“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” Flies Past Half a Billion Dollars
Warner Bros. Pictures’ Super Hero Battle Hits the $500 Million Mark at the Global Box Office in Only Its Fifth Day of Release
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” continues to win at the worldwide box office. Soaring past $500 million after only five days in theaters with a total of $501.9 million and counting, the film joins a very rare group of movies that cross half a billion dollars in their first week of release. The announcement was made today by Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
“These incredible numbers are building momentum for not only this movie, but for the upcoming slate of DC Super Hero films.”
“We’re so proud that ‘Batman v Superman’ has become the must-see event film of the season for fans the world over,” Veronika Kwan Vandenberg stated. “These incredible numbers are building momentum for not only this movie, but for the upcoming slate of DC Super Hero films.”
The domestic box office total now stands at more than $193.3 million, and the international figure is $308.6 million.
From director Zack Snyder comes “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” starring Oscar winner Ben Affleck (“Argo”) as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent in the characters’ first big-screen pairing.
Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with each other, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it has ever known before.
Directed by Zack Snyder, the film also stars Oscar nominees Amy Adams (“American Hustle”) as Lois Lane, Jesse Eisenberg (“The Social Network”) as Lex Luthor, Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) as Martha Kent, and Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”) as Perry White; Oscar winners Jeremy Irons (“Reversal of Fortune”) as Alfred, and Holly Hunter (“The Piano”) as Senator Finch; and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince.
Snyder directed from a screenplay written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer, based on characters from DC Comics, including Batman, created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, and Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film was produced by Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder, with Wesley Coller, Geoff Johns and David S. Goyer serving as executive producers.
Snyder’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Larry Fong (“300,” “Watchmen”) and production designer Patrick Tatopoulos (“300: Rise of an Empire”), and from his “Man of Steel” team, editor David Brenner, costume designer Michael Wilkinson, visual effects supervisor John “DJ” DesJardin, and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King”) working in conjunction with composer Junkie XL (“Mad Max: Fury Road”).
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, an Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual production, a Zack Snyder film, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” The film can be seen in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, 3D and in 2D, and is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.com
batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.net
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Thursday, March 31, 2016
VIZ Media Makes Announcements at 2016 Anime Boston
VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW PUBLISHING ACQUISITIONS AT 2016 ANIME BOSTON
Leading Manga Publisher Expands Roster With A New ONE PIECE Box Set, Deluxe Release Of Junji Ito’s TOMIE, And The Launch Of PLATINUM END And JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 3 – STARDUST CRUSADERS
San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, thrilled a packed audience of fans during its panel held this Saturday at the 2016 Anime Boston convention as it detailed exciting new manga (graphic novel) publishing acquisitions.
VIZ Media previewed each of the new titles, which include the latest box set release of the epic high seas pirate adventure, ONE PIECE, as well as the print launch of PLATINUM END, the new dark fantasy series by the creators of DEATH NOTE. Additional manga releases joining the VIZ Media catalog include a hardcover deluxe edition of JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 3 – STARDUST CRUSADERS and the return of horror master Junji Ito’s long-awaited debut series, TOMIE, which will be published in a special, deluxe omnibus hardcover edition after being out of print for many years.
Additional information on each of these titles will be announced in the near future.
New Fall & Winter 2016 VIZ Media Publishing Acquisitions
ONE PIECE BOX SET 3 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuts Fall 2016
The third ONE PIECE Manga Box Set contains the arcs Thriller Bark, Sabaody, Impel Down, Paramount War, and New World, which make up vols. 47-70 of the epic pirate series. This new set offers a significant savings over buying the volumes individually, along with an exclusive premium 48-page mini-comic and double-sided color poster.
PLATINUM END, VOL. 1 · Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers · Debuts Fall 2016
Digital Chapters Available Now For $0.99
Dive into the brand new series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, the legendary manga duo that created DEATH NOTE. As his classmates celebrate their middle school graduation, troubled Mirai is mired in darkness. But his battle is just beginning when he receives some salvation from above in the form of an angel. Now Mirai is pitted against 12 other chosen humans in a battle in which the winner becomes the next god of the world. Mirai has an angel in his corner, but he may need to become a devil to survive.
JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 3 – STARDUST CRUSADERS, VOL. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Debuts Fall 2016
The legendary Shonen Jump series is now available in deluxe editions featuring color pages and newly drawn cover art! JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE is a groundbreaking manga famous for its outlandish characters, wild humor and frenetic battles. As the beginning of the Stardust Crusaders Arc opens, a fiendish villain once thought to be dead has resurfaced and become even more powerful! To fight this evil, the aging Joseph Joestar enlists the help of his hot-blooded grandson, Jotaro Joestar. Together they embark on a perilous adventure that will take them around the world!
