THE BLOOD OF SUPERS WILL SAVE US ALL IN 'BLACK MARKET'

BLACK MARKET #1 Cover A by Victor Santos



BLACK MARKET #1 Cover B by Cameron Stewart
 

June 17,  2014 - Los Angeles, CA - What if you could cure any disease in the world with one simple vaccination? What if you had to steal the blood of superheroes to do it? This July, BOOM! Studios explores a truly modern take on the superhero mythos with BLACK MARKET, mixing the noir/pulp sensibilities of writer Frank J. Barbiere (Five Ghosts) and artist Victor Santos (Filthy Rich). Ray Willis is a broken man, a disgraced medical examiner making ends meet by preparing corpses at a funeral parlor and trying to care of his ill wife. His scientific genius is being wasted…that is, until his estranged criminal brother Denny shows up on his doorstep, supposedly cleaned up and proposing a once-in-a-lifetime partnership to cure not just cancer, but all disease. The catch? It exists within the DNA of superheroes.

“From IRREDEEMABLE, to SUICIDE RISK, to TRANSLUCID, we’ve shown time and again that we love to explore the dark corners of the superhero genre and really push those boundaries in unexpected directions,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Frank and Victor are the perfect combination to tell this story of a decent man whose back is against the wall, and the cost it has on your soul to care for the ones you love.”

BLACK MARKET #1 arrives in comic shops on July 16th with a cover price of $3.99 under Diamond order code MAY141135. The first issue will ship with a main cover by series artist Victor Santos and a retailer incentive cover by Cameron Stewart (Batman and Robin). 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.

VIZ MEDIA CELEBRATES SAILOR MOON DAY AT 2014 ANIME EXPO

Mark The Return Of The Legendary Anime Series With A Special Series Of Events And Activities At North America’s Largest Anime Convention

San Francisco, CA, June 17, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, celebrates the triumphant return of the SAILOR MOON anime series with a host of fun activities for SAILOR MOON Day, taking place on Saturday, July 5^th during the 2014 Anime Expo.

The 2014 Anime Expo is North America’s largest anime convention, attracting more than 61,000 fans and attendees annually, and will be held July 3^rd –6^th at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. Full details are available at: www.anime-expo.org. VIZ Media will be located on the main convention floor in Booth #1601.

VIZ Media marks its acquisition of the iconic fantasy anime series with a SAILOR MOON Official Panel on Saturday morning at 10AM in LP1. Hosted by the company’s Senior Manager of Animation Marketing, Charlene Ingram, and SAILOR MOON Associate Producer, Joshua Lopez, the panel will reveal for the first time the brand new cast for the freshly produced English dub and premiere the first two dubbed episodes. SAILOR MOON fans attending this official panel will get a special premium poster while supplies last! Following the Official SAILOR MOON Panel, there will be a special showing of subtitled episode one of the all-new series, SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL, in Video 1 at 12:00 Noon. The series launches on July 5^th in Japan, and fans in the United States may catch the simulcast on NeonAlley.com and Hulu, with new episodes debuting each Saturday.

Fans can also look forward to a special voice cast autograph session taking place at 1:00PM in the afternoon in the Anime Expo autograph area, and a cast photo opportunity with the official Sailor Guardian Cosplayers from American Cosplay Paradise at 2:45PM in the VIZ Media Booth #1601. To round out the day’s activities, be a part of the largest gathering of SAILOR MOON cosplayers and fans in North America at 3:30PM in the Main Events Hall (LP1, Petree Hall). Bring your Sailor Guardian finest and you just might end up a part of an upcoming SAILOR MOON video release!

If you can’t make the official Sailor Moon Day activities on July 5^th, VIZ Media will also be running a special SAILOR MOON event at their Anime Expo booth for the entirety of the convention. Find one of the official Sailor Guardian cosplayers at booth #1601 for information on how you can get a limited premiere event memorial coin!

