VIZ MEDIA CELEBRATES 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AND LAUNCHES EDGY SCI-FI ACTION MANGA SERIES ALL YOU NEED IS KILL IN SPECIAL WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ISSUE

Popular Weekly Digital Manga Anthology Celebrates Sophomore Anniversary With Special Weekend Issue Featuring The Premiere Of Sci-Fi Series By Creator Of DEATH NOTE and BAKUMAN。

San Francisco, CA, January 10, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, marks WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP’s 2 Year Digital Anniversary with the debut of ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, by acclaimed manga (graphic novel) creator Takeshi Obata, in a special issue debuting THIS Saturday, January 11^th. The bestselling weekly serial manga anthology features the synchronized latest chapters of the world’s most popular series debuting digitally on the same day as the Japanese Weekly Shonen Jump counterpart.

Weekly Shonen Jump takes a short break in Japan next week, but to launch this highly anticipated new series, VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump editors have prepared a very special Takeshi Obata-themed edition that coincides with the sophomore anniversary of the digital launch of the publication.

Scheduled for a Saturday release, this bonus issue will feature Chapter 1 of ALL YOU NEED IS KILL along with previews of Obata Sensei's greatest hits. ALL YOU NEED IS KILL is the story of a futuristic soldier who dies in battle and is reborn each day to defend Earth against deadly alien invaders called Mimics. Takeshi Obata is a renowned artist of several massively successful manga series including DEATH NOTE, BAKUMAN。, RALΩGRAD, and HIKARU NO GO (all titles also published in North America by VIZ Media)

The original ALL YOU NEED IS KILL novel, by author Hiroshi Sakurazaka, has been called, “science fiction for the adrenaline junkie,” and is published in North America by VIZ Media’s Haikasoru imprint. The novel been notably adapted into a forthcoming sci-fi live-action blockbuster, titled Edge of Tomorrow, scheduled for release this summer from Warner Bros. and starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton.

“WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is the world’s leading ambassador for manga content and, aided by the advent of digital technology, we are able to oversee the simultaneous release of the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular series to fans in North America as well as in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Oceania,” says Editor-in-Chief Andy Nakatani. “We were honored to be the first publication to bring Takeshi Obata’s newest work to North American readers and we look forward to him reaching an even wider international fan base with the debut of the ALL YOU NEED IS KILL manga.”

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is the world’s premiere manga brand and leading weekly manga magazine. VIZ Media offers North American fans single issues for only $0.99 each and 1 Year Memberships are available for only $25.99 and include 48 weekly digital issues as well as exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! Collectable Trading Cards, special one-shot manga, exclusive digital-only promotions, and access to additional subscriber-only content including creator interviews and insightful promo videos. Current subscribers can also access their accounts via VIZManga.com, the VIZ Manga App, or with the Apple iPad Newsstand App.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is further available to North American fans as well as readers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa via the Newsstand App for the Apple iPad^® and iPad^® Mini or the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP App on the Google Play Store for Android devices. International issues debut each Monday at 10:00am (PST) and monthly subscriptions are available with automatic monthly renewals. (*Note: Yu-Gi-Oh! cards are not available to iPad Newsstand or international subscribers) Additional information on international subscriptions is available at: http://shonenjump.viz.com/international-wsj-app.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP International Subscription Pricing:

o    U.S. - $2.99 / month

o    UK - £1.99 / month

o    Ireland - 2,69 € / month

o    Australia - $2.99 (AUD) / month

o    New Zealand - $4.19 (NZD) / month

o    South Africa - R24.99 / month

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP features an award-winning roster of the very latest chapters of popular ongoing manga series such as BLEACH, BLUE EXORCIST, NARUTO, NISEKOI, ONE PIECE, ONE-PUNCH MAN, SERAPH OF THE END, TORIKO, WORLD TRIGGER, YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL and a colorized version of the classic DRAGON BALL.

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

For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and 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.

###

ALL YOU NEED IS KILL © 2014 by Takeshi Obata, Hiroshi Sakurazaka, Ryosuke Takeuchi, Yoshitoshi Abe/SHUEISHA INC.