TOMIE: COMPLETE DELUXE EDITION · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Debuts Winter 2016
Horror manga master Junji Ito’s long-awaited debut series, Tomie, returns in a new, deluxe omnibus hardcover edition! Tomie Kawakami is a femme fatale with long black hair and a beauty mark just under her left eye. She can seduce nearly any man, and drive them to murder as well, even though the victim is often Tomie herself. While one lover seeks to keep her for himself, another grows terrified of the immortal succubus. But soon they realize no matter how many times they kill her, the world will never be free of Tomie.
For additional information on manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premiere company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.
Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.
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Leading Manga Publisher Expands Roster With A New ONE PIECE Box Set, Deluxe Release Of Junji Ito’s TOMIE, And The Launch Of PLATINUM END And JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 3 – STARDUST CRUSADERS
San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, thrilled a packed audience of fans during its panel held this Saturday at the 2016 Anime Boston convention as it detailed exciting new manga (graphic novel) publishing acquisitions.
VIZ Media previewed each of the new titles, which include the latest box set release of the epic high seas pirate adventure, ONE PIECE, as well as the print launch of PLATINUM END, the new dark fantasy series by the creators of DEATH NOTE. Additional manga releases joining the VIZ Media catalog include a hardcover deluxe edition of JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 3 – STARDUST CRUSADERS and the return of horror master Junji Ito’s long-awaited debut series, TOMIE, which will be published in a special, deluxe omnibus hardcover edition after being out of print for many years.
Additional information on each of these titles will be announced in the near future.
New Fall & Winter 2016 VIZ Media Publishing Acquisitions
ONE PIECE BOX SET 3 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuts Fall 2016
The third ONE PIECE Manga Box Set contains the arcs Thriller Bark, Sabaody, Impel Down, Paramount War, and New World, which make up vols. 47-70 of the epic pirate series. This new set offers a significant savings over buying the volumes individually, along with an exclusive premium 48-page mini-comic and double-sided color poster.
PLATINUM END, VOL. 1 · Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers · Debuts Fall 2016
Digital Chapters Available Now For $0.99
Dive into the brand new series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, the legendary manga duo that created DEATH NOTE. As his classmates celebrate their middle school graduation, troubled Mirai is mired in darkness. But his battle is just beginning when he receives some salvation from above in the form of an angel. Now Mirai is pitted against 12 other chosen humans in a battle in which the winner becomes the next god of the world. Mirai has an angel in his corner, but he may need to become a devil to survive.
JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 3 – STARDUST CRUSADERS, VOL. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Debuts Fall 2016
The legendary Shonen Jump series is now available in deluxe editions featuring color pages and newly drawn cover art! JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE is a groundbreaking manga famous for its outlandish characters, wild humor and frenetic battles. As the beginning of the Stardust Crusaders Arc opens, a fiendish villain once thought to be dead has resurfaced and become even more powerful! To fight this evil, the aging Joseph Joestar enlists the help of his hot-blooded grandson, Jotaro Joestar. Together they embark on a perilous adventure that will take them around the world!
TOMIE: COMPLETE DELUXE EDITION · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Debuts Winter 2016
Horror manga master Junji Ito’s long-awaited debut series, Tomie, returns in a new, deluxe omnibus hardcover edition! Tomie Kawakami is a femme fatale with long black hair and a beauty mark just under her left eye. She can seduce nearly any man, and drive them to murder as well, even though the victim is often Tomie herself. While one lover seeks to keep her for himself, another grows terrified of the immortal succubus. But soon they realize no matter how many times they kill her, the world will never be free of Tomie.
For additional information on manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premiere company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.
Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.
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Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Nickelodeon Announces Release Dates for Animated "The Loud House"
10 SISTERS? NO PROBLEM! Nickelodeon’s New Original Animated Comedy Series, The Loud House, Opens Its Doors, Monday, May 2, at 5:00p.m. (ET/PT)
Nickelodeon’s New Original Animated Comedy Series, "The Loud House," Opens Its Doors, Monday, May 2, at 5:00p.m. (ET/PT)
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--10 sisters and one brother bring a whole lot of havoc in Nickelodeon’s newest animated comedy The Loud House, debuting Monday, May 2, 2016, at 5:00p.m. (ET/PT). Inspired by creator Chris Savino’s life growing up in family of 10 kids, the 26-episodes series follows Lincoln Loud and his 10 sisters as he gives an inside look at what it takes to survive the chaos of a huge family. A first-look at full-length episodes from the series will be available Friday, April 1, 2016, and Friday, April 15, 2016, on Nick.com, the Nick App, and Nick On Demand. New episodes will premiere weekdays at 5:00p.m. (ET/PT) through May on Nickelodeon. The Loud House is produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif.
The Loud House follows 11-year-old Lincoln, the only boy in a family with 10 sisters who each have unique personalities: Lori, Leni, Luna, Luan, Lynn, Lucy, Lola, Lana, Lisa, and Lily. With his best bud Clyde, Lincoln always comes up with a plan to stay one step ahead of the chaos, but whether or not it works is where the adventures begin.
In the premiere episode “Left in the Dark,” Lincoln wants to watch the finale of his favorite show, but in order to do that, he must beat each sister to the couch first. Then, in “Get the Message,” after Lincoln leaves a scathing voicemail on sister Lori’s phone, he realizes he has to erase it before she hears it.
