Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
At a time when tales of the occult and zombie properties have sent North America’s collective cultural pulse racing with bone-chilling imagery and the hope for heroism in fictional apocalypses, Vertical’s latest release is poised to titillate and stimulate thought from even the most grizzled horror fan. Jiro Matsumoto’s Velveteen & Mandala may feature an abundance of walking dead characters, but at its core is a fantastic tale of teen angst and loneliness.
Set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, Matsumoto’s English-language debut re-invents the girls-with-guns genre by turning its focus to the day-to-day lives of its violent teens. What is revealed is something all too familiar…an abundance of pop culture references, pent-up sexual anxiety, a disconnection with the adult world and enough frustration to destroy at least one megalopolis. Armed with enough firepower to take on NATO forces, the titular characters in this one-volume comic may have to worry about the living far more than the undead.
Beautifully penned and thoughtfully scripted, V&M is already gaining critical acclaim by the subculture elite as it has added a refreshing new twist to the horror genre while firmly placing Matsumoto’s mark on the global comics scene. So while recommending this to all readers eighteen and up is a no-brainer, those looking for comics with soul will find that this book may rock the very foundations of their entertainment needs, potentially forcing them to wander through bookstore aisles in search of other equally strong works to satiate their hunger for challenging seinen (men’s comics).
Tags: jiro matsumoto, mandala, manga, seinen, velveteen, velveteen & mandala, velveteen and mandala
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Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
As America brings NASA’s shuttle program to a close, the teens in Twin Spica prepare for the final stages of their education in the Tokyo Space School. The future of space travel may not rely on government funds, but in Kou Yaginuma’s critically acclaimed series, the search for the next generation of astronauts continues to rely on agencies like JAXA and NASA.
And as Asumi looks up to the skies to see the stars, her latest volume will go on sale at America’s largest collection of comic all-stars, San Diego Comic-Con. This week Vertical will return to Southern California with a full compliment of manga titles. Their event will reach its climax Friday night as two Vertical titles—Nobuaki Tadano’s 7 Billion Needles and Osamu Tezuka’s Ayako—join the comic industry’s brightest at this year’s Eisner Awards.
So if you happen to make the trek, come experience the best in Japanese comics, and stick around to do some star-watching of your own.
San Diego Comic-Con International
San Diego Convention Center
Booth E8
111 West Harbor Dr.
San Diego Ca 92121
Thursday July 21 through Sunday July 24
Tags: 7 billion needles, ayako, comic-con, convention, kou, kou yaginuma, nobuaki tadano, osamu tezuka, san diego comic con, twin spica, yaginuma
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Thursday, July 7th, 2011
At a time when international terrorism is all over the media, the concept of a “homegrown enemy” is now being considered as the next source of fear on a nearly global scale. In Akira Arai’s award-winning debut novel A Caring Man, “terror from the heartland” takes on new meaning as an abandoned child, raised by charitable institutions, grows up to become Japan’s most wanted.
Movie producer Arai weaves a modern-day thriller with all of the twists and hooks found in the biggest of summer blockbusters. Protagonist Yoshio would eventually come to initiate a chain of events that would catapult Japan into a state of nationwide red-alert, beginning with the destruction of Tokyo’s iconic Tokyo Tower. Fast-paced and timely, Arai’s A Caring Man was made for summertime reading.
Tags: a caring man, akira, akira arai, arai, caring, man
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Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
Summer is here, bringing with it hot sunny days and a year’s worth of blockbusters to enjoy once the sun goes down. But with a season lacking in quality entertainment on the big screen, those avoiding the sunscreen are turning to some trusted entertainment—Vertical manga.
Kicking off the summer is the latest volume of Osamu Tezuka’s sci-fi infused medical drama Black Jack. Manga’s first surgeon general of manga returns to shelves with fourteen more tales on the human condition. With surgeon-like skill, Tezuka cuts through layers of physical and emotional trauma to help raise our spirits one patient at a time.
On sale this week is the sixth volume of Chi’s Sweet Home. Vertical’s furry bundle of sunshine briefly leaves home in this latest edition to experience new summery adventures of her own. Along the way Chi is introduced to a new world full of mystery and rules only understood by felines.
So whether relaxing by the beach or enjoying long weekends at home, this summer keeping a Vertical comic by your side is certain to make you look and feel cool, even when temperatures soar.
Tags: black jack, chi's sweet home, konami kanata, osamu tezuka
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
In Vertical’s first children’s picture book release, the company presents two of Japan’s leading children’s story-tellers in a collaboration that comes with significant international acclaim. Collecting the efforts of a multiple award winning author and an internationally renowned artist, On the Seesaw Bridge presents a case for readers of all ages to appreciate cooperation even in the most distressing of times.
When a downpour has destroyed a bridge and there is only one log left above the violent stream, a rabbit is seen fleeing from the clutches of a hungry fox. With only a precarious log perched over a violent river as its means of escape it leaps towards the detour hoping that the larger beast would avoid such a dangerous path. Unfortunately, the plan fails when the fox attempts to cross the narrow bridge quickly dislodging it from both shores, placing the two rivals in a race against time where only cooperation with the enemy will lead to survival on this seesaw game of life.
Yuichi Kimura sets this thrilling yet warm-hearted classic tale of a rabbit and fox around Kowshiro Hata’s unique cut-out Eric Carle-like art. Their unique picture book combines dynamic and energetic designs with a feeling of movement that should introduce a new world of young readers to Japanese picture books.
