Comic-Con in Mission Viejo 2018: Event Walk Through #1

Comic-Con in Mission Viejo 2018: Event Walk Through #1

The Mission Viejo Library is gearing up to host its inaugural Comic-Con from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 14.

This fun-filled day features a bevy of events along with crafts, trivia games, book talks, costume story times, food trucks and more.  The event will boast a panel of writers and animators showcasing their careers and inspirations for their work.

Special guests include comic writing legend Marv Wolfman, best known for his run on the “Teen Titans” comic and the DC universe altering series “Crisis on Infinite Earths.”  Kim Dwinell, a graphic novelist and animator who recently released her first book “Surfside Girls: The Secret of Danger Point,” will discuss her work and inspiration.

Other bestselling authors lined up for the day include D.J. MacHale, Neal Shusterman, Alexandra Monir and Gina Damico. They all pen genre fiction for teens and will discuss their books, inspirations and writing.

In one of the more innovative panel talks at Comic-Con, creator Brian Haberlin will talk about new technology used with comic books. His work, “Anomaly: The Rubicon,” has many augmented reality, or AR, elements integrated in the book. Brian will demonstrate how this works and enhances the storytelling experience.

If you like animation, you’ll enjoy hearing from professionals in the animation field. Victor Cook, a TV animation director and producer, will discuss his new Netflix show “Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters” and reminisce about his work on the show “The Spectacular Spider-Man.”

Anime enthusiasts will savor screenings throughout the day in the City Council Chamber including classics like “Speed Racer” and “Fruits Basket” along with newer shows such as “URAHARA” and “Orange.” The screenings will end at 3 p.m. with the award-winning animated feature movie “Your name” by Makoto Shinkai.

The library’s Heritage Room will be transformed into a game room with Dungeons and Dragons and card and board games for people of all ages. Local game company Cryptozoic will demonstrate games throughout the day.

Local comic book shop Nuclear Comics and bookseller Mysterious Galaxy will have scads of books to peruse and purchase in the Artist Alley in the Kershaw Garden. You can also check out and buy work from many independent publishers and local artists.

If you’re into cosplay, bring your camera for photo opportunities with folks from the local chapters of the 501st and Rebel Legion dressed in Star Wars garb. Kids will have fun making superhero-themed crafts in the children’s library.

The day will culminate with a Cosplay Masquerade in the City Council Chamber starting at 5:30 p.m. Contestants in the Masquerade will be divided into two groups – children and teen/adult.

To see the entire day’s schedule, visit https://cityofmissionviejo.org/comic-con.

 

 

 


Comic Con Revolution 2018: Who will you come to see May 19th & 20th?
SERIOUSLY WE’VE GOT A LOT OF GUESTS!
 

And this is just guests… we’ve got 2 full days of panels, a full exhibit hall with over 300 exhibitors, including comic creators (over 130 creators in Artist Alley), new comic dealers, vintage comic dealers, comic publishers, toy & collectibles vendors, crafts, costumes, clothing, cosplayers, fan groups, media stars and more.

Why not make it a weekend? Not only will you save, get a free print, get early access to the show, but you’ll also guarantee that you won’t miss anything.
 
GET YOUR ADVANCE TICKETS NOW
BOOK YOUR STAY AND HELP US OUT ALONG THE WAY
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Ontario Airport is our main hotel! If you would like to book at the DoubleTree or any of the many local hotels within walking distance of the convention center please click the big red button below.
 
When you use this link, Comic Con Revolution is noted as the reason for the hotel stay, which helps us grow the event, including insuring our dates stay the same year after year.
FIND LODGING
EVEN SPIDEY DOWNLOADED THE NEW APP
 
We’ve got a lot going on a the show, and we want to make sure you don’t miss anything. As we get closer to the show we’ll keep updating the app with the programing guide, show floor, exhibitors, guests and pretty much everything else that’s happening that weekend.

