TICKETS FOR THE LOS ANGELES ANIMATION FESTIVAL

MARCH 7^th - March 11^th ARE NOW ON SALE

 

Admirer and Connoisseur of Great Animation, Sean Lennon, To Serve As Artistic Director

 

 

LOS ANGELES, CA, FEBRUARY 22, 2012 – Tickets for the highly anticipated 3^rd annual Los Angeles Animation Festival (LAAF) are currently on sale and may be purchased online at http://blog.laafest.com/tickets/.  The Festival will run from Wednesday, March 7^th through Sunday, March 11^th at the historic Regent Showcase in Hollywood.  Festival passes and tickets to all individual events can also be purchased in person at the Regent Showcase beginning on March 7^th.

Longtime LAAF supporter, Sean Lennon, is serving as this year’s Artistic Director and has hand selected four feature films which he will personally introduce.  In addition, Lennon has also selected some animated shorts from famed Japanese pop artist Keiichi Tanaami which will screen before each of his feature selections. Events honoring celebrated animator and Academy Award^® nominee, Bill Plympton, will include the world theatrical premiere of Adventures in Plymptoons, a documentary on Plympton’s career by Alexia Anastasio, and a special screening of Plympton’s first animated feature film, The Tune, celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year. Additional events include a cast and crew screening of The Iron Giant with a post-screening Q&A with director Brad Bird; a revival of Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s Team America: World Police with Phil Hendrie & Puppeteers LIVE on-stage; a screening of Shrek honoring its 10^th Anniversary and it’s win of the first Oscar^® for Animated Feature; and a screening of this year’s current Oscar^® Nominee for Best Animated Feature Film, A Cat in Paris.

LOS ANGELES ANIMATION FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:

Wednesday 3/7/12

7:30 PM  OPENING NIGHT PARTY:  Host TOM KENNY,  stage show, special guests, festival previews/teaser reels, music from live band NYLON PINK (www.nylonpink.tv) and DJ TUNA.

Plus JERRY BECK'S Cartoon-orama

Joint Event with ONE PLUS HUB Productions and LA Film School

Thursday 3/8/12

7:15 PM SEAN LENNON Presents AKIRA

10:15 PM ANIMAYO Presents TWO DIAMONDS - Erotic Animation by Female Directors (Adults Only)

Friday 3/9/12

7.30 PM CHARITY SCREENING IRON GIANT - Cast & Crew Event with Director BRAD BIRD attending.  Great 35mm print on the big screen.

10:00 PM MTV LIQUID TELEVISION Best of Historical and the New Series followed by an AFTER PARTY sponsored by LIQUID TELEVISION & TITMOUSE featuring music from live band NYLON PINK (www.nylonpink.tv) and DJ TUNA.

Saturday 3/10/12

12:00 NOON Family "ENCORE" Matinee IRON GIANT - reduced price admission

2:00 PM Web Sensation DICK FIGURES LIVE! - screening with cast & crew!

4:00 PM SEAN LENNON Presents FANTASTIC PLANET

5:30 PM ASIFA presentation of GULLIVER’S TRAVEL (1939) & Superman short “Mechanical Monsters”

7:30 PM HONOREE BILL PLYMPTON WORLD PREMIERE ADVENTURES IN PLYMPTOONS (Bill Plympton & Dir. Alexia Anastasio in person)

9:30 PM WEST COAST PREMIERE A MONSTER IN PARIS

11:30 PM TEAM AMERICA - with PHIL HENDRIE and puppeteers on-stage

Sunday 3/11/12

12:00PM THE CAL ARTS LEGACY- the program will feature the student works of JOHN LASSETER, HENRY SELICK, and the creators of TV hits SpongeBob SquarePants, Power Puff Girls, and Dexter’s Lab as well as the films of recent graduates

2:00 PM GALA EVENT DREAMWORKS and SHREK - celebrating its 10th Anniversary Oscar win & feature film screening

4:00 PM 2012 OSCAR Nominee - A CAT IN PARIS

6:00 PM SEAN LENNON Presents GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES

8:00 PM HONOREE BILL PLYMPTON 20th Anniversary Screening THE TUNE - Bill Plympton in person. And LAAF Awards Ceremony with host TOM KENNY

