Hello Kitty! Original comic coming to Comic-Con International 2013

Hello Kitty - off to San Diego

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced a new publishing deal with Sanrio, Inc., to develop a series of original graphic novels, and a special single-volume comic featuring a limited-edition Hello Kitty design.

The single-volume Hello Kitty comic is scheduled to debut at the 2013 Comic-Con Show in San Diego with a Comic-Con exclusive cover by Eisner-nominated artist Jacob Chabot. The comic will feature art by Victoria Maderna, Ian McGinty and Chabot.

The main graphic novel series is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2013 with Here We Go!, a collection of comic stories about Hello Kitty’s travels. Both offerings will be rated ‘A’ for All Ages, and will be published under the company’s VIZ Kids imprint.

VIZ Media previously teamed with Sanrio and video game company Capcom to develop a pair of fun STREET FIGHTER X Sanrio books that were released in November 2012.

HELLO KITTY: Here We GO!· MSRP: $7.99 US / $9.99 CAN · Available Fall 2013  

Hello Kitty has places to be and friends to meet! Join Hello Kitty as she explores an underground realm, chases an unsavory cake thief around the world, climbs the Himalayas, travels back in time, and discovers that sometimes, the best place to get away from it all is between the pages of a good book.

HELLO KITTY FASHION MUSIC WONDERLAND · MSRP: $6.99 US / $7.99 CAN · Available Summer 2013  

It’s Hello Kitty as you've never seen her, in stories filled with fashion, music and adventure!

Sanrio is the global company behind classic iconic characters Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars, My Melody, and many more. Sanrio was founded in the 1960's in Japan by Shintaro Tsuji, whose simple dream of bringing smiles to people's faces grew into the brand's "small gift, big smile" philosophy. This philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of products bearing the likeness of endearing characters that have helped to skyrocket the brand into a $5 billion-a-year business. Sanrio recently acquired the classic Mr. Men Little Miss brand which also has graphic novels published by VIZ Media.

“Sanrio and Hello Kitty are synonymous with the very essence of pop culture, and we’re very excited to have Hello Kitty as part of the VIZ Kids family of titles,” says Beth Kawasaki, VIZ Media Senior Editorial Director. “The new wordless comic and graphic novel series will appeal to Hello Kitty fans of all ages. VIZ Media is having a blast creating the fun new original series and we can’t wait for everyone to see the books.”

For more information on VIZ Kids graphic novels and manga, visit VIZKids.com.

CFI presents Hal Hartley cinema retrospective Feb. 1 - March 2

Hal Hartley

The Canadian Film Institute (CFI), in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States of America, is pleased to present American Possibility: The Cinema of Hal Hartley, a special retrospective celebrating the career of one of America's greatest independent filmmakers of the past quarter century.

Hal Hartley will be in Ottawa for the first three nights of the retrospective, February 1-3, 2013, to introduce and discuss his films with Ottawa audiences.

Renowned for his witty, articulate, sharp, often satirical and always compassionate films, Hal Hartley’s films have been showcased at film festivals such as Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, Rotterdam, Melbourne and Sydney. His films have helped launch the careers of some of today’s biggest stars, including Edie Falco, Parker Posey, Martin Donovan, and Michael Imperioli.

“Hal Hartley is one of the most impressive and idiosyncratic contemporary American film artists,” says CFI Executive Director, Tom McSorley. “The CFI is proud to be bringing this critically acclaimed, internationally renowned American independent filmmaker to Ottawa.” In total, the CFI will devote six nights of screenings throughout February and early March to this special retrospective:

• February 1st: Meanwhile (2012) 7:00pm and Trust (1991), 9:00 pm *

• February 2nd: Possible Films: Hal Hartley Short Film Programme, 3:00 pm *

• February 3rd: Amateur (1994), 7:00 pm *

• February 27th: Henry Fool (1997), 7 pm

• March 1st: The Girl From Monday (2005), 8:30 pm

• March 2nd: Fay Grim (2006), 7 pm

*Hal Hartley will be in attendance on dates marked with an asterisk (February 1, 2, 3).

