Comics Briefly
-- Publishers Weekly, 6/12/2007
Death Note Films in New York
The live-action movies Death Note and its sequel, Death Note 2: The Last Name, both based on the Viz Media manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, will have their U.S. premiers later this month at the New York Asian Film Festival. The Director of both movies, Shusuke Kaneko will be present at all screenings. The Death Note manga series has sold 2.8 million volumes in Japan alone and the series is also a bestseller in the U.S. The 12th and final volume of the series is forthcoming from Viz Media in July.
Also slated for premier at the New York Asian Film Festival is Freesia: Bullets Over Tears, based on Jiro Matsumoto's manga series, Freesia. Adapted to screen by horror/thriller director, Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, Freesia takes place in a futuristic Japan held in the grips of rage and revenge. The New York Film Festival runs from June 22 - July 8 in New York City.
Lea Hernandez Webcomic
Cartoonist Lea Hernandez has posted an online version of Cathedral Child, an early manga work she first created in 1998, for free online in its entirety. Hernandez is posting the webcomic free under a Creative Commons License and she says it's a gesture of thanks to all the people who provided her with help after the fire that destroyed her home last year. Cathedral Child can be found at Webcomics Nation.
New Seven Seas Blog
In the wake of the controversy over the Nymphet series, Seven Seas publisher Jason DeAngelis has launched a blog called Adventures of a Manga Publisher. The blog goes over what went into his decision to cancel Nymphet.. But he says the new blog will be an ongoing effort to "provide an inside look at the manga industry, as someone who is directly involved in all aspects of manga publishing."
Morrison Book from Sequart
The Sequart Research and Literacy Organization, a non profit group that studies comics in all its varieties, is releasing, Grant Morrisonn: The Early Years, the firstin a new line of books. Written by Timothy Callahan, the book explores five early works by the acclaimed comic book writer and also includes an interview with Morrison. More information on the book and ordering information can be found at Sequart.org .
New from Alternative Comics
Alternative Comics has announced a number of books that will be released this summer. Titles to be released include Joel Orff's Thunderhead Underground Falls, the third volume of the anthology Hickee edited by Graham Annable, the first issue of the comic book series Miriam by Rich Tommaso and Pictures of You, written by Damon Hurd with art by Tatiana Gill. Thunderhead Underground Falls and Hickee will debut at the MoCCA Art Festival on June 23rd and 24th in Manhattan. More information about the new books can be found at the Alternative Comics website.
New Episode of A.D.
Cartoonist Josh Neufeld has posted the latest installment of A.D: New Orleans After the Deluge, his ongoing webcomic about the lives of New Orleans residents in aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Wired magazine called the webcomic "a sterling example of comics with a social consciousness." A.D. is hosted by the Smithmag.net.
Le Chevalier D'Eon Anime Wins Prize
The first volume of the anime Le Chevalier D'Eon released by ADV Films has been awarded "Best DVD Release of February 2007" on &on AnimeonDVD.com, a fan website for anime news and reviews. The monthly AnimeOnDVD award is chosen by fans. Le Chevalier D'Eon, directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and produced by Production I.G., is a fictionalized account of Charles d'Eon de Beaumont, a French diplomat, writer, and swordsman. The manga it is based on will be published this month by Del Rey Manga.
