Logo handmade by Bannister
Column by Scott Green
Book Keeping
A missed week crept in while a few things were being addressed. I was able to attend the Harvard/MIT Cool Japan Symposium and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time screening last week. Coverage will be forthcoming, but in the meantime, recordings can be heard at Anime Pulse and Comic Snob reported on the event. Speaking of event coverage, be sure to listen to MangaCast's recordings from New York Comic Con.
AICN-Anime Fav Manga Go Into Retirement
Dark Horse can confirmed on Anime on DVD's forum that Dark Horse's horror manga releases of Octopus Girl and Museum of Terror has been put on indefinite hiatus. Also on Anime on DVD's forum, Media Blasters has discontinued their releases of Apocalypse Zero, Baron Gong, Pilgrim Jäger and Kamunagara. Eiken is in limbo, but yaoi titles will continue.
Macias To Help North American Magazine
Japanese pop culture guru Patrick Macias announced that editing Sovereign Media Inc.'s upcoming Otaku USA Magazine. To be launched in June, the magazine will be oversized 9 x 10 7/8, with a poster bound in the center spread, and a DVD inserted onto the front cover, with full- length Anime features and game demos. In addition, each issue of Otaku USA will include a full manga feature, printed as a pull-out section. The typical issue of Otaku USA, which will have a cover price of $9.99 ($11.99 in Canada), will be at least 150 pages long and printed in full color on glossy paper. The bimonthly magazine will cover manga, anime, computer games and J-Pop, and it will be written by an American staff from an American point of view.
English Paprika Trailer
The Quicktime Trailer for the North American release of Satoshi Kon's Paprika is online here. Anime on DVD notes that DVD Drama reports that Paprika will be released in France on DVD and Blu-ray on June 20th.
Afro Samurai in Japan
Toon Zone reports that Afro Samurai will air on Japan's WOWOW network on May 3rd and 4th. The unedited version of the five episode series will be released with English audio and Japanese subtitles.
New Macross and New Macross in the Works
AnimeNation reports that Victor Music has announced announced that they are holding auditions for voice actress to cast the role of the heroine in an upcoming Macross Harmony Gold's Tommy Yune made mention at the New York Comic Con that the company is pushing forward with a follow-up to Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles.
Q2 North American Premieres
ADV Films will be releasing the first volume of the 009-1 on June 19th. The UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie Season 1 Thinpak Collection will also be released on June 26th Bandai will released the first volume of the long delayed Di Gi Charat Nyo on May 1st. The first volume of Tide-Line Blue will be released on May 15th. Geneon announced that they will be releasing the first disc of When They Cry on June 5th. The disturbing horror anime was originally known as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. The first volume of Shonen Onmyoji, concerning the grandson of legendary court advisor/magician Seimei Abeno is scheduled for a July 10th release. Geneon's releases of the Ai Yori Aoshi/Ai Yori Aoshi-ENISHI and Gate Keepers / Gate Keepers 21 complete sets are now scheduled for April 17th. FUNimation will release the first volume of relationship comedy Suzuka on June 12th and shounen rock series Beck on June 26th.
Geneon to Distribute Bandai Visual USA New Releases
Bandai Visual USA has announced that going forward, its North American DVD releases will be distributed by Geneon Entertainment. Titles include the previously announced “Gunbuster 2,” “Demon Prince Enma,” “The Wings of Rean,” as well as the newly announced “Freedom” and “Galaxy Angel Rune.” Launch dates of these latter titles and others are expected to be announced shortly. Prior releases, including Patlabor the Movie, Patlabor 2 the Movie, and Gunbuster will continue to distributed by Image Entertainment. Planned releases include May 22 Gunbuster 2, Volume 1, episodes 1-2, $39.99 Sequel to Gainax's landmark OVA, directed by FLCL's Kazuya Tsurumaki A young girl named Nono has left her home behind, to come alone to the big city to pursue her grand dream of becoming a space pilot. But reality is harsh, and she spends every day instead at the diner near the spaceport where she lives and works. Then one day, while being harassed by one of the regular customers, a real-life space pilot named Lal'C comes to her aid. Lal’C is a member of “Topless”, a team of elite, psychic pilots who operate Buster Machines whose mission is to protect people of the Solar System from space monsters. During a monster attack, Lal’C witnesses Nono’s superstrength which helps her defeat the alien. Demon Prince Enma, Volume 1, episodes 1-2, $39.99 Based on the Go Nagai manga nma is the Demon Prince of the Underworld, a demon “Born of Fire.” His mission is to take back or destroy demons that have escaped to the human world from the Underworld. Along with his partner, Princess Yukihime, “Born of Ice,” and the monster, Kapaeru, Enma sets up “Enma’s Detective Agency.” Tonight, like any other night, they will roam the sleepless city. Horrific incidents that could not possibly be human acts occur one after another. The stench of evil lingers at the scene... Enma’s fire rips through the darkness! June 12 Gunbuster 2, Volume 2, episodes 2-4, $39.99
