Dark Horse Comics Announces the First Graphic Novel from Booker Award–Winning Novelist Margaret Atwood

For Immediate Release: Dark Horse Comics Announces the First Graphic Novel from Booker Award–Winning Novelist Margaret Atwood December 8, 2015—Dark Horse Comics announced today the publication of Angel Catbird, the first graphic novel by Margaret Atwood, the Booker Award–winning author of The Blind Assassin, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Heart Goes Last. Angel Catbird is a unique and ambitious collaboration between Atwood and artist Johnnie Christmas (Sheltered) that tells the story of an unusual superhero over the course of three all-ages graphic novels, the first of which will be published by Dark Horse Comics in the fall of 2016. The project is being published in tandem with Keep Cats Safe and Save Bird Lives, an initiative led by Nature Canada, the oldest conservation charity in the country. “I have concocted a superhero who is part cat, part bird. Due to some spilled genetic Super-Splicer, our hero got tangled up with both a cat and an owl; hence his fur and feathers, and his identity problems,” said Atwood. “Margaret Atwood has created a bold and unforgettable new character, paying homage to both classic pulp heroes and traditional comic book origin stories,” said Mike Richardson, Dark Horse’s publisher and president. “We’re proud to bring Margaret’s Angel Catbird here to Dark Horse, since it is exactly the kind of creator-owned graphic novel we are committed to publishing." “What should you expect from Angel Catbird? Imagine, if you will, a strange mix of Will Eisner’s The Spirit, Grant Morrison and Chas Truog’s Animal Man, and Ryan North and Erica Henderson’s Squirrel Girl,” said acquiring editor Daniel Chabon. “Angel Catbird is a humorous, action-driven, pulp-inspired story. And the only other thing I can tell you at this early date is to expect a lot of cat puns.” “I wanted to find an artist whose style Margaret liked, and who I felt comfortable working with and who shared the vision for the project,” said consulting editor Hope Nicholson (The Secret Loves of Geek Girls), who brought Angel Catbird to Dark Horse. “Johnnie Christmas is, by all accounts, a perfect fit.” “It’s tremendously exciting to work with one of the great contemporary novelists,” said Johnnie Christmas. “I can’t wait for readers to experience the world of Angel Catbird that we’re building. It’s got warmth, heart, humor, and lots of action.” Angel Catbird will be a three-volume series of 6 x 9–inch full-color trade paperbacks priced at $10.99 each. More information about the Angel Catbird graphic novels and Nature Canada’s campaign will be released in 2016. About Margaret Atwood Margaret Atwood was born in 1939 in Ottawa, and grew up in northern Ontario and Quebec, and in Toronto. She received her undergraduate degree from Victoria College at the University of Toronto and her master’s degree from Radcliffe College. Margaret Atwood is the author of more than forty volumes of poetry, children’s literature, fiction, and non-fiction, but is best known for her novels, which include The Edible Woman (1969), The Handmaid’s Tale (1985), The Robber Bride (1994), Alias Grace (1996), and The Blind Assassin, which won the prestigious Booker Prize in 2000. MaddAddam (2013),is the final volume in a three-book series that began with the Man-Booker prize-nominated Oryx and Crake (2003) and continued with The Year of the Flood (2009); the series is currently being adapted for HBO by Darren Aronofsky. The Tent (mini-fictions) and Moral Disorder (short fiction) both appeared in 2006. Her most recent volume of poetry, The Door, was published in 2007. In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination, a collection of non-fiction essays appeared in 2011. Her non-fiction book, Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth was adapted for the screen in 2012. Her latest works are a book of short stories called Stone Mattress: Nine Tales (2014), and a novel, The Heart Goes Last (2015). Ms. Atwood’s work has been published in more than forty languages, including Farsi, Japanese, Turkish, Finnish, Korean, Icelandic and Estonian. About Johnnie Christmas Johnnie Christmas is the co-creator of the critically acclaimed Image Comics series SHELTERED, which has gone on to translation in multiple languages. He is the creator, writer and artist of FIREBUG, serialized in ISLAND Magazine; as well as co-creator of the sci-fi series PISCES. A graduate of the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, Johnnie makes Vancouver, BC his home. About Dark Horse Comics 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 Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers. About Nature Canada Nature Canada is the oldest national nature conservation charity in Canada. Over the past 75 years, Nature Canada has helped protect over 63 million acres of parks and wildlife areas in Canada and countless species that depend on this habitat. Today, Nature Canada has over 45,000 members and supporters and is the national Voice for Nature in a nature network of more than 350 nature organizations across Canada. See more at: http://naturecanada.ca.

