Fans who receive access to the Reinforcement Pack will receive items that can be used in Mass Effect 3′s four-player co-operative multiplayer campaign. This pack will include powerful character boosters and the devastatingly lethal Collector Assault Rifle. With deadly efficiency, this special weapon uses the same principles as a human assault rifle, but its organic components set it apart. To learn more about how to obtain and redeem the special item code visit www.darkhorse.com.

Recently named by over 100 outlets around the world as one of the most anticipated games of 2012, including winning the fan-voted Most Anticipated Game of 2012 award at the Spike TV VGAs, Mass Effect 3 thrusts players into an all-out war to save the galaxy from an ancient alien race known as the Reapers. Players will assume the role of Commander Shepard, a war-torn veteran who’s willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate this nearly unstoppable foe. With a team of elite, battle-hardened soldiers at your side, each player decides how they will take Earth back, from the weapons and abilities they utilize to the relationships they forge or break.

Mass Effect 3 arrives on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC in North America on March 6, 2012 and in Europe on March 9, 2012.

This honest, autobiographical account of a college senior’s life will transport you to the land of Jell-O shots, term papers, job interviews, road trips, and sanguine optimism in the face of uncertainty and change.  Trade paperback collects the comic in its entirety, with 30 pages of new material!

Come help us celebrate Natalie’s impressive accomplishment of not only having her first book published, but having it published by Image Comics, the comics industry’s third largest publisher! Beverages will be provided and there may be cookies! No Jell-O shots, though.

Here are some of the new amazing deals:
(prices are in US dollars but are proportional worldwide)

IT’S MIGHTY FINE AT 9.99!
Every single graphic novel is now priced under $10, across the board!

TOP SHELF HEAVYWEIGHTS: HUGE BOOKS FOR TINY PRICES!
– Alec: The Years Have Pants by Eddie Campbell – only 9.99!
– Box Office Poison by Alex Robinson – only 9.99!
– Essex County by Jeff Lemire – only 9.99!
– From Hell by Alan Moore & Eddie Campbell – only 9.99!
– Infinite Kung Fu by Kagan McLeod – only 9.99!
– Lucille by Ludovic Debeurme – only 9.99!

PARTY WITH THE TOP SHELF KIDS CLUB – FOR PEANUTS!
– Owly vol 1 by Andy Runton – only .99!
– all other Owly books by Andy Runton – only 1.99 each!
– Korgi by Christian Slade (all 3 books) – only 2.99 each!
– Johnny Boo by James Kochalka (all 4 books) – only 2.99 each!
– Dragon Puncher by James Kochalka (both books) – only 2.99 each!
– Yam by Corey Barba – only 2.99!
– Bighead by Jeffrey Brown – only 2.99!
– Incredible Change-Bots by Jeffrey Brown (both books) – only 6.99 each!

AND THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING…
– Stuff About Sex by David Mellon – only 1.99!
– Little Paintings by James Kochalka – only .99!
– Underwire by Jennifer Hayden – only 3.99!
– BB Wolf and the Three LPs by JD Arnold and Rich Koslowski – only 3.99!
– The Surrogates by Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele (both volumes) – only 5.99 each!
– Too Cool to be Forgotten by Alex Robinson – only 4.99!
…and so much more.

So download the official Top Shelf app at iTunes, or the Top Shelf Kids Club app at iTunes, or look for the “buy digital” buttons throughout our web site catalog and download books through your preferred vendor! Or check out the books available at our digital partners: Comixology, Graphicly, iVerse, Google Books, Apple iBooks, Nook, and more!

For my tween, an anime freak, the names Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli were enough to set her heart aflutter.  For my 9-year-old, the involvement of several Disney TV actors meant that she HAD to see it.  Me?  I was just pleased that I was going to spend an afternoon with the girls, not refereeing their constant arguments.

People have complaied about Arrietty being slow, or lacking much humor.  I see it as the difference between how the Japanese and Americans treat animated movies.

For most Americans, animated movies are childish and juvenile.  They are aimed at a young audience and so they must be paced that way.  There has to be a joke every 30 to 60 seconds, and the characters must be extreme, there should be a bit of bathroom humor, and a song and dance routine is always appreciated.

The Japanese approach animated movies differently.  They are, like their comic books, just another form of telling a story.  There are animated movies for all age ranges of audiences.  Since there is no single formula for the animated movies, they are free to pursue story over gimmick.