Upcoming In Japan
Moetron notes that 50 anime series are debuting this spring, and lists them here A trailer for the new Reideen anime is online at www.reideen.jp. Production I.G has an English language report on their press conference for the series here. A synopsis of the first episode can be seen here Twitch notes that an English subtitled trailer of the live action Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro movie is online here. Twitch has an informational run-down on the project here. From Ikimashou.net A new Prince of Tennis OVA entitled National Championship Semi-Final is scheduled for June 22nd. A second season of the CLAMP designd mecha anime Code Geass has been confirmed. A second season of Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan aka Club-To-Death Angel Dokuro-chan is also in the works. Madhouse Studios will be adapting the Takatoshi Kumakura manga Mokke, scheduled for October. Fantasy light novel series Iwai Kyouhei's Mushiuta is being adapted into an anime series. The site for the Blue Dragon anime, based on the games with design from Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama is online here. The anime will air on Japanese TV starting April 7th. A trailer for the second Raoh Gaiden Hokuto no Ken/Fist of the North Star movie, entitled Shin Kyuseishu Densetsu Hokuto no Ken: Raoh Den - Gekitou no Sho movie is online at here. A trailer for the new adaptation of risqué martial arts action Ikkitousen (Battle Vixens) is online here The Murder Princess OVA is featured in a trailer here. Its manga will be released in North America by Broccoli. GONZO's Bokurano, from Shadow Star: Narutaru creator Mohiro Kitoh, can be seen in a trailer here A trailer for Darker Than Black can be seen here. YouTube'd trailers of Satelight's Sousei no Aquarion: Uragiri no Tsubasa OVA, Appleseed: Ex Machina andTales of Symphonia anime OVA can be seen here Moetron has YouTube's the El Cazador trailer here TV Tokyo has posted a site for the April scheduled Kissdum Engage Planet. Moetron points out that a SD Puchi Eva EVANGELION@SCHOOL is in the works. Speaking of new Evangelion, Broccoli has scheduled PlayStation 2 fighting game Neon Genesis Evangelion: Battle Orchestra for a Japanese release. The sites for Robby & Kerobby and Onegai My Melody (starring Sanrio's Jackie O rabbit ) have gone online.
Hellsing Ultimate Release Dates
The delayed Japanese release of Hellsing Ultimate's third episode is currently scheduled for April 4th. Geneon is now scheduling the North American release of volume 2 for June 12th.
Rising Stars 7 Voting
TOKYPOP has announced that the online voting for the Rising Stars of Manga People's Choice prize in their seventh manga talent competition is now online. Votes can be cast here. In addition to The People's Choice Award, a new genre based format will award eight winners equal prices in the catagories of Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance and Sci-Fi.
FUNimation Channel in NYC
The 24/7 FUNimation Channel anime network has been added to New York City on WRNN-TV via digital multicast channel 48.3. WRNN-TV is an independent regional television station and news network that transmits through cable, broadcast, and satellite. The station reaches approximately 5 million cable and satellite subscribers in the New York Designated Market Area (DMA), and reaches approximately 16 million people with its digital broadcast. WRNN covers the area with four studios: Manhattan, Kingston, Rye Brook and Washington, D.C.
Dub Cast News
FUNimation announced that the case for release of Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle will be Syaoran - Jason Liebrecht Sakura - Monica Rial Kurogane - Chris Sabat Fai - Vic Mignogna Mokona - Carrie Savage Yuuko - Colleen Clinkenbeard The first volume of the CLAMP adapation is scheduled for May 22 Eileen Steven will be returning to the role of Belldandy in ADV's release of the second season of Ah! My Goddess. Speaking of the series, Anime News Network reports Dark Horse has licensed Oh! My Goddess novel, Oh! My Goddess - First End by voice actress Yumi Touma.
