VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES FAMED SHOJO MANGA CREATOR ARINA TANEMURA’S NEW SERIES IDOL DREAMS

An Ordinary Office Worker Gets A Shot At Stardom In An Unexpected Way In The New Manga Series By The Creator Of FULL MOON And THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE †
San Francisco, CA, October 21, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, brings Arina Tanemura’s newest manga (graphic novel) series to fans and readers with the launch of IDOL DREAMS on November 3rd.

The Legend Returns – Your First Look at BLACK KNIGHT #1!

New York, NY—October 21st, 2015 —Their legend echoes through history. Ancient warriors and wielders of the legendary Ebony Blade. Champions of their own destiny. But what do you do when it’s your destiny…to be damned? Today, Marvel is pleased to present your first look at BLACK KNIGHT #1 – the new ongoing series from writer Frank Tieri and artist Luca Pizzari! All power comes with a price, as each and every Black Knight through the centuries has met and untimely end, a victim of the Ebony Blade’s curse. Will Dane Whitman’s fate be the same? The long-time Avenger’s addiction to the blade grows stronger and stronger each day. Will he succumb to its power and suffer the same end? A lost man himself, Dane now finds himself in Weirdworld, the place where all lost things go. What circumstances brought him here? And what could he possibly have done that would cause the Uncanny Avengers to mobilize against him? Find out, and see the Marvel Universe from a whole new angle this November in BLACK KNIGHT #1!

KONAMI OFFERS UP SOME TREATS AND A FEW TRICKS WITH THE Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME DIMENSION OF CHAOS BOOSTER SET

Set Introduces New Deck Themes; Sneak Peek Scheduled for 10/31 or 11/1
El Segundo, Calif. (October 20, 2015) – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KONAMI) doles out the treats with the Dimension of Chaos booster set, releasing nationwide November 6. Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) fans can also get into the Halloween spirit by checking out the Dimension of Chaos Sneak Peek on October 31. The latest 100-card set features brand-new support for the powerful Black Luster Soldier and more, sure to elicit a scream from any opponent.

#KinoHalloweenContest 2015

Check out their Facebook event page for more information on the #KinoHalloweenContest. Just an FYI, you need an Instagram account to enter. Unfortunately, since I don't have one, I can't participate.

© 2015 Linda Thai

Photography by Linda Thai

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES TWO FREE MANGA SAMPLERS FOR HALLOWEEN COMICFEST 2015

Fans Are Invited To Visit Their Local Participating Comic Shop For Special Samplers Featuring Excerpts From FRAGMENTS OF HORROR And YO-KAI WATCH Manga
VIZ Media invites readers to celebrate Halloween – manga style – as the company announces its participation in Halloween ComicFest 2015 with two special FREE samplers featuring an excerpt from Junji Ito’s critically acclaimed manga short story anthology, FRAGMENTS OF HORROR, and a preview of the just-released new All-Ages supernatural adventure series, YO-KAI WATCH.

Bring The Thunder – Your First Look at THE MIGHTY THOR #1!

The New York Times #1 Best Seller Returns!
New York, NY—October 20th, 2015 —This November, the lightning returns. Today, Marvel is pleased to present your new look at THE MIGHTY THOR #1 – the new ongoing series from blockbuster creators Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman! Now is your chance to jump on-board the popular storyline of the new Thor as it charges headlong into the All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe! Her identity has finally been revealed as Dr. Jane Foster. When she lifts the mystic hammer Mjolnir, she is transformed into the Goddess of Thunder, the Mighty Thor! Eight months have passed since the end of Secret Wars – her enemies are many, and they are everywhere. As Asgard descends further into chaos, war begins to spread throughout the Ten Realms. Yet her greatest battle will be against a more personal and deadly foe – the cancer that is killing her mortal form. Be there as her story begins anew this November in THE MIGHTY THOR #1!

