New Final Fantasy Theatrhythm Screenshots

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This is one the of the 3DS games I really can't wait to play. As a fan of Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy Music, a music game catering to those compositions is sure to be a hit. Here is some details on character progression and the new screenshots.


Players can level up characters and improve skills by fighting monsters, exploring the world and completing events. Characters with high Strength or Magic skills can more easily defeat monsters in battle; Characters with high Agility can travel greater distances in the field with an increased chance of finding treasures. Characters with high Luck have greater odds of finding rare items and can avoid taking damage more easily. Each character has a unique set of Abilities that aid in completing stages.

Book Review - “The Navidad Incident: The Downfall of Matías Guili”

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Image source: Amazon.com
Let me start this right away with this caveat: This book is NOT an easy read. If you’re expecting a light hearted whodunit or a fast paced thriller about the disappearance of a buss full of Japanese WWII veterans and the frantic search to locate them, you’ll be disappointed.

“The Navidad Incident” is less about the vanishing bus than the fall of the president of the island nation, Matias Guili. Guili is in negotiations with Japan to store a cache of oil on Navidad’s shores. At the same time, the veterans come to visit, board a bus for a tour and are never seen again.

As you read, you learn of the complicated history of Guili and the relations between Navidad and Japan. Guili was an orphan who never knew is father; possibly a Japanese soldier who was one of many to occupy Navidad. Guili crawled his way up into power and hopes to keep his nation from falling under the influence of Japan again. He sees his goal as trying to do his best for his country, not seem weak to Japan, and locate this bus of missing people before it turns into an international incident.

“Navidad” is a slow book but that doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable. For me, it was like a 10,000 piece puzzle; riveting while in it but once you stop, it’s a job to pick it up again. The imagery is lush and the translation is smooth so you won’t get tripped up by poorly translated colloquial phrases.

If you’re looking for an interesting, intellectually challenging treatise on colonialism mixed with modern myth, I recommend this book.

100 Years of Kimono Exhibit

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Great Sunday kits, kittens, and otakus & geeks! This share was A LOT for my life. A good friend of mine and I got a chance to partake in seeing the exhibit "100 Years of Kimono" for the centennial celebration of the gift of Cherry Blossoms in the US. Sounds like it should be fancy, right?!

Unfortunately, this exhibit did nothing for me! The kimono, don't get me wrong, were GORGEOUS. But being crammed into some "conference room" labeled 'gallery' that was set up for a lunch conference buffet thingy was not the move.

While I was totally interested in gib=ving you all play by play and setting the mood of how the kimono were displayed so rich, with soft lights, and some in cases ... blah blah blah ...
NOT!!
So! Let's forget about all that jazz and see kimono, shall we?!
These were some of my favorite kimono and next to them are some detail snippets of the kinomo.


 

 

Obi: Sorry, they were extremely hard to photograph, but I think you'll get it.

    
   
More kimono. The fabric and color in these were extremely rich, though not among the favorites, for my style/ taste. Maybe they'd suit you or another reader better. But they were definitely worth the share!




 More Kimono detail :
I took pictures of these for tattoo reference but I couldn't be selfish! ;-D



 

Until next time kiddies!
~je t'adore
<3 IKB






Avengers vs X-Men Vol 0 & 1 Review

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Hey Otakus and Geeks Fans, Sean ( The Comic Guy ) and here is a video Review of Avengers vs X-Men.  I wanna give you quick back story of the Phoenix saga and what has led up to Avengers vs X-men.

Avengers vs. X-Men, abbreviated as AvX, is a limited series comic book crossover to be published by Marvel Comics, beginning in April 2012, that involves the return of the Phoenix Force, and the subsequent war between the Avengers (consisting of the main team, the New Avengers, and the Secret Avengers) and the X-Men, and the emergence of a future Age of Ultron, as foreshadowed in Marvel Point One. It will be a 12-issue limited series, released bi-weekly, following the Avengers: X-Sanction and X-Men: Regenesis line.
The event is preceded by Avengers vs. X-Men #0, which was published in March 2012. According to Marvel, Avengers vs. X-Men is the result of all the threads from the Fear Itself, X-Men: Schism, and Avengers: The Children's Crusade stories coming together.

