Aniplex of America and Bang Zoom Entertainment to Host Open Auditions for Magi 2

Aniplex of America announced at their industry panel at Sakura-Con in Seattle, Washington, their plans to produce an English dub of Magi: The Kingdom of Magic, the second season of the fan-favorite Magi anime series. Aniplex of America has also announced that along with Bang Zoom! Entertainment, they plan to hold open auditions for Magi: The Kingdom of Magic at this year’s Anime Expo. The open auditions will be held at the Bang Zoom! Entertainment booth through the entire Anime Expo 2014 weekend starting from Thursday July 3rd plans to hold multiple auditions on each day. Fans who are interested in participating in these open auditions for Magi: The Kingdom of Magic are encouraged to like the official Bang Zoom! Entertainment facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BangZoom) as details on the audition such as the time-slots and how to sign up will be revealed there soon. Both Aniplex of America and Bang Zoom! Entertainment expect an extremely high participation rate this year, so fans are advised to sign-up early to avoid missing the audition time-slots. 

Over 400 people tried out at last year’s open auditions, and from that, several were chosen for call back auditions at Bang Zoom! Studios in Burbank. From those call backs, three finalists were chosen to voice over various characters for the first season of the TV series “Magi.” Sawako Furuya, producer of Aniplex of America says, “We’re excited to be able to provide this opportunity to ambitious voice actor apprentices once again. We had a wonderful experience for the first season with last year’s call-backs so we’re looking forward to welcoming more earnest, passionate dream-chasers into Team Magi this year.” “We’re thrilled to be able to give loyal fans a chance to show us their raw talent,” says Eric P. Sherman, President and CEO of Bang Zoom! Entertainment. Sherman shared that last year’s open auditions were a bigger success than anyone expected. “People even flew in from all over the country to audition. It was truly inspiring!” Because of that Bang Zoom has decided to add more time-slots this year so more aspiring voice actors will have a chance to have their voices heard.

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Batman Assault On Arkham Animated Feature With Kevin Conroy

Warner Home Entertainment will be releasing a new DC Comics animated feature  Batman: Assault On Arkham this Fall. The story is set in the Arkham video game universe as well as featuring voice talents from the game and new animation. Unlike the game, Batman will not be a solo act in this feature, as he is joined by Task Force X (Better Known as The Suicide Squad).

BATMAN: ASSAULT ON ARKHAM is directed by Jay Oliva and will feature the voices of Kevin Conroy as Batman, Neal McDonough as Floyd Lawton/Deadshot, Hynden Walch and Matthew Gray Gubler. There is no current release date for the animated feature. Check out the trailer below and tell us what you think.

Unlike the games, though, Batman won’t be a solo act in this mission, as he’s joined by Task Force X, better known to comic book fans as the Suicide Squad.

Read More: The Suicide Squad Strikes In New 'Assault On Arkham' Feature | http://comicsalliance.com/batman-assault-on-arkham-kevin-conroy-animated-feature-video-games/?trackback=tsmclip

Unlike the games, though, Batman won’t be a solo act in this mission, as he’s joined by Task Force X, better known to comic book fans as the Suicide Squad.

Read More: The Suicide Squad Strikes In New 'Assault On Arkham' Feature | http://comicsalliance.com/batman-assault-on-arkham-kevin-conroy-animated-feature-video-games/?trackback=tsmclip

by Sean Tucker

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Time Is Illmatic Review

"Deep like the Shining, sparkle like a diamond. Sneak a Uzi on the island in my army jacket lining. Hit the Earth like a comet – invasion! Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half-man, half-amazing." - Nas from the song "It Aint Hard To Tell."

It's one of my favorite lyrics from one of the greatest rap albums of all time. If you're a fan of Hip Hop, then it's a good chance you heard of rapper by the name of Nas. You probably also heard of an album that change the landscapes of lyricism called "Illmatic." There is no doubt that Nas has put his mark in the music world and in Hip Hop. However it's his first album that still spawns so much praise. Illmatic has spawn books from authors like Michael Eric Dyson who analyze Ilmatic from a social stand point. Illmatic has spawn references in other songs and remixes. Now Illmatic gets it's own documentary entitled "Time Is Illmatic." 

"Time Is Illmatic" tells the story of Nas from his early beginnings to the release of his first album. If you wanted an in depth look at Nas where he grew up, how his environment shape him this is the documentary for you. Fans of Nas have heard the story of how grew up, how Queensbridge shaped him into the icon that he is today. However this documentary not only shows you his beginnings but gives a more deeper look into his upbringing. Nas gives you a more inside look at his family. He tells stories of his mother Ann Jones and the relationship she had with his father Jazz musician Olu Daru. We also get in depth interviews from his father, his brother and rappers that paved the way for him. The documentary does a great job of showing how some songs were made, or what inspired them. The documentary however doesn't show the effect the album had on a culture. It didn't explore how it inspire an entire generation of talent that we see today. It's main focus is telling the story on how Nas grew up and gave birth to Illmatic. I would have loved to hear how Nas influence other people's careers like Lupe Fiasco and many more of today's artist. Overall "Time Is Illmatic" is a good documentary telling the story of Nas early days. Fans who seen his "Behind The Music" special will say it's nothing new under the sun. Instead approach this documentary with a fresh take on Nas beginnings. 