Available at iTunes at http://bit.ly/CCRAppiTunes
Available at Google Play at http://bit.ly/CCRAppGoogle

Download the app now and start planning out your weekend!

Comic Con Revolution 2018: Actor Lance Henriksen, Aspen Comics, Overwatch Voice Actors All Just Announced!
LANCE HENRIKSEN JOINS THE REVOLUTION
Lance Henriksen, you know, from movies like Hard Target, Aliens, Terminator, The Blacklist, Into the Badlands, The Legend of Korra, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, The Quick and the Dead, The Day Lincoln Was Shot and so many more (seriously, look at his IMDB page, it’s massive) is coming to Comic Con Revolution Ontario May 19th & 20th at the Ontario Convention Center!

Why not make it a weekend? Not only will you save, get a free print, get early access to the show, but you’ll also guarantee that you won’t miss anything. If you think this announcement is huge, we haven’t even talked about panels yet!
GET YOUR ADVANCE TICKETS NOW
Overwatch
OVERWATCH VOICE ACTORS
Fans of Overwatch we’ve got some exciting news for you!! Come meet Overwatch voice actors Feodor Chin (Zenyatta), Josh Petersdorf (Roadhog), and Paul Nakauchi (Hanzo) all weekend long this May 19th and 20th!!

And that’s not all!! If you missed it, we also already announced Greg Baldwin (Samurai Jack, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Carlos Ferro (Gears of War, Assassin’s Creed, Battlefield Hardline, Uncharted ) and Diane Pershing (Batman: The Animated Series – Voice of Poison Ivy)… and if your reading this far you’ll really love who else we’ve yet to announce, so stay tuned.
Aspen Comics
ASPEN COMICS WILL BE AT CCR ALL WEEKEND
Publisher Aspen Comics is coming to Comic Con Revolution! If you don’t know why that’s such a huge deal check out this recent New York Times article on them:

“The company owns a 50 percent stake in Aspen Comics, the brainchild of the cult illustrator Michael Turner, who died in 2008. Mythos is currently developing several projects, including adaptations of the Aspen comics Soulfire and Fathom, a best-selling title upon its release in 1998.“

Big things are happening for Aspen! You don’t want to miss this chance to talk with Gabe Carrasco, Mark Roslan, Vince Hernandez, Peter Steigerwald and Frank Mastromauro about what they have in store next!!
ADVANCE TICKET HOLDERS GET HIS AS A PRINT
Not only do advance ticket holders get in early and save a at least $5 vs the ticket prices at the door, but now they also get a FREE Jetpack Jules print with art by Dustin Nguyen! That sure sounds like a great incentive to buy your tickets now.

If you already bought your tickets fear not — you are ahead of the game AND you will get your print, too!

Advance ticket holders will claim their free print while picking up their wristbands at Advance Ticket Pick-Up.
Want to stay a night right near the show? The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Ontario Airport is our main hotel! If you would like to book at the DoubleTree or any of the many local hotels within walking distance of the convention center please click the big red button below.
FIND A HOTEL ROOM

Japanese Metal Dance Unit BABYMETAL Becomes a Graphic Novel!

Japanese Metal Dance Unit BABYMETAL Becomes a Graphic Novel!
Z2 Comics Announces APOCRYPHA: THE LEGEND OF BABYMETAL, An Original Graphic Novel
Based on the Themes of BABYMETAL


April 3, 2018) There’s no band in the world like BABYMETAL, the metal dance unit, whose hit songs like “KARATE,” “Gimme Chocolate,” and “Megitsune” have captured the imaginations of fans around the globe. This fall, Z2 Comics, Hollywood film/TV production company Amuse Group USA, and BABYMETAL’s producer KOBAMETAL are collaborating on a brand new, original story for the graphic novel APOCRYPHA: THE LEGEND OF BABYMETAL, featuring art by award-winning illustrator GMB Chomichuk.