"The Dark Phoenix Saga" is an extended X-Men storyline in the fictional Marvel Comics Universe, focusing on Jean Grey and thePhoenix Force, and ending in Grey's apparent death. It was written by Chris Claremont with art by Dave Cockrum and John Byrne.
It is sometimes divided into two parts, with the "Phoenix Saga" (The X-Men #101-108, 1976–1977) referring to Grey's seeming assumption of the Phoenix power and the repair of the M'Kraan Crystal, and the "Dark Phoenix Saga" (The X-Men #129-138, 1980) referring to her corruption and fall. It is one of the most well-known and heavily referenced stories in mainstream American superhero comics, and widely considered a classic.
It was adapted for the X-Men animated series, and alluded to in the movie X2: X-Men United. A third movie, X-Men: The Last Stand, released in 2006, contains some elements from the saga. Wolverine and the X-Men adapted the Dark Phoenix Saga at the end of its first season, changing many things to make it a fresh and new version.

In comic books, readers know the Phoenix as a psionic cosmic entity linked to Jean Grey. This was not how the character was written in the original story — there, the Phoenix actually was Jean, at the very peak of her power. Returning from a mission in space, the story told of Jean being exposed to the deadly radiation of a solar flare, and briefly attaining her ultimate potential as a telepath and telekinetic. In this moment, Jean became a being of pure thought, and then reformed herself upon return to Earth with the new costume, identity and power of "Phoenix". It was with this incredible power that Jean repaired the fractured M'Kraan Crystal, but voluntarily restrained her powers afterward in order to keep them under control.
Her vast potential made her a target for the illusionist Mastermind, who was attempting to prove himself in order to join the prestigious Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club. With the help of a mind-tap device created by the White Queen, Emma Frost, Mastermind (using the alias Jason Wyngarde) was able to project his illusions directly into Phoenix's mind. These illusions caused her to believe that she was reliving the memories of her ancestor, Lady Grey, who in Mastermind's illusions, was Wyngarde's lover. Phoenix was subverted into joining the Hellfire Club as their Black Queen, a decadent role that would allow her to relish the extremes of human emotion and began to break down the barriers that she had erected.
When the X-Men came to her rescue, they were captured by the Inner Circle, and Jean's true love Cyclops faced Mastermind in a psychic duel. When Mastermind killed Cyclops' psychic image, it served to break his hold over Jean's psyche and shattered the final barriers on her power. Experiencing this power in its totality, along with the decadent role she had just played, overwhelmed Jean entirely, and she renamed herself the "Dark Phoenix". The X-Men battled her, but were easily defeated by her power before she departed for the heavens. Intent on satiating her hunger, Dark Phoenix created a wormhole and transported herself to a distant galaxy. Without a thought of the consequences, she dove into the heart of the D'Bari star and devoured its energy, causing the star to go nova — killing billions of innocent aliens in the process. Dark Phoenix was then attacked by a Shi'ar vessel to prevent her from destroying other stars. Dark Phoenix easily defeated her foes, but not before they were able to alert the Shi'ar Empress Lilandra. Gathering a host of intergalactic associates, including the Kree and Skrull empires, the council concluded that Dark Phoenix was an even more serious threat than the planet-consumingGalactus and must be destroyed because she had the power to destroy the entire Universe.
On Earth, the X-Men were greeted by Avengers member (and former X-Man) Beast. He had designed a device which would neutralize Phoenix's powers long enough for them to defeat her. Dark Phoenix returned to Earth, to her family's home, and was subsequently attacked by the X-Men. During a vicious psionic battle with her mentor, Charles Xavier, he was able to rebuild the psychic "circuit-breakers" in her mind which reduced Dark Phoenix's powers to more reasonable levels and allowed Jean's personality to reassert control, curtailing the destructive impulses of Dark Phoenix.

Phoenix consumes a star, inadvertently killing billions of people.
The Shi'ar then abducted the X-Men, told them of Dark Phoenix's casual genocide, and indicated that she must be put to death because of it. Xavier, who was romantically involved with the Shi'ar Empress, challenged Lilandra to Arin'n Haelar, a Shi'ar duel of honor that cannot be refused. After conferring with her allies, who insisted the contest be staged to ensure a guaranteed victory on their part, Lilandra ceded to Xavier's demand.
The next day, the X-Men and the Shi'ar Imperial Guard were teleported to the Blue Area of the Moon where they would do battle, with the victors deciding the fate of Phoenix. The Imperial Guard, led by Gladiator, was able to defeat all of the X-Men, leaving Cyclops and Phoenix alone to make a final stand against them. When a stray bolt of energy hit Cyclops, Jean Grey's panic overrode the psychic circuit-breakers Xavier had placed within her mind and the full might of Phoenix's powers was once more unleashed. At this point, Lilandra abandoned the delicate approach and ordered Plan Omega, which would consist of destroying the whole solar system in hopes of eliminating Dark Phoenix in the process.
With events spiraling out of control, Xavier ordered the X-Men to subdue Jean to preempt Lilandra's emergency measure. The team battled her until she regained her senses. Running to a back alley on the moon, Jean, struggling to keep control, activated a Kree weapon and disintegrated herself after an emotional good-bye to Cyclops. He later deduced that Jean had planned her sacrifice from the moment they had landed on the moon.
This pivotal story ends with Uatu the Watcher commenting that "Jean Grey could have lived to become a god. But it was more important to her that she die...a human."

