www.86thfloor.com     PREVIEWS VOL. XVII #8 August 2007  

Independent Comic Publishers
(Companies beginning with V)


VANGUARD PRODUCTIONS

OFFERED AGAIN

O/A KERRY GAMMILL'S DRAWING MONSTERS & HEROES SC
by Kerry Gammill
This book reveals Gammill's exodus to fulfill another lifetime desire: to work on monster films. In the last few years, Gammill's name — while missed from comics — has become familiar to Hollywood as a conceptual artist for projects like Stephen King's Storm of the Century TV mini-series, Species II (1998), Stargate: SG-1 TV series, and The Outer Limits TV series. This is his autobiographical career retrospective, filled with classic and unpublished art, and anecdotes about his years at Marvel and DC.
SC, 7x10 SRP: $15.95

O/A VISUAL STORYTELLING DELUXE SIGNED EDITION
by Caputo, Steranko, & Ellison
Everything the aspiring visual media artist needs to know in order to master sequential art is in this deluxe edition book! Discover through clear illustrations and pictures each stage of the production process. Also, learn the basics of figure drawing and anatomy, and basic light and dark techniques. Plus, learn the basics of page composition and layout. Signed by Caputo, Steranko, and Ellison.
HC, 8x11, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $49.95

VERTICAL INC

THE GUIN SAGA MANGA VOLUME 1: THE SEVEN MAGI TP
by Kazuaki Yanagisawa
Based on the first spin-off story from The Guin Saga. An evil dragon and seven powerful magi scheme to control Guin by using the plague and other calamities to lure him out of Cheironia. Aided by a priestess and an elder mage, Guin battles to save Gheironia from ruin! (C: 0-1-2)
SC, 6x8, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $12.95

STARS OF THE MONTH

TEZUKA'S BUDDHA VOLUME 6: ANANDA SC
by Osamu Tezuka
Comics godfather Osamu Tezuka tells the story of the Buddha's life in a masterpiece of epic proportions that's executed with religious devotion. In an almost Machiavellian rise to power, Devadatta takes in bandit-warrior Tatta as a protégé, and incites the Magadha kingdom to war with the Kosalan empire. Bimbisara fears being killed by his own son, and the Buddha must lose the friends dearest to him before creating a religion. (DEC063958) (C: 0-1-2)
SC, 6x8, 400pgs, B&W SRP: $14.95

TO TERRA VOLUME TP'S
by Keiko Takemiya
The future. Despite hundreds of years of peace, mankind has exhausted the Earth with its enormous cities — mere hubs for advanced machines. It is the age of Superior Domination (S.D.) where children are no longer the offspring of parents, but the progeny of a universal computer. Amidst the calm, however, lurks a hidden chaos. The consequence of so many turns of the screw in a natural human order was the creation of a sub-race of humans called the Mu, whose only marked distinction is their extra-sensory powers. (C: 0-1-2)
VOL 1 (NOV063921)—SC, 6x8, 308pgs, B&W SRP: $13.95
VOL 2 (JAN073917)—SC, 6x8, 308pgs, B&W SRP: $13.95

VILLARD BOOKS

ELK'S RUN GN
by Joshua Fialkov & Noel Tuazon
No one is allowed to leave Elk's Run, West Virginia. Teenager John Kohler doesn't know why, but learns about the town's dark secrets — and how his father may have a lot to hide. Collects the first three issues, plus 100 pages of new material, and a never-before-seen conclusion to the story! (DEC063960) (C: 0-1-2)
SC, 7x10, 208pgs, FC SRP: $19.95

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VIPER COMICS

DEAD AT 17 VOLUME 2
by Josh Howard
Final issue! The latest chapter in the lives of Nara and Hazy comes to a conclusion. Allegiances are tested and truths are revealed as the war enters its final stages. But even in victory, will Nara finally find peace, or will she be forced to find a new path? (C: 0-1-2)
MATURE THEMES
32pgs, FC (7 of 7) SRP: $3.25

THE SLEEPY TRUTH VOLUME 1 GN
by Jason Burns & Erich Valdez
Strange occurrences are running amok in the small town of Sleepy Hallow, which is why a group of local high school kids have embraced their first amendment rights and established The Sleepy Truth, a newspaper printed for the people by the people that aims to uncover the eerie mysteries that have long been kept secret. The Goonies meets the The X-Files in this new series!
SC, 96pgs, FC SRP: $9.95

