Love, Election and Chocolate starting this Thursday on Anime Network Online

Media Alert: Love, Election and Chocolate
starting this Thursday on Anime Network Online

HOUSTON, TX — Aug 29, 2012 — Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network is pleased to announce its latest online special release: Love, Election and Chocolate. From Director Toru Kitahata (The Big O, Rumbling Hearts), and featuring designs by Hiroaki Gohda (Amagami SS, Please Teacher!) comes a story of childhood crushes, intense political "battles", and deliciously decadent fun!

Bill Paxton Checks Out New York Comic Con 2012

Houston, we have a problem! I have another guest announcement for you NYCC fans and I don't know how you'll contain your excitement. This leading Hollywood man survived an onboard explosion on the lunar mission Apollo 13, drove into the eye of a tornado as a storm chaser in Twister, was turned into a giant green toad-like creature in Weird Science and most recently was seen as the patriarch of the McCoy clan in the History Channel's Hatfield & McCoys. Welcome acting megastar Bill Paxton to NYCC! Don't miss Paxton at his panel at NYCC 2012! If that's not enough, the Artist Alley Gallery is now live at NewYorkComicCon.com. Head on over and take a look at all the inkers, pencilers and writers we've got in store for you! Until next time...

Stay nerdy my friends,

-Lance

P.S. Follow me on Twitter @lfensterman for the first word on the latest NYCC news!

~~~

Letter from Lance Fensterman

Noted British Actor Peter Davison is Spotlight Guest at New York Comic Con

NOTED BRITISH ACTOR PETER DAVISON IS
SPOTLIGHT GUEST AT NEW YORK COMIC CON

Celebrated Roles Include "Doctor Who" Among Other Parts

Norwalk, CT, August 24, 2012: Peter Davison, who played the fifth incarnation of The Doctor in the celebrated British television series Doctor Who, will be a Spotlight Guest at this year's New York Comic Con (NYCC). The noted actor, who is also well known for his role as Tristan Farnon in James Herriott's All Creatures Great and Small, will be signing autographs and appearing on stage. Doctor Who, which premiered on British television in 1963, has gone on to become a television institution in the UK, a cult phenomenon in the USA and the longest-running science fiction television program in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The series will mark its 50th anniversary in 2013. Peter Davison played the title role from 1981 - 1984.

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian to be Spotlight Guest at New York Comic Con

CHEF GEOFFREY ZAKARIAN TO BE SPOTLIGHT
GUEST AT NEW YORK COMIC CON

Renowned Chef Will Host Exclusive NYCC Dinner at
The Lambs Club and Headline Food & Comics Panel!

Norwalk, CT, August 22, 2012: New York Comic Con (NYCC) officials have today announced that Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, the accomplished chef who has presided over some of the country's top kitchens, will be a Spotlight Guest at the annual pop culture convention in October. Chef Zakarian will host an exclusive dinner at The Lambs Club, his popular New York City restaurant on West 44th St., as well as be the main attraction for a Food & Comics panel which will take place along with other NYCC programming at the Javits Center on Friday, October 12, 2012.

Toei's ONE PIECE to Debut This Fall on Neon Alley!

VIZ MEDIA BRINGS THE HIGH SEAS ANIME PIRATE ADVENTURE
ONE PIECE TO NEON ALLEY THIS FALL

ONE PIECE Licensor Toei Animation
Will Be Content Partner For
New Console-Based 24-Hour Anime Channel Launching On
PS3 And Playstation Network

San Francisco, CA, August 21, 2012– VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, continues the digital anime convergence as it announces that Toei Animation, with FUNimation® Entertainment acting as the agent, has licensed the celebrated pirate anime action/adventure series, ONE PIECE, for broadcast on Neon Alley, the new 24-hour anime channel VIZ Media launching this Fall exclusively to the Playstation Network and the PS3 game console. Episodes to air on Neon Alley will be presented uncut and with dubbed English dialogue.

Neal Adams at New York Comic Con 2012

Neal Adams Brings his Pen to NYCC

Check it NYC! We are less than 2 months away from the amazing, the magnificent, the most bad-assed pop-culture convention - New York Comic Con 2012! To amp up your anticipation I thought I'd bring you another Guest announcement! Our next NYCC Guest is an artist, comic-crusader, father of the modern Batman, ride designer and two time Hall of Famer! If that's not enough to get you to NYCC, I don't know what is! Welcome comic-veteran Neal Adams to NYCC 2012! Be sure to check out Neal's pen in action and while you're at it check out Fables writer Bill Willingham ! If you just can't wait until October to get your ReedPOP fix, come check out our newest event going on this weekend in Atlantic City - Fantasy Football Fest! The whole ReedPOP crew hopes to see you there! Until next time...

Stay nerdy my friends,

-Lance

P.S. Follow me on Twitter @lfensterman for the first word on the latest NYCC news!

