HELLO KITTY: IT’S ABOUT TIME graphic novel from Perfect Square

© 1976, 2015 SANRIO CO. LTD. Used under license.

HELLO KITTY® PACKS HER SCHEDULE WITH FUN

IN THE LATEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL

RELEASE FROM PERFECT SQUARE

Adventure In The Past, Present And Future In

HELLO KITTY: IT’S ABOUT TIME

VIZ Media extends an invitation to readers of all ages to set an appointment for fun with the recent graphic novel debut of HELLO KITTY: IT’S ABOUT TIME. The new edition joins the expanding roster of original HELLO KITTY graphic novels published by the Perfect Square imprint.

HELLO KITTY: IT’S ABOUT TIME is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will carry an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN. This newest addition to the HELLO KITTY series of graphic novels depicts original, full-color adventures of the iconic Sanrio character and brings back the talented artistic team of Jacob Chabot, Ian McGinty, Jorge Monlongo, and Giovanni Castro, and also presents special guest artist Erica Salcedo.

Let the good times roll! It's time for beach parties, dance contests, last-minute birthday gifts and time machines! Plus, journey inside a cuckoo clock and much, much more! Past, present or future, Hello Kitty and her friends are having a blast!

Don’t miss other full-color HELLO KITTY original graphic novel titles now available in print from Perfect Square including, HELLO KITTY: HERE WE GO!, HELLO KITTY: SURPRISE!, HELLO KITTY: DELICIOUS!, HELLO KITTY: WORK OF ART and HELLO KITTY: JUST IMAGINE!, as well as the hardcover HELLO KITTY, HELLO 40 commemorative story and art anthology.

Hello Kitty® is a true lifestyle brand that enjoys tremendous international popularity. The global pop icon is loved by fans of all ages, as evidenced by more than 15 million followers on her Facebook page!

“Hello Kitty and her friends are off on exciting exploits near and far, taking readers to the past, present and future in this fun new collection of adventures,” says Beth Kawasaki, Perfect Square’s Senior Editorial Director. “The latest Perfect Square graphic novel release is guaranteed to bring smiles to fans of all ages.”

HELLO KITTY artist Jacob Chabot is a prolific New York City-based cartoonist, illustrator and writer. His comics have appeared in publications such as Nickelodeon Magazine, Mad Magazine, SpongeBob SquarePants comics, and various Marvel titles. He also illustrated HELLO KITTY editions including JUST IMAGINE!, HERE WE GO!, DELICIOUS! and SURPRISE!, as well as VOLTRON FORCE: SHELTER FROM THE STORM and VOLTRON FORCE: TRUE COLORS for Perfect Square. His comic series, The Mighty Skullboy Army, is published by Dark Horse, and in 2008 Chabot was also nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Book for Teens.

Book and comic illustrator and game designer Jorge Monlongo hails from Spain and combines traditional and digital techniques to create worlds in beautiful colors that hide secrets. IT’S ABOUT TIME is his latest HELLO KITTY title for VIZ Media/Perfect Square and his work has also been featured in Mr. Peabody and Sherman comics published by IDW and in several prominent magazines, including Rolling Stone.

Artist Ian McGinty resides in Savannah, Georgia, and his portfolio includes Adventure Time: Candy Capers (kaBoom!), Bravest Warriors (kaBoom!), HELLO KITTY (VIZ Media), UGLYDOLL (VIZ Media), and Suckers (Zenescope). He is also creator of Chomp! (Top Shelf).

Artist Giovanni Castro was born in Colombia, studied art there, and now lives and works in Barcelona, Spain. He works mainly in editorial illustration and comics. Castro has worked with traditional media, but nowadays he does his illustrations digitally. He loves science fiction and historical themes and is interested in history, art and languages.

Erica Salcedo is a freelance illustrator living in Cuenca (Spain). Her work is largely focused on children’s illustration inspired by her everyday life.

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga (graphic novels) and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on other manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

YU-GI-OH! 3-in-1 omnibus series coming February 3rd from VIZ

YU-GI-OH! © 1996 by Kazuki Takahashi/SHUEISHA Inc.

VIZ MEDIA DELIVERS A MANGA TRIPLE THREAT WITH

THE LAUNCH OF YU-GI-OH! 3-IN-1 OMNIBUS SERIES

Catch 3 Complete Volumes Of Creator Kazuki Takahashi’s Original

Bestselling Fantasy Action Manga Series In New Omnibus Format

VIZ Media triples its dueling power as it announces the launch of Kazuki Takahashi’s YU-GI-OH! manga series in a new 3-in-1 omnibus on February 3rd.

Published under the Shonen Jump imprint, YU-GI-OH! 3-in-1, Vol. 1 is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. It is the latest title to join VIZ Media’s extensive roster of 3-in-1 omnibus releases for some of manga’s greatest series. Future YU-GI-OH! 3-in-1 editions will cover the entire 38-volume series and will be published quarterly for a total of 13 volumes.