Back Story provided by Wikipedia



SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST IN PLANETOID

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New Image Comics series pits man against machine in June

Silas is a hardened space smuggler, calloused by tragedy and grueling labor — but when, in the new Image Comics series PLANETOID by Ken Garing, his ship crashes on a living, metal planet, it will take all of his experience and resources to survive.

Garing's five-issue series is a grim vision of a desolate industrial landscape. The titular planetoid, a sphere of discarded wreckage and machinery, has its own intelligence — and its own mandate to survive, at the cost of the few humans who have also found themselves stranded on its surface. These people form the core of PLANETOID's story.

"The world of Planetoid is that of a vast, abandoned industrial landscape," said Garing. "The story, however, will revolve around the efforts of the planetoid's inhabitants as they struggle together against extraordinary odds in the hope of building something new out of the devastation."

Garing pits man against machine in a primal struggle, using the color palette of his painted interiors to contrast the combatants — the occasional splash of human blood amidst the monochromatic grays and rusts of the planetoid.

The first issue of PLANETOID was an exclusive digital comic on Graphicly, but now will appear in print under the Image Comics banner on June 13. PLANETOID #1 (APR120419) is available for pre-order in the April issue of Previews. Each full-color issue will be 32 pages long, with no ads, for $2.99.

"Ken Garing is off to a spectacular start with this bit of survivalist SF. This is just an introduction to the ruinous, dystopian world of Planetoid, and I’m eager to see what horrors yet remain in its crevices. Highly recommended." — iFanboy

SISTERS BOUND BY BLOOD IN CARBON GREY VOLUME TWO

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"Daughters of Stone" hits stores in June

The dieselpunk world of Hoang Nguyen's CARBON GREY first dazzled comic book readers with its beautiful painted art, intrigue-fueled action, and compelling heroines in August 2011 with the "Sisters at War" story arc. Now, Nguyen has assembled his creative team once more to continue the story of the Sisters Grey with the publication of CARBON GREY VOLUME TWO: DAUGHTERS OF STONE #1 in June.

At the close of volume one, the sisters' relationship was torn apart by the murder of the Kaiser of Mitteleuropa, the man whom they were sworn to protect. Now, with Eva and Giselle in exile and the vicious Anna on the hunt for conspirators, the fourth Grey, Mathilde, is on a quest to discover the truth about the source of her family's power.

A Kickstarter campaign to fund the production of the new volume of CARBON GREY reached its funding goal on April 14. Nguyen explained that both the intensity of the artistic process, with each page meticulously hand-painted, and the depth of research behind the creation of CARBON GREY necessitated the campaign.

"A lot of research goes into every page, whether it's a costume designs or different settings," said Nguyen. "I want to make sure that it's believable. My inspirations comes from looking at fashion, photography, architecture, industrial and set design. I like to go beyond the norm and bring something new and different to my drawings."

CARBON GREY VOLUME TWO: DAUGHTERS OF STONE is a three-issue monthly mini series, co-written by Nguyen, Paul Gardner, and Khari Evans, with art by Nguyen, Evans, and Kinsun Loh. The first issue (APR120424) is available for pre-order in the April issue of Previews and will be in stores on June 6.

The three issues of CARBON GREY VOLUME ONE have sold out, but a trade paperback (ISBN 978-1-60706-448-0) is available. A two-issue mini-series CARBON GREY: ORIGINS, about the childhoods of the Sisters Grey and their family history, wrapped up in March 2012. THE ART OF CARBON GREY (ISBN 978-1-60706-474-9), an oversized hardcover book featuring an array of artwork from the series and a look at the artists' process, was released in February 2012.