The Secret World of Arrietty is a wonderful film that speaks to the value of trust and friendship.  The characters are sincere with each other  and stay true to themselves.  they don’t pander to the audience or go for the cheap laugh.  Instead, they act in ways that make sense to them and to the story.

The animation in the movie was beautiful.  As much fun as it is to watch a computer generated movie, there is something special about seeing a hand-painted film.  We stayed and watched as screen after screen of names of animators played over the closing music, a tribute to the love that went in to this film.

If there was any flaw in the film, it was in the casting of David Henrie, who played Shawn.  His vice was far too deep for that of a 12-year-old boy.  It made for a disconnect between the visual image of a young boy and the voice of a 23-year-old man.  But the acting on all fronts was sincere, and maybe it was just something that bothered me.

Clearly it did not have any impact on anyone else in the audience.  I was surprised at the rapt attention of everyone in the audience.  Normally in an animated movie, the kids get over-stimulated after about 60 minutes of fart jokes and loud music.  However, there was not a peep during The Secret World of Arrietty.  Everyone sat and watched, fully engrossed.

I would love to tell you that the magic lasted all the way home.  I would love to tell you that my two daughters spent the rest of the afternoon playing together quietly and happily.  But, once the lights came up, it was like a magic spell had been lifted.  The world had been returned to its normal dimensions, and the usual rules applied again.  We stepped out in to the misty afternoon and the girls began to argue about who got to sit up front in the car.  However, a little piece of the movie remained.  My 9-year old piped up from the back seat, “Can we get the book The Borrowers and read about Arrietty?”   Can’t ask much more than that from a movie.

The Secret World of Arrietty is in theaters now.

GeekGirlCon will feature informative and entertaining programming on topics ranging from geek lifestyle issues, to the sciences to popular culture. We are seeking engaging and thought-provoking proposals from professionals for panels and presentations on topics such as, but not limited to:

· Geeky parenting and dating
· Women in science, math, engineering, and technology 
(STEM)
· Women in robotics
· Women characters and creators in comic books, literature, film, and television
· Pop culture scholarship
· Women in gaming 
(Tabletop, Board, Console, PC)
· Women in horror
· Diversity in genre – including race, ethnicity, class, gender, ability, sex and sexuality
· Crafty or geeky businesses
· Cosplay 
or Crossplay
· Women in Stunt Work
· Women writers (and men writing great geeky female characters)
· Women artists and illustrators
· Women in science fiction and fantasy
· Fandom and community
· Women’s history in geeky popular culture, science, and technology
· Women in Anime/Manga
· Women in Pop Culture Publishing
· YA authors with Strong Female Protagonists
· Geek Girl Pioneers in Fandom and Community
· Documentary filmmakers
· Web series producers
· Geeky Charities
· Women mentoring each other and our geeky little sisters
· Hackers and Programmers
· LED/Tech Fashion
· Steampunk

To be considered for acceptance proposal submissions must reflect the mission of the convention – to promote, celebrate, educate, mentor, encourage and empower the female geek – and should make an effort towards inclusivity.

We are interested in presentations, screenings, readings, workshops, mentoring sessions, and round table discussions from women and men in geeky professions. These topics should be addressed with a women-centric and woman-positive focus and with attention to issues of diversity.

GeekGirlCon is committed to representing women geeks of all ages, races, sexual orientations, gender identities, creeds, physical and mental abilities, and familial statues. Proposals must reflect a commitment to this as well.

Submissions are open until March 15th. If you are interested in proposing a panel or presentation please fill out this form: http://www.geekgirlcon.com/con/propose-a-panel/

As a teacher, I would totally accept that book report!

3 Story: Secret Files of the Giant Man (Dark Horse pg. 62)  The most acclaimed graphic novel of 2009 returns! Some episodes from the life of Craig Pressgang were too sensitive even for the pages of 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man, but now the full truth of his years as a spy can be told! Lending new meaning to the phrase “hiding in plain sight,” Craig’s missions to Paris, Cairo, and the Philippines makeSecret Files an essential companion to the 3 Story graphic novel, as well as a perfect standalone introduction to Matt Kindt’s touching history of the Giant Man. Collects all three Giant Man stories from MySpace Dark Horse Presents.