VIRGIN COMICS

SEVEN BROTHERS SERIES 2 # 2
Created by: John Woo
Written by: Benjamin Raab and Deric A. Hughes
Art & Cover by: Edison George
Twenty years ago, Rachel Kai made a solemn promise to protect the life of an orphaned boy named Li Jiao. But as she is about to discover, no good deed goes unpunished… All grown up and brimming with hatred for her and the Seven Brothers, Li Jiao has returned to exact his revenge on them for the death of his father—and he’s going to use the blood of Ronald Wipes, their most powerful and unpredictable sibling, to get it! Can our heroes stop Li Jiao from unlocking the secrets of their mystical bloodline before it’s too late? Or will their newfound family be destroyed by one of their own?
MATURE THEMES
32pgs, FC $2.99

SNAKE WOMAN: TALE OF THE SNAKE CHARMER #5
Created by: Shekhar Kapur
Written by: Zeb Wells
Art by: Vivek Shinde
Cover by: Michael Gaydos
Jessica Peterson finally arrives at the Snake Temple of the Kabini tribe, but she'll soon find out she wasn't the only one that was called back to the place of her "birth." The reincarnations of the remaining 68 have made the journey as well. But when they encounter the modern-day Kabini tribe, has the stage been set for a repeat of the massacre that created the Snake Woman hundreds of years ago? And more importantly, has the villainous Harker planned on this all along?
MATURE THEMES
32pgs, FC $2.99

VOODOO CHILD # 4
Created by: Weston Cage and Nicolas Cage
Written by: Mike Carey
Art by: Dean Hyrapiet
Cover by: Ben Templesmith
Variant Cover by: Dean Hyrapiet
When crows eat the eyes of a dead man, his soul stumbles blind into hell: but when crows eat the eyes of a voodoo bokor, something very different happens. Gabriel Moore is about to find out what that something is, as his enemies enter into an unholy alliance to destroy him.
MATURE THEMES
32pgs, FC $2.99

THE MASKED MAGICIAN GN
Written by: Mike Maddox
Art by: Chandrasekhar A.
9,000 years ago, an object of great power fell to earth—a simple statue. The men who tried to wield it were granted temporary prosperity, but soon, having upset the delicate balance of the world, they received the terrible consequences, and their kingdom came to ruin. A special Society of was set up to protect mankind from the statue’s power... which meant protecting the statue from the greed of mankind. The power of the statue was split into other vessels and scattered to the four corners of the planet. To further hide the statues and the existence of the Society itself, the members became the jesters, the fools, the storytellers of the world... what we today know as magicians. Where better to hide the source of real magic, than amongst a group of people who make their life’s work in fooling people into believing the impossible?
Now, in the 21st century, the tremendously popular large-scale magician, Mark Swain, is using his illusions to help him steal the statues. The only people who stand in his way are Tom Worley, an inventor of illusions, and Anna Kneafsey, an amateur magician and daughter of Tom’s partner. Together, the two of them must piece together the mystery of the ancient Society and stop Swain from unleashing the terrible forces of the statues onto the world.
SC, 7x10, 56pgs, FC $4.99

DEVI #15
Created by: Shekhar Kapur
Written by: Saurav Mohapatra
Art by: Saumin Patel
Cover by: Luke Ross
The hour of judgment is at hand as a goddess dies, a human falls, and a new hero arises. Tara Mehta, the Devi incarnate, has been pushed to the brink of madness by her own demons, and battered and bruised by an unrelenting enemy. Now, she is reborn in a new primal avatar!
32pgs, FC $2.99

THE SADHU: THE SILENT ONES # 4
Written by: Saurav Mohapatra
Art by: R. Manikandan
Cover by: Jeffrey Spokes
Once he was a soldier for the British Empire. Now, James Jensen is a sadhu, a mystic warrior, and he searches for the son he had believed to be dead. Joining forces with the legendary hermit king of Limbo, Trishanku, James ventures deep into the Central Indian forest to free his son from the clutches of the Silent Ones. But a lost tribe of warriors waits in ambush for James and Trishanku!
MATURE THEMES
32pgs, FC $2.99

