Along with the four new webcomic licenses announced at the Yen Press Industry Panel at New York Comic Con 2024, Ize Press revealed the release date for the English print edition of the highly anticipated award-winning novel Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. Ize Press also announced the acquisition of two other webnovels: the iconic enemies-to-lovers Boys Love series Semantic Error and the beloved reincarnation romantasy series Villains Are Destined to Die. The Korean content powerhouse is already publishing the comic adaptations of these three novels, and readers can look forward to adding these prose masterpieces to their collection. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (novel) is set to release in July 2025. The publication date of the Semantic Error and Villains Are Destined to Die novels will be announced on the Ize Press social media pages in the coming months. All three novels will be released in print, eBook, and audio formats.
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (novel)
By singNsong
The global hit fantasy novel finally coming to print in English!
Struggling office worker Dokja Kim’s sole joy in life is an online novel so obscure that he’s its only reader. Then one day the story comes to an end…and so does the world. Horrific monsters, ordinary people forced to kill or be killed, and goblins gleefully streaming the carnage to a celestial audience—with the apocalypse straight out of his favorite novel unfolding around him, Dokja is the only one who can see this story to the finale!
Semantic Error (novel)
By J. Soori
The heart-pounding novel that inspired the hit BL comic!
Computer science major Sangwoo Choo lives by the following tenets: reason, routine, and rules. So when the rest of his groupmates flake on their class presentation, he deletes their names from the project without hesitation—inadvertently destroying one groupmate’s plans to graduate and study abroad. That’s got nothing to do with Sangwoo, though…or so he thinks, until he realizes that Jaeyoung Jang, the talented design major he was hoping to hire for his video game, is not only that very same classmate, but eager to get some payback! Will Sangwoo be able to debug this semantic error before it upends his entire life?
Villains Are Destined to Die (novel)
By Gwon Gyeoeul
Surprise event unlocked—the release of the original novel behind the hit fantasy romance comic!
When a college student with a tragic past picks up reverse harem video game Daughter of the Duke’s Super Love Project, she immediately sees herself in one of the characters. Not the adored heroine of easy mode, Ivonne, no—but the protagonist of hard mode, misunderstood villain Penelope. Little did she know that she’d go to sleep playing the story…and wake up in Penelope’s body! The only way to escape the game world? Charm one of the love interests and reach his good ending. But with affection meters starting in the negative and the inability to speak without choosing from preselected dialogue, it quickly becomes clear that a single wrong move means her demise—and this villain might just be destined to die!
At New York Comic Con (NYCC) 2024, Yen Press wrapped up the last day with the reveal of nineteen new title acquisitions, ranging from a romance that literally transcends time periods to historical and futuristic settings and more.
Releasing in April 2025, this lineup includes seventeen manga (Spice and Wolf Collector’s Edition (manga); Bocchi the Rock! Side Story: Kikuri Hiroi’s Heavy-Drinking Diary; Spy Classroom 2nd Period: Daughter Dearest; Doodles by Ryoko Kui: Daydream Hour; Reincarnation Coliseum: The Weakest Skill Conquers the Strongest Women and Creates a Harem; The BS Situation of Tougetsu Umidori; Tamaki & Amane; The 31st Consort; To Sir, Without Love: I’m Divorcing You; The Ragnarok System of the Desperate Reincarnated Demon Lord and the Seven Aggressive Maidens; Desperate March for Love; Phantom Invasion; Stardust Family; The Skeleton Enchanted by the Cursed Blade: The Greatest Demon Lord, Who Conquers the Dungeon and Commands an Invincible Army; A Witch’s Life in Mongol; The 13th Footprint; Kindergarten Wars) and two light novels (The Summer Hikaru Died; Bye-Bye Earth).
The Summer Hikaru Died (novel)
By Mio Nukaga Original Story / Illustrations by Mokumokuren
The bond between Yoshiki and Hikaru is a welcome escape from their isolated village. But one fateful day when the two boys meet up, Yoshiki can immediately tell something is off. Though the person standing before him wears Hikaru’s face, Yoshiki knows that his friend is…gone. It is then that Yoshiki makes a decision. Although things will never be as they once were, he would prefer this Hikaru to no Hikaru at all.
Spice and Wolf Collector’s Edition (manga)
By Keito Koume Original Story by Isuna Hasekura Character Design by Jyuu Ayakura
Kraft Lawrence has been walking the lonely path of the itinerant merchant for seven years. His life changes forever when he meets Holo, the Wolf-God of the Harvest, and the two begin traveling together. Soon they discover a unique business opportunity, but their plans go awry when a competing organization captures Holo and threatens to turn her over to the oppressive, monotheistic Church. Can Lawrence rescue his companion, and will the pair become more than just friends? Find out in this newly released deluxe collector’s edition!