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K Review

Ashinaka High School is known for its unique setting: the entire campus is built on an island. Yashiro Isana, aka Shiro, is having lunch with a cat on one of the school rooftops. After his lunch break, Shiro goes on an errand for his classmate Kukuri to prepare for their upcoming school festival, only to be chased by some intimidating-looking men.

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Cold In July Trailer Starring Michael C. Hall

How can a split-second decision change your life? On a sweltering Texas summer night in 1989, husband and father Richard Dane (Dexter’s Michael C. Hall) awakens to the sound of a burglar breaking into his home. In a panic, he shoots the intruder dead—but this nightmare is only just beginning. Although he’s hailed as a small-town hero, Dane soon finds himself fearing for his family’s safety when the burglar’s ex-con father, Ben (Sam Shepard), rolls into town; hell-bent on revenge. However, not all is as it seems. Misled by the cops and desperate for answers, Richard embarks on an increasingly berserk, bloodstained quest to discover what really happened that night. The plot twists pile up faster than the body count in this blistering mystery of vengeance and vice, directed by Jim Mickle

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Marvel Unveils Wondercon 2014 Panel Lineups

Today Marvel announced the panel lineup for the upcoming Wondercon 2014. You can read the details below.  

Saturday, April 19th

MARVEL: All-New Marvel NOW!
Time: 7:30pm
Location: 300DE

Want to start reading Marvel Comics?  There’s no better time than Marvel NOW!  And there’s no better place to learn about all our thrilling and creatively diverse All-New Marvel NOW series than this panel!   Panelists include EditorSana Amanat and writers Kelly Sue DeConnick (Captain Marvel), Joshua Hale Fialkov (Amazing Spider-Man: Who Am I?, Ultimate FF), James Robinson (Fantastic Four, All-New Invaders), and Mark Waid (Daredevil, Hulk)!
Sunday, April 20th

MARVEL: Breaking Into Comics the Marvel Way
Time: 11:00am
Location: 207

Are you a writer or artist?  Ever dream of working for Marvel?  Do you find yourself thinking "I could do that, if I knew how!"  Well, here's your chance!  Join Editor Sana Amanat and panelists Kris Anka (X-Men), Kelly Sue DeConnick(Captain Marvel), Sam Humphries (Avengers A.I.), Steve Lieber (Superior Foes of Spider-Man), Richard Isanove (Savage Wolverine), Marjorie Liu (Astonishing X-Men), James Robinson (Fantastic Four, All-New Invaders), and Mark Waid(Daredevil, Hulk) to find out how to get your foot in the door at MARVEL!

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Disney Space Moutain Gets Graphic Novel

Disney's famous attraction at Walt Disney World is getting a new kind of incarnation. This time Space Moutain will come to you in a form of graphic novel. The graphic novel is written by Bryan Q. Miller (Arrow, Smallville). The year is 2125 and the Magellan Science Academy has given two lucky cadets special Thulium tickets to join a team of space explorers on an exciting time-travel mission twenty-four hours into the future. But when their mission goes unexpectedly wrong, the two kids must band together with a tiny flying saucer sidekick to save themselves, their crew, and all of Space Mountain--before time runs out and the galaxy is destroyed!

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New Clips From STARZ’ “DA VINCI’S DEMONS” Episode 5

Leonardo reunites with Riario and Nico in the New World. Lorenzo attempts to save Florence with the help of an old flame. Clarice struggles to retain control of the Medici Bank. Clip: “Vespuccia”featuring Tom Riley (Leonardo da Vinci), Gregg Chillin (Zoraster) & Lee Boardman (Amerigo Vespucci) Clip: “Learned Tongue” featuring Carolina Guerra (as Ima) & Tom Riley (Leonardo da Vinci)

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VIZ Media Announces Novel Tie In Release For Tom Cruise's Edge Of Tomorrow

VIZ Media’s Haikasoru literary imprint supports the upcoming release of the gripping sci-fi action film, Edge of Tomorrow with the release of an official movie tie-in novel on April 29th. The new EDGE OF TOMORROW paperback release will carry an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN. The book features a cover with the official movie poster featuring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt in their title roles from the film. The EDGE OF TOMORROW novel was written by Japanese author Hiroshi Sakurazaka, and was previously published as ALL YOU NEED IS KILL.

