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Author Archive for Lissa Pattillo

DelRey Confirms Cancellation of CLAMP in America

CLAMP in America Cancelled

A post over on the CLAMP_now community forums has confirmed what has long since begun to feel like the inevitable: CLAMP in America is officially cancelled.

“The title ‘Clamp in America’ has been cancelled. There is no tentative release date scheduled for this title at this time. The only pending volumes currently scheduled for release from Clamp are XXXHolic 17 in September of this year and XXXHolic 18 in December of this year.”

After initially being announced at San Diego Comic Con 2008, CLAMP in America was an informational and fandom oriented book about the manga group CLAMP and their history, influence and popularity in North America. It was (or would’ve been) written by Shaeon Garrity with interviews and input from fans, comic creators and CLAMP themselves. The book had been delayed every couple of months since then with no word from DelRey saying anything otherwise, until now.

This comes as a pretty big disappointment as I’d really been looking forward to it, both as a huge CLAMP fan and someone who enjoys Shaneon Garrity’s writing. That said, I’m not really surprised, especially since DelRey’s manga licenses recently shifted over to Kodansha Comics (with only XXXHolic currently remaining in their hands until it ends) and Dark Horse being the current CLAMP powerhouse with their omnibus editions. It’d be wonderful, however unlikely, if we could see the book shift over to Dark Horse; it’d be a great compliment to their CLAMP library.

Unfortunate and not the news we’d been waiting to hear but at least we’ve now heard something.


Review: Tenjo Tenge 2-in-1 Edition (Vol. 01)

Tenjo Tenge 2-in-1 Edition (Vol. 01)

Manga-ka: Oh!Great
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: June 2011

Synopsis: “Soichiro Nagi and Bob Makihara were always the meanest street brawlers around. When they enter Todo High they plan on carving out a reputation as th strongest fighters in their new school – easier said than done in a place that’s dedicated to training its students in the art of combat! After realizing they’re the new fish, swimming in a tank full of sharks, Soichiro and Bob enter the Juken fight club as rookie members. However, the Executive Council – the archrival of the Juken Club – soon launches a surprise attack. Soichiro and Bob have a chance to show their stuff, as long as they don’t get curb-kicked in the process!”

Shiny new packaging, pages of full colour artwork and a brand new translation – Viz Media has done fantastic work on bringing Tenjo Tenge back to the North American market. But how does the story hold up today when we feel like we’ve already had our share of series like it before? Martial artist high school students vye for the top spot as strongest there is with busty girls, punked-out guys and a flurry of action to keep your eyes glued to the page along the way. Tenjo Tenge was brought back for a reason and despite its questionable (but fully intact) content, it’s a manga series worth a revisit or a first time trial.

Read more…


PR: Animate USA Adds New Titles for May 30

Kindle b-boy 05 May 2011

TOKYO, JAPAN – May 30 – Animate U.S.A., Inc. is happy to announce four new releases for the Kindle this May!

New this month are the continuation of four popular series. Continuing this month are Naduki Koujima’s “Selfish Love,” Youka Nitta’s Yakuza love story “Kiss Ariki,” You Higashino’s “Hyper Loving a Maniac,” and Shiuko Kano’s “Play Boy Blues.” These are all Kindle exclusives so be sure to get your digital copy ASAP!

For more information, please visit www.animate-world.com and www.libre-pub.co.jp. Youka Nitta fans should be sure to drop by her website, nittayouka.com to see wallpapers, author comments, and any news. Fans of Ayano Yamane should be sure to check out her site, yamaneayano.com, which has updates, wallpapers, and comments from Yamane herself! Be sure to check them out!!

Read more…


Super Savings: Manga Galore at BMV Books

Super Savings: BMV Books

Conveniently located on Toronto’s busy (and bound to keep you even busier) Bloor St W, my roommate and I entered what we thought was just your run of the mill used book store. Never know what you can find, right? Well what we found was BMV Books – a three-floor discount bookstore with an entire floor dedicated to comic books, manga and fantasy novels.

The manga sold here is mostly overstock material, meaning it’s likely product sold to them that couldn’t be sold by either the publisher or other companies. They also sell some used material brought in to them by customers. Their selection is vast – from titles over a decade old to titles much more recent, you’ll find a little of everything and all at about 50% off the CDN cover price or less. Typically the books ranged from $3.00-$6.00, depending on the company and format.