THIRD PRINTING OF CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED MANIFEST DESTINY #1 ANNOUNCED

 

The hit historical fantasy adventure conquers new readership frontiers

 

Chris Dingess (Being Human) and Matthew Roberts’ (BATTLE POPE, FOUR LETTER WORLDS) critically-acclaimed MANIFEST DESTINY #1 has sold out immediately and will head into its 3rd printing. Readers can’t seem to get enough of the lush visuals and the shadow history/fantasy storyline.   Praise for MANIFEST DESTINY:   “Historical fiction can be a gamble in comics… By keeping it weird and focusing on their characters, Dingess and Roberts make a great case for how well it can work.” —Marykate Jasper, Comic Book Resources   “Dingess and Roberts have done a terrific job here, establishing the ugly side as well as the wonder of this expedition to the West. Manifest Destiny is looking to be one revelatory journey.” —Michelle White, Multiversity Comics   “Manifest Destiny #1 promises to be some really solid storytelling, focusing on a time when the world was still a mystery to those who thought themselves above it, and a world which too often valued the pioneer spirit above basic human decency.” —Andy Hunsaker, Crave Online   “It is way too early to start making best comics of the year lists, but we can safely put Manifest Destiny on the contenders list.” —Cody Ferrell, Comic Book Therapy   MANIFEST DESTINY #1 has completely sold out at the distributor level, but may still be available in comic stores, and is currently available digitally on the Image Comics website (imagecomics.com) and the official Image Comics iOS app, as well as on Comixology on the web (comixology.com), iOS, Android, and Google Play.   Image Comics is pleased to announce that this #1 issues will be going back to print to meet customer demand.    The 3rd printing of MANIFEST DESTINY #1 is available to order with Diamond Code NOV138200.

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

 

ABOUT SKYBOUND

Skybound is the home of Robert Kirkman's creator-owned work including his Eisner Award-winning comic book series, The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, Thief of Thieves, and Clone as well as Ghosted, Witch Doctor and Invincible Universe. Since its inception, Skybound has created television shows, merchandise and a wide spectrum of platforms, games (The Walking Dead: Assault iOS app), and entertainment events (The Walking Dead Escape). Skybound's successes include the comic behind the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. Skybound/Kirkman frequently top the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com.

IT'S "BAND OF BROTHERS" MEETS "THE WALKING DEAD" IN THIS TERRIFYING ZOMBIE WAR EPIC

CODE RED

Street Date: February 4, 2014

DVD SRP: $19.98

Code Red Trailer

  

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

In World War II, Stalin created a top secret nerve gas, which went missing shortly after the Battle of Stalingrad.  Over seventy years later, the horrific biochemical weapon resurfaces in modern day Bulgaria, turning the local inhabitants into frenzied mutants and causing the dead to rise from the grave. Amidst the chaos, US Special Forces Captain John McGahey (Paul Logan) and NATO Doctor Ana Bennett (Manal El-Feitury) must escape the infected zone before the Code Red alert is raised and everything is destroyed.  Now, it's survival at all costs...and they only have 24 hours to reach freedom.

CAST

• Paul Logan ("Days of Our Lives," Mega Piranha, Killers)
• Forbes KB ("Game of Thrones", Harry Brown)
• Borislav Iliev (Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines)
• Mya-Lecia Naylor (Cloud Atlas)

BONUS FEATURES 

• Making-of Featurette
• WWII Uncut
• Behind the Scenes & Outtakes

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Type: DVD

Catalog #:  EOE-DV-7566

Running Time: 90 mins.

Genre:  Horror

Rated:  Not rated

Aspect Ratio: 16 x 9 (1.78:1)

Audio:  5.1 Dolby Digital

Language: English w/SDH Subtitles

For the latest breaking news on CODE RED and other releases, follow Entertainment One on Twitter: http://twitter.com/eOneHomeVideo

DARK HORSE PROCLAIMS 2014 TO BE

THE YEAR OF THE HORSE!

JANUARY 10, MILWAUKIE, OR—Before we had even taken the time to look at the Chinese zodiac calendar, we knew 2014 was shaping up to be one of the best in Dark Horse Comics’ nearly thirty-year history!

In 2013, Dark Horse saw record sales growth in every channel and received what may have been more accolades than ever for its publishing line.

As we enter 2014, we go boldly into a year that, as the Chinese foretold, was destined to be ours!