All screenings will take place at the Auditorium at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa, except for the "Hal Hartley Short Film Programme," which will be presented at Club SAW, 67 Nicholas Street.

Tickets are $12 for the general public and $8 for CFI members, seniors, and students and can be purchased on-site with the box office opening half an hour before the start of the film

Gene Day Awards for Canadian indie comics creators open for submission

The Joe Shuster Awards has announced that it is now accepting 2012 self-published works by Canadian creators for consideration in 2013. 

Dark Fantasy by Gene Day

The Gene Day Award for Self-Publishing honours Canadian comic book creators who self-published their work during the previous calendar year. The award includes a bursary of $500.

In order to qualify, a creator must be a citizen and current resident of Canada. Anyone who writes and illustrates a comic book of their own creation (includes creative teams) and publishes and sells that comic independently of any other publishing company and did not currently have said works originally distributed by a third party distributor may submit their publication for review. (For example: If the comic was solicited and distributed by Diamond, then it is not eligible for this category. If the comic was only dropped off at local comic shops and/or sold them at conventions, then it is eligible.)

• Format and content is at the discretion of the creators.
• Must include new content, not reprinted material from other sources (such as webcomics).
• There are no language restrictions for this award.

All entries will be reviewed by an independent jury. Entries will be judged individually based on originality, literary and artistic merit, and overall presentation.

Entries should be sent to:

GENE DAY AWARD

C/O THE COMIC BOOK LOUNGE

587A COLLEGE STREET

TORONTO, ON

M6G 1B2

Closing date for submissions: May 16, 2013.

The finalists will be announced before the Awards ceremony and the winner will be announced at the Joe Shuster Awards ceremony in August 2013.

About Gene Day

Gene Day (1951-1982) began his career in the Canadian alternative comix scene. In the seventies he began his own publishing imprint, Shadow Press / House of Shadows and put out over twenty issues of Dark Fantasy, a horror/fantasy/sci-fi digest that featured the early writings of Joe Lansdale, Charles De Lint, John Bell and Charles R. Saunders, among others; a short-lived comic publication, Out of the Depths and various other one-shots, portfolios, and prints. Day drew for the Skywald magazines Psycho and Nightmare from 1974, as well as the Canadian comic anthology, ORB, and Mike Friedrich’s independent comics company Star Reach, contributing to the Star Reach anthology, Image and Quack. Day did illustrations for fantasy role-playing games and had a collection of his comic stories, ‘Future Day’, published by Flying Buttress Press as a hardcover graphic novel in 1979.

He was a longtime inker on Marvel’s ‘Master of Kung Fu’ title by Mike Zeck, starting in 1976 and later took over as full penciler on the series. He also inked on the licensed ‘Star Wars’ series, pencilled by Carmine Infantino, as well as ‘The Mighty Thor’ and ‘Marvel Two-in-One’ featuring ‘The Thing’. From 1985 to 1986, Renegade Press published four issues of Gene Day’s ‘Black Zeppelin’, an anthology series primarily featuring stories and painted covers Day completed before his death, as well new contributions by Sim, Bruce Conklin, Augustine Funnell, and Charles Vess. More of his work appeared posthumously in Caliber Comics’ anthology series Day Brothers Presents, which also featured the work of Day’s artist brothers, David and Dan Day.

Dave Sim credits Gene Day as his earliest and most influential mentor and the inspiration for his own self-publishing efforts. Gene Day was inducted into the Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame in 2007.

About The Joe Shuster Awards

Established in 2004, The Joe Shuster Awards are Canada’s first national award recognizing outstanding achievement in the creation of comic books and graphic novels and are named after pioneering Toronto-born artist Joe Shuster who, along with writer Jerry Siegel, created the iconic super-powered hero, Superman. The name is used with the approval of the Estate of Joe Shuster – Michael Catron, Estate Agent.

For more information contact info@joeshusterawards.com

http://www.joeshusterawards.com

CFI welcomes acclaimed Canadian director Peter Mettler to Ottawa Jan. 31

The Canadian Film Institute (CFI), is pleased to present The Enlightened Screen: Peter Mettler, the latest installment of an ongoing screening and guest artist series which profiles Canada’s leading independent filmmakers.