The Loud House is based on an animated short of the same name from Nickelodeon’s annual Animated Shorts Program. It is the first series to be greenlit out of the global program which is designed to mine and cultivate a new generation of creative talent. Created and executive produced by Chris Savino (Rocko’s Modern Life, The Powerpuff Girls), The Loud House voice cast includes: Grant Palmer as Lincoln Loud; Caleel Harris as Clyde McBride; Catherine Taber as Lori; Liliana Mumy as Leni; Nika Futterman as Luna; Cristina Pucelli as Luan; Jessica DiCicco as Lynn and Lucy; Grey Griffin as Lola, Lana and Lily; and Lara Jill Miller as Lisa.
Viewers can visit the The Loud House page on Nick.com and the Nick App to learn more about the show and its characters, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the series. Beginning Monday, April 25, witness some crazy antics in the new game “Welcome to The Loud House,” where users can place Lincoln in different environments with any four of his sisters to manipulate a fun mix of hilarious and unexpected results. Episodes of The Loud House will be available on Nick.com and the Nick App, along with platforms including iTunes, Amazon, Xbox, Google Play, Vudu, Playstation, and Nick On Demand.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 36th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
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"GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends" Honors 2016 Special Merit Awards Recipients
The Recording Academy® to Honor 2016 Special Merit Awards Recipients with New Television Special "GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends®" as Part of Landmark "Great Performances" Series on PBS
Awards Ceremony and Tribute Concert to Take Place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Recording Academy® will honor its 2016 Special Merit Awards recipients with an awards ceremony and live tribute concert on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at The Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Dubbed "GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends," the event will be produced in partnership with THIRTEEN as part of the "Great Performances" series on PBS, set to air later this year. Led by music industry icon Don Was as musical director, the tribute concert will feature rare performances by honorees and never-seen renditions by those they've inspired. Tickets for the event will be on sale via Ticketmaster beginning Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 10:00 am PST.
“The contributions of our honorees are innumerable, and we look forward to an unforgettable evening as we pay tribute to their exceptional accomplishments.”
This year's Lifetime Achievement Award honorees include Ruth Brown, Celia Cruz, Earth, Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, Jefferson Airplane, Linda Ronstadt, and RUN DMC. John Cage, Fred Foster, and Chris Strachwitz are Trustees Award honorees; and EMT and Dr. Harvey Fletcher are Technical GRAMMY® Award recipients. Also being honored is Phillip Riggs, this year's recipient of the GRAMMY Foundation Music Educator Award. Performers will be announced shortly.
Previously held during GRAMMY Week, this is the first time that The Recording Academy has celebrated the Special Merit Awards with a stand-alone event and musical tribute. In addition to the tribute concert, special celebrity guests will present recipients their award statues and guests will enjoy never-before-seen video packages celebrating each of the honorees' contributions to the music industry and our cultural heritage.
"For many years now, we've wanted to honor Special Merit Awards recipients on a larger scale with an event like 'GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends,' so I'm delighted to partner with THIRTEEN Productions and PBS to bring this worthy celebration to a bigger stage," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "The contributions of our honorees are innumerable, and we look forward to an unforgettable evening as we pay tribute to their exceptional accomplishments."
A production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET, "GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends" will be written by David Wild and directed for television by David Horn, with Mitch Owgang as producer, and David Horn and Neil Portnow as executive producers.
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors performers who have made contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording, while the Trustees Award recognizes such contributions in areas other than performance. Both awards are determined by vote of The Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. Technical GRAMMY Award recipients are determined by vote of The Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing® Advisory Council and Chapter Committees, and are ratified by The Academy's Trustees. The award is presented to individuals and companies who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field.
About the Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees:
Ruth Brown* began her musical career in the church choir at the tender age of 4. A singer/songwriter, record producer, composer, and actress noted for bringing a pop music style to R&B music, Brown became one of the undisputed architects of the genre. She recorded a number of hit songs, including "I'll Wait For You," "I Know," "5-10-15 Hours," and "Mambo Baby." She later went on to have a successful theater career.
Celia Cruz* was one of the most popular salsa singers and performers in history. Known internationally as the "Queen of Salsa," the Cuban-American Cruz was a larger-than life-personality. She recorded 23 gold albums and was a recipient of the United States National Medal of Arts. Cruz received three GRAMMY Awards and four Latin GRAMMY Awards.
Six-time GRAMMY winners Earth, Wind & Fire were one of the most important and innovative contemporary pop/R&B musical forces of the 20th century. Members Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Johnny Graham, Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Fred White, Maurice White*, Verdine White, and Andrew Woolfolk built the group's distinctive signature sound, which has remained profoundly influential. Successfully breaking down all musical genre boundaries since forming in 1969, they recorded seven #1 R&B singles and eight Top 10 pop albums. Earth Wind & Fire earned more than 50 gold and platinum album certifications and more than 90 million albums worldwide, placing them on the list of best-selling musical artists of all time.