We have partnered with our good friends at Comic Book Resources to bring Dark Horse fans an early look at what the year holds in every aspect of the business, from new comic series to books and products. Today we begin a four-part interview with Dark Horse president and founder Mike Richardson.

Look for a new interview each week and exclusive announcements, first looks, and more!

 ***

STARZ TO PREMIERE SOPHOMORE SEASON OF THE

ACTION ADVENTURE ORIGINAL SERIES

“DA VINCI’S DEMONS” FROM DAVID S. GOYER ON FRIDAY, MARCH 22^nd

 

Ten-Part Series Will Also Launch Globally in 125 Countries on FOX International Channels

 

 

Pasadena, CA – January 10, 2014 –Starz announced today that the anticipated second season of the historical fantasy “Da Vinci’s Demons,” an original series created by David S. Goyer, who most recently wrote the screenplay for Man of Steel and its untitled sequel as well as co-writer of The Dark Knight trilogy, will premiere on STARZ in the U.S. on Saturday, March 22nd at 9pm ET/PT.  The ten-episode drama, produced by Adjacent Productions, follows the ‘untold’ story of the world's greatest genius, Leonardo da Vinci, during his turbulent youth during the Renaissance.  Starz greenlit “Da Vinci’s Demons” for a second season following its record-setting first season weekend debut on STARZ on Friday April 12, 2013. Outside of the United States and English-speaking Canada, “Da Vinci’s Demons” is distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide, in partnership with FOX International Channels (FIC) who broadcasts the series to audiences in 125 countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa following Starz’s exclusive premiere in the U.S.

 

Brilliant and passionate, the 25-year- old Leonardo da Vinci is an artist, inventor, swordsman, lover, dreamer and idealist. As a free thinker, with intellect and talents that are almost superhuman, he struggles to live within the confines of his own reality and time. 

 

Starring Tom Riley (“Monroe,” I Want Candy), as the title character, season two of “Da Vinci's Demons,” finds Florence thrown into chaos in the wake of the Pazzi conspiracy.  Lorenzo is gravely ill and Leonardo da Vinci must push the limits of his mind and body to defend the city against the forces of Rome. While the Medicis go to unthinkable lengths to deal with new threats, da Vinci continues on his quest to find the fabled Book of Leaves and uncover the secret history of his mother.  He'll come to realize that he has lethal competition in his quest -- new enemies who may be even worse than the forces of Pope Sixtus.  His search will take him to faraway lands and force him to reevaluate everything he knew about the world and his own history.

 

Riley’s co-stars include Laura Haddock (The Inbetweeners Movie, Guardians of the Galaxy) who plays Lucrezia Donati; Elliot Cowan (“Luther,” “Lost in Austen”) who plays the de factor ruler of Florence, Lorenzo Medici; Lara Pulver (“True Blood,” “Sherlock”), who plays his wife Clarice Orsini; and Blake Ritson (Serena, “Upstairs Downstairs”) who plays the ruthless and unwavering Count Girolamo Riario, nephew of Pope Sixtus IV. 

 

In addition to his high profile film credits, Goyer served as script consultant and story developer for “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” and “Black Ops II,” respectively, the most successful video game franchise of all time.

 

Jane Tranter, head of Adjacent Productions, served as Executive Producer. The series was shot in Swansea during the summer and fall of 2013.  The series is produced by Adjacent Productions, a label launched in 2012 that sits alongside BBC Worldwide Productions in order to identify new and original programming created and produced under the company’s umbrella.

 

About Starz Entertainment
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies.  As of September 30, 2013, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 57.0 million subscribers, including 22.0 million at STARZ, and 35.0 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S.  STARZ® and ENCORE®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX®, air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY.  Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television.  Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties.  Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.

 

About Adjacent Productions

Adjacent Productions is a label that sits within BBC Worldwide Productions, one of the core businesses under BBC Worldwide North America, the U.S. division of BBC Worldwide, the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).  The Adjacent Productions label serves to identify new programming created by the Los Angeles-based production company, while BBC Worldwide Productions identifies BBC reformats that the team develops and produces for the U.S. market. The first scripted series under the Adjacent Productions label is Da Vinci’s Demons (Starz), currently in production on its second season. Other series from the production companies include Getting On (HBO) and the upcoming Us & Them (FOX), Intruders (BBC America), and Criminal Justice (HBO).