INDIA AUTHENTIC #6: VISHNU—THE NARASIMHA AVATAR
Created by: Deepak Chopra
Written by: Saurav Mohapatra
Art by: Virgin Illustrations
Cover by: Satish Tayade
"Wherever there is a decay in morality and those that walk the straight and narrow path are tormented, I shall manifest myself as a champion of Dharma"—That is the promise of Vishnu, The Preserver of the Holy Trinity.
In an ancient age, a vicious demon overlord rises supreme in the ranks of Gods and Demons alike. Empowered by a boon of near immortality, he can be slayed by neither mortal, nor God, nor beast. As he arrogantly embarks on a bloody campaign to persecute the people of Earth, the tormented masses led by his own son, pray to the Gods for deliverance. Vishnu manifests Himself in the chimeral avatar of Narasimha, half-man, half-beast, to make good on his eternal promise.
32pgs, FC $2.99

RAMAYAN 3392 A.D.: RELOADED #4
Created by: Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur
Written by: Shamik Dasgupta
Art by: Jeevan Kang
Cover by: Jeevan Kang
Variant Cover by: Luke Ross
Captured by the violent denizens of Panchvati, Rama and his brother Lakshman are thrown into the dungeons, while Seeta is imprisoned in a harem. Facing almost certain death in the gladiatorial arena, Rama is offered a chance to escape by the treacherous Surp'naka. Does Rama dare trust an enemy with his life, and the lives of his friends? Plus, a Seeta backup story by Ron Marz and Luke Ross!
32pgs, FC $2.99

INDIA AUTHENTIC VOLUME 1: THE BOOK OF SHIVA TP
Created by: Deepak Chopra
Written by: Saurav Mohapatra
Art by: Virgin Illustrations
Cover by: Abhishek Singh
Acclaimed author Deepak Chopra and Virgin Comics invite you to a world of exotic legends and alluring myths, a land called India. Featuring the origin tales of some of the iconic deities in the Indian pantheon like Ganesha - The God of endeavors; Kali - The primal facet of the Indian Mother Goddess; Indra - The King of Gods; Uma - The All-Mother; and last but not the least, the enigmatic and powerful Shiva – The Great Destroyer.
Collects issues #1 thru #5 of the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed series from Virgin Comics. Featuring an introduction to each tale by Deepak Chopra, every foreword enumerates the significance of the myth to the modern world and explores the archetypes and themes with respect to current times. Volume 1 – THE BOOK OF SHIVA is written by Saurav Mohapatra (DEVI, SADHU : THE SILENT ONES) and features art by Abhishek Singh (RAMAYAN 3392 AD) and Satish Tayade (KAMASUTRA, RAMAYAN 3392 AD).
SC, 7x10, 144pgs, FC $14.99

VIZ MEDIA LLC

Magazines

SHOJO BEAT DEC. 2007 VOLUME 3 #12
VIZ Media's monthly manga magazine, Shojo Beat, offers vast quantities of serialized shojo manga appearing in the United States for the first time. In addition to tons of beautiful artwork and compelling storylines from well-known manga creators, Shojo Beat offers quality editorial on Japanese trends, art, news, fashion, and culture, plus interviews, how-to's, and more! Shojo Beat is a hip, fun, informative read that will appeal to newbies and manga fans alike. Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 300pgs, PC SRP: $5.99

SHONEN JUMP DEC. 2007 #60
The World's Most Popular Manga! One of the world's biggest comics, containing the original manga versions of some of the most popular anime ever made! Each issue includes tons of full-color information about toys, TCGs, CCGs, video games and anime, plus amazing manga stories! Rating: T (C: 1-1-0)
SC, 368pgs, PC SRP: $4.99

Shonen Jump GNs

BLACK CAT VOLUME 11 TP
by Kentaro Yabuki
Charden and Kyoko have deserted Creed's Apostles of the Stars and joined up with Train and Sven. But it won't be easy to protect them, since Train has been shot by a nanotech bullet that turns him into a little boy. Rinslet goes in search of Dr. Tearju, who developed Creed's nanotechnology, and may be the only one who can return Train to normal. Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $7.99