Stumptown Comics Fest 2012 - Portland Parties, Panels & Signings

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DARK HORSE: STUMPTOWN COMICS FEST 2012 SCHEDULE
APRIL 27, MILWAUKIE, OR— This weekend, Portland's own Stumptown Comics Fest takes over the Oregon Convention Center for its largest show ever!  Dark Horse is giving you a look at all the awesome happening through Sunday!

FRIDAY, APRIL 27
Drink and Draw with Peter Bagge at Bridge City Comics
Bridge City Comics, 3725 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
 
In celebration of the release of Peter Bagge's newest comics series, Reset, Dark Horse Comics and Bridge City Comics present the official 2012 Stumptown Comics Festival kickoff event -- a Friday night Drink and Draw for visiting and local artists, publishers, and all festival-goers!
Bagge will be in attendance as the guest of honor with copies of Reset #1 to sign, and party guests will be provided with complementary art supplies to draw to their hearts' content. Snacks and drinks (21+ with valid I.D.) will be served, complements of Bridge City, Dark Horse, and Ninkasi Brewing.
Admission to this event is free, and the drawing starts at 7:00 p.m.


SATURDAY, APRIL 28
Signings at the Dark Horse Booth
11:00 – 11:30 p.m.                         Tyler Crook (B.P.R.D.)—FREE B.P.R.D.comic
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.                 Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo)—FREE Usagi Yojimbocomic and print
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.                            Erika Moen and Jeff Parker (Bucko)—FREEBucko print
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.                 Peter Bagge (Reset)—FREE Reset print and exclusive
Stumptown Comics Fest Reset Passport
4:00 – 4:30 p.m.                 Michael Avon Oeming (Rapture, Victories, Valve Presents)—FREE Victories print and head sketches for Victories and Rapture

Panels
1:00 – 1:45 p.m.                          Spotlight on Peter Bagge, Room B-114
Best known for his comic-book series Hate, which helped to define the grunge generation, and his recent contributions to Reason magazine, Peter Bagge is always willing to confront hard-hitting societal issues with intelligence, wit, and funny bone intact. Join us for a conversation with the multiple Harvey and Eagle Award-winning cartoonist, whose newest series, Reset, has just been launched in the Dark Horse Originals line. Moderated by Ryan Alexander-Tanner.
2:00 – 2:45 p.m.                        Of Rabbits and Ronin: Spotlight on Stan Sakai, B114
World-renowned cartoonist Stan Sakai has been writing, drawing, and even hand-lettering his beloved rabbit samurai series Usagi Yojimbo for twenty-seven years and counting. Join Sakai for a discussion of Usagi's history and future, as well as demonstrations and all-ages audience participation! Moderated by Usagi series editor, Diana Schutz.
3:00 – 3:45 p.m.                         Euro Comics In Translation, B114
Join Diana Schutz, Executive Editor of Dark Horse's Manara Library and Blacksad, for an informative look at what it takes to bring Europe's most celebrated titles to new audiences in America. This panel will delve into the process on properly editing, translating and publishing Euro Comics for a very different market. All this will culminate in a sneak peek of and discussion on the upcoming highly anticipated Blacksad: A Silent Hell by Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido. Moderated by Eisner and Harvey award-winning editor and writer Joe Keatinge.
5:00 – 5:45 p.m.                        Dark Horse Originals: Genius Redefining Genre, Room B-114
Join Dark Horse Comics editor Philip Simon and PR director Jeremy Atkins to hear about the latest comics and graphic novels coming out in the Dark Horse Originals line, an imprint that Mike Richardson describes as a place for "unique creators with unique visions expressed in quality graphic novels." Dark Horse Originals has brought you such favorites as Blacksad, Citizen Rex, De:Tales, 3 Story, and more! Don't miss special guests Peter Bagge, Jeff Parker, and Erika Moen, who will talk about their new Dark Horse Originals projects!
 

SUNDAY, APRIL 29 
Signings at the Dark Horse Booth
12:30 – 1:00 p.m.                        Peter Bagge (Reset)—FREE Reset print and exclusive
                                                            Stumptown Comics Fest ResetPassport
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.                          Steve Lieber (Alabaster)—FREE Alabaster print


