Anime NYC Brings Celebration of Japanese Culture & Anime to Javits Center on Nov. 17-19

Press Release:

LeftField Media will present a massive three-day celebration of Japanese animation and culture this fall at the inaugural Anime NYC convention powered by Crunchyroll, coming to New York City’s Javits Center from Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19. Attendees will be able to view exclusive anime screenings and meet major guests courtesy of international animation and manga publishers like Aniplex, Bandai Visual, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Sentai Filmworks, Sunrise, Yen Press, and VIZ Media; play the latest in Japanese gaming technology; chow down on Japanese delicacies and fusion cuisine; rock out to musical guests direct from Tokyo; and more. Tickets are currently available at www.animenyc.com with general admission tickets priced from $35-60, and with VIP tickets priced at $275 guaranteeing access to premiere programming and special guests.

LeftField Media looks to fill a void with Anime NYC. While most major cities in America play host to anime-specific conventions, New York City – America’s largest city – has no large, dedicated celebration of Japanese animation and culture. Anime NYC powered by Crunchyroll has been in planning for over a year with tremendous support from partners in both America and Japan, and anticipates bringing together almost 20,000 fans at its inaugural convention. Anime has had a presence in American entertainment for decades in the form of beloved series like Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, and Sailor Moon and films from acclaimed directors like Hayao Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon, and has seen broader audiences tuning in recently to watch hits like Attack on Titan, One-Punch Man, and Yuri!!! on Ice on services like Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll.

Anime NYC powered by Crunchyroll puts Japanese culture and animation on a massive international stage in New York City, at a time when the anime industry is burgeoning worldwide. The Anime Industry Report 2016 from the Association of Japanese Animators estimated the overseas anime industry (excluding Japan) generated $288.4 million USD in 2015, an increase of over $125 million from 2014. Anime represents a growing stake in the entertainment industry both worldwide and notably in America, with the Anime Industry Report 2016 reporting more anime licensing contracts filed in 2015 in the United States than in any other country.

Special Guests and Events:

• Sailor Moon Crystal Cast Panel and Screening with Stephanie Sheh (Sailor Moon), Kate Higgins (Sailor Mercury), Cristina Vee (Sailor Mars), Amanda Celine Miller (Sailor Jupiter), Cherami Leigh (Sailor Venus), Sandy Fox (Chibi-Usa), Erica Mendez (Sailor Uranus), Lauren Landa (Sailor Neptune), Christine Marie Cabanos (Sailor Saturn), and Robbie Daymond (Tuxedo Mask)
• US Premiere of the film Gundam Thunderbolt: Bandit Flower and concert lead by composer Naruyoshi Kikuchi
• Anime Diva Night powered by Anisong World Matsuri concert featuring Japanese singers Yoko Ishida, Chihiro Yonekura, and TRUE
• NY Ramen Summit featuring a discussion between famed ramen chefs from around NYC
• Talk from LeSean Thomas, an NYC native who has successfully worked in the anime industry in Japan and whose Children of Ether is now on Crunchyroll and whose Cannon Busters will be debuting next year on Netflix

RSVP on Facebook!

Anime NYC is New York City’s anime convention! A showcase of the best of Japanese pop culture in the biggest city in America, Anime NYC brings anime fans and publishers together for three days of unique exhibits, exclusive screenings, extensive panels, and appearances by some of the biggest creators in Japan. Join us for a celebration of Japanese animation, manga, cosplay, movies, food, fashion, travel, technology, toys, and games in the heart of NYC! For more, visit animenyc.com.

Dark Horse Schedule for Rose City Comic Con 2017

Dark Horse Comics has announced their signing and panel schedule for this weekend’s Rose City Comic Con! Visit Dark Horse Comics at RCCC’s booth #711 for free swag, such as comics, pins, postcards, and more!

DARK HORSE RCCC SIGNING SCHEDULE

All creators signing in our booth offer their autographs for FREE. FREE prints, comics, or posters are provided for signings (while supplies last). You may purchase or bring items to be signed. Please note that some of the titles listed below have not been released for sale yet—in those cases, special prints will be available.

Lines may also be closed for some signings due to crowding or time restrictions.