Formed in 2010, BABYMETAL is a metal dance unit made up of three performers, SU-METAL, YUIMETAL, and MOAMETAL. With their combination of powerful metal sound and dance performances, they are by far the most unique band out there. Since its inception, the Japanese metal dance unit has developed a devoted fan base that describes their concerts as both energetic and unforgettable. The band has received glowing praise from the industry’s top acts, including Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Guns N’ Roses’ Slash and Rob Zombie, who told Billboard that BABYMETAL “are like nothing I’ve ever seen before.” BABYMETAL is making waves in the music industry with their chart-topping albums that have solidified their cross-continent success.

The book will be published by innovative independent graphic novel publisher Z2 Comics, who has previously collaborated on acclaimed music-inspired graphic novels with the likes of rockstar Dan Auerbach, bluesman Robert Finley and the Music Maker Foundation, platinum selling DJ Paul Oakenfold and jazz musician Dave Chisholm. “With the book still months from publication, it’s too early to reveal much,” said Z2 Comics Co-Publisher Sridhar Reddy. “In the months to come, BABYMETAL fans can expect more announcements, but today I would say the question we should be asking is not who is BABYMETAL, but what is BABYMETAL?’”

The graphic novel based on the band, APOCRYPHA: THE LEGEND OF BABYMETAL will be available online for preorder on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Kinokuniya USA, and on sale in comic book stores and bookstores in October 2018 and will retail for $24.99. Also, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Kinokuniya USA, and Japanese online market Asmart will each release a limited special cover edition of the graphic novel (pre-order dates for Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Kinokuniya USA are TBD). For more updates on the book, follow Z2 Comics on Twitter and Facebook and follow BABYMETAL on their official website, Twitter,  Facebook, and Instagram.

*Besides the cover design, the special cover edition will be identical to the standard version

In May, BABYMETAL will be on a world tour across the United States and Europe with performances scheduled at Rock on the Range and Download UK. 

■「APOCRYPHA: THE LEGEND OF BABYMETAL」
Scheduled release 2018/10
■BABYMETAL WORLD TOUR 2018
【US TOUR】
2018/05/08 Kansas City, MO / Uptown Theater
2018/05/10 Austin, TX / ACL Live at the Moody Theater
2018/05/11 Dallas, TX / House of Blues Dallas
2018/05/13 Houston, TX / Revention Music Center
2018/05/15 Atlanta, GA / Tabernacle Atlanta
2018/05/17 Charlotte, NC / The Fillmore
2018/05/18 Nashville, TN / Marathon Music Works
2018/05/20 Columbus, OH / 「Rock on the Range」appearance
【EUROPE TOUR】
2018/06/01 Nürburg, Germany /「Rock am Ring」at Nürburgring appearance
2018/06/02 Nuremberg, Germany /「Rock im Park」at Zeppelinfeld appearance
2018/06/04 Innsbruck, Austria/ Music Hall Innsbruck
2018/06/05 Utrecht, Netherlands / TivoliVredenburg
2018/06/06 Utrecht, Netherlands / TivoliVredenburg
2018/06/09 Derby, UK / 「Download UK」at Donington Park appearance
■BABYMETAL Official Web Site

For more information, contact:
David Hyde
Superfan Promotions LLC

ABOUT BABYMETAL: Formed in 2010 in Japan, BABYMETAL is a metal dance unit made up of three performers, SU-METAL, YUIMETAL, and MOAMETAL. Their combination of powerful metal sound and dance performances, propelled their first  studio album BABYMETAL onto the US Billboard charts. With their second album METAL RESISTANCE, they became the highest-charting Japanese band ever on UK’s Official Albums Chart, landing at number fifteen on the charts, and reaching the 39th spot on its debut on the U.S. Billboard, becoming the first album by a Japanese artist to break into the chart’s top 40 in more than 50 years.