Panels
12:00 – 1:45 p.m.             Quenched Consciousness: A Tribute to Jean "Moebius" Giraud, B114
Join Quenched Consciousness curator Ian MacEwan, Dark Horse Moebius line editor Scott Allie and famed Madman cartoonist Michael Allred in a tribute to the master creator moderated by Glory & Hell Yeah writer Joe Keatinge. This look back at Giraud's illustrious career will include art and insight into his many works including the Incal, Blueberry, Arzak, The Aedena Cycle, The Airtight Garage, Silver Surfer: Parable and movies such as Alien, Tron, Fifth Element and Jodorwsky's Dune. The discussion will begin with an introductory career overview by MacEwan followed by interviews with Allred and Allie about their one-on-one interactions with the master himself, the inspiration Giraud gave them and his global affect on the medium and industry alike. The panel includes a screening of the rarely seen documentary, Moebius Redux, directed by Hasko Baumann. 2-HOUR SESSION
 
2:00 – 2:45 p.m.               Beyond the Cape: Genre Fiction in Comics, B114
Join moderator Christian Lipski and creators Vera Brosgol, Brian Churilla, Brian Hurtt, Lukas Ketner, Batton Lash, Steve Lieber, Dylan Meconis, Ron Randall, and Brandon Seifert in a conversation about the other kinds of comics. Horror, sci-fi, western, romance -- creators talk about the world outside the super-human. Is the 'mainstream' expanding to include other genres, or are the smaller publishers growing their audience? What are the publishing options for non-super titles? Is it a worthwhile direction for authors and artists?
 
4:00 – 4:45 p.m.               Making History, B114
What do a Victorian robot, theology scholar, and rabbit ronin have in common? They're the stars of three very different stories in historical settings: Boilerplate: History's Mechanical Marvel; Family Man; and Usagi Yojimbo. Join their creators--Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett, Dylan Meconis, and Stan Sakai--for a lively discussion of history and storytelling.


RIVEN Sends a Shiver Through Dark Horse Presents

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RIVEN SENDS A SHIVER THROUGH
 DARK HORSE PRESENTS!
 
APRIL 25, MILWAUKIE, OR—Riven, the latest tale set to debut in Dark Horse Comics’ legendary anthology Dark Horse Presents, marks a new beginning for horror fans! 
Dark Horse Comics recently announced the Riven graphic novel, the third collaboration between cowriters Bo Hampton (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) and Robert Tinnell (The Wicked West), which is slated to hit stores August 22.  Riven’s three-part story beginning in Dark Horse Presents #14 will serve as a chilling introduction to their world of terror.
“Dark Horse Presents is bringing together such a great mix of talent and stories at the moment that it’s honestly an honor to be included in the book. From all the chatter Dark Horse Presents has been generating it’s clear the book is appealing to discerning, articulate readers—and those are precisely the sorts of people we hope are attracted to Riven,” said Robert Tinnell. 
Riven’s Katya has been in a coma for five years, and when she awakes, everything has changed. Now she is a gorgeous teenager with a mysterious, gruesome past, becoming aware of a growing, terrifying power inside her body, triggered by the touch of the full moon, eager to break free . . . Can Katya solve the mystery of her blood-drenched nightmares before they become reality?
“It was a great spawning ground in its original incarnation and I’m really happy to be part of Dark Horse Presents now. I’m looking forward to seeing the Riven pages in that format,” Bo Hampton added.
Check out Riven in Dark Horse Presents #14, on sale July 18!


Sport Nation's Madden 2013 Cover Unveil

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Hey Otakus and Geeks Fans, Sean ( The Comic Guy ) here to share some of the photos from the Madden 2013 cover unveil. Now this years two finalist for the cover were: Calvin Johnson and Cam Newton.

Detroit Lions star Calvin Johnson beat Carolina Panthers Cam Newton in the final online voting.
The cover was revealed on the "SportsNation" show on ESPN2 this evening. Of the 651,763 total votes in the final round, Johnson got 52%. Let's see if Calvin can break the Madden cover curse.

Here are some of the photos taken when we attended the event. Behind the scenes photos.









Some of the fans and the set for the show.









Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle


 






 






Behind the scenes With Calvin Johnson and Cam Newton.
 






Show start                                                                                                  Calvin and Cam in a face off.




 






Who was the better QB Cam or Stafford?                            Who had the better year Calvin or Cam?

 




And the winner is.......... Calvin Johnson!!!!   Congrats on the cover and good luck next year!

 











Calvin Johnson and the Director of EA                                                Calvin holding the cover trophy.


 Johnson gives Detroit three current video game cover boys: Justin Verlander is on "MLB 2K12," and Barry Sanders shares the "NCAA Football 13" cover with Robert Griffin III.






 The event was great and a special Thanx to 1iota for the tickets.