~~~

Letter from Lance Fensterman

IDW Prepares Judge Dredd Reprint Program

IDW Prepares Judge Dredd Reprint Program

Plans for Classic Material Expand to Monthly Series

San Diego, CA (August 8, 2012– Following their Comic-Con announcement of the new ongoing JUDGE DREDD comic’s creative team, IDW Publishing is proud to announce expanded and refined plans to offer new editions of beloved Judge Dredd material as well.

Tom Felton Practices the Dark Arts at NYCC

To Do: 10:00 AM Dark Arts, 1:00 PM Potions, 3:00 PM Quidditch, 5:00 PM mend the Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement and kill Dumbledore. I knew Draco Malfoy didn't have the guts to do it and I suspect he's not all bad, though he spent the majority of his childhood as the slimy bully from Slytherin. You can ask Draco himself how he feels about having the Dark Mark and being a follower of You-Know-Who when actor Tom Felton comes to NYCC this October! You heard me right, Felton will be coming to talk about all things Harry Potter at his NYCC panel and I hear he'll even be signing some autographs for you Mudbloods. If one magical heartthrob wasn't enough, welcome vampire slayer Nicholas Brendon to NYCC! Keep your wands at the ready! Until next time...

Stay nerdy my friends,

-Lance

P.S. Follow me on Twitter @lfensterman for the first word on the latest NYCC news!

~~~

Letter from Lance Fensterman

VIZ Manga Digital Schedule Now Synchronized Day-And-Date With Current Print Releases!

VIZ MANGA DIGITAL SCHEDULE SYNCHRONIZES
DAY-AND-DATE WITH CURRENT PRINT RELEASES

All Digital Manga Releases To Debut On Tuesdays;
New Volumes Of Current VIZ Manga Series
Will Debut Simultaneously In Print And Digitally

August 7, 2012 - Leading North American publisher VIZ Media continues to refine its VIZ Manga digital platform with a newly announced general release schedule that will synchronize future manga titles to coincide with the domestic debut of their print counterparts, closing the gap between print and digital manga formats.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Players To Converge in Tokyo, JP to Duel for the Title of World Champion

THE WORLD’S BEST Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME PLAYERS
TO CONVERGE IN TOKYO, JAPAN
TO DUEL FOR THE TITLE OF WORLD CHAMPION

El Segundo, CA (August 7, 2012) - Elite Duelists from all over the world will gather in Tokyo, Japan on August 11-12 at the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) World Championship for the opportunity to attain the title of “King of Games.” This event is especially significant as 2012 marks the 10th Anniversary for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship.

King, Hill, and Matheson Experience Road Rage, Out This Week in Hardcover

King, Hill, and Matheson Experience Road Rage,
Out This Week in Hardcover

First collaboration by father and son presented in graphic novel form,
along with the original inspirational source material

San Diego, CA (August 7, 2012)– IDW Publishing is proud to release the hardcover comic book collection of ROAD RAGE, available tomorrow in comic book stores throughout North America. Renowned author Stephen King and Eisner-winner Joe Hill collaborated for the first time in Throttle, a story that paid tribute to Richard Matheson’s classic tale of suspense Duel. Now, ROAD RAGE presents the four-issue compilation of the comic-book tellings of both stories.

Konami Digital Entertainment Is Heading To Gen Con

JOIN KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT
AT THE BEST FOUR DAYS IN GAMING ­–
GEN CON INDIANAPOLIS

El Segundo, CA (August 6, 2012) – Avid gamers across the world know that August isn’t complete without a trip to Gen Con Indianapolis and Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (Konami), the maker of the best-selling Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG), is ready to help make it “the best four days in gaming” with a wide array of awesome activities for gamers of all ages to experience. At the four-day show August 16th – 19th, activities will include Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournaments, game demonstrations and even a Sneak Peek of the upcoming booster set, Return of the Duelist slated to release later this month!

Robert Kirkman Talks Comics at NYCC

My calendar is set! Only 66 days until the best NYCC yet and only 70 more days until my favorite TV show premieres for its third season. Can you guess what it is? I'll give you a hint - the show is about post-apocalyptic America overrun by zombies and the Creator/Executive Producer/Writer will be at New York Comic Con 2012. You got it - I'm talking about The Walking Dead and I'm going bonkers that Robert Kirkman will be coming to NYCC! This Image Comics partner and founder of the imprint Skybound topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and in April 2012 he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists - talk about impressive! When you're not on the lookout for zombies, don't miss Kirkman's panels at NYCC where he'll be chatting about the 100th issue of Invincible dropping this January, introducing the new Skybound title Clone written by David Schuler and pencilled and inked by Juan Jose Ryp and colored by Felix Serrano and highlighting The Road to Woodbury written by Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga. Kirkman may even have a word or two to say about the third season of The Walking Dead, but only time will tell. Until next time...

Stay nerdy my friends,

-Lance

P.S. Follow me on Twitter @lfensterman for the first word on the latest NYCC news!