BABYMETAL has performed with some of the most influential musicians in the world, having supported Lady Gaga on her ArtRave: The Artpop Ball Tour, opened for both the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Guns ‘N Roses, and performed as special guest for Metallica. They performed at the prestigious Wembley Arena in the UK, becoming the first Japanese artist to ever headline at the venue.

In summer 2017, BABYMETAL held a domestic tour 5 FOX FESTIVALS in JAPAN and BIG FOX FESTIVAL in JAPAN. In December 2017, BABYMETAL held a very special two-day concert in Hiroshima, SU-METAL’s hometown, to celebrate her “coming of age” at the Hiroshima Green Arena. In the same year, BABYMETAL was crowned “MTV EMA’s BEST JAPAN ACT” in which the group became the ultimate winner out of 32 countries and also became first Japanese act to be given such an award.

Twitter: @BABYMETAL_JAPAN
Instagram: @BABYMETAL_OFFICIAL

About Amuse Group USA, Inc.: Established in 2014, Amuse Group USA, Inc (Amuse USA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amuse, Inc. Alongside providing artist management and tour support for its bands — including BABYMETAL (pop-metal), ONE OK ROCK (rock), and Perfume (EDM) — Amuse USA produces and invests in film and TV projects in the US and discovers talent for its management division. A cornerstone of the film and TV department’s activities is J-CREATION, a year-round effort to bridge the gap between the Japanese and US entertainment industries, facilitating the adaptation of Japanese IP into film, TV, and other business opportunities. Each year, Amuse USA holds a content matching event where a slate of up to 10 titles are presented and Hollywood producers are given the unique opportunity to meet in person with the Japanese rights holders to discuss their projects.

About Z2 Comics: Z2 Comics Co-Publishers Josh Frankel and Sridhar Reddy are committed to publishing quality graphic novels andcomic books that explore all genres and kinds of storytelling. The New York-based, boutique publisher debuted in the spring of 2014 with a new edition of Paul Pope’s Escapo and the first print collection of Dean Haspiel’s Fear My Dear: A Billy Dogma Book. In the fall of 2015, the company debuted a line of creator own periodicals with WELCOME TO SHOWSIDE, the first creator owned comic by Ian McGinty, Chris Hunt’s international adventure caper CARVER, and ALLEN: SON OF HELLCOCK co-written by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver writer Will Tracy and Gabe Koplowitz, with art by Miguel Porto and the internationally acclaimed graphic novel THE ABADDON by Koren Shadmi. The following year the company launched diverse and eclectic comic book titles including: HYPER FORCE NEO, a new all ages series from SUPER PRO K.O.! creator Jarrett Williams, THE SWEETNESS, the first collaboration by acclaimed husband and wife creators Kevin Colden and Miss Lasko-Gross, and LEGEND, the comic book debuts by novelist Samuel Sattin and illustrator Chris Koehler, and INDOCTRINATION by writer Michael Moreci and artist Matt Battaglia. Z2 Comics has published a series of acclaimed music-inspired graphic novels, including MURDER BALLADS by writer Gaber Soria and artists Paul Reinwand and Chris Hunt, collaborating with the likes of rockstar Dan Auerbach, bluesman Robert Finley and the Music Maker Foundation, platinum selling DJ Paul Oakenfold and jazz musician Dave Chisholm. All Z2 Comics are distributed at comic book stores and bookstores nationwide via Diamond and are available digitally via comiXology.

Marvel Comics Previews the X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN Trade Paperback, Announces Publication Dates for X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN, SECOND GENESIS

Marvel Comics Previews the X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN Trade Paperback,

Announces Publication Dates for X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN, SECOND GENESIS

 
And Award Winning Cartoonist Ed Piskor Provides Weekly Commentary on BOING BOING

For His Definitive Remix of X-Men History
New York, NY – April 3, 2018 – To mark the release of the X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN trade paperback, Marvel Comics is previewing an excerpt from the highly anticipated book, written, illustrated, colored and lettered by Eisner Award-winning, indie cartoonist Ed Piskor. Best known for documenting the history of hip hop with the best-selling HIP HOP FAMILY TREE graphic novels, Piskor is sampling and distilling more than 8,000 pages of super-heroic storytelling into one seamless masterpiece, creating a definitive remix of the first 280 original issues of X-Men comic books and 30 years of complicated continuity.

