It’s a new week and everyone is getting ready for SDCC at the end of the month. Expect some news to start being released over the next week but for now, here’s some comic news and a review from around the web to start the day.
Comicbook – First Manga Creator Joins Japan’s Legislature – That’s awesome.
Kotaku – Kojima Productions Threatens Legal Action Over ‘Assassin’ Photo – Good.
Review
Collected Editions – Crush and Lobo
Comics and graphic novel publisher Ablaze dives into the tense and competitive world of chess as the setting for its new manga series launch – Blitz – debuting on September 14th .
From the pages of Shonen Jump, BLITZ is a new shonen manga that immerses readers into the “game of kings,” where intuition and mental agility are precious assets on the way to victory! Chess grandmaster and World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov, makes his manga debut in the series, written by Cédric Biscay and Harumo Sanazaki with artwork by Daitaro Nishihara.
Tom, a young high school student, has a crush on his classmate Harmony. When he learns about her passion for chess, Tom quickly decides to sign up for the school’s chess club. But he doesn’t even know the rules! To impress Harmony, he is left with no choice: he must learn quickly and train seriously.
Soon Tom discovers the existence of Garry Kasparov, the greatest player in the history of chess. He stumbles upon a virtual reality machine that promises to help him analyze the most legendary matches of the master!
In an unexpected twist of event, Tom soon is granted access to the highest echelons of the chess world…
Blitz will be available in-print and digitally in North America, Australia, and the UK. Ablaze titles are distributed in-print by Diamond Comic and Diamond Book Distributors. Vol. 1 will be available in comic shops on September 14th , and bookstores on September 27th .
The weekend is almost here! What geeky things are you all doing? Any conventions you going to? Sound off in the comments below.
Comicbook – 86: Eighty-Six Manga Canceled – A shame, it was a good manga.
ICv2 – People on the Move: Richard Rivera Is New Co-Publisher at Scout – Very interesting.
The Beat – ReedPop takes on the challenge of E3 – but can they make it work? – Good luck!
Reviews
CBR – The Closet #2
CBR – Elusive Samurai Vol. 1
CBR – Rogues Gallery #1
Announced at the Kamen Rider panel at Anime Expo, Hendry Prasetya will be the artist alongside writer Brandon Easton on the new Kamen Rider Zero-One comic series – published by Titan Comics and Stonebot Comics this Fall!
Kamen Rider Zero-One is an originated comic series based on the Tokusatsu TV series Karmen Rider Zero-One – currently airing on Shout! Factory in the US. The Kamen Rider series features various characters who transform using belts, and sometimes other tools, to battle.
Attendees at the panel also received an early sneak peek at Prasetya’s stunning character designs (NOT FINAL ARTWORK) for hero KAMEN RIDER ZERO-ONE, and a brand-new creation for this comic series – its sinister and mysterious new villain, RAGNAROK!
Among the many exciting announcements made at the Yen Press Industry Panel at Anime Expo 2022 were the on-sale dates of the first five releases from Ize Press, a newly created imprint dedicated to Korean content. These groundbreaking announcements mark a great milestone for Ize Press as the imprint continues to establish itself as a market leader for print editions of beloved Korean webcomics and webnovels that have captured the imagination and dedication of readers around the world.
The World After the Fall
Adapted by S-Cynan
Art by Undead Gamja
Original Novel by singNsong
A new series from the creative team behind Omniscient Reader. A tower one day appeared in the skies, standing out as a beacon of chaos and apocalypse. A heroic and powerful lot known as Walkers cleared the tower floors in order to save humanity, until the day that the Stone of Regression was discovered. Walkers could now “return” to the past, and slowly, everyone left. The brave few who remained formed Carpe Diem, a group of people who refused to abandon the world and represented humanity’s last hope. But once the last Walker reached floor 100,
he no longer knew what to believe…
The World After the Fall, Vol. 1 is scheduled for an October 2022 release.
