Comic News: Image Comics-WITCHBLADE'S NEW START

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WITCHBLADE'S NEW START






Witchblade Moves to Chicago and Invites New Fans To Join Her




Berkeley, CA – 4 January 2011 – The New Year brings a slew of fresh starts and Witchblade bearer, Sara Pezzini, is no exception. Pezzini will start 2012 in Chicago with a new job and brand new life, thanks to the fresh ongoing creative team of Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH) and Diego Bernard (The Man With No Name).




Sara Pezzini has always been a born and bred New York City detective, in addition to wielding the ancient Artifacts, the Witchblade. That all changes with WITCHBLADE #151, the first issue by Seeley and Bernard, which finds Pezzini living outside of the Big Apple for the first time in the series history and working as a private detective. The mystery of how and why Sara is in Chicago, as well as what else has changed about her situation, will drive the story and reader interest for the coming year. This issue kicks off the 5-part story arc, entitled “Unbalanced Pieces,” in which Sara must find a way to balance her new role in the Windy City.




"WITCHBLADE is a dream project or me: A great character, an epic art and editorial team, and an important legacy in the history of comic books!" said Seeley. "Top Cow is giving me an awesome opportunity to reintroduce Sara Pezzini to new fans, old readers, and to a whole new setting!"




WITCHBLADE #151 is the first issue in Top Cow’s REBIRTH, an initiative spinning out of the end of the ARTIFACTS event, which concludes in ARTIFACTS #13. REBIRTH will provide ground-level entry points for each of Top Cow’s Universe titles - WITCHBLADE, THE DARKNESS, and ARTIFACTS - and ushers in a bold new age of story-telling to coincide with Top Cow’s 20th Anniversary. In addition to containing the full first story by Seeley and Bernard, the issue will include a five page bridging sequence by Ron Marz (MAGDALENA) and John Tyler Christopher (ARTIFACTS) and an ongoing prose story backup feature by Seeley.




WITCHBLADE #151 is a 32-page full-color comic with no ads for $2.99, and will be available in comic stores and digitally today. This issue ships with two wraparound covers by regular cover artist Christopher. For more information, please visit www.topcow.com.

The Secret World Of Arrietty NYICFF Screening

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Hey New York Otakus and Studio Ghibli fans check this out.


THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY
SPECIAL NYICFF EVENT - ONE SHOW ONLY!

Saturday, January 21, 1:00pm - Symphony Space
In English - Recommended All Ages 

Arrietty is a girl of 14, one of the "little people" living secretly with her parents under the floors of an English-style country house. They survive by "borrowing" food and finding ingenious uses for household objects dropped by its inhabitants - a single cube of sugar can last for weeks and a pin makes a great sword for fighting off hungry insects!  But one day a new visitor moves into the empty room upstairs.  Shawn is a delicate, handsome teenage boy who has come to the house to rest and build his strength before a heart operation. When he catches sight of Arreitty he is entranced, and the two begin to form a bond. But with their secret now exposed, the Borrower family worries that they may need to move away and find a new home.  In English, with voice cast including Will Arnett, Carol Burnett, and Amy Poehler. 


Tickets can be brought here http://gkids.tv/intheaters.cfm

Trailer

Are Fillers Good For Anime?

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If your an Otaku and watch Anime constantly, then eventually you will come across an Anime that has fillers. For those who don't know Anime fillers is when the story strays away from the original source material, or plays catch up with the original source material. As many of you know when an Anime is produce sometimes the Manga is still going. This leaves writers and producers with a situation where they must stray away from the story. That means we get plots that have nothing to do with the story, new characters who shouldn't have been created and even the worst of it all an ending that shouldn't have been the ending (Elfen Lied). Fillers are something many Otakus can't stand about Anime, especially when the filler is totally pointless. Some fillers are just a couple of episodes, then there is some that have an entire series of fillers (Naruto, Bleach). Fillers can make or break an Anime, the question is are fillers any good for Anime? Let's examine why fillers might have to happen.


Why Fillers Might Have To Happen: Like stated before a filler can happen due to the Manga series is still ongoing. This leaves the writer of the show to either consult with the Manga writer for the material. Or basically go their own direction with plots and stories that has nothing to do with the original source material. One thing Otakus forget when it comes to Anime, is that the Anime is an adaptation of the Manga. It works the same way in movies. When a movie adapts from a book there will scenes, plots and even characters kept in the book and not seen in the movie. Why is that? Well if everything was adapted one hundred percent, you will not get any real joy from the adaptation would you? You will know everything that happens, there will be no surprises, in some cases to keep a story fresh changes have to be made and fillers must be added.


