VIZ MEDIA’S HAIKASORU LITERARY IMPRINT DEBUTS YUYA SATO’S EVOCATIVE NOVEL DENDERA

Moving Novel Debuts In February About An Elderly’s Woman’s Resilience And Discovery Of A Hidden Utopian Community After Society Casts Her Aside

San Francisco, CA, January 22, 2015 – VIZ Media’s Haikasoru imprint opens 2015 with its first release of the New Year. DENDERA is the stark and moving novel by award winning author Yuya Sato set to be published on February 17^th. An eBook edition also will debut on the same day for the Amazon Kindle, Apple’s iBooks Store, Barnes & Noble’s Nook Book Store, the Kobo eBooks Store, and the Google Play store.

DENDERA focuses on an ancient Japanese practice of leading the elderly to die in the mountains during times of drought or famine in order to ensure enough resources are available for the next generation to survive. The book was inspired by the classic novel, The Ballad of Narayama by Shichiro Fukazawa, which was notably adapted into a feature film directed by Shohei Imamura and won the prestigious Palme d’Or award at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival. DENDERA was also turned into a feature film in 2011 that was directed by Daisuke Tengan, the son of director Shohei Imamura.

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.

DENDERA · Print MSRP: $15.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN · Available February 17^th 

When Kayu Saitoh wakes up, she is in an unfamiliar place. Taken to a snowy mountainside, she was left there by her family and her village according to the tradition of sacrificing the lives of the elderly for the benefit of the young. Kayu was supposed to have passed quickly into the afterlife. Instead, she finds herself in Dendera, a utopian community built over decades by old women who, like her, were abandoned. Together, they must now face a new threat: a hungry mother bear.

“DENDERA is a captivating work that presents a strong female lead character and evocative story based around ubasute, the custom of leaving the elderly to die via exposure, a recurring theme in Japanese literature,” says Nick Mamatas, Editor. “This fabulist tale will be of interest to both fans of fantasy and literary fiction.”

Author Yuya Sato was born 1980 and is a writer of “strange fiction,” which features fantastic or horrific concepts treated in a refined literary style. Some of his short works of fiction have appeared in English in the mixed manga/prose anthology series Faust. His novel 1000 Novels and Backbeard won the Yukio Mishima Prize, one of Japan’s highest literary awards. 

For additional information DENDERA and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit the dedicated website at www.haikasoru.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

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DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES THE ART OF SATOSHI KON

REMEMBERING A MASTER OF ANIME FILMMAKING FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MILWAUKIE, OR—This August, Dark Horse remembers an animation legend and his works with The Art of Satoshi Kon. A director who blazed a brilliant animation career before his tragic passing in 2010, Kon is immortalized in this special hardcover volume that covers the whole of his incredible career. Encompassing everything from illustrations for his movies Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers, Millennium Actress, and Paprika and his television series Paranoia Agent, to his manga, commercial art, and more, The Art of Satoshi Kon is an oversized, 136-page tribute to a master of anime filmmaking. Including a special appreciation from Darren Aronofsky, The Art of Satoshi Kon celebrates a lifetime of Kon’s work, including several little-known and incomplete projects. The Art of Satoshi Kon retails for $29.99 and can be preordered from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound. Also available: Satoshi Kon’s: Opus Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound Available for Preorder: Seraphim: 266613336 Wings Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound ### About Dark Horse Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, 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, such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

Wizard World Madison Comic Con Attendees To Receive 'The Walking Dead #1' Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Cover By Rob Liefeld, February 6-8

'Deadpool' Creator To Draw Third Cover In 2015 Series Available At Alliant Energy Center For Full-Price Attendees; VIP Fans Get Additional B&W Sketch Cover At Registration

MADISON, Wis., January 22, 2015 -- Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and Skybound, Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, today announced that noted creator Rob Liefeld will draw the third in a yearlong series of Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Covers of The Walking Dead #1 comic, to be provided free to all full-price attendees at the inaugural Wizard World Madison Comic Con, February 6-8. Skybound’s The Walking Dead created by Kirkman, the groundbreaking, Eisner Award winning comic book series, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

The exclusive The Walking Dead #1 edition will be produced in extremely limited quantities and is available at registration to fans at the Alliant Energy Center only while supplies last. VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version of the comic.

In the early 1990s, the self-taught artist Liefeld became prominent due to his work on Marvel Comics' The New Mutants and later X-Force. Later he published Youngblood #1 by Image Comics. His creations Deadpool, Cable, Youngblood and X-Force helped change the comic book landscape and remain staples of both Marvel and Image comics.