Bocchi the Rock! Side Story: Kikuri Hiroi’s Heavy-Drinking Diary
Original Story by Aki Hamazi Art by Kumichou
Kikuri Hiroi—genius bassist of Sick Hack, terror of concert venues, eternal deadbeat, and all-around poor role model—has long held that there’s no problem you can’t drink your way out of. Whether it’s the failing economy, overdue rent bills, or just plain ol’ social anxiety, a quick trip on the spiral of happiness will help everything work itself out in the end…right? Surely her personal life isn’t a total disaster, right?! Find out in this spin-off to Bocchi the Rock!
Spy Classroom 2nd Period: Daughter Dearest
By Benishake Original Story / Script by Takemachi Original Character Design by Tomari
The second part of the hit fantasy series Spy Classroom has arrived in manga form! In this class, resorting to underhanded tactics is the only way to survive! The Great War has come to an end, and the era of espionage is upon us. But a new type of conflict is just around the corner, and its combatants lurk in the shadows… Which side will prevail in this battle of information?
Doodles by Ryoko Kui: Daydream Hour
By Ryoko Kui
From Ryoko Kui, author of Delicious in Dungeon, comes a lush compilation of artwork drawn over the course of the hit series’s creation! Featuring hundreds of pages of comics, sketches, and full color illustrations, this gorgeous collection will help you discover new sides to your favorite characters as they’re depicted in situations you’ve never seen before!
Reincarnation Coliseum: The Weakest Skill Conquers the Strongest Women and Creates a Harem
Original Story by Saizou Harawata Art by zunta
High schooler Kouji Mikagami is painfully average in every way—except when he’s playing video games! So getting summoned to a magical world and granted the ability to copy his opponents’ skills should be his way to the top. But before he gets the chance, he’s thrown into the coliseum as a combat slave…for his trash-tier skill! In the midst of his despair, he realizes only one path remains open to him—beat down the strongest girls with the weakest skill and make a name for himself!
The BS Situation of Tougetsu Umidori (manga)
By Miso Ameiro Original Story by Kaeru Ryouseirui Original Character Design by Natsuki Amashiro
One day, Tougetsu Umidori suddenly receives a mysterious request from Nara Yoshino, a classmate she’s rather close with. Little does she know, however, that this is only the beginning of a series of bizarre events. Soon after, an enigmatic girl in a cat hoodie shows up at Umidori’s house, calling herself “BS.” Thanks to her, all manner of strange things happen, including toilet borrowing, betrayal, threats, a grapple for freedom, and finally a desperate plea for mercy. Once everything is over, this strange new girl asks: “Hey, will you kill the lies with me?” And without knowing why, Umidori joins in on her quest.
Tamaki & Amane
By Fumi Yoshinaga
Family, romance, friendship—endless relationships tether us to the people we love. From the Edo period to modern-day Japan, the postwar era to the seventies, Tamaki and Amane’s fates intertwine time and time again.
The 31st Consort
By Tsubasa Nanaki Original Story by Momotoe Original Character Design by Nanao Yamashita
No lady wants to be chosen as the unfortunate 31st consort candidate. After all, being the lowest rank means only one chance to see the king every few months! That’s perfect for Feria, though. Hailing from the far remote territory of the kingdom and uninterested in marriage, she’d much rather tend to her lovely herb garden than vie for favor! But when the inevitable visit on the 31st comes…what’s to become of her “romance”?!
To Sir, Without Love: I’m Divorcing You
By Iroto Tsumugi Original Story by Kori Hisakawa Original Character Design by Airumu
On the day Byletta is supposed to meet her husband-to-be…the man’s gone off to war! Eight years later, as she’s enjoying her spouseless married life, Byletta receives news that he is set to return. Determined to keep her man-free lifestyle, she sends a divorce letter. But the man (whom she still hasn’t met) responds with an outrageous wager: to sleep together for a month and she’s free to go if she doesn’t conceive!
Bye-Bye Earth (novel)
By Tow Ubukata
Belle lives in a world where people take the form of animals like cats, frogs, and mice—and she’s the odd one out! This peculiar fang-less, fur-less, scale-less, smooth-skinned girl sets off on a journey to find others like her. However, in order to travel freely, she’ll have to wield her Howling Sword and prove herself in battle!
The Ragnarok System of the Desperate Reincarnated Demon Lord and the Seven Aggressive Maidens
Original Story by Kenji Saito Art by GUNP
Rintarou, a renowned hero who helped save Japan from being taken over by demons, has become an unconfident university student. Though he still has his incredible abilities, there’s one thing he doesn’t have—a girlfriend. But one day, a princess suddenly approaches him and asks to be his wife, his girlfriend…or even his friend with benefits!?
Desperate March for Love
By Michika Tomizawa
“Hey, wanna try going out with me?”
Rei has feelings for Ami, a girl in her class who’s always been kind to her. So when she confesses to Ami, she fully expects to get turned down…until Ami says she likes her back!
But now that they’re officially a couple, Ami seems a little off. While Rei is head over heels for her, Ami is a player who isn’t even sure how to love just one person. Rei is crushed by Ami’s seemingly careless approach to their relationship, but even so, she won’t give up.
Will Rei’s earnest but cumbersome feelings for Ami win out in the end? Or is the girl she loves simply too far out of reach?