VIZ Media has licensed all 5 seasons of the original SAILOR MOON anime series (rated ‘TV-14’), spanning 200 episodes, as well as all three feature films. Included is the long-running show’s fifth and climactic final season “Sailor Stars,” which has never-before been licensed for North American release. As part of the return of the series, VIZ Media is producing a fresh and uncut English dub with an all-new voice cast, will present SAILOR MOON for the first time digitally, and also plans DVD and Deluxe Blu-ray edition sets for release in time for the 2014 holiday season.

Saturday, July 5^th, 10:00am SAILOR MOON OFFICIAL PANEL

Room LP1 (Petree Hall)

Join Charlene Ingram, VIZ Media’s Senior Manager, Animation Marketing, and Joshua Lopez, Associate Producer, for the exclusive world premiere of the all-new, uncut English language premiere of the legendary anime series, SAILOR MOON! The session also will introduce the cast and screen the entire first two dubbed episodes of the newly re-mastered anime series. Immediately following the premiere, there will be a very special Q & A session with the animation team and the cast and a special premium poster for attendees, while supplies last!

Saturday, July 5^th, 1:00pm   SAILOR MOON CAST AUTOGRAPH SESSION

Anime Expo Autograph Area

Stop by the VIZ Media booth and pick up your very own SAILOR MOON full-color poster, personally signed by the new Official English voice cast!

Saturday, July 5^th, 2:45pm   SAILOR MOON CAST PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

VIZ Media Booth #1601

Fans can take photos of the talented new Official English voice cast for SAILOR MOON with the Sailor Guardian cosplayers from American Cosplay Paradise in a special session! 

Saturday, July 5^th, 3:30pm   SAILOR MOON Cosplay Gathering

Room LP1 (Petree Hall)

Bring your Sailor Guardian finest and be a part of North America’s largest SAILOR MOON cosplay and fan gathering!

VIZ Media is currently featuring SAILOR MOON (subtitled) on its free NeonAlley.com anime streaming channel and also via the Neon Alley brand supported media partners Hulu and Hulu Plus. Two new SAILOR MOON episodes premiere every Monday.  Visit www.NeonAlley.com and Hulu.com/sailormoon for more information.

The smash hit SAILOR MOON anime series is inspired by the bestselling manga (graphic novel) series created by Naoko Takeuchi (published in North America by Kodansha). In the series, Usagi Tsukino is a clumsy but kindhearted teenage girl who transforms into the powerful guardian of love and justice, Sailor Moon. Meeting allies along the way who share similar fates, Usagi and her team of planetary Sailor Guardians fight to protect the universe from forces of evil and total annihilation!   

For more information on SAILOR MOON, or other anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com/sailormoon.

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.

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DIY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF MAKERS IN HOWTOONS

Kids build a world of fun, comic-book-style

Celine and Tucker, the brother-and-sister heroes of HOWTOONS, are kids who see the potential for play everywhere. When their mother challenges them to make something other than trouble, their adventure begins in an adventure-DIY graphic novel from Image Comics! In 360 pages of discovery, HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION will bring kids into Celine and Tucker’s world, using everyday objects to construct toys that teach real-life science and engineering principles. Co-created by MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” recipient Saul Griffith, Joost Bonsen, Nick Dragotta (EAST OF WEST), and Ingrid Dragotta, HOWTOONS will be published in July. Together, Celine and Tucker use items lurking in the corners of their garage, the dusty shelves of hardware stores, and even their own trashcan to create their own adventures. Through “The Legend of the Monkey Fist Clan,” the siblings learn to build a tree swing, find out the ultimate first-person shooter isn’t a video game in “The Infamous Marshmallow Shooter,” set up their own workshop, make ice cream without a freezer, play music with a turkey baster, and launch rockets. Along the way are instructions for projects seamlessly integrated into the storytelling that engage kids' creativity and natural interest in how the world around them works. From bubbles to bots, hippo farts to hovercrafts — HOWTOONS is the book for the next generation of explorers and makers. “We need every generation to be enabled to create their world,” the creators write in the introduction to HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION. “It starts with creativity and inventing one’s own toys and games. It involves knowledge of tools, materials, and process. It will be beautiful as we marry the art with the science, and the design with the engineering. Come play with us.” HOWTOONS will be getting a moment in the spotlight at the first-ever White House Maker Faire on June 18, hosted by President Obama, where co-creator Saul Griffith will be a guest. Griffith will be presenting HOWTOONS at the event, which “will feature Makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs of all ages who are using cutting-edge tools to bring their ideas to life.” In addition, artist Nick Dragotta will be at the American Library Association Conference in Las Vegas on June 27, 28, and 29, in the Image Comics booth. He will do a HOWTOONS workshop on the Graphic Novel/Gaming stage on Saturday, June 28 at 4 pm. Just the thing to cure the late-summer doldrums and get creativity flowing, HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION will be in comic book stores on July 23 and bookstores on August 5. It’s available for pre-order now.

HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION by Saul Griffith, Joost Bonsen, Nick Dragotta, and Ingrid Dragotta ISBN 978-1-63215-101-8 360 pages, full color, $14.99 In comic book stores July 23, bookstores August 9 Rated Everyone

Praise for HOWTOONS:  "The comic-book art normally associated with action heroes captures the siblings' exuberant, innovative spirits and the format allows for more detailed instructions for project construction. Recommended for creative but mindful budding inventors/designers/engineers." –School Library Journal "Earnest beneath the surface but totally free of dorkiness, this is perfectly tuned to inspire creativity as well as promote good work habits in budding inventors and mechanical engineers alike." –Kirkus "Large, colorful pictures burst with energy and the thrill of invention as explanations and diagrams,  laid out in sequential art form, make what might otherwise be intimidating seem accessible and engaging." –Booklist "Language arts, science, and arts and crafts teachers will find Howtoons invaluable for teaching students to read and follow directions, to use different tools, to work safely while constructing, and even to collaborate." –Teachers First

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.

IDW Rolls Out To BOTCON! Special Guests And Special Exclusives For The TRANSFORMERS 30th Anniversary   San Diego, CA (June 17, 2014) – Celebrating all things Cybertronian, TRANSFORMERS fans will converge on Pasadena, California this weekend, from June 19th – June 22nd to attend the annual BOTCON convention! With special convention exclusives, illuminating panels, and talent-filled signings, IDW is geared up to be part of the acclaimed franchise’s special anniversary year. Join More Than Meets The Eye writer James Roberts, on Friday, June 20th at 9 AM and Saturday, June 21st at Noon in Conference Center 104 for spotlight panels that will cover Roberts’ career and history with the Transformers. On Sunday, June 22nd at 11 AM in Conference Center 104 the Robots in Disguise creative team of John Barber and Andrew Griffith, and the Windblade team of Mairghread Scott and Sarah Stone will discuss the far reaches of the Transformers series’ at IDW, plus a few hints at what’s to come! Fans of IDW’s Transformers books will have a chance to meet the talented creators at signings throughout the weekend at the IDW booth. BOTCON 2014 is the only convention where you can meet the teams behind all three acclaimed titles! IDW will have three convention exclusive titles available, all celebrating the Transformers 30th anniversary. Robots In Disguise #30, More Than Meets The Eye #30, and Regeneration One #100 will feature exclusive covers at $10 each, or $25 for all three. The IDW booth will also be stocked full of Transformers comics to either help you fill the gaps in your collection or start you from scratch. After the popularity of last year’s sold-out lithograph featuring My Little Pony and The Transformers, IDW Limited will have two brand new pieces available; DJ Pon-3 with Soundwave and Megatron with Nightmare Moon, art for both by Tony Fleecs. These prints are limited to 250 copies, and available for $25 each. IDW’s newest sensation, the Micro-Comic Fun Pack will kick off an all-new TRANSFORMERS line at BOTCON with 4 packs featuring different characters; Drift, Grimlock, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee. All packs contain a mini-comic, fold-out poster, stickers, and more for $2.99 each, or buy 3 and get 1 free only at BOTCON! Follow IDW online at facebook.com/idwpublishing and @IDWpublishing for updates and announcements throughout the show!