Matt Kindt’s 3 Story was a real delight to read when it came out in 2009.  I’m excited that he is back with a few more short stories about the big guy!  This is on my must-read list!

Grendel Omnibus Vol. 1 (Dark Horse pg. 65)Matt Wagner’s masterpiece celebrates its thirtieth anniversary with the first-ever comprehensive collection of the complete Grendelsaga! The first of four volumes presenting the entire series and following the chronology of the stories, this edition introduces millionaire Hunter Rose and his alter ego, the criminal mastermind Grendel!      

I haven’t read much of the Hunter Rose Grendel stories.  I know how it starts and I know how it ends.  That’s about it.  Thankfully Dark Horse has put together a 600 page omnibus that collects Devil by the Deed, Black, White & Red, and Red, White & Black and Behold the Devil.  That is a lot of Grendel for not a lot of price.  My only complaint is that the Dark Horse omnibi are pretty diminutive.  But, the trade off is a good price.

Get Jiro! (Vertigo pg. 136)  In a not-too-distant future L.A. where master chefs rule the town like crime lords and people literally kill for a seat at the best restaurants, a bloody culinary war is raging.

On one side, the Internationalists, who blend foods from all over the world into exotic delights. On the other, the “Vertical Farm,” who prepare nothing but organic, vegetarian, macrobiotic dishes. Into this maelstrom steps Jiro, a renegade and ruthless sushi chef, known to decapitate patrons who dare request a California Roll, or who stir wasabi into their soy sauce. Both sides want Jiro to join their factions. Jiro, however has bigger ideas, and in the end, no chef may be left alive!

Normally I avoid “celebrity” creators like the plague.  They usually can’t write, and their creations are luke warm at best.  But Anthony Bourdaine is a different story.  The man can write.  His Kitchen Confidential is a fantastic read.  So, with that in mind, I am going to take a chance on this food-themed comic.

Deadenders (Vertigo pg. 142) In this stylized book of mystery and science fiction, a drug-dealing car thief must discover the secret behind his visions in order to save the world. Twenty years after the devastating Cataclysm, society has been separated into sectors in which the rich are able to enjoy machine-generated weather and sunlight while the poor are forced to live an eternally dank and dark existence. Banished to the dismal Sector 5, the angst-ridden Beezer discovers that the corrupt city police are hunting him because of his experiential visions of a pre-apocalyptic world. Now Earth’s reluctant savior must learn his true origin and the meaning of his visions before he is captured and killed.

Ed Brubaker does sci-fi!  Sold!

Parker: The Score (IDW pg. 152) Fresh from his Eisner Award-winning efforts on The Hunter and The Outfit, Darwyn Cooke now sets his steely sights on The Score, the classic Richard Stark Parker novel from 1964. Parker becomes embroiled in a plot with a dozen partners in crime to pull off what might be the ultimate heist—robbing an entire town. Everything was going fine for a while, and then things got bad. Considered one of the best in the Parker series, The Score is the perfect vehicle for Darwyn Cooke to pull out all the stops and let loose with a book that has all the impact of a brutal kick to the solar plexus!

The first two Parker volumes were a real pleasure.  Even though I like the first one more than the second, it was kind of the difference between great and really great. Darwyn Cooke is bringing his A-game to this series.  This is another must-read!

30 Day of Night: vol. 1 (IDW pg. 157) Fright-master Steve Niles returns to the creation that launched his career for an all-new 30 Days of Night series, with warped genius Sam Kieth handling the art duties. Features an all-new cast of characters being introduced to the world of 30 Days of Night for the first time!

I am on the fence about this one.  I enjoyed the original book as well as the first sequel.  However, I really feel that the property has been diluted by constant mini-series and spin-offs.  However, a return by the original writer as well as art by Sam Kieth has me interested.  I may be checking this one out!

TIME OUT!!!!!

Page 166 proclaims that Cobra Commander is USA Today’s  2011 “New Villain of the Year!”  Excuse me? WTF????  Cobra Commander was introduced in 1982…30 years ago!  Guess next year they will announce Lobo as the “Hot New Character of 2013!”

Ok.  Back to comics.