BLUEFIN ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF NORTH AMERICAN RETAIL CHANNEL NETWORK

Leading Collectibles Distributor Announces Products For Smash Hit Properties Such As Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon And Attack On Titan To Be Carried By Books-A-Million, f.y.e./Trans World And Spencer’s Gift Stores Nationwide

Irvine, CA, December 8, 2015 – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, significantly expands its retail channel network as it announced today new retail distribution partnerships with Books-A-Million, Inc., Trans World Entertainment Corp., and Spencer Gifts, LLC.

As the 2015 holiday shopping season opens, an extensive mix of action figures, collectibles and other products distributed by Bluefin for smash hit properties such as Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon and Attack on Titan from leading Japanese collectibles manufacturer, Tamashii Nations, along with other companies, will be available at hundreds of Books-A-Million stores, f.y.e. locations owned and operated by Trans World Entertainment, and Spencer’s Gift stores nationwide.

Product brands to be carried include S.H. Figuarts, Tamashii Buddies, Real Figure Collection Wave 2, Action 66 Trading Figures, and Twinkle Dolly accessories. Additional product lines and new properties, such as Gundam, will be added throughout the coming year. 

“This channel expansion comes at an ideal time with the launch of the holiday retail season, and the product agreements with Books-A-Million, Trans World Entertainment, and Spencer’s Gifts will ensure that a diverse selection of unique products will be available to consumers at each store location,” says Bluefin Brand Manager Xavier Lim. “The market for Japanese pop culture and collectibles is vibrant in North America. We see a strong year ahead and look forward to working with our newest retail partners to complement their inventories with some of the most exciting products available.”

Books-A-Million, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading book retailers presently operates 255 stores in 32 states. The Company operates large superstores under the names Books-A-Million (BAM!), Books & Co. and 2nd & Charles and traditional bookstores operating under the names Bookland and Books-A-Million. For more information, visit the Company’s corporate website at www.booksamillioninc.com.

Trans World Entertainment is a leading specialty retailer of entertainment products, including video, music, trend, electronics, video games and related products.  The Company operates retail stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, primarily under the names f.y.e. for your entertainment and Suncoast and on the web at www.fye.com, www.wherehouse.com, and www.secondspin.com.

Spencer's Gifts is the mall destination for entertainment, excitement, and fun, Spencer's has been selling unique and edgy lifestyle accessories for more than 65 years. For more information, please visit www.spencersonline.com or follow the company at @Spencers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Bluefin

Based in Irvine, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Kotobukiya and Capcom, is the sole provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products, and is also the exclusive and official distributor for Hero Cross, Beast Kingdom, Comicave, Mr. Hobby, SEN-TI-NEL and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

 

SPIKE LANDS ON MARS

Skydance Television Serves As Studio On New Original Scripted Series  Written And Executive Produced By J. Michael Straczynski With

Vince Gerardis and David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Marcy Ross

 

 New York, NY, December 8, 2015 -- Spike is bringing Kim Stanley Robinson’s award-winning “Mars Trilogy” to television with Skydance Television serving as the studio on the original one-hour scripted series, titled “Red Mars.”  

The books, “Red Mars,” “Green Mars,” and “Blue Mars,” chronicles mankind’s colonization and transformation of the red planet, have been adapted in 21 languages and are regarded as the best novels ever written on the subject.  

“Red Mars” will be Executive Produced and written by J. Michael Straczynski whose works include “Sense8,” “Babylon Five” and “Changeling.”  The straight-to-series project will be Executive Produced by Emmy®-Award winner Vince Gerardis (“Game of Thrones, “Flash Forward”) who brought the project to Spike and has shepherded development, along with Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Marcy Ross (Skydance’s 2015 feature films are “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” and “Terminator Genisys” and current television series include “Grace and Frankie” and “Manhattan”). 

“The heart and soul of Red Mars is about humanity,” said Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike.  “This group of strangers must find a way to live together and survive under the most daunting conditions mankind has ever faced to become the first living generation of Martians. They will be each other’s greatest source of strength – and if they can’t coexist- the greatest reason for failure.”

"We are thrilled to join forces with Spike to bring Kim Stanley Robinson's dynamic world of the Mars trilogy to television audiences for the first time ever, particularly in the brilliant creative voice of science fiction legend J. Michael Straczynski," added Marcy Ross, President of Skydance Television.