The preview features an excerpt of the first five pages from X-MEN #1 from 1963, recolored by Piskor in his distinctive style – originally written by Stan Lee, penciled by Jack Kirby, inked by Paul Reinmen, and lettered by Sam Rosen.

The X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN trade paperback collects the recolored X-MEN #1 and the acclaimed first two issues of  X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN and will be published as a Marvel Treasury Edition, in the same dynamic, oversized format of the best-selling HIP HOP FAMILY TREE. The trade paperback will also include extra recolored classic pinups. The X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN trade paperback is on sale now in bookstores and on sale in comic shops April 4th.

In addition, the award-winning zine, blog, and directory BOING BOING will publish the first 12 pages of X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN, accompanied by Piskor’s behind-the-scenes commentary on the series. Having previously serialized HIP HOP FAMILY TREE in weekly installments, BOING BOING will post one page of story and commentary by Piskor each week for three months. The first excerpt and accompanying commentary is now live.

“Ed’s the best new cartoonist in forty years and every line and texture he puts to paper proves an unparalleled familiarity with every moment of the discipline’s history,” said BOING BOING’s Managing Editor Rob Beschizza.

“My work on X-Men would never have been possible without Marvel’s collaboration and the popularity I’ve achieved thanks to Boing Boing’s support on their site for over four and a half years,” said Piskor. “It’s a pleasure to bring the Marvel mutants to the Happy Mutants of BB for this limited serialization of X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN. I created each page to function as its own unique and complete strip that, when read in total, would tell a bigger story. Over the course of the next few months I’ll be providing a director’s commentary with every strip, to give you, the reader, some insight into where my mind was when putting the whole tale together. There’s a lot that goes into each episode, and this is the exact crowd who would appreciate the deep-dive look under the hood.”

Marvel Comics is also announcing that X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN will return late this summer with the two issue comic book series X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN, SECOND GENESIS. Issue 1 of  X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN, SECOND GENESIS is scheduled for July 25th, followed by Issue 2 on August 29th.

About X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN
Over six tumultuous decades, the X-Men have carved a singular place in comic book lore and popular culture. From their riotous birth in the ’60s, to their legendary reboot in the ’70s, to their attitude adjustment in the ’90s, to their battle against extinction in the ’00s, the X-Men have remained unquestionably relevant to generations of readers, the ultimate underdogs in an increasingly complicated world. Now, New York Times best-selling author Ed Piskor (Hip-Hop Family Tree, Wizzywig) takes you on a pulse-pounding tour of X-Men history unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before, an intricate labor of love that stitches together hundreds of classic and obscure stories into one seamless masterpiece of X-Men lore.

“A massive project condensing 30 years of X-Men comics into one cohesive, linear mega-story.” — io9
“Piskor is one of the most vital and exciting writer-artists in the industry today.” — VULTURE
“A must-read.” — NEWSARAMA
“Exciting.” — POLYGON