Nevsky: Hero of the People (IDW pg. 176)A true legendary Russian hero, a groundbreaking Russian filmmaker! Alexander Nevsky is a central figure in Russian history, having lived during one of Russia”s darkest periods – the invasion of the Teutonic Knights. Alexander Nevsky helped establish the Russian nation by defeating the Teutonic Knights, invaders from the last vestiges of the Holy Roman Empire, with an army comprised of ordinary citizens who were poorly-equipped soldiers, but fought for their freedom. This ragtag band, against overwhelming odds, defeated the invaders in an epic battle on the frozen lake Peipus – a spectacular achievement that is still celebrated in Russia to this day. In 1938, the great Russian filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein, much acclaimed for his masterful historical interpretations, as seen in “Battleship Potemkin” (1925) and “Ivan the Terrible” (1944), brought the story of Alexander Nevsky to life on the silver screen in an innovative and brilliant way, by developing new film techniques that remain in use almost 100 years later by some of the greatest directors of our time. Now, following in the steps of Eisenstein, IDW is proud to present one of the most compelling historical graphic novels ever produced – one that is as relevant today as it was at any time in history!

I am a sucker for awesome history.  Sounds like Nevsky was a total badass!  I realize that this may stretch the truth a bit as it is a re-imagining of  the 1938 film as opposed to something historically factual.  But, as we always say in my family, never let the truth get in the way of a good story!

27 vol. 2 (Image pg. 196) Troubled guitar hero Will Garland has regained mega-fame by revealing his supernatural creativity powers to the world. Enter Valerie Hayes, a 1980s one-hit-wonder turned witch who is desperate to steal Garland’s power that she may return to the spotlight. A mystical battle of the bands is on, winner take all, with the god of fame as the judge!

The first volume of this series was moody and full of wonderful twists and turns.  Can’t wait to see what vol. 2 has in store!

The Infinite Horizon (Image pg. 199)
The Infinite Horizon is the tale of an American soldier’s epic journey home following a protracted war half a world away. Every step of his odyssey must be earned as he struggles to survive not just the war, but breakdowns of the world’s economy and communications.

Inspired by the Odyssey. Art by Phil Noto.  What could be better???

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode vol. 1 (Image pg. 202)  There is one word to describe this book: Buzz.  I can’t wait to see if it lives up to the hype!

The Boy Who Made Silence (AAM Markosia pg. 230)  Rural boy, Nestor Gudfred, mysteriously loses his hearing after nearly drowning in a river.  As Nestor adjusts to a silent world, other mysteries arise, including an ability to create an impermanent silence around him, casting anyone within its reach into the pasts and memories of others.  With an eye and ear for both the familiar and the fantastic, Hagler imagines the intersecting lives of a small town through a surrealist lens.  An ensemble cast of characters include Peter’n’Charlie, the mysterious upside-down cat-headed visitor, Pastor Buddy, Nestor’s mother who seems to run a strange kind of brothel, and, at the center of it all, Esmé, the young girl who saved his life.

This was one of the most haunting books on the stands when it came out in the early 2000′s.  Unfortunately only 6 of the 12 issues were released.  Could this collection signify a return for this series?  Here’s to hoping!

The Silence (Allen & Unwin pg. 232) When Choosy McBride discovers an extraordinary artwork she is determined to track down the unknown artist. With her partner Dmitri, an artist wrestling with his own creative demons, she follows the trail to an exhibition at an enigmatic gallery in Northern Queensland, but the creator of the mysterious artworks remains elusive. Increasingly frustrated, and resolved on a dramatic course of action, Choosy insists they make a final visit to the gallery. But will the truth revealed there be what either of them expect?

This could go either way.  It could be really good…or it could be really bad.  Don’t think there is going to be much of an in-between on this one.  I’m not familiar with the creator, so I don’t have much to go on.  But the premise sounds interesting.

Knights of the Living Dead (Amaze Ink/Slave Labor pg. 234) The mournful king, Arthur, has sentenced Queen Guinievere to burn for her infidelity, but he none-too-secretly expects her lover, Sir Lancelot, to save her. And here comes rescuer – Lancelot! – the greatest knight, on the greatest stallion. With a horde of the shambling dead behind him. As the greatest knight of all fights through the courtyard to reach the queen, Guinivere, before she burns at the stake, she sees he is not the hero she expected. Lancelot is among the stricken of the ‘walking starvation.’ Knights of Living Dead transcends the brain-munching of most zombie fiction and examines the nature of the soul and the essence of being.

