Every publisher can’t make it to every convention but Seven Seas still made their presence known in the manga world with two manga licenses during New York Comic Con this past weekend. It was a bit of a shame that the timing of their news meant it got buried in the convention shuffle. That said though, you can certainly see a good reason why they chose to do it then.
Seven Seas’ first new manga license is Alice in the Country of Clover. The title is a sequel to Alice in the Country of Hearts, which Yen Press just announced having during their NYCC panel. The story is a take on the classic Alice in Wonderland story but with a pretty-boy harem twist. One series split between two publishers – that’d be bizarre even without the ‘coincidence’ of the same weekend!
It sounds like Seven Seas is going the extra mile with this release too. “Each new volume will be released in oversized editions that feature impressive artwork and color pin ups.” Their press release also states that, despite events continuing after its prequel series, Alice in the Country of Clover can still be read as a standalone. Seven Seas is releasing the title in story-archs with the first book due out in June 2012.
Their second title is Angel Para Bellum, a series by the same artist as the popular but controversial Dance in the Vampire Bund. They describe it as “a new manga series about sexy angels vs. demons”. It’s about a young man, orphaned like so many lead characters are, who finds himself on the run from demons with only two gun-wielding angels to protect him. I have to admit, said angels look pretty snazzy.
If you want more information on the titles, you can read Seven Seas series’ synopsis and the release dates under the cut. Also my congrats to Seven Seas for what looks like another successful step forward into manga publishing again!
Alice in the Country of Clover: Bloody Twins (June 2012)
Story by QuinRose / Art by Mamenosuke Fujimaru
“Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are the “Bloody Twins,” amorous and affable killers who are able to transform themselves into adorable children or suavely handsome adults. As the gatekeepers to the Hatter Mansion, they tried to kill Alice once. Now they are hopelessly in love with her. Will either Dee or Dum win Alice’s affections, and more importantly…will she survive their screwball courtship?”
Alice in the Country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz (Vol. 01) (July 2012)
Story by QuinRose / Art by Mamenosuke Fujimaru
“His name is Boris, and despite his human form and piercings and tattoos, he is not your typical punk teenager. For he is the Cheshire Cat, complete with cat ears and a tail, and a penchant for riddles. Boris is in madly love with Alice, and Alice is vulnerable and lonely. But will she fall for the Cheshire Cat?”
Alice in the Country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz (Vol. 02) (September 2012)
Story by QuinRose / Art by Mamenosuke Fujimaru
Angel Para Bellum (Vol. 01) (July 2012)
Story by Kent Minami / Art by Nozomu Tamaki
“A war between heaven and hell is brewing and only a young man named Mitsuru holds the key to prevent it. Yet Mitsuru is unaware of his secret birthright and his role in the battle between angels and demons. All he knows is that his family is dead and Kyrie, the kindly woman who cared for him in his time of mourning, is not what she seems. Now, with demon attackers seeking to destroy him at every turn, his only protection is two beautiful gun-wielding angels who kick ass like nobody’s business.”
Angel Para Bellum (Vol. 02) (October 2012)
Story by Kent Minami / Art by Nozomu Tamaki