One of the most revered and idiosyncratic figures in jazz, Herbie Hancock has been at the forefront almost every development in electronic and acoustic jazz and R&B. A stylistically diverse and ever-intriguing canon of songs, including "Maiden Voyage" and "Rockit," has helped earn him 14 GRAMMY Awards during his impressive five-decade-plus professional solo career.
Marty Balin, Jack Casady, Spencer Dryden*, Paul Kantner*, Jorma Kaukonen, and Grace Slick comprised Jefferson Airplane, pioneers of counterculture-era psychedelic rock. Emerging from the San Francisco scene to achieve international mainstream success, performing at the three most famous American rock festivals of the 1960s — Monterey (1967), Woodstock (1969), and Altamont (1969). Their 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow is regarded as one of the key recordings of the "Summer of Love." Two hits from that album, "Somebody To Love" and "White Rabbit," are among Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
With roots in the Los Angeles country and folk-rock scenes, Linda Ronstadt is one of the most popular interpretive singers of all time, earning a string of platinum-selling albums and Top 40 singles. Throughout the 1970s, her laid-back pop never lost sight of her folky roots, yet as Ronstadt moved into the 1980s, she began to change her sound with the times, adding new wave influences. Her later years saw the 10-time GRAMMY winner exploring traditional pop, Latin, and musical theater.
RUN DMC, comprising of Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell*, and Joseph "Reverend Run" Simmons, were one of the most influential and best-known acts in the history of rap. They were the first group in the genre to have a gold album (RUN DMC., 1984) and to be nominated for a GRAMMY Award. They were also the first hip-hop group to earn a platinum record (King Of Rock, 1985), and the first to earn multiplatinum certification (Raising Hell, 1986).
About the Trustees Award Honorees:
John Cage* was an avant-garde composer whose inventive works and unorthodox ideas profoundly influenced the entire music industry. His innovative ideas on composition and performance influenced a broad spectrum of artists including fellow musicians, dancers, choreographers, painters and more. Cage remained on the leading edge of both playful and profound experimentalism for the greater part of his career. One of Cage's best-known and most sonically intriguing innovations, the prepared piano, has become an almost commonplace compositional resource.
Music entrepreneur Fred Foster contributed a great deal to the Nashville music scene of the 1960s and 1970s as a producer and as the head of one of the city's strongest independent labels, Monument Records. He is best known for producing many classic hits by Roy Orbison. He also played a vital role in the career of Kris Kristofferson, and worked with Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Ray Stevens, among others. From 1960 to 1964, Foster produced the overwhelming bulk of hit songs with which Orbison is associated: "Only The Lonely," "In Dreams," "Running Scared," "Blue Bayou," "Blue Angel," "Dream Baby," "Crying," "Candy Man," "Mean Woman Blues," "It's Over," and "Oh, Pretty Woman."
Chris Strachwitz has made his living celebrating the music he loves – music that forms the fabric of both American and international culture. He is the founder of Arhoolie Records and produces much of the content he releases. To blues fans he is a legend, releasing seminal works by Mississippi Fred McDowell, Mance Lipscomb, Charlie Musselwhite, Rebirth Brass Band, Big Joe Williams, Big Mama Thornton, Lightnin' Hopkins, Earl Hooker, and Elizabeth Cotten, and many others. Strachwitz also produces Cajun music, highlighted by his releases by Clifton Chenier, and also focused on Mexican recordings, especially Norteño music.
About the Technical GRAMMY Award Recipients:
Known as the father of stereophonic sound, Dr. Harvey Fletcher* was a prominent physicist, credited with inventing the hearing aid and the first audiometer. Through his research, he was able to document and demonstrate the spatial effects of sound, which he called auditory perspective, or stereo. However, it was his profound interest in music that led Fletcher to partner with Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and this collaboration produced more than 100 stereo recordings. In his tests, listeners were often unable to distinguish the difference between the live orchestra and the recordings.
EMT (Elektro-Mess-Technik) was founded in Berlin in 1940, originally manufacturing high-end pro measuring devices and turntables for broadcast, television, and recording studios. In 1957, the company made a huge breakthrough with the release of the EMT 140 Reverberation Unit — the first plate reverb. Upon its introduction, the EMT 140 Reverberation Unit quickly garnered popularity, providing a smoother substitute to spring reverb systems, simplifying the process of affecting recorded sound while providing the engineer with a more versatile and customizable interface than acoustic chambers. With the plates' introduction, the sound of popular music changed dramatically as evident in English recordings made at Abbey Road by the Beatles and Pink Floyd, as well as RCA Victor recordings by Nashville’s Chet Atkins and many others.
*Denotes posthumous award
About The Recording Academy
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, and recording professionals dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education, and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, "like" The GRAMMYs on Facebook and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Google+, Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube.
