Tag Archives: kenny ruiz

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Marvel Mangaverse with Five Weekly One-Shot Comics!

Posted on by Leave a comment

The age of super heroes has come to an end, but the Marvel Mangaverse still needs saving. Get set to revisit the world that introduced fans to manga-inspired versions of Marvel’s most famous super heroes and villains with a series of five one-shot comics releasing weekly throughout September in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Marvel Mangaverse. Bookended by Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Blood #1 and Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Destiny #1, a two-part storyco-written by the father-son duo of Joe and Jack Kelly with art by Kenny Ruiz that kicks off a dramatic apocalyptic event reverberating into each weekly one-shot, the Mangaverse 25th Anniversary specials pay homage to modern manga storytelling while introducing new versions of fan-favorite Marvel characters and focusing on deep, world-building lore.

In Web of Blood and Web of Destiny, readers are re-introduced to the Mangaverse, in a story that’s positioned as if the comics line had been published continuously for over two and a half decades in both the real world and in-universe. The trio of Spider-Man (Miles Morales), Weapon X-Tremis (Laura Kinney), and Legion (Illyana Rasputin), friends with very different ideas on how to stop a prophesied apocalypse brought on by the return of the Phoenix, will turn on one another as they wrestle with whether their actions are more likely to save the world… or hasten its destruction. Could the return of the Mangaverse be over before it even starts?

After the dominoes begin to fall in Web of Blood, writer Cody Ziglar and artist Kei Zama (turn the spotlight to the city of new Chicago and resident Riri Williams, who protects the streets as Ironheart using a mana-powered suit of armor After losing a close friend, Riri finds herself traveling down a dangerous path of vengeance alongside the legendary sorcerer known as Moon Knight in Marvel Mangaverse: Iron Knight #1, a shonen-inspired and action-packed one-shot, available September 9.

The next one-shot comes by from the team of rising star writer Ashley Allen and artist Mirka Andolfo as they introduce the Arcane Avengers, a reluctant group of sorcerers led by Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier. Cursed to defeat and imprison demonic yokai alongside teammates Bloodline and Wiccan, Bucky looks for opportunity to free himself and finally be free from his captor’s control. As a new wave of yokai incursion stretches the team’s resources, Bucky plots his escape, but the sudden reappearance of his former childhood friend, Hawkeye, throws all his plans into disarray in Marvel Mangaverse: Arcane Avengers #1, on sale September 16.

Bodies are lining the streets as Cletus Kasady, aka Carnage, carves a bloody swathe through humans and yokai alike. Together with her Shinigami bike, Kwannon, aka Ghostlocke, aims the Spirit of Vengeance at Carnage in a bid to stop his twisted cataclysmic desires in Marvel Mangaverse: Ghostlocke #1 from writer Alyssa Wong and Michael YG, in shops on September 23.

It all comes to a startling conclusion as Joe and Jack Kelly and artist Kenny Ruiz reunite in Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Destiny #1 to put Miles, Laura and Illyana at the center of the end of the world. Will these former friends be able to put aside their differences and save the planet before it burns to ash around them? The five-week Mangaverse 25th Anniversary event concludes in dramatic fashion on September 30.

RETURN TO THE MANGAVERSE – JUST IN TIME TO SEE IT END?!

25 years have passed since our last visit to the Mangaverse and in Marvel Mangaverse: Web of Blood #1, we discover a world where technology no longer works and magic reigns supreme, where a looming apocalypse threatens to end the world in a sea of flames. That is, unless Miles Morales, Laura Kinney and Illyana Rasputin have something to say about it! But as each attempt to stave off armageddon leads each further down the road of forbidden magic, these friends turned enemies must confront the question of whether their choices really will save the world – or doom it entirely!

Check out the five main covers for the Marvel Mangaverse one-shots by renowned mangaka Yuji Kaku, as well as special promotional artwork focusing on the trio of Miles Morales, Laura Kinney and Illyana Rasputin. Pre-order all five Marvel Mangaverse 25th Anniversary one-shots with your local comic shop today and stay tuned for more reveals in the months ahead.

Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaber Vol. 1 is an awesome start with a solid story and great art

Posted on by

Star Wars: The Path of the Lightsaber is an action-packed adventure that takes the reader along on the relatable journey to learn what it takes to actually be able to use lightsaber.