Tenth-grader Yugi always had his head in some game – until he solved the Millennium Puzzle, an Egyptian artifact containing the spirit of a master gambler from the age of the pharaohs! Possessed by the puzzle, Yugi becomes Yu-Gi-Oh, the King of Games, and challenges evildoers to the Shadow Games...weird games with high stakes and high risks.

The games begin in the opening YU-GI-OH! omnibus volume! Meet Seto Kaiba, master of the world's most dangerous collectible card game. When Kaiba discovers that Yugi's grandfather owns the incredibly rare "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" card, he will stop at nothing to get it...even if he has to duel with Yugi's dark alter ego Yu-Gi-Oh! Then, out of the sands of Egypt, the mystic Shadi has come to test Yugi's powers, which will give Yugi his greatest challenge yet. If he loses, his best friends will die!

“This new omnibus is a great way to dive into all the action of the original YU-GI-OH! manga series for the very first time, or revisit it in a whole new way – undivided and in its entirety,” says Erica Yee, Editor. “YU-GI-OH! remains the Number 1 trading card game property in the world, and the popularity of the property has also spawned several top-rated anime series, bestselling video games, and a vast array of action figures and other collectables. We look forward to even more fans discovering this tremendous manga series with the new 3-in-1 editions.”

Creator Kazuki Takahashi first tried to break into the manga business in 1982, but success eluded him until YU-GI-OH! debuted in the Japanese Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1996. YU-GI-OH!’s themes of friendship and fighting, together with Takahashi's weird and imaginative monsters, soon became enormously successful, spawning a real-world card game, video games, and four anime series. In addition to the original YU-GI-OH! manga series, VIZ Media also publishes YU-GI-OH! 5D’s, YU-GI-OH! R, YU-GI-OH! GX, and YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL.

For more information on YU-GI-OH! and other award-winning manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

PERFECT SQUARE manga and graphic novels for holiday shopping

VOLTRON ™, ® and © WEP, LLC

  VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT COMPLEMENTS

HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH A WIDE ARRAY

OF MANGA AND GRAPHIC NOVEL TITLES

2014 Holiday Gift Ideas Include All-Ages Manga And

Graphic Novels For Celebrated Properties Including

BRAVEST WARRIORS, HELLO KITTY®, POKÉMON And VOLTRON

VIZ Media prepares to delight the young and young-at-heart this holiday season with a diverse selection of All-Ages manga, original graphic novels, and collectible books available from the company’s Perfect Square imprint.

Got a Bravest Warriors fan on your list? Perfect Square has two titles featuring Catbug, the breakout character of the hit animated series created by Pendleton Ward. Fans can venture to multiple dimensions with an incredible collection of artists in BRAVEST WARRIORS: THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG, and see the world as only Catbug can in CATBUG’S TREASURE BOOK. A third title, BRAVEST WARRIORS: THE GREAT CORE CAPER, allows fans of the Cartoon Hangover sensation to choose which way the story will end in Perfect Square's first-ever multiple-choice adventure.

Pop culture and HELLO KITTY fans will not want to miss HELLO KITTY, HELLO 40, a hardcover anthology featuring an array of acclaimed comic artists, muralists and toy creators paying tribute to Hello Kitty in story and art. Readers also can catch Hello Kitty’s latest full color original graphic novel adventure, HELLO KITTY: WORK OF ART.

POKÉMON fans can select from a trio of manga (graphic novel) box set editions for POKÉMON ADVENTURES RUBY & SAPPHIRE, POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE, and POKÉMON ADVENTURES DIAMOND & PEARL/PLATINUM.

The legendary giant robot anime franchise, VOLTRON, also returns in the informative tribute VOLTRON: FROM DAYS OF LONG AGO, A 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, which explores the history of the iconic series and its lasting impact on pop culture.

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga, graphic novels and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

BRAVEST WARRIORS HOLIDAY GIFT TITLES

BRAVEST WARRIORS PRESENTS: CATBUG’S TREASURE BOOK • Rated “A” for All Ages • MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN • Available Now
Says Catbug: "This book has all my secret treasures and oregano dreams! ALSO FIRE! I will share them with you because you are my friend, but it has to be our secret, okay? I love you Treasure Book!"

BRAVEST WARRIORS: THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG • Rated “A” for All Ages • MSRP: $14.99 U.S. / $17.99 CAN • Available Now
An amazing collection of artists venture to multiple dimensions to help you in...THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG! Catbug ate some weird new cubes of food that caused him to lose what little control he already had over his jump abilities! Now he’s careening through dimensions, unable to stop! Help the Bravest Warriors travel the galaxy and find Catbug. Just don’t eat any of those cube snacks or you might end up lost too! Artists include Alan Brown (BEN 10 OMNIVERSE), Mr. Warburton (Codename: Kids Next Door), Ian McGinty (UGLYDOLL, HELLO KITTY), Lee Ferguson (Miranda Mercury), Jorge Monlongo (Mr. Peabody & Sherman, HELLO KITTY), Stu Livingston (Steven Universe) and Mad Rupert (Regular Show, Adventure Time).

