Japanese and US Publishers to Fight Scanilation Sites

According to Publishers Weekly, Japan's Digital Comic Association and US-based manga publishers are combining forces to combat scanilation sites (30 in total) such as OneManga.com and MangaFox.com. These sites began in the 70's to bring manga over to the United States when not readily available. The publishers are finally taking a stand against these sites to protect their properties. Anime New Network has similar coverage of this story.

In the three weeks since, approximately 330 tiles have been removed from MangaFox (mostly VIZ titles) and several have been removed from a similiar agregator, OneManga.  Some of these titles have been removed by the scanilation creater ovver fears of legal action.  Some titles, however, have found their way back on to the site.

What makes scanilations so harmful is that the creators and publishers are essentially having their work stolen from them.  With the current economy, this makes a rough time even more difficult for companies.  Recenly, VIZ had to cut back 40% of their staff.  If we want to continue to have manga brought over to the US, we need to support the creators and publishers.

New York Times Best Selling Graphic Novels List, June 13-19

New York Times Best Sellers Hardcover Graphic Novels - June 12-19, 2010

This Week		Weeks on List
1	TWILIGHT: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, VOL. 1, by Stephenie Meyer and Young C. Kim. (Yen Press, $19.99.) The comic adaptation of the ever-popular vampire series.	14
2	JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE, by James Robinson and Mauro Cascioli. (DC Comics, $24.99.) A new more aggressive Justice League is formed in the wake of the deaths of some long-time comrades.	2
3	NEIL YOUNG'S GREENDALE, by Josh Dysart and Cliff Chiang. (DC Comics, $19.99.) Welcome to Greendale, Calif., the town first visited by Neil Young in his 2003 album. The story centers on Sun Green, the women in her family, and their special relationship with nature.	1
4	KICK-ASS, by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.. (Marvel Entertainment, $14.99.) A "realistic" look at what would happen if a teenage boy put on a costume to fight crime. Not for the weak of heart.	16
5	WEDNESDAY COMICS, by Various. (DC Comics, $49.99.) The oversized newspaper anthology series featuring some of the industry''s most popular talents gets a first-class facelift.	3
6	FLASH: REBIRTH, by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. (DC Comics, $19.99.) Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash, is back from the dead. He must adjust to his return and what he learns about the Speed Force to which all the super-speedsters are linked.	7
7	BATMAN AND ROBIN, VOL. 1, by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely and Philip Tan. (DC Comics, $24.99.) After Batman’s demise, Dick Grayson, the first Robin, takes on the mantle of the Bat. His costumed partner is Damien, the son of Bruce Wayne. Causing them grief? Jason Todd, the second Robin.	10
8	BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. (DC Comics, $17.99.) This critically acclaimed story from 1988 offers a possible origin for the Joker.	67
9	THE BOOK OF GENESIS: ILLUSTRATED, by R. Crumb. (W.W. Norton & Co., $24.95.) The legendary artist tackles the first book of the Bible.	31
10	JONAH HEX: NO WAY BACK, by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti and Tony DeZuniga. (DC Comics, $19.99.) The antihero of the Wild West stars in this original graphic novel. In it, Jonah tries to reconnect with his dying mother and searches for his missing lover Tallulah Black.	2