Tags: bridge, children, kowshiro hata, on the seesaw bridge, seesaw, yuichi kimura
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Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
With temperatures rising and summer vacation just around the corner fitness and wellness is on the minds of many Americans. Whether they have hopes to look good for the beach or are trying fulfill New Year resolutions, now is the time to fight the fat and change habits for a brighter and lighter future.
To help ease the transition towards wellness, nurtitionist and TV chef Kumiko Ibaraki has compiled what may be her most essential book yet—The Worry-Free Kitchen. Collecting dozens of everyday Japanese meals, Ibaraki has remastered these dishes by removing most of the fat and oil to significantly lower the calorie count while maintaining flavor and texture. As many during Ms. Ibaraki’s recent New York tour, featuring a stop at BookExpo America, came to experience, even the city’s most cynical gourmands could not resist her health conscious yet delectable delights.
The road to wellness does not have to be difficult. With Kumiko Ibaraki’s Worry-Free series your first step to longterm health is taken care of, as eating well has never been so easy and never tasted this good.
Tags: calorie, cookbook, kumiko ibaraki, reduced calorie, the worry-free kitchen, worry-free
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Friday, May 6th, 2011
Fresh off the English release of his latest title, Lychee Light Club, visionary comicker Usamaru Furuya will make a rare North American appearance as a Guest of Honor of the Toronto Comics Art Festival this weekend. With a series of Furuya-related programming set for the weekend, Canadian comic fans should not miss this rare opportunity to meet the man behind such timeless works as No Longer Human and PalePoli.
Book Signing at the Toronto Comics Art Festival
Saturday May 7th, 2011
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
at the Toronto Reference Library, Beguiling Signing Area, Basement Level
789 Yonge Street, Toronto, Canada
Admission is Free
Books available for sale through the Beguiling and Vertical booths.
Spotlight on Usamaru Furuya
Chris Butcher interviews Usamaru Furuya
Sunday May 8th, 2011
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
at The Beeton Auditorium, Toronto Reference Library, 1st floor
789 Yonge Street, Toronto, Canada
Admission is Free
Book Signing with at The World’s Biggest Bookstore
Monday May 9th, 2011
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
at Chapter’s The World Biggest Bookstore,
20 Edward Street, Toronto, Canada
Book signing limited to 90 guests.
Film Screening of ZOO
Q&A with Furuya to follow the movie
Monday May 9th, 2011
7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
at the Toronto Underground Cinema
186 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Canada
Admission: $10
RSVP through the TCAF Facebook page
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Thursday, May 5th, 2011
With summer vacation only weeks away for many teens across the country fireworks and beaches are on the minds of many. And even with the pressures of a country on their backs, the same can be said for the teens in Kou Yaginuma’s Twin Spica.
In this seventh volume of Twin Spica, at a time when the pressures of school appeared to be at their least strenuous, the gravity of the past pushes one finalist to the brink. An unexpected revelation and some time in solitary confinement opens the floodgates to doubt and desperation as the Tokyo Space School challenges Asumi and her classmates with what may be its ultimate test.
“Twin Spica is a wonderful appearance-of-age tale about people dedicated to something superior than themselves. The characters get richer and more complex as the tale develops. Along with Asumi, our vision of the world she lives in expands, too.” —Manga Village
Tags: kou yaginuma, manga, twin spica
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Monday, May 2nd, 2011
While forces search out terror across the globe, there is a welcome source of anxiety and mental anguish now hitting better bookstores across our nation. Vertical’s puzzle master supreme Tetsuya Nishio has launched a new threat against gamers’ sanity—Number Place: Yellow. Nishio’s latest Sudoku anthology may be his most sinister pocket puzzler yet. As has been his modus operandi, Nishio has once again assembled one-hundred and one handcrafted deadly Sudoku puzzles. But what makes this book unique, and doubly dastardly, are the ten bonus Symmetry puzzles. Symmetry is the master’s latest subtle form of sadism, to be best enjoyed by only the most maniacal logic puzzle enthusiasts.
Cost-effective, portable, and extremely potent, Number Place: Yellow is the hotbed for numeric terror. And it is always accepting new challengers.
Tags: number place, puzzle, sudoku, symmetry, tetsuya nishio, yellow
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Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
While Vertical has had its share of stellar comic properties in the company’s eight years of publishing, what’s been unique is a week like this where two prime-time titles land on bookshelves together with as much fanfare.
Fresh off an Eisner Award nomination, Nobuaki Tadano’s debut 7 Billion Needles comes to a dramatic conclusion this week. While there was no doubt that 7 Billion Needles was the sleeper hit of 2010 amongst manga circles, Tadano’s adaptation of Hal Clement’s classic equally captured the attention of the comics industry as his young heroine Hikaru has quickly emerged as the new face of Japanese science fiction.
Also debuting this week is Usamaru Furuya’s tragic masterpiece Lychee Light Club. Inspired by a stage performance by the same name, Furuya brilliantly melds visual humor with shockingly detailed panels to revive this deus ex machina tale for the twenty-first century. Lychee Light Club is often viewed as Furuya’s magnum opus, and it is for this work that he was selected as one of the guests of honor at this year’s Toronto Comics Art Festival.
Join Vertical along manga’s red carpet by picking up your copies of these acclaimed titles today. Our stars of manga await.
Tags: 7 billion needles, lychee light club, manga, nobuaki tadano, sci-fi, usamaru furuya
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