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES ANIMATION FESTIVAL

The Los Angeles Animation Festival was founded in 2007 by John Andrews and Miles Flanagan.  Frustrated by the lack of a cohesive animation festival in Los Angeles, the founders sought to create a festival experience that allowed unknown animators to meet and mingle with industry professionals. LAAF is now the largest International Animation Festival in Los Angeles and offers a unique social and business experience to those attending, celebrating both mainstream and independent animation with special screenings, events, panels, awards and contests.  More information regarding the festival can be found at www.LAAFest.com

Miles Flanagan, LAAF Founder & Co-Director

LAAF co-founder Miles Flanagan has been producing and directing commercials and station IDs in the U.S. since the mid 1990's. Originally from the UK and a graduate of both St. Martin's School of Art and Middlesex University, he directed music videos for The Pogues, Dave Stewart and Paul McCartney before coming to the States.  His first job in the U.S. was to create and direct the opening theatrical logo for Lakeshore Entertainment. His award-winning animated spots include work for Microsoft, Pringles, Visa, and CBS.  He recently opened his own studio, Parallax Studioworks, Inc. to develop features and another film festival in LA.

John Andrews, LAAF Founder & Co-Director

LAAF co-founder John Andrews served as MTV's VP of Animation in the mid 1990's. He was hired to produce the series Beavis & Butt-Head in 1992 and produced most of MTV’s animated shows in the 90’s as well as the feature Beavis & Butt-head Do America.  In 1997, he became Executive Producer of Commercials and Special Projects for Klasky Csupo where he remained for 12 years. Currently John serves as Executive Producer and Creative Director of 6 Point Media and EP of Development at Six Point Harness.

Ross Otterman, Festival Director
LAAF Festival Director Ross Otterman is a Los Angeles based Producer with a number of recent feature film producing credits. In 2010, Ross Otterman produced Death and Cremation, overseeing the project’s development, casting and production. In 2011, he produced the thriller The Employer and followed up the project with the horror-psychological drama Excision, a 2012 Sundance selection. Most recently he produced the action comedy In Security.

“BE IMMORTAL”                  

HELP SAVE A LIFE AND EXPERIENCE

THE VISUALLY-STRIKING, ERIC FILM ON BLU-RAY

 

 

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and America’s Blood Centers

Team Up to Support National Blood Drive

 

 

To celebrate the Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD release of the epic film IMMORTALS on March 6^th, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and America’s Blood Centers are organizing blood drives at 30 select universities across the country starting this week and continuing through March 9^th.  Students and participants will experience Director Tarsem Singh’s visually stunning film, pick up exclusive IMMORTALS premium items, while donating blood at their local college campus. 

 

Inspired by the sacrifice that Theseus made of himself to save mankind, the IMMORTALS blood drive event will help support the work of America’s Blood Centers to fulfill their mission to help those who are in need as well as encourage others to give.

 

Written by Charles Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides and Directed by visionary filmmaker Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall), the IMMORTALS Blu-ray is packed with must-see bonus features including an alternate beginning, two alternate endings, deleted scenes and an amazing graphic novel, creating the ultimate fan viewing experience. 

 