 

About FOX International Channels

FOX International Channels (FIC) is 21st Century FOX’s international multi-media business. We develop, produce and distribute 300+ wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, sports, lifestyle, factual and movie channels in 45 languages across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.  FIC’s core channel brands include FOX, FOX Sports, FOX Life and National Geographic Channel. FIC’s movie channels include FOX Movies, FOX Movies Premium, Star Chinese Movies and Moviecity. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high-definition extensions, reach over 1.6 billion cumulative households worldwide. In addition, FIC owns and operates two production studios and produces thousands of local programming hours for its wholly owned channels and third parties.  In operation since: August 14, 1993.

SAMURAIS AND THE SUPERNATURAL
COLLIDE IN ARCHAIA'S HIGHLY
ANTICIPATED 'OKKO VOLUME 4:
THE CYCLE OF FIRE'

January 10, 2014 - Los Angeles, CA - Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, is pleased to announce the February debut of the OKKO VOLUME 4: THE CYCLE OF FIRE hardcover graphic novel. Available for the first time in English, the fourth volume of the series from writer and artist Hub continues the story of the ronin Okko and his group of demon hunters as they roam feudal Pajan.

“The OKKO series has been a perennial favorite of fans of Archaia’s translations of beautiful French comics,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “We know that VOL. 4: THE CYCLE OF FIRE has been a long time coming, so we’re very excited to finally get this into the hands of the title’s most ardent readers.”

When two of Pajan’s great clans covertly agree to a marriage between their heirs to form a powerful alliance, Okko the ronin and his group of demon hunters are recruited to insure the security of the ceremony in the long-awaited fourth volume of the series that blends the fantasy and samurai genres.

• “One of OKKO's great strengths is the unusual and distinct world Hub has created. Pajan resembles the feudal Japan of so many popular anime, but with plenty of quirks all its own.”  – IGN.com
• “Hub has created a rich and diverse land that has been well thought out and keeps in nature of the fantastical world of demons and demon hunters. I never once felt lost in this expansive world that Hub has created for OKKO.”
  – WatchPlayRead.com
• “Hub’s writing is impactful and entertaining with well-placed plot twists and a near-perfect balance of dialogue and action. His characters are well-developed, endearing individuals with baggage and consistently portrayed idiosyncrasies. But for all Hub’s abilities as a writer—and they are appreciable—where he really outshines the pack is in his talents as an illustrator. – Comic Book Snob

OKKO VOL. 4: THE CYCLE OF FIRE arrives in comic shops on February 5th with a cover price of $19.99 under Diamond order code DEC130994. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.
 

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS
Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent. BOOM! Studios is the home of Mike Carey’s SUICIDE RISK, Clive Barker’s NEXT TESTAMENT and HELLRAISER, Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos’ FAIRY QUEST, PLANET OF THE APES, Max Bemis’ POLARITY and Mark Waid’s IRREDEEMABLE. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 GUNS was recently released as a feature film from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ PEANUTS, Jim Davis’ GARFIELD, Cartoon Network’s ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW, Mike Kunkel’s HEROBEAR AND THE KID, and Roger Langridge’s Eisner Award-winning SNARKED. In June 2013, BOOM! acquired Archaia Entertainment (archaia.com). Archaia is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel publisher of MOUSE GUARD, COW BOY, GUNNERKRIGG COURT, RUST, SPERA, JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND, and many other great titles. In October 2013, BOOM! Studios entered into a unique first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox, giving the studio access to its library of titles and giving the publisher access to Fox's vast catalog of films.

44FLOOD & IDW Publishing Introduce LIBRETTO 

Volume 1: Vampirism Coming This April
 

San Diego, CA (January 10, 2013) – 44FLOOD’s first project developed with IDW Publishing is LIBRETTO, a 9x12” anthology presenting emerging and world-class artists as they explore a single theme using diverse mediums such as comics, oil painting, photography, sculpting and more.

The libretto refers to the part of an opera or a musical that is the words or lyrics, and is distinct from the music. 44FLOOD’s LIBRETTO will be the “text” to the “music” that is a central theme, starting with LIBRETTO Volume 1: Vampirism coming this April.
LIBRETTO Volume 1 is curated/edited by Kasra Ghanbari and has the theme vampirism, being the misuse of power, as well as the objectification and exploitation of others. Featured contributors give their unique perspectives on this theme, with many sections including an interview of the contributor conducted by another artist.