BRAVEST WARRIORS: THIS WAY OR THAT - THE GREAT CORE CAPER • Rated “A” for All Ages • MSRP: $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN • Available Now
In THE GREAT CORE CAPER, the planet Goober-Delta-9 will lose orbit if its stolen planetary core is not returned. Where is that core? In the most secure vault in the Galaxy – beneath SID BEEMER-BOOF’S FUN PLANET, the biggest amusement park in the known universe. The Bravest Warriors must recruit a daring team, including Plum, Catbug, President Memory Donk, Professor Brain Dog 7 and the Emotion Lord, to help them on their mission. Each team member must play their part in order to pull off the most outrageous heist of all time! And on EVERY page, the reader is in complete control of what happens next.

HELLO KITTY® HOLIDAY GIFT TITLES

HELLO KITTY, HELLO 40 • MSRP: $29.99 U.S. / $34.99 CAN • Rated ‘A’ For All Ages • Available Now
In 1974, Hello Kitty stepped on the scene, and she's had the world wrapped around her red bow ever since. In Perfect Square's Hello Kitty, Hello 40, an array of acclaimed comic artists, muralists and toy creators pay tribute to Hello Kitty in story and art. Contributors include the award-winning creators of the Tiny Titans series, Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani; Brian Smith, co-creator of the New York Times bestselling series Stuff of Legend; Gene Luen Yang, award-winning author of American Born Chinese and Boxers and Saints, and Uglydoll co-creator David Horvath. Everyone has a tale to tell about the cute little girl who speaks from her heart. The hardcover edition also includes a special introduction by Matt and Jennifer L. Holm, award-winning creators of the Babymouse series.

HELLO KITTY: WORK OF ART • MSRP: $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN • Rated ‘A’ For All Ages • Available Now
Picture this: Hello Kitty and her friends are making music, producing plays, snapping photos, solving mysteries and, playing with dragons? Art is all around, and Hello Kitty and her friends know exactly where to find it! This latest HELLO KITTY original graphic novel features story and full color art from Giovanni Castro, Jacob Chabot, Ian McGinty, Jorge Monlongo, and Maite Oz.

POKÉMON HOLIDAY GIFT TITLES

POKÉMON ADVENTURES RUBY & SAPPHIRE BOX SET • MSRP: $59.99 U.S. / $79.99 CAN • Rated ‘A’ For All Ages • Available Now
Ruby’s father Norman is the new Gym Leader of Petalburg City. But Ruby doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps – he wants to win Pokémon Contests! Sapphire’s father Professor Birch is the local Pokémon researcher. But Sapphire is tired of gathering scientific data – she wants to win Pokémon Battles! When Ruby and Sapphire meet, they’re more likely to hit each other than hit it off. But then Sapphire challenges Ruby to a competition! Which of them will achieve their dreams in just eighty days?! The box set contains the complete Ruby & Sapphire arc (Vols. 15-22) of the bestselling POKÉMON ADVENTURES series and a collectible color poster

POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE BOX SET 2 • MSRP: $25.99 U.S. / $29.99 CAN • Rated ‘A’ For All Ages • Available Now
His entire life, Black has dreamed of winning the Pokémon League! Now he embarks on a journey to explore the Unova region and fill a Pokédex for Professor Juniper. White has an exciting career as the Trainer of a talented troupe of performing Pokémon. She dreams of making her Tepig Gigi a star! Together, Black and White continue on their journey... What surprising new Pokémon – and people – will they meet along the way?! The manga set includes POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE Volumes 9–14 and a collectible color poster.

© 2011 Pokémon.
© 1995-2011 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
TM, ®, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo.
POCKET MONSTERS SPECIAL © 1997 Hidenori KUSAKA, Satoshi YAMAMOTO/SHOGAKUKAN

 POKÉMON ADVENTURES DIAMOND & PEARL/PLATINUM • MSRP: $89.99 U.S. / $115.99 CAN • Rated ‘A’ For All Ages • Available Now
The box set contains the complete Diamond & Pearl/Platinum story arc (Vols. 1-11) of the bestselling POKÉMON ADVENTURES series and a collectible color poster! Pokémon Trainers Pearl and Diamond are starstruck! Their lifelong dream is to floor an audience with their Pokémon comedy act. So how do they wind up as bodyguards to a pampered little rich girl on a quest to reach the peak of Mt. Coronet? Thrills and laughs are guaranteed as the POKÉMON ADVENTURES series continues with POKÉMON DIAMOND & PEARL/PLATINUM.

VOLTRON HOLIDAY GIFT TITLE

VOLTRON: FROM DAYS OF LONG AGO, A 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION • MSRP: $29.99 U.S. / $34.99 CAN • Available Now
Thirty years ago, Voltron: Defender of the Universe hit the airwaves, and the world hasn't been the same. Now, VOLTRON: FROM DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicles the story of VOLTRON and its cultural relevance, taking a detailed look at the story behind the show and the many related toy releases, the mythology of both Lion Force and Vehicle Voltron (with a nod to Albegas), and concludes the exciting Voltron Force saga. This new book is truly for fans, by fans: authored by Brian Smith, a former Marvel Comics editor and writer for Perfect Square's VOLTRON FORCE® series of original graphic novels, Marc Morrell, co-host of the official "Let's Voltron!" podcast, and Joshua Bernard, founder of CollectionDX, a popular website devoted to covering the world of Japanese toys, action figures and pop culture; with a bonus VOLTRON comic written by Smith and illustrated by Jacob Chabot, artist on the VOLTRON FORCE series; with a foreword by Jeremy Corray, former Creative Director of World Events Productions, the company behind the classic Voltron TV series.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