Dates / Participating University & Colleges

·         Feb. 21 – University of Delaware

·         Feb. 21 - Feb. 22 – Mesa Community College

·         Feb. 21 - Feb. 22 – University of San Diego

·         Feb. 21 - Feb. 23 – Cal Poly SLO - Poly Canyon Village

·         Feb. 21 - Feb. 24 – University of Central Florida

·         Feb. 21, Mar. 2, Mar. 5 – University of Washington

·         Feb. 21, Feb. 27, Mar. 7 – University at Buffalo

·         Feb. 22 – Salisbury University

·         Feb. 22 - Feb. 23 – University of Oregon

·         Feb. 22 – Feb. 24 – Arizona State University

·         Feb. 23 – Beloit College

·         Feb. 27 - Feb. 28 – Billings & Rocky Mountain College  

·         Feb. 27 - Feb. 29 – Del Mar College        

·         Feb. 27 - Mar. 1 – University of Miami

·         Feb. 28 – San Diego State University

·         Feb. 28 – Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

·         Feb. 28 - Feb. 29 – Louisiana State University

·         Feb. 28 - Feb. 29 – University of Wyoming in Laramie

·         Feb. 29 – Century College

·         Mar. 1 – Case Western Reserve University

·         Mar. 1 – University of Minnesota Bailey Hall

·         Mar. 1 – University of the Pacific

·         Mar. 5 – Montana State University

·         Mar. 5 - Mar. 8 – Miami Dade College-Kendall Campus

·         Mar. 6 - University of Florida

·         Mar. 6 - Mar. 8 – Northwestern State University

·         Mar. 7 – University of Minnesota Middlebrook Hall

 

For full details regarding these blood drives and participating center information, including images and campus drive updates, please visit the Fox Connect Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FoxConnect.  

 

Additional drive photos, videos and other drive updates will be available on the Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Twitter page:  https://twitter.comfoxhomeent, and the hashtag #immortalsblood throughout the duration of the program. 

 

 

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

 

About America’s Blood Centers

Founded in 1962, America’s Blood Centers is North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood programs. Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its critical work in patient care and disaster preparedness and response, the federation operates more than 600 blood donor centers providing half of the U.S., and a quarter of the Canadian blood supply.

 

These blood centers serve more than 150 million people and provide blood products and services to more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities across North America. America’s Blood Centers’ U.S. members are licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Canadian members are regulated by Health Canada.

 

 

# # #

 

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

Twitter hashtag #immortalsblood

MURS TO RELEASE "YUMIKO: CURSE OF THE MERCH GIRL" GRAPHIC NOVEL & ALBUM
illustrated by Jose Garcia | written by Josh Blaylock | produced by DJ Foundation | available only on Kickstarter


video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0C14F-IgxA
learn more and order at Murs' Kickstarter page
Murs reviews comics for G4TV's Fresh Ink Online at http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/tag/243/fresh-ink/

mursworld.com | mursworld.tumblr.com | Murs on Twitter | Josh Blaylock on Facebook | on Twitter

 

From pioneering the independent rap hustle to starting his own festival, Cali emcee Murs has always been a trailblazer. To that end, he proudly presents Yumiko: Curse Of The Merch Girl, a brand new album and graphic novel available exclusively through Kickstarter. The album and novel unite to tell the story of Yumi Morales, a girl living the fabled tour life working the merchandise table for her boyfriend Dominick's band Murder Acts. The 124-page graphic novel is illustrated by Jose Garcia, written by Josh Blaylock and the ten-song album - whose lyrics are printed in their entirety throughout the novel - is produced entirely by DJ Foundation. Yumiko is available only via the project's Kickstarter page, where a range of different pledge options will get you everything from the novel and CD to exclusive apparel, custom download cards illustrated by David Mack and Jim Mahfood, and a personal thank-you note and Twitter follow from Murs. Followed by the release of the album and book, an animated music video will officially be unveiled at Murs' party during the Comic-Con convention in San Diego. "Yumiko is hip hop and comics done correctly," says Murs of the project. "Comics have always been a huge inspiration to me. And having the chance to publish my own comic is truly an honor. Working with my partners to create this book was a lot of fun and we are looking forward to making our dream a reality with the help of the fans." Murs can also be seen reviewing recent issues of Batman, Catwoman and Wolverine for G4TV's Fresh Ink Online blog (click here).

THE DARKNESS REACHES THE CENTURY MARK

Landmark 100th issue in stores February 29

Berkeley, CA — February 23, 2012 — Top Cow Productions and Image Comics proudly announced today that Darkness 100, the landmark anniversary issue, will land in stores February 29th, 2012.

The over-sized 100th issue follows hot on the heels of the release of The Darkness II video game from 2K Games and Digital Extremes. Long time writer PHIL HESTER (Wonder Woman, Green Hornet) concludes his epic run on the series with artists ROMANO MOLENAAR (THE DARKNESS II : CONFESSION), LEANDRO OLIVEIRA (Superman), and JOSE LUIS (PILOT SEASON: SERAPH). The landmark 100th issue will set the stage for David Hine (THE DARKNESS: FOUR HORSEMEN, BULLETPROOF COFFIN) and Jeremy Haun (ARTIFACTS, DETECTIVE COMICS) as they bring THE DARKNESS into Top Cow’s REBIRTH initiative.