Go! Comi Plans
Go! Comi announced the following manga titles at the New York Comic Con. “LOVE MASTER A” is a series that tells the story of a girl whose inability to get a date causes her to transform the student council into a dating service. “KANNA” tells the story of a highschooler who wakes up one morning to find himself saddled with an adorable little girl who keeps referring to him as “Daddy!” Turns out she is his daughter in an alternate dimension, and she needs him to rescue her from the horde of monsters pursuing her across time and space. “KING OF THE LAMP” is a one-shot by Takako Shigematsu, creator of Go! Comi’s popular shojo series “Tenshi Ja Nai!!” It’s about a playboy whose wanton ways cause him to be sealed as a genie in a lamp. His only hope of freedom is to suppress his womanizing tendencies long enough to find the perfect mates for one thousand women! “HIKKATSU” is the story of a young man whose martial art enables him to fix appliances in a single punch -- which makes him humanity’s best hope when every appliance on the planet goes haywire! This series is by Yu Yagami, the creator of “Those Who Hunt Elves.” The series are all scheduled to start publication in Fall of 2007. Elf Quest creator Wendy Pini will be producing a The Masque of the Red Death sci-fi comic based on the Poe story. Pini promises the story will be “a walk on the dark side,” featuring strong Gothic horror, erotica, and the kind of intense romantic relationships between men found in the Japanese manga genre known as yaoi. “Masque of the Red Death” will first appear as a web comic, and will then be published as a series of three graphic novels once a sufficient number of chapters has been completed. Go! Comi will host the web comic and publish the book editions.
Media Blasters/AnimeWorks Schedule
3/6 GAKUEN HEAVEN Volume 1, Episodes 1-4 3/27 GAOGAIGAR KING OF BRAVES - HAMMER OF HEROES Volume 4 of 10, Episodes 16-20 TEKKAMAN BLADE COLLECTION 1 of 3, Episodes 1-16 GENSHIKEN Economy Collection 4/3 I SHALL NEVER RETURN: yaoi drama OVA 4/24 LOVELESS COLLECTION Volumes 1-3: yaoi meets paired magic duel 5/1 PRINCESS PRINCESS - BOYS WILL BE GIRLS, Volume 1, Episodes 1-4: cross dressing school drama/comedy 5/8 VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE Collector's Edition 3 (Green Lion) Episodes 31-45 5/29 GAKUEN HEAVEN School of Love, Volume 2 of 3, Episodes 5-7: yaoi drana 6/5 TEKKAMAN BLADE Collection 2 of 3, Episodes 17-33: unedited, in Japanase GAOGAIGAR King of Braves "The Robot with the Golden Hand" Volume 5 of 10, Episodes 21-25: Brave Saga mecha 6/12 KASHIMASHI: GIRL MEETS GIRL "Role Reversal", Volume 1 of 4, Episodes 1-5: yuri (lesbian) 6/19 TWELVE KINGDOMS Collection 1 (Volumes 1-5): intricate fantasy TWELVE KINGDOMS Collection 2 (Volumes 6-10) 6/26 IRIA ZEIRAM THE ANIMATION - Complete: sci-fi action 7/10 PRINCESS PRINCESS "Chorus of Cuties" Volume 2 of 3, Episodes 5-8 8/7 GAKUEN HEAVEN "Secret Summers" Volume 3 of 4, Episodes 8-10 9/11 PRINCESS PRINCESS "Family Secrets" Volume 3 of 3, Episodes 9-12
Upcoming From Viz
The brief Naruto OVA, entitled Naruto - The Lost Story “Mission: Protect The Waterfall Village will be released May 22nd. The Naruto movie will receive a brief, limited theatrical run in June. A DVD release of the movie is scheduled for September Fantasy action Mar and sports anime Prince of Tennis will run on Cartoon Networks Toonami. Zatch Bell! will soon be distributed on Toonami Jetstream MAR's DVD release is scheduled for June 12. The DVD release of Death Note is also scheduled for fall 2007 release and will include an English dub as well as subtitles, special packaging and collectable premiums. April Millennium Snow June Hoshin Engi Yurara July Gin Tama Love Com Strawberry 100% Togari August Pretty Face Otober Portus Junji Ito horror titles Gyo and Uzumaki will be re-released as part of Viz's signature line..