About IDW Publishing IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; V-Wars from New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry; Ragnarök from Eisner Award-winner Walter Simonson; Winterworld, created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino; and Little Nemo from the award-winning duo of Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film, Kurtzman/Orci are producing a movie based on Locke & Key at Universal.

“The World’s Most Dangerous Action Figure”

Factory Entertainment is delighted to announce number four in its 2014 Convention Exclusives line up, Sterling Archer, from the hit FX series, Archer.
The world’s most dangerous secret agent in 6” action figure form is dressed for any formal occasion, as long as there is a well stocked open bar of course! This exclusive tuxedo variant Archer figure is highly articulated and comes with interchangeable hands and accessories.
This figure is limited to just 1500 pieces and will be available at San Diego Comic Con only from the Factory Entertainment Booth (#2747) while supplies last.




"But my social life is almost as hectic as Archer’s and I will not be attending San Diego Comic Con this year,” we hear you cry? Don’t worry - you won’t even have to put on a tuxedo or leave the house to get one. We’ve put aside a limited quantity that are now available for pre-order on our website HERE while supplies last. You can order today safe in the knowledge that your products will ship to you in August after Comic Con is over.
Stay tuned for more San Diego Comic Con Exclusive announcements. Click HERE to see other previously announced exclusives.

About Factory Entertainment

Factory Entertainment is a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-quality licensed toys and collectibles featuring a wide variety of music and entertainment properties, including Game Of Thrones, Archer, DC Comics, The Beatles, James Bond, Men in Black, Ghostbusters, Universal Monsters, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Jaws, Monty Python, KISS, and The Princess Bride. For all the latest product information, as well as updates and preproduction previews, please visit www.factoryent.com

BOOM! STUDIOS AND MADEFIRE ANNOUNCE THE DEBUT OF
'CLIVE BARKER'S NEXT TESTAMENT'
MOTION BOOK

 

June 17, 2014 - Los Angeles, CA - Prepare to experience the horror of Clive Barker in a whole new format!

BOOM! Studios, an award-winning publisher of comics and graphic novels, and Madefire, a digital storytelling and technology company that provides a platform to artists, writers and publishers to create a new reading experience called Motion Books, are excited to announce the debut of their first collaboration, CLIVE BARKER’S NEXT TESTAMENT EPISODE #1. Within the 5-star rated Madefire digital comics app, users can experience this comic series by one of the true masters of horror in a terrifying new way as the images jump off the screen and seemingly come to life.

“We are proud to be working with Madefire in making CLIVE BARKER’S NEXT TESTAMENT available in this immersive, innovative format,” said BOOM! Studios Vice President of Publishing and Marketing Filip Sablik. “The horror genre has always benefited greatly from the use of sound and movement to enhance the shock and suspense of a scene, so CLIVE BARKER’S NEXT TESTAMENT was a natural and fitting title to begin our relationship with Madefire. I look forward to working with Madefire to make more of our great titles available as Motion Books.”

“Barker and Miller have written a cinematic epic, and the addition of sound, camera-work, and timing only infuses the story with more dread and urgency,” said Liam Sharp, co-founder and CCO of Madefire.