SNOWPIERCER and BOON Joon-ho

John Hurt, with glasses, Chris Evans, center, and Jamie Bell, right, at the tail of the train

Last night, Thursday, June 26th, I had a wonderful evening at the Walter Reade Theater of the Film Society of Lincoln Center. BOON Joon-ho's fabulous science fiction thriller Snowpiercer was shown in all it 125 minute uncut glory and afterwards Director Boon (The Host, Mother) took part in an interview and Q&A with Subway Cinema Co-Founder and Executive Director Goran Topalovic.

Tilda Swinton as Mason, Wilford's chief spokesperson

When the Weinstein Company logo came up during the opening credit, I let out a long, not particularly loud but clear "hiss." This elicited considerable laughter from the audience, many of whom clearly were well aware of the hostility Harvey Weinstein generated amongst Asian film fans with his desire to have Snowpiercer's running time shortened for American audiences, as he had Wong Kar Wai do with The Grandmaster.

SONG Kang-ho as Namgoong Minsoo

As far as the movie itself goes, it's set in the not too distant future. An attempt to fix global warning has succeeded too well and has brought on a world-wide ice age. Only a thousand or so human beings are still alive, and they live on a train that continuously travels around the world. Their is a definite hierarchy amongst the passengers. At the very head of the train, in charge of its perpetual motion engine is Wilford (Ed Harris), an entrepreneur who had been a train enthusiast since his childhood and had created the train and in its route. At the tail of the train are the lowest of the low, the "unwashed masses" who subsist on "protein bars" made out of you-don't-want-to-know-what. In between are the well off and the security forces that keep them safe. One of Wilford's spokesperson functionaries is Mason, played by an almost unrecognizable Tilda Swinton. She reminds those in the tail that there's a place for everyone on the train and that everyone should remain in their place. Her speeches are punctuated by the refrain "and so it is."

In the school car of the train

Chris Evans -- looking nothing like his Captain America character -- plays Curtis, the reluctant leader of a revolt of the "tail people." To make it to the front of the train and gain control of the engine, he obtains the assistance of Namgoong Minsoo (SONG Kang-ho) to open the security gates between the cars by bribing hims with Kronole, an addictive substance which is inhaled. Both Namggong, who designed the security system, and his daughter, Yona (KO Ahsung) are addicted to Kronole.

Along the way there are several violent confrontations with the security forces, startling revelations of how the "one-percenters" live, all of which culminates in a startling face-off between Curtis and the finally-revealed Wilford.

Goran Topalovic (left), BOON Joon-ho (center) and the translator (right)

In the interview/Q&A afterwards, the charming BOON, who spoke mainly in Korean but often briefly punctuated his remarks in English, provided numerous insights into the film. Although the story is based on Le Transperceneige, a graphic novel by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand, and Jean-Marc Rochette, the film differs from it in major ways. The whole idea of revolution, for example, came from the director; it is not in the original source material. BOON also said that it was not that difficult working primarily with English-speaking actors and dialogue, mainly because the process of making a film is much the same everywhere in the world.

One way in which it did differ, and presented him with somewhat of a problem, was the need to deal with unions, something he doesn't face when making films in South Korea. Also challenging was the need to comply with rules for child actors. He was concerned because one fairly lengthy scene involved about fifty children. He explained that he was able to move shooting along at a good pace for that scene by dividing the children into two groups and filming one group in the morning, the other in the afternoon.

I happened to become aware of one interesting piece of information in the lobby afterwards. I overheard someone talking about KO Ahsung, who plays Yona, the daughter of SONG Kang-ho's character. Currently just shy of her 22nd birthday, she had played  Hyun-seo, the little girl that was taken by the monster in BOON's The Host (2006), when she was thirteen year old. I found this to be an interesting little factoid that I hadn't seen in any writings about Snowpiercer.

As I said, it was a great evening all-around.

AsianCineFest Rating for Snowpiercer: 4 out of 4 stars; highest recommendation. One of the best thrillers I've seen in a long time.

Starting today, Friday, June 27th, Snowpiercer will begin a one week run at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center as part of the New Releases at the Film Society film series. Director BOON Joon-ho will participate in Q&As at the 6:15om screenings on Friday and Saturday.

Steampunk horror graphic novel TOSHIRO coming June, 2014

HAIL TOSHIRO!

AN ORIGINAL STEAMPUNK HORROR

GRAPHIC NOVEL FROM JAI NITZ!

Genres collide in an adventure where steam-powered tanks clash with katanas in the new graphic novel Toshiro from writer Jai Nitz (Dream Thief) and artist Janusz Pawlak!