Villains Are Destined to Die
Story and Art by SUOL
Original Novel by Gyeoeul Gwon
In the Easy Mode of Daughter of the Duke Love Project!, you play as Ivonne, the duke’s long-lost daughter who quickly gains the affection of the various male characters to win the game. Very easy! In Hard Mode, you play as “villainess” Penelope Eckhart, the duke’s fake daughter who starts her adventure with negative affection points. Very hard…and filled with gruesome deaths?! Misunderstood and pining for love, one girl finds that she has much in common with Penelope and tries again and again to get her “good ending.” She is granted one more try…when she falls asleep and wakes up as Penelope herself in the hostile world of the game!
Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 1 is scheduled for an October 2022 release.
The Remarried Empress
Story by Alphatart
Art by Sumpul
Navier Ellie Trovi was the lifelong companion of Sovieshu, the emperor of the Eastern Empire, with whom she spent her youth discussing the empire they would build together. She was intelligent, compassionate, and courageous. She was the perfect empress of the Eastern Empire, until the day Sovieshu fell for another woman, demanding a divorce. However, it was Navier who shocked Sovieshu, his beloved mistress, and a speechless court as she coldly declared: “I accept this divorce…and request an approval of my remarriage!”
The Remarried Empress, Vol. 1 is scheduled for a November 2022 release.
Tomb Raider King
Story by Yuns
Art by 3B2S
Original Novel by SAN.G
In the year 2025, mysterious tombs appeared all over the world, each housing an ancient relic granting supernatural abilities. The lucky few who quickly obtained these relics ruled over powerful monopolies. Others came to serve them, such as Jooheon Suh, a “raider” who hid in tombs to steal relics. Betrayed by his employer, Jooheon is left to die but instead finds himself transported fifteen years in the past. Armed with years of tough raiding experience and knowledge of what is to come in the world of relics, does Jooheon have what it takes to become the “Tomb Raider King”?
Tomb Raider King, Vol. 1 is scheduled for a November 2022 release.
The Boxer
Story and Art by JH
“He doesn’t have the same hunger for superiority that drives every human being.” The enigmatic Yu lives his life without joy or purpose. All aspects of the young man are a mystery to those around him…save for his superhuman athletic abilities. Yu has rhythm, grace, and power on the level of the top pound-for-pound fighters, and his potential is too much for the legendary Coach K to ignore. Taking the young prodigy under his wing, the two shock the world of boxing, fight by fight, as Coach K attempts to make Yu the greatest of all time. But what exactly compels Yu to keep entering the ring…?
The Boxer, Vol. 1 is scheduled for a December 2022 release.
During the Yen Press Industry Panel at Anime Expo 2022, Yen Press, LLC announced the acquisition of fifteen highly anticipated releases—a list that includes the concluding volumes of legendary manga series to a full-color fan book commemorating one of the most iconic light novel franchises. The slate of Yen Press announcements includes new manga (Fruits Basket Another, Vol. 4; Apparently, Disillusioned Adventurers Will Save the World; Your Forma; Puella Magi Oriko Magica (omnibus); K-ON! The Complete Omnibus Collection; K-ON! Shuffle; I’m Quitting Heroing; Pandora Seven; Shy; Honey Lemon Soda; Doomsday with My Dog; [Oshi no Ko]), novels (The Opportunistic Princess Has All the Answers; Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight), and a fan book (Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! Memorial Fan Book).
Fruits Basket Another, Vol. 4
By Natsuki Takaya
With secrets revealed and confrontations resolved, no obstacles remain in the budding romance between Shiki and Sawa—or do they? During the Sohma’s annual fall picnic, the hidden feelings of the mysterious, stoic heir are unveiled as the final chapter closes on the next generation of the Sohma family… Plus, enjoy the antics of the Three Musketeers as well as bonus comics drawn by Natsuki Takaya for the anime, printed in English for the first time!
Apparently, Disillusioned Adventurers Will Save the World (manga)
Story by Shinta Fuji
Art by Masaki Kawakami
Character Design by Susumu Kuroi
Veteran adventurer Nick’s life is falling apart. Despite all the knowledge and expertise he’s devoted to his adventuring party, his respected leader kicked him out, his girlfriend dumped him, and his teammates shamelessly accused him of embezzlement. Tired, heartbroken, and looking for a drink, Nick chances upon a few kindred spirits who are jaded as he is. Together, these disillusioned adventurers form an unstoppable team out to save their bleak, depressing world!
