Friday, February 22, 2019

Academy Announces First Round of Presenters for 91st Oscars

ROUND ONE: STARS LINE UP FOR THE OSCARS

Awkwafina, Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Brie Larson, Jennifer Lopez, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Amandla Stenberg, Charlize Theron, Tessa Thompson, Constance Wu

Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic to Perform During the “In Memoriam” Segment

Oscar® producer Donna Gigliotti, and co-producer and director Glenn Weiss, announced the first round of presenters for the 91st Academy Awards®. The show will honor the incredible slate of nominees – from blockbusters to independent films – and embrace the diversity of the global movie-going audience. The Oscars® airs live on the ABC Television Network, February 24, 2019 and will be broadcast in more than 225 countries and territories.

“The Oscar nominees have generated tremendous worldwide attention through their captivating stories, achievements and performances,” said Gigliotti and Weiss. “We want to give the public an opportunity to once again experience the moments that have moved us all. It is a celebration of our universal love of movies.”

The producers will continue to announce talent joining the show in the coming weeks, and, as previously announced, the show will feature musical performances of the five Original Song nominees.

“From blockbuster hits to intimate tales of the human spirit, the movies we celebrate at the Oscars connect us in a way that is both moving and powerful,” said Karey Burke, President, ABC Entertainment. “Donna and Glenn will deliver a tribute worthy of the talent that will present and receive Oscar gold, and I’m so proud that ABC is home to this monumental night.”

“The Oscars is the most-watched live entertainment event of the year,” said Academy president John Bailey. “The show connects us with the power and history of the movies as it reconnects home audiences with their favorite films and stars.”

“This is an important moment in Oscar history,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “This year’s show maintains Oscar traditions, and is also evolving to reflect our global audience.”

The 91st Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST.

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Thursday, February 21, 2019

"Dragon Ball: A Visual History" Coming Fall 2019


VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES PUBLISHING RIGHTS FOR DRAGON BALL: A VISUAL HISTORY

Akira Toriyama’s DRAGON BALL: A VISUAL HISTORY Features Illustrations And Personal Insights Into The Renowned Series

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, announces the publishing rights for Akira Toriyama’s DRAGON BALL: A VISUAL HISTORY.

DRAGON BALL: A VISUAL HISTORY will be published under VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump imprint and is slated for release in the fall of 2019. The hardcover art book features stunning full-color artwork, rarely seen sketches, and exclusive creator commentary by Akira Toriyama. DRAGON BALL: A VISUAL HISTORY is the definitive journey through the artwork of one of the most influential and popular manga series of all time.

Internationally renowned for his playful, innovative storytelling and humorous, distinctive art style, Akira Toriyama burst onto the manga scene in 1980 with the wildly popular series, DR. SLUMP. His hit series DRAGON BALL (published in the U.S. as DRAGON BALL and DRAGON BALL Z) ran from 1984 to 1995 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. He is also known for his design work on video games such as Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, Tobal No. 1, and Blue Dragon. His acclaimed manga works include COWA!, Kajika, SAND LAND, Neko Majin, and a children's book, Toccio the Angel.

VIZ Media is the official North American English publisher of a variety of bestselling DRAGON BALL properties including the original manga series as well as its sequels, DRAGON BALL Z, DRAGON BALL SUPER, and the spin-off volume, DRAGON BALL: THAT TIME I GOT REINCARNATED AS YAMCHA! All of these titles are available in print as well as digitally. VIZ Media also publishes the DRAGON BALL manga series in special full-color, collector’s print editions.

For more information on DRAGON BALL and other manga titles 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, 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 viz.com.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2019

VIZ Media Reveals its Fall 2019 Debuts

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW MANGA ACQUISITIONS SET TO DEBUT THIS FALL

New Titles From VIZ Media Include CATS OF THE LOUVRE, NO LONGER HUMAN, LEVIUS, The ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM COMPLETE BOX SET, And More

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, announces new manga publishing acquisitions set for release this coming fall.

New fall titles joining the VIZ Signature imprint include CATS OF THE LOUVRE, the latest masterpiece from Eisner Award-winning creator Taiyo Matsumoto. Acclaimed author Osamu Dazai’s NO LONGER HUMAN is adapted into chilling graphic novel form by the famed horror manga creator Junji Ito.

Additional acquisitions include LEVIUS, a hardcover deluxe edition of the science fiction battle manga and its ongoing sequel series, LEVIUS/EST. THE WAY OF THE HOUSEHUSBAND is an action-packed comedy about a former yakuza legend trying to lead a law-abiding, domestic life as a househusband. And in NO GUNS LIFE, a gritty new action series, a former soldier with a cyborg body finds the war never ends for people with bodies like his. Finally, the ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM COMPLETE BOX SET rounds out the new releases, collecting all 21 volumes of the hit high school action-adventure-comedy from SHONEN JUMP.

Additional information on each of these titles will be announced in the near future.