The Haikasoru imprint has also announced the May 6th release of the ALL YOU NEED IS KILL official graphic novel adaptation. Written by Haikasoru editor and noted sci-fi author, Nick Mamatas, and featuring full-color artwork by popular comic book artist Lee Ferguson (Green Arrow, Miranda Mercury), the new graphic novel offers a single-volume retelling of the original ALL YOU NEED IS KILL novel that inspired the EDGE OF TOMORROW movie. The graphic novel carries an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN, and features an oversized North American graphic novel trim size of 6 5/8" x 10 ¼”. An eBook edition will also be available worldwide for $8.99 (U.S. / CAN) for the Amazon Kindle, Apple’s iBooks Store, Barnes & Noble’s Nook Book Store, and the Kobo eBooks Store. North American fans can also access the graphic novel digitally on the VIZ Manga App as well as through VIZManga.com.

The Edge of Tomorrow feature film is slated for U.S. release from Warner Bros. Pictures on June 6th, and will be presented in 3D and 2D in select theaters, and 3D IMAX. The movie is directed by Doug Liman and stars Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton.

The story is set in the future when aliens called Mimics invade. Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. But he dies on the battlefield after only a few minutes, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally – the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji's escape or his final death?

In 2009, ALL YOU NEED IS KILL served as the launch title for Haikasoru, a unique imprint developed by VIZ Media dedicated to publishing the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences. New York Times best-selling author John Scalzi declared ALL YOU NEED IS KILL to be a novel that, "reads fast, kicks ass, and keeps on coming," and it has proven to be one of Haikasoru's most popular titles. Sakurazaka's other novels include Characters (co-written with Hiroki Azuma) and SLUM ONLINE, which was published in English by Haikasoru in 2010.

“Live…die…repeat. ALL YOU NEED IS KILL / EDGE OF TOMORROW delivers a nightmarish, action-packed spin on reliving one’s own triumphs, and failures,” says Nick Mamatas, Editor, Haikasoru. “Catch the original story that inspired the gripping movie with the official movie tie-in edition and in the Western comic book mode with the ALL YOU NEED IS KILL official graphic novel. Both of these debuts are perfect reads leading up to the highly anticipated theatrical debut of Edge of Tomorrow this summer!”

"The ALL YOU NEED TO KILL graphic novel stays very true to the original source novel," says Joel Enos, editor for the new comic. "We made a conscious effort to create something unique that could stand on it's own away from both the original novel, the film and the upcoming manga, but would nicely complement and pay respects to all three! Lee's retro-futuristic art style especially puts ALL YOU NEED TO KILL as a comic into it's own orbit!"

Author Hiroshi Sakurazaka was born in Tokyo in 1970 and published his first novel, Modern Magic Made Simple, in 2003 with Super Dash Bunko, a popular young adult light novel imprint. There are now seven volumes in the series, and it was adapted as a manga in 2008 and became a television anime series in 2009. His 2004 short story, "Saitama Chainsaw Massacre," also won the 16th SF Magazine Reader's Award. Sakurazaka published All You Need Is Kill with Super Dash Bunko in 2004 and earned his first Seiun Award nomination for best of the year honors in Japanese science fiction. In 2010, Sakurazaka started an experimental digital magazine AiR with fellow author Junji Hotta. He remains one of Japan's most energetic writers of both light novels and adult science fiction.

Haikasoru’s Nick Mamatas is the author of several novels, including The Damned Highway (with Brian Keene) and Love is the Law. His short fiction has appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction, Tor.com, Weird Tales, and numerous other venues. He's also written comics for Media Blasters and the Squid Works! Collective and has been nominated for the Hugo, World Fantasy, Bram Stoker, and Shirley Jackson awards.

Artist Lee Ferguson has worked in comics since 2001, when he broke in at Marvel on the 9/11 Heroes tribute book, followed by work on the company's X-Men titles. Since then, he's worked at DC, IDW, and Dynamite, while also putting out Freak, his creator-owned project from Image Comics. His newest book is The Many Adventures of Miranda Mercury, co-created with Brandon Thomas and published through Archaia Comics. In 2012, Miranda Mercury was on YALSA’s Best Graphic Novels for Teens list and was also nominated for four Glyph Awards, including Best Artist.

For more information on EDGE OF TOMORROW / ALL YOU NEED IS KILL and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit www.haikasoru.com.

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Amazing Spider-Man #1.1 Preview

From that fateful night he lost his Uncle Ben, a new life began. But there is more to the story of how Peter Parker became the Amazing Spider-Man.

“We all love a good ‘Year One’ story,” says Senior Editor Nick Lowe. “But this is so much MORE! Not only does this address Spider-Man’s past, but it sets up a new villain that will be a huge part of Dan Slott’s AMAZING SPIDER-MAN plans moving forward.”