CLIVE BARKER’S NEXT TESTAMENT, which first debuted in print in 2013, is the first original comic series created and written by Clive Barker. Julian Demond, captain of industry, has left behind everything to begin a walkabout—he believes he’s on a mission from God. While in the wasteland, he comes across a figure unlike any other, who calls himself Wick...and claims to be God. Their journey will span the globe, as neither man merely wants to make a mark on the world, but a scar. Clive Barker, with co-writer Mark Miller (CLIVE BARKER’S HELLRAISER) and internationally acclaimed artist Haemi Jang (CLIVE BARKER’S HELLRAISER: THE ROAD BELOW), come together to create the next legendary work in the canon of one of the great horror masters of our era.

"Madefire did an incredible job adapting the comic to form. It was like reading the book for the very first time, which is insane, because I wrote it!” said Mark Miller. “I hope readers find new things to love about the book—I hope it scares them more, intrigues them more, and brings more readers not only to the book itself, but to the Madefire platform at large.”

CLIVE BARKER’S NEXT TESTAMENT EPISODE #1 MOTION BOOK is available now to experience for free on the Madefire app for iOS or via the Motion Books category on deviantART. Go to this link for immediate access: http://www.madefire.com/motion-books/clive-barker-next-testament-episode-1.

Subsequent issues will be available for purchase and roll out on a monthly basis thereafter.
 

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.

ABOUT MADEFIRE

Founded in 2011 by Ben Wolstenholme, Liam Sharp and Eugene Walden, Madefire is a media and technology company. Madefire has built the Motion Books publishing platform that provides artists, writers and publishers tools for creating a new reading format called Motion Books. Madefire is backed by Toni Schneider at True Ventures, The recent CEO of Automattic, makers of WordPress, as well as Bill Woodward (Anthem Ventures, former Chairman of Macromedia). The Advisory Board also includes industry leaders Mike McCue, CEO and Founder of Flipboard, angel investor Sina Tamaddon, former Senior Vice President of Applications for Apple Inc, Dave Gibbons, co-creator of Watchmen, the bestselling graphic novel of all time, and Bill Sienkiewicz, widely recognized as one of the greatest innovators of sequential art. For more information go to madefire.com or the Madefire Facebook and Twitter pages.

2014 J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL PRESENTS THE SMASH HIT JAPANESE POP VOCAL AND DANCE GROUP TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE

Top Selling Teenage Pop Idol Act Marks Its U.S. Debut With Live Concert At Annual Bay Area Japanese Pop Culture Extravaganza In July;

Japan Film Festival Of S.F. Also Hosts Two Feature Film Premieres Starring Tokyo Girls’ Style Members At NEW PEOPLE Cinema

San Francisco, CA, June 16, 2014 – The 2014 J-POP SUMMIT, San Francisco’s premiere celebration of Japanese pop culture, music, fashion and film, will welcome the smash hit teen pop idol group – Tokyo Girls’ Style – as official Guests of Honor for a series of live performances and special personal appearances during this year’s festivities. The event marks the Tokyo Girls’ Style’s first-ever U.S. concert.

The 5-member all-girl dance and vocal group delivers an irresistible funk and disco style infused with glossy urban appeal and will perform a special J-POP SUMMIT Festival live concert along with other top pop artists from Japan on the evening of Saturday, July 19^th as part of the “J-POP LIVE AT UNION SQUARE,” taking place in city’s downtown Union Square area, and also will perform live on the Pagoda Main Stage in Japantown on the afternoon of Sunday, July 20^th.

Tokyo Girls’ Style also will do a meet and greet with VIP Pass holders both on July 19^th and 20^th. Details, event times and information on VIP Passes will be posted shortly at www.j-pop.com. A variety of merchandise, including t-shirts, CDs and DVDs also will be available for purchase at Kinokuniya Booth on Post St. in Japantown throughout J-POP SUMMIT.

Tokyo Girls’ Style also will do a meet and greet with VIP Pass holders both on July 19^th and 20^th. Additional details and event times, including information on VIP Passes, will be posted shortly at www.j-pop.com. A variety of merchandise, including t-shirts, CDs and DVDs also will be available for purchase at Kinokuniya Booth on Post St. in Japantown throughout J-POP SUMMIT.