“We’re excited to have LIBRETTO launch our partnership with IDW,” said Kasra Ghanbari, CEO of 44FLOOD. “LIBRETTO has both narrative and symbolic works, comic book panels and gallery paintings, alchemical approaches and comedy. It celebrates the ability of art to affect the way we consider and see the world.”

This 200-page softcover will feature contributors that include Ben Templesmith, David Stoupakis, Riley Rossmo, Christopher Mitten, George Pratt, menton3, and many, many more.  Several of the artists also give a rare look at the techniques and processes they used to create pieces for the book.  This is your rare opportunity to explore the dark world of vampirism as seen in an artist’s mind.

44FLOOD is an artist collective and publisher formed by Kasra Ghanbari, Ben Templesmith, and menton3. More information may be found at http://www.44FLOOD.com.

 

SEX CRIMINALS #1

FOURTH PRINTING SELLS OUT, DUH

Okay, okay, we get it. Here's a second printing of the fourth printing.   Order your copy today at your local comic book retailer, Diamond Code: NOV138194.

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.

Mike Zeck, Jim Cheung, Rafa Sandoval, Neal Adams, Humberto Ramos Headline Superstar Comic Creators At Wizard World Portland Comic Con, January 24-26

George Pérez, David Marquez, Jim Valentino, Mike Allred, Matt Wagner, Arthur Suydam, Eric Powell, Michael Golden, 150+ Artists And Writers, Including 15 Eisner Award Winners At Pop Culture Festival At Oregon Convention Center

PORTLAND, Ore., January 10, 2014 – A world-class roster of more than 150 comics artists and writers, including notables Mike Zeck (“Spider-Man,” “Punisher”), Jim Cheung (“Avengers vs. X-Men,” “Iron Man”), Rafa Sandoval (“Catwoman,” “Ultimate Hawkeye”), Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”) and Humberto Ramos (“Amazing Spider-Man,” “Impulse”), will be on hand at Wizard World Portland Comic Con, January 24-26 at the Oregon Convention Center. A total of 15 winners of the prestigious Eisner Award are among the scheduled attendees.

Fans can meet the creators, commission original art, have pieces signed, and attend many programming sessions featuring the leaders in the comics industry all weekend.

In addition to Hall of Famers Adams and Stan Lee, Eisner winners on hand at Portland Comic Con include Adams, Laura Allred (“Madman,” “Daredevil”), Mike Allred (“Thor,” “X-Men”), Kurt Busiek (“Astro City,” “JLA”), Jonathan Case (“Dear Creature,” “Green River Killer”), Tyler Crook (“B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Monsters,” “Petrograd”), Steve Lieber (“Detective Comics,” “Hawkman”), Kevin Maguire (“Justice League,” “Batman Confidential”), George Pérez (“Superman,” “Crisis on Infinite Earths”), Eric Powell (“The Goon,” “Hellboy”), Paul Tobin (“Bandette,” “LotDK”), Matt Wagner (“Grendel,” “Batman”), Shannon Wheeler (“Too Much Coffee Man,” “Oil and Water” and Douglas Wolk (“Judge Dredd: Mega City Two,” “Reading Comics”). Ten other Eisner nominees will also dot the star-studded Artist Alley.

Other top creators scheduled to appear are David Marquez (“Ultimate Spider-Man,” “Fantastic Four: Season One”), Jim Valentino (“Image Comics,” “ShadowHawk”), “Zombie King” Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”), Michael Golden (“Batman,” “Hulk”), Greg Horn (“Marvel: War of Heroes” iPhone app, “Walt Disney”) and Tyler Kirkham (“Action Comics,” “Superboy”).

Adams has also drawn an exclusive variant cover of Miracleman #1. Marvel Comics and Wizard World have announced a program by which VIP attendees will receive a free copy of the color version (limited to 3,000 copies), and the black & white version will be available for sale at the Wizard World Store on the convention floor (limited to 2,500 copies).

Norman Reedus of “The Walking Dead,” “Star Trek's” “Captain Kirk” William Shatner, WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, Ron Perlman of Hellboy and many other celebrities will attend the first of 16 events currently scheduled in the 2014 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD). Also featuring a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions, this marks the second Wizard World Portland Comic Con following a successful debut in Feb. 2013.