Ok.  This one has a better than fair chance of being bad. The inclusion of one of the creators of Pinocchio Vampire Slayer does not give me much hope.  But I can’t resist!!!  I am a SUCKER for mash-ups and zombies.  This one is coming home with me.  I know I’ll regret it later, but I can’t help myself.

City in the Desert (Archaia pg. 239)  Monster hunter Irro is perhaps the only person in Kevala making a good living. The city pays him and his tailed assistant, Hari, a bounty for each monster carcass they bring in. But one day a religious sect called The Way of the Sacred Peace comes to Kevala to solve the monster problem by capping the city’s Spirit Fountain. Out of a job with all the monsters gone, Irro and Hari are determined to prove that there is a more sinister plot behind the Sacred Peace’s plan.

Another intriguing concept from a creator I am not familiar with.  However Archaia has a proven track record of publishing some of the best books on the shelves.  That pushes it over to the read pile for me!

Teen Boat (Clarion Books pg. 270) The angst of being a teen … the thrill of being a boat!

I thoroughly enjoyed Dave Roman’s Astronaut Academy.  I am really looking forward to this next book.  Just be sure that you are careful when googling “Teen Boat”.  I happens to be the name of a very popular gay teen porn site.  Kinda felt like Julia Wertz when she googled “Cute Bears”.  A bit of an eye-opener!

Jerusalem: Chronicles From The Holy City (Drawn & Quarterly pg. 296)  Acclaimed graphic memoirist Guy Delisle returns with his strongest work yet, a thoughtful and moving travelogue about life in Israel. Delisle and his family spent a year in East Jerusalem as part of his wife’s work with the nongovernmental organization Doctors Without Borders. They were there for the short but brutal Gaza War, a three-week-long military strike that resulted in more than a thousand Palestinian deaths. In his interactions with the emergency medical team sent in by Doctors Without Borders, Delisle eloquently plumbs the depths of the conflict.

I have not read any of Delisle’s travel books.  However his Ailene and Albert books are a real blast.  This book was the hit of the Angeloume festival.  Looking forward to reading this one!

Giants Beware! (First Second pg. 301) Make way for Claudette the giant slayer in this delightful, fantastical adventure!  Claudette’s fondest wish is to slay a giant. But her village is so safe and quiet! What’s a future giant slayer to do?  With her best friend Marie (an aspiring princess), and her brother Gaston (a pastry-chef-to-be), Claudette embarks on a super-secret quest to find a giant—without parental permission. Can they find and defeat the giant before their parents find them and drag them back home?  Giants Beware! offers up a wondrous, self-contained world in the tradition of the very best of Pixar. Claudette and her friends will have you laughing out loud from page one.

Something for the younger set!  First Second really knows how to find books that are good for kids without talking down to them.

VS Aliens (Gen Manga Enttertainment pg. 305) Kitaro must unravel a mystery between the two cutest girls in school. One claims the other is an alien! Is Sana Sakuma really a secret visitor from outer space or is this some elaborate prank? The mystery spirals in and out, back and forth, keeping you guessing unti the very end. Do you want to believe?

Only in manga could there really be a possibility that one of these girls is really an alien!!!  But now I MUST know!!!!

Are You My Mother? (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt pg. 308)  Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home was a pop culture and literary phenomenon. Now, a second thrilling tale of filial sleuthery, this time about her mother: voracious reader, music lover, passionate amateur actor. Also a woman, unhappily married to a closeted gay man, whose artistic aspirations simmered under the surface of Bechdel’s childhood . . . and who stopped touching or kissing her daughter good night, forever, when she was seven. Poignantly, hilariously, Bechdel embarks on a quest for answers concerning the mother-daughter gulf. It’s a richly layered search that leads readers from the fascinating life and work of the iconic twentieth-century psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott, to one explosively illuminating Dr. Seuss illustration, to Bechdel’s own (serially monogamous) adult love life. And, finally, back to Mother—to a truce, fragile and real-time, that will move and astonish all adult children of gifted mothers.

Alison Bechdel.  Really, is there anything else I need to say?  The woman produced one of the most poignant books  I have ever read with Fun Home.  Where Fun Home explored her relationship with her father, Are You My Mother? now takes a look at the author’s relationship with her mother.