New York Times Best Sellers Paperback Graphic Novels - June 12-19, 2010

This Week		Weeks on List
1	SCOTT PILGRIM: PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE, by Bryan O''Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) Meet Scott Pilgrim, twentysomething slacker, member of the band Sex Bob-Omb and would-be suitor of Ramona Flowers.	15
2	SCOTT PILGRIM: GETS IT TOGETHER, by Bryan Lee O'Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) In this fourth volume of the series, Scott gets a job (Best. Dishwasher. Ever) and battles Roxie the ninja, another of Ramona’s evil exes.	7
3	SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD, by Bryan Lee O'Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) Scott Pilgrim faces off against the second of Ramona’s evil ex-boyfriends. What will Knives Chau think? Aren’t THEY dating?	11
4	SCOTT PILGRIM AND THE INFINITE SADNESS, by Bryan Lee O'Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) Scott must face not only Ramona''s third evil ex, but also his own! Oh, and the two exes just happen to be dating each other and in a band. Which can mean only one thing: Bass Battle!	3
5	FINAL CRISIS, by Grant Morrison, J. G. Jones, Carlos Pacheco and Doug Mahnke. (DC Comics, $19.99.) The heroes of the DC Universe have their backs against the wall in this event storyline which features a much-publicized “death,” a surprising rebirth and bits and pieces of Morrison brilliance.	2
6	SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE UNIVERSE, by Bryan Lee O’Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) Can Ramona’s twin ex-boyfriends be defeated? Sounds like a job for… Scott Pilgrim.	11
7	THE WALKING DEAD, VOL. 1, by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore. (Image Comics, $14.99.) The gripping story of the human survivors in a world overrun by zombies begins.	33
8	WATCHMEN, by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. (DC Comics, $19.99.) This epic tale from 1986 signaled a new maturity in comic books.	69
9	V FOR VENDETTA, by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. (DC Comics, $19.99.) In a dystopian future, an anarchist sets out to topple the oppressive and totalitarian government of the United Kingdom.	61
10	PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, by Jane Austen, Seth Grahame-Smith, Tony Lee and Cliff Richards. (Del Rey, $14.99.) In polite society, the undead are called "unmentionables" or "dreadfuls." Will they be able to come between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy?	6

New York Times Best Selling Manga List, June 13-19

New York Times Best Sellers Manga - June 13-19, 2010

This Week		Weeks on List
1	NARUTO, VOL. 48, by Masashi Kishimoto. (VIZ Media, $9.99.) The origins and true nature of Pain, Naruto's arch nemesis, are revealed.	3
2	VAMPIRE KNIGHT, VOL. 10, by Matsuri Hino. (VIZ Media, $9.99.) The battle for Cross Academy continues, as Headmaster Cross enters the fray.	3
3	SOUL EATER, VOL. 3, by Atsushi Ohkubo. (Yen Press, $10.99.) Maka, an arms expert, wants to turn the Soul Eater, her living scythe, into the ultimate weapon for Death.	1
4	BLEACH, VOL. 31, by Tite Kubo. (VIZ Media, $9.99.) Ichigo and his companions press on in their mission to rescue Orihime, but two arrancars and Espada Ulquiorra stand in their way.	3
5	HELLSING, VOL. 10, by Kohta Hirano. (Dark Horse Comics, $13.99.) No spoilers! After 13 years, Hirano''s epic genre mash-up reaches its conclusion.	3
6	BLACK BUTLER, VOL. 2, by Yana Toboso. (Yen Press, $10.99.) Sebastian is a loyal butler who moves easily from dinner parties to the underworld. Is he too good to be true? Is he even human?	5
7	YU-GI-OH! R, VOL. 5, by Akira Ito. (VIZ Media, $9.99.) In the final volume of the spinoff series, Yugi must duel to the death to save Anzu''s soul.	3
8	NEGIMA! MAGISTER NEGI MAGI, VOL. 26, by Ken Akamatsu. (Del Rey, $10.99.) Negi, the boy wizard, vows to win the martial arts tournament and free his students from slavery.	4
9	NARUTO, VOL. 47, by Masashi Kishimoto. (VIZ Media, $9.99.) Naruto learns more secrets from his past and moves closer to discovering the identity of his nemesis, Pain.	18
10	ALICE IN THE COUNTRY OF HEARTS, VOL. 3, by Quinrose and Soumei Hoshino. (TOKYOPOP, $10.99.) Alice wanders into a very different part of Wonderland in this interpretation of the classic tale.	3

D.Gray-man (Volumes 1 through 17) by Katsura Hoshino

Set in Victorian England, we follow the adventures of Allen Walker in his search for Innocence as one of the Black Order’s Exorcists. Innocence is vital to the Black Order and the world’s survival as it is their only weapon against the Millennium Earl and his akuma. Allen is important to their cause as he was cursed and now can see the trapped soul that is used to create akuma. It is a race against time to see who will get the innocence and save or destroy the world.

This gothic story may seem familiar as there are some elements that are in other supernatural narratives. What really captures your attention is the art style and character design. This is a very visually beautiful work that grabs you and sucks you in to this alternate reality. D.Gray-man has very interesting characters, especially the main character of Allen Walker. He is a young man with a dark past. As the series progresses, his character develops and even physically changes. You will want to keep turning the pages to see all of these