“The Mars Trilogy” won several awards including the prestigious Nebula® and Hugo® Awards. Robinson, a New York Times best-selling author, will consult on the series.  "I  look forward to being a part of bringing my long time client’s literary achievement to the screen,” said Gerardis. “Its themes are important to the future we are creating.” 

Spike has ordered 10 one-hour episodes of “Red Mars,” the most ambitious project in network history. Spike’s first scripted original dramatic series in nine years will go into production next summer and will debut on Spike in January 2017. This past July, Spike premiered “Tut,” its first original scripted miniseries in almost a decade to strong ratings, averaging 2.2 million viewers over three nights.

“Red Mars” follows the first settlers charged with terraforming a mysterious planet, all of whom have competed to be a part of the mission.  The series delves into the lives of these relative strangers, cut off from everything they’ve ever known and living in the harshest environment imaginable. Over time, viewers will witness the mind-blowing evolution of humans and technology as they learn to adapt in their inhospitable new home.

Levy, Ted Gold, Senior Vice President, Scripted Original Series, Justin Lacob, Vice President, Original Series, and Lauren Ruggiero, Senior Director, Scripted Programming will oversee the project for Spike. Vlad Wolynetz will serve as Co-Executive Producer. 

 

Skydance Media’s rapidly growing television division launched in May of 2013. The Company’s first original series, the Emmy-award winning Manhattan, has been met with great critical acclaim and airs on WGN America and Hulu. Season two launched on October 13, 2015. Skydance’s second critically acclaimed show, the Emmy-nominated Grace and Frankie, stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the title roles and streams on Netflix. Season two debuts in 2016. 

 

"Red Mars" is produced in association with Straczynski's Studio JMS, a multi-platform independent studio generating content for film, TV and comics.  Studio JMS is also producing “Sense8” for Netflix and publishes/owns Joe's Comics. 

Spike TV is available in 91.4 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com .  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

Skydance is a diversified media company founded by David Ellison in 2010 to create elevated, event-level entertainment for global audiences. The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across platforms, including feature film, television, gaming and digital. Among Skydance Media’s commercially and critically successful feature films are Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Terminator Genisys, World War Z, Jack Reacher, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Star Trek Into Darkness and True Grit. Its 2015 feature films, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Terminator Genisys, together grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office. Skydance’s future feature film slate includes Star Trek Beyond, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back and Geostorm. The Company’s current television series are the Emmy-nominated Grace and Frankie on Netflix and the Emmy-winning Manhattan on WGN America.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF

THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING—ZENDIKAR

The Imaginative And Deadly World From Magic: The Gathering’s Latest Battle For Zendikar Game Set Depicted In Beautiful

Full Color Illustrations

San Francisco, CA, December 7, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, takes fans and players of Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering^® on a fantastic journey to the exotic world of Zendikar in the gorgeously illustrated release of THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING—ZENDIKAR.

Set to debut on January 5^th, 2016, THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING—ZENDIKAR is a hefty 240-page book that features full color illustrations from some of Magic's best artists, such as Aleksi Briclot and Adam Paquette, as well as in-depth lore written by bestselling author James Wyatt. THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING—ZENDIKAR will be available in print from VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint and will carry an MSRP of $39.99 U.S. / $45.99 CAN.

A first of its kind! This massive hardcover art book features incredible images depicting the award-winning art of Magic: The Gathering®. Explore the tumultuous world of Zendikar, a land fraught with perils, and join the fight for survival as the fragments of civilization confront the unnatural Eldrazi. Follow in the footsteps of heroic Planeswalkers as they combine their unique talents, forming the Gatewatch to overcome the greatest threats the Multiverse has ever known. The secrets of Zendikar—its peoples, continents, and creatures—are ready for fans to discover!

“Magic players and fans of fantasy art will love the breathtaking art and detailed lore that celebrates the rich and imaginative geography and inhabitants of Zendikar,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director. “The new release is also an ideal complement to the Battle for Zendikar game set and will give players greater insight and background about this strange and often deadly world.”

Throughout its 22-year history, Magic: The Gathering has visited many richly imaginative worlds through card sets and stories. In the game’s newest release, Battle for Zendikar (www.BattleForZendikar.com), Magic returns to the fan-favorite world of Zendikar, where united tribes of elves, vampires, and humans battle the monstrous Eldrazi across strange floating ruins and beautiful landscapes.

Developed and published by Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS), Magic: The Gathering is a massively popular strategy game, with more than 20 million players and fans worldwide. In this innovative card game, players build personalized decks using cards they have collected from booster packs and by trading with friends. Magic offers a robust gaming experience for its community of passionate fans through face-to-face play events and social gatherings in more than 7,000 hobby game stores around the world, complemented by its Magic Duels and Magic Online digital games. For more information, visit MagicTheGathering.com.