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Awards Ceremony and Tribute Concert to Take Place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Recording Academy® will honor its 2016 Special Merit Awards recipients with an awards ceremony and live tribute concert on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at The Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Dubbed "GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends," the event will be produced in partnership with THIRTEEN as part of the "Great Performances" series on PBS, set to air later this year. Led by music industry icon Don Was as musical director, the tribute concert will feature rare performances by honorees and never-seen renditions by those they've inspired. Tickets for the event will be on sale via Ticketmaster beginning Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 10:00 am PST.
“The contributions of our honorees are innumerable, and we look forward to an unforgettable evening as we pay tribute to their exceptional accomplishments.”
This year's Lifetime Achievement Award honorees include Ruth Brown, Celia Cruz, Earth, Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, Jefferson Airplane, Linda Ronstadt, and RUN DMC. John Cage, Fred Foster, and Chris Strachwitz are Trustees Award honorees; and EMT and Dr. Harvey Fletcher are Technical GRAMMY® Award recipients. Also being honored is Phillip Riggs, this year's recipient of the GRAMMY Foundation Music Educator Award. Performers will be announced shortly.
Previously held during GRAMMY Week, this is the first time that The Recording Academy has celebrated the Special Merit Awards with a stand-alone event and musical tribute. In addition to the tribute concert, special celebrity guests will present recipients their award statues and guests will enjoy never-before-seen video packages celebrating each of the honorees' contributions to the music industry and our cultural heritage.
"For many years now, we've wanted to honor Special Merit Awards recipients on a larger scale with an event like 'GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends,' so I'm delighted to partner with THIRTEEN Productions and PBS to bring this worthy celebration to a bigger stage," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "The contributions of our honorees are innumerable, and we look forward to an unforgettable evening as we pay tribute to their exceptional accomplishments."
A production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET, "GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends" will be written by David Wild and directed for television by David Horn, with Mitch Owgang as producer, and David Horn and Neil Portnow as executive producers.
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors performers who have made contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording, while the Trustees Award recognizes such contributions in areas other than performance. Both awards are determined by vote of The Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. Technical GRAMMY Award recipients are determined by vote of The Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing® Advisory Council and Chapter Committees, and are ratified by The Academy's Trustees. The award is presented to individuals and companies who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field.
About the Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees:
Ruth Brown* began her musical career in the church choir at the tender age of 4. A singer/songwriter, record producer, composer, and actress noted for bringing a pop music style to R&B music, Brown became one of the undisputed architects of the genre. She recorded a number of hit songs, including "I'll Wait For You," "I Know," "5-10-15 Hours," and "Mambo Baby." She later went on to have a successful theater career.
Celia Cruz* was one of the most popular salsa singers and performers in history. Known internationally as the "Queen of Salsa," the Cuban-American Cruz was a larger-than life-personality. She recorded 23 gold albums and was a recipient of the United States National Medal of Arts. Cruz received three GRAMMY Awards and four Latin GRAMMY Awards.
Six-time GRAMMY winners Earth, Wind & Fire were one of the most important and innovative contemporary pop/R&B musical forces of the 20th century. Members Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Johnny Graham, Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Fred White, Maurice White*, Verdine White, and Andrew Woolfolk built the group's distinctive signature sound, which has remained profoundly influential. Successfully breaking down all musical genre boundaries since forming in 1969, they recorded seven #1 R&B singles and eight Top 10 pop albums. Earth Wind & Fire earned more than 50 gold and platinum album certifications and more than 90 million albums worldwide, placing them on the list of best-selling musical artists of all time.
One of the most revered and idiosyncratic figures in jazz, Herbie Hancock has been at the forefront almost every development in electronic and acoustic jazz and R&B. A stylistically diverse and ever-intriguing canon of songs, including "Maiden Voyage" and "Rockit," has helped earn him 14 GRAMMY Awards during his impressive five-decade-plus professional solo career.
Marty Balin, Jack Casady, Spencer Dryden*, Paul Kantner*, Jorma Kaukonen, and Grace Slick comprised Jefferson Airplane, pioneers of counterculture-era psychedelic rock. Emerging from the San Francisco scene to achieve international mainstream success, performing at the three most famous American rock festivals of the 1960s — Monterey (1967), Woodstock (1969), and Altamont (1969). Their 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow is regarded as one of the key recordings of the "Summer of Love." Two hits from that album, "Somebody To Love" and "White Rabbit," are among Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
With roots in the Los Angeles country and folk-rock scenes, Linda Ronstadt is one of the most popular interpretive singers of all time, earning a string of platinum-selling albums and Top 40 singles. Throughout the 1970s, her laid-back pop never lost sight of her folky roots, yet as Ronstadt moved into the 1980s, she began to change her sound with the times, adding new wave influences. Her later years saw the 10-time GRAMMY winner exploring traditional pop, Latin, and musical theater.
RUN DMC, comprising of Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell*, and Joseph "Reverend Run" Simmons, were one of the most influential and best-known acts in the history of rap. They were the first group in the genre to have a gold album (RUN DMC., 1984) and to be nominated for a GRAMMY Award. They were also the first hip-hop group to earn a platinum record (King Of Rock, 1985), and the first to earn multiplatinum certification (Raising Hell, 1986).