Phantom Invasion
By Kumosuke Yamada
Ryo wakes up one day to find himself transported to another world full of monster girls. Although their power far surpasses that of any humans, Ryo has his own ability—the “Charm” skill, which forcibly increases his affection level with all monster girls! Using this skill, he seduces all kinds of monster girls and builds a harem to get revenge on all the fantastical creatures that attacked and brought his home to ruin…!
Stardust Family
By Aki Poroyama
In a future world, children hold the authority to determine who may become parents. Having children is illegal—unless a couple first passes a strict examination, conducted by a child, that certifies them as capable providers. It is a veritable utopia with no child abuse…or at least, so it may seem. Hikari is one such examiner in this system, spending his days evaluating prospective parents. But one day, he comes across a couple that isn’t quite like the others…
The Skeleton Enchanted by the Cursed Blade: The Greatest Demon Lord, Who Conquers the Dungeon and Commands an Invincible Army
Art by NOBUHISA TSURUOKA Original Story by Nozomi Ginyoku
Out of all the horrors born in the labyrinth, skeletons are the weakest. In a world where the strong prey on the weak, one skeleton has no choice but to always run from danger—until a fateful encounter with a sentient cursed blade gives him unfathomable abilities?! From Nozomi Ginyoku, the author of I’m a Behemoth, comes the unlikeliest story of one monster’s rise to the top!
A Witch’s Life in Mongol
By Tomato Soup
In the harem of the Khan, wisdom is beauty.
The time: the thirteenth century. The place: Yeke Mongol Ulus, the greatest empire the world has ever known. The woman: Fatima, hailing from Persia, where medical technique and scientific knowledge have been perfected beyond all precedent.
Fatima’s desire for a stage where she can put her knowledge to work has brought her to the palace of the Mongols, where she falls under the wing of Töregene, the sixth wife of Ögedei, the second Great Khan—a mighty woman with complicated feelings about the direction of the empire. These two women are the axel upon which the politics of the palace, and soon the very world, will turn…
The 13th Footprint
By Kei Sanbe
Following their son Ao’s release from the hospital, Touya and Haru were all ready to start a new life with him in their picturesque new home. But that was before the postcards arrived… Each postcard details an event—one that won’t happen until the next day. Follow this family on an adventure to unravel the mystery, stopping to help everyone they can along the way.
Kindergarten Wars
By You Chiba
Rita is Convict 999, a former legendary assassin who now works at a kindergarten for the children of world leaders. Her job is to protect the schoolchildren from the clutches of would-be assassins sent after them! But even with her overwhelming strength, Rita has a weakness—she’s head-over-heels for good-looking men!
New York Comic-Con is behind us, and you can see what Diamond Select Toys/Gentle Giant LTD had to show off at the convention! From such licenses as Avatar, D&D, Marvel and Star Wars, the company showed off Gallery Dioramas, Mini-busts, action figures and statues, and some of them won’t be out until Summer of 2025!
Avatar The Last Airbender Gallery Diorama Sokka PVC Statue
A Diamond Select Toys release! The gang’s all here! Joining his element-bending companions, Sokka of the Water Tribe hurls his boomerang into action! Leaping across the ice floes on his way to the battle, Sokka wears his winter clothes and wolf hat and stands approximately 9 inches tall. Made of high-quality PVC, this statue features detailed sculpting and paint applications and comes packaged in a full-color window box. Designed by Uriel Caton, sculpted by Salvador Gomes! SRP: $59.99
A Diamond Select Toys release! Roll the dice and take your chances! You’re going up against Acererak, the undead wizard who loves devious traps and evil schemes. And this incredible 1/8 scale statue captures him at his evilest! Gripping his skull-headed staff and standing atop a pile of crumbling bricks and warriors’ remains, this approximately 10-inch PVC statue features detailed sculpting and paint applications, and it comes packaged in a full-color window box. Designed by Caesar, sculpted by Sandro Luis Sampaio! SRP: $75.00
Marvel Select Carnage X 1/10 Scale Action Figure
A Diamond Select Toys release! Let there be Carnage! DST’s hit action figure returns for another round as the Carnage X figure is now available once again! Formerly a Disney Store exclusive, this 8-inch figure of Spider-Man’s deadly foe Carnage features exclusive interchangeable heads and hands as well as an elongated neck. Featuring 16 points of articulation, this figure comes in the famous display-ready Marvel Select packaging, featuring side-panel artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! SRP: $29.99
A Diamond Select Toys release! He’s the best there is at what he does, and what he does is make movies! Fresh off his appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine, the man called Logan is now the newest Marvel Select action figure! Standing 7 inches tall, this figure of Wolverine in his new movie-accurate costume features detailed sculpting and paint applications. With 16 points of articulation and interchangeable hands, this figure comes in the famous display-ready Marvel Select packaging, featuring side-panel artwork for shelf reference. Designed by Yuri Timg, sculpted by Paul Harding! SRP: $29.99