“Thrilling.” — COMICOSITY
“Ed Piskor is one of the most exciting cartoonists working today and seeing the iconic X-men filtered through his singular vision is the sort of comic book project that you can usually only dream about. But this dream is real, and it is a thing to behold!” — Jeff Lemire (DESCENDER, MOON KNIGHT)
“Engrossing.” — IGN
“Unique and daring.” — HOUSTON CHRONICLE
“The series is a rollicking action-adventure but also a tribute to the work done by past X-Men creators, and Piskor’s appreciation and passion for these characters and their world comes through in every page.”  — AV CLUB
“From Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s first tales of outcast teens uniting to Claremont’s sprawling dramas, Piskor leaves no plot beat neglected.” — PASTE MAGAZINE
“I really, truly enjoyed Ed Piskor ‘s X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN, out now. It’s like a remix of your favorite songs, makes it all feel fresh. I dug it a ton.” — Charles Soule (CURSE WORDS, DAREDEVIL)
“This is a work of genius — amazingly paced and jampacked with story.” — ADVENTURES IN POOR TASTE
“Unprecedented.” — PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER
“Fresh and fun.” — 13TH DIMENSION
“Thrilling.” — GRAPHIC POLICY
“Grand Design is more than a great X-Men comic, it’s a great comic. Full stop. — COMICBOOK.COM
“Essential.” — PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY
“So bold and so fresh that it captures a rare feeling of exhilaration.” — COMICS BEAT
“Required reading for anyone with even a passing interest in the X-Men — or really, in the history of Marvel Comics.” — PORTLAND OREGONIAN
“Wonderful.” — LOUISVILLE ECCENTRIC OBSERVER

To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com

or simply chat with some of your favorite heroes with Marvel’s chatbot accessible through

OPENING LINEUP FOR PREMIER BUFFER FESTIVAL L.A. IS ANNOUNCED

OPENING LINEUP FOR PREMIER BUFFER FESTIVAL L.A. IS ANNOUNCED

Digital Stars Jon Cozart, Elle Mills, Shan Boodram, and more are the first to debut films at Buffer Festival’s newest edition.


Toronto, ON (April 3, 2018) – As digital content continues to break records and smash expectations, Buffer Festival L.A. is delighted to announce that their opening lineup contains some of these record-breaking artists. The roster currently includes: Musician Jon Cozart, Comedian Elle Mills, Sexologist Shan Boodram, Comedian Gus Johnson, and Filmmakers Anna Akana, Dom Fera, Nicola Foti, and TimH, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks.
The digital world is heating up as announcements continue from tech giants like Amazon and Facebook to entice creatives to distribute on their platforms. With breakthroughs and revelations occurring everyday on how content is yearned to be viewed, Buffer Festival continues to fight for these artists to be recognized as the leading generation in entertainment. For these online originators to be seen not merely as YouTubers but as what they respectably are – Musicians, Comedians, Filmmakers, and more.
Protecting this community has been Buffer Festival’s mission. “It’s not about followers or views, it’s about the work,” stated Scott Benzie, CEO of Buffer Festival, “We want to strip down the idea that these people are influencers, influence is an outcome. This accomplished group of creators have constructed their own path and mastered their technique to get where they are, and they should be recognized for it.”
Buffer Festival L.A. will be held on Thursday, May 17th at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The schedule includes an Insight Series from 12pm-5pm, a Meet & Greet Red Carpet from 6:00pm-6:30pm, and then World Premiere Screenings from 7pm-10pm. 
For more information and tickets please visit: bufferfestival.com
About Buffer Festival
Buffer Festival is an annual showcase of online world premieres, bringing the most acclaimed digital creators and their audiences together. The festival includes a variety of programming, including a red carpet gala and premiere screenings, with YouTube’s highest quality content on full display. Now entering its sixth edition, the festival will host its annual four day event from September 27-30, 2018.

