Marvel Studios' Worldwide Smash, "Black Panther," Arrives on Digital Tomorrow, May 8th

THE MUST-OWN CULTURAL PHENOMENON MARVEL STUDIOS’ “BLACK PANTHER” ARRIVES TO HOMES DIGITALLY ON MAY 8 AND BLU-RAY ON MAY 15

Bring Wakanda Home With Extensive Bonus Features That Allow  Viewers to Explore Deeper into The Wondrous World of Wakanda

BURBANK, Calif. — Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther,” the highly celebrated story of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), a young African prince who takes on the mantle of King and Super Hero, has thrilled and inspired generations of moviegoers around the globe. Now, fans can bring home the phenomenon, packed with light-hearted fun, pulse-pounding action and a powerful message, and watch it over and over again, Digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. It arrives on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, DVD and On-Demand on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.  With both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos immersive sound, 4K Ultra HD offers consumers a transformative viewing experience.

Through the 4K Cinematic Universe Edition of “Black Panther,” fans will experience the exhilarating adventure in stunning 4K Ultra HD with next-generation high dynamic range (HDR) visuals and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Never-before-seen extras feature commentary from director Ryan Coogler; deleted scenes; outtakes; and several making-of featurettes, which detail the Black Panther’s evolution, the remarkable women of Wakanda, the history of T’Challa’s proud nation, and the cosmic origin and technological applications of vibranium. Also included are a roundtable discussion with “Black Panther” filmmakers and writers; a featurette tracing the countless connections between heroes, characters and storylines within the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and an exclusive sneak peek at “Ant-Man and the Wasp.”

The global cultural phenomenon of “Black Panther” has dominated the box office charts emerging as the third biggest movie of all time domestically with over $665 million – the first film in eight years to spend five weeks at No. 1 – and rising to the global top 10 of all time with over $1.3 billion. In the acclaimed film, T’Challa returns home to the hidden high-tech African nation of Wakanda to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king, following the death of his father. But when a man named Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) appears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he’s drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Pitted against his own family, the king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and embrace his future as an Avenger.

The film features a fierce group of Wakandan women, including Nakia (Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o), a War Dog and Wakandan spy; Shuri (Letitia Wright), T’Challa’s little sister and tech wizard; and the Dora Milaje, the all-female Wakandan Special Forces led by Okoye (Danai Gurira). They team up with reluctant ally CIA agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) to help T’Challa defend Wakanda against the forces threatening to destroy it. The extraordinary ensemble cast of “Black Panther” also includes veteran actors such as Academy Award® nominee Angela Bassett as Ramonda, T’Challa and Shuri’s mother; Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker as Zuri, the spiritual leader of Wakanda; and Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, an illegal arms dealer; and standout performances by Academy Award® nominee Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, Royal Counsel to T’Challa; Winston Duke as M’Baku, the formidable leader of the Jabari tribe; and Emmy® Award-winner Sterling K. Brown as N’Jobu, a Wakandan War Dog.

The action in “Black Panther” is intensified through a musical score by GRAMMY®-nominated composer Ludwig Göransson and soundtrack curated and produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning global superstar Kendrick Lamar and Billboard Magazine’s Executive of the Year Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith. “Black Panther: The Album” topped the Billboard 200 chart for five consecutive weeks and the end-credit track, “All The Stars,” featuring Lamar and SZA, spent nine weeks in the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

BONUS MATERIAL (may vary by retailer):
Blu-ray:
•    Director’s Intro
•    From Page to Screen: A Roundtable Discussion - Delve into the film’s making
•    Crowning of a New King – Explore the world of “Black Panther” in all its color and complexity
•    The Warriors Within – Get to know Wakanda’s women and the actors who portray them
•    The Hidden Kingdom Revealed – Wakanda’s diverse people
•    Wakanda Revealed: Exploring the Technology
•    Deleted Scenes
    U.N. Meet and Greet
    Okoye And W’Kabi Discuss the Future of Wakanda
    T’Challa Remembers His Father
    Voices from the Past
•    Gag Reel
•    Exclusive Sneak Peek at “Ant-Man and The Wasp”
•    Marvel Studios the First Ten Years: Connecting the Universe
•    Director’s Commentary
Digital Exclusives:
•    In World Wakanda Tourism Ads
    Come to Wakanda “Before”
    Come to Wakanda “After”