Marvel Spider-Man Animated Green Goblin 1/7 Scale Mini-Bust
A Diamond Select Toys release! Beware, Spider-Man! The Green Goblin is on the hunt, and he’s got a pumpkin bomb with your name on it! This 1/7 scale mini-bust of Norman Osborne’s alter ego is based on the villain’s appearance in Spider-Man: The Animated Series. It stands approximately 6 inches tall and features detailed sculpting and animated-style paint applications. Limited to only 2,000 pieces, it comes packaged with a numbered certificate of authenticity in a full-color window box. Designed by Barry Bradfield, sculpted by Alterton! SRP: $99.00
A Diamond Select Toys release! Behold, the visage of the Master of Magnetism! Magneto has returned, and this time he has removed his helmet to reveal his handsome face and full head of hair! Take that, Xavier! This approximately 6-inch resin mini-bust is based on his appearance in X-Men: The Animated Series and sits atop a pedestal base. Limited to only 2,000 pieces, it comes packaged with a numbered certificate of authenticity in a full-color box. Designed by Barry Bradfield, sculpted by Paul Harding! SRP: $99.00
Star Wars Clone Wars Asajj Ventress Animated 1/7 Scale Mini-Bust
A Gentle Giant LTD release! The Sith assassin returns as the newest 1/7 scale animated-style bust in the Gentle Giant LTD collection! Based on her appearance in The Clone Wars, this bust of Asajj Ventress depicts her wielding her twin red-bladed lightsabers, and measures approximately 5 ½ Inches tall. Limited to only 2,000 pieces, it comes packaged in a full-color window box with a numbered certificate of authenticity. SRP: $99.00
Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi Purge Trooper (Batons) 1/6 Scale Mini-Bust
A Gentle Giant LTD release! Let the Purge commence! Hunting down Jedi wherever they may hide, the Purge Trooper is the Empire’s elite force, equipped with a variety of lethal weapons. This purge trooper carries two electrified batons, and measures 6 inches tall atop a pedestal base. Limited to only 1,000 pieces, it comes packaged in a full-color box with a numbered certificate of authenticity. SRP: $130.00
Star Wars Clone Wars Captain Fordo Premier Collection 1/7 Scale Statue
A Gentle Giant LTD release! It’s the attack of the clones! Captain Fordo fires one blaster, with his other blaster raised, in this all-new 1/7 scale resin statue! In his distinctive white armor with red accents, Fordo stands approximately 11 inches tall with one foot up on a technological base. Limited to only 1,000 pieces, it comes packaged in a full-color box with a numbered certificate of authenticity. SRP: $200.00
Nickelodeon’s Max & the Midknights creator, voice cast, and co-executive producers gave fans at New York Comic Con a first-look at the CG-animated series, Max & the Midknights, which makes its television debut on Wednesday, October 30, at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT. The series received an initial pick up of 20 episodes across two seasons, with season two (10 episodes) premiering in 2025.
Appearing together for the first time, the voice of Max, Blu del Barrio (Star Trek: Discovery), and the voice of Simon, Zeno Robinson (Transformers: EarthSpark) were joined by creator and best-selling author Lincoln Peirce and co-executive producers David Skelly and Sharon Flynn on a panel. A surprise for fans attending the panel, the voice of Kevyn, Caleb Yen (Beyblade X), also joined the group onstage. Together the panelists shared insight into the development and creation of the show.
Moderated by Max & the Midknights’ Zeno Robinson, creator Lincoln Peirce and co-executive producers David Skelly and Sharon Flynn discussed the origin and development of Max & the Midknights with exclusive first-look clips from upcoming episodes.
Additionally, Nickelodeon and Republic Records Kids and Family will release the soundtrack album, Max & the Midknights (Music from the Series), the same day as the series premiere on Wednesday, October 30. The album is available to pre-save HERE.
Based on the best-selling children’s books by acclaimed author and cartoonist Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate), the show follows an adventurous 10-year-old named Max who embarks on a quest with her newfound friends to save the Kingdom of Byjovia from ominous forces.
Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, previewed its highly anticipated 2025 film lineup during a special panel at New York Comic Con 2024. The event, titled “Shudder is here to Scare the S*** Out of You,” was led by Shudder’s VP of Programming, Samuel Zimmerman, and featured a distinguished group of horror industry talents including actors David Dastmalchian and Devon Sawa, musician and director Flying Lotus, actor and director Kate Siegel, and director Tina Romero. During the panel, Shudder revealed several key updates: the upcoming release of Dark Match, a wrestling-themed horror film debuting on January 31, 2025, and a first-look teaser for the sci-fi horror feature ASH, set for theatrical release through RLJE Films and streaming on Shudder in 2025. Additionally, Shudder confirmed the greenlight for the highly anticipated eighth installment of the V/H/S franchise.
Shudder has acquired the US, UKI, and ANZ rights to Dark Match, written and directed by Lowell Dean and starring wrestling superstar Chris Jericho (TERRIFIER 2), Ayisha Issa (TRANSPLANT), Steven Ogg (THE WALKING DEAD, WESTWORLD), Sara Canning (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), Michael Eklund (THE CALL) and Jonathan Cherry (GOON).