All events are subject to change. Some restrictions apply. Please ask the Dark Horse Comics staff if you have questions.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

2:00 PM-3:00 PM: DRAGON AGE: MAGEKILLER, VEIL: Greg Rucka

3:00 PM-4:00 PM: SPACE MULLET, ALABASTER: Daniel Warren Johnson

4:00 PM-5:00 PM: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MARTHA WASHINGTON IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY, THE ORIGINALS: THE ESSENTIAL EDITION: Dave Gibbons

5:00 PM-6:00 PM: WONDER WOMAN/CONAN, POWER CUBED: Aaron Lopresti

6:00 PM-7:00 PM: JOE GOLEM, HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D., PROMETHEUS: Patric Reynolds

7:00 PM-8:00 PM: HARROW COUNTY, B.P.R.D.: Tyler Crook

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

12:00 PM-1:00 PM: LEAVING MEGALOPOLIS: Jim Calafiore

1:00 PM-2:00 PM: THE MASSIVE, MASS EFFECT: Garry Brown

2:00 PM-3:00 PM: COLDER, THE WITCHER, MYSTERY GIRL, PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES: Paul Tobin

BANDETTE: Colleen Coover and Paul Tobin

3:00 PM-4:00 PM: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, SERENITY: Georges Jeanty

4:00 PM-5:00 PM: SERENITY, THE VISITOR HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D.: Chris Roberson

5:00 PM-6:00 PM: LIFEFORMED: CLEO MAKES CONTACT: Cassie Anderson and Matt Lowery

6:00 PM-7:00 PM: BUFFY: THE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS, MISFITS OF AVALON: Kel McDonald

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

11:00 AM-12:00 PM: TREKKER: Ron Randall

12:00 PM-1:00 PM: EMILY AND THE STRANGERS: Cat Farris

1:00 PM-2:00 PM: COLDER, THE WITCHER, MYSTERY GIRL, PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES: Paul Tobin

PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES: Ron Chan and Paul Tobin

2:00 PM-3:00 PM: THE LEGEND OF KORRA: TURF WARS: Irene Koh

3:00 PM-4:00 PM: FIGHT CLUB 2, SIN TITULO, B.P.R.D.: Cameron Stewart

DARK HORSE RCCC PANEL SCHEDULE

Please join us at the panels below, brought to you by Dark Horse Comics and friends! Please visit the convention website for more panels featuring Dark Horse creators and guidelines for attending panels.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

2:30 PM-3:30 PM: Seriously, What’s Up with Editors? (Room 6)

Haven’t you always wondered what a comic book editor does? Do you think you have what it takes to be one? Dark Horse wants to give you insight on breaking into the industry! Join artist Tyler Crook (Harrow County) and Dark Horse editors Katii O’Brien, Megan Walker, and Patrick Thorpe for a rare behind-the-panels look at the secrets to building successful comic and graphic novel programs.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

5:30 PM-6:30 PM: Artists Who Write: The Art and Craft of Comics (Room 6)

Whether it’s a murder mystery, a superhero adventure, or a new take on history, creators put a lot of thought into the sequential art that drives stories told in comics. Join some of the industry’s most talented artists—Colleen Coover (Bandette), Dave Gibbons (The Originals), and Cameron Stewart (Fight Club 2) as they discuss turning an idea into a full-fledged story and how they continue to keep their writing fresh. Artist Patric Reynolds (Joe Golem) will moderate this star-studded panel!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

12:30 PM-1:30 PM: Dark Horse Manga (Room 6)

This year is the 30th anniversary of the manga industry in North America—an industry born from the love of comics fans and comics publishers for the work of Japanese creators. Dark Horse was one of the manga pioneers in the 1980s, and continues to publish Japanese titles ranging from Danganronpa, Cardcaptor Sakura, and Unofficial Hatsune Mix to I Am a Hero, Lone Wolf & Cub, and Berserk. Join Dark Horse staff members for a look at the past, present, and future of manga at Dark Horse!

CA – Hurricane Harvey Charity Fundraiser

Country Music Star, Writer, and Actress Kasey Lansdale is throwing a fundraising and donation event, with the help of the folks over at Dark Delicacies. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 5th at 7:00 PM, and will benefit those affected by Hurricane Harvey. The Tuesday event is headlined by special guests and celebrity talent who are available for autographs at $20 an item. The guests include:

Lance Henriksen (Aliens)

Cerina Vincent (Original Cabin Fever)

Paul Dini (Batman & Harley Quinn)

Misty Lee, Brea Grant (Halloween II)

Katie Featherston (Paranormal Activity)

Fred Dekker (Monster Squad)

Izzy Lee (Innsmouth)

Heather Langenkamp (Nightmare on Elm St)

David J. Schow (The Crow)

AJ Bowen (You’re Next)

Lew Temple (Walking Dead)

Jackson Stewart, Graham Skipper, Brea Grant & Chase Williamson (Beyond the Gates)

There will be many items up for sale and special items posted on a live FB auction at the link…

Dark Delicacies
3512 W. Magnolia, Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 556-6660

IN – An Evening with Dante Basco

Dante Basco, star of Avatar: The Last Airbender (Prince Zuko), Hook (Rufio), But I’m a Cheerleader (Dolph), American Dragon: Jake Long (Jake Long) and MUCH MORE discusses his experiences from a 25+ year career in film and television, emphasizes the importance of diversity in the media, and performs original spoken word on Tuesday September 12, 2017 at 6:30 PM.