About the Trustees Award Honorees:
John Cage* was an avant-garde composer whose inventive works and unorthodox ideas profoundly influenced the entire music industry. His innovative ideas on composition and performance influenced a broad spectrum of artists including fellow musicians, dancers, choreographers, painters and more. Cage remained on the leading edge of both playful and profound experimentalism for the greater part of his career. One of Cage's best-known and most sonically intriguing innovations, the prepared piano, has become an almost commonplace compositional resource.
Music entrepreneur Fred Foster contributed a great deal to the Nashville music scene of the 1960s and 1970s as a producer and as the head of one of the city's strongest independent labels, Monument Records. He is best known for producing many classic hits by Roy Orbison. He also played a vital role in the career of Kris Kristofferson, and worked with Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Ray Stevens, among others. From 1960 to 1964, Foster produced the overwhelming bulk of hit songs with which Orbison is associated: "Only The Lonely," "In Dreams," "Running Scared," "Blue Bayou," "Blue Angel," "Dream Baby," "Crying," "Candy Man," "Mean Woman Blues," "It's Over," and "Oh, Pretty Woman."
Chris Strachwitz has made his living celebrating the music he loves – music that forms the fabric of both American and international culture. He is the founder of Arhoolie Records and produces much of the content he releases. To blues fans he is a legend, releasing seminal works by Mississippi Fred McDowell, Mance Lipscomb, Charlie Musselwhite, Rebirth Brass Band, Big Joe Williams, Big Mama Thornton, Lightnin' Hopkins, Earl Hooker, and Elizabeth Cotten, and many others. Strachwitz also produces Cajun music, highlighted by his releases by Clifton Chenier, and also focused on Mexican recordings, especially Norteño music.
About the Technical GRAMMY Award Recipients:
Known as the father of stereophonic sound, Dr. Harvey Fletcher* was a prominent physicist, credited with inventing the hearing aid and the first audiometer. Through his research, he was able to document and demonstrate the spatial effects of sound, which he called auditory perspective, or stereo. However, it was his profound interest in music that led Fletcher to partner with Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and this collaboration produced more than 100 stereo recordings. In his tests, listeners were often unable to distinguish the difference between the live orchestra and the recordings.
EMT (Elektro-Mess-Technik) was founded in Berlin in 1940, originally manufacturing high-end pro measuring devices and turntables for broadcast, television, and recording studios. In 1957, the company made a huge breakthrough with the release of the EMT 140 Reverberation Unit — the first plate reverb. Upon its introduction, the EMT 140 Reverberation Unit quickly garnered popularity, providing a smoother substitute to spring reverb systems, simplifying the process of affecting recorded sound while providing the engineer with a more versatile and customizable interface than acoustic chambers. With the plates' introduction, the sound of popular music changed dramatically as evident in English recordings made at Abbey Road by the Beatles and Pink Floyd, as well as RCA Victor recordings by Nashville’s Chet Atkins and many others.
*Denotes posthumous award
About The Recording Academy
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, and recording professionals dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education, and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, "like" The GRAMMYs on Facebook and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Google+, Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube.
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BET Announces "Black Girls Rock! 2016" Honorees; Including "The Walking Dead's" Danai Gurira
Rihanna, Shonda Rhimes, Gladys Knight, Danai Gurira, Amandla Stenberg, and Black Lives Matter Founders Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi Celebrated for Their Black Girl Magic™ as This Year’s “Black Girls Rock!™” 2016 Celebrants
Brandy, Monica, Jazmine Sullivan, Andra Day, Marsha Ambrosius, Corinne Bailey Rae and Living Legend Celebrant Gladys Knight Confirmed to Rock the Stage During “Black Girls Rock!™” 2016
Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, “Black Girls Rock!™” Will Tape April 1, 2016 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center
#BLACKGIRLSROCK
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET Networks is thrilled to reveal the empowering celebrants of “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” 2016:
Additionally, Brandy, Monica, Jazmine Sullivan, Andra Day, Marsha Ambrosius, Corinne Bailey Rae will be hitting the stage as performers for “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” 2016 along with “Living Legend” Celebrant Gladys Knight gracing the stage for an unforgettable performance. This year the dynamic “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” movement, founded by Beverly Bond, celebrates its 10 year anniversary and its sixth televised broadcast on BET Networks. The NAACP Award winning “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” on BET continues to represent a revolutionary landmark in media as it delivers edifying, entertaining and inspiring content honoring the nexus of achievements made by powerful Black women and girls. Tracee Ellis Ross will return as host of the event at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Tune in to watch “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” 2016 on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 8:00 P.M./ET.
This years’ presenters for “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” 2016 will feature exceptional Black women who rock including BET’s “Chasing Destiny” star Kelly Rowland, songstresses Erykah Badu, Dionne Warwick, Spiritual Life coach Iyanla Vanzant, activist Bethann Hardison and actresses Naturi Naughton, Tatyana Ali, Teyonah Parris and Yara Shahidi.