ONE PIECE VOLUME 16 TP
by Eiichiro Oda
Avalanche! Luffy and Sanji surf a tree down a mountain on a fast-moving wave of snow and just avoid being buried alive. But then the demented King Wapol suddenly appears and orders Luffy and Sanji's deaths. With no time to lose, Luffy evades their attacks, when out of the blue an unlikely friend comes to his rescue! And it's a friend who was just trying to kill him only hours before! Rating: T (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $7.95

NARUTO TP'S
by Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto and Shikamaru take off in Volume 22 to save Sasuke from becoming part of Orochimaru's ultimate master plan, leaving Neji to fend for himself against the sinister Kidomaru! Orochimaru's nefarious plans for Sasuke are revealed in Volume 23, and Naruto vows to save his friend. But first he must battle the mysterious Kimimaro, who has deadly past ties to the Sound Ninja Four! In Volume 24 Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara unexpectedly aid Konohagakure against the Sound Ninja. Could they have another purpose besides rekindling the old alliance between Leaf and Sand? Rating: T. (C: 1-0-0)
VOLUME 22—SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $7.95
VOLUME 23—SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $7.95
VOLUME 24—SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $7.95

PRINCE OF TENNIS VOLUME 22 GN
by Takeshi Konomi
Ryoma gains what seem to be almost supernatural new skills, including speaking fluent English. And, during a heated match, we find out about a mysterious boy with a secret connection to the Prince of Tennis! Rating: A (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 208pgs, B&W SRP: $7.95

YU-GI-OH! GX VOLUME 1 TP
by Naoyuki Kageyama
Considered a slacker by his peers, Jaden battles teachers and students alike to make his mark in the Duel World. Can he bring his low-level dorm, Slifer Red, to the top of the deck? Or will the champions in the Obelisk Blue dorm hang onto their winning hand? Rating: A (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 224pgs, B&W SRP: $7.99

Shonen Jump Advanced GNs

D. GRAY-MAN VOLUME 7 GN
by Hoshino Katsura
Allen has disappeared. Lavi and Lenalee rush to find him, only to wind up confronting a horde of akuma pursuing Allen's golem Timcanpy. After dealing with this they are ordered to continue their mission without Allen. Is his place to be taken by a new exorcist, Miranda Lotto. Allen, meanwhile, wakes up inside the Asian Branch of the Black Ministry to the sobering reality that he has lost his Innocence! Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $7.99

GIN TAMA VOLUME 3 TP
by Hideaki Sorachi
Gin's "to do" list for this volume includes pick a fight with those Shinsengumi losers; throw out old Shonen Jump magazines; save Shinpachi and Kagara again; take Kagura's so-called dog for a walk; and protect the environment. Whew! Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $7.99

HUNTER X HUNTER VOLUME 17 TP
by Yoshihiro Togashi
In an unexpected turn of events, Gon, Killua, and their sometime enemy Hisoka pull off a stunning victory in a heated game of deadly dodge ball. Only by working together are they able to defeat Razor and his 14 Devils. Meanwhile, a group of rival Hunters zap out for a meeting with the billionaire benefactor who has hired numerous hunters, including Gon, to solve the Greed Island game. Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 208pgs, B&W SRP: $7.99

KUROHIME VOLUME 2 TP
by Masanori Ookamigumi Katakura
Himeko and Zero stumble upon a life-sized castle made of candy! Himeko runs right in to start chowing down. Zero follows, but no sooner do they get inside than they find themselves trapped and at the mercy of an eccentric princess named Kashihime! Like Kurohime she also has magical bullets, but hers aren't quite perfected. Zero and the candy-grabbing Himeko just might make the ideal targets for Kashihime to test out her dragon bullets! Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 224pgs, B&W SRP: $7.99

ULTIMATE MUSCLE VOLUME 18 GN
by Yudetamago
Kid Muscle, Kid Muscle, Kid Muscle. It's always about him, isn't it? Alas, it always comes back to Kid Muscle, who won't get to kick back and let Jaeger take the heat for long. He's scheduled to fight the winner in the Punishment X ring. What's the Punishment X ring? Kid Muscle doesn't know, and he's pretty sure he doesn't want to find out! Rating: None (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 232pgs, B&W SRP: $7.95