Black Panther is packaged several ways to ensure fans get the most out of their in-home viewing experience. The Multiscreen Edition (formerly the Blu-ray Combo Pack) includes Blu-ray, and a Digital Copy, giving viewers the flexibility to watch the film on different devices. Those with 4K Ultra HD capability may opt for a 4K UHD Collector’s Edition, including 4K Ultra HD disc with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, Blu-ray disc, and a digital copy (where available). Dolby Vision delivers greater brightness and contrast, as well as a fuller palette of rich colors. Dolby Atmos places and moves audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. Together on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc, viewers will fully experience the sights and sounds of Wakanda. 

DISC SPECIFICATIONS (applies to film content only):
Product SKUs:    4K Cinematic Universe Edition (4K UHD+Blu-ray+Digital), Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray+Digital), Digital UHD, HD, SD, HD Bundle (“Black Panther”+”Captain America: Civil War”), DVD and On-Demand

Feature Run Time:  Approximately 134 minutes
Rating:  PG-13
Aspect Ratio: 2.39
Audio: UHD BD: English Dolby Atmos, English 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, Latin Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital
Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital

DVD: English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital

UHD Digital: English Dolby Atmos (some platforms), English 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus (some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital

HD Digital:  English 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus (some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Latin Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital

SD Digital:  English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Latin Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French & Spanish

Captions: English

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: Facebook.com/BlackPantherMovie
Website: Marvel.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/TheBlackPanther
Instagram: Instagram.com/BlackPanther
            
“BLACK PANTHER” CAST & CREW:
“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman (“Captain America: Civil War,”  “Get on Up”), Michael B. Jordan (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”), Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “12 Years a Slave”), Danai Gurira (“The Walking Dead,” “All Eyez on Me”), Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit” trilogy, “Sherlock”), Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out,” “Sicario”), Letitia Wright (“Urban Hymn,” “Glasgow Girls”), Winston Duke (“Person of Interest, “Modern Family”), with Academy Award® nominee Angela Bassett (“American Horror Story,” “London Has Fallen”), with  Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” Lee Daniels’ “The Butler”) and Andy Serkis (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”).

Ryan Coogler (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”) directs from a screenplay he wrote with Joe Robert Cole (“The People v. O.J. Simpson:  American Crime Story”). Kevin Feige is producer with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.

The “Black Panther” creative brain trust includes frequent Coogler collaborators: Oscar®-nominated director of photography Rachel Morrison, ASC (“Dope,” “Fruitvale Station”), production designer Hannah Beachler (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”), editor Michael P. Shawver (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”) and composer Ludwig Göransson (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”); along with editor Debbie Berman (“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Timeless”), costume designer Ruth E. Carter (“Selma,” Lee Daniels’ “The Butler”), Academy Award®–winning makeup designer Joel Harlow (“Star Trek Beyond,” “Black Mass”), visual effects supervisor Geoffrey Baumann (“Doctor Strange,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron”) and eight-time Academy Award® nominee/special effects supervisor Dan Sudick (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”).    

ABOUT MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT:
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. ©2018MARVEL

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS:
For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

ABOUT DOLBY VISION
Dolby Vision transforms your TV experience with spectacular imaging—incredible brightness, contrast, and color that bring entertainment to life before your eyes via OTT online streaming, Ultra HD Blu-ray disc, broadcast, and gaming applications.

ABOUT DOLBY ATMOS
Dolby Atmos delivers moving audio—sound that can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in three-dimensional space, including overhead. It brings entertainment alive all around the audience in a powerfully immersive and emotive experience.