Legendary Graphic Novel Publisher Humanoids Announces New Literary Imprint LIFE DRAWN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Legendary Graphic Novel Publisher Humanoids Announces New Literary Imprint LIFE DRAWN
March 28, 2018: Humanoids, the publisher of some of the world’s most iconic and groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy graphic novels, is launching a new literary imprint in 2018, timed to the company’s 20th anniversary of publishing its acclaimed books in the United States. Best known for seminal genre works including The Incal (Alejandro Jodorowsky, Mœbius) and The Metabarons (Jodorowsky, Gimenez) and internationally renowned creators, including Milo Manara and Jose Ladronn, Humanoids will make a bold break from tradition with its new endeavor. Launching on April 4th, the LIFE DRAWN imprint will publish graphic novels featuring deeply personal and powerful political narratives; these are stories grounded in life on earth, not among the stars.
“Since its inception in the ’70s, Humanoids has published some of the greatest science fiction and fantasy tales ever told—including international best sellers such as The Incal and The Metabarons,” said Humanoids CEO and Publisher, Fabrice Giger. “After so many years of exploring imaginary universes, I felt the urgency for us to also explore . . . real life. Our new imprint LIFE DRAWN will bring our readers down to earth, where humanity is just as captivating as any alien world. With LIFE DRAWN, Humanoids is committed to publishing diverse voices and stories from different points of view, whether it’s powerful political and personal stories from Afghanistan or Vietnam or a biography of Hedy Lamarr.”


LIFE DRAWN’s debut season features titles representing a wide spectrum of art styles, tone, and social and cultural perspectives:
Kabul Disco: How I Managed Not to Be Abducted in Afghanistan by Nicolas Wild
Publication date: April 4, 2018; ISBN: 978-1594658686; 160 Pages; $19.95
LIFE DRAWN debuts with the first volume of a satire-laced travel memoir by cartoonist Nicolas Wild about his experiences in Afghanistan, drawing an adaptation of of the Afghan constitution. Wild provides insights into international politics, a war-ravaged country and the lives of his fellow expatriates. In a dazzling passage, Wild explores the fragile state of American democracy through the story of a woman who was working for the Bush campaign in 2000 and was responsible for vote counting in one of Florida’s three counties, ultimately making the fateful phone call that helped swing the election. Acclaimed cartoonist Guy Delisle (Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea) declares that Wild’s “satirical and at times absurdist perspective plunges us into the daily life of a group of expatriates in the heart of Kabul, a city still reeling from the last war. His witty sense of humor makes him an excellent travel companion.” Book Two will be published in September.
Vietnamese Memories: Leaving Saigon by award-winning writer and artist Clément Baloup
Publication date: May 29, 2018; ISBN: 978-1594656583; 164 Pages; $19.95
The first of a three-volume testimonial to the courage and endurance of five different families displaced from their native country by war and colonialism and forced to assimilate in unfamiliar lands, watching their heritage slowly disappear. As Doan Hoang, the award-winning director of Oh, Saigon, says in her introduction of Book One, “History is mostly told by the privileged and powerful, and rarely by those who are most affected. . . . In this sumptuously beautiful and important graphic novel, you will intimately bear witness to what so few in the world have been privy to.”
Luisa: Now and Then by Carole Maurel, Adapted by‎ Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer)
Publication date: June 20, 2018; ISBN: 978-1594656439; 272 Pages; $29.95
A queer transformative tale about self-acceptance and sexuality, written and illustrated by Carole Maurel and adapted by national bestseller Mariko Tamaki, Caldecott Award–winning creator of This One Summer. A disillusioned photographer has a chance encounter with her lost teenage self who has miraculously traveled into the future. Together, both women ultimately discover who they really are, finding the courage to live life by being true to themselves. The book will be published in June, timed to Pride Month.
Madame Cat by Nancy Peña
Publication date: July 4, 2018; ISBN: 978-1594658136; 128 pages; $12.95
Hilarious vignettes presenting the love, laughter and frustrations of a pet who thinks she’s an owner! With narrative mastery, creator Nancy Peña brings us bite-sized sketches that appeal to cat lovers of all ages.
With upcoming releases dedicated to subjects as diverse as the life of Hedy Lamarr and the New York Marathon, Humanoids’ LIFE DRAWN imprint will capture deeply personal stories that run the gamut from political travelogues to coming-of-age and coming-out stories. For more updates on LIFE DRAWN, follow Humanoids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
For review copies and additional information, contact:
David Hyde
Superfan Promotions LLC
For interviews, contact:
Alisa Trager
Sales & Marketing Assistant
 About the LIFE DRAWN Creators:
Comic book writer Nicolas Wild finds inspiration in the Indo-European world, and has earned critical acclaim with titles such as Kabul Disco and Silent was Zarathustra. He currently resides in Strasbourg, France.


