A Smart And Courageous Child, Essential Judge Dredd: Tour Of Duty, Archie Is Mr Justice, Nakama Press & The Library Mule of Cordoba
Tokyopop, Rebellion, Archie Comics, Mad Cave Studios & Ablaze Publishing
New comics news, announcements and previews including:
An award-winning manga from Tokyopop.
The story continues in Judge Dredd: Tour Of Duty Book 2.
A new series from Archie Comics.
News on Nakama Press.
And The Library Mule of Cordoba.
Publisher TOKYOPOP delivers an emotional new manga that ponders motherhood and the unshakeable love of a parent for their child with the release on September 24th of A Smart And Courageous Child.
Created by Miki Yamamoto, A SMART AND COURAGEOUS CHILD was the winner of the 24th Manga Division Excellence Award at the 2020 Japan Media Arts Festival.
The single-volume, full-color edition will be published in-print and digitally under TOKYOPOP’s “Comics That Matter” initiative that utilizes the graphic novel medium to raise awareness about important causes and social issues. The print edition will be published in a slightly larger 5.8 x 8.2-inch format.
The manga poignantly examines how a first-time mother works through her fears of bringing a child into a dangerous and uncertain world, and learns to evaluate her worries, process her fears, and ultimately choose positivity over uncertainty and paranoia.
Every young couple has high hopes for their unborn child, and Sara and Kouta Takano are no different. But only days away from giving birth, Sara learns about the tragedy of the attempted assassination of Pakastani female rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai's by the Taliban, and her pure and innocent belief in the future is shaken. If such a smart and courageous child can be hurt so badly by the world, how can she keep her own baby safe? With Sara now in a state of shock, will the young couple be able to bridge the widening gap between them, or will it tear their family apart?The reality of this world, as seen through the eyes of an author that has spent years illustrating the women and their lives.
Kazuko Kawahara, member of the Executive Committee of the Japan Media Arts Festival, says of A SMART AND COURAGEOUS CHILD, “This book brilliantly captures the anxieties held by people of today. Sara embodies the joyful anticipation of a mother-to-be, until an international story breaks and expands her list of hopes and fears in the information-flooded world. A modern audience can relate to her distrust in the times, and Sara’s anguish is universal in its resonance. The work devotes numerous techniques to express its intentions but remains accessible. Colored pencils bring the story to life, at different times injecting turbulence and warmth. Through a small but striking backlist, the artist has secured a singular presence in the industry. What does it mean to be wise and brave? How do we resist and reverse the cruelties of the world? The artist plumbs this fathomless question and offers a powerful response.”
Miki Yamamoto is a manga artist and assistant professor at Tsukuba University, Faculty of Art and Design. She debuted in 2011 with Bakudan to Ribon (A Ribbon and a Bomb) (Sansai Books). In 2012, she released Sunny Sunny Ann! (Kodansha) and won the 17th Osamu Tezuka Cultural prize New Face Award. The title was published in French in 2018 and was also an official selection for the 2019 Angoulême International Comics Festival.
Rebellion has the second book of the Judge Dredd story, Tour Of Duty, out in November 2024. It’s part of their Essential Judge Dredd collection.
CREATIVE TEAM: John Wagner, Al Ewing, Gordon Rennie (w) Simon Fraser, Carl Critchlow, Colin MacNeil, Cliff Robinson, PJ Holden, Mike Collins, Paul Marshall (a) Chris Blythe, Gary Caldwell (c) Annie Parkhouse, Simon Bowland (l)
RELEASE DATE: November 6
PAPERBACK, 224 pages
PRICE: £24.99
ISBN: 9781837861989
The essential Judge Dredd graphic novel series – this is the ultimate introduction to the Lawman of the Future!