“Why couldn't they have hired someone else? Anyone else? I've been successfully pulling the wool over Darkness readers' eyes for years now, and the second they get a look at what David Hine is up to they're going to forget all about my dog and pony show,” Hester commented. “Don't believe me? Crack open Hine and Kane's BULLETPROOF COFFIN and see one of tomorrow's classics while it's fresh, then get in line behind me for The Darkness #101.”
As Darkness bearer, Jackie Estacado is on a collision course with the source of his power and misery — the Darkness itself! Estacado has traveled through numerous levels of the Darkness’ home dimension in his quest to confront his patron, all the while the Darkness has sought to bind him, distract him and prevent him from reaching it. Now only one of them will walk away from this momentous battle that has been building for years!

Featuring covers by Image luminaries TODD McFARLANE (SPAWN) and MICHAEL GOLDEN (The ‘Nam, SPAWN), alongside THE DARKNESS series artists JEREMY HAUN (Detective Comics) and MICHAEL BROUSSARD (ARTIFACTS).

The over-sized 48-page The Darkness #100 issue will be on sale in stores and digital platforms on March 21st, 2012 and will carry a cover price of $4.99. To commemorate this achievement, the issue will also feature a complete series cover gallery, a Darkness timeline, the winners of the Darkness II deviantART contest and a special preview of Darkness #101.

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.

ABOUT TOP COW PRODUCTIONS, INC.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. (www.topcow.com), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry's Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise, WITCHBLADE, was TNT's #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series was released on DVD on July 29, 2008.  WITCHBLADE is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow's other flagship property, THE DARKNESS, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status. WANTED, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is now a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Virtually all of Top Cow's other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and roleplaying games.

VIZ PRODUCTIONS & WARNER BROTHERS TO DEVELOP

BLEACH LIVE ACTION MOVIE AFTER BANNER YEAR

VIZ Media’s Mega-Hit Franchise Continues To Expand Across All Entertainment Channels, Win In Ratings, And Top Best Seller Lists

San Francisco, CA, February 23, 2012 – VIZ Media, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in the North America, announced today that Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired the live-action feature film rights to the hit manga and anime property BLEACH. The announcement comes after another successful year for BLEACH in print, digital publishing, cable television, streaming video, consumer products and video-on-demand.

“BLEACH has built a huge international following in its manga and anime formats, and we’re excited that Warner Bros. shares our belief that BLEACH can also become a fantastic live-action film,” said Jason Hoffs of VIZ Productions, VIZ Media’s Hollywood-based production company. “BLEACH is an exciting opportunity to mix Japanese and Hollywood storytelling to create something new for the big screen, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to further expose its unique characters and story to film audiences everywhere.”

Peter Segal (GET SMART, THE LONGEST YARD) of Callahan Filmworks is producing with an eye toward directing. The film’s creative team also includes screenwriter Dan Mazeau, who recently penned Warner Bros.’ upcoming sequel to CLASH OF THE TITANS. Callahan Filmworks partner Michael Ewing and Masi Oka (best known for his roles on NBC’s HEROES and CBS’s HAWAII FIVE-0) will produce. From VIZ Productions, Hoffs will serve as Producer, and Branon Coluccio will be Executive Producer. Screenplay development will commence in 2012.

The popular BLEACH animated and manga series, created by Tite Kubo, follows the adventures of Ichigo, a teenager with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper tasked to hunting Hollows, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, Ichigo must dedicate his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

BLEACH is a tremendously successful multimedia property around the world. The manga has been licensed to more than a dozen countries and has over 75 million copies in print in Japan alone. In North America, the manga (rated ‘T’ for Teens) has consistently appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list for Manga and the Neilsen BookScan Top 50 Graphic Novels list, selling more than 2.1 million copies across 36 volumes.

The BLEACH manga is also available digitally through VIZManga.com and for download through the VIZ Manga App for iPad^®, iPhone^® and iPod^® touch, where it has proven to be a top-seller. The series was recently sped up to bring North American readers up-to-date with the latest story arc in Japan, culminating in it being featured in WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, the groundbreaking digital manga magazine that VIZ Media just launched at the end of January 2012.