Are Fillers Good For Anime?: The filler is only good if it makes sense, doesn't contradict the source material and isn't pointless. Seeing an episode in "Dragonball Z" Goku and Piccolo getting there driver's license was pretty pointless, since neither of them ever drove a car again. It didn't move the story along and it wasn't important. A filler needs to have significant, not something to just keep the series running longer. If it's pointless then it should be left out all together. A filler can be good if it has meaning or moves the story along, otherwise it just comes off as an unwanted side mission. Truthfully a filler can be entertaining, but if it drags and takes away from the core story people will lose interest. Fillers is a coin toss up, some fillers win and others lose.

XXX Comic Book Movies

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Hey Otakus and Geeks Fans, with the Avengers movie out this summer and other comic book movies, XXX industry are making their own Comic Book parody's. Some of these film are already out,but for those like me who might have missed them here are some titles you might want to check out.

The Avengers XXX Photos Featuring Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, and Nick Fury


As long as there are horny comic nerds out there, there will always be comic book porn parodies. Here are the photos from the upcoming Avengers XXX, being directed by Axel Braun (Superman XXX, Batman XXX), featuring Lexi Swallows as Ms. Marvel, Brooklyn Lee as Black Widow, and Lexington Steele as Nick Fury.


Ms. Marvel



Natasha Romanoff, AKA Black Widow




Nick Fury



Source: Geekscape.net


Supergirl XXX Parody





Supergirl XXX starring Alanah Rae. For those that enjoy a little story and sexy comic fantasy in their porn, this should be on your watch list. Even Supergirl XXX gets a better flying scene than Smallville. Also starring are Sunny Lane, Andy San Dimas, India Summer, Nina Hartley, Dale Dabone and Buck Fuddy.



Check out the trailer at this link on Youtube:

Source: ComicBookMovie.com

Dear Otakus AND Geeks

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Moshi moshi Otakus AND Geeks!!!!

It's a new year with new goodness to talk about. But today is so NOT that day! The holidays are coming to a close and I hope everyone had a blast in 2011 with some memories to bring forward in 2012.

Be sure to mark your calendars as we begin to journey further into geeky art & fashion WEEKLY here on OtakusandGeeks. EVERY Sunday, I'll be sure to join the gang Sundays at 1pm in posting about some of the coolest with 'This Week in Fashion ... -or- Art ...' but ALWAYS with <3 IKB.

If EVER there's anything that you'd like to see me rant about, want opinions, or have something to share in art or fashion ... or BOTH, please feel free to hit me up!
email
twitter
It's painless, I SWEAR! But I'd love your input on how to make this a better convo between me & you!
;-D

So until next Sunday, enjoy your day of recovery & welcoming 2012 to its first day on the job!
あましておめでとうください！ことしもしろしくございますおねがいします。

<3 IKB!

Comic News: Dark Horse Comics-Win the Dark Horse Presents #10 Release Party! Mike Richardson Visits Your Comic Shop!

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WIN THE DARK HORSE PRESENTS #10 ReLEASE PARTY!


DARK HORSE PRESIDENT MIKE RICHARDSON VISITS YOUR COMIC SHOP!


December 28th, MILWAUKIE, OR - You may be asking yourself why your issue of Previews features Dark Horse president Mike Richardson’s handsome mug.

Well, as we near the landmark tenth issue of Dark Horse’s flagship anthology, we are offering one very lucky comic shop the chance to host the official Dark Horse Presents #10 release party!

In addition to a king’s ransom in prizes, the winning store will receive a visit from Dark Horse president and founder Mike Richardson!

Here’s how the contest works:

Step 1: Cut out the Mike Richardson mask in this issue of Previews. Enter to win by commenting or posting images on the Dark Horse blog (http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/777/mike-richardson-comes-your-store) beginning on December 28. You have until January 31 to tell us why your store deserves a day with Mike Richardson, or post a photo of yourself in the mask in your favorite store. Retailers may post as many photos as they can of store staff, customers, and people off the street. We’ll narrow it down to five finalists based solely on the number of comments and notify them the following day, February 1.

Step 2: After two more weeks of fierce competition, Dark Horse will pick from the five finalists, based subjectively on a combination of volume and creativity of the Mike photos and comments. The winning store will be announced in the February 13 FOC newsletter, and on the Dark Horse blog that same day.

Retailers: Tell us why your store deserves to host this exclusive event! Fans: Here’s your chance to show your comic shop loyalty!

One entry per person.