“As the co-creator of Deadpool and one of the most influential and important artists of the past 25 years, Rob has cemented his place among the top talents," says John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO. "Rob was one of the earliest supporters of The Walking Dead and Robert Kirkman and we are thankful he did such an amazing cover for the fans of Madison!”

The artists for future books will be announced as they are selected. A similar series in 2013 featuring exclusives of The Walking Dead #1 proved to be wildly popular with fans. The full schedule of 2015 Wizard World shows is available at www.wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.

Stars of “The Walking Dead” TV series scheduled to attend Wizard World Madison Comic Con include Emily Kinney, Josh McDermitt, Michael Rooker and Scott Wilson. Other top celebrities on hand include Ian Somerhalder ("The Vampire Diaries"), William Shatner ("Star Trek"), Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead), Brett Dalton ("Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D"), Kristin Bauer ("True Blood"), WWE® Divas The Bella Twins™ and many others.

In addition to Liefeld, Artist Alley at Madison Comic Con will feature Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”), Mike Zeck (“Spider-Man,” “Punisher”), James O’Barr (Creator, “The Crow”), Michael Golden (“Hulk,” “X-Men”), Tom DeFalco (Marvel Comics), Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons,” “Muppet Babies”), Mike Grell (“Warlord,” “Action Comics”), Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Army of Darkness”) and more.

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, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World Comic Con Madison show hours are Friday, February 6, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, February 7, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, February 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more on the 2015 Wizard World Comic Con Madison, visit http://wizd.me/MadisonPR.

About Robert Kirkman

Robert Kirkman is the creator of many popular comic books, including the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, and the new exorcism comic, Outcast which was released in June 2014 and recently received a pilot pickup for CINEMAX with Fox International.

Since entering the comics scene with his self-published cult-hit Battle Pope in 2000, the Kentucky native has risen to fame as one of the most successful names in comics and entertainment. In 2008, Kirkman became a partner at Image Comics, and in 2010, he opened Skybound, his own imprint at Image, which publishes his titles as well as other original work.

That same year, Kirkman continued to expand his presence in the entertainment industry, becoming a creator, executive producer and writer on The Walking Dead television show. The show is in production on its fifth season and has become the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo.

Kirkman is also slated to executive produce AMC’s upcoming The Walking Dead companion series.

Under the Skybound Entertainment umbrella Kirkman wrapped production on his first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.

About Skybound Entertainment

Since opening its doors in 2010, Skybound Entertainment has grown into a multiplatform entertainment company. Skybound CEO Robert Kirkman is creator of the award-winning The Walking Dead comic book series, the inspiration for the hit TV show of the same name where he serves as creator and executive producer. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo.

Skybound Entertainment and Kirkman just wrapped production on their first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. The film is slated to be released in the spring of 2015.

Skybound released Kirkman’s new exorcism comic, Outcast, in June 2014 which recently got the green light for a television pilot with CINEMAX and Fox International. Kirkman will serve as creator and executive producer of the series.

Skybound Entertainment and digital entertainment company Maker Studios recently announced a deal for the studio to produce and air four digital series based off Skybound IPs.

Comic book titles published by Skybound include The Walking Dead, the superhero-comic Invincible, all-ages comic Super Dinosaur, the revenge drama Dead Body Road, and heist comic Thief of Thieves.

Skybound also creates a wide range of merchandise, including video games, apparel, board games, and action figures.

For more information, please visit Skybound online at www.skybound.com and www.thewalkingdead.com.

About Wizard World

Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World also produces socialcon featuring social media stars and will be launching ConTV, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM).

Wizard World 2015 schedule available at: http://wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.

ONI PRESS REVEALS BRYAN LEE O’MALLEY VARIANT COVER FOR KAIJUMAX #1
 

ADORABLE VARIANT COVER FOR ZANDER CANNON GIANT MONSTER PRISON SERIES FROM CREATOR OF SCOTT PILGRIM

PORTLAND, OR January 22, 2015 – Oni Press, Portland’s premier independent comic book publisher, revealed today a unique variant cover by Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O’Malley, for the first issue of Zander Cannon’s upcoming giant monster prison series, Kaijumax. The cover features adorable, “chibi” versions of the main cast reminiscent of Japanese anime. The variant cover version will debut alongside the first issue of the series on April 8^th, 2015.

“Kaijumax is one of the most exciting creator owned series debuting in 2015 and we’re super excited to have Bryan O’Malley’s amazing chibi-style variant for the launch,” said Charlie Chu, Oni Press Editor for Kaijumax. “Zander Cannon is one of the best creators in comics, with work ranging from Replacement God to Heck, and in Kaijumax we have this amazing prison comedy that just happens to be populated with giant kaiju monsters. We can’t wait for fans to get locked up in this world of tokusatsu-flavored drama and hilarity.”