The BLEACH animated series (rated TV-14) has topped the ratings on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, sold over 1.8 million DVDs and consistently ranked among Hulu’s most watched shows, This success has further spawned an array of related video games (over 820,000 sold), apparel, action figures, trading cards and other merchandise.

For more information on BLEACH and to view free streaming episodes, please visit Bleach.viz.com.

For more information on BLEACH digital manga, please visit VIZManga.com/bleach.

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, please visit SJAlpha.com.

Enhanced Technology Expands MERLIN’s Cinematic Scope,

While  ‘Lamia’ Enchants, Endangers This Friday

Award-winning Irish actress Charlene McKenna guest stars as bewitching

‘Lamia’ in all-new MERLIN Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, only on Syfy

The shift to filming in glorious 35mm has opened new doors of creative storytelling for the crew of MERLIN, and the evidence is clear in the lush cinematography and haunting approach to “Lamia,” an all-new episode MERLIN premiering Friday, Feb. 24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT only on Syfy.

The episode sets Merlin and several Knights of the Round Table on the road to a distant village to help treat those inflicted with a mysterious illness.  But the young warlock quickly discovers he is the one in danger. As the Knights become increasingly bewitched by an alluring young woman named Lamia, Merlin finds himself with only Gwen as an ally, all the while lured into a cat-and-mouse game against an unseen enemy more deadly than he could possibly imagine.

Actress Charlene McKenna, who also stars in the popular Irish TV series Raw, plays Lamia, bringing to MERLIN her impressive acting talents, which include her debut role in the award-winning Breakfast on Pluto. She followed that role with a breakout performance in the television series Pure Mule, and was honored as Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series for her role in Whistleblower at the Monte Carlo Television Festival.  In 2009, she earned Best Actress/Television laurels for Raw at the Irish Film and Television Awards.

“Lamia” is also a showcase for behind-the-scenes developments on MERLIN, which shifted from high-definition video to 35mm film for Season Four. Series co-creator and executive producer Johnny Capps explains that technology, combined with three years of experience on the series, has given the production team an opportunity to truly step up their game for the benefit of the viewers.

“The more fantasy stories you tell, the more confident you become in your storytelling and the way you make it – and the bigger the challenges you set before yourself,” Capps says. “Shooting on 35mm was a natural move for us because we’re able to make the CGI look a lot better, which is the kind of celluloid magic that allows you to make that fantasy world come to life that much better.

“I think it’s not that our budgets got bigger,” Capps explains, “but that you gain in confidence, you learn more, and technology is constantly changing. So in Season One, we would never have a huge marching army – but in Season Three, we didn’t think anything of it, and in Season Four you’ll see thousands of people marching on Camelot. You become more confident and you grow with the technology.”

Capps adds that while the technology is better, that doesn’t mean the crew uses it just for its own sake – particularly when revealing the mystical, often-frightening monsters that inhabit the landscape of MERLIN. “Lamia” is as entrancing for what viewers see as what they don’t see: a creature that mysteriously waylays villagers and Knights with a paralyzing effect.

“The leap to 35mm has allowed us to be more ambitious in the creatures we create, but what’s interesting with creatures is that we really believe less is more,” says Capps. “You don’t show the monster straight away – we’ve learned that it’s far more effective to use the ‘Jaws effect.’ In the first season, we might have shown the monster jumping down on the ground, growling. Now, you might see a glimpse of it and then we won’t reveal it until halfway through the episode. You learn about how to make it technically good, but also how to build the suspense. And ‘Lamia’ is a good example of that style.”

“Lamia,” an all-new episode of MERLIN, airs Friday, February 24 at 10 p.m. ET/PT only on Syfy.  All three seasons of MERLIN are now available on DVD and on iTunes.  Be sure to follow the latest news on MERLIN at the Official Merlin page on Facebook.

ARCANA COMICS - Arcana acquires part of Bluewater's fiction library

 

VANCOUVER (Feb 21, 2012) - Arcana Comics is pleased to annouce they have recently picked up the rights to part of Bluewater's fiction library! The publishers have been in talks for quite a while, leading to the aquisition. Titles include the popular 10th Muse as well as Legend of Isis, and Judo Girl, as well as twenty-three others.