Shojo GNs

BASARA VOLUME 25 TP
by Yumi Tamura
Sarasa has led her army to victory, faced down King Ukon, and won the hearts and minds of her people. Now, the time has come for Sarasa to step into the light, speak her real name, and accept her true destiny as the woman who will lead Japan into a new age of peace and freedom! Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

Shojo Beat GNs

BABY & ME VOLUME 5 GN
by Marimo Ragawa
Seiichi, the old neighborhood bully, has moved back to town, and his sudden arrival is causing all sorts of trouble. The local merchants are up in arms, ready for a preemptive strike against Seiichi's vandalism, even if he has no intention of causing trouble! But for Takuya, the real effect of Seiichi's visit is what he has to say about Takuya's own past. Rating: T (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $8.99

GODCHILD VOLUME 7 TP
by Kaori Yuki
Shall the son suffer for the continued sins of the father? Alexis hatches an evil plan involving a beautiful girl with a sick fascination for his son. And could Jizabel's hatred of Cain also stem from their father? Step into the past as we learn more about the tortured early life of Dr. Disraeli! Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $8.99

KAZE HIKARU VOLUME 7 GN
by Taeko Watanabe
Akesato the courtesan has been instrumental in hiding the fact that Sei is a girl by pretending to be "his" lover. But Yamanami, another member of the Shinsengumi, has fallen madly in love with Akesato. As he struggles with the conflict between his comrade Sei and the love he feels for Akesato, he stumbles onto Sei's secret. Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $8.99

LOVE*COM VOLUME 3 TP
by Aya Nakahara
A new student starts out as Risa's rival for love, but ends up proving how important it is to be honest with yourself! Rating: T (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 184pgs, B&W SRP: $8.99

STARS OF THE MONTH

MILLENNIUM SNOW TP'S
by Bisco Hatori
Chiyuki should be in high school having the time of her life, but her health is failing, and she's spending her last days living in the hospital. She makes the most of the time she has left, even though things aren't that exciting — until she runs across a reluctant vampire late one chilly night. Rating: T (C: 1-0-0) NOTE: Available worldwide.
VOL 1 (JAN073954)—SC, 5x7, 216pgs, B&W SRP: $8.99
VOL 2 (APR074069)—SC, 208pgs, B&W SRP: $8.99

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SA VOLUME 1 GN
by Maki Minami
Her whole life, Hikari Hanazono has been consumed with the desire to win against her school rival at anything. But Kei Takishima always comes out on top no matter what he does, and Hikari is determined to do whatever it takes to beat this guy…somehow! Rating: T (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 208pgs, B&W SRP: $8.99

SKIP BEAT VOLUME 9 TP
by Yoshiki Nakamura
Kyoko's big chance is finally here! Her performance in Sho's promo clip impressed some important people, and now she's been asked to act in the year's most anticipated drama! But Ren is the leading man, and the character Kyoko is supposed to play is damaged and scary! Can Kyoko overcome her fear of Ren and her shame about her demons? Rating: T (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $8.99

Viz Media GNs

CASE CLOSED VOLUME 20 GN
by Gosho Aoyama
Conan is baffled by a murder at a snowbound mansion, and with stage magicians for suspects anything seems possible. Is this really a case of murder by magic? Then Detective Moore's dreams come true: he's going to see his favorite singer, Yoko Okino, in concert! But his plans come crashing to a halt when a girl dies in a locked bathroom. Is it a case of suicide…or revenge? Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

FIREFIGHTER! DAIGO OF FIRE COMPANY M VOLUME 20 TP
by Masahito Soda
Fighting time and the elements, Daigo succeeds in getting Ms. Oshitori out of the Sumatran jungle firestorm, but now he's trapped with little more than a can of gasoline to save himself with. Unreachable by helicopter, Daigo must find a way to survive the deadliest part of the conflagration all on his own. Will he successfully fight fire with fire, or will his legend perish in this jungle blaze? Rating: T (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 216pgs, B&W SRP: $9.95