Haruhi Distribution Plans
According to Anime Online, special editions are planned for each volume of the DVD release of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Disc 1 Special Edition ($64.98) includes: - Disc 1 with alternative case art - A collector’s edition art box - A double-sided pencil board - A Haruhi cosplay hair ribbon - An iron-on Haruhiism logo - A “Hare Hare Yukai” CD Disc 2 Special Edition ($59.98) includes: - Disc 2 with alternative case art - A Haruhi cosplay SOS Brigade Leader armband - A pillow case - A double-sided pencil board - Bonus sub-only broadcast order DVD - “Bouken Desho Desho” CD Discs 3 and 4 Special Edition ($59.98 each) include: - Discs with alternative case art - Pillow cases - Pencil boards - Iron-on logos - Bonus sub-only broadcast order DVDs - Music CDs (disc 3 has the Haruhi character CD, disc 4 has the "God Knows," "Lost My Music," and "Koi no Mikuru Densetsu" joint single) Standard edition DVDs will retail for $29.98 Other details: All DVDs will contain various extras, such as the ASOS Brigade videos and the extended "Hare Hare Yukai" dance video. The songs Haruhi sings in episode 12 will be in the original Japanese. The "Hare Hare Yukai" CD will be released separately along side the first DVD.
The Right Stuf to Distribute The Third
The Right Stuf International announced at New York Comic Con that it has been selected by Kadokawa Pictures USA to handle North American production and distribution for the 2006 anime series THE THIRD: THE GIRL WITH THE BLUE EYE (“The Third – Aoi Hitomi no Shoujo”). The first DVD volume is scheduled for a Summer 2007 release. TSRI's site is online here. The 24-episode anime is based upon a series of novels and short stories written by Ryo Hoshino and illustrated by Nao Goto. The original fiction currently spans more than 16 volumes and has appeared in Japan’s Dragon Magazine since 1999, alongside the serialized novels for several properties familiar to anime fans, including Full Metal Panic!, Slayers, Maburaho and Scrapped Princess. A manga interpretation of The Third has appeared in Dragon Age magazine, home to the Full Metal Panic!, Slayers and Chrono Crusade manga series. XEBEC (D.N.Angel, Negima!, Stellvia, Martian Successor Nadesico) produced the animation for the TV series, which ran on Japan’s WOWOW satellite channel from April through October of 2006. In the post-apocalyptic world of The Third: The Girl With the Blue Eye, remnants of the human race have settled along the desert frontier: battling giant, man-eating insects and living under the watchful eye of The Third, an organization that polices mankind’s use of technology. Although The Third’s goal – preventing another epic war – may be admirable, their tactics breed resentment. Honoka, a “jill of all trades,” is among the many mercenaries and technicians who test the limits of The Third’s “Technos Taboo” regularly. Her expertise with the blade has already won her notoriety. However, when Honoka rescues a mysterious young man from almost-certain death, the “Sword Dancer” finds she, her allies and her A.I.-equipped tank are suddenly even more interesting to The Third.
TOKYOPOP Plans
TOKYPOP announced at the New York Comic Con that companies upcoming releases include: Baku Brave Story Cherry Juice Fruits Basket Fanbook Full Metal Panic (light novels) Heaven!! King of Thorns Kingdom Hearts II Kodamono Damono Kuruzaki no Hana Missing Monochrome Factor Pick of the Litter Welcome to the NNK (light novel) The Mag Garden titles that were picked previously released by ADV, Tactics and Aqua are scheduled for April and October respectively. CLAMP compendium CLAMP no Kiseki will be returning in July. TOKYOPOP has decided to forgoe the expensive cardboard packaging. Consequently, upcoming releases will retail for $19.95
Del Rey Plans
Del Rey has licensed military manga Ryoutaku Iwanaga's Pumpkin Scissors, Toru Zeku and Yuna Takanagi's fantasy action Shiki Tsukai Yuya Aoka and Akinori Noa's Psycho Busters and Shin Midorikawa's Aventura. The initial volumes of these seriesare planned for publication in Fall 2007. SHIKI TSUKAI manga by Toru Zeku and art by Yuna Takanagi, the action-packed environmental-themed adventures of the shiki tuskai--"Keepers of the Seasons"--who are entrusted with defending the universe's natural order against the forces that threaten it. Publication rights arranged through Kodansha, Ltd. PUMPKIN SCISSORS by Ryoutaku Iwanaga, an edgy military manga about an elite agency pledged to rebuild a war-torn nation. The basis of an eagerly awaited anime series from GDH Studios. Publication rights arranged through Kodansha, Ltd. PSYCHO BUSTERS with story by Yuya Aoka and art by Akinari Noa, teenage renegades with psychic powers in a suspensful game of cat-and-mouse against those who would exploit them. Publication rights arranged through Kodansha, Ltd. AVENTURA by Shin Midorikawa, the story of a school for young magicians and the young boy who might become the greatest of them all. Publication rights arranged through Kodansha, Ltd. Del Rey will also be publishing a Complete Manga Guide The first volume of Avril Lavigne original English language manga Make 5 Wishes will be released on April 10. A site promoting Make 5 Wishes has been launched. The company will be releasing Hitori Nakano's novelization oft he Densha Otoko/Train Man story on April 24th.