The annual J-POP SUMMIT Festival and Union Square concert are FREE to attend (although certain activities/vendors will require a modest admission fee). J-POP SUMMIT takes place July 19^th and 20^th and has become one of the largest events in the United States dedicated to showcasing the many facets of Japanese pop culture, entertainment media and fandom. Attendance in 2013 exceeded 80,000 people. Full Festival details and updates are available at: www.j-pop.com.

As part of the U.S. debut of Tokyo Girls’ Style, the J-POP SUMMIT Festival and the 2014 Japan Film Festival of San Francisco (JFFSF) are proud to present the exclusive U.S. theatrical premiere of Count Five to Dream of You, an inspiring feature film directed by Yuki Yamato, and starring all of the members of the group. Set in all-girls high school, the film captures the short-lived and unforgettable moments of adolescence. Also set to premiere is Kotodama: Spiritual Curse, a new reboot of the famous Japanese horror movie franchise, in which all of the members of Tokyo Girls’ Style play the leading roles. Both films are scheduled to screen at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema during the J-POP SUMMIT. A special live Q&A session with Tokyo Girls’ Style and audience members will take place immediately following the screenings. Tickets are $15.00 each. Tickets are on sale now at the JFFSF website at: www.JFFSF.org.

“Tokyo Girls’ Style is one of the hottest pop idol Kawaii groups in Japan and their upbeat songs and dance-driven live show will add an exciting component to the line-up of amazing pop artists we will present this year,” says Seiji Horibuchi, the President/CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. and Chairman of the J-POP SUMMIT Festival Committee. “Music, fashion and film are among the most popular aspects of Japanese pop culture and Tokyo Girls’ Style will exemplify all three throughout the J-POP SUMMIT Festival. We are honored to present the group’s U.S. debut and look forward to fans of all ages giving them a warm welcome on-stage for the concert, on the big-screen for their film premieres and also in-person at the special artist meet-and-greet!”

The smash hit group Tokyo Girls’ Style formed in 2010 and has become a major new force in the bustling Japanese pop music scene. Consisting of 5 teenagers - Ayano Konishi, Miyu Yamabe, Hitomi Arai, Yuri Nakae and Mei Shoji – the group, whose member’s average age was only 15, was signed to Avex, released four debut singles within their first year. Tokyo Girls’ Style has gone on to captivate millions of avid fans across Japan with a hook-driven funk and disco sound that is infused with a glossy urban appeal. As of 2012, the group was the youngest female act to ever headline a concert at Tokyo’s most famous Budokan live hall, has released several hit records in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and also performed live shows in Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Additional information on Tokyo Girls’ Style is available at: http://tokyogirlsstyle.jp/tokyogirlsstyle_en.  Fans can also catch their music videos on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/TokyoGirlsStyle.

Stay tuned for additional J-POP SUMMIT Guest of Honor, programming and event announcements!

About J-POP SUMMIT Festival

Launched in 2009, J-POP SUMMIT Festival is an annual street fair held in San Francisco, CA that celebrates Japanese popular culture. By introducing the latest in Japanese music, film, art, fashion, gaming, anime, food, as well as niche subcultures, the festival has become a prominent platform to showcase the latest pop trends and creative innovations from Japan.
The 5^th annual J-POP SUMMIT held in July 2013 welcomed more than 80,000 attendees, making it one of the largest Japanese festivals in the United States. In addition to the original Festival held in Japantown, new attractions include the J-POP LIVE AT UNION SQUARE concert in downtown San Francisco, the Bay Area’s premier dedicated Japan Film Festival of San Francisco, and sake-tasting and fine foods events at the POP GOURMET Food Festival, which have each further enriched the experience. Additional information about J-POP SUMMIT Festival is available at: J-POP.com.

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HIT CARD GAME 'MUNCHKIN' COMES TO COMICS WITH A BOOM!