Your Forma (manga)
Story by Mareho Kikuishi
Art by Yoshinori Kisaragi
Character Design by Tsubata Nozaki
In an alternate near future, the Your Forma, a miraculous “smart thread” technology initially developed to treat a massive outbreak of viral encephalitis, has become an integral part of daily life. But these convenient devices also record every sight, sound, and emotion their users experience.
For Electronic Investigator Echika Hieda, diving into peoples’ memories via the Your Forma and hunting for evidence is all part of a day’s work. The problem is, she’s so adept at what she does that her assistants literally fry their brains trying to keep up with her. After putting one too many aides in the hospital, the top brass finally furnish Echika with a partner on her level, a brilliant yet cheeky android named Harold Lucraft. But can Echika put her prejudices against robots aside to solve the most complex case of her career?
Puella Magi Oriko Magica (omnibus)
Story by Magica Quartet
Art by Kuroe Mura
Oriko, a magical girl with the gift of foresight, knows the fate that awaits all who accept Kyubey’s offer of supernatural powers. But when she is struck with a terrible vision of the future—of the devastation caused by a single, powerful witch—she decides to prevent that witch from becoming a magical girl in the first place. Instead, Oriko directs Kyubey to Yuma, an orphan who is all too eager to gain powers that will enable her to protect herself—powers that will ultimately lead to her own destruction…
Explore the first three volumes of Oriko’s magical adventure in this eye-catching, deluxe omnibus edition!
K-ON! The Complete Omnibus Collection
By kakifly
An omnibus collection of the manga classic that inspired the beloved anime series by Kyoto Animation! When their high school’s pop-music club is about to be disbanded due to lack of interest, four girls step up to fill the membership quota. Unfortunately, lead guitarist Yui Hirasawa has never played an instrument in her life. Ever. And although she likes the idea of being in a band, standing in front of the mirror posing with her guitar is a lot easier than actually playing it. It’s gonna be a while before this motley crew is rocking out, but with their spunk and determination cranked to eleven, anything is possible!
K-ON! Shuffle
By kakifly
There was once a high school band whose pop songs warmed and thrilled the hearts of all who listened. Now, three girls have been inspired to start a light music club of their own, but will things turn out like they hope? It’s a new generation of slice-of-life hijinks from kakifly, the original author of K-ON!
Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! Memorial Fan Book
By Natsume Akatsuki
This book is not for the faint of heart. This explooosive compendium of Konosuba content is a must-have for isekai hopefuls, collectors, and diehard fans of Natsume Akatsuki’s isekai adventure comedy masterpiece. Every character, every joke, every spinoff has been faithfully represented and acknowledged in this full-color love letter to Konosuba enjoyers worldwide! And the fun doesn’t end there! Exclusive art, interviews, and a special short story are just a few of the extra goodies featured within. If you consider yourself the ultimate Konosuba enthusiast, or if you’re just getting into the series and feel like having a handy reference tool, this gorgeous art book will be right at home on your shelf!
The Opportunistic Princess Has All the Answers (novel)
By Mamecyoro
Stepping into the world of your favorite book might sound like a dream come true, but for Maki Tazawa, this very opportunity presents a unique challenge. A passionate lover of BL novels in her previous life, Maki now gets to spend her days as princess Octavia and enjoy the company of her favorite fictional couple—her brother, the crown prince Sirius, and his lover Lord Sil. But two men can’t produce an heir! As the story goes, in order to solve the problem of succession, Princess Octavia agrees to a political marriage and offers up her own child to the throne. But this Octavia can’t accept such an unfair fate! So what if she lives in a BL novel? Her OTP achieved true love and she’s determined to do the same!
I’m Quitting Heroing (manga)
Story by Quantum
Art by Nori Kazato
Character Design by Hana Amano
After saving the world from the Demon Lord, the Hero, Leo, discovers that there isn’t a place for him in it anymore. The incredible strength that made him humanity’s greatest asset during the war is just a terrifying threat in times of peace, and he soon finds himself shunned from human society. But if the forces of good won’t have him, that means it’s time for him to apply elsewhere—for a job with his former enemy, the Demon Lord’s Army!