In Dark Match, a small-time wrestling company accepts a well-paying gig in a backwoods town only to learn, too late, that the community is run by a mysterious cult leader with devious plans for their match. The film will debut on Shudder on January 31, 2025.
The found footage franchise V/H/S will continue with an eighth film, set to debut on Shudder in 2025. The news comes on the heels of a record-breaking opening for the latest installment V/H/S/BEYOND, which debuted on Friday, October 4 and became the #2 most streamed film of all time across Shudder and AMC+ and the most streamed movie in the V/H/S franchise.
RLJE Films and Shudder have acquired the US rights to Grammy Award Winner Flying Lotus’ second feature ASH. The film stars Eiza González (BABY DRIVER, 3 BODY PROBLEM), Aaron Paul (BREAKING BAD, WESTWORLD), Iko Uwais (THE RAID, THE NIGHT COMES FOR US), Beulah Koale (NEXT GOAL WINS), and Kate Elliott (WENTWORTH), and will feature an original score composed by Flying Lotus, whose previous films include the Shudder Original KUSO and a segment in V/H/S/99. ASH will have a wide theatrical release through RLJE Films and streaming on Shudder in 2025.
On the mysterious planet of Ash, Riya (González) awakens to find her crew slaughtered. When a man named Brion (Paul) arrives to rescue her, an ordeal of psychological and physical terror ensues while Riya and Brion must decide if they can trust one another to survive.
The Walking Dead Universe took over New York Comic Con’s Main Stage this past weekend with panels for The Walking Dead: Dead Cityand The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol.
The Walking Dead: Dead City season two panel featured the Walking Dead Universe Chief Content Officer Scott M. Gimple, executive producers and stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan, and cast members Gaius Charles, Željko Ivanek, and Dascha Polanco and was moderated by ChrisJericho. During the panel, which debuted a new season two teaser and photography, it was announced that the highly anticipated second season will return in Spring 2025 on AMC and AMC+.
Immediately following, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez moderated a panel for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol, featuring Gimple, executive producer showrunner David Zabel, director and executive producer Greg Nicotero, executive producersand stars Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride, and cast member Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, who discussed the show’s epic second season, currently airing Sundays on AMC and AMC+. The opening minutes of the season’s fourth episode, which premiered this past Sunday, October 20 at 9 pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC+, were shown in-room. New photos from season two are also available.
The Walking Dead: Dead City follows fan-favorite characters Maggie (Cohan) and Negan (Morgan) as they travel into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, long ago cut off from the mainland. The crumbling city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty, and terror. In season two, in the growing war for control of Manhattan, Maggie and Negan find themselves trapped on opposite sides. As their paths intertwine, they come to see that the way out for both is more complicated and harrowing than they ever imagined.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol picks up where season one left off, following fan-favorite characters Daryl Dixon (Reedus) and Carol Peletier (McBride). They both confront old demons while she fights to find her friend and he struggles with his decision to stay in France, causing tension at the Nest. Additionally, Genet (Anne Charrier)’s movement builds momentum, setting Pouvoir on a violent collision course with the Union of Hope in the fight for France’s future.
Japan’s most iconic hero, Ultraman, will be getting an artistic infusion from some of the world’s most renowned comic artists as Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd has unveiled the initial line-up of iconic comic artists who will be drawing their own spin on the Ultraman Universe as part of Wave 2 of the highly-buzzed about Ultraman Card Game. Just as the initial Ultraman Card Game Starter Deck is set to hit stores on Friday, October 25, Tsuburaya announced it is doubling down on the huge potential of this new collectible trading card game by bringing on an exciting roster of well-known artistic talent including fan-favorite Marvel artists Sean Chen, Reilly Brown, Davide Tinto, and David López, illustrator and Ultraman fan community favorite Klenda Vee, and revered fantasy painter Bob Eggleton. Each will be bringing their own fresh designs to Ultraman with awe-inspiring illustrations and colorful depictions like never before.
The second wave of the Ultraman Card Game is scheduled to be released globally in early 2025, in four languages including Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese, and 23 countries and regions. The announcement was made during the Ultraman panel at New York Comic Con.
First announced in July 2024, the Ultraman Card Game is a new trading card game inspired by the world of Ultraman featuring playability appealing to both adults and kids, as well as collectability with specially designed cards by creators from around the globe. The initial five iconic talents confirmed for wave two are some of the hottest artists in the industry and their impressive credits speak for themselves:
Sean Chen: Iron Man, Fantastic Four, Wolverine, Avengers, Batman Beyond, Pacific Rim: Tales from Year Zero.