 ©2018 Disney

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VIZ Media Brings "Deadman Wonderland" Creators to Anime Central 2018

Visit VIZ Media During Anime Central 2018 At Booth #IND-5

VIZ MEDIA WELCOMES DEADMAN WONDERLAND MANGA CREATORS AS GUESTS OF HONOR FOR ANIME CENTRAL 2018

The Creators Of The Acclaimed Dystopian Action Series Make First North American Appearance At The Midwest’s Largest Anime/Manga Fan Convention

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, proudly announces that it will welcome Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou, the creators of the DEADMAN WONDERLAND manga series, as official Guests of Honor for Anime Central 2018. For their first professional appearance in North America, the creators are set to participate in a variety of panel discussions and autograph sessions. Event times and additional information on these sessions will be released soon.

Anime Central (ACen) is the Midwest’s largest anime fan convention and will take place from May 18th to 20th, 2018 in Rosemont, IL, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and the adjacent Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, located less than 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. ACen presents special Guests of Honor from the Japanese and U.S. sectors of the anime and manga industry, as well as gaming, cinema, and other Asian pop culture personalities. VIZ Media will be located in Booth #IND-5. Complete details on Anime Central 2018 are available at: ACen.org.

Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou are the writer and artist duo behind the best-selling DEADMAN WONDERLAND series. All thirteen volumes of the complete manga series are available in print and digital editions from VIZ Media (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens). The action-packed title has also been adapted into a popular 12-episode anime series available domestically on home media formats from FUNimation.

During Anime Central, fans and convention attendees are invited to stop by the VIZ Media booth (#IND-5) for a variety of DEADMAN WONDERLAND premium giveaways. A DEADMAN WONDERLAND manga bundle (featuring vols. 1-2) will be available for purchase. Purchasers of this bundle will also receive a free gift – while supplies last.

“We are very excited to welcome the creators of DEADMAN WONDERLAND for a special appearance during Anime Central, and we invite convention goers to join us to celebrate this extraordinary manga series,” says Jennifer LeBlanc, Editor. “Fans will not want to miss this memorable opportunity to go behind the scenes of DEADMAN WONDERLAND with creators Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou. We’ll see everyone in Chicago!”

In the DEADMAN WONDERLAND manga series, framed for the brutal murders of his classmates by the mysterious Red Man, a middle school student named Ganta Igarashi finds himself sentenced to death and sent to a bizarre and fatal theme park/prison that has risen from the ruins of the Great Tokyo Earthquake – a hell on earth known as “Deadman Wonderland.” The inmates of this insane penitentiary fight for survival every day to provide entertainment for the masses, and terrifying secrets lurk in the shadows. Ganta is determined to survive Deadman Wonderland and clear his name, but the price may be his soul.

Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou made their debut in 2005 with the manga adaptation of the anime series EUREKA SEVEN, which is available digitally from VIZ Media. The two are currently working on their latest manga series, Smokin' Parade.

For additional information on anime and manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields 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, Shogakukan Inc., Shueisha 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 viz.com.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 1st to 5th, 2018 - Update #8

Support Leroy on Patreon:

From BleedingCool:  Sylvester Stallone wants to take on the "Mexican cartel" in "Rambo 5."

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Broke-ass Relativity Media has found a buyer, an investor group.

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MOVIES - From SlashFilm:  J.J. Abrams will team with director Julius Avery ("Overlord") for a superhero movie.

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OSCARS - From Variety:  The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has voted to expel Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski from its membership ranks.  Cosby was recently convicted of three counts of "aggravated indecent assault" and Polanski has been on the run from a "statutory rape" conviction for 40 years.

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STREAMING - From Variety:  Amazon orders a Meek Mill documentary from Jay-Z's Roc Nation.

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MOVIES - From THR:  Brad Pitt's Plan B and A24 reunite for "The Last Black Man in San Francisco."  Plan B and A24 teamed up on the Oscar-winning "Moonlight."