Pandora Seven
By Yuta Kayashima
“I wish I could meet other humans.” That is the secret wish of Ria Frontier, who grew up as the sole human amid a veritable melting pot of other fantastical races on a small island. As she prepares to celebrate the turn of the thousand-year cycle, that wish is granted—in the form of a war party of humans that arrives on a flying ship to ransack her home and hurt her friends and adoptive family in search of “Pandora’s Box.” Pushed too far by the cruelty of her race, Ria somehow manages to unseal the terrible power of what the humans have been looking for, unleashing a tragedy that will change her life forever…
Shy
By Miki Bukimi
Earth was on the brink of a third World War when super-powered individuals came forth from each country around the globe, ending the conflict and ushering in a new era of relative peace. Among those heroes, Japan is represented by a timid young girl known as “Shy.” She may spend more time worrying about her own shortcomings than she does battling villains, but she’ll show the world that despite it all she still has the heart of a hero!
Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight
By Ichijo Misaki
When Toru Kamiya is pushed into falsely confessing his love to Maori Hino, she tells him she’ll date him on three conditions. 1) Don’t talk to her until after school. 2) Keep any communication between them concise. 3) Don’t really fall in love. Unfortunately, he isn’t able to keep the last rule—and when he tells her how he feels, she reveals that she has an illness that prevents her from remembering anything that happened the previous day, and that she uses a diary to keep track. But Toru is determined to build a relationship with her, one day at a time…
Honey Lemon Soda
By Mayu Murata
Middle school left Uka Ishimori with nothing but scars—to the point where she’s forgotten how to laugh or cry or even say “hello.” But a chance reencounter with a boy with lemon-colored hair invigorates her, giving her hope that maybe, just maybe, life can be that much sweeter if she finally reaches out for help.
Doomsday with My Dog
By Yu Isihara
A single teenage girl journeys through the crumbling ruins of civilization, a concrete jungle that has outlived mankind. However, just because she’s the last woman on earth doesn’t mean she’s alone. She’s accompanied by her dog Haru, an adorable and quick-witted shiba inu who will gladly lend his wisdom to his human companion. With such a pleasant conversation partner to keep the post-apocalyptic doldrums at bay, the end of the world might not be so bad after all!
[Oshi no Ko]
Story by Aka Akasaka
Art by Mengo Yokoyari
Gorou is a gynecologist and idol fan who’s in shock after his favorite star, Ai, announces an impromptu hiatus. Little does Gorou realize that he’s about to forge a bond with her that defies all common sense! Lies are an idol’s greatest weapon in this outrageous manga from Aka Akasaka (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War) and Mengo Yokoyari (Scum’s Wish).
![[Oshi no Ko]](https://media.graphicpolicy.com/2022/07/Oshi-No-Ko-V1_CNF.jpg)
The merc with the mouth and his new team must take on Thanos and Loki!
Story: Sanshiro Kasama
Art: Hikaru Uesugi
Translation: Amanda Haley
Touch-up art & Lettering: Brandon Bovia
Design: Francesca Truman
Get your copy in comic shops! 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.
Amazon
comiXology/Kindle
Zeus Comics
Bookshop
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Titan Comics has revealed a special foiled limited edition for the upcoming, hotly-anticipated Afro Samurai Vol. 1 – on sale September 14, 2022.
Afro Samurai Vol. 1 Co-Pic Foil Logo Edition features an exclusive Co-Pic variant cover by Takashi Okazaki with foil logo. It is limited to 1000 copies and only available at comic book shops.
In a feudal, futuristic Japan, samurai battle to become No.1 and rule the world, but when his father, who holds the coveted position, is challenged and killed, the young Afro Samurai vows vengeance. Relentlessly pursued by murderous assassins, will he stay alive long enough to keep his promise?
You can get a copy of the limited edition US here and the UK and Europe here.
June is here and with it arrives the digital debut of a number of wide-ranging and provocative manga from Kodansha! Take a look below for details on all the new digital series debuting this month!
All these new June digital debuts, and ongoing digital series will be available upon release across digital vendors including Bookwalker, Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook, Kobo, izneo, MyAnimeList and more!