The Walking Dead - Story Trailer: TelltaleGames

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An untold story set in the world of The Walking Dead follows convicted criminal Lee Everett; a man given a second chance at life in a world gone to hell. With danger around every corner, protecting an orphaned girl named Clementine may offer him redemption in a world of true horror.

Experience events, meet people and visit locations foreshadowing the story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes in this extension of Robert Kirkman's award-winning universe.

A 5 part game of Adventure Horror, where the decisions that you make will have profound and lasting consequences.

Now Available on Steam:http://store.steampowered.com/app/207610/
Now Available on PSN: http://us.playstation.com/games-and-media/games/the-walking-dead-ps3.html

Website: http://www.telltalegames.com/walkingdead
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheWalkingDeadGame
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/telltalegames

Link to trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhL776xz9YU&feature=g-logo&context=G22bec80FOAAAAAAAMAA



Published on Apr 24, 2012 by

THE GLOBE'S NEW GUARDIANS

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Robert Kirkman's series returns as ongoing with new creative team

The miniseries that spun out of Robert Kirkman's original INVINCIBLE universe, GUARDING THE GLOBE, will be back in September as an ongoing series from Skybound/Image Comics.

Phil Hester, just coming off a successful run on THE DARKNESS, will be taking over writing duties from Kirkman and artist Todd Nauck (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, YOUNG JUSTICE) will be handling all the art of the ongoing series beginning with issue #1. Months before it hits the shelves again, fans will be given a taste of what's to come from the new creative team on Free Comic Book Day, May 5th.

"The Invincible Universe has outgrown its parent title and I’m very excited about being able to tell larger, more in depth stories with some of the key players from that book in this series," said GUARDING THE GLOBE creator/writer Robert Kirkman, "Phil Hester and Todd Nauck are well known to fans of superhero comics and I think people are fully aware that they’re going to knock this book out of the park.”

Familiar yet fresh, GUARDING THE GLOBE will appeal to fans of the back-to-basics approach to superhero comics that INVINCIBLE is known for. Heroes both familiar and new struggle to protect Earth in Invincible's absence. As the Viltrumite War rages on within the pages of INVINCIBLE, the ranks of the Guardians of the Globe are suddenly depleted. The world is in danger, and the team is in search of new blood.

Hester and Nauck have described the first issue of the GUARDING THE GLOBE ongoing as a perfect starting point for those that haven't read any of the series before.

"When Robert first approached me about this ongoing series, I knew I wanted to be a part of GUARDING THE GLOBE," said Nauck, whose creator-owned series WILDGUARD was published by Image. "I really respect what Robert's accomplished so far with the series and I'm having a blast drawing this book. I feel it's my best work to date. It's great to be working with Image Comics again!"

"When Robert floated the idea it didn't take me very long to say yes," added Hester. "The characters in GUARDING THE GLOBE have the same kind of freshness INVINCIBLE does. It's a great chance to both pay homage to super heroes and upend them a bit in way that isn't cynical, but humanizing."

Each 32-page full-color issue will be available for purchase and reorder in comic book stores and on multiple digital platforms.

Yahtzee Croshaw Returns With JAM

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YAHTZEE CROSHAW RETURNS WITH JAM!
FULL CHAPTER PREVIEW TO BE FEATURED IN THE DIGITAL EDITION OF HIS PREVIOUS NOVEL, MOGWORLD!
 
MILWAUKIE, OR, APRIL 24–The creator of The Escapist’s Zero Punctuation Reviews (TM) and author of 2010’s runaway hit novel Mogworld is back with his hilarious follow-up! Jam takes the prophecies of the Mayans and turns them on their ear, with a twist on the apocalypse that no one could have expected! The first chapter will run in the newly released digital edition of Mogworld, available today for Nook and Kobo eReaders.
Since 2007, Croshaw’s animated Zero Punctuation reviews have packaged prescient criticism with frenetic animation, off-color humor, and rapid-fire delivery, making him a household name in the gaming community. Mogworld was his first foray into published fiction and has sold through multiple printings! Now, the debut novel finally makes it’s way to tablet readers, marking the beginning of Dark Horse’s foray into digital prose!
Additionally, readers will have a chance to get their first look at Jam, which is set for release later this year. Jam, a dark comedy pitting a handful of twenty-something slackers against a singularly sticky apocalypse, which is set for release later this year.
“You asked for it - by Christ have you been asking for it - and it's finally here, the Mogworld eBook” said writer, Yahtzee Croshaw. “Now I just have to stop procrastinating on the audiobook version.”
Mogworld is available today for both Barnes & Noble’s NOOK™, as well as the Kobo Vox eReader.
Jam arrives on sale on October 10, in print as well as digitally.