 

"I have worked with Arcana in the past and am excited to team up with them again. Teaming up with another independent comic book company, the foundation can only strengthen our brands," says Darren G. Davis, Bluewater President.

 

"Darren and Arcana did Valkyrie back in the day and it's great to be working with him again.  He is one of the most talented and prolific creators I've worked with, and everyone is very excited about these dozens of graphic novels added into our library," says Arcana's CEO Sean Patrick O'Reilly.

 

Starting later this year, Arcana Comics will release collected editions of the comic books in graphic novel form, giving new readers a chance to learn about these exciting titles.

 

Keep reading below for a run-down of some of these titles.

 

10th Muse - Greek mythology has documented the nine Muses, the inspirational daughters of the almighty Zeus. But history forgot one--the Tenth Muse. Emma, Brett and Dawn were the best of friends -- until Emma disappeared, leaving only a note saying goodbye. Now, eight years later, Emma is back, without answers. What happened to Emma? What is her connection with Grayson Bishop, and, most of all, how did ordinary Emma Sonnet become the mysterious TENTH MUSE? Introducing The Tenth Muse, a new kind of super-hero saga unlike anything you've ever seen before. A mystery. An action series. A character- driven saga that will bring you to the edge of your seat. See if you can unravel the mystery of The 10th Muse.. Apologies for the blurred cover image, but there is a new celebrity modeling as the Tenth Muse, and it has to be kept a secret until she makes it public!

 

Legend of Isis - Trapped 5,000 years out of time, the would-be Egyptian Goddess, Isis, must adjust to her new life in 21st century Los Angeles. Using her mystical staff and some help from a few new friends, Isis will protect those around her from evil that may threaten their world. But how can she protect a world that she doesn't fully understand? Join Isis in her ongoing series debut issue, as she's introduced to the modern world and its new ways of life. But it seems Isis is not the only ancient warrior alive in our time - as she must battle the Mummy of Sekhent upon her awakening from the dead!

 

 

 

Judo Girl - Adjusting to life iof modern day is one thing. Fighting the female assassin Silencer is another. Worse, one of Judo Girl's (Diana Moore) most dangerous adversaries from the 1960s resurfaces to complicate her life, Lincoln Stanley, aka Hep Cat. Has he really reformed, as he claims, or is he back to his old tricks?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Styx and Stone - Upon returning from South Africa, Detective Mel Stone was put on medical leave after he was found almost dead on the cargo ship he was on with no explanation and almost no memory of what happened to him.. Now, he’s back on the force with his new partner investigating a string of gruesome campus murders. On the surface, everything is back to normal, but in reality, Stone is back with an added bonus; he’s sharing his body with the career criminal and murder James Wyatt.

 

 

 

 

Deathsport Games - In the near future, three teens find themselves thrust into a twisted version of the Olympic Games against a horde of vicious Sportsmen and a blood-thirsty crowd of onlookers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orion the Hunter - To tempt the Fates is one thing. To out and out steal from them is sheer lunacy. Yet Orion must pit his destiny against some of the fiercest and most dangerous forces Olympus has to offer. As he peels away another veil of the gods' deceit, Orion is forced to walk the precipice between myth and mystery only to find himself at the very mouth of Hades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blackbeard Legacy - The only thing of any worth to Hanna amongst the wreckage of an unlucky vessel is its sole survivor, who tells the captain about a secret treasure only he knows how to obtain. But he has reasons of his own to employ her aide. And with zombies, threatening weather, and the ever-gaining Captain Purloin, it's going to be a difficult task for the crew to even get off the island. quest for gold, adventure and her fathers head on a stick.

 

 

 

 

 

Paparazzi - Los Angeles; some call it the city of angels, others call it a cesspool of debauchery and self indulgence, but whatever you choose to call it, one thing is clear; L.A. is where all the action is. When an entertainment newspaper stops covering celebrity tabloids and starts to focus on the superhero community, all Hell breaks loose. From closeted capes, to drugged out Do-Gooders, no one is safe from the poison pen of Sara Michaels and her award winning snake of a photographer, Glenn Barry. This book explores what goes on under the spandex, and we aren't talking Botox!