For additional information on THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – ZENDIKAR or other titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

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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.

About Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering is the world's best strategy game, with more than 20 million players and fans worldwide. In this innovative card game, players build personalized decks using cards they have collected from booster packs and by trading with friends. Magic offers a robust gaming experience for its community of passionate fans through face-to-face play events and social gatherings in more than 7,000 hobby game stores around the world, complemented by its Magic Duels and Magic Online digital games. For more information, visit MagicTheGathering.com.

© 2015 Wizards

 

Prepare for Battle as the ‘BORUTO: NARUTO THE
MOVIE’ Exclusive Event Comes to Select U.S. Cinemas
Nationwide for Two Nights Only 

 

Fathom Events, ELEVEN ARTS and VIZ Media to Bring Exciting New Installment
of NARUTO Series to the Big Screen for a Special Event on December 13 and 14

DENVER – November 30, 2015 – Charge into another dimension with an action-packed anime adventure when Fathom Events, ELEVEN ARTS and VIZ Media present an exclusive cinema event featuring “BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE” in select cinemas nationwide on Sunday, December 13 at 12:55 p.m. local time and Monday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. local time. This special event will also feature a special introduction from New York Comic Con, featuring opening remarks by Masashi Kishimoto, the film’s executive producer and the creator of the bestselling manga (also published by VIZ Media), as well as the famed Japanese voice of Naruto, Junko Takeuchi.

 

Tickets for the “BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE” event will be available for purchase beginning Friday, December 4 online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 235 movie theaters. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website(theaters and participants are subject to change).

 

“BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE” will be presented with original Japanese dialogue and English subtitles. The plot centers on Naruto as the Seventh Hokage, as Hidden Leaf Village is planning to host the Chunin Exams to train new shinobi from the village and from their allied villages. Among the entrants are Sasuke's daughter, Sarada, Mitsuki, an exceptionally talented, yet mysterious shinobi and Boruto, Naruto's talented, but impetuous son. Meanwhile Sasuke, who’s been on a mission in another dimension, appears before Naruto to warn of a strange impending threat. Shrouded with an evil aura, Momoshiki and Kinshiki appear and attempt to assassinate Naruto. Petrified, Boruto is shielded by Naruto, only to disappear in front of Boruto's own eyes. 

 

“We are pleased to partner with ELEVEN ARTS and VIZ Media, to give cinema audiences exclusive insights into the latest ‘NARUTO’ title including exclusive interviews with the creator and Japanese voice of Naruto,” said Fathom Events CEO John Rubey. “Now, anime fans nationwide have the opportunity to enjoy this exciting and highly anticipated event with other shinobi and kunoichi nationwide.”

 

“The NARUTO series has captivated millions of fans internationally and has had a tremendous impact on the pop culture landscape,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Animation Marketing Manager. “At this exclusive Fathom screening event, fans current & new around the country will be thrilled by BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE with its mix of action and comedy, gripping storyline, as well as get a behind-the-scenes peak at the creation of the movie!”

-30-

 

 

About Fathom Events

Fathom Events is the recognized leader in the alternative entertainment industry, offering a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events in movie theaters nationwide that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, the performing arts, major sporting events, music concerts, comedy series, Broadway shows, original programming featuring entertainment’s biggest stars, socially relevant documentaries with audience Q&A and much more. Fathom Events takes audiences behind-the-scenes and offers unique extras, creating the ultimate entertainment experience. It is owned by a consortium called AC JV, LLC., comprised of AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), the three largest movie theater circuits in the United States. In addition, Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live events to 820 locations in 177 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

 

About ELEVEN ARTS 

ELEVEN ARTS is the Los Angeles based film distribution company that has brought many acclaimed Japanese films, live-action and animation, to North American audiences. ELEVEN ARTS’s major live-action titles include Japan Academy Awards winner Memories of Tomorrow (starring Ken Watanabe) and Oscar nominated director (with The Twilight Samurai in 2004) Yoji Yamada’s samurai film Love and Honor. ELEVEN ARTS is also a respected distributor of popular animation titles such as the Evangelion franchise, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 1: Beginnings/ Part 2: Eternal, Blue Exorcist: The Movie, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie- Rebellion, EXPELLED FROM PARADISE, The Last: Naruto the Movie and  Boruto: Naruto the Movie.