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Portland Comic Con show hours are Friday, Jan. 24, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2014 Wizard World Portland Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-portland.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

Wizard World 2014 Schedule
January 24-26 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
March 7-9 – Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con
March 28-30 – Wizard World Louisville Comic Con
April 4-6 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 2-4 – Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con
May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
June 19-22 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 1-3 – Wizard World San Antonio Comic Con
August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond Comic Con
September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
October 2-4 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con
November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Comic Con

VIZ MEDIA OPENS 2014 WITH
A NEW DIGITAL MANGA UPDATE AND ONGOING SALE

Readers Are Invited To Take Advantage Of the Continuing 20% Off Promotion On All Digital Manga Titles And Explore The Latest Updates To More Than 30 Ongoing Series Available On VIZManga.com And VIZ MANGA APP

VIZ Media offers manga and graphic novel fans a healthy dose of thrilling new titles to start off 2014 as the company announces a digital update for the first-half of January for VIZManga.com and the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad^®, iPhone^® and iPod^® touch, Android-powered smart phones and also for NOOK tablets and devices.

Also of interest to manga fans will be VIZ Media’s 20% off promotion covering all digital manga (graphic novel) titles featured on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App. Readers can explore and enjoy a wide range of new and classic series that span more than 2,000 volumes across 170 different series with this special offer that continues until Wednesday, January 15^th.

The first-half of January also sees updates to over 30 popular ongoing manga series including the exciting conclusion to the samurai action-adventure, RUROUNI KENSHIN: RESTORATION, as well as new digital releases for favorites such as KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAK (SAINT SEYA), FIREFIGHTER! DAIGO OF FIRE COMPANY M, MIDNIGHT SECRETARY, I”S, NARUTO and PSYREN. Readers can also take advantage of double-volume updates for BEET THE VANDAL BUSTER, BOYS OVER FLOWERS, MUHYO & ROJI’s BUREAU OF SUPERNATURAL INVESTIGATION, SKIP BEAT and YUYU HAKUSHO.

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. Through the innovative VIZ Manga digital platform registered users are able to use one account to view their purchased manga across more devices than ever. New series and volumes are added every Tuesday. Fans can also find these titles and more for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.

All manga volumes are generally available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the VIZ Manga application starting from $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) each and readers can also explore all titles with free Chapter 1 previews of every series. For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.

Download the free VIZ Manga App for Android and iOS devices at www.VIZ.com/apps.

To learn more about VIZ Manga, please visit www.vizmanga.com.

###

RUROUNI KENSHIN © 1994 by Nobuhiro Watsuki/SHUEISHA Inc.

STROBE EDGE © 2007 by Io Sakisaka/SHUEISHA Inc.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE PREMIERE OF JAZZ ANIME DRAMA KIDS ON THE SLOPE ON NEON ALLEY NEXT WEEK

Launching On The 24/7 Digital Anime Channel, Series By The Acclaimed Team Behind Cowboy Bebop Follows A Group Of Young Jazz Musicians In 60s Era Japan

San Francisco, CA, January 9, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces a very special mid-season anime series debut with the launch of KIDS ON THE SLOPE on Neon Alley on Friday, January 17^th at 9:30pm (PST).

The 12-episode anime drama about a group of young Japanese jazz musicians originally aired in Japan as a part of the prestigious ‘noitaminA’ block on Fuji TV, is rated ‘TV-14,’ and new installments will debut every Friday. KIDS ON THE SLOPE is distributed in North America by Sentai Filmworks.

Get ready to be blown away as the acclaimed team behind COWBOY BEBOP reunites for a tale of life, love, and all that jazz in KIDS ON THE SLOPE! Set during the summer of 1966 and based on a popular manga series created by Yuki Kodama, KIDS ON THE SLOPE! is the story of High school freshman Kaoru Nishimi struggling to adjust to the latest of many moves in his young life - this time to his uncle’s home in the seaside town of Kyushu. It’s never easy adjusting. But this time will be different. This time he’ll meet friends who’ll change his life forever. And he’ll discover a new passion, one that grabs his heart and rocks him to his very soul. It’s called JAZZ, and together with bad boy Sentaro and music store girl Ritsuko, they’re going to follow their muse to wherever the music takes them!

Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s innovative 24-hour English-dubbed linear anime channel that is available for general web access as well as for the Xbox 360^® and Xbox LIVE^® and the PlayStation^®3 (PS3™) gaming system and the PlayStation^®Network. Fans can also take advantage of the platform’s Video-On Demand “Catch Up” option which offers the flexibility to watch shows such as KIDS ON THE SLOPE anytime. The “Catch Up” option also allows viewers to search for specific content by individual series or by latest additions.

“KIDS ON THE SLOPE is a rich character-driven drama that demonstrates the power that music has to dramatically alter lives, and we’re very excited to bring it to North American fans on Neon Alley,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Animation Marketing Manager. “Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe of Cowboy Bebop and Space Dandy fame, the series wonderfully captures the look and sound of 60s era Japan. Watanabe reunites with acclaimed Cowboy Bebop composer Yoko Kanno, who creates a rich and textured jazz soundtrack for this dynamic new musical drama. We invite fans to catch the mesmerizing premiere!”

Neon Alley’s diverse programming schedule includes a mix of action, adventure, sci-fi, supernatural, fantasy, and horror anime, all uncut and dubbed into English and presented in HD (when available), for a low monthly subscription rate of only $6.99.

For more information on Neon Alley, please visit www.NeonAlley.com.

For more information about other anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit: www.viz.com.

For more information on Sentai Filmworks, please visit www.sentai-filmworks.com

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and 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.

About Sentai Filmworks

Sentai Filmworks is one of the fastest-growing anime companies in North America, producing hit series like Persona 4, Girls und Panzer, Devil Survivor 2, Bodacious Space Pirates, Majestic Prince and High School of the Dead as well as high profile theatrical films such as Grave of the Fireflies, K-ON! and Appleseed. Sentai Filmworks’ programs are distributed through Ingram Entertainment, Diamond Comic Distributors, Section23Films and Waxworks through retailers Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, FYE, Hastings, Suncoast, The Right Stuf, Wal-Mart and other good and fine stores.  Digital product offerings may be found at Amazon, Anime Network, Crunchyroll, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, PlayStation Network, Rovi, Samsung, Vudu, XBOX Marketplace and YouTube.

###

TECH JACKET RETURNS TO IMAGE COMICS WITH AN ALL-NEW MINISERIES 

The fan favorite returns with a three-issue miniseries

The fan-favorite series TECH JACKET, returns with an all-new three-issue digital miniseries. Written by Joe Keatinge (GLORY, HELL YEAH) and drawn by Khary Randolph (Spider-Man, Hellboy), this miniseries is the perfect introduction to Kirkman and EJ Su's exciting superhero.   “Tech Jacket has always been near and dear to my heart and I’ve been dying to do more adventures with Zack Thompson and crew,” said Kirkman. “While EJ and I could never quite find the time, things work out because Joe Keatinge is a better writer than I am and Khary Randolph is amazing. This book is going to be great!”   The return of TECH JACKET picks up a bit later than the original run. “The original Tech Jacket run was largely about Zach having his role as our planet’s Galactic Guardian thrust upon him, fumbling with this new title, unsure of anything he encountered,” said Keatinge. “Here Zach’s firmly in his position—perhaps even getting a little too comfortable with it—and finding out that being Earth’s defender from what lies beyond is more dangerous than he could ever imagine."   Ravaged by the Invincible War, Zach Thompson needs some time away from being Earth's galactic guardian. But when his vacation doesn't go as planned, Tech Jacket must return to face a brand new threat.   TECH JACKET, issues 1-3, will all be available exclusively for one week on www.imagecomics.com, before going live across all digital platforms. All three issues will be available simultaneously in 2014.

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.

ABOUT SKYBOUND

Skybound is the home of Robert Kirkman's creator-owned work including his Eisner Award-winning comic book series, The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, Thief of Thieves, and Clone as well as Ghosted, Witch Doctor and Invincible Universe. Since its inception, Skybound has created television shows, merchandise and a wide spectrum of platforms, games (The Walking Dead: Assault iOS app), and entertainment events (The Walking Dead Escape). Skybound's successes include the comic behind the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. Skybound/Kirkman frequently top the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com.