 


 

Blockbuster Superhero Film Writer Pens His Very First Comic

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Blockbuster Superhero Film Writer Pens His Very First Comic

Avatar Press proudly announces that the Zak Penn, the accomplished screenwriter with a half dozen superhero film credits under his belt, will launch his first-ever comic book series, Hero Worship, in July 2012. The six-issue miniseries will be co-written by Scott Murphy (screenwriter of Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and feature artwork by Michael DiPascale.

Hero Worship introduces the ultimate celebrity, an indestructible superhero called Zenith, and the rabid fans that worship him. These legions of adoring admirers follow every disaster, trying to speculate where they can catch a glimpse of their modern messiah – even risking their own lives in the process. But what happens when one fan’s unhealthy obsession leads to the development of powers all his own?

“We couldn’t be more thrilled about Zak Penn bringing his debut comic project to Avatar,” says publisher William Christensen. “Zak is an incredibly gifted and inventive writer, and Hero Worship is a fresh perspective on the entire genre. It’s slick and innovative, taking risks like every great Avatar title should. Let the other Brand-X companies tell the same-old, ‘Guy-in-Tights-Punches-Another-Guy-in-Tights’ stories; here at Avatar, Zak’s got the freedom to blow all the doors off their hinges.”

Zak Penn began his career as a screenwriter when selling his first script, Last Action Hero, at the age of twenty-three. Since then, Penn’s name has become synonymous with big-budget superhero films, predominantly those based on Marvel Comics characters: The Avengers, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, Elektra, and The Incredible Hulk. His first foray into television, the critically acclaimed Alphas, debuted in July 2011 on the cable channel Syfy and is set to enter its second season shortly.

Penn is joined in this creative venture by Scott Murphy, a writing partner whose work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars provides the perfect frame of reference for working with iconic characters. The series’ luscious, painted art style is provided by Michael DiPascale, whose artwork has long graced the front covers of Avatar Press (and sister company Boundless Comics) publications, including Lady Death, War Goddess, Crossed, and Night of the Living Dead, among others.

Avatar Press is a groundbreaking independent publishing company which produces a wide variety of cutting-edge comic books, graphic novels, and original web content. Their high-quality publications include the work of such industry luminaries as Garth Ennis (Crossed, Chronicles of Wormwood), Warren Ellis (Freakangels), David Lapham (Caligula, Crossed: Psychopath), and Alan Moore (Neonomicon). They also produce a diverse range of licensed projects including the classic zombie epic Night of the Living Dead and George RR Martin’s Fevre Dream. Their Boundless Comics imprint publishes Brian Pulido’s original Lady Death and Mike Wolfer’s reimagining of the classic femme fatales Pandora, Hellina, and Widow in the series War Goddess.

Chronicle: On DVD/Blu-Ray May 15th.

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Hey Otakus and Geeks check out this awesome news from 20th Century Fox! This was a great film and the Dvd/Blu-Ray sounds great as well. An extended cut! :)

Take an extraordinary journey with three teens who uncover a power greater than anything they’ve ever imagined.  Up-and-coming actors Dane DeHaan (“True Blood”), Alex Russell (Almost Kings) and Michael B. Jordan (“Friday Night Lights”) star alongside Michael Kelly (The Adjustment Bureau) in the innovative action filmCHRONICLE, debuting on Blu-ray and DVD May 15 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. 
Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny telekinetic powers beyond their understanding.  As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control as their darker sides begin to take over.  What starts out as fun and games quickly becomes dangerous and they must face the inevitable question of whether they can handle the responsibility that comes with their remarkable powers.

Utilizing hand-held filmmaking techniques to create a realistic and exciting viewing experience, the CHRONICLE Blu-ray boast a director’s cut of the film and unseen footage that offer a deeper glimpse into the events that took place with the students. Special features include deleted scene, camera test, pre-viz materials and more.  The film will be available as a Blu-ray combo pack with DVD and digital copy for an average retail price of $39.99 and the DVD is $29.98 respectively.  Prebook is April 4.
 