David López: Catwoman, All-New Wolverine, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Justice League Adventures, Wonder Woman, and Birds of Prey
Bob Eggleton: Godzilla, Jimmy Neutron, Magic: The Gathering, Famous Monsters of Filmland, G-Fan, and Japanese Giants
Davide Tinto: Ultraman: The Mystery of Ultraseven, Star Wars: Bounty Hunters, Marvel Action Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Commanders In Crisis
Klenda Vee: Known for hand drawn, ink pen/pencil on paper, as well as watercolor painted pieces of the Ultra Heroes and Kaiju, Klenda has been a leading voice in the Ultraman fan community.
Ultraman Card Game tournaments are also being planned for 2025 for players to begin competing in earnest. Players who win qualifying events will have the opportunity to participate in a World Tournament planned for Spring 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.
New York Comic Con (NYCC) wrapped up the ultimate celebration of pop culture this weekend, as more than 200,000 attendees made their way through the Javits Center from October 17 through October 20 to experience the best of fandom, from a star-studded celebrity lineup, to iconic comic creators, must-have merch, and so much more. With scores of fans making their way to the Big Apple from across the country, this year’s NYCC is projected to have generated an estimated economic impact of $80 million for New York City, according to New York City Tourism + Conventions.
Among the stand-out guests and programming at this year’s show, highlights included panels filled with exciting announcements, sneak peeks, and trailer drops from some of the most popular and anticipated series including HBO’s The Penguin, Apple TV+’s Shrinking, Starz’ Outlander, The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim, The Walking Dead Universe, Disney+’s Goosebumps, FX’s What We Do in the Shadows, HBO’s Dune: Prophecy, and Netflix’s The Electric State, appearances by major stars like Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Orlando Bloom, John Boyega, and cast members from House of the Dragon, and never-before-seen clips from upcoming films including M3GAN 2.0, Venom: The Last Dance,Karate Kid: Legend, and more. Seats filled for panels featuring discussions from the best in comics with programming like Marvel Comics: Next Big Thing, Moon Man Panel featuring Kid Cudi, Charlamagne Tha God Presents ILLuminati – Hip-Hop and Comics Collide in New AWA Graphic Novel, IDW Publishing: The Next 25 YearsFears, and others.
The show floor was buzzing with con-goers looking to get their hands on the hottest merch from over 650 top exhibitors like Funko, Bandai, ThrillJoy, Marvel, Penguin Random House, Scholastic, Capcom, Webtoon, and others, while over 500 Artist Alley participants filled the show floor, featuring the fan-favorite works of Jeff Lemire, Dexter Vines, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Frank Cho, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Tom Taylor, and many more.
Cosplay took center stage at the Cosplay Central Crown Championships qualifier competition on October 19, where cosplayers from the region showed off their astounding craftsmanship for a chance to be selected to be in the running for the Global Cosplay Central Crown in 2025. Third place went to A Rad One Cosplay as Din Djarin from The Book of Boba Fett, while second place went to Caity Stella Cosplay as Cinderella from Fairy Tales. Patterner Cosplay as Firesong K’Treva from Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey was crowned this year’s NYCC champion. The event, which was emceed by one of the biggest names in cosplay, Yaya Han, drew a crowd full of fans to watch as judges Plexi Cosplay, Alliecat Cosplay, and Ludus Cosplay cast their vote for the best of the best of this year’s cosplay.
This year, the top headliners and biggest entertainment panels from NYCC were live streamed to a global audience for free through ReedPop’s official partnership with creative development and production solutions company Paragon Creative Agency. The NYCC Livestream was powered by Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game by Ravensburger. Fans who were not able to make it in person were able to enjoy all of the must-see pop culture content NYCC had to offer via two concurrent streams for both the Main and Empire stages each day on Popverse, ReedPop’s pop culture news site, as well as on their media partner’s Screenrant, Collider, CBR, The Illuminerdi and Nerdist’s social channels, further extending NYCC’s impact.
NYCC will return to the Javits Center next year on October 9-12, 2025. ReedPop is partnering with NYC Tourism for its official ‘Founded By NYC’ campaign, which will celebrate New York City’s enduring contributions to national and global culture as part of the festivities around the City’s 400th anniversary and United States’ 250th anniversary. More details will be unveiled in the coming months.
As announced at New York Comic Con 2024, Kodansha revealed their latest slate of new manga coming to print in Fall 2025, including manga for younger readers like Sheeta’s Little Big World, suspense thrillers like Nezumi’s First Love, an emotional spectrum of BL titles like My Instructor Won’t Yield and Shoot Juliet Down, as well as an upcoming Witch Hat Atelier box set, and new editions of AKIRA.
Not only that, Kodansha also unveiled new publishing initiatives for the soccer-centric hit Blue Lock and the wine-focused drama The Drops of God.
Further, Kodansha announced an upcoming translation of Totto-chan, The Little Girl at the Window: The Sequel, the long-awaited second installment to Tetsuko Kuroyanagi’s Guinness World Record-breaking memoir which won over the hearts of more than 25 millions readers worldwide.
And debuting digitally across the next two months: As the Gods Will, a pulse-pounding game-of-death saga (from Blue Lock writer Muneyuki Kaneshiro) and India Calling Me Now, a heart-warming travel and self discovery drama.
