VIZ Media Delivers Home Media Debut Of JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE Anime Series

Posted by Justin D Williams

VIZ Media delivers kinetic action and adventure to anime fans with the home media release today of JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE Season 1. The new release presents the entire 26-episode opening season of the series inspired by the groundbreaking manga created by Hirohiko Araki (also published by VIZ Media; rated ‘T+ for Older Teens). JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE Season 1 encompasses the complete Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency story arcs. Season 1 is available to audiences as a Limited Edition Blu-ray Set and carries an MSRP of $69.99 U.S. / $81.99 CAN.

Online anime retailer The Right Stuf is offering the set along with a “Word Effects” print, deep-purple cotton bandana as a special gift with purchase. Available while supplies last. The opening season of JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE is set in late 19th century England, where rivals and surrogate brothers Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando discover a mysterious stone mask. The mask is an artifact of an ancient Central American culture and is capable of granting its wearer eternal life, but only at a heavy price. As the dark powers of the Stone Mask are unleashed, the brothers’ actions will define legacies that span generations.

“Fans are going to be enraptured from the very first colorfully bombastic episode of JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE,” says Charlene Ingram,VIZ Media’s Director of Animation Marketing. “Don’t miss this limited edition Blu-ray debut of a series called “legendary” for a reason. We look forward to fans, both long-time and new, joining in on the riveting multi-generational adventures of this epic series!”

Blu-ray episodes are presented in full 1080p HD, 16x9 video and stereo audio featuring English and Japanese dialogue options.  All-new English subtitles have been created for the release. Notable bonus content for the Limited Edition Blu-ray includes a 168-page booklet featuring episode summaries, Director commentary, storyboard art and more, a digital character art gallery and collectible art cards based on art from the original Japanese Blu-ray releases.     The set comes in a fashionable hinged chipboard collector’s box resplendent with foil highlights.

VIZ Media is the master distributor for the JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE anime series and also publishes print and digital editions of the JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE manga series (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens). VIZ Media is also the North American master merchandise licensee for JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE.

Lenni Reviews: "Great Divide" by Ben Fisher and Adam Markiewicz

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

A fragmented human race struggles to live because a mysterious condition has made it so any skin to skin contact will cause one of those people to die an agonizing death. Whoever survives the encounter absorbs the memories of the dead person. While fumbling a heist, Maria and Paul stumble first upon each other then later upon a possible cure.

This comic is a mix of Walking Dead, Crossed, and Y the Last Man (without what made me so uncomfortable about Crossed). It has a unique take on an apocalyptic world with all the darkness that entails while still managing to maintain some humor. I'm glad it's not zombies for once...

The characters and world building here are well thought out and some really original implications of whatever sort of virus like this can do or be used are played with. Thankfully the cast members we're following around play off each other well despite the fact Paul's jokes can get tiresome. I give this a 4 out of 5 for being blessedly original in a genre that sorely needs it.

The Bridge Direct Q'Bert & Centipede Mini Arcade Games Review

Reviewed by Justin D Williams

I check out the The Bridge Direct Q'Bert & Centipede Mini Arcade Games. Qbert and Centipede check out the video review below. Authentic 80's graphics, sounds and game play! Shoot down the Centipede before it gets you!  Move Qbert to each cube in the pyramid before he gets squashed by the bad guys! Replica mini arcade game just like the original Centipede! 3 AA batteries included

Lenni Reviews: "Rainbow Gap" by Lee Lynch

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

This sweeping novel follows Jaudon Vicker and Berry Garland's relationship over the course of 15 years. Set in Florida during the 1950's and 1960's, the book starts from their childhood when the classically girly girl Berry protects the boyish Jaudon from bullying classmates. We are along on their journey through college, Vietnam, even the budding LGBT community all while they stay bonded in a deep and powerful relationship.

You can feel in every word how much love was put into this book. The setting is real enough that you feel transported back in time and the level of detail becomes hypnotic. However, this book also gets bogged down in those details and the actual story slows to a crawl. When the plot moves, dear gods this book is beautiful. Otherwise, you feel every inch of those 342 pages. It's worth it though to get the full impact of Jaudon and Berry's journey. 3.9 out of 5.

Black Optioned For The Big screen

Kwanza Osajyefo, Tim Smith 3, and Jamal Igle's creator-owned title Black has been optioned for film by Studio 8, according to Deadline. Recently published by Black Mask Studios after a successful Kickstarter campaign, Black Mask concerns a world where only black people possess superpowers.

Studio 8's Jon Silk will produce the film, alonside Osajyefo, Smith, and Black Mask's Matt Pizzolo.

No further details or projected release date for Black were reported.

INFO ON THE COMIC.

Last February A new series titled Black explores the science fiction superhero paradigm and delves headlong into issues of race and also simply being an everyday person. Created by former DC editor Kwanza Osajyefo and artist/designer Tim Smith III, Black will be a six-issue series beginning later this year illustrated by Jamal Igle with covers by Khary Randolph.

Lenni Reviews: "Conflict Management" by Rachel White

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

When Morgan's boss, Lawrence, makes a pass at him one too many time, Morgan tells him he will sue Law if he doesn't knock it off. Law obliges and Morgan can finally have normal workdays. That is until Law's brother ends up in the hospital after a suicide attempt, Morgan learns his boss is more than just a former creeper. As they get more friendly, Law's pet project - a merger with another company - has major problems and Morgan may have to be the whistle blower that costs Law his job.

Morgan and Law are so delightfully awkward, I found myself identifying with them right away. White doesn't make her characters overly perfect or overly evil; as evidenced my Morgan's ill-fated relationship with Harvey and the way Law's brother Christopher's schizophrenia is handled. Racism and mental illness can be tricky to include without being preachy or over-exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness. The realistic way the characters are presented made reading through this book enjoyable.

Since the romance takes its time, this is not a book peppered with sex scenes. The focus is more on Morgan and Law's feelings for each other and how the mess going on in the company impacts their professional and private relationships. The smut IS there so this book earns its 18+ status.

My only real gripe would be with Morgan's roommate, Anita. She's the only character who came off cartoonish to me. Luckily she isn't as distracting as a character like that can get. She says her spiel then the plot resumes.

Without blithering on further, I enjoyed the premise and the slow burn romance. I give it a solid 3.7 out of 5.

LEGO Worlds Review

Reviewed by Justin D Williams

EXPLORE. DISCOVER. CREATE. TOGETHER. LEGO® Worlds is an open environment of procedurally-generated Worlds made entirely of LEGO bricks which you can freely manipulate and dynamically populate with LEGO models. Create anything you can imagine one brick at a time, or use large-scale landscaping tools to create vast mountain ranges and dot your world with tropical islands. Drop in prefabricated structures to build and customize any world to your liking. Explore using helicopters, dragons, motorbikes or even gorillas and unlock treasures that enhance your gameplay. Watch your creations come to life through characters and creatures that interact with you and each other in unexpected ways. In LEGO Worlds, anything is possible!