The Girl Who Owned a City (Lerner Publishing pg. 311)A deadly virus killed every adult on Earth, leaving only us kids behind. My parents are gone, so I’m responsible for my little brother, Todd. I have to make sure we stay alive. Many kids are sick or starving, and fierce gangs are stealing and destroying everything they find. Lots of people have given up, but here on Grand Avenue, some of us are surviving. Because of me.   I figured out how to give the kids on Grand Avenue food, homes, and protection against the gangs. But Tom Logan and his army are determined to take away what we’ve built and rule the streets themselves. How long can we keep fighting them off? We need to find another place for us to live safely. A strong place. A secret place.   In a world like this, someone has to take charge. But do I have the strength to take charge of a whole city?

Joelle Jones continues to be one of the most prolific artists working today.  She produces some of the most beautiful and nuanced women to grace the pages of comics.  I don’t know much about this story, but Joelle’s involvement is enough for me!

Holliday (Oni pg. 320) Tombstone is a city as bleak as its name suggests and for most, life depends on the gun kept in their waistband. When Doc Holliday, a gambler with twisted morals and a deadly reputation, arrives, his presence upsets a fragile balance in the fractured urban center. The gunman and his allies are a threat to the ruling powers and eventually the long simmering tension boils over. Deception surrounding Holliday and a gruesome double homicide serves as the catalyst for war.

Looks like a modern-day retelling of the legend of Doc Holliday and the town of Tombstone.  I am not familiar with the creators, but I trust Oni.  Theyhave yet to let me down with a book!

Leviathan (Rebellion 2000AD pg. 322)   In 1928, the Leviathan, the largest cruise liner the world had ever seen, was launched, bound for New York, with a crew and passenger complement totaling nearly 30,000 people. It was never seen again.  Twenty years later, one of the remaining passengers, Detective Sergeant Lament, begins to investigate the mystery at the liner’s heart. What he discovers will change his world forever—but it might just bring the Leviathan home…

Ok.  I know I have written about this book at least once, and ordered it at least twice.  It has been solicited and dropped more times than I can count.  Why??????

Drawbotz (Sea Lion Books pg. 324) Pat Lee, illustrator of the Transformers comics, reveals his secrets and techniques for designing and illustrating robots. With 20 years of experience in comic book illustration and concept design, Pat takes you on a step-by-step tour of the tools he uses and quick and easy ways toward creating anything from a simple robot to a highly detailed and fully-articulated cyborg. Whether you are just a beginner or an accomplished artist, these techniques will help advance your skills and understanding of concept design from a fresh perspective.

Unless this is a tell-all about hiring ghost artists to do the work for you, shifting your assets to a shell company, then declaring bankruptcy and skipping the country without paying those creators, then I’m not sure what Pat Lee has to say about drawing robots.

But I Really Wanted to Be An Anthropologist (Selfmadehero pg. 324) Meet Margaux: thirty-something mother, self-confessed geek, style-goddess and red wine drinker. We follow her real life, collected from her illustrated blog, as she makes her way as a freelance illustrator in Paris. Anyone who has ever worn inappropriate shoes to the supermarket or danced around the house in their underwear will be charmed by Motin’s irreverent humour.

There comes a time in our lives when we look at ourselves and wonder how we got to where we are.  Sometimes it is in awe of how fortunate and happy we are.  Other times it is with amazement with how far afield from our dreams we have landed.  Looking forward to reading about  someone else’s experiences!

Lost Dogs (Top Shelf pg. 326)  Long out of print, Jeff Lemire’s Xeric-Award-winning LOST DOGS now returns in a newly remastered edition, soaked with blood and ink. This 104-page mythic yarn follows a family man who’s larger than life… but even he may not be powerful enough to prevent the loss of everything he’s ever known.  Bold, brutal, and emotionally raw, LOST DOGS represents an acclaimed storyteller’s first professional work — an early exhibition of the gifts that have made his ESSEX COUNTY and SWEET TOOTH so phenomenally popular. 

You had me at Jeff Lemire!

WOW!  That is a shit-ton of books this month!!!!  I need a second job to pay for all these and a third eye to read them all!!!!  Any that I missed????

“I couldn’t be more excited about this event,” said writer Brendan Hay. “I’ve always been a fan of dramatic readings and the idea of doing one for Rascal Raccoon’s Raging Revenge has been in my mind since the book was published. Being fortunate enough to have so many voice actors lend their talents to the event is the icing on the cupcake, so to speak.”