 

About VIZ Media

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.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES HOME MEDIA RELEASE OF SAILOR MOON R SET 2

Second Season Of The Legendary Anime Series Continues In

Episodes 69-89, Set For Release This Month As A

Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack And Standard Edition DVD Set

San Francisco, CA, December 8, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor, publisher and licensor of anime and manga in North America, delivers exciting news as it announces the home media release of SAILOR MOON R Set 2 on December 29^th.

The latest set features the exciting second-half of Season 2 of the legendary anime series and will be released as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and also as a Standard DVD edition. Fans can expand their SAILOR MOON home media collections with 21 uncut episodes with many never-before-seen extras. Uncut English dubbed as well as Japanese subtitled dialogue options are available on both formats. SAILOR MOON R is rated "TV-PG.”

The SAILOR MOON R Set 2 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and Standard DVD Set each contain Episodes 69-89 along with special premium packaging and notable bonus features. The SAILOR MOON R Set 2 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack will carry an MSRP of $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN; the Standard Edition DVD will carry an MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $51.99 CAN.   

The Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack contains a deluxe, 6-disc collection (3 DVDs & 3 Blu-rays), packaged with a beautiful reflective holofoil slipcover with specialty printing. The Combo Pack also offers bonus blu-ray content including a “SAILOR MOON Anniversary Special,” “Welcome Chibi-USA!,” and a segment taped during SAILOR MOON Day at Otakon 2015, a behind the scenes look at the English dub recording sessions and a video art gallery and official series trailers. Blu-ray episodes are presented in 1080p video preserving the original 4:3 aspect ratio.

The SAILOR MOON R Set 2 Standard DVD Set features 3 discs with beautifully illustrated variant O-card packaging and embossed holofoil printing. Episodes will be presented in 480p standard video format.

In the second-half of Season 2, after unexpected guest Chibi-Usa falls from the sky and tries to claim the Silver Crystal as her own, Usagi quickly learns this cheeky little pink-haired girl is the least of her problems. The Black Moon Clan, in their unending quest to destroy Crystal Tokyo and change the future, have come back in time to corrupt present day Tokyo! Together the Guardians fight the Black Moon's dark forces, but struggle to understand the truth behind their sinister plan. Is there anyone the Sailor Guardians can turn to for answers? That pink-haired girl may hold the key to Sailor Moon's victory after all!

The legendary SAILOR MOON anime series depicts the adventures of Usagi Tsukino, a cheerful 14-year-old schoolgirl who often finds herself in unwanted trouble. One day, she saves a talking cat named Luna from some mean kids, and her life is changed forever. Luna gives Usagi a magic brooch that transforms her into Sailor Moon, guardian of love and justice! Now Usagi must work with Luna to find the other Sailor Guardians and the Moon Princess, whose Legendary Silver Crystal is Earth’s only hope against the dark forces of the evil Queen Beryl!

The 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!  

SAILOR MOON Season 1, Sets 1 and 2 and SAILOR MOON Season 2, Set 1 are also available as Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs and also as Standard DVD Editions.

For more information on SAILOR MOON, or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, 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 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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Sailor Moon ©Naoko Takeuchi/PNP, Toei Animation

BITCH PLANET RETURNS IN FORCE
Issue #6 is a stand-alone before the new arc begins, featuring art by Taki Soma

Writer Kelly Sue DeConnick (PRETTY DEADLY, Captain Marvel) and special guest artist Taki Soma (SINERGY, Rapture) will launch a special stand-alone issue in the ongoing bitingly satirical series BITCH PLANET this January.

Previously in BITCH PLANET, a new crop of non-compliants settled in for their stay on the Auxiliary Compliance Outpost. When a small group was offered a chance to earn their freedom, they took it, knowing the odds would be stacked against them at every turn.

In BITCH PLANET #6, Meiko Maki’s past is uncovered: how she went from promising engineer to killer—and the ace up her sleeve.

“I’ve wanted to work with Taki since we met, and Val and I were so pleased when she agreed to take on Bitch Planet,” said DeConnick. “Her art style matches Meiko’s personality, I think. There’s a vulnerability to it, an honesty, buffered with a sense of humor—which I think is critical for this title. And that’s not an easy thing to balance. Val makes it look effortless, but it’s not. Taki was able to step into our world and meld beautifully, and at the same time, entirely be herself.”