CATS OF THE LOUVRE
A surreal tale of the secret world of the cats of the Louvre by Eisner-Award winning creator Taiyo Matsumoto. The world-renowned Louvre museum in Paris contains more than just the most famous works of art in history. At night, within the darkened galleries, an unseen and surreal world comes alive – a world only witnessed by the small family of cats that live in the attic. Until now…

NO LONGER HUMAN
Plagued by a maddening anxiety, the terrible disconnect between his own concept of happiness and the joy of the rest of the world, Yozo Oba plays the clown in his dissolute life, holding up a mask for those around him as he spirals ever downward, locked arm-in-arm with death. Osamu Dazai’s immortal—and supposedly autobiographical—work of Japanese literature, is perfectly adapted here into a manga by Junji Ito. The imagery wrenches open the text of the novel one line at a time to sublimate Yozo’s mental landscape into something even more delicate and grotesque. This is the ultimate in art by Ito, proof that nothing can surpass the terror of the human psyche.

LEVIUS
It’s the 19th Century and the world has entered the Era of Rebirth, recovering from the devastating flames of war. The sport of Mechanical Martial Arts has galvanized many nations. Cybernetically augmented fighters turn their blood into steam and their bodies into brutal fighting—and killing—machines. Young Levius is one of those arena battlers, hellbent on winning so he can simply survive.

LEVIUS/EST
In this ongoing series that picks up where LEVIUS ended, things look bleak in the aftermath of the Mechanical Arts arena battle. A new arrival inspires a sense of hope – but she might also signal the end of everything!

THE WAY OF THE HOUSEHUSBAND
It’s a day in the life of your average househusband – if your average househusband is the legendary yakuza the “Immortal Dragon”! Yes, this former yakuza legend has left it all behind to become your everyday househusband. But it’s not easy to walk away from the gangster life, and what should be mundane household tasks are anything but!

NO GUNS LIFE
After the war, cyborg soldiers known as the Extended were discharged. Juzo Inui is one of them, a man whose body was transformed, his head replaced with a giant gun! With no memory of his previous life—or who replaced his head and why—Inui now scratches out a living in the dark streets of the city as a Resolver, taking on cases involving the Extended.

ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM COMPLETE BOX SET
The complete box set collection includes all 21 volumes of ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM along with a premium two-sided color poster and a 32-page full-color mini artbook.

Ever caught yourself screaming, “I could just kill that teacher”? What would it take to justify such antisocial behavior and weeks of detention? Especially if he’s the best teacher you’ve ever had? How about blowing up the moon and threatening to do the same to Mother Earth—unless you take him out first?! Plus a reward of a cool 100 million from the Ministry of Defense!

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 SHONEN JUMP brand 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 viz.com.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2019

VIZ Media Delivers "Mazinger Z: Infinity" on Blu-ray and DVD

VIZ Media Announces the Home Media Release of Mazinger Z: Infinity

Feature Film Based On The Legendary Mazinger Z Series Debuts On Blu-ray And DVD

San Francisco, CA — VIZ Media, LLC (Viz Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, announces the home media release of MAZINGER Z: INFINITY on February 19th, 2019.

MAZINGER Z is one of Japan's most revered sci-fi properties. The anime film, which was produced by Toei Animation, takes place ten years after the conclusion of the famed Mazinger Z TV series. Viz Media will release MAZINGER Z: INFINITY on Blu-ray and as a Standard Edition DVD. The MAZINGER Z: INFINITY Blu-ray's MSRP will be $24.98 U.S. / $29.99 CAN; the Standard Edition DVD's MSRP will be $19.98 U.S. / $24.99 CAN. Audio featuring English and Japanese dialogue options along with English subtitles are available on both formats.

The Mazinger Z: Infinity movie is based on the classic manga series by Go Nagai. It follows our hero, Koji Kabuto, in an action-packed adventure where only he can choose his ultimate path! Ten years ago, the villainous scientist Dr. Hell led his wicked followers, known as the Underground Empire, in a struggle to destroy all of humanity. It was against these forces that the young hero Koji Kabuto fought, piloting the legendary super robot “Mazinger Z.” Koji's victory stopped Dr. Hell's evil plan and returned peace to the Earth. Now Koji has left the pilot seat behind and become a scientist in his own right, following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. Yet an unexpected encounter deep under Mt. Fuji triggers an even greater threat to mankind than ever before and alters Koji's destiny forever. With humanity's fate in their hands, Koji and Mazinger Z face a choice between good…and evil.

“Fans have eagerly awaited this home media release ever since Viz Media presented MAZINGER Z: INFINITY in theaters last year,” says Brian Ige, Viz Media's Vice President of Animation. “MAZINGER Z is a revered icon of the super robot anime genre and we invite audiences to add this adventure to their personal home media collections.”

The MAZINGER Z: INFINITY Blu-ray set's bonus features include the original Japanese theatrical trailers and a special music video of the MAZINGER Z theme song performed by Ichiro Mizuki. Blu-ray exclusive content includes a special Behind-the-Scenes featurette with interviews of the Japanese production staff and English dub cast as well as a digital art gallery. Bonus content for the DVD set includes the Japanese theatrical trailers and the Ichiro Mizuki music video.