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MUSIC - From TheNewYorker:  Two new books examine the lives of Donna Summer (the "Queen of Disco") and Grace Jones, the reigning queens of Disco.

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COMICS-FILM -From Collider:  Michael B. Jordan will reunite with "Black Panther" co-writer, Joe Robert Cole, for a film adaptation of the comic book, "Failsafe."

From BleedingCool:  5 New Posters for Teen Titans Go! to the Movies Plus a New Trailer.

OBIT:

From NPR:  The Reverend James H. Cone died at the age of 79, Saturday, April 28, 2018.  Cone was the founder of "Black Liberation Theology."

"2001: A Space Odyssey" Returns to Theaters for Its 50th Anniversary

Warner Bros. Pictures Celebrates 50 Years of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey

‘Unrestored’ 70mm print of Kubrick’s landmark 1968 masterpiece to be released in select U.S. theatres, following world premiere at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, introduced by filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Warner Bros. Pictures will debut an ‘unrestored’ 70mm print of the director’s groundbreaking science fiction epic at the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival. Widely considered among the greatest films of the 20th century, 2001: A Space Odyssey will return to select U.S. theatres in 70mm beginning May 18, 2018.  For additional information on tickets, theatres and showtimes, please visit: www.arclightcinemas.com.

Set for Saturday, May 12, 2018 the world premiere will be held during the Cannes Classics section of the Festival, featuring an introduction by award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan. The screening will also be attended by members of Stanley Kubrick’s family, including his daughter, Katharina Kubrick, and longstanding producing partner and brother-in-law, Jan Harlan.

For the first time since the original release, this 70mm print was struck from new printing elements made from the original camera negative. This is a true photochemical film recreation. There are no digital tricks, remastered effects, or revisionist edits.

This is the unrestored film that recreates the cinematic event audiences experienced 50 years ago.

A longtime admirer of the late American auteur, Christopher Nolan worked closely with the team at Warner Bros. Pictures throughout the mastering process.

Christiane Kubrick said, “I’m delighted that 2001: A Space Odyssey will be reissued in 70mm, and that Cannes has chosen to honour it. If Stanley were alive today, we know he would be in admiration of the films of Christopher Nolan. And so, on behalf of Stanley’s family, I would personally like to thank Christopher for supporting his film.”

Nolan stated, “One of my earliest memories of cinema is seeing Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, in 70mm, at the Leicester Square Theatre in London with my father. The opportunity to be involved in recreating that experience for a new generation, and of introducing our new unrestored 70mm print of Kubrick’s masterpiece in all its analogue glory at the Cannes Film Festival is an honour and a privilege.”

Nolan will also participate in a Cannes Masterclass, set for Sunday, May 13, during which he will discuss his highly acclaimed filmography and also share his passion for the singular work of Stanley Kubrick.

For this milestone anniversary, Warner Bros. will continue the celebration later this year when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases 2001: A Space Odyssey for the first time in 4K resolution with HDR. Also produced in close collaboration with Nolan, the home entertainment release will be available in the fall of 2018.

With 2001: A Space Odyssey, director Stanley Kubrick redefined the limits of filmmaking and cemented his legacy as one of the most revolutionary and influential film directors of all time. Originally released in 70mm Cinerama roadshow format on April 4, 1968, the film ignited the imaginations of critics and audiences alike and its impact continues to resonate to this day.

An award-winning director, writer and producer, Christopher Nolan most recently earned dual Academy Award nominations, for Best Director and Best Picture, for his experiential tour-de-force Dunkirk, which in July of 2017 received the largest 70mm release in the last quarter century. His diverse filmography also includes Interstellar, Inception, the blockbuster Dark Knight Trilogy, The Prestige and Memento, for which he received his first Oscar nomination, for Best Original Screenplay.