VIZ MEDIA EXPANDS THE NARUTO CATALOG WITH UZUMAKI NARUTO: ILLUSTRATIONS ART BOOK AND NARUTO: KAKASHI’S STORY NOVEL

NARUTO Manga Creator Masashi Kishimoto’s Artwork Depicted In Vivid New Oversized Book And In NARUTO: KAKASHI’S STORY, The First Book In New Series Of Novels
San Francisco, CA, October 20, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, gives NARUTO fans the opportunity to expand their personal collections with the release in November of UZUMAKI NARUTO: ILLUSTRATIONS, a new, full-color art book featuring works from the NARUTO series by its acclaimed creator, Masashi Kishimoto. Original NARUTO ninja adventures in fiction form are also set for release in early November as VIZ Media announces NARUTO: KAKASHI’S STORY, the first of a new series of NARUTO prose novels focusing on key characters from the series and complemented by original cover art by Masashi Kishimoto.

Chip Zdarsky Covers STAR WARS: VADER DOWN #1 With Epic Jaxxon Variant!

New York, NY—October 20th, 2015 — This November, two of the biggest comics in the world collide as STAR WARS and DARTH VADER collide in the epic VADER DOWN crossover! But first, Marvel is pleased to present your first look at the VADER DOWN #1 JAXXON VARIANT from writer/artist Chip Zdarsky (Howard the Duck)! Available only in comic shops on November 18th, don’t miss your chance to own this one-of-a-kind variant cover. When Darth Vader accidentally finds himself facing off against the Rebel Fleet on his own, the Rebels will learn the true strength of the Dark Side of the Force! Once Vader crashes on a nearby planet, the Rebellion is willing to risk everything for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to take out one of their biggest enemies! Be there as this can’t miss crossover event begins in the oversized VADER DOWN #1 this November and continues in the pages of STAR WARS and DARTH VADER!

Celebrate Local Comic Shop Day With Two Exciting Marvel Titles!

Marvel Partners With ComicsPRO For Exclusive LCSD Variant Covers
New York, NY—October 19th, 2015— The biggest heroes, the biggest creators, and the biggest new titles are coming to LOCAL COMIC SHOP DAY ™ this year!
Today, Marvel is pleased to officially unveil its two stellar, can’t miss offerings for LOCAL COMIC SHOP DAY™. Participating retailers will be able to order an exclusive variants of two of Marvel’s most highly anticipated upcoming releases for the event. Don’t miss these exclusive Local Comic Shop Day variants to ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #1 and ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS #1!

Back to Basics in Your New Look at ALL-NEW X-MEN #1!

New York, NY—October 15th, 2015 —Hated and feared more than ever, the world is a more dangerous place for mutants. But as the few remaining X-Men retreat into seclusion, a handful of teenagers will strike out on their own – refusing to let their fate be decided for them. Today, Marvel is pleased to present your new look at ALL-NEW X-MEN #1 – the new series from Dennis Hopeless (X-Men: Season One) and Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man)! Stepping out of the shadows of their predecessors and future selves – Cyclops, Angel, Iceman, the All-New Wolverine, Kid Apocalpyse and Oya are hitting the road, learning to be heroes, and changing their destinies. But with the world a more hostile place than ever for their kind – is there hope for their future? Find out this December in ALL-NEW X-MEN #1!

Get Ready to Scream – Your First Look at CARNAGE #1!

New York, NY—October 14th, 2015 — This November, the symbiote psychopath and most dangerous serial killer in the Marvel Universe is back in CARNAGE #1! Legendary writer Gerry Conway (Amazing Spider-Man: Spiral) and artist Mike Perkins (Deathlok) take you on a descent into madness as Cletus Kasady leaves a trail of bodies in his wake. But the FBI is hot on his trail. A specially equipped team comprised of military hero/astronaut John Jameson, a reformed Eddie Brock/Toxin and more – they’re ready to put an end to Carnage’s reign of terror once and for all. But when Carnage escapes into an abandoned coal mine, the FBI’s plan is starting to look like a trap…FOR THEM. Don’t miss the terrifying debut of the Marvel Universe’s most terrifying new tale in CARNAGE #1!

MARVEL COMICS’ PRESENTS SPIDER-WOMEN #1!