“Toshiro bends and blends genres to make something altogether new. Janusz and I wanted to play with Victorian steampunk, alternate history, Lovecraftian monsters, and the magic of Tezuka’s Astro Boy to tell a story,” said Jai Nitz. “We wanted to wear our influences on our sleeves, but do the hard work of creating something new. I think this book will appeal to any fans of adventure.”

The mechano-samurai Toshiro travels a Victorian clockwork world, battling horrors too dark for mankind. With his mysterious partner, the world-famous adventurer Quicksilver Bob, Toshiro must face Earth’s greatest foe yet: the soul-stealing, zombie-creating jellyfish from beyond. Janusz Pawlak’s jagged inks and moody watercolors create a world of dread and mystery.

On sale June 4 in comic shops (Diamond code FEB140081) and June 17 in bookstores everywhere!

Preorder your copy here

MAX STEEL: HERO OVERLOAD is now available from Perfect Square

MAX STEEL and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from Mattel, Inc.

©2014 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 GET READY FOR TURBO-CHARGED ACTION IN

MAX STEEL: HERO OVERLOAD ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL

AVAILABLE NOW FROM VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT

Teen Superhero Max Gets More Than He Bargained For When

He Helps Train A Young Trio Of Heroes-In-Waiting

VIZ Media delivers a new installment of its ongoing series of original graphic novels based on the hit kids action adventure property, MAX STEEL™, with the release of MAX STEEL: HERO OVERLOAD.

MAX STEEL: HERO OVERLOAD features an original story by B. Clay Moore and artwork by Alfa Robbi. The full-color release from VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint is available now, rated ‘A’ for All Ages, and carries an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN. A digital version is also available for $4.99 U.S. / CAN from the Perfect Square App, which offers titles for the Apple iPad® and iPad® Mini. The Perfect Square App is available from the iTunes store. Fans can also find a digital version for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.

In the latest adventure, Max Steel realizes that he isn’t the only superhero around. Max encounters a trio of super-powered teens with mysterious skills who are in serious need of training. He takes on the task, but can Max get these new heroes up to speed before they have to battle a real threat? One of Max’s biggest baddies is waiting in the wings to strike... and Max is going to have to face him with a bunch of newbies!

Originally developed by Mattel, MAX STEEL is a global boy’s entertainment franchise spanning toys, publishing and consumer products. Season 1 of an acclaimed MAX STEEL CGI animated series, co-produced with FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment, has also captivated legions of fans of all ages on the Disney XD channel in the U.S. and Teletoons in Canada. In the TV and original graphic novel series, Maxwell McGrath™ is just an average 16-year-old boy… until he starts experiencing uncontrollable Turbo Energy! To control this amazing superpower, he must merge with a know-it-all alien Ultralink™ named Steel. Steel gives Maxwell the ability to harness his power and merge his own to create one unified super force – Max Steel – and together, this unlikely duo will battle to save the earth as the ultimate turbocharged superhero!

“In Hero Overload, the latest graphic novel featuring teen superhero MAX STEEL, Max encounters a new team of superhero peers that were created exclusively for this story by writer B. Clay Moore. The new characters have a design from Alfa Robbi that helps them fit perfectly into the world of Max Steel, and of course, they are not at all what you might think when you first meet them,” says Joel Enos, Editor for the MAX STEEL™ graphic novels. “As you can expect from a veteran comics writer like B. Clay Moore, the action jumps off from the very first page. And like all our Perfect Square books, readers of all ages can really dig into this turbo-powered new story!”

Writer B. Clay Moore has authored comic books for virtually every major publisher, including VIZ Media, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, WildStorm, Oni Press and Top Cow Productions. He is also the co-creator of a handful of critically acclaimed creator-owned titles.

Artist Alfa Robbi was born and raised in Semarang City, in Central Java, Indonesia. His published works include Planetary Brigade (Boom!) and Ev (TokyoPop). Robbi’s current focus is Papillon, a comic book art studio he founded with Fajar Buana in 2002. Alfa was also the illustrator for Perfect Square’s VOLTRON FORCE: RISE OF THE BEAST KING.

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga (graphic novels) and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on other manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

BEN 10 OMNIVERSE: JOYRIDES is now available from Perfect Square

TM & © Cartoon Network.  

 VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT RELEASES A BRAND

NEW ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL ADVENTURE WITH

BEN 10 OMNIVERSE: JOYRIDES

Teen Superhero Ben Tennyson And Partner Rook Must Save

Their Reputations And Get To The Bottom Of A Dangerous

Mystery When Sudden Amnesia Wipes Their Memories

VIZ Media has announced the release of a new BEN 10 OMNIVERSE original graphic novel, based on the popular Cartoon Network original series. Available now from the company’s Perfect Square imprint, BEN 10 OMNIVERSE: JOYRIDES is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and carries an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.

A digital version is also available for $4.99 U.S. / CAN from the Perfect Square App, which offers titles for the Apple iPad® and iPad® Mini. The Perfect Square App is available from the iTunes store. Fans can also find a digital version for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.