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VIZ Media Offers "Action Manga" Sampler for Free Comic Book Day 2018

VIZ MEDIA SHOWCASES POPULAR ACTION-DRIVEN MANGA TITLES FOR FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2018

Visit Comic Retailers On May 5th To Receive A FREE VIZ Media Sampler Highlighting MY HERO ACADEMIA And RWBY

VIZ Media proudly announces its participation and support for Free Comic Book Day 2018 with a special sampler featuring excusive excerpts from two of the company’s most popular manga properties, MY HERO ACADEMIA and RWBY.

Scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 5th, 2018 at thousands of locations nationwide, Free Comic Book Day is an annual promotional campaign developed by the North American comic book industry to help bring new readers of all ages and interests in to independent comic book stores. Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) began in 2002 and is coordinated by the industry's single largest distributor, Diamond Comic Distributors. Readers should visit freecomicbookday.com to find local participating retailers in their area.

VIZ Media supports Free Comic Book Day 2018 with the following FREE exclusive manga sampler (available while supplies last).

MY HERO ACADEMIA / RWBY FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2018 SAMPLER

A special Silver Level Sponsor sampler containing excerpts from MY HERO ACADEMIA and RWBY.

The hit manga series MY HERO ACADEMIA asks the question… What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called "Quirks"? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless? Dive into this acclaimed series by Kohei Horikoshi!

RWBY features artwork by the famed manga creator Shirow Miwa and is inspired by the popular online anime-style series originally created by Monty Oum and produced by Austin, TX-based Rooster Teeth Productions. In RWBY, the world of Remnant is filled with horrific monsters bent on the destruction of humanity. Fortunately, the kingdoms of the world have risen to combat these forces by training powerful Huntsmen and Huntresses at academies around the planet. Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long are four such Huntresses in training.

Don’t miss VIZ Media’s release of the RWBY OFFICIAL MANGA ANTHOLOGY, Vol. 1 RED LIKE ROSES in print and digital editions on May 15th, 2018. The latest volume of MY HERO ACADEMIA (Vol. 13) will be available for purchase on June 5th, 2018.

For additional information on RWBY, MY HERO ACADEMIA, and other manga properties published and licensed by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.

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VIZ Media Offers "Pokemon Sun & Moon" Samplers for Free Comic Book Day 2018

VIZ MEDIA SUPPORTS FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2018 WITH A SPECIAL POKÉMON MANGA SAMPLER

Visit Local Comic Retailers On May 5th To Receive A FREE VIZ Media Sampler Highlighting Two New POKÉMON Adventures

VIZ Media proudly announces participation and support for Free Comic Book Day 2018 with a special sampler featuring exclusive excerpts from the two newest POKÉMON manga adventures, Pokémon Sun & Moon and Pokémon Horizon: Sun & Moon.

Scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 5th, 2018 at thousands of locations nationwide, Free Comic Book Day is an annual promotional campaign developed by the North American comic book industry to help bring new readers of all ages and interests into independent comic book stores. Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) began in 2002 and is coordinated by the industry's single largest distributor, Diamond Comic Distributors. Readers should visit freecomicbookday.com to find local participating retailers in their area.

VIZ Media proudly participates this year as a Gold Level Sponsor with this special FREE POKÉMON release (available while supplies last). Pokémon Sun & Moon and Pokémon Horizon: Sun & Moon are the latest All Ages manga adventures inspired by the Pokémon Sun & Moon video game. VIZ Media will launch both series in print this summer.

Pokémon Free Comic Book day 2018 Sampler

Enjoy action-filled chapters from the latest POKÉMON manga series, Pokémon Sun & Moon and Pokémon Horizon: Sun & Moon! Both series are rated ‘A’ for All Ages.

In Pokémon Sun & Moon, Sun dreams of money and Moon dreams of scientific discoveries. When their paths cross with Team Skull, both their plans go awry!

In Pokémon HORIZON: Sun & Moon, Akira's summer vacation in the Alola region heats up when he befriends a Rockruff with a mysterious gemstone. Together, Akira hopes they can achieve his dream of becoming a Pokémon Trainer and learning the amazing Z-Move. But first, Akira needs to pass a test to earn a Trainer Passport. This becomes even more difficult when Rockruff gets kidnapped!