~~~

Letter from Lance Fensterman

Tons of new digital releases!

Top Shelf's digital publishing program continues to expand, faster than ever! Recently we've not only seen killer new releases in the American Elf digital series, the Cannon brothers' unmissable Double Barrel magazine, and Robert Venditti's new Surrogates Case Files series, we've shared with you a true original with Patt Kelley's What Am I Going to Do Without You? and teamed up with Retrofit Comics to bring you digital editions of some of their finest work. Grab your reading device and load up!

August Moon debuts in the Diamond Previews catalog!

Jess Smart Smiley's Halloween adventure Upside Down: A Vampire Tale isn't the only book for youth Top Shelf is releasing this fall... we're also excited to welcome Australian cartoonist Diana Thung to Top Shelf, with her evocative and complex fable AUGUST MOON! This magical story is a delight for teens and adult readers, reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki at his most captivating, and it's available for pre-ordering in the current Diamond Previews (for books shipping in October):

Durarara Limited Edition BD Lunch Box Set Coming Soon

Aniplex of America announces Durarara!!
Limited Edition BD Lunch Box Set on October 30th , 2012

This October, Durarara!! is coming back in a
Blu-Ray Box set that is a can’t miss!

SANTA MONICA, CA (August 1, 2012)–Recently at their panel at Otakon in Baltimore, Aniplex of America Inc. announced that the hit anime series Durarara!! will be released in a Limited Edition BD Lunch box Set on October 30th, 2012 and will be available through anime distributor RightStuf.com and official retailers. Available only in a limited quantity, this highly anticipated release is another example of the company’s objective to bring the highest quality experience for the North American fans. The Durarara!! Limited Edition BD Lunch Box set features the entire series (24 TV episodes +2 OVAs) on 5 Blu-Ray Discs, an exclusive booklet featuring bonus interviews and artwork, a double sided poster and other bonus extras. This release is a US and Canada Exclusive and available while supplies last.

Watch Planzet for Your Chance to Win a Limited Edition Autographed Poster

Watch Planzet for Your Chance to Win
a Limited Edition Autographed Poster

HOUSTON, TX — August 2, 2012 — Broadcast and digital distributor Anime Network is thrilled to announce a fan participation giveaway running throughout August for the feature film Planzet.

IDW Publishing Launches Jinnrise in 2013

IDW Publishing Launches Jinnrise in 2013

Jabal Entertainment’s virgin series rides
international notoriety to 2013 release

San Diego, CA (August 2, 2012)– After serving as the official branding of April’s first-ever Middle East Film and Comic-Con and premiering on comiXology (www.comixology.com), IDW Publishing is thrilled to announce the 2013 release of JINNRISE (www.jinnrise.com). Jabal Entertainment’s virgin comic series, JINNRISE has found a home with the industry’s fastest-growing publisher.

Christopher Lloyd at New York Comic Con!

Christopher Lloyd at the Future NYCC

Rev up the DeLorean to precisely 88 mph and head to the skies because where we're going next we don't need roads! Let's take off to the future, exactly 10:00 AM on October 12, 2012 should do, the moment the doors to NYCC open. Why my rush to get to NYCC? To meet the one and only Christopher Lloyd of course! This acting talent will be making his way to the Javits this October and what better way to be first in line then to travel through time? Be sure and say a big comic "hi" to Kim Harrison too, the bestselling author of The Hollow series. Until next time....

Stay nerdy my friends,

-Lance

P.S. Follow me on Twitter @lfensterman for the first word on the latest NYCC news!

~~~

Letter from Lance Fensterman

Adam West and Burt Ward to be Spotlight Guests at New York Comic Con

ADAM WEST AND BURT WARD TO BE SPOTLIGHT
GUESTS AT NEW YORK COMIC CON

Dynamic Duo will Autograph and Appear on Panel Together!

Norwalk, CT, July 30, 2012: Noted actors Adam West and Burt Ward will be Spotlight Guests at New York Comic Con (NYCC). The acting team best known for their roles as Batman and Robin in the 1960s Batman TV series and the 1966 Batman feature film, will be appearing together on a panel as well as signing in the Autographing Area. Show officials note that the addition of West and Ward to the roster of guests appearing at NYCC once again underscores the range of talent which is embraced by the pop culture community. NYCC not only attracts talent from many artistic endeavors including artists, creators, writers, actors and musicians, but it also provides a home for timeless products and creations which are enjoyed as much today as when they were first created. The original Batman is an iconic program which helped define popular culture for a generation of TV viewers in the 1960s.

FUNimation Entertainment Announces Multiple Acquisitions at Otakon

Flower Mound, TX –July 28, 2012- FUNimation Entertainment announced today at Otakon that it has acquired the streaming, broadcast, home entertainment, video on demand and pay-per-view and DTO/DTR rights to the complete anime OAV series, Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar. This spin-off series takes place roughly 15 years after the events in Tenchi Muyo! GXP.