Kaijumax is a forbidden island where the worst of the worst monsters are safely locked away from the human world. Among the inmates are villains, anti-heroes, eco-parables, nuclear metaphors and more. Protagonist and inmate Electrogar is apprehended while searching for food to feed his children and must find a way to escape this maximum-security island while learning how to navigate the dangers and alliances of prison culture.

Bryan Lee O’Malley is the visionary writer/artist best known for his mega-hit series, Scott Pilgrim. Published by Oni Press, Scott Pilgrim grew from its initial release in 2004, to cultural phenomenon, and then a major motion picture that debuted shortly after the release of the final volume in 2010. O’Malley is now a household name and a prolific creator who continues to impress with his signature brand of humor and heartfelt honesty.

About Oni Press

Oni Press is Portland’s premier indie comic book publisher and has been revolutionizing comics since 1997. Home to a range of rad comics including Scott Pilgrim, The Sixth Gun, Stumptown, Princess Ugg and The Bunker, Oni Press strives to create comics for you.

ONI PRESS NAMES FRED RECKLING AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLICITY

PORTLAND, OR, January 12, 2015 – Oni Press, the premier independent comic book publisher, today appointed Fred Reckling to the position of Director of Publicity. Reckling will lead PR outreach and publicity strategy for the company.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be adding Fred to the Oni Press gang," added editor in chief James Lucas Jones. "With Fred, Oni Press adds a forward thinking individual who has been in the marketing trenches at one of the fastest growing new media companies out there. His experience, work ethic, and charming personality will serve our titles, creators and retail partners with the thoughtfulness and enthusiasm they deserve."

Reckling joins Oni Press from Machinima, a leading video game YouTube network and gaming brand, where he served as Social Media and Community Manager for over three years, building relationships around AAA properties with fans and press alike. Prior to that he was tasked as Social Media Marketing Manager with LA-based marketing firm M80. Reckling also comes to Oni Press with a deep love and knowledge of manga from his degree in Japanese Literature at Occidental College.

"Fred's efforts in the social media sphere took an impassioned community of gamers and geeks and made them into a Machinima family," said Tom Ham, Head of Publisher Relations at Machinima.

Says Reckling, “I am a huge fan of original Oni Press titles such as The Sixth Gun and Stumptown. I'm honored to have been chosen for this opportunity and it’s incredibly exciting to be part of the team at Oni Press.”

About

Oni Press is Portland’s premier indie comic book publisher and has been revolutionizing comics since 1997. Home to a range of rad comics including Scott Pilgrim, The Sixth Gun, Stumptown, Princess Ugg and The Bunker, Oni Press strives to create comics for you.

Renowned fantasy artist Frank Frazetta's art available on shirts from Fright-Rags
Pre-orders are live at http://bit.ly/frazettafr

Influential horror/sci-fi artist Frank Frazetta's works have appeared on countless comic books, album covers, novels and more. Fright-Rags shirts can now be added to that list, as the horror apparel purveyor has launched pre-orders for its Frazetta collection.

The Frazetta collection's officially-licensed shirts each feature a different piece of the Comic Book Hall of Famer's fantastical art, showcasing his timeless and captivating imagination. There are three designs, each limited to 300 pieces and available on unisex shirts, girl shirts or zip-up hoodies.

The Frazetta limited edition box set is also available. It includes the three shirts, along with an exclusive fourth tee and an 11x17 poster, in a collector's box. Only 200 box sets exist.

This collection is up for pre-order on Fright-Rags.com. Due to their limited nature, the items may sell out during the pre-order period. The Frazetta collection will begin shipping in late February.

Fright-Rags also recently released new designs inspired by Day of the Dead, C.H.U.D., The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Escape from New York, among others. Browse the online store for a complete list of designs.

ODDLY NORMAL CONJURES UP ADVENTURE IN MARCH

Children’s graphic novel from Image Comics explores themes of bullying and imagination

The charming and otherworldly ODDLY NORMAL by Otis Frampton tells the story of a girl who doesn’t feel like she fits in, no matter where she goes. The young heroine of the March graphic novel from Image Comics endures the bullying of other kids for her green hair and pointed ears. Oddly got those traits from her mother, who is a witch, but didn’t get the ability to use magic along with them. Or so she thought. A fateful wish on her 10th birthday leads to her parents disappearing, and Oddly must travel with her eccentric Auntie to Fignation, the weird world of supernatural beings, to find out how to get them back — if she can get them back. There, as the first “Earther” that her new classmates have ever seen, Oddly feels as much of an outsider as ever. “Oddly’s parents may have had a fairy tale romance, but kids (especially kids whose parents are from different cultures) often have to blaze their own trail,” Frampton said in an interview at the Los Angeles Times’ Hero Complex. “The Oddly we meet at the start of the story is a sullen, reclusive kid. She’s become somewhat numb to insults and really doesn’t do much to make friends.” How will Oddly navigate the perils of a magical middle school and find her parents? And will she ever find a place where she’s accepted? One thing is sure, though — Oddly is going to have to learn to stand up for who she is if she’s ever going to have any hope of being happy, wherever she ends up. Perfect for young fans of Wicked and A Wrinkle in Time, ODDLY NORMAL, BOOK 1 will be in comic book stores on March 11 and in bookstores on March 24. It is specially priced at $9.99 and available for pre-order now.