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Co-presented by Purdue University Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center‎ and the Purdue University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Center.

RSVP on Facebook!

Purdue University – Wilmeth Active Learning Center
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907

CA – Legend of Korra Signing

Artist Irene Koh returns to Illusive Comics and Games on Wednesday, September 13th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM to sign the second printing of the LEGEND OF KORRA comic from Dark Horse! She will also will be signing and selling exclusive 5×7 Korrasami prints.

RSVP on Facebook!

Illusive Comics and Games
1270 Franklin Mall, Santa Clara, CA, 95050
408-985-7481

CA – The Bat: Improv in the Dark

Mi’s Westside Comedy Theater
1323-A Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-0850

CA – The Martial Arts of Avatar: The Last Airbender Workshop

Sifu Kisu will be teaching TWO Kung Fu workshops at Blue8 House of Warrior Poetry! One for the kids and one for the grownups!

KIDS WORKSHOP INFO
Sunday, Aug. 6th, 3:30-5:30
The Martial Arts of Avatar the Last Airbender
The Earth, Air, Fire, and Water Nations unite in this Kung Fu workshop that teaches kids the real kung fu forms behind the celebrated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Cost: $35

ADULT WORKSHOP INFO
Tuesday, Aug. 8th, 6:30-9:30
Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Workshop
Tun Da Course: Form No. 6 – Close-Encounter Combinations (Short Strikes)The emphasis of this form is on techniques and combinations that are applied when up- close (within arms reach) with your opponent. Like all short range fighting styles, combinations include hand trapping, simultaneous block-strike techniques, and footwork/tactics to ‘stick’ to the opponent. The uniqueness in the Northern Shaolin Short Strikes is the ‘blending in’ or ‘smooth and subtle transitions’ with long-range techniques. It has the advantage over other short-range styles in that movements include high- and-low position shifting in addition to side-to-side shifting. Close-in executions of ground sweeping and high/jumping kicks are also skills that others don’t have.
Cost: $65

ABOUT SIFU KISU
Sifu Kisu is a teacher in the Chinese martial arts focusing on the style of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. Sifu Kisu is a master of Northern Shaolin (Bak Sil Lum) Kung Fu. Through his teacher, Master Ken Hui, Kisu belongs to the lineage of Grandmaster Ku Yu-Cheung (Gu Ruzong), one of the most respected kung fu teachers of the early 20th Century and the Chief Instructor for Northern Shaolin at the founding of the Central Guoshu Institute in Nanjing.Throughout his life he has worked as an executive protection specialist, stunt man, and martial arts coordinator in the entertainment field for many years. He is most famously known for being the Chief Martial Arts Director and consultant for the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.

From his lifelong experience in martial arts, he created the bending styles seen in the series and linked them to styles of Chinese martial arts, giving the show is famous authenticity. He is also responsible for the motion capture on Kung Fu Panda and the hit series KF Panda Legends of Awesomeness, and has worked in the Sentai genre on such shows as Saban’s VR Troopers, the Power Rangers and Big Bad Beetleborgs. Sifu Kisu is currently creating his upcoming animated series, Legends of the Sword.

RSVP on Facebook!

Blue8 House of Warrior Poetry
10858 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230-3738

CA – Hook Screening

Press Release:

GreatCo is proud to announce the second of our monthly “Shared Screens InGreatCo” on Thursday, July 27th, 2017. As a reminder, our goal is to build a screening room at GreatCo HQ known for bringing new perspectives on how the movie-going experience can be consumed.

For the second feature of our Summer Series, we will be screening HOOK, the popular fantasy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film features our dear friend Dante Basco as the iconic character Rufio, the red-stripe-haired leader of the Lost Boys. Immediately following the film, filmmaker Eugene Suen will be on hand to interview Dante for our podcast.

Doors: 6:30pm | Movie: 7:00pm

ABOUT THE MOVIE
Featuring an all-star cast of Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, and Dante Basco, HOOK is Steven Spielberg’s hugely popular take on the Peter Pan mythology. In this fantasy adventure film, Peter Pan is now Peter Banning, a successful corporate lawyer in San Francisco who has forgotten the events of his childhood. Life for the grown-up Peter is ordinary and unimaginative. However, when his worst enemy Captain Hook unexpectedly comes back into his life and kidnaps his two children, Peter is forced to return to Neverland and confront the memories of his childhood.

The Great Company HQ
1917 Bay St 2nd Floor Los Angeles CA 90021
(323) 250-2434

Rock & Shock 2017 Lineup Announced

Press Release:

You have waited patiently while we have hand picked the guests and musical acts we want to include in this year’s Rock and Shock. With a great sense of honor, we are excited to present the 2017 Rock and Shock lineup.