After Dredd and Hershey’s decision to restore mutant access to Mega-City One is confronted with widespread criticism, Dan Francisco - a reality TV star who holds the people’s favour - challenges Hershey’s leadership as Chief Judge. Under his rule, the conditions of mutants across the Big Meg would be worse than ever. But when Judge Francisco is gunned down on camera in an alleged mutant attack, Dredd begins to suspect someone else might be masterminding the rushed election…
Available in print from: 2000 AD webshop, book stores, Amazon, and comic book stores via Diamond
Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop, 2000 AD app for Apple & Android
Archie Comics has announced a new series starting in November 2024, with a new superhero in Archie Is Mr Justice.
Publisher and pop culture powerhouse Archie Comics expands into new genres and media every year, and it will round out 2024 with a giant leap in an explosive new superhero series, ARCHIE IS MR. JUSTICE! The comic, launching in November, reimagines flagship character Archie Andrews as a hero who has left his mark on Riverdale and gone away, leaving his friends to remember his selfless and incredible exploits.
“This isn’t just another superhero story," said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante. "This is a story about hope in a world that feels increasingly hopeless. And in this timeline, Archie is our beacon of hope.”
The four-issue limited series begins with a story by writer Tim Seeley (Local Man) and artist Mike Norton (Battlepug), told from the perspective of Archie's best friend Jughead in an emotional recollection of how the pair discovered Archie's hidden talents, designed his costume, and set off to save Riverdale —and the world.
"MR. JUSTICE plays with the absolute sincerity of the Archie cast of characters, through the filter of a much more cynical superhero world," Seeley said. "I think, understandably, we've spent years being jaded by the idea that someone with power would be good, but that's totally who Archie Andrews is. However, his world is full of people who care a lot more about money and power than he does."
That expansive cast populating Archie stories for over 80 years is the heart of the series, which will spotlight different POV characters in following issues as Riverdale looks back on the impact of Mr. Justice, for good or for ill. Each issue will feature a new creative team, as well, including Amanda Diebert, Blake Howard, Kenny Porter, Maria Laura Sanapo, and Brent Schoonover.
Longtime Archie fans may recognize Mr. Justice as a familiar figure from the "Mighty Crusaders" superhero line, dating back to the Golden Age of comics when the publisher was still known as MLJ Comics. This is a nod to Archie's long history; in an interesting bit of meta play, these MLJ-era comics exist within the fictional universe of ARCHIE IS MR. JUSTICE and inspire Archie and Jughead to act when discovering Archie's powers.
Archie Comics has introduced several new superhero concepts in recent years, including revivals of DARKLING, THE JAGUAR, and BOB PHANTOM in fun new adventure tales. ARCHIE IS MR. JUSTICE starts in a similar place but with a brand-new hero and a tonal turn into more elegiac and reflective storytelling.
As Norton explained, “This is a much more modern take on the ‘Archie as a superhero’ idea. It’s an examination of an incorruptible soul in a corrupt world. Archie is the perfect character to put in that environment because he’s the original ‘good guy.’ It’s been fun to read and even more fun to draw!”
ARCHIE IS MR. JUSTICE #1 releases November 20 in comic shops nationwide, with colors by Glenn Whitmore, lettering by Jack Morelli, and three open-to-order covers by Reiko Murakami, Francesco Francavilla, and Matt Talbot. It will be available for pre-order on August 23.
Mad Cave Studios has announced a new addition to its ever-increasing line: a manga imprint with new and licensed stories coming soon with Nakama Press.
Mad Cave Studios has built a reputation for its commitment to storytelling innovation and cultural diversity. With successful imprints Maverick, Papercutz, and Amazing Comics, the publisher is thrilled to announce the launch of Nakama Press, featuring original Manga, Manhwa, Licensed Titles, Manfra and Manhua!
Committed to becoming a cultural bridge between East and West, the imprint is a mix of indie stories and partnerships with esteemed studios like Tatsunoko Production, Rainbow Group, and more, is a combination of fresh talent and beloved franchises that promise to deliver a compelling reading experience that appeals to manga enthusiasts and newcomers alike. It will feature a variety of stories catering to readers of all ages, highlighting its commitment to delivering engaging and inclusive content, showcasing original stories and licensed titles that promise to captivate audiences with diverse genres and artistic styles.