POKÉMON SUN & MOON Vol. 1 will be released exclusively in print on May 8th, 2018. Pokémon HORIZON: SUN & MOON Vol. 1 will be available on July 10th, 2018. More information on Pokémon HORIZON: SUN & MOON will be released in the near future.

POKÉMON is one of the most successful international entertainment franchises of all time. More than 290 million POKÉMON video games and over 23.6 billion Pokémon Trading Cards have been sold in more than 74 countries in addition to substantial publishing and merchandise sales. VIZ Media is the official North American distributor for a wide variety of POKÉMON home media releases including animated series and films and also publishes a variety of POKÉMON manga graphic novel series including Pokémon Adventures, Pokémon Adventures: FireRed & LeafGreen, Pokémon Adventures: Emerald, Pokémon Adventures: Diamond AND Pearl/PLATINUM, Pokémon Adventures: HeartGold & SoulSilver, Pokémon Adventures: Black & White, POKÉMON X•Y, and POKÉMON OMEGA RUBY • ALPHA SAPPHIRE.

For additional information on POKÉMON titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.

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"Geek-Girl" Arrives for Free Comic Book Day 2018

A Heroine falls in Geek-Girl: What Ever Happened to Ruby Kaye?

Created and written by Sam Johnson (The Almighties, Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman) and illustrated by Carlos Granda (Grimm Fairy Tales, Charmed), the first Geek-Girl Mini-Series introduced the world to attractive, popular Maine college co-ed Ruby Kaye – a girl used to getting whatever she wants...

On a drunken whim, Ruby landed a pair of power-inducing super-tech glasses from her college's resident brainiac; but rather than impressing her friends, Ruby alienated the majority of her clique while klutzily trying to demonstrate her newfound abilities – accidentally knocking drinks over their expensive designer dresses. Her BFF Summer James was into what Ruby could do now, though – and pushed her into trying to be a super-hero – jokily giving her the moniker 'Geek-Girl,' following her actions.

Johnson brings us up to speed: “Out 'looking for crime,' Ruby came across mysterious new villain Lightning Storm taking down her city's resident super-heroine, Neon Girl; and promised the now-hospitalized heroine she'd stop the - extremely dangerous – super-villain. Having previously lived an easy and fairly self-centered existence – mainly consisting of partying and hanging with the 'cool kids' - Ruby has fallen into a situation where she's had to learn, hard and fast, how to be a hero.” 

“Lightning Storm is very publicly destroying points of authority in Ruby's city of Maine and lethally taking out anyone who might get in her way...” This is where we come in with Geek-Girl: What Ever Happened to Ruby Kaye? Johnson continues, “Geek-Girl knows where Lightning Storm is. She's out of her league here, but it's time to step up anyway - as the heroine she's become.”

The Free Digital Comic brings us into Ruby's world where the first Mini-Series climaxed and sets up the second Mini-Series, launching May 30. “If you've never read a Geek-Girl comic, this is a great place to jump-on,” says Johnson, and if you have, this is where you'll find out exactly where things are with Ruby - following the first Mini-Series – and they ain't good...”

Written by Johnson and illustrated by Carlos Granda, Geek-Girl: What Ever Happened to Ruby Kaye? is a Free Digital Comic, out May 5 from Markosia, available here or at www.geekgirlcomics.com

Praise for Geek-Girl:

"Amazingly good debut with a new character that totally fits into today’s younger generation of doing before thinking." -Steven Leitman, Reading With a Flight Ring.

“A great series to get into if you’re looking for something super-hero related but original and interesting in its own right.” -Jay Brown, Comic Sleuth.

“Geek-Girl puts the human back in super-human.” -Wayne Hall, Major Spoilers.

"A charming comic, the dialogue displays a witty back and forth that would make Kevin Smith proud." -Kris Bather, Broken Frontier.

"A brilliant premise, an interesting character, and intriguing prospects for the future."
-Chris Orr, Dress Like The Hulk.

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