Hachette/Yen Press
Hatchette Book's manga imprint Yen Press has announced that their titles will include the Square-Enix's Alice on Deadlines, manwha Black God, Spiral, and Peach-Pitt's Zombie Lan. The titles are scheduled to premiere in October/November 2007. Svetlana Chmakova is developing an OEL title named Nightschool. A manga anthology is being developed for early 2008. PWCW reports that Yen Press' manga format will be original page layout with color inserts, priced for $10.99. Hachette's parent company Lagardère has announced that they have acquired French manga publisher PIKA. Manga Cast has analysis here
Upcoming in Japan
Kotaku.com has posted preview media from the video game to anime adaptation Blue Dragon here. The work features character design from Dragon Ball's Akira Toriyama. Anime News Service reports that Ryosuke Takahashi spoke about the new VOTOMS mecha anime follow-up Wonder Festival 2007. akahashi will be directing the new anime, which has been given the title Soukou Kihei VOTOMS: Perzen Files. The next CG Appleseed movie has been given the title Appleseed Saga Ex Machina. The movie is scheduled to be released in Japanese theaters this fall. Dating sim game Clannad will be adapted into an anime schedule to appear in Japanese theatres in 2007.
New CMX Licenses
CMX announced the following manga licenses at the New York Comic Con I Hate You More Than Anyone By Banri Hidaka, the romantic drama concerning the eldest of six children. To be released July 2007 Palette 12 Secret Colors aspiring "color magicians" going to the Opal in the South Seas for its special birds, from The Recipe For Gertrude creator Nari Kusakawa Scheduled for July 2007 Samurai Commando: Mission 1549 modern military unit sent back to feudal Japan by Ryo Hanmura, Harutoshi Fukui and Ark Performance To be released in July 2007 King Of Cards fantasy intrigue concerning a card game by Makoto Tateno Scheduled for August 2007 Presents Horror anthology by Kanako Inuki (School Zone To be released by October 2007 Venus In Love By Yuki Nakaji romantic comedy/drama about a college freshman chasing after a tennis player Scheduled for November 2007 Tears Of A Lamb From Banri Hidaka (I Hate You More Than Anyone) A drama concerning a boy who is blind in one eye and a girl with anorexia Scheduled for January 2008 Two Flowers For The Dragon Fantasy romance comedy from The Recipe For Gertrude creator Nari Kusakawa Scheduled for Spring 2008 The beautiful illustrated dinosaur in nature manga Gon will be re-released starting July, at $5.99 a volume.
NewType USA To Serialize CLAMP
The CLAMP manga Kobato will be running in NewType USA starting in late 2007.
American Anime Awards Winners
Anime News Network reports that the winners of the first American Anime Awards were: Best Cast: Fullmetal Alchemist Best Manga: Fruits Basket Best Male Actor in a Comedy: Dave Wittenberg (Zatch Bell) Best Actress in a Comedy: Debi Derriberry (Zatch Bell) Best Theme Song: Rewrite (Fullmetal Alchemist) Best Anime Feature: Final Fantasy 7 - Advent Children Best Package Design: Fullmetal Alchemist Best Anime Comedy: FLCL Best Actress: Mary Elizabeth McGlynn (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG) Best Anime Short Series: FLCL Best Anime Long Series: Fullmetal Alchemist Lifetime Achievement Award: Peter Fernandez. The ceremony can be watched here
Release Planned For Witchblade Manga
Bandai will be releasing their edition of the Witchblade manga in June. Top Cow, publishers of the original Witchblade comic will first be publishing the manga in a colored, flipped edition before Bandai's right-to-left, black and white version.
Bandai Licenses Flag TV Series
Anime News Network reports Bandai Entertainment has licensed Ryosuke Takahashi and Kazuo Terada's 13 episode documentary style war anime Flag.
Live Action Adaptations
The Liar's Game manga will be adapted into a live action drama, which will air on Fuji Television Network starting April 14th. A new Taiwanese Slam Drunk is in production, with Tony Ching Siu Tung as action director.