“Our mission with Nakama Press is to connect readers with stories that resonate universally, transcending cultural boundaries," said Mark Irwin, President of Mad Cave Studios, "We believe in the power of storytelling to bring people together, and Nakama Press is our way of celebrating that through the incredible world of manga and graphic novels."
As Mad Cave Studios continues to expand their footprint in the graphic novel industry, bringing a vibrant world of unique content to readers across the globe, this bold new chapter will continue to expand their offerings and explore the intersection of Eastern and Western storytelling traditions.
The launch of Nakama Press comes at a time when interest in manga and graphic storytelling is at an all-time high, particularly among younger readers and multicultural communities. By offering a mix of original and licensed content, Nakama Press seeks to capture the imagination of readers and establish itself as a leading voice in the world of manga and graphic novels.
Mark Irwin continued, "We have an amazing team of creators and editors who bring different voices and perspectives to our projects. Nakama Press celebrates that and offers readers a rich tapestry of stories that entertain, inspire, and resonate deeply with audiences worldwide."
Fans attending Anime NYC 2024 at the Javits Center in New York, NY, can learn more at the Manga-Inspired Graphic Novels with Mad Cave panel, Sat. Aug. 24 in Room 5 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM, and have the opportunity to hear from Kristen Simon, Senior Editor of Nakama Press, and Allison Pond, Director of Marketing for Mad Cave Studios. Simon and Pond will discuss the stories and creative vision behind Nakama Press, offering insights into the exciting new imprint, set to launch its first titles in Summer 2025.
Coming in September 2024 from Ablaze Publishing is The Library Mule of Cordoba - an enchanting fable from renowned writer Wilfred Lupano and artist Leonard Chemineau about what happens when saving the world’s books from destruction depends on the worst mule in history.
The Caliphate has been blessed with a period of peace, culture, and science for nearly sixty years. The Caliph Abd al-Rahman III and his son al-Hakam II made Cordoba the Western capital of learning. But al-Hakam II dies young, and his son is only ten years old.
One of his viziers, Amir, seizes the opportunity to take power. Radical clergymen, in exchange for their support of the illegitimate pretender, want to see the 400,000 books in Cordoba’s library burn!
The night before the biggest bonfire ever, the head librarian, a chubby eunuch named Tarid, gathers up all the books he can and loads them onto the back of a passing mule. He takes off in the hopes of saving what he can of universal knowledge. Joined by a young scribe and a former apprentice who went on to become a thief and vagabond, Tarid and his lazy, over-burdened mule set out on a madcap adventure: crossing nearly all of Spain with mercenaries in hot pursuit.
Writer Wilfrid Lupano was born in Nantes in 1971, but it was in Pau that he would spend most of his childhood. An early interest in comics books, sparked by his parents’ extensive collection, fed his wild imagination and he developed a keen interest in writing enhanced by a love for role-playing games. As a young adult, Lupano worked as a server to finance his studies – a combination of philosophy and English – and he soon met two other young men, Roland Pignault and Fred Campoy, who would become both his friends and creative partners.
Together they would go on to create the humoristic western Little Big Joe (Delcourt, 2001), and that was just the beginning. Lupano quickly blossomed as a scriptwriter, and over the following years he penned countless titles, ranging from the four-part series Alim le tanneur with Delcourt to the thriller Ma reverence (Delcourt 2013). Then, in 2014, he teamed with artist Paul Cauuet to create The Old Geezers (published in English by ABLAZE), a major hit with critics and readers alike. The series uses humor to bring to life class struggles and generational clashes through the lives and exploits of a trio of septuagenarians who have decided to make the most of the time they have left.
The Library Mule of Cordoba HC, written by Wilfrid Lupano, art by Leonard Chemineau · SRP: $24.99 · 264 Pages · ISBN: 978-1684972791 · For Readers 13+ · Available Sept 24, 2024