The party will be held the day Dark Horse Presents #10 is released in stores. One store will win a release-night party package including:

  • 200 various Dark Horse comics to give away
  • 10 trades to give away
  • Dark Horse Comics key chains
  • An assortment of Dark Horse Comics buttons
  • 4 Dark Horse Comics coffee mugs
  • Pizza
  • A store-exclusive Dark Horse Presents miniprint
  • And more!
The other four finalists will each receive 10 copies of Dark Horse Presents #10, signed by the big guy himself.

The fine print: No purchase necessary. You must be eighteen years of age or older to enter. Contest entries only accepted if they are submitted by 11:59p.m. (PDT), Jan. 31st, 2012, to be eligible. Winner will be selected, as determined at Dark Horse's sole discretion, from all applicable entries and will be notified by Feb. 13th, 2012. Entry becomes the property of Dark Horse upon receipt. Entry constitutes agreement by winners to be publicized and permission to use each winner's name for the purposes of promotion of the Contest without further compensation. Contest void where prohibited. Odds of winning dependent on number of entrants.



Gunpoint - Can This Unique Indie Game Steal Your Heart?

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Hey people, Jeff here 


Its been a while but I got to say college is a major drain. I really wanted to show you all this game, Gunpoint. The video here is from the indie developer himself talking about it showing game-play.





It had not been released yet because its still in development and from what I have seen its showing amazing  promise to be some great fun. From what is shown in the game-play preview is that its platforming stealth with a nice little upgrade system and shop for in-between missions. 


The game is mainly by Tom Francis(home-page) who does the coding, game design and other stuff, his words. the art is done by John Roberts(twitter) and Fabian van Dommelen(twitter). The game itself is a unique mix of platforming, puzzle with a little bit of stealth but in to a nice little mix. The game plays pretty simple get in find the computers with the files/sabotage the files and then get out with out being seen. From what is shown you don't have a gun you can how ever tackle the security guards. The levels appear to be open ended and allows you to find your way to solve the puzzle. What makes it so easy to solve puzzles your way is the crosslink. as explained in the video it always you to change what triggers what. as an example Tom uses the crosslink to trigger the light and the door at the same time form the light. its the biggest thing about the game, think portals portal gun and there you go.  


Tom Francis said in the video is looking for input from gamers to know what to do with it price wise. I myself would love for it to be free but with the work going on with it am thinking it would be nice to see this indie sold for 15 bucks max(or less) or see it inside the humble indie bundle(will talk about this later), also Tom wants people to either give him some idea to who the music should be or for people to enter with their own music they think would fit the game.


I do hope all of you get a chance and send him a message about what you think the price should be or if it should be free also if you have some music skill send it to him also he explains in the video how to do it. I will be keeping an eye out on this cant wait to see what happens next with it.


LINKS:
Tom Francis: home - Gunpoint
John Roberts: twitter
Fabian van Dommelen: twitter

Geeks Who Do Music #4 (The Oneups)

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It's time again to showcase amazing geeks who do music. This time we take a look at the band "The Oneups."  The Oneups are from Fayetteville, Arkansas. This band is one of the most dominant acts in the videogame music scene. They have released many albums with over 10,000 sold. Check out their site http://theoneups.com/ The Oneups and take a look at the sounds of The Oneups below.


Anime Plushies PT. 5

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Hey Otakus! It's been a long time since I posted some cool anime plushies. Today I wanted to show some really cool plushies from Yu Yu Hakusho, Fairy Tail, Sailor Moon and Gunslinger Girl. Some of the plushies can be found at Amazon, RightStuf.com and PlushieClub.com. Here are some plushies from Hell Girl. I think the Fairy Tail plushie is so cute. I also like Hell Girl's plushie and the Gunslinger Girls are really awesome!! Check them out. Anime Rules!!!

Comic News: Dark Horse Comics-DARK HORSE PRESENTS #8 (KRISTIAN DONALDSON VARIANT COVER)

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DARK HORSE PRESENTS #8 (KRISTIAN DONALDSON VARIANT COVER)

A brand-new B.P.R.D. story, the beginning of Brian Wood and Kristian Donaldson's The Massive, new Skeleton Key, and the conclusion of Howard Chaykin's Marked Man? Join the legendary anthology as Dark Horse Presents commemorates the 100th Anniversary of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan with Thomas Yeates, unravels the mysteries surrounding Neal Adams's Blood, Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson's Beasts of Burden returns, and more great comics! * Brand-new B.P.R.D., the conclusion of Chaykin's Marked Man and more!
On sale February 1, 2012 - 80 Pages - No ads.