MUNCHKIN Box Art

June 16,  2014 - Los Angeles, CA - Pull on your Boots of Butt-Kicking and rev up that Chainsaw of Bloody Dismemberment because award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios and Steve Jackson Games are delighted to announce an ongoing MUNCHKIN comic book series coming this Fall. The MUNCHKIN series will be based on the worldwide best-selling card game where players travel through the dungeon and kill everything in sight in order to gain the best (and weirdest) weapons and highest levels. It’s a hilarious, fantasy role-playing game-inspired spoof that brings friends together...until you backstab them for their treasure. The partnership between BOOM! Studios and Steve Jackson Games was initiated and brokered by Surge Licensing.

“There’s a big contingent of fantasy RPG fans here at BOOM! HQ and Munchkin’s irreverent, wry approach to the tropes of the genre is right in our wheelhouse,” said BOOM! Studios Vice President of Publishing and Marketing Filip Sablik. “It’s weird and wacky, and we can’t wait to explore a side of the game that hasn’t been seen before.”

“The best part of the comic books—besides seeing what sort of wacky stories the creative teams craft around Spyke, Flower, and all of the Munchkin characters—is that Munchkin fans will get to watch as the world of the game expands well outside of its gameland incarnation,”  said Philip Reed, Chief Operating Officer of Steve Jackson Games.

With millions of Munchkin games and accessories sold and tens of millions of monsters slain, Munchkin captures the essence of the dungeon experience...with none of that stupid roleplaying stuff. You and your friends compete to kill monsters and grab magic items. And what magic items! Don the Horny Helmet and the Boots of Butt-Kicking. Wield the Staff of Napalm...or maybe the Chainsaw of Bloody Dismemberment. Start by slaughtering the Potted Plant and the Drooling Slime, and work your way up to the Plutonium Dragon…

Fast and silly, Munchkin can reduce any roleplaying group to hysteria. And, while they're laughing, you can steal their stuff. The Munchkin card game debuted in 2001 and has since become a worldwide phenomenon. There are now 15 different stand-alone Munchkin card games (all of which can be combined) along with over 20 expansions, plus miniatures, shirts, and much more.

MUNCHKIN #1 will arrive in comic shops this Fall. Further details will follow.
 

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.

About Steve Jackson Games

Steve Jackson Games, based in Austin, Texas, has been publishing games, game books, and magazines since 1980. Its best-selling game is Munchkin, with over five million copies of the games and supplements in print worldwide. Other top sellers are GURPS (the Generic Universal Role-Playing System), Zombie Dice, and Illuminati. Past hits have included Car Wars and Toon. Steve's very first game, Ogre – originally published in 1977 – drew almost a million dollars' worth of Kickstarter support in 2012 for a super-deluxe edition and was released in the Fall of 2013.

The company news page, the Daily Illuminator, is the oldest continuously running blog on the Internet.

For more about Steve Jackson Games, visit us at www.sjgames.com.

About Surge Licensing, Inc.

Surge is an IP incubator, which identifies IP and grows brands into multi-platformed entertainment and product licensing programs. Through simultaneous merchandise licensing and entertainment development, Surge nurtures brands while maintaining their core value and enhancement of the fan experience.

Est. 1986, Surge is a pioneer in developing multi-media strategies to merchandising/licensing, through the targeted marketing of unique/compelling entertainment. Historically Surge has challenged conventional practices by venturing into non-traditional areas, developing a number of pop culture’s great iconic properties, namely Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING BEGINS WITH DEADLY CLASS
Readers will totally wig out over Issue #7’s new story arc

"A bit like The Breakfast Club but with really, really dangerous kids” —USA Today

“Deadly Class is one kick ass comic book. Amazing art, lettering, coloring and story. This is the whole package, folks.” —9.4/10, IGN

Bestselling writer Rick Remender (BLACK SCIENCE, Uncanny Avengers) and artist Wes Craig return with the eagerly anticipated new story arc of the bestselling ‘80s assassination school series in DEADLY CLASS #7.

