Tag Archives: universal music group

NCT 127 Reveals the NINE Variant Covers for Limitless

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Z2 Comics, SM Entertainment, and Universal Music Group present Limitless, the new graphic novel from K-Pop megastars NCT 127, and the very first officially licensed K-Pop print graphic novel. The comic introduces a brand new fictional chapter into the lives of all nine members of the global phenomenon. Limitless is available in standard hardcover and deluxe hardcover editions, set to release in summer 2024. The graphic novel is co-written by Reiko Scott with art by Ziyan Qiu and Ana Jimenez. Kayla Felty and colorist Megan Huang are the cover artists. The standard hardcover will come with nine variant covers, each featuring members of NCT 127. The deluxe hardcover will come with nine art prints illustrated by Kayla Felty and a certificate of authenticity.

Presented in the manhwa (South Korean comic) format, Limitless follows NCT 127 in the midst of their world tour, as the group rehearses for its biggest performance in America to date: a sold-out stadium show in New York City. The night before the concert, however, the group encounters mysterious dreams, putting Mar, Johnny, Taeyong, Jungwoo, and Doyoung in otherworldly scenarios. This ultimately creates a reality-crossing mystery that the five—alongside Taeil, Yuta, Jaehyun, and Haechan—will unite to solve. As NCT 127 grapples with this enigma, they must overcome their fear in both the real world and this new, surreal dreamscape. 

NCT 127, Z2 Comics, and UMG team up for for the graphic novel, Limitless

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SM Entertainment Group, Z2 Comics, and Universal Music Group have announced Limitless, the new graphic novel from K-Pop megastars NCT 127, and the very first officially licensed K-Pop print graphic novel. The comic will introduce a brand new fictional chapter into the lives of all nine members of the global phenomenon.  

Presented in the manhwa (South Korean comic) format, Limitless follows NCT 127 in the midst of their world tour as they approach New York City. The members soon experience a world of shared and enigmatic dreams. By solving these subconscious mysteries that seem to be intersecting with reality, they overcome their inner fears.

NCT 127: Limitless is available in a standard hardcover and deluxe hardcover editions, set to release in late summer 2023. The graphic novel is co-written by Reiko Scott with art by Kayla Felty and Grace Lee. Kayla Felty and colorist Megan Huang are the cover artists. The standard hardcover will come with nine variant covers, each featuring members of NCT 127. The deluxe hardcover will come with nine art prints illustrated by Kayla Felty and a certificate of authenticity. 

Z2 Comics and Universal Announce a Freddie Mercury Graphic Novel

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Z2 Comics is partnering with Universal Music Group and Mercury Songs Ltd for Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs, the first-ever graphic novel paying tribute to one of the greatest figures the music world has ever known. 
 
A first in the comics format, Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs will be a journey through Freddie’s life; from his childhood in Zanzibar and India’, through his formative years in England, to becoming the rock star, known and loved by millions around the globe. The story is told in his own words, with each chapter giving a glimpse into the many facets of his life. 
 
Written by Tres Dean, the graphic novel will give true insight into the many experiences that helped shape the young Farrokh Bulsara and his compelling existence, both on and off stage—that was the life of Freddie Mercury, Lover of Life, Singer of Songs.
 
Following up on the tremendous success of the Oscar-winning 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, and inspired by the book Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words,  compiled by Greg Brooks and Simon Lupton, this upcoming graphic novel will be another essential addition to the bookshelf or coffee table of fans new and old, sumptuously illustrated by Kyla Smith, Robin Richardson, Safiya Zerrougui, Tammy Wang, and Amy Liu, with accompanying cover painting by David Mack. 
 
Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs is available for preorder in standard 136-page softcover ($19.99) and hardcover ($29.99) editions, released in finer comic shops, book and record stores in November. Available exclusively through Z2 in a special hardcover deluxe edition for $99.99 complete with an exclusive vinyl LP, as well as limited edition prints by Sarah Jones, Kyla Smith, and Sanya Anwar. Reserve your copy today!

Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs

Gaga and Beiber vs. Bluewater

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Bluewater Productions

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Much has been written on other blogs about the cease and desist that Bluewater Productions was sent on behalf of Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber.  The legal bomb was sent over Bluewater’s recent publications over unauthorized biographies about the two mega-stars.  The objection was over the use of the two stars’ likenesses.

Not shockingly Bluewater disagrees issuing the following statement.

These are not-poster books and as it was explained to the licensing lawyer, Kenneth Feinswog, it tells the story of [Bieber’s] life in 22 pages. We offered to send him a copy of the book before it went to print. We have been offered deals with poster books, sticker books and we had to turn them down because we know we do not have the rights to that. But doing an unauthorized biography we are in full within our rights… It feels like they are doing this because our comic book got the same amount of press as their book, ‘Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever.’ Both are being released the same month, as well as four other Bieber books. We chose [to publish a book about] Justin Bieber because of how he is changing the music industry. This was a kid that posted his songs on YouTube to share with his family and became a superstar from that. This is a great story to inspire kids.
Bluewater is standing behind the 1st Amendment, and while we find a lot of the comics we’ve read of theirs to be throwaways without much depth, they are correct.  They correctly point out that licensing attorney Kenneth Feinswog has a history of this, attacking similar comics published in the 1980’s.  The judge ruled in the publisher’s favor during those suits.

The First Amendment may trump any claim that the plaintiffs have for trademark infringement.

Universal Music Group is claiming it’s just protecting the rights of it’s clients.  A quick search on Amazon finds numerous unauthorized biographies of the two stars.  These types of books are numerous and common.  So why is Feinswog up in arms over two comic books?

What we see here is sour grapes by a lawyer who’s grasping at straws in a world where it’s becoming more difficult to sell music and instead merchandising is a driving force behind certain stars and celebrity and every merchandising deal matters.  Two comic books that have sold well are a direct threat to Feinswog’s ability to get top dollar over merchandising deals.  If a lawsuit threat hangs over “unauthorized” material, companies will have to factor in lawyer fees now to decide if producing a product is financially justifiable.  This allows Feinswog to get the highest dollar possible for the likeness of his two clients.

It’s likely the judge will rule in favor of Bluewater since precedence exists, but how much in legal fees will have to be spent by the company, who now has to figure out if further publications about the two stars are financially worth it.