The Art Of Mass Effect Universe Review

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Title - Art Of Mass Effect Universe 
Authors - Casey Hudson, Derek Watts 
Pages - 186


Mass Effect is one of the new generation's most beloved gaming franchises. It is one of the most anticipated games for 2012, and with Mass Effect 3 setting for release in March. Fans will be happy to know that a great concept art book is on the way in February. "The Art Of Mass Effect Universe" gives fans a deep look at the designs, concept art and sketches of Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 2 and the upcoming Mass Effect 3. The art is fantastic from early designs of Saren, to planets, armor, weapons. The book gives great insight on why some designs didn't work, why this type of color was used, details on how characters are drawn. If your a fan of Mass Effect and want to know more insight on the universe, this is the book to get. It has tons of great artwork, with 186 pages of content you can't go wrong. The only thing is if you don't want to know anything at all about Mass Effect 3 and the designs, hold off the last chapter. The book is a great love letter to Mass Effect fans, and it's very informative on the designs, characters and planets. Fans will not be disappointed. Final Grade A-/9.0.


Art Of Mass Effect Universe will be released February 8th 2010. You can preorder the book here Pre Order Art Of Mass Effect Universe

Comic News: Dark Horse Comics- The Return of Nexus in Dark Horse Presents 12

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THE RETURN OF NEXUS!

COMING TO DARK HORSE PRESENTS #12!

December 22, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Comics announces the return of Nexus in Dark Horse Presents #12.

The fan-favorite title returns with its team of creators, Mike Baron (The Badger) and Steve Rude (The Moth), in their respective positions of writer and artist! Baron and Rude created Nexus in 1981 and have been continuing their canonical tale for thirty years. The Eisner Award winners will craft a brand-new three-part story for readers eager to quench their thirst for what’s next to come in the Nexusverse.

“The new stories crush anvils,” says Mike Baron.

“Nexus has never been a stranger to different publishers. Last seen under the Rude Dude banner in 2009, Nexus has stayed in limbo, never quite knowing when to return, or if he ever would return. Things come together in strange ways. With the backing of Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Comics, Nexus will return to comics,” Steve Rude said. “We especially look forward to the response of Nexus’s devoted fans, and thank them for the wonderful support and encouragement they’ve given us since the book’s debut in 1981!”

Dark Horse Presents #12 is on sale May 2012.

Robotech Fanfiction: Entry #4 The Long Wait

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Justin Notes - The following Fanfiction is based on the events of Robotech: The Macross Saga. The story of the Macross Saga will be seen through the eyes of a Macross Island civilian. I wanted to tell a story of the Robotech War from a civilian’s point of view. The Fanfiction is told through journal entries from the civilian. In entry 4 Kenji tells finally breaks the news.

Entry 4 - The Long Wait
Entry Date - February 14, 2014
Entry Name - Kenji Takeda

You know when you have done something wrong, and it seems that time slows down until you admit what you've done. That's how I felt when waiting and trying to figure out how I was going to tell Sakura about Rika's death. Names after names were called in the shelter, as families and friends were united. Here I was waiting for a name to be called that wasn't going to be called. I knew it was time for me to tell Sakura. I decided that I will break to her in the most painless way possible. 

"Sakura... I have something to say." 

Sakura turns around with a lovely, but painful look on her face. That kind of face that is ready to hear some heartbreaking news, but have comfort in it. I think the word I'm trying to describe is solace. Just when I'm about to utter the words, the ground begins to shake. A light takes over the shelter and we are instantly floating into space. Everyone is screaming and in awe of the instant transpire events. Sakura is holding her hand over her heart and looks confused about what just happen. We hear fighter jets approaching the shelter, then a voice is heard.

"This is Commander Roy Fokker, please remain calm. We have executed a Space Fold and will now transport all civilians into the SDF-1. Please follow instructions in an orderly fashion, and above all else remain calm."

"Sakura... there is something I have to tell you when we board the SDF-1." I had a strange feeling that things were going to get a little crazy, it was time to confess to my wrong doings. Sakura look at me with a sad look on her face, and took my hand and gently squeezed it.

"I can see it in your eyes Kenji. Rika isn't coming. That explains why your Dragon Chain is a little damaged doesn't it? What happen to my daughter?"

I can't explain the amount of guilt that entered my body in that moment. I gave a big sigh and proceeded to tell Sakura how Rika died. The long wait was over and now all that's left is what reaction will Sakura give. As I went into details about Rika's death, she gripped on my hands tighter and sorrow turned into anger. Sakura then let's go off my hand and slaps me across the face.

"I will never forgive you. Why didn't leave when she asked you? You could have prevented all of this." 

Sakura let's go of my hand and walks away from me.  I knew from right there that I was now alone, alone in space with no family, no friends, nobody to turn too. My life was about to take a major transformation.