Spider-Gwen, Spider-Woman and Silk, team-up for an all-new crossover event
New York, NY — October 14th, 2015 — After the events of SPIDER-VERSE, Jessica Drew, Cindy Moon and Gwen Stacy have been developing a unique kind of friendship from across the multiverse. But when things go awry in Gwen’s universe, Silk and Spider-Woman of the Marvel Universe find themselves stranded in Gwen’s reality while their dangerous doppelgangers run rampant in THEIR New York!

Best There Is At What She Does – Your New Look at ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #1!

New York, NY—October 14th, 2015 — This November, Laura Kinney embraces her destiny. No longer X-23. No longer the weapon they built her to be. Here comes Wolverine! Today, Marvel is pleased to present your new look at ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #1 – the new ongoing series from writer Tom Taylor with art by David Lopez & David Navarrot! She was created to destroy. But with the help of her mentor and friend Logan – the original Wolverine – she has moved beyond her dark past. Logan may have fallen, but Laura will honor his memory by taking up the mantle and following in his footsteps as a hero. And she’ll stop at nothing to protect those around her from the forces of evil. She’s the best there is at what she does. She is the All-New Wolverine! And her story is just getting started. Witness the beginning in <>

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW MANGA SERIES ACQUISITIONS FOR 2016 RELEASE

Seven Exciting New Series Join VIZ Media’s Manga Roster For 2016 Including New Fantasy/Action, Sports And Shojo Manga Titles
San Francisco, CA, October 12, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, delivered a special sneak preview of forthcoming manga (graphic novel) titles as it announced the acquisition of several notable new series during its official panel held this pas weekend at the 2015 New York Comic Con.

Impressions of Liberty City Anime Con 2015 Part 2

Please read Part 1 of the review before reading Part 2

I know people were a bit confused about the convention promoting it as a NYC convention when it was in White Plains. It didn’t make sense to me to promote it as such, but it is understandable, since their objective is to eventually have the event in the city. At least the convention organizers picked an area that was opened on the weekend near an open mall with food (unlike Hartford, Connecticut).

Impressions of Liberty City Anime Con 2015

I’m not even sure how I heard about Liberty City Anime Con, probably through word of mouth from friends. I only went one day because I didn’t want to take off from work. Plus, being that this is the first Liberty City Anime Con, I figure it’d be small in size; small dealers room, artist alley, etc. I have to say I was impressed by certain things while there were others that needed improvement.

Pre-#NYCC 2015 with Yumi Hoashi, Senior VP, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.

New York Comic Con 2015 is here and guess who's back at the show? Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.! Yes, the company behind the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game! When I saw their name listed in the Exhibitor list on the NYCC website, I was ecstatic! The last time I saw Konami was back in 2009. So the fact that they are returning, I wanted to know what they got in store for the attendees! I had the pleasure of getting my questions answered by Yumi Hoashi, Senior Vice President, International Card Business of the company. She is responsible for the ENTIRE Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME business for the Americas and Europe, including Sales, Operations and Marketing. So without further ado, here is the interview.

KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT HEADS TO THE BIG APPLE TO SHOW OFF ITS Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME AT NEW YORK COMIC CON

Company’s Offerings Include Custom Token Card, Duel the Master, Tournaments and an Exclusive Game Mat
El Segundo, Calif. (October 5, 2015) – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KONAMI) delivers plenty of exciting activities for attendees to experience as they crisscross the floor of the East Coast’s biggest pop culture convention, New York Comic Con (NYCC), held at the Javits Center. The company will feature its multiple Guinness World Record holding Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) in booth #1320 during the show’s October 8 – October 11 run.

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES NEW YORK COMIC CON 2015 EXCLUSIVES!

New York City's most anticipated event will host more exclusive Dark Horse merchandise than ever before!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MILWAUKIE, OR – Dark Horse announces the full line up of 2015 NYCC exclusives, available in the Dark Horse Comics booth #1636!
Dark Horse has produced incredible items for this year’s show, as well as secured a few other extremely limited edition items from our partners!
The list can be found below, available only at the Dark Horse Booth at New York Comic Con 2015!