DIRECTOR’S CUT CHRONICLE Blu-ray Combo Pack
  • Deleted Scene – Matt and Casey in the Kitchen
  • Pre-Viz
  • Camera Test
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Chronicle Soundtrack Info


AM2 Announces AMV Contest

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The entertainment of fan produced and
created AMV¹s (Anime Music Videos) comes to this summer¹s most anticipated
anime, manga and music event in Southern California‹AM2. With four (4)
categories to potentially win by votes from attendees‹AM2, invites fans to
participate with its official call for entries today. All participants must
be Passport Holders. The AMV event is a Passport preferred event (Passport
holders enter first with general attendees entering thereafter based upon
available seats).  More info and attendee registration can be found at
www.am2con.org 

Anime Music Videos consist of clips from one or more anime series or movies
set and choreographed to a song. These music videos are made by fans that
have a passion for Anime and Music that drives them to create these videos
to share that vision to their fellow fans.

Categories:
(9 entries per category will be selected as finalists to be shown at the AMV
Viewing. The winner of each category will be voted on by the attendees of
the AMV Viewing and announced.)
Action
Drama
Comedy
Additional Awards: (The winner will be selected from one of the finalists of
the three categories.)
Creators Choice (Voted on by the contestants.)

Contest Rules
Deadline for AMVs will be June 8th, 12pm, PST
I. AMV Restrictions
€    AMV Length: Minimum 1 minute; 4 minutes maximum.
€    Content must be appropriate for all audiences.
€    No Intros/Outros. No text in the video that does not pertain to the
video itself.

Accepted Formats:
€    Video: MPEG-4, MPEG-2, and h264
€    Audio: mp3, wav
Video Files ONLY.  Files will be sent via link or FTP.  Tape or Disk Media
will NOT be accepted.

II. Submission Restrictions
€    Deadline for Submission Forms coming soon!
€    NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE CONVENTION.
€    Limit two entries per person.
€    You must be a Passport holder to compete. Your Passport must be valid
for the day of the AMV Viewing.
€    You must be present and in attendance during the AMV Viewing at the
convention.
Please contact amvs@am2con.org amvs@am2con.org>  for any questions
or comments...

3 Day Passport Holders that also stay within the official hotel room block
will be treated to a ³private² panel with Guests of Honor during the
convention. The official hotel is the Anaheim Hilton Hotel.

Please note that ALL Guest of Honor activities (i.e. panels, autographs,
appearances, etc.) are ALL Passport preferred activities.  There will also
be a private Meet & Greet event for Anaheim Hilton Room Block Attendees
(room key proof is required).

Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere
screenings, workshops, main events, concerts and panels by purchasing a
Passport fast pass for the event.  The Passport fast pass will also provide
holders with premier seating options at Main Events and at Concert events as
well as major discounts with theme parks (including Disneyland and the grand
opening of Cars Land, Knott¹s Berry Farm, etc.), retailers and local
restaurants. Bypass the lines and get your Passport today and experience the
difference!

AM2 current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV¹s, Arcade, Summer Festival,
Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Masquerade, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table
Top, Console Gaming, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more!

Current AM2 Official Guests of Honor include Putumayo, Andrea Libman,
Quinton Flynn and Toshihiro Kawamoto.

Brathzo, Icarus Kid, Kazha, Lucid and Momotoma join Summer Festival join
other announced performer Ant1Nett

AM2 Premieres, screenings and exclusive screenings include ACE ATTORNEY,
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE STAR OF MILOS, KAIBUTSU-KUN THE MOVIE, KAIJI 2 and
more!

Current Major Sponsors Include: Anime News Network and Snakebyte USA.

Follow us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/AM2Con

Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/AM2Con


SHADOWLINE TAKES A LEAP

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GRIM LEAPER, new series from PETER PANZERFAUST creator in May

At the beginning of the new Image Comics series GRIM LEAPER, Lou Collins has died thirteen times, and he can be sure that grisly death #14 is just around the corner. This may seem like a weird way to find romance, but that's just what Kurtis J. Wiebe (PETER PANZERFAUST, GREEN WAKE) has in store for Lou in his new series debuting in May, drawn by Aluisio Santos.

Every time he dies, Lou jumps into a stranger's body, and just as he's learning something about his new host, another gruesome accident sends him leaping to the next one. Lou wants to escape the violent cycle and find eternal rest — that is, until he meets another "leaper" named Ella.

"This is the gory love story you've been waiting for, a buckets of blood romantic comedy for the ages," said writer Wiebe.

"Grim Leaper is a story about that person you've always wanted to date but never had the chance to," added Santos. "Except now your bad luck is a killer."

GRIM LEAPER #1 (MAR120418), published under Image Comics Shadowline imprint, will be in stores on May 30. It's a full-color comic book for $3.50. It is available for pre-order now in the March issue of Previews.