 

 

 

Warlock - A new story from the cult film WARLOCK from Lionsgate. The Warlock is on a mission to destroy a book that contains a spell which imprisoned six other Warlocks. If the book manages to be destroyed, the dangerous Warlocks would be released back into the world free to cause chaos and destruction. It's up to a rag-tag group of people to prevent the Warlock from carrying out his plan.

 

 

 

 

 

Leprechaun - From the cult film from Lionsgate. This is the tale of Lubdan, the king and sole survivor of the Leprechaun. The last of the Leprechauns! A treasure dealer stumbles across his pot of gold and steals it. In this modern age, he finds buyers all over the planet through on-line auctions. Lubdan finds the thief after the gold is shipped to humans across the globe. Lubdan's quest takes him all over the planet, across time and space. Battling greed, the genocidal Cluracan and new mystical adversaries, Lubdan must save all life to save himself...but not without taking lives!

  

 

ABOUT ARCANA STUDIOS

 

Arcana Studios, Inc. Arcana owns one of the world's largest libraries of graphic novels and comics, with over 200 original intellectual properties, 300 graphic novels, thousands of comic issues and an ever-growing character list. Arcana has begun to adapt this library into live action feature films, animated features and episodic television series. Taking a transmedia approach to brand building and the development of intellectual properties, Arcana publishes graphic novels for North America in print, and now digitally as well. Arcana has been published and distributed in dozens different countries and translated into just as many languages across the globe.

 

ABOUT BLUEWATER

Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis” ”Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts,” et al) and celebrated actor Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW DIGITAL RELEASES FOR VIZMANGA.COM AND THE VIZ MANGA APP FOR iPAD, iPHONE AND iPOD TOUCH

Latest Issue Of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Also Available, Featuring Exclusive Interview with BLEACH Creator Tite Kubo

VIZ Media continues to expand the digital manga (graphic novels) library available on VIZManga.com and for digital download on the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad^®, iPhone^® and iPod^® touch devices.

This week’s issue of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA features the latest chapters of BAKUMAN｡, BLEACH, NARUTO, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, ONE PIECE and TORIKO, as well as a special interview with Tite Kubo, creator of BLEACH. Additional highlights include the latest installments of popular series such as BLUE EXORCIST, CROSS GAME and OTOMEN.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, North America’s only near-simultaneous digital manga magazine, treats manga fans to the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga series only two weeks after they debut in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP magazine. WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA is available on VIZManga.com through an annual membership that provides 52 weeks of access to 48 weekly issues for just $25.99; members will also receive an annual collector’s yearbook, collectable YU-GI-OH! game cards four times a year, and access to exclusive content, including creator interviews and videos. Single issues are also available, and can be read for four weeks for only $0.99.

New VIZ Media manga volumes launching include:

AI ORE! Vol. 4

BAKUMAN｡ Vol. 9

BLUE EXORCIST Vol. 6

CROSS GAME Vol. 5

KEKKAISHI Vol. 22

MAOH: JUVENILE REMIX Vol. 9

NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN Vol. 7

OTOMEN Vol. 12

TORIKO Vol. 8

VIZ Media’s multiple digital manga platforms allow for universal access to read manga from the VIZ Manga App for iOS devices and on VIZManga.com for desktop/laptop computers and Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users may access their purchases across even more devices than ever.

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top app for reading manga and features a rapidly growing library of the most popular manga series in the world. Over 45 series and 500+ volumes are currently available, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews added weekly.

For more information on the VIZ Manga digital platform, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps. 

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit SJAlpha.com. 