She added, "After lengthy discussions between ourselves, we’ve decided to run this issue with the following content advisory: 'The following is a flashback issue, covering the events that lead to Meiko Maki's incarceration. It contains plot elements and images relating to sexual assault. The creators encourage you to evaluate your comfort level before deciding to proceed. Bitch Planet's main narrative will resume next month with Issue 7. The series recap therein will not recount the assault.’ It’s similar to the tack we’ve taken with racial epithets—these things have to exist in the world of Bitch Planet, we have to talk about them, but we’re trying to figure out a way to do it that isn’t exploitative, that doesn’t contribute to trauma.”

"I gotta say, this has been a dream project,” said Soma. “In this particular issue, you really GET where Meiko Maki comes from in a way that's integral to the overall Bitch Planet title. If that doesn't excite you, let me just say that I feel sad for you and may I suggest that you look into your pet's eyes and hug it a lot."

BITCH PLANET #6 (Diamond code: NOV150504) hits stores Wednesday, January 6th. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, December 14th.

 

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.

WIZARDS OF THE COAST AND VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCE A SECOND MAGIC: THE GATHERING ART BOOK –

THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING  – INNISTRAD

San Francisco, CA, November 30, 2015 – VIZ Media and Wizards of the Coast have jointly announced the expansion of the Magic: The Gathering® publishing catalog with the addition of a second art book to the collection. Set for release in Summer 2016, THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – INNISTRAD will feature full color illustrations showcasing the mysteries of Innistrad – its peoples, provinces, and monsters.

In THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – INNISTRAD, terror falls from the skies on blood-spattered wings and nameless horrors lurk in the shadows. These pages, lavishly illustrated with the award-winning art of Magic: The Gathering, are your entry into a world beset by terrible evils on all sides and betrayed by the hope it held most dear. Tread lightly as you follow the heroic Planeswalkers of the Gatewatch as they investigate these dark mysteries.

THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – INNISTRAD edition joins THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – ZENDIKAR, a previously announced art book set to debut in January 2016 from VIZ Media that will feature images from popular strategy card game Magic: The Gathering. The 240-page book will feature full color illustrations from some of Magic's best artists, such as Aleksi Briclot. MSRP will be $39.99 U.S. / $45.99 CAN.

Throughout its 22-year history, Magic: The Gathering has visited many richly imaginative worlds through card sets and stories. In its newest set, Battle for Zendikar (www.BattleForZendikar.com), Magic returns to the fan-favorite world of Zendikar, where united tribes of elves, vampires, and humans battle the monstrous Eldrazi across strange floating ruins and beautiful landscapes. The Battle for Zendikar card set launched October 2, 2015.

“Innistrad is a favorite plane of Magic fans,” said Elaine Chase, Senior Director of Global Brand Strategy and Marketing for Magic: The Gathering. “We are thrilled to be able to help fans and players explore it in a whole new way through this beautifully illustrated second art book, The Art of Magic: The Gathering – Innistrad.”

“We are very excited to work with the Wizards of the Coast team to release another exceptional art book,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Media. “THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – INNISTRAD is a wonderful companion to the THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – ZENDIKAR, which debuts early next year. We look forward to Magic fans and players exploring all of the exotic characters, worlds and monsters in these collectible new editions.”

THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – INNISTRAD will be available at Amazon.com and other retail and hobby gaming stores worldwide Summer 2016.

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About Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering is the world's best strategy game, with more than 20 million players and fans worldwide. In this innovative card game, players build personalized decks using cards they have collected from booster packs and by trading with friends. Magic offers a robust gaming experience for its community of passionate fans through face-to-face play events and social gatherings in more than 7,000 hobby game stores around the world, complemented by its Magic Duels and Magic Online digital games. For more information, visit MagicTheGathering.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.

Prepare for Battle as the ‘BORUTO: NARUTO THE
MOVIE’ Exclusive Event Comes to Select U.S. Cinemas
Nationwide for Two Nights Only 

 

Fathom Events, ELEVEN ARTS and VIZ Media to Bring Exciting New Installment
of NARUTO Series to the Big Screen for a Special Event on December 13 and 14

DENVER – November 30, 2015 – Charge into another dimension with an action-packed anime adventure when Fathom Events, ELEVEN ARTS and VIZ Media present an exclusive cinema event featuring “BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE” in select cinemas nationwide on Sunday, December 13 at 12:55 p.m. local time and Monday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. local time. This special event will also feature a special introduction from New York Comic Con, featuring opening remarks by Masashi Kishimoto, the film’s executive producer and the creator of the bestselling manga (also published by VIZ Media), as well as the famed Japanese voice of Naruto, Junko Takeuchi.