Final Fantasy XIII-2 Characters Trailer

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Here is a the new trailer for Final Fantasy XIII-2. Take a closer look at the clash between Lightning and Caius, the most powerful nemesis she's ever encountered. Wrap your eyes around brand-new footage of Noel and Serah, and other returning characters, Snow and Hope.

Comic News: Conan The Barbarian #1 Preview

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Hey comic heads here is the official look at Conan The Barbarian #1.
 In this sweeping adaptation of Robert E. Howard's fan-favorite "Queen of the Black Coast," Conan turns his back on the civilized world and takes to the high seas alongside the pirate queen Bêlit, setting the stage for an epic of romance, terror, and swashbuckling. This is Conan as you've never seen him, with the combination of one of Robert E. Howard's greatest tales and the most dynamic creative team in comics!

Comic News: Avatar Press-New Ongoing, Bi-Weekly CROSSED: BADLANDS Comic Book Series & Worldwide C-Day Store Event

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Worldwide “C-Day” Event Kicks Off New Ongoing, Bi-Weekly CROSSED: BADLANDS Series



Responding to overwhelming fan and retailer support for their wildly successful comic book horror franchise, Avatar Press announces today the launch of a new, ongoing CROSSED comic book series on March 14, 2012, with a bi-weekly release schedule and its first story arc reuniting the creative team of superstar writer Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Punisher) and original series artist Jacen Burrows (NEONOMICON). Concurrent story arcs will be spearheaded by well-established comic book writers such as Jamie Delano (Hellblazer) and David Lapham (Stray Bullets). The worldwide release of CROSSED: BADLANDS will be marked by a special “C-Day” in-store event for comic shop retailers, designed to maximize comic fan awareness and drive sales for area retailers.



Since its debut miniseries in 2008, CROSSED has captured the attention of comic book fans across the world with the high tension and visceral horror of its premise: in moments, a viral contagion spread over the face of the Earth, turning much of the populace into sadistically evil psychopaths. The CROSSED: BADLANDS series will present tales from all over the globe, with each story arc provided by a different creative team. Beginning with issue #1, Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows relate a story of a young Englishman, scrambling to avoid roving bands of the “Crossed,” while simultaneously dealing with the traumatic death of his wife.



The return of Ennis and Burrows to the CROSSED universe has been one long demanded by readers. Regarding his return to script the new CROSSED: BADLANDS series, Ennis says, “It feels cold and bleak and bad and dark, which is exactly how I hoped it would. You don’t write CROSSED with the sun shining in your heart; you write it around midwinter, watching the long night devour the feeble day.”



Artist Jacen Burrows has dedicated several months to the artwork of the first BADLANDS story arc, working ahead to accommodate the bi-weekly publishing schedule. While his most recent sequential artwork was showcased in Alan Moore’s NEONOMICON, a critically-acclaimed Lovecraftian horror series, he has been consistently contributing to CROSSED as a cover artist for every single tie-in comic book (including the FAMILY VALUES and PSYCHOPATH miniseries, as well as the best-selling original graphic novel, CROSSED 3D). His recent body of work has solidified his reputation as a master storyteller of both subtle, atmospheric horror and visceral, bloody gore.



“The horror genre has been through a lot as it has gotten more popular in the mainstream. It’s been abused and defanged by charlatans out for a quick buck, those who make one-dimensional, generic, formulaic product,” says Burrows. “With CROSSED, we want to do real horror that pushes the envelope so we can explore the limits of the human condition. It isn’t about violence so much as showing the stakes the characters are facing, and it is our willingness to go to that edge that makes the world so affecting.”



To promote the launch of CROSSED: BADLANDS, Avatar Press is working with Diamond Comic Distributors and retailers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom to celebrate “C-Day,” an in-store event meant to expand readership and drive sales for comic shops. C-Day Survival Kits will be available to retailers, containing promotional goods including posters, counter displays, temporary tattoos, buttons, posters, masks, and rare Bonus Edition comics. As a tool for retailers, Avatar Press will simultaneously release the CROSSED: GET INFECTED C-DAY EDITION comic book, a special reissue of the first-ever CROSSED story that serves as a perfect introduction to the entire series.


CROSSED: BADLANDS #1 Regular Edition $3.99





CROSSED: BADLANDS #1 Torture Edition $3.99




CROSSED: BADLANDS #1 Wraparound Edition $3.99





CROSSED: BADLANDS #2 Regular Edition $3.99




CROSSED: BADLANDS #2 Torture Edition $3.99




CROSSED: BADLANDS #2 Wraparound Edition $3.99