Production I.G Talks Maaya Sakamoto Animation
Production I.G and Victor Entertainment have teamed up to produce a fully animated music clip for the song "Universe," performed by Japanese pop singer Maaya Sakamoto and included in the artist's forthcoming album, "30minutes night flight," to be released in Japan on March 21, 2007. The video clip will be made available on DVD format in the limited double-disc edition of the album. The water color painting style work was supervised by line producer Hidekazu Terakawa ("Jin-Roh," "IGPX"). Maaya Sakamoto's 10th and newest album "30minutes night flight" is a just-30-minute musical concept work that the artist herself describes as "a 30-minute night flight dedicated to all the people who experienced at least one sleepless night."
Negima Manga Update
ComiPress reports that manga creator has ended what is is calling Part 1 (First Semester) of his popular work "Mahou Sensei Negima!", Part 2 (Summer Break) will commence its Japanese with the March 21st release of Shonen Magazine issue 16. Akamatsu also indicated that a Negima announced will be made in April concerning "a plan that has never been done before."
Where's Four Shoujo Stories?
MangaBlog has unearthed the fate of the sought after Four Shoujo Stories, Viz's collection of works by shoujo luminaries including Moto Hagio .Matt Thorn reveals here that Viz didn't have permission to publish the works together and the Japanese rights holders objected.
Iron Mistress on DVD
In other non-anime news, Crash Medua has announced that they cleaned up a green-tinted Iron Mistress to prepare the wuxia martial arts film for DVD release. Comparison images can be seen here and a look at the process can be seen here
Unscrewed Benefit
Unscrewed, the organization created by comics creators, fans, and retailers to combat illegal and unethical practices by a would-be publisher, today announced a benefit auction to provide relief to the artists and writers exploited by that company. Since its inception in January, UNSCREWED! has grown quickly, amassing support from top name talents in the comic book industry, as well as many who are just beginning their careers. There's only a few hours left, but be sure to check out the ebay auctions here
Gene Yang to pen two new books for First Second
Award winning American Born Chinese author Gene Luen Yang has signed on for two more graphic novels with First Second Books. The new books-BOXERS AND SAINTS and DUNCAN'S KINGDOM AND OTHER STORIES-are scheduled for publication in 2008 and 2010. In BOXERS AND SAINTS, Yang will take on the historical epic with a twin telling of the pivotal tragedy known as the 'Boxer Uprising.' Set in China in the year 1900, the rebellion defied foreign influence in Beijing and led to the massacre of over 10,000 Chinese Christians. Yang tells the events from two dramatically opposed perspectives: that of the rebels and that of the Christian missionaries-and has done extensive research spanning several continents. DUNCAN'S KINGDOM AND OTHER STORIES will be a collection of three comic short stories examining the relationship between fantasy and reality. Each story will be illustrated in a different style by the virtuoso comics star Derek Kirk Kim, creator of Same Difference and Other Stories.
Animator/Jack Hightower Creator at Golden Apple Books
Will Vinton, claymation pioneer behind The California Raisins, the computer-animated M&Ms "Red" and "Yellow", and "THE PJ" will be promoting his graphic novel Jack Hightower at Golden Apple Books, March 14th from 5 pm – 7 pm. Golden Apple Books is located at 7018 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038. For more information see www.jackhightower.com
cereal:geel Released
The first issue of cereal:geek is now available through its site www.cerealgeek.com. The new magazine from Busta Toons Productions exmines shows like Dungeons & Dragons, G.I. Joe, Galaxy High School, He-Man, Jem, M.A.S.K., The Real Ghostbusters, She-Ra, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, ThunderCats and The Transformers .
Animated Superman DVD
Warner Home Video has announced that the animated, direct to DVD feature Superman: Doomsday will be released on September 18th. Bruce Timm produced the 70 minute movie, which is written by Duane Capizzi. Vice Talent includes Adam Baldwin as Superman, Anne Heche as Lois Lane and James Marsters as Lex Luthor. The MPAA rated the work PG-13.
Happy Fiftyth Gumby
Cartoon Brew notes that claymation star Gumby has recently celebrated his 50th anniversary. Clokey Productions and Premavision Animation Studios have updated their sites to reflect the event. Check out Gumby World and its video section. (Uninteresting personal trivia, I've been nicknamed "Gumby" at least twice in different endeavors. - Scott Green)
Net Gawking...
Hello Kitty Airlines Full Scale Gundam lantern The Manga Bible, from Siku and David Bishop (ex-2000AD & Judge Dredd Megazine editor) scheduled for release in late 2007. Gundam motorcycle helmets and Gundam razors. WonderFest figures shots here here here Live action Dragon Quest Nodame Cantabile flash game