Coca-Cola® is this year’s sponsor of the M.A.D (Making A Difference) GIRLS, an honor bestowed upon young girls who strive for excellence within their communities. Each year, “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” celebrates dynamic young women and girls who have been recognized as change agents due to their resolve to come up with enterprises and ideas that promote progressive change in their communities. The 2016 “Making a Difference” a.k.a. “M.A.D. GIRLS,” are Marley Dias, Maya Penn and Haile Thomas, young women who remind us that there is not an age requirement for community action and social responsibility.
For updates or more information about BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™ visit http://www.BET.com/blackgirlsrock and www.blackgirlsrock.com
Join the conversation on social media by logging on to our social media platforms:
• On Twitter by using hashtag: #BlackGirlsRock; follow us @BET and @BLACKGIRLSROCK
• On Facebook by liking the fan pages at facebook.com/BET and facebook.com/BLACKGIRLSROCK
• On Instagram @betnetworks and @BLACKGIRLSROCK
ABOUT BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™:
Founded by celebrity DJ, model and executive producer, Beverly Bond, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™ is a multifaceted movement dedicated to shifting the culture of media images depicting Black women and girls. Since 2006, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ has been committed to empowering women through media and enriching girls through leadership, education, and positive identity development programs. For additional information on BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™, visit http://www.blackgirlsrock.com.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
ABOUT NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States. It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey -- where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey’s Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted over seven million visitors (including more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit http://www.njpac.org or call 1-888-GO-NJPAC for more information.
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Brandy, Monica, Jazmine Sullivan, Andra Day, Marsha Ambrosius, Corinne Bailey Rae and Living Legend Celebrant Gladys Knight Confirmed to Rock the Stage During “Black Girls Rock!™” 2016
Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, “Black Girls Rock!™” Will Tape April 1, 2016 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center
#BLACKGIRLSROCK
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET Networks is thrilled to reveal the empowering celebrants of “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” 2016:
- Rihanna, Rock Star Award
- Shonda Rhimes, Shot Caller Award
- Gladys Knight, Living Legend Award
- Danai Guira, Star Power Award
- Amandla Stenberg, Young, Gifted & Black
- Black Lives Matter Founders: Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, Community Change
- Agent Award
Additionally, Brandy, Monica, Jazmine Sullivan, Andra Day, Marsha Ambrosius, Corinne Bailey Rae will be hitting the stage as performers for “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” 2016 along with “Living Legend” Celebrant Gladys Knight gracing the stage for an unforgettable performance. This year the dynamic “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” movement, founded by Beverly Bond, celebrates its 10 year anniversary and its sixth televised broadcast on BET Networks. The NAACP Award winning “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” on BET continues to represent a revolutionary landmark in media as it delivers edifying, entertaining and inspiring content honoring the nexus of achievements made by powerful Black women and girls. Tracee Ellis Ross will return as host of the event at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Tune in to watch “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” 2016 on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 8:00 P.M./ET.
This years’ presenters for “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” 2016 will feature exceptional Black women who rock including BET’s “Chasing Destiny” star Kelly Rowland, songstresses Erykah Badu, Dionne Warwick, Spiritual Life coach Iyanla Vanzant, activist Bethann Hardison and actresses Naturi Naughton, Tatyana Ali, Teyonah Parris and Yara Shahidi.
Coca-Cola® is this year’s sponsor of the M.A.D (Making A Difference) GIRLS, an honor bestowed upon young girls who strive for excellence within their communities. Each year, “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™” celebrates dynamic young women and girls who have been recognized as change agents due to their resolve to come up with enterprises and ideas that promote progressive change in their communities. The 2016 “Making a Difference” a.k.a. “M.A.D. GIRLS,” are Marley Dias, Maya Penn and Haile Thomas, young women who remind us that there is not an age requirement for community action and social responsibility.
For updates or more information about BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™ visit http://www.BET.com/blackgirlsrock and www.blackgirlsrock.com
Join the conversation on social media by logging on to our social media platforms:
• On Twitter by using hashtag: #BlackGirlsRock; follow us @BET and @BLACKGIRLSROCK
• On Facebook by liking the fan pages at facebook.com/BET and facebook.com/BLACKGIRLSROCK
• On Instagram @betnetworks and @BLACKGIRLSROCK
ABOUT BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™:
Founded by celebrity DJ, model and executive producer, Beverly Bond, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™ is a multifaceted movement dedicated to shifting the culture of media images depicting Black women and girls. Since 2006, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ has been committed to empowering women through media and enriching girls through leadership, education, and positive identity development programs. For additional information on BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™, visit http://www.blackgirlsrock.com.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
ABOUT NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States. It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey -- where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey’s Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted over seven million visitors (including more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit http://www.njpac.org or call 1-888-GO-NJPAC for more information.
