
Manara Library Volume 2 is on sale February 8th, 2012!
About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists.  In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the BarbarianMass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.