We all know how Peter Parker learned responsibility, but this series tells the story of how Spider-Man became the super hero we all know and love! Set within the first 60 days of his webslinging career,Learning to Crawl is an all-new tale set parallel to the character’s first appearance in 1962’s Amazing Fantasy #15 and 1963’s Amazing Spider-Man #1 - #3 that will blaze new trails for upcomingAmazing Spider-Man story arcs in Dan Slott’s new series!

“It’s one thing to know that with great power comes great responsibility, but what do you do with it?” says series writer Dan Slott, in an interview with Marvel.com.

 

 

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Soundwall Combines Art With Sound

Remember the days of the stereo system where you use to insert your CD's or Casette tape? Do you remember how annoying connecting the wires were? What if you could have your favorite piece of artwork or photograph customized to also be a wireless sound system in your home and office? Now you can with Soundwall. Soundwall’s innovative design solves the problem of unsightly speakers, wires and cables in your living space. Simply hang up your framed Soundwall, plug it in, connect to your WIFI – then play music via AirPlay from any Apple device and UPnP for Android devices. I personally find this tech very intriguing. Imagine no stereo or surround sound all you need is a Wi-Fi or tablet and the Soundwall device. Every room can have there own Soundwall in the house. Soundwall has apparently capture the eye of celebrities like P.Diddy, as seen below he gave a customized Soundwall to his son Christian for his 16th birthday.

Soundwall In Action There are 3 ways to customize the look of your Soundwall:
Choose an image from our online Gallery (think Kandinsky)
Upload your personal image for us to Print (think last month’s Hawaii vaca)
Paint original art on a blank Soundwall (think your friend the starving artist)

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Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie Teaser Trailer

Kevin Smith returns with an all new Jay & Silent Bob film. This time however it's animated with "Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groove Cartoon Movie." Stoners, Jay and Silent Bob, hit the lottery jackpot, and use their cash windfall to become crime-fighting superheroes. Check out the teaser trailer below.

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Zach Braff's "Wish I Was Here" New Teaser Trailer

Director Zach Braff's follow-up to his indie breakout hit "Garden State" is a comedy telling the story of a thirtysomething man who finds himself at major crossroads, which forces him to examine his life, his career, and his family. Check out the trailer below. I love "Garden State" and this trailer looks really intriguing. It even features one of my favorite songs "Simple Song" by The Shins

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Star Trek: Live In Concert Announced

One of pop culture’s most iconic franchises is about to be seen and heard in a brand new way. CBS Consumer Products, Paramount Pictures, 21st Century Symphony Orchestra, IMG Artists and the Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency will launchStar Trek: Live in Concert featuring the Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness films. The events will celebrate the extraordinary collaboration between film and music as Michael Giacchino's scores are brought to life on stage with J.J. Abrams’ blockbuster films shown simultaneously in high definition on the big screen.
 
Debuting in Europe this May with performances in the UK and Switzerland,Star Trek: Live in Concert will premiere in the U.S. this July in Houston and San Diego. The San Diego Symphony performance will coincide with Comic-Con International in July. The Philadelphia Orchestra also will performStar Trek Into Darkness at the Mann Center in Philadelphia in late July.

Star Trek: Live in Concert
makes its way to Canada in March 2015 at the Sony Centre in Toronto. Performances in additional cities and countries will be announced soon.
 
The current Star Trek: Live in Concert tour schedule includes:
 
May 24, 2014:
 Star Trek Into Darkness with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at the KKL Concert Hall in Lucerne, Switzerland
 
May 25, 2014:
 Star Trek Into Darkness with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at the KKL Concert Hall in Lucerne, Switzerland
 
May 29, 2014:
 Star Trek (2009) with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at Royal Albert Hall in London, UK
 
May 30, 2014:
 Star Trek Into Darkness with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at Royal Albert Hall in London, UK
 
May 31, 2014:
 Star Trek (2009) with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at Royal Albert Hall in London, UK
 
May 31, 2014:
Star Trek Into Darkness with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at Royal Albert Hall in London, UK
 
July 18, 2014:
Star Trek (2009) with the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall in Houston, TX
 
July 19, 2014:
Star Trek Into Darkness with the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall in Houston, TX
 
July 26, 2014:
Star Trek (2009) with the San Diego Symphony at Embarcadero Marina Park South in San Diego, CA
 
July 31, 2014:
 Star Trek Into Darkness with the Philadelphia Orchestra at theMann Center inPhiladelphia, PA
 
March 21, 2015:
Star Trek (2009) with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony at the Sony Centre in Toronto, Canada

Visit StarTrekConcerts.com for ticket information and the latest tour schedule.

 

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