The English voice cast for the film features Wayne Grayson in the lead role of Koji Kabuto, Mike Pollock as Dr. Hell and Dan Green as Tetsuya Tsurugi.

Go Nagai was Born in 1945 in Wajima City, Ishikawa. After making his debut with Meakashi Polikichi in 1967, this renowned manga artist created numerous beloved series across Japan, namely Mazinger Z, DEVILMAN, and Harenchi Gakuen. He is the one and only manga artist with experience to simultaneously write for five weekly magazines: Shonen Jump, Shonen Magazine, Shonen Sunday, Shōnen Champion, and Shonen King. He has many fans not only in Japan but all around the world.

For more information on MAZINGER Z: INFINITY and other award-winning anime titles from 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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Monday, February 18, 2019

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for February 20, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

OCT181298    ADVENTURE TIME MARCELINE PIRATE QUEEN ORIGINAL GN    $14.99
DEC181390    ADVENTURE TIME MARCY & SIMON #2 (OF 6) MAIN    $3.99
DEC181391    ADVENTURE TIME MARCY & SIMON #2 (OF 6) PREORDER MARCY    $3.99
DEC181392    ADVENTURE TIME MARCY & SIMON #2 (OF 6) PREORDER SIMON    $3.99
DEC188458    BLACK BADGE #7 FOC SHAW VAR    $3.99
DEC181364    BLACK BADGE #7 MAIN & MIX    $3.99
DEC181367    CODA #9 (OF 12) MAIN & MIX    $3.99
DEC181372    JIM HENSON BENEATH DARK CRYSTAL #7 (OF 12) MAIN CVR DEWEY    $3.99
DEC181373    JIM HENSON BENEATH DARK CRYSTAL #7 (OF 12) PREORDER PETERSEN    $3.99
OCT181271    JIM HENSON LABYRINTH DISCOVERY ADVENTURE HC    $14.99
DEC181377    LUMBERJANES #59 MAIN    $3.99
DEC181378    LUMBERJANES #59 PREORDER PEER VAR    $3.99
OCT181285    LUMBERJANES TO MAX ED HC VOL 05    $39.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 20, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC180372    ANTHEM #1    $3.99
OCT180362    BEDTIME GAMES TP    $17.99
DEC180360    DEATH ORB #5    $3.99
OCT180331    DISNEY PIXARS INCREDIBLES 2 TP VOL 01 CRISIS MIDLIFE & OTHER    $10.99
DEC180422    HELLBOY COASTER SET    $9.99
DEC180373    LIGHTSTEP #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
DEC180386    STARCRAFT SOLDIERS #2 (OF 4)    $3.99
OCT180342    STARCRAFT TP VOL 01    $17.99
AUG180355    TERMINATOR SECTOR WAR #3 (OF 4) CVR A SAMMELIN    $3.99
AUG180356    TERMINATOR SECTOR WAR #3 (OF 4) CVR B LOTAY    $3.99
NOV180280    UMBRELLA ACADEMY COASTER SET    $9.99
NOV180281    UMBRELLA ACADEMY ENAMEL PIN SET    $14.99
DEC180391    WITCHER #3 OF FLESH & FLAME    $3.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 20, 2019

DC COMICS

DEC180530    AMERICAN CARNAGE #4 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180531    AQUAMAN #45    $3.99
DEC180532    AQUAMAN #45 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180528    BATGIRL YEAR ONE DELUXE ED HC    $34.99
DEC180515    BATMAN #65 THE PRICE    $3.99
DEC180516    BATMAN #65 VAR ED THE PRICE    $3.99
NOV180542    BLACK LIGHTNING BRICK CITY BLUES TP    $19.99
DEC180543    CATWOMAN #8    $3.99
DEC180544    CATWOMAN #8 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180548    DAMAGE #14    $3.99
NOV180549    DC UNIVERSE BY LEN WEIN HC    $34.99
NOV180553    ELSEWORLDS JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 03    $34.99
JUL180761    HE MAN & THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE OMNIBUS HC    $150.00
DEC180523    HIGH LEVEL #1 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180524    HIGH LEVEL #1 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
DEC180572    JUSTICE LEAGUE #18    $3.99
DEC180573    JUSTICE LEAGUE #18 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180578    LUCIFER #5 (MR)    $3.99
NOV180477    MAD MAGAZINE #6    $5.99
DEC180581    NAOMI #2    $3.99
DEC180582    NIGHTWING #57    $3.99
DEC180583    NIGHTWING #57 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180588    SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #97    $2.99
DEC180598    TEEN TITANS #27    $3.99
DEC180599    TEEN TITANS #27 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180581    TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP BOOK 01 (MR)    $19.99
DEC180604    WILD STORM #20    $3.99
DEC180605    WILD STORM #20 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180584    WONDER WOMAN REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 03    $34.99