We found books as new as the third volume of Vertical’s 7 Billion Needles and Yen Press’s Maximum Ride, to editions as old as Mixx’s Sailor Moon and Magic Knight Rayearth volumes (in surprisingly good condition too). There was something of every genre released in English, including boys’ love and yuri. First edition volumes of Fushigi Yuugi were especially nostalgic to me (my first manga GN purchases!) while I loved the opportunity to fill in my collection with some long-since out of print OEL titles from Tokyopop, NetComics titles (which I have trouble finding anywhere but conventions) and a couple ADV Manga books. All for cheap!

If you’re a manga fan who lives in or around, or is simply visiting, Toronto, then along with their assortment of comic stores, I highly recommend putting Bloor St W’s BMV Books on your list of must-shop stops.


PR: DramaQueen Celebrates 6 Years with Release of JUNK!

DramaQueen Celebrates Six Years of Manga with the Release of JUNK! by Shushushu Sakurai

HOUSTON, TEXAS – May 26, 2011. DramaQueen, LLC is celebrating our six years of independent manga and manhwa publishing with the release of our second title from the beloved cult manga-ka, Shushushu Sakurai, JUNK!

Summary: Free Agent Junk is the sole survivor of a nuclear attack, and it’s a closely-guarded secret how he managed to escape alive. Junk’s current mission is to rendezvous with the mysterious criminal “X,” who has been sending Junk messages lately. X wants Junk’s help to meet the Reverend Nagil, leader of a heretical religious sect; but Junk suspects that X has hidden motives for this meeting. Can Junk expose X’s secrets in time before his “true mission” is jeopardized?

Confirmed street date is June 1, 2011. Customers can now order the book at the DQ Shop: www.onedramaqueen.com/shop.

Please email all inquiries to: info@onedramaqueen.com.


ANN Review: Pet Shop of Horrors Tokyo (Vol. 08)

ANN Review: Pet Shop of Horrors Tokyo (Vol. 08)

Missed this one! My review of Pet Shop of Horrors Tokyo (Vol.08) can be read over on AnimeNewsNetwork. The review was originally posted back in February.

Pet Shop of Horrors is one of my favourite manga so it was tough writing my review for this volume which was very… meh. Not bad, but not all that great in comparison to those before it. Several issues on Tokyopop’s end were also really disappointing and stood out a lot. Saddest of all though, it all pales in comparison to the fact this is likely the last volume of Pet Shop of Horrors (or perhaps even Matsuri Akino) that we’ll see in English because of Tokyopop’s shut down.

None the less I still highly recommend this series. The original series, Pet Shop of Horrors, is notably for horror fans while the sequel series, Pet Shop of Horrors Tokyo, takes a much more light-hearted, character driven turn. Fingers crossed we somehow see the end in English someday!

Also a note that I’m no longer writing manga reviews for AnimeNewsNetwork effective this past May 22nd. We may still see some reviews of mine pop up on there (which I’ll continue to link to from here) but I won’t be submitting new material. That being said, ANN is looking for a new manga reviewer! If interested, you can check out their listing for the credentials and how-tos of applying.


Review: Arata (Vol. 05)

Arata (Vol. 05)

Manga-ka: Yuu Watase
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Older Teen (13+)
Release Date: March 2011

Synopsis: “Hinohara is surprised to learn that Kotoha no longer believes he’s Arata of the Hime clan. Meanwhile, a group within the Twelve Shinsho sets in motion a diabolical plan to eliminate Hinohara!”

After the previous two volumes, I was beginning to lose faith in this series. It hasn’t struck me as Yuu Watase’s strongest work since the get-go but despite that its fine line balance between shonen and shoujo elements and some slick artwork kept me coming back for more. I almost didn’t after the last volume however where it really felt like we were getting nowhere. Despite that it still felt like there was a flurry of activity assaulting us with every page. The result? Pointlessness, or at least what feels like it. Thankfully this fifth volume shifts its gears, and while it trends old ground, it does so in a way that sets in motion some intriguing and suspenseful scenes.

Read more…


PR: Animaritime Welcomes Vertical Inc’s Ed Chavez

ANIMARITIME WELCOMESVERTICAL INC.’S ED CHAVEZ

Vertical Inc. Marketing Director To Attend Eastern Canada’s Animaritime 2011 Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Moncton, NB, May 26, 2011 – Animaritime is pleased to announce that marketing director of VerticalInc., Ed Chavez, will be attending the 2011 event as a special guest.