Rock and Shock family, the first guest announcement is here! This year, we are coming out of the gate with a larger first wave than ever! On this list we have four first time guests as well as six returning favorites, with none of those six being here last year. And this is only the beginning, as we have many more celebrities to reveal in the coming weeks.

As for this list, we begin with none other than JAMES REMAR! James, of course, is best known not only as Ajax in Walter Hill’s 70s gang classic The Warriors, but also as Harry Morgan, father of and spiritual conscience to the serial killing forensics expert himself, Dexter.

Next up is one of Rock and Shock’s most popular and beloved guests, local boy ADAM GREEN! Aside from all the brilliance he’s brought us over the years (the Hatchet series, Digging Up the Marrow, the horror sitcom named after his hometown, Holliston, and so much more), Adam currently has a whole lot on his plate. Listeners of his podcast (The Movie Crypt, with Joe Lynch) have heard that he will soon unveil a new film as well as a novel, a comic, and he has also reunited with his bandmates to bring back Haddonfield! Better yet, they have an album coming out and on Saturday, October 14th the band will be taking the stage to play for you at Rock and Shock!

Pretty great, right? But there’s more, because we’re very happy to welcome POLLYANNA MCINTOSH! Pollyanna, of course, was last seen making life or death deals as Jadis on The Walking Dead, and before that she had the career defining role of The Woman in the adaptation of the Jack Ketchum/Lucky McKee novel of the same name.

TONY TODD is also familiar with bringing books to life. The horror legend’s portrayal of Clive Barker’s creation, Candyman, has kept people cautious for years about what they say in front of the mirror.

Speaking of horror legends, there’s TOM SAVINI. The makeup and effects wizard is also an actor and director who has worked with nearly every major star the genre has produced since the 70s, and his work on franchises like Friday the 13th, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and, of course, his many collaborations with the beloved George Romero, have earned him a top spot in the horror hall of fame.

TIFFANY SHEPIS is also returning to the show. Beginning her career in the Troma world, Tiffany took fast to her trade and soon became a queen of independent horror, shattering any boundaries put on her and gaining the respect of genre luminaries along the way.

ALEX VINCENT and CHRISTINE ELISE have both battled the maniacal doll Chucky, Mr. Vincent kicking off the proceedings in the original Child’s Play film and Ms. Elise in the sequel.

BARBARA MAGNOLFI has worked with Italian horror legends Sergio Martino, Ruggero Deodato, Luigi Cozzi and, most famously, the inimitable Dario Argento on Suspiria, making her name unforgettable in the genre along the way.

Finally, we have first time guest MARK L. LESTER, a man responsible, be it as director, writer or producer, for such famous fright films as The Funhouse, Firestarter, and Class of 1984. As you can see, we have a lot to offer you for the 2017 Rock and Shock already, and we’re just getting started!

Last week, we gave you a sneak peak of Ministry and Death Grips appearance on The Palladium stage on Friday, October 13th. However, that’s not all we have in store for you. On Saturday, October 14th, please welcome Superjoint to The Palladium stage with Motionless in White, our favorite punk rock cover band featuring Ace Von Johnson: The Rocking Dead (who has a new and exciting lineup), The Amity Affliction, Devildriver, Miss May I, King Parrot, Cane Hill, Child Bite, and Adam Green’s Haddonfield. On Sunday, we welcome back Twiztid’s “Mostasteless Tour”, featuring Moonshine Bandits, Blaze Yah Dead Homie, Whitney Peyton, and Andrew W Peyton. Don’t miss the Sunday After Party featuring Blaze Yah Dead Homie and Whitney Peyton.

We still have many exciting announcements coming your way. Stay tuned to our website (www.rockandshock.com) as well as our social media pages for all the updates as they are unveiled, and we hope to see you this October 13-15!

Avatar Legacy Panel at SDCC 2017

The Legend and Legacy Avatar: The Last Airbender continue at Comic-Con International in San Diego on Saturday July 22nd from 10:00 – 11:00 AM!

Press Release:

Even though the story of Aang and Korra has ended, the fans keep the legacy alive! Moderated by Avatar_Mom, the panel showcases inspired fan artists and conversations with professionals from the series. Join Candice Canes (pottery artist), Cheryl Duong (artist), Paola Harris “Irrel” (artist), Kevin Coppa (creator of Puppetbenders), Dante Basco (voice actor, Prince Zuko/General Iroh II), Dee Bradley Baker (voice actor, Momo, Appa, Tarrlok, and more), and *just added* Avatar Korra herself Janet Varney to celebrate this amazing series and awesome community of fans. We may even have a surprise guest! During the panel there will be a live comic reading, cosplay contest, and a Q&A. Room 25ABC

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