On January 31, 2013, the CFI will celebrate the career of the acclaimed Canadian filmmaker, by screening his 2012 release, The End of Time. Tackling mankind’s perception of time, The End of Time takes viewers on a journey around the globe, with visits to the particle accelerator in Switzerland, lava flows in Hawaii, inner city Detroit and to a Hindu funeral rite. It has been selected as one of Canada’s Top Ten films of 2012.

 

Peter Mettler will be in attendance to introduce The End of Time and following the screening, he'll participate in a discussion with CFI executive director Tom McSorley as well as a question and answer session with the audience.

 

“Mettler’s provocative films explore unique ideas and feature breathtaking images,” says McSorley.

 

“The Canadian Film Institute is honoured to have him in Ottawa, showcasing his most recent production. He is one of the most important and influential figures in contemporary Canadian cinema, having worked with Atom Egoyan, Robert Lepage, and others, in addition to his own remarkable films.”

 

This special screening will take place at the Auditorium at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa. Tickets are $12 for the general public and $8 for CFI members, seniors, and students and can be purchased on-site with the box office opening half an hour before the start of the film. Showtime is 7:00 pm.

 

The Canadian Film Institute (CFI) was incorporated in 1935 as a federally-chartered, non-governmental, non-profit cultural organization. It is the oldest film institution in Canada and the second oldest film institute in the world. More information can be found online at www.cfi-icf.ca.

CFI to screen "The Boxing Girls of Kabul" by Oscar-nominated Canadian Ariel Nasr January 30

The Canadian Film Institute (CFI), will present a special screening of The Boxing Girls of Kabul on Wednesday, January 30, at 7:00 pm at the Auditorium at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa, Canada.

Directed by independent Afghan-Canadian filmmaker, Ariel Nasr, this powerful documentary follows three young Afghan women, who risk everything in their pursuit to become world-class boxers, despite training without even the most basic facilities.

Led by their trainer, an ex-boxer who once dreamed of competing in the Olympics, the film follows his proteges as they travel to boxing competitions in Vietnam and Kazakhstan. The film also reveals the life-threatening risks these athletes and their families face by participating in a sport that many in their country believe is inappropriate for women.

A National Film Board production, The Boxing Girls of Kabul was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award while Nasr, the film’s director who makes his home in Montreal, was nominated for an Oscar in the Short Film - Live Action category for his work as a producer on the film Buzkashi Boys.

Nasr will be in attendance to introduce The Boxing Girls of Kabul and, following the screening, will participate in a discussion with CFI executive director Tom McSorley, as well as a question and answer session with the audience.

This special screening will take place at the Auditorium at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa. Tickets are $12 for the general public and $8 for CFI members, seniors, and students and can be purchased on-site with the box office opening half an hour before the start of the film. Showtime is 7pm.

The Canadian Film Institute (CFI) was incorporated in 1935 as a federally-chartered, non-governmental, non-profit cultural organization. It is the oldest film institution in Canada and the second oldest film institute in the world. More information can be found online at www.cfi-icf.ca.

Microsoft to Premiere ‘Pulp’ on Xbox 360 in UK March 4

In a move that marks a radical shift in the way feature films are distributed in the United Kingdom (UK), Microsoft will premiere the British comedy feature film Pulp on Xbox 360 beginning March 4, 2013. The 96-minute comedy will become the first feature film to ever premiere on Xbox 360 and will be available to watch via the Xbox LIVE service in the UK.

 

An irreverent comedy set in a world where comic book publishing and international crime intersect, Pulp has become a favourite on the global festival circuit.

Pulp tells the story of Tony Leary, the nice-guy owner of Junk Comics, whose new superhero title, The Sodomizer, is to launch at the British International Comic Show, and nothing will stop Tony from making it a success. Nothing except a gang of Geordie criminals who are using another comic company to launder their dirty money. Tony is drafted by the police to identify the culprits and bring them to justice. Aided by his trusty geek sidekicks, Rick and Keith, Tony must defy the odds if he is to become a real-life hero.