ODDLY NORMAL, BOOK 1 by Otis Frampton ISBN 978-1-63215-226-8 Diamond Comic order code JAN150646 128 pages, paperback, full color $9.99 Collects ODDLY NORMAL #1-5 Rated Everyone In comic book stores March 11, bookstores March 24

Praise for ODDLY NORMAL: “Anchored by a dynamic and engaging protagonist, and exploring an unpredictable world this title promises to bring readers on a journey worth taking. As Oddly Normal comes of age in a fantasy world she will remind the audience of the joy of believing in magic.” –Vince Ostrowski, Multiversity Comics “Frampton shows us a world built on imagination and comedy that is sure to delight anyone who reads it. A coming of age story with a twist.” –David Melton, Coming Up Comics “Frampton's art presents an imagination-inspiring and whimsical world that's just plain fun to watch and examine….” –Jim Johnson, Comic Book Resources

Preview

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.

If You've Got It, Haunt It!
'Lumberjanes' #9 Goes to Second Print

Lumberjanes #9 Second Print Cover by Brooke Allen
 

January 22, 2015 (Los Angeles, Calif.) - BOOM! Box, an imprint of award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios, is pleased to announce that Lumberjanes #9 from Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, and a host of creative talent, has sold out at the distributor level. The publisher has rushed to a second printing.

 

Comic book fans should bear in mind that first printings of Lumberjanes #9 may still be found at the local comic shop nearest you. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one!

 

Lumberjanes is the runaway hit series about five, rad, butt-kicking pals determined to have an awesome summer together at Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady-Types, where things are not what they seem. Hailed by many critics as one of the best comic series of 2014, Lumberjanes was recently honored with a nomination for Outstanding Comic by the LGBT media advocacy organization GLAAD.

 

In issue #9, in order to earn the “If You’ve Got It, Haunt It” badge, the Lumberjanes head out to the deep, dark woods. But the woods aren’t so scary anymore, now that the Lumberjanes have kicked, punched, and befriended all the fearsome magical monsters out there, so they set out to find the one thing that can still scare them all: campfire stories! Issue #9 is written by Noelle Stevenson & Shannon Watters, and Faith Erin Hicks, featuring art by Hicks, Brittney Williams, Aimee Fleck, Becca Tobin, Carolyn Nowak, Felicia Choo, and T. Zysk.

 

Praise for Lumberjanes #9:

 

“...if you enjoy great characters, a fun plot structure that gives each of the characters room to tell us a little more about themselves, with absolutely fabulous art throughout the entire issue, then this is definitely for you.” - Newsarama

 

“The writing in this issue is top-notch as per usual, with some especially good puns (a bonus for me – ‘If You’ve Got it, Haunt It’ is the perfect name for a ghost story badge). The girls tell their stories not only in their own voice, but the story tries to fit their personality or reveals something about them.” - Adventures in Poor Taste

 

“This was a delightful issue, with moments of friendship and humor entwined with the spooky tales.” - Comic Bastards

 

“...this issue is a great showcase of Lumberjanes’ charms, and I can’t wait to see what future issues have in store for us.” - Word of the Nerd

Lumberjanes #9 second print ships from BOOM! Box with a new cover by main series artist Brooke Allen and carries a retail price of $3.99 with a Diamond Code of DEC148101. Final orders close for retailers on January 26th. It is anticipated to be in stores on February 11th.

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 comprised of four distinct imprints. The original Studios imprint is home to Mike Carey's Suicide Risk; James Tynion IV's The Woods; Mark Waid's Irredeemable; Sons of Anarchy; and Big Trouble in Little China. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 Guns was 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, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, and Steven Universe; Mike Kunkel’s Herobear and the Kid; and Natasha Allegri's Bee and PuppyCat. BOOM!'s experimental imprint BOOM! Box publishes The Midas Flesh and Lumberjanes. 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, and Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand. 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. In August 2014, BOOM! Studios began a similar first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox TV to develop properties for the small screen.