 

Tickets for the “BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE” event will be available for purchase beginning Friday, December 4 online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 235 movie theaters. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

 

“BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE” will be presented with original Japanese dialogue and English subtitles. The plot centers on Naruto as the Seventh Hokage, as Hidden Leaf Village is planning to host the Chunin Exams to train new shinobi from the village and from their allied villages. Among the entrants are Sasuke's daughter, Sarada, Mitsuki, an exceptionally talented, yet mysterious shinobi and Boruto, Naruto's talented, but impetuous son. Meanwhile Sasuke, who’s been on a mission in another dimension, appears before Naruto to warn of a strange impending threat. Shrouded with an evil aura, Momoshiki and Kinshiki appear and attempt to assassinate Naruto. Petrified, Boruto is shielded by Naruto, only to disappear in front of Boruto's own eyes. 

 

“We are pleased to partner with ELEVEN ARTS and VIZ Media, to give cinema audiences exclusive insights into the latest ‘NARUTO’ title including exclusive interviews with the creator and Japanese voice of Naruto,” said Fathom Events CEO John Rubey. “Now, anime fans nationwide have the opportunity to enjoy this exciting and highly anticipated event with other shinobi and kunoichi nationwide.”

 

“The NARUTO series has captivated millions of fans internationally and has had a tremendous impact on the pop culture landscape,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Animation Marketing Manager. “At this exclusive Fathom screening event, fans current & new around the country will be thrilled by BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE with its mix of action and comedy, gripping storyline, as well as get a behind-the-scenes peak at the creation of the movie!”

-30-

 

About Fathom Events

Fathom Events is the recognized leader in the alternative entertainment industry, offering a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events in movie theaters nationwide that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, the performing arts, major sporting events, music concerts, comedy series, Broadway shows, original programming featuring entertainment’s biggest stars, socially relevant documentaries with audience Q&A and much more. Fathom Events takes audiences behind-the-scenes and offers unique extras, creating the ultimate entertainment experience. It is owned by a consortium called AC JV, LLC., comprised of AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), the three largest movie theater circuits in the United States. In addition, Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live events to 820 locations in 177 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

 

About ELEVEN ARTS

ELEVEN ARTS is the Los Angeles based film distribution company that has brought many acclaimed Japanese films, live-action and animation, to North American audiences. ELEVEN ARTS’s major live-action titles include Japan Academy Awards winner Memories of Tomorrow (starring Ken Watanabe) and Oscar nominated director (with The Twilight Samurai in 2004) Yoji Yamada’s samurai film Love and Honor. ELEVEN ARTS is also a respected distributor of popular animation titles such as the Evangelion franchise, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 1: Beginnings/ Part 2: Eternal, Blue Exorcist: The Movie, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie- Rebellion, EXPELLED FROM PARADISE, The Last: Naruto the Movie and  Boruto: Naruto the Movie.

 

About VIZ Media

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.

CRACKLE RELEASES DECEMBER 2015

STREAMING TV & MOVIE OFFERINGS

DRAMA, COMEDY, THRILLER AND MORE HOME TO CRACKLE FOR THE HOLIDAY’S INCLUDING ALI AND DRIVE– PLUS CRACKLE’S ORIGINAL
WEEKLY GAME SHOW SERIES, “SPORTS JEOPARDY!”

WATCH FOR FREE USING THE CRACKLE APP FOR TVs, CONNECTED DEVICES, GAME CONSOLES AND MOBILE DEVICES, OR ONLINE

CULVER CITY, Calif. (Dec. 1, 2015) – Crackle, Sony’s free streaming service adds more than two dozen new titles in December, including all-new weekly episodes of the only streaming game show, “Sports Jeopardy!” featuring a special edition episode on December 12 where Dan Patrick’s Danette’s will compete in a game for charity and brand new episodes of the critically acclaimed stop motion animated series, “SuperMansion” with the season finale streaming on December 17.

Crackle’s December programming slate also includes awards movies such as Will Smith’s Ali and Ryan Gosling’s Drive, Adam Sandler’s comedy Click, Kate Beckinsale’s Underworld and Underworld: Evolution and Insidious.

Fans of Jerry Seinfeld will find a lot to love about Crackle in December– in addition to “single shots” of Seinfeld’s Crackle original series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” Crackle will present December’s “Happy Festivus: White Elephant” theme, which includes the 1989 premiere episode.