To see what other new releases are coming June 2022
The Shadows of Who We Once Were
By Yae Utsumi
Release Date: June 7, 2022
Rated: 18+
Nezu was looking forward to his elementary school reunion—after all, his class was united by unbreakable bonds. But when his former classmate, Mikio, reveals that this reunion is a very real matter of life and death…suddenly Nezu finds those bonds put to the test. By the author of Until Your Bones Rot!
JOY
By Etsuko
Release Date: June 7, 2022
Rated: 18+
Goh Akazaki is a 26-year-old man…who happens to be a shojo manga artist. His assistant is Yusuke Akune, who happens to be a mangaka in his own right. But when Goh accidentally finds out that Yusuke is gay, he’s thrown for a loop—what else about his friend doesn’t he know? And when Goh is asked to draw BL, he tries to pry into Yusuke’s experiences for inspiration…but when he is ultimately inspired by the idea of “unrequited love for Yusuke,” can he keep his own feelings out of the mix?
Golden Gold
By Seita Horio
Debut Date: June 14, 2022
Rated: 16+
Welcome to Neijima island—home to a girl who hopes to keep her friend from moving away; destination of an author hoping to be inspired for her next book; and above all, sacred land to a “god of fortune”—but will that god really bring what the people around it want? A bizarre, supernatural new story by the author of Kokkoku!
Such a Treacherous Piano Sonata
By Hal Osaka
Release Date: June 14, 2022
Rated: 16+
Kanna Tachibana is a 26-year-old woman who hasn’t yet felt the stirrings of physical attraction…that is, until she meets her new charge, the “Prince of Piano” Guy Narisawa Weissenfeld. After listening to his playing, she finds herself unable to stop herself caressing him…?! Will she be able to explore her budding sensuality with a man who has been told he plays with no emotion? And not only that, can she step up to save this irascible performer’s career while she’s at it?
A Nico-Colored Canvas
By Nao Shikita
Release Date: June 21, 2022
Rated: 13+
Nico Sorano is in the dictionary under “free-spirited”…which makes her an instant celebrity at her art university. But one professor, the career making-or-breaking Kageiwa-sensei, has only a limited tolerance for her aggressively good-natured optimism. Unsurprisingly, Nico isn’t fazed…it just means she’s going to have to make her own way to stardom, with the help of her friend Mitsuki and the inscrutable, notorious Soichiro Togo. No matter what, it’ll be an interesting college debut!
A Serenade for Pretend Lovers
By Tochika Nekome
Debut Date: June 21, 2022
Rated: 16+
Akari Sayo works at a TV station, and was on the job when she just happened to see her boyfriend—who just happened to be cheating on her. Before she can resolve anything, she’s asked to manage a documentary about a musician, Chizuru Kobuchi…but when he tries to shut her out, she barges in, determined to do her job right! But moments later, when he learns her name…he asks her to be his lover? Akari’s having a long day, and it looks like it isn’t over yet!
Burn the House Down
By Moyashi Fujisawa
Debut Date: June 28, 2022
Rated: 16+
Shizuka Yamauchi, 25, housekeeper. Makiko Mitarai, 46, amateur model and perfect housewife. Though strangers on the outside, the two share a past—one Shizuka feels she needs to set right, to bring her mother justice. But Makiko has secrets of her own, and Shizuka will need to tread carefully if she’s to get to the bottom of it all…without getting burned.
Yen Press has announced the future release of Tomihiko Morimi’s Fox Tales, a collection of short stories taking place in modern Kyoto filled with mystery and intrigue. Celebrated as a prolific and critically acclaimed creator in Japan for years, Tomihiko Morimi has grown in fame and popularity in the western world due to the success of the animated adaptation of his works, such as The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl and Penguin Highway. Fox Tales will be the second Tomihiko Morimi release from Yen On in 2022, following the publication of his debut work, Tower of the Sun, in August 2022.
Fox Tales
A collection of four spooky tales for the modern era, all tied to a certain Kyoto curio shop. A basket wriggles, a masked man lingers in the dark, and things are offered, lost, and forgotten. What mysteries lie hidden in the city’s winding streets? Tomihiko Morimi offers a stylish glimpse into the beguiling and mysterious darkness of the old capital.
Fox Tales will be available in hardcover and digital in November 2022.