BEN 10 OMNIVERSE: JOYRIDES features a lead story by B. Clay Moore and artwork by Alan Brown, as well as a second story by Joel Enos with artwork by Albert Carreres. In B. Clay Moore’s “Tim 10,” Ben’s aliens seem to be causing all kinds of trouble in Undertown. But Ben doesn’t remember doing any of it... or changing into the aliens at all. Something’s not right, but what? Ben better find out before his reputation is ruined for good! And in Joel Enos’ “Down in the Dumps,” Ben finds out that being a superhero doesn’t always get you the respect you deserve when he tries to teach a class of plumber recruits at the academy... and ends up getting them all into a heap of trouble.

The BEN 10 OMNIVERSE graphic novels are inspired by the hit animated Ben 10 Omniverse series that airs on Cartoon Network and is one of the network’s biggest global franchises. Ben Tennyson has been saving the universe with his partner, Rook, and his trusty Omnitrix, which allows him to use the DNA of aliens to take on heroic new forms. But he’s never encountered challenges quite like these!

“The Perfect Square library of original graphic novels notably expands this month with the release of BEN 10 OMNIVERSE: JOYRIDES. Longtime comics storyteller B. Clay Moore has a great take on Ben and both stories should hold appeal for kids and grown ups, whether parents reading to their kids, or adult fans who like fun stories and seeing a bit of the real and flawed in their heroes,” says Joel Enos, Editor and Writer for the BEN 10 OMNIVERSE Graphic Novels. “Ben’s got to contend with being not only a hero, but in “Down in the Dumps,” he’s even got to try being a teacher to new recruits who know way more than he does about regulations. Anyone who knows Ben well knows he’s got a lot of courage and heroic qualities, but I had a lot fun playing with what he’d probably flub up if he had to be an authority figure.”

BEN 10 OMNIVERSE writer/editor Joel Enos has worked on a variety of VIZ Media manga titles including NARUTO, YU-GI-OH!, and POKÉMON, as well as editing original comic series, MONSUNO and MAX STEEL, for the Perfect Square imprint. Joel also wrote the graphic novel BEN 10 OMNIVERSE: PARALLEL PARADOX (Perfect Square), which will be released in April.

Writer B. Clay Moore has authored comic books for virtually every major publisher, including VIZ Media, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, WildStorm, Oni Press and Top Cow Productions. He is also the co-creator of a handful of critically acclaimed creator-owned titles.

BEN 10 OMNIVERSE artist Alan Brown has a love of comic art and cartoons that led him to a career as a storyboard and concept artist for a busy London agency, working for clients such as Lego and Ford. As a freelance artist and designer he has also created a variety of licensed artwork for Disney, Warner Bros. and the BBC, while continuing to provide comic art for a variety of small press and independent comics publishers.

Artist Albert Carreres has worked on several comic and manga titles, including the Cars movie prequel comic book and an Iron Man edition for Marvel. He was also the artist for VOLTRON FORCE: DRAGON DAWN (Perfect Square) and created the cover art for MAX STEEL: HERO OVERLOAD for VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint.

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga (graphic novels) and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on other manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

Full color graphic novel UGLYDOLL: EAT DAT! now available from VIZ's Perfect Square imprint

TM, ® and © 2014, Pretty Ugly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

 VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE DELIVERS A MENU OF FUN

FOR ALL AGES WITH THE GRAPHIC NOVEL RELEASE OF

UGLYDOLL: EAT DAT!

Catch Wage™, Babo ™, Big Toe™, OX™, And The Rest Of

The Uglys In 18 Whimsical New Food-Inspired Adventures

VIZ Media serves up some monstrous fun with the release of UGLYDOLL: EAT DAT! The full-color graphic novel from the Perfect Square imprint is now available, and is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and carries an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.

A digital version is also available for $4.99 U.S. / CAN from the Perfect Square App, which has titles available for the Apple iPad® and iPad® Mini. The Perfect Square App is available from the iTunes store. Fans can also find a digital version for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.

Was that your stomach?! UGLYDOLL: EAT DAT! has just the thing! Soup? Check. Tiny tacos? Check. Over-the-top, high-stakes cooking competition? Check, check, check! But before you say, “Check, please!” treat yourself to a tour of Babo’s Bakery, marvel at Wedgehead’s culinary commentary and wash it all down with a chunky healthy shake. (Supplies are limited, so act now!)

EAT DAT features 18 food-inspired stories by Uglydoll Creators Sun-Min Kim and David Horvath, Travis Nichols, Ian McGinty, Phillip Jacobson, and guest artists Joe Ledbetter and Dave Cooper.

“Uglydoll fans know that food--especially cookies and candy--features pretty prominently in the Uglyverse so the food theme in UGLYDOLL: EAT DAT! was a lot of fun to play with,” says Traci Todd, Senior Editor, Perfect Square. "Do Uglydolls ever eat their vegetables? You'll just have to pick up EAT DAT! to find out!” David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim are renowned for creating the world of Uglydoll. Inspired by a love letter David drew for Sun-Min, Uglydoll began as a line of handmade plush dolls and has since grown into an evergreen, multi-million dollar brand loved internationally by fans all ages. Their works can be found around the world, from the MOMA in Tokyo and the Louvré in Paris, to the windows of the Uglydoll shop in Seoul. Based on a vision to build a world that showed the whimsical twists and turns that make people unique, both inside and out, and to demonstrate how “ugly” means unique and celebrating who you are is the new beautiful. This Uglydoll comic is also inspired by some of Sun-Min and David’s personal heroes from the pop art and comic art world.