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VIZ Media Announces Two New Art Books
Leading Manga Publisher Previews The Upcoming Release Of New Art Books YOSHITAKA AMANO: ILLUSTRATIONS And THE ART OF CASTLE IN THE SKY
San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, excited fans this past weekend at Chicago’s premier pop culture and comics convention – C2E2 – as it announced a pair of notable new publishing acquisitions.
During the VIZ Media Industry Panel held this past Saturday, the company thrilled a packed audience as it previewed the upcoming Summer release of YOSHITAKA AMANO: ILLUSTRATIONS, a vivid new art book presenting a curated selection of works by one of Japan’s most famous illustrators and character designers.
VIZ Media also spotlighted the latest forthcoming addition to the Studio Ghibli Library – THE ART OF CASTLE IN THE SKY. This comprehensive book traces the animated film’s development from conception to final cut and will be the final Art Book edition to complete the Studio Ghibli feature film collection. THE ART OF CASTLE IN THE SKY’s publication in October also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the film’s original release.
New Summer & Fall 2016 Art Book Acquisitions:
YOSHITAKA AMANO: ILLUSTRATIONS · MSRP: $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN · Debuting Summer 2016
Since beginning his career at age fifteen with the legendary animation studio Tatsunoko Production, Yoshitaka Amano has become one of the most acclaimed artists and illustrators at work today. Displaying a rare range, his oeuvre encompasses everything from minutely observed still-life sketches to full-color paintings on an epic scale, from children’s storybooks to dark adult fantasy, from theatrical productions to video games to sculpture to commercial design. YOSHITAKA AMANO: ILLUSTRATIONS offers a concise survey of this remarkable artist’s career to date. It includes selected full-color pieces for series such as Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D and Gatchaman (Battle of the Planets), as well as for Amano’s own creations like Hero and N.Y. Salad. Packed with sketches, commentary, and interviews, this beautiful volume opens a window into the world of Amano.
ART OF CASTLE IN THE SKY · MSRP: $34.99 U.S. / $39.99 CAN · Debuting Fall 2016
Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky was the first feature film produced by the legendary Studio Ghibli. Sheeta, a girl who has the power to defy gravity, is on the run from pirates when she meets the young inventor Pazu. Together they explore the secrets of Laputa, a flying city constructed by a long-lost race of people. All of Miyazaki’s major themes – the power of flight, the bravery of young women, and a world wrecked by change – are captured with beautiful animation and joyous storytelling.
For additional information on art book and manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.
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Tuesday, March 29, 2016
SuBLime Announces the Publication of the Two-Volume "Midnight Stranger"
GLOBAL YAOI IMPRINT SUBLIME ANNOUNCES WORLDWIDE DEBUT OF BOHRA NAONO’S SUPERNATURAL ROMANCE MIDNIGHT STRANGER
New 2-Volume Series About The Passion Between A God And His Goat-Spirit Servant Launches In Print This Spring
San Francisco, CA – SuBLime, the leading global English-language yaoi manga (graphic novel) publisher, delivers a new supernatural series from highly requested author Bohra Naono with the launch of MIDNIGHT STRANGER on April 12th, 2016.
The paranormal fantasy series about the love between a god and his goat-spirit servant will be released in print and is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers. Each volume of the 2-volume MIDNIGHT STRANGER series will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN. The second and concluding volume of the series is scheduled for release later this year.
In MIDNIGHT STRANGER, Roi, a black goat spirit, is getting bullied when out of nowhere he’s rescued by the beautiful fire god Xiu. Xiu gives Roi the ability to take human form, and a grateful Roi decides to serve Xiu as his new master. Now by Xiu’s side every day, Roi wishes to become more than just his servant. Painfully aware of just how ugly he is, Roi believes Xiu could never care about him, and one day something happens to bring Xiu's wrath down on Roi. What must he do to gain the fire god’s favor?
“Manga creator Bohra Naono has drawn wide praise for her previously published English titles Yokai’s Hunger and SuBLime’s very own THREE WOLVES MOUNTAIN. Because of this, readers have consistently requested we publish more of her work, and we think they will be pleased with this new release,” says SuBLime Editor Jennifer LeBlanc. “We are excited to expand the SuBLime catalog with this new series and look forward to fans of Bohra Naono adding it to their own collections.”
Yaoi manga artist/creator Bohra Naono has created over twenty manga, some of which also have been adapted into popular drama CDs. She has also published several doujinshi (independent comics) under the circle name “NAIFU.” Naono's previous English-language releases include Yokai's Hunger and Three Wolves Mountain (published by SuBLime; rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers). To find out more about Bohra Naono, please visit her website at www.bnlyz.com.
For up-to-date news and release information, please visit the SuBLime website at www.SuBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga, on Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga, and on Tumblr at sublimemanga.tumblr.com/.
About SuBLime
SuBLime is a global yaoi/boys’ love manga publisher presenting English-speaking fans everywhere with a broad selection of high quality titles. SuBLime will offer titles digitally worldwide available at www.SuBLimeManga.com, with many available in Download-to-Own format, and selections in print also available in English-language editions worldwide.
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