PULP’S ‘STAR WARS’ SCENE BECOMES AN INTERNET SENSATION
www.pulpthemovie.com  
London, United Kingdom, 22 February 2012 – Exactly one week ago, the filmmakers behind Pulp, a sensational new movie comedy set in the world of comic books, released a trailer and controversial exclusive scene on YouTube. The scene, which gives a generation of Star Wars naysayers a voice in the form of despicable cop, Tyler Jake, has become an online sensation and has generated over 300,000 views – a record figure for a low-budget independent film.
You can view the trailer and exclusive scene here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGE0q_bQN4M
In the scene, Tyler goes head-to-head with ‘Rock God’ comic book artist, Rick Bean, in an encounter that ends with only one of them standing. Pulp’s ‘Star Wars’ scene has had real-world audiences applauding and cheering, and online viewers are responding the same way.
Adam Hamdy, co-director of Pulp, said, “The clip we released was pretty controversial. It contains foul language and even fouler views on Star Wars. It’s the geek world equivalent of a knife fight and is really not for the faint-hearted.”
Independently financed, Pulp is building up a global following and a real head of steam. Recently nominated for the London Comedy Film Festival Discovery Award, Pulp, is a comedy feature film set in the irreverent world of comic book publishing.

Phil Bland, producer of Pulp said, “We recently screened Pulp to an audience of 1,200 people at the annual SFX Weekender and the reaction to the film was brilliant. This exclusive scene was our way of thanking everyone involved in making Pulp a success and giving our online audience a taste of what Pulp is all about.”

Pulp is a homage to movies and comic books and will be released soon. If you’d like to see more of Pulp, tweet, like, link, say what you think and help spread the word of Pulp. It’s more than a movie, it’s a way of life.
Don’t miss the sensational exclusive scene that has Star Wars lovers and haters buzzing. Trailer and Exclusive Scene available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGE0q_bQN4M
Friend us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pulpthemovieFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/pulpthemovie
About PULP:
Tony Leary, the nice-guy owner of Junk Comics, is gearing up for one last roll of the dice.  Nothing will stop his new superhero comic The Sodomizer from being a success except a gang of Geordie criminals who are using another comic company to launder their dirty money.  Aided by his trusty geek sidekicks, Rick and Keith, Tony must defy the odds if he is to become a real life hero.

Inspired by real life experiences at San Diego Comic Con, Pulp is directed by Adam Hamdy and Shaun Magher, and produced by Phil Bland, Phil Chalk and Adam Hamdy.

THE KEY TO A MYSTERY IS LOCKED IN MEMORY

New Image series Mind the Gap debuts new series by Jim McCann

Elle Peterssen is young, wealthy, and beautiful — and there is a reason someone tried to kill her. Only, Elle doesn't remember any of this. MIND THE GAP, the new Image Comics series by the Eisner Award-winning writer Jim McCann (The Dapper Men) debuting on May 2, is a mystery with a paranormal twist. Elle, in a spirit form detached from her comatose body, must not only unravel the mystery of her attacker's identity and motive but her entire life as well.

"I love the genre of the 'whodunit.' Psychological thrillers, murder mysteries, and film noir all influence me, and this story, heavily," said writer Jim McCann. "It’s a preternatural story — something science acknowledges on the fringe but hasn’t proven yet."

Between her family members' and her friends' perceptions of her, Elle can't be sure which version of Ellis Peterssen is who she really was. But Elle must put together the pieces. Her identity holds the key to stopping her attacker before he can strike again.

"This is a book I've been excited about since Jim first pitched it," noted Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "I feel like we really got lucky with this one, because Jim is a great writer and just a consummate professional, and Rodin — well, I've been admiring his cover work for ages, but that still didn't prepare me for how insanely awesome his interior work is! Pleased beyond belief to be associated with such amazing talent!"

With gorgeous art by MORNING GLORIES cover artist Rodin Esquejo and colors by Sonia Oback, MIND THE GAP will trace the path Elle takes back to herself — and her would-be murderer. The art plays an integral role in uniting Elle's disembodied experience and the real world, said McCann.

"This story will take on some otherworldly scenes, which the team handles beautifully, as well as some very real and gritty situations, sometimes even violent," he said. "I wanted that to look as realistic as possible, and juxtapose it with the clean, beautiful atmosphere Rodin and Sonia deliver."

MIND THE GAP #1 is a full-color 48-page comic book for $2.99 available for preorder in the March issue of Preview. (cover A: MAR120401, cover B: MAR120402). It will be in comic book stores and digital platforms on May 2. A preview of the issue's 9-page prologue ran in USA Today on February 22.

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.