All Jedi Knights are bestowed an important item that only those in tune with the Force could wield—the lightsaber. These powerful objects disappeared with the Jedi when the Empire took over, but even if you find one, you may not be able to master it.

The First Order rules the galaxy, but some still remember the Jedi Knights who once bravely defended the Republic. Nioka, a resourceful young tinkerer, dreams of becoming a Jedi like the legendary Luke Skywalker. For now, though, she keeps a low profile aboard salvage ship the Random Luck with her crewmate Barun, an enthusiastic supporter of the Resistance.

During an expedition to a mysterious asteroid, Nioka stumbles upon an incredible find—a lightsaber, the weapon of the Jedi. As she tries to figure out how to use it, she realizes others are after the artifact as well, seeking to use it for sinister purposes. With danger closing in, Nioka must protect the lightsaber and herself while learning what it truly means to wield such power. But if she’s going to stand a chance, she’ll need someone to teach her the ways of the Jedi.

Story: Kenny Ruiz
Art: Kenny Ruiz
Toning: Ruben Candel

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

VIZ Media provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Magnetic Press Pays Tribute to Osamu Tezuka in the Two-volume Anthology, Tezucomi

Posted on by
Tezucomi

Celebrated graphic novel and art book publisher Magnetic Press has announced the launch of the two-volume anthology Tezucomi celebrating the works of legendary Japanese mangaka Osamu Tezuka. Featuring material produced by Tezuka Productions, this 600-page tribute will feature 18 original short stories by 20 top artists and authors from Europe collected into a set of two 300-page volumes. Showcasing many of Tezuka’s most popular characters, from Astro Boy and Kimba to Black Jack and Big X, the series will nod to the full spectrum of his incredible body of work, including some of his lesser-known creations.

Featuring a creative lineup hand-selected by Tezuka Productions from some of the most talented artists and writers in France and Spain, this collection of short stories will celebrate the influence Tezuka’s work has had on their own careers while introducing or entertaining readers of a new generation. The creative roster includes Ken Niimura, Joe Kelly, Juan Diaz Canales, Kenny Ruiz, Belen Ortega, Victor Santos, Mathieu Bablet, JD Morvan, Mig, David Lafuente, Bertrand Gatignol, LuisNCT, Elsa Brants, Reno Lemaire, Brice Cossu, Sourya, and more. The new material was produced as part of Tezuka Production’s 2018 celebration of what would have been Osamu Tezuka’s 90th birthday. This new release is in celebration of his 95th.

Often referred to as “the Father of Manga,” Osamu Tezuka was one of the most prolific and pioneering manga authors in Japan. Widely considered the Japanese equivalent to Walt Disney, his first published work, New Treasure Island, was released in 1947, initiating a successful career spanning 40 years with multiple influential and genre-defining creations. He is credited with producing over 150,000 pages of manga and over 60 animated projects before his passing in 1989. While his early successes included children-oriented stories such as Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion, his style and direction matured over time to include historical tales such as Buddha and darker psychological dramas such as Black Jack, Dororo, and MW. Tezucomi pays tribute to the full spectrum of Tezuka’s library, from light to dark.

The two-volume anthology will be released in two formats: as manga-sized trade paperbacks (5.25” x 7.5”) for traditional mangaphiles and as premium gallery-sized hardcovers (7.5” x 11”) for book lovers. Both formats will contain the same black-and-white content, 300 pages per volume, presented in a traditional right-to-left manga reading format. Both formats will be offered for pre-order through a campaign launching on Kickstarter this Tuesday, August 1st.

In addition to the two different versions of the two-volume series, fans can also pre-order deluxe, limited-edition slipcased sets of either format, available exclusively through the campaign. A super-limited “Super-Fan” package of both boxed sets will include an exclusive etched metal bookmark and red-foil bookplates. Only 250 Super-Fan sets will be available.

Other campaign-exclusive features will include bonus art prints by contributing artists Olivier Vatine, Rian Gonzales, Miki Montllo, and Toru Terada. Other exclusive bonus items will be revealed and awarded to pre-order customers throughout the 18-day campaign.

The pre-order campaign will run for 18 days from 9am PST Tuesday, August 1st, until 5pm PST Friday, August 18th. Books are expected to ship to pre-order customers in November, with the trade paperback edition available in bookstores in Q1 2024.