Clément Baloup, acclaimed cartoonist of Vietnamese and French heritage, is exploring their stories and struggles in gripping and moving graphic novels. Clément Baloup has an atypical artistic trajectory through comics, moving from his experience as a comics reader to his artwork as a professional cartoonist.
Carole Maurel worked as a graphist and animator for TV programs, before she published her first graphic novel Les Chroniques Mauves, a collective work about the lesbian community. She has since published several graphic novels, always a characteristic mix of feminine sensibilities and humor.
Mariko Tamaki‘s works include the comics This One Summer (First Second/Groundwood Books), Skim (Groundwood Books), with Jillian Tamaki, Emiko Superstar (DC Comics), with Steve Rolston, and the YA novel (You) Set Me on Fire (Penguin Canada). Her upcoming YA novel, Saving Montgomery Sole (Roaring Brook Press), is about unsolved mysteries, California and frozen yogurt. You can read all about her adventures at marikotamaki.blogspot.com.
Nancy Peña is an author with a very distinctive style, one sure to delight readers. As an artist, her drawings are inspired by engravings, creating whimsically appealing pages. She is an Art Academy teacher in France and has published more than 12 graphic novels.

About Humanoids: HUMANOIDS released its first graphic novels 40 years ago in Paris, France, and has published thousands of titles since, including international bestsellers and iconic series such as The Incal and Barbarella. Based in Hollywood, California, with branches in Paris, London, and Tokyo, Humanoids is currently developing multiple film adaptations of its books.

BUFFER FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES EXPANSION INTO LOS ANGELES

BUFFER FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES EXPANSION INTO LOS ANGELES

The Digital Video Festival celebrating elevated, online content will make its way to Hollywood, California on May 17th, 2018. 

Toronto, ON (March 20, 2018) – The creative team behind Buffer Festival is thrilled to announce the very first Buffer Festival LA set to take place on May 17th.  With the rise of on-demand content and each passing year breaking records for online consumption, this expansion solidifies Buffer Festival’s dominance in the digital festival world. The legendary Ricardo Montalban Theatre in Hollywood will play host to the one day event where top creators will screen exclusive video premieres, take questions, and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing today’s Content Creator.

The day’s festivities will begin with Buffer Festival’s “Insight Series” featuring inspirational talks from some of the world’s leading Creators and industry innovators. This special program will be aimed towards the entertainment industry, aspiring Creators, and anyone who wants to learn from the Creators’ unique perspective. This will be followed by the famous Buffer Festival Red Carpet, where media and attendees will have the opportunity to interact and ask their favorite Content-Makers questions as they arrive for the evening Gala consisting of screenings and live entertainment.

“Buffer Festival was created in the spirit of celebrating the incredible work and art of today’s Creator, and all our programming is anchored in that mandate”, commented CEO Scott Benzie “We couldn’t be more excited to bring this unique experience to Los Angeles and are very thankful to our partners for making it possible”.

Created in Toronto in 2013 as a “Film Festival for YouTubers” Buffer Festival has evolved into one the largest festivals focused on elevated digital video content and is respected as a showcase of the highest quality productions for both established and up and coming Creators.

For Ticket and Show information please visit https://bufferfestival.com

About Buffer Festival
Buffer Festival is an annual showcase of YouTube world premieres, bringing the most acclaimed digital creators and their audiences together. The festival includes a variety of programming, including a red carpet gala and premiere screenings, with YouTube’s highest quality content on full display. Now entering its sixth edition, the festival will host its annual four day event in Toronto this September.