As both a manga editor and translator, Ed Chavez has worked in the industry for years including forcompanies such as Seven Seas, CMX and the Japanese publisher, Kodansha. Since 2009 he hasbeen the marketing director of Vertical Inc., promoting the company’s varied assortment of titles. Alongwith attending conventions as a Vertical representative, Ed Chavez has also hosted panels across thecontinent for different facets of manga’s history and industry, along with holding a strong onlinepresence among manga fans.

“As a convention with an audience passionate for manga, we’re thrilled to be able to have Ed Chavezattend our event. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge about manga and the industry itself thatwe feel our attendees will really enjoy and learn a lot from.”

Ed Chavez joins graphic novel artist, Faith Erin Hicks, and anime voice actor, Spike Spencer, asguests to this year’s Animaritime convention which returns “bringing the best of Anime and Gaming toAtlantic Canada” after a one year hiatus in 2010.

Read more…


PR: 2011 Fan Expo Canada™ Gets ANIME-ted!

Anime’s most coveted voice actors to appear at the CNAnime Expo

Toronto, ON (May 26, 2011) – Fan Expo Canada™, the country’s largest gaming, horror, comic, science fiction and anime event, today announced its highly anticipated lineup of anime guests appearing at the ever popular CNAnime Expo from August 25 – 28, 2011. Anime luminaries include Canadian and international voice actors from such smash hit shows as Fullmetal Alchemist, Pokémon, Death Note, Dragon Ball Z and Bakugan.

For four days only, CNAnime Expo will give visitors the opportunity to participate in fun-for-all anime games and activities such as Name that Tune and Anime Karaoke; as well as contests, workshops, seminars and chance to meet with their favourite industry professionals, one-on-one!

CNAnime Celebrity Guests Include:
COLLEEN CLINKENBEARD – Star of RIN – Daughters of Mnemosyne
JASON DELINE – Star of Bakugan
CAITLIN GLASS – Star of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
MIKE MCFARLAND – Star of Dragon Ball Z
SHAWN MEUNIER – Star of Bakugan
VIC MIGNOGNA – Star of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
JUNKO MIZUNO – Acclaimed manga artist
BRINA PALENCIA – Star of Evangelion: 2.0 You Can [Not] Advance
CHRIS SABAT – Star of Dragon Ball Z
MICHAEL SINTERNIKLAAS – Star of Summer Wars and Slayers
BRAD SWAILE – Star of Death Note
VERONICA TAYLOR – Star of Pokémon

Read more…


Vertical Inc. Licenses GTO Precursor and Sequel Series

Vertical Inc. announced officially on the ANNCast today that they’ve licensed both the precursor and sequel series of Great Teacher OnizukaShonan Junai-gumi and GTO: Shonan 14 Days.

Shonan Junai-Gumi was the artist Tohru Fujisawa’s series prior to GTO. The story is about two society-feared motorcycle gang members and their journey to mend their ways in hopes of impressing the ladies. Weird friends, weirder situations and scenarios ranging from comedic to dark make up this series starring Ryuji Danma and Eikichi Onizuka, the second of whom will eventually be the star of Great Teacher Onizuka. Shonan 14 Days is then, in turn, a sequel series to GTO.

GTO (Vol. 01)Tokyopop originally held the license for Shonan Junai-gumi and they published ten of the fifteen volumes. The complete series was originally thirty-one volumes long before being released in the deluxe omnibus editions. Tokyopop released the GTO series in 2001 and released the entire story, twenty five volumes in total. Though out of print, you can still find volumes of GTO on many online retail sites and in some bookstores. Shonan 14 Days is currently on-going in Japan with six volumes so far.

On the ANNCast, Vertical’s marketing director Ed Chavez noted they’d be releasing the Vertical editions starting in January 2012 and on a bi-monthly schedule. Shonan 14 Days will be released in the odd months (January, March, etc.) and Shonan Junai-gumi being released in even months (February, April, etc.). That’s a lot of GTO very quickly! Edit: Vertical’s release of Early Days will continue where Tokyopop left off, which means their first release will be volume eleven.

An important thing to note about this license is that it’s not a ‘license rescue’ from the recently shutdown Tokyopop. Ed Chavez says the company has been working on these licenses long before Tokyopop’s announcement of shutting down. Tokyopop lost the license to GTO alongside the rest of their Kodansha titles back in August 2009, years prior to the company closing the doors on its publishing division.

So what do you think of this license news? Do you think it fits in Vertical’s repertoire of titles? Are you excited for the high-speed release schedule? And what of the ever-popular GTO series itself (which Ed notes they may consider releasing if these sell well), any big fans out there who can recommend the title to newcomers?


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