FLAME OF RECCA VOLUME 25 TP
by Nobuyuki Anzai
The final battle has begun, pitting ultimate good against ultimate evil! On one side, you have the power-mad Koran Mori. On the other side you have Team Hokage, and an army of friends and allies. To save Yanagi, Recca and his friends must penetrate to the center of Koran Mori's fortress, a secret mountain laboratory crammed with genetically engineered monsters and a supernatural army of darkness. Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER VOLUME 5 TP
by Kenjiro Hata
To truly be considered a butler of the highest caliber, Hayate needs more than just punctuality, an unwavering sense of loyalty, and the ability to keep his mistress out of tight situations. He'll also need to develop the ultimate fighting technique! Despite his best efforts, though, the butler-in-debt seems incapable of keeping out of duels. Thankfully, this time it's a non-life-threatening kendo match. Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

OFFERED AGAIN

O/A INUBAKA CRAZY FOR DOGS TP'S
by Yukiya Sakuragi
On a walk to check out their new neighborhood, Lupin "courts" another dog while its owner Teppei isn't looking, shattering his dream of a litter of purebred puppies. To make up for her mongrel's wayward wooing, Suguri offers to work at the pet store Teppei manages. Her adventures in canine antics have just begun! Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0) NOTE: Available worldwide.
VOL 1—SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99
VOL 2—SC, 5x7, 216pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

KEKKAISHI VOLUME 11 GN
by Yellow Tanabe
Tragedy has struck the Yoshimori site, and each of our friends attempts to cope with their grief alone. Tokine searches for a secret way into Kokuboro's castle, Yoshimori trains for an ultimate confrontation, and Masamori returns home with a regiment of his night troops, leaving his little brother with no room of his own. Unfortunately, before long, one of our three heroes' quest for revenge requires a rescue. Rating: T (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

PICTURE LETTERS FROM THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF
by Tadamichi Kuribayashi
The battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest campaigns of WWII. Under the command of Lt. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, the Japanese army held off U.S. Navy and Naval Air Corps attack for over a month before finally succumbing to defeat. Comprised mostly of personal letters from Kuribayashi to his family, Picture Letters From the Commander In Chief offers readers a unique glimpse into arguably the most iconic battle of World War II. A sensitive man, Kuribayashi is able to articulate in these letters his love for his family and his unwavering loyalty to his country. In doing so, he helps bring a new voice and perspective to history. The inspiration for the major motion picture Letters from Iwo Jima, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Ken Watanabe as Kuribayashi. (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 5x8, 264pgs, B&W SRP: $12.99

TOGARI VOLUME 3 TP
by Yoshinori Natsume
Tobei goes out on the prowl seeking more sins to prey upon, and suspicious Detective Sawazaki is hot on his trail to discover what lies behind this young tough's curious activities. Whether he's a delusional monster or an aloof hero, Sawazaki has yet to decide. But time is quickly running out for Tobei with so many sins left for him to slay! Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

STAR OF THE MONTH

SHAKUGAN NO SHANA VOLUME 1 TP
by Yashichiro Takahashi & Ayato Sasakura
Yuji Sakai is beginning what he thinks will be another boring year of school. But everything changes when the world around him stops, the surrounding people are engulfed in blue flames, and doll-like creature begins sucking them up! Before Yuji suffers the same fate, a young redheaded girl with a sword appears and saves him. Yuji is drawn into the struggle between these creatures from another world: the Crimson Denizens and the girl Shana, called Flame Haze. Rating: T+ (JAN073974) (C: 1-0-0) NOTE: Available worldwide.
SC, 5x7, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

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YAKITATE JAPAN VOLUME 8 TP
by Takashi Hashiguchi
It's only the exhibition for the Monaco Cup (the prestigious bread tournament) that Kazuma and company are participating in as they study abroad in France. The competition is already ablaze. Kawachi and Kanmuri collaborate on an outlandish decorative bread scheme to earn their team some extra points, but will their avant-garde approach hurt their chances more than help? Rating: T+ (C: 1-0-0)
SC, 192pgs, B&W SRP: $9.99

Studio Ghibli Library

NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND: WATERCOLOR IMPRESSIONS HC
by Hayao Miyazaki
Original watercolor illustrations used as concept sketches for both the manga and film versions of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. This full-color, over-sized, hardcover book also includes Miyazaki's earliest sketches that eventually became the basis for some of the most beloved anime movies of the past 20 years. Rating: None (C: 1-0-0)
HC, 7x10, 208pgs, FC SRP: $34.99