DEADLY CLASS #7 begins in March of 1988, about four months after the events of issue #6, when the terrible ramifications of the crew’s actions come back to haunt them. After narrowly escaping death in Las Vegas, Marcus and his remaining gang return to Kings Dominion High School for the Deadly Arts. But they’re about to learn a hard lesson: blood begets blood, and no bad deed goes unpunished.

“At Kings Dominion the norms of high school life are exponentially magnified,” said Remender. “Sex, drugs, violence, fear, depression, exclusion, and romance become a matter of life and death. The danger is ratcheted up and the body count is going to as well. Wes and Lee have already delivered the performance of their careers and the second arc is somehow better still."

DEADLY CLASS #7 arrives in stores this 9/17 and will be available for $3.50. It can be pre-ordered using Diamond Code JUL140453. 

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.

NBM for September

INVINCIBLE DAYS
By Patrick Atangan

This collection of short stories forms a singular narrative that reveals the tiny moments when you realize you are at the precious end-days of youth.  Atangan creates an intricate mosaic from his own childhood memories as well as those gathered from friends and family. Bittersweet, joyful and reflective, these are the type of marking moments that best define us as adults.

By the author of the Yellow Jar and Silk Tapestry
9×6, 128pp., color HC, $19.99 9781561639014

Previews

Also available this month, new from Eurotica:

SIZZLE #63
The all-new Sweet Sins by the author of Zombillenium, Peanut Butter and Molly Fredrickson?s hot action, Precinct 69 packs the heat, Barbarian Chicks!
8 1/2/x11, full color, $6.99

ROCKET GIRL—
GAIL SIMONE SAYS YOU NEED THIS
Issue #6 marks the beginning of a new story arc for the hit time-traveling series

"Clever premise, charming scenario, kickass girl hero, snappy script, and luscious, expressive art. I need this. You need this. Everyone needs this.” —Gail Simone

“A time-travelling teen police force is the stuff my dreams are made of—thank you for making them come true, Rocket Girl." —Fiona Staples 

Fan favorite writer Brandon Montclare (Halloween Eve) and Eisner Award nominated artist Amy Reeder (Batwoman, Madame Xanadu) return with the eagerly anticipated new story arc of the bestselling, time-traveling adventure series in ROCKET GIRL #6. With dayglo-vibrant artwork and kick-ass characters, ROCKET GIRL marries the suspense of Back to the Future with the witty dialog of Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles as it blasts off into its next chapter.

In ROCKET GIRL #6, time-travelling teen cop DaYoung Johannson thinks she's closed the case—and destroyed her own world in the process. Now all she has to do is sit back in 1986 and watch the future unfold how it's "supposed" to...but growing up ain't easy. Unknown to her, she's not the only person from the hi-tech alternate 2014 stuck in the ‘80s. And with the keys to the future in their hands, Quintum Mechanics isn't content to simply let time take its course.

“Readers will have to judge what gets more twisted: the temporal paradoxes, or the motivations of characters faced with impossible adventures,” said Montclare. “Plus you get all the fun stuff: amazing visuals split between an '80s NYC period piece and the high-flying future city, action, speed, and one of the most unique casts of characters in comics. I'm thrilled the ‘80s adventures of DaYoung Johansson are back with #6 and a new Rocket Girl arc. The support from retailers and readers has been awesome—I know they can't wait too!”

"Rocket Girl has been the greatest creative experience of my career,” added Reeder. “I think it shows on the page, and I'm happy the reception to the first arc was so positive.  But you ain't seen nothing yet! The ‘Split Second’ arc is going to knock off some socks."

ROCKET GIRL #6 arrives in stores this 9/17 and will be available for $3.50. It can be pre-ordered using Diamond Code: JUL140456.

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.