Titles announced for print will be available starting Fall 2025 at physical and online book vendors like Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, and more, while November 2024 digital debuts will be available upon release across all participating vendors.
NEW & NOTABLE PRINT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Kodansha to publish new volumes of Blue Lock every month starting July 2025
Accelerating toward the goal!
The smash hit soccer action series is going monthly!
Starting in July 2025, Kodansha will release one print volume of Blue Lock every month until Kodansha is caught up with the Japanese release.
Hit wine-focused manga The Drops of God returns to print
Due to popular demand and on the heels of the fan-favorite Apple+ live-action drama, The Drops of God manga by Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto returns to store shelves with Kodansha’s original 2-in-1 omnibus editions being reprinted.
A wine critic and his rival brother must compete against each other to determine who will inherit their father’s estate—a wine collection featuring 13 heaven blessed wines.
‘Drops of God’ live action series was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at the 2024 International Emmy Awards. Apple TV announced season 2!
Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition of Koji Suzuki’s Ring Arrives November 2024
Perfect for horror fans and aficionados, Barnes & Noble is partnering with Kodansha to release an exclusive variant edition of Koji Suzuki’s chilling hit novel, Ring!
Features all new art with a striking throwback mock VHS cover
Contains sprayed page edges to mimic TV static
Each copy comes with an insert of the original Ring cover with a printed Koji Suzuki signature
Totto-chan The Little Girl at the Window: The Sequel (Novel)
By Tetsuko Kuroyanagi Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 16+
Over forty years ago, Japanese pop culture icon Testuko Kuroyanagi ended her childhood memoir shortly after her beloved school, Tomoe Gakuen, burned down beneath the American air raids of WWII. At last, she returns to continue little Totto’s tale, beginning with her family’s frantic effort to escape Tokyo and the worst of the war. Told with the same disarming charm that enamored over 25 million readers worldwide, this sequel invites us to see the harsh realities of war through the eyes of an ever-curious child who finds wonder in the darkest of places, and trace her path to becoming a trailblazing actress and philanthropist who forever changed the landscape of Japanese entertainment.
NEW & UPCOMING DIGITAL LICENSES:
As the Gods Will
Story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro Art by Akeji Fujimura Debut Date: November 12, 2024 Rated: 18+
Deep down inside, high school student Shun Takahata craves for some excitement in his boring life…but his teacher’s head randomly exploding isn’t exactly what he had in mind. And when some of his classmates suddenly suffer the same fate, he begins to realize he’s been thrust into a series of deadly supernatural children’s games. Shun and fellow survivors are completely in the dark, not knowing who’s responsible, why it’s happening, or when it will end. To have any hope of unraveling the mystery behind the gruesome games, they’ll first have to outlast the games…and each other.
India Calling Me Now
By Terako Shima Debut Date: December 10, 2024 Rated: 13+
After years of struggling to get her work published, 28-year old manga artist Natsume is on the brink of giving up. When her boyfriend gets transferred to India and asks her to come, she takes it as a sign to finally let go of the dreams she’d pursued her whole life. But when she arrives and realizes that he sees her as little more than a dutiful future housewife, she dumps him on the spot and finds herself all alone in an unfamiliar land. Through her encounters with the resilient and radiant women she meets there, Natsume slowly finds the strength to follow her dreams once again.
FALL 2025 NEW PRINT LICENSES:
Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun: IruMafia Edition
By Hiroja Original Series by Osamu Nishi Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 13+
Get ready to meet the lovable cast of Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun as you’ve never seen them before!
In this brand-new spinoff of the runaway hit series, Iruma is a dirt-poor but unfailingly cheerful young boy who grows up in a ruthless city slum. One day, Iruma gives an injured old man his last loaf of bread and nurses the stranger back to health—only to find out that the elder gent is none other than Don Sullivan, head of the Babyl Mafia! Soon after, Don Sullivan comes back, whisks Iruma away, and begs the boy to become his grandson. And just like that, Iruma begins his new life as the next in line to lead a gigantic gang of—dare we say—demonic mafiosos!
Sheeta’s Little Big World
By Yuki Kamba Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 8+
Sheeta and Nala live happily inside a hollowed-out log with their fellow “littlefolk,” who stand no taller than a blade of grass. When Nala runs off one day to investigate a mysterious smoke signal, Sheeta must summon all his wit and courage as he sets off in pursuit. Rats, ants, weasels, giants… The wide world is full of dangers, but the plucky Sheeta will stop at nothing to find his friend. A charming new adventure manga for young readers and teens alike.
A Curtain Call for You
Story by Shiho Satou Art by Kiki Emoda Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 13+
Shy, mousy Sakura Akutsu is content to keep her adventures confined to the pages of her notebook—until the brash, outgoing new transfer student Tsubame Hiiragi gets her hands on it, that is. The two secretly share the stories Sakura spins, but soon that secret proves too big to keep, and Tsubame whisks Sakura into a glittering world she could never have imagined!
As Sakura learns to be confident in who she is and ignore what others think, Tsubame learns to go below the surface and dig deep for emotional truths that may have eluded her… Together they’ll learn about art, love, truth, and most of all, the theater…!