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga (graphic novels) and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

For more information on UGLYDOLLS, visit www.uglydolls.com.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on other manga titles from VIZ Media, visit www.VIZ.com.

ACF 1950: New original UGLYDOLL graphic novels from VIZ Media

™® and © 2012, Pretty Ugly, LLC. All Rights Reserved

VIZ MEDIA INVITES YOU TO GET UGLY WITH THE LAUNCH

OF THE NEW UGLYDOLL® ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVELS

The Award-Winning Distinctive Plush Toy Characters Define

The “New Beautiful” And Come To Life In A New All-ages

Full-Color Graphic Novel Series Launching

Across North America In July!

VIZ Media delivered a fresh dose of all-ages fun with the July 2nd launch of the UGLYDOLL original graphic novel series. UGLYDOLL: GOIN’ PLACES! is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will carry an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.

VIZ Media’s UGLYDOLL graphic novel series is a first for Wage™, Babo™, OX™, Ice-Bat™ and their friends. In the series, they'll take readers on a colorful journey through the Uglyverse™, where “ugly” means unique and celebrating who you are is the new beautiful.

The UGLYDOLL graphic novel series features stories written by Travis Nichols, art by Uglydoll co-creators Sun-Min Kim and David Horvath, Ian McGinty and Phillip C. Jacobson. Each volume features special guest artists, including Eisner-winner James Kochalka, Eisner-nominee Jacob Chabot, Peter Fowler, Junko Mizuno, Mike L.E. Kelly and Bwana Spoons, among others.

“UGLYDOLL is ‘Going Places’ with VIZ Media as we launch our first comic book series and blast off to the ‘Blueberry Moon’!” says Alita Friedman, Chief Brand Officer of Pretty Ugly, LLC.

“The great fun the UGLYDOLL team had creating this series comes through on every page,” says Traci Todd, Senior Editor, Children’s Publishing. “The art is beautiful and vibrant, and we tried to pay homage to Sun-Min and David's distinct sense of humor and play. We hope we've created something Uglydoll fans will love."

Since David first drew Wage™ on a love letter to Sun-Min in 2001, and Sun-Min turned that drawing into a doll, UGLYDOLL has evolved into an entire universe of characters, stories, and products for all ages. Proven sales and retail are evidenced by the brand constantly winning Best Toy Awards by TIA, Learning Express, Fat Brain Toys, TD Monthly, Oppenheim, Funfare, Parent’s Choice, iParenting, and Creative Child among others. UGLYDOLL has achieved status as an ‘evergreen’ property and is merchandised among the biggest brands in the toy market.

For more information on UGLYDOLL, visit www.uglydolls.com.

For more information on VIZ Media’s all-ages graphic novels and manga, visit VIZKids.com.

About UGLYDOLL® & Pretty Ugly, LLC
 The Uglydoll brand was launched in 2002 by Pretty Ugly, LLC with offices in Los Angeles and Green Brook, NJ. The brand is distinguished by David & Sun-Min’s unique aesthetic and voice defining ‘ugly’ as distinctive, different, and good. The award-winning Uglydoll characters appear in a variety of toys, books, apparel, and other licensed products that are available in thousands of stores, worldwide. In its first ten years, Pretty Ugly has produced and sold millions of Uglydoll items. For more information, visit www.uglydolls.com.

ACF 1739: UGLYDOLL original graphic novels to launch Summer of 2013 from VIZ Kids imprint

™® and © 2012, Pretty Ugly, LLC. All Rights Reserved

 VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES FUN NEW SERIES
OF UGLYDOLL ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVELS

Award-Winning Brand Of Distinctive Plush Toy Characters Comes To Life
In A New VIZ Kids Series Set To Launch Next Summer

VIZ Media has announced a publishing deal with Pretty Ugly, LLC, the official licensors of the popular Uglydoll brand, to develop a brand new series of original graphic novels based on the bestselling plush character toys. The Uglydoll series is scheduled to launch Summer of 2013 under the VIZ Kids imprint, and will carry a rating of ‘A’ for All Ages.

VIZ Media’s UGLYDOLL graphic novel series will transport readers to a diverse universe where “ugly” just means unique and different, and celebrating who you are inside and out is the new beautiful. Join Wage, Babo, OX, Ice-Bat and their Uglydoll pals as they express themselves through laughs, tears, love and adventure!

“Uglydoll is an iconic pop culture brand that has helped to question and redefine the very definitions of ugly and cute,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director. “Each Uglydoll is unique, and possesses its own distinctive characteristics and personalities that everyone can relate to. These adorable and highly original characters will come to life in a series of fun, and funny, adventures and are sure to find their way into the hearts of readers everywhere.”