Viewers will not want to miss what Harper’s Bazaar calls the “#1 Best New Fall TV Show.”  Crackle’s first original scripted drama series, “The Art of More,” which premiered on the network in November is streaming all ten episodes.  Set in the glamorous cutthroat world of premium auction houses, “The Art of More” is a seductive and thrilling new drama exploring the dark underbelly of a multi-million dollar business filled with hustlers, smugglers, power mongers, and collectors of the beautiful and the esoteric. 

Below is a complete list of what’s new to Crackle on December 1 and leaving the network at the end of the month.

New Crackle Originals:

·         Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee: Single Shots, Season 3 (Every Wednesday at 11:30pm EST)

·         Sports Jeopardy! (Weekly Wednesday at 9:00am EST)

·         SuperMansion (Weekly Thursday; Season Finale on 12/17)

What’s New:

Spy Game

Weird Science

Available One Month Only:

A Few Good Men

A Fighting Man

Ali

Anaconda

Arena

Basic

Blood: The Last Vampire

Brian's Song

Brothers In Arms

Cleaner

Click

Cowboy Up

Curse Of The Golden Flower

Deep Winter

Drive

Fools Rush In

Insidious

Meeting Evil

Revolver

Seinfeld Episodes - Happy Festivus: White Elephant

·         Seinfeld                                     S1           E1

·         The Robbery                              S1           E4

·         The Baby Shower                       S2           E4

·         The Heart Attack                        S2           E11

·         The Revenge                             S2           E12

·         The Pledge Drive                       S6           E3

·         The Gymnast                             S6           E6

·         The Race                                   S6           E12

·         The Jimmy                                S6           E17

·         The Strike                                 S9           E10

Sister Mary Explains It All

The Lazarus Project

The Messenger: The Story Of Joan Of Arc

The Right Temptation

Truth Or Consequences, N.M.

Underworld

Underworld: Evolution

Unthinkable

We Own The Night

Year One

Last Chance to Watch:

21

6 Bullets

American Crude

American Hardcore

American Movie

Arlington Road

Assassination Games

At Any Price

Attack Force

Bachelor Party Vegas

Balls Out: Gary The Tennis Coach

Beats, Rhymes & Life: A Tribe Called Quest

Beverly Hills Ninja

Bobby Jones: Stroke Of Genius

Booty Call

Candyman

Can't Hardly Wait

Cemetery Junction

Company of Heroes

Crumb

Death Race 2

Death Race 3: The Inferno

Desperado

Detention

Double Team

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Drive, He Said

Drunken Master

Easy Rider

Edison Force

Fast, Cheap And Out Of Control

Fat City

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Flight Of Fury

Fragments

Game of Death

Glory

Godzilla 2000

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla

Godzilla Vs. Destoroyah

Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah

Godzilla vs. Megaguirus: The G Annihilation Strategy

Godzilla vs. Mothra

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

Grateful Dawg

Guess Who

Hard Luck

Harry Brown

Heavy Metal

Heavy Metal 2000

Hunt For Eagle One

Hunt For Eagle One: Crash Point

I Spy

Intolerable Cruelty

It Might Get Loud

Jackie Chan In Shinjuku Incident

Jackie Chan's The Myth

John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars

Layer Cake

Legend Of The Millennium Dragon

Lockout

London

Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Movie

Night of the Creeps

No Good Deed

Olympus Has Fallen

Out For A Kill

Puff Puff Pass

Resident Evil: Damnation

Resident Evil: Degeneration

Retreat

Sex, Lies And Videotape

Shadow Man

Shottas

Spanglish

Spectre: Official Trailer

Starship Troopers

Steamboy

Straw Dogs

Sunset Park

Tekkonkinkreet

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation

The Armstrong Lie

The Beach Boys: An American Family Part 1

The Beach Boys: An American Family Part 2

The Cable Guy

The Damned United

The Devil's Own

The Fog of War

The Greatest

The Hard Corps

The Hungover Games

The Legend Of Zorro

The Mothman Prophecies

The Nines

The Raid: Redemption

The Razor's Edge

The Return

The Squid And the Whale

Things Are Tough All Over

Today You Die

Tokyo Godfathers

Traffic

Ultraviolet

Urban Justice

Vantage Point

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Wilder Napalm

*Note the above is subject to change.

About Crackle

Crackle, a unit of Sony Pictures Television, programs Hollywood movies, popular TV shows, original series and feature films for the worlds connected audience.  Available in 21 countries on every screen, Crackle is always freely accessible with no subscription or commitments required.  The streaming service houses a robust library of original programming available anytime, anywhere on every connected device. Crackle is available on Facebook or follow @Crackle for real time updates.  For additional information, please go to www.crackle.com.