Slam Dunk and Vagabond manga-ka Takehiko Inoue was at Kniokuniya Books in New York City recently to promote his books and paint a mural. Chris Butcher and Heidi MacDonald have pics of the event. Viz has a press release about the event and Inoue’s upcoming books that you can read after the jump.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES DEBUT OF UNIQUE BASKETBALL DRAMA REAL AT RARE
IN-STORE APPEARANCE OF FAMED CREATOR TAKEHIKO INOUE
Best Selling Manga About Wheelchair Basketball To Be Released
Domestically In 2008
NEW YORK, NY, November 20, 2007 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the
entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing,
animation and licensing companies, announced the upcoming 2008 release
of Takehiko Inoue’s basketball manga comic, REAL, last night at a
special in-store event attended by the acclaimed artist/creator to
inaugurate the new Kinokuniya Bookstore in Bryant Park, New York City.
Inoue is also the creator of the mega-hit masterpieces SLAM DUNK and
VAGABOND. Event attendees got a sneak peek at original wall art in the
Kinokuniya store illustrated by the artist featuring some of his
best-known characters.
The REAL series is scheduled to debut July 2008 and is the third manga
series created by Takehiko Inoue set to be released by VIZ Media. The
company plans to debut his long-awaited SLAM DUNK basketball series,
Rated T for Teens, in September 2008 and VIZ Media will also publish a
pair of beautifully illustrated art books; SUMI and WATER.
VIZ Media currently publishes Inoue’s acclaimed samurai series VAGABOND,
rated M for Mature.
REAL, Rated T+ for older teens, offers a unique twist on the sports
manga genre as it focuses on wheelchair basketball. A motorcycle
accident, bone cancer, and a speeding truck crashing into a boy on a
stolen bicycle all present tragic, life-changing events that turn the
worlds of three young men upside down in Inoue’s gripping series. Three
very different personalities have only one thing in common – their
passion for basketball.
Also set for release next year are a pair of lavishly illustrated art
books that capture the essence of Inoue’s techniques in black and white
and color. SUMI will present Inoue’s
magnificent pen and brush work in black and white. It will also include
a behind-the-scenes look at VAGABOND with rough sketches and photos of
Inoue’s studio. WATER will feature Inoue’s masterful work with color and
will contain artwork only published within this volume.
“It was a true pleasure to help welcome Takehiko Inoue for this special
and rare appearance and also announce the upcoming release of REAL,”
says Liza Coppola, Sr. Vice President, Marketing, VIZ Media. “Inoue has
reached the pinnacle of commercial and artistic greatness and his name
is often mentioned in the same breath as luminaries like Osamu Tezuka.
In REAL, Inoue delivers a stunning portrayal of people struggling with
serious life issues. These aspects are masterfully depicted with
beautifully detailed line art and we look forward to readers cheering
for these characters as they battle to overcome physical limitations and
find redemption both on and off the basketball court. This isn’t one to
miss!”
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one
of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga
(graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of
Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and
licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and
Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in
the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking
audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and
animation. The company offers an integrated product line including,
magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos,
DVDs and audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated
entertainment from initial production, television placement and
distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and
consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San
Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web
site at www.VIZ.com.
November 1st, 2010 at 4:14 pm
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