David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim created the first Uglydoll hand-sewn plush toy in 2001. Since the inception of the first character, Wage™, who David drew on a love letter to Sun-Min, Uglydoll has evolved into an entire universe of characters, stories, and products for all ages. Proven sales and retail are evidenced by the brand constantly winning Best Toy Awards by TIA, Learning Express, Fat Brain Toys, TD Monthly, Oppenheim, Funfare, Parent’s Choice, iparenting, Creative Child among others. UGLYDOLL has achieved status as an ‘evergreen’ property and is merchandised among the biggest brands in the toy market.

For more information on Uglydoll, visit www.uglydolls.com.

For more information on VIZ Kids graphic novels and manga, visit VIZKids.com.

ACF 1534: VIZ Kids debuts WINX CLUB graphic novels

Winx Club © 2012 Rainbow and Viacom. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc

A Group of Fairy Friends Practice their Powers at

a Magical School While Fighting Evil Witches!

VIZ Media presents Winx Club, a brand new graphic novel series inspired by the hit international animated TV series currently airing on Nickelodeon. WINX CLUB Volumes 1 and 2 will be published under the VIZ Kids imprint, and are available now in stores; Volume 3 will be available on September 4th Each volume is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will carry an MSRP of $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN.

The WINX CLUB graphic novels follow the magical adventures of five best friends— Bloom, Stella, Musa, Tecna and Flora — at Alfea, a school for fairies in the amazing dimension of Magix. With powers of sunlight, science, music, nature, and flame, the girls learn together even as they regularly battle their rivals, a trio of witches known as The Trix.

WINX CLUB: Volume 1, Bloom’s Discovery 
Meet Bloom, a normal teenager whose life becomes extraordinary when she discovers she’s actually a fairy, and befriends four other fairies to form the Winx Club. In her first days at school, Bloom has to fight the wicked powers of Icy, Stormy and Darcy – the rival club known as the Trix!

WINX CLUB: Volume 2, Secrets of Alfea 
Alfea throws a big party for new students — but how will Bloom find her way out of a Trix trap to join the fun?

WINX CLUB: Volume 3, A Job for Bloom 
Bloom makes new friends and discovers ancient enemies when she gets a job at a happening restaurant on the lakefront of Magix!

 “WINX CLUB is all about friendship, fashion and fun—what could be better than that?” says Traci Todd, Senior Editor, Children’s Publishing. “Bloom and her friends are bright, beautiful, powerful fairies, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the VIZ Kids family! Fans of the TV show will certainly enjoy these new books, as will anyone who loves fairies—and who couldn’t use a little magic?”

For more information on WINX CLUB and other VIZ Kids properties, visit www.VIZKids.com.

ACF 464: Fifteen VIZ titles are on 2010 list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens

VIZ MEDIA TITLES RECOGNIZED BY YALSA’S 2010
GREAT GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR TEENS

Annual Booklist By Young Adult Library Services Association
Recognizes Acclaimed Manga Titles For Quality And Broad Appeal

Kudos to VIZ Media! Several of its manga titles have made the list of 2010 Great Graphic Novels For Teens by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Here's further info:

The noteworthy list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens was presented at the ALA Midwinter Meeting last week. The VIZ Media manga, recommended for those ages 12-18, meet the criteria of both good quality literature and appealing reading for teen readers.

The VIZ Media titles making the list included:

CHILDREN OF THE SEA Vol. 1 · by Daisuke Igarashi · rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens

KIMI NI TODOKE Vol. 1 · by Karuho Shiina · rated ‘T’ for Teens

KIMI NI TODOKE Vol. 2 · by Karuho Shiina · rated ‘T’ for Teens

OOKU: INNER CHAMBERS Vol. 1 · by Fumi Yoshinaga · rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences

OTOMEN Vol. 1 · by Aya Kanno · rated ‘T’ for Teens

MIXED VEGETABLES Vol. 1 · by Ayumi Komura · rated ‘T’ for Teens

PLUTO Vol. 1 · · by Naoki Urasawa · rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens

PLUTO Vol. 2 · · by Naoki Urasawa · rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens

PLUTO Vol. 3 · · by Naoki Urasawa · rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens

SOLANIN · by Inio Asano · rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens


TEGAMI BACHI: LETTER BEE Vol. 1 · by Hiroyuki Asada · rated ‘T’ for Teens

WE WERE THERE Vol. 1· by Yuki Obata · rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens

WE WERE THERE Vol. 2 · by Yuki Obata · rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens

WE WERE THERE Vol. 3 · by Yuki Obata · rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens

WE WERE THERE Vol. 4 · by Yuki Obata · rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens

“We’re very pleased to announce this diverse collection of manga titles that have been recognized by YALSA’s 2010 Great Graphic Novels For Teens, with 3 making it to the top ten.” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President Sales & Marketing for VIZ Media. “These series were created by some of the most imaginative minds in the manga genre and offer readers great stories ranging from science fiction and historical-based drama to romantic shojo and slice-of-life graphic novels aimed at female readers. YALSA provides librarians with valuable tools and information to help them select compelling titles for readers, and we invite them to consider these series which have been recognized for their innovation and quality.”

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the U.S. leader in selecting books, videos, and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists.

For more information on these and other manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.viz.com.