Hay has written for Robot Chicken, The Simpsons, The Mighty B!, and is currently head writer on a new project for Lucasfilm Animation. But his heart belongs to comics. Rascal Raccoon’s Raging Revenge tells the tale of Toonie Terrace, home of the fun-loving Toonies and their jealous, bitter rivals, the Meanies. For all their shenanigans, no Meanie has ever murdered a Toonie… until now. After thousands of painful failed attempts, Rascal Raccoon has finally killed his arch-nemesis, the charming and adorable Jumpin’ Jackalope. Rascal is overjoyed, but there’s one problem: what does he do now?

“It’s deep philosophy disguised as slap-stick comedy,” said editor Jill Beaton in describing the graphic novel. “If you spent your entire existence striving for one thing and you finally got it, what then? Brendan’s writing is hilarious and Justin Wagner’s art brings everything to life. I can’t wait to see the panels on the screen and hear the actors portray these characters. It’s going to be amazing!”

Come for the reading, stay for the signing and the cupcakes. Best of all the whole event is FREE!

Rascal Raccoon’s Raging Revenge is available now at all finer comic shops and booksellers. Rascal Raccoon in Reading, Writing, and Revenge premiers Sunday 2/19 at 2pm in the Meltdown Comics Annex and features a selected live reading of the new graphic novel by Seth Green (Robot Chicken, Family Guy), Zeb Wells (Robot Chicken, Avenging Spider-man), Dan Milano (Greg the Bunny, Warren the Ape), and Heidi Gardner (Funny or Die)

Rascal Raccoon in Reading, Writing, and Revenge
February 19th, 2pm PST
Meltdown Comics, at the Meltdown Annex
7522 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 851-7223

Ienco’s anti-heroine is both graceful and cold, having been trained both to kill and to have no remorse. “Song was taught to ‘suppress all human emotion and compassion’ because of her mission — which is far bigger than what you see in the first issue — can’t be completed by someone with doubt, someone who would stop for even a second and question what she is doing,” Ienco elaborated. “She’s come to America to fulfill this mission and left all the tears she’ll ever shed back home in the body of the little girl she once was. Anyone who gets in her way… better move.”

Song must fight her way through scores of men trying to kill her to find the man who sent them, and perhaps solve the mystery of who she is — and why she is one of the deadliest weapons in the United States. Ienco, whose previous work includes the horror comic DEVOID OF LIFE, also published by Image, promises to deliver on the title of his comic, with Song performing at least one epic kill in every issue.

EPIC KILL #1 (MAR120415), a 32-page full-color action comic book for $2.99, will be on sale in stores and digital platforms on May 2 and is available for order in the March issue of Previews.

Ballots can be downloaded from HarveyAwards.org and completed forms can be e-mailed to harveyballots@hotmail.com.

Ballots are due for submission by Monday, April 16th, 2012. In addition to being available on the website, ballots will be sent to all major publishers and distributed at comic conventions. We look forward to your participation and input in this process, and we look forward to seeing you at the Baltimore Comic-Con and the Harvey Awards.

Returning for his fourth consecutive Harvey Awards, Scott Kurtz will be the Master of Ceremonies for the awards banquet, to be held Saturday, September 8th, 2012 as part of the Baltimore Comic-Con. “After Scott, Stan Lee, and the Fake Stan Lee brought the house down again last year, we had to have him back! We are thrilled that Scott agreed to come back to Baltimore and help to make the Harvey Awards ceremony as fun and exciting as the last few years have been!” said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Scott Kurtz has been creating his own comic strips since he got hooked on Garfield in the 4th grade. In 1998, his comic strip, PvP, debuted on the world wide web (pvponline.com) with 700 daily readers. Over the last 10 years, PvP has grown into a genuine Internet phenomenon, growing in readership to an estimated 150,000 readers per day, a monthly title from Image comics, winning a Harvey Award in 2010 for Best Online Comics Work, and winning the Eisner Award for best digital comic in 2006. Scott co-wrote the book “How To Make Webcomics” and co-founded webcomics.com to help assist others in forging their own creative destinies.

Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators – those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field. The Harvey Awards are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.

This year’s Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 8-9, 2012. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 8th. Additional details about the Harvey Awards and the awards ceremony will be released over the next few months.

About The Harvey Awards

The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry’s oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 25 years, the last 7 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in 22 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org