This creative and emotionally rich series uses every visual tool available to express the confusion and elation of adolescence.
You Can’t Bluff the Sharp-Eyed Sister
Story by Natsu Hyuuga Art by Yo Asami Character Designs by Chiho Shinishi Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 13+
In a sleepy countryside church, Chloe plays the part of a prim and naïve novice, studying to become a priestess. But when night falls, she sneaks out in disguise to win big money at cards!
Despite her best efforts, word gets around, and one day a handsome young holy knight named Heraldo—known as a rising star in the capital—arrives to enlist her help. A murder two years ago threatens the stability of the kingdom, and Heraldo thinks this card shark in sister’s clothes can solve it using her Gift—the rare blessing that allows someone to use magic. Little does Heraldo know, there’s nothing supernatural about Chloe’s winning streak. She’s just got a quick wit, and sharp eyes! Will that be enough to survive the den of devils that is the royal palace?
The new fantasy mystery manga from the creator of The Apothecary Diaries!
My Instructor Won’t Yield
By Deme Kingyobachi Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 16+
A quirky, sweet BL romance that’ll have you turning the page at full throttle!
Chiba’s kind manner, clear guidance, and pretty face easily make him the favorite instructor of every female student at the driving school where he works. But, while he’ll play up his charms to get good reviews, Chiba is diligent about politely—but firmly—rejecting any romantic gestures or advances that may come his way. His well-crafted persona is put to the test when he is matched with the mysterious Yaotome, a new student gaining a reputation of his own as the “Sharp-Suited Prince.” Despite his cool looks and demeanor, Yaotome can hardly compose himself when Chiba begins their lesson. Is it just nerves, or is there something more to it…?
Shoot Juliet Down
By Komachi Katsura Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 18+
Love is a brutal battle between vanity and desire.
Amidst the dark glamor of host club Velvet Kiss, Juri—also called Juliet—commands a vice-like grip on the number one position. Impressed by this poker-faced beauty’s supreme reign, newbie and number-two host Akatsuki decides he must learn Juliet’s secrets—and shoot him down from the top of the pack. But Akatsuki’s first up-close taste of Juliet’s intoxicating charm leaves him craving more than he’d expected. And as he may soon learn, some secrets are better left in their bottles, and the bullet that shoots through one heart might take out more than it bargained for…
Nezumi’s First Love
By Riku Oseto Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 16+
Here’s the sweet, bloody yakuza love story we’ve all been waiting for! Nezumi was raised by the mob to be an emotionless killing machine, but a chance encounter in an arcade leads to a romance at total odds with everything she’s known. Equal parts ultraviolence and kawaii, Nezumi’s First Love turns both the hitman and love comedy genres on their heads!
Before You Go Extinct
Story by Takashi Ushiroyato Art by Kanato Abiko Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 16+
A darkly comic look at the meaning and meaninglessness of life, through the eyes of various adorable and occasionally psychopathic species facing extinction.
A humble rock is at the center of this transmigratory tale of two souls who take the form of penguins, otters, crows, and more as they learn about the the value of culture, the beauty of play in the face of capitalist pressure to produce and reproduce, and the power of love in the face of total annihilation.
FALL 2025 BOX SETS & NEW EDITIONS:
Witch Hat Atelier Manga Box Set 1
By Kamome Shirahama Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 13+
Can’t get enough of Witch Hat Atelier? See where the magic began in this manga box set containing the first six volumes of the manga that inspired the hit anime, plus an exclusive set of art cards!
In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream: She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows witches are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. Resigned to her un-magical life, Coco is about to give up on her dream to become a witch…until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling witch. After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she’s never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody “knows” might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem…
AKIRA Hardcover Collection
By Katsuhiro Otomo Debut Date: Fall 2025 Rated: 18+
One of the most acclaimed and influential comics of all time, with the original Japanese art and right-to-left reading format, now available in single-volume, collectible hardcovers!
Katsuhiro Otomo’s AKIRA, the dystopian, science fiction epic that changed anime and manga forever, returns in six beautiful hardcover collector’s edition volumes perfect for longtime fans and manga aficionados alike. Whether you’re a cult fan or are looking to dive into the world of Neo-Tokyo for the first time, there’s no better way to experience AKIRA than with these beautiful new hardcover editions, featuring the original Japanese art and right-to-left reading format.
Welcome to Neo-Tokyo, a city built on the ashes of a Tokyo annihilated by a blast of unknown origin that triggered World War III, whose streets have been ceded to motorcycle gangs and the rich and powerful run dangerous experiments on destructive, supernatural powers that they cannot control. The lives of two streetwise teenage friends, Tetsuo and Kaneda, change forever when paranormal abilities begin to waken in Tetsuo, making him a target for a shadowy agency that will stop at nothing to prevent another catastrophe like the one that leveled Tokyo. At the core of the agency’s motivation is a raw, all-consuming fear of an unthinkable, monstrous power known only as Akira.