Pulp stars Jay Sutherland, Gavin Molloy, Simon Burbage, Neil Jennings, Lee Ravitz, Sarah Alexandra Marks, Lucy Cudden and John Thomson.

Pulp’s co-director and producer, Adam Hamdy, said, “Microsoft might not seem like the obvious partner for an indie comedy, but the film industry has changed. Xbox 360 can instantly distribute Pulp to millions of UK customers, and publicize the release in ways that simply aren’t possible with traditional releasing models.”

The deal was brokered by Pat Nelson of SyndicateWorks, an innovative talent and brand management agency. “The Xbox 360 team saw Pulp, and immediately spotted the appeal the film would have to their audience. It’s fun, off-the-wall, and laugh-out-loud funny. Pulp’s equity based, independent finance structure meant the producers weren’t tied to a traditional release model, and were free to strike an innovative deal that we think might herald a new model for feature film releasing.”

Phil Bland, producer of Pulp, said, “Many people in the film business talk about the threat digital media poses to film, but, as newcomers to the industry, all we can see are opportunities. Microsoft is an exciting partner, and the fact they can release our film to millions of customers at the push of a button is very attractive.”

Pulp’s extended trailer, which features a now infamous ‘Star Wars’ scene, became an online sensation earlier this year, resonating with people around the world, as it racked up over a million views (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGE0q_bQN4M).

Adam Hamdy is optimistic about the film’s prospects, “Pulp is not a remake, sequel or

adaptation of a board game. It wasn’t created by a committee of suits sitting in a
skyscraper in Los Angeles. It was born of a series of crazy events, and made by a group
of talented actors and dedicated filmmakers who fell in love with a nutty script. We had
a lot of fun making Pulp, and festival audiences who have seen the film say that fun energy shines through the film.”

Pulp was selected for the Just For Laughs Comedy Film Festival, and was nominated for the London Comedy Film Festival Discovery Award.

Phil Bland said, “Pulp has travelled the international festival circuit. Getting nominated for the Best Feature Film of 2012 at the Las Vegas Film Festival was probably our most surreal experience. Although Pulp may not be as polished as your average multi-million dollar Hollywood production, it has a rare charm and a wicked sense of humour that audiences really respond to."

Pat Nelson said, “The theatrical release model is now only financially viable for big budget films. Mid and low budget films are really struggling due to the marketing costs required to release theatrically. The DVD market is in decline and no longer supports that mid to low budget tier. If Xbox customers respond to the premiere of Pulp, this could mark a turning point in the industry and a seismic shift in how filmmakers reach their audience.”

Telltale Games' The Walking Dead runs away with Spike TV's Game of the Year

Leading publisher of digital entertainment Telltale Games and Robert Kirkman, the Eisner Award-winning creator and writer of The Walking Dead for Skybound and Image Comics, announced December 11 that the winner of 2012 Game of the Year at the 10th annual SpikeTV Video Game Awards,The Walking Dead, is now available for purchase from North American retailers on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC.

The Walking Dead also earned Game of the Year honors from editorial outlets including Cheat Code Central, and is currently nominated for top honors in IGN.com's annual awards. IGN gave the final episode of the season an Editor's Choice Award and a score of 9.5 out of 10 saying, "People will reference the series over and over as the benchmark for story-telling in games," and summed up the game's emotional impact by stating, "I cried in the final minutes, sat silently through the credits, and was speechless after the epilogue."

 

The Walking Dead is set in the world of Robert Kirkman's award-winning comic book series. Players experience life-changing events, meeting new characters and some familiar to fans of the comic book series, in events that foreshadow the story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes. The Walking Dead offers an emotionally-charged, tailored game experience -- a player's actions and choices affect how their story plays out across the entire series.

 

The Walking Dead is rated 'M' (Mature) for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes and Strong Language by the ESRB.

The Walking Dead is also available to download for Macintosh Computers from the Telltale Online Store and other digital outlets and is available for compatible iOS devices from the App Store.

 

For more information on the game, visit the official website, Facebook, and follow Telltale Games on Twitter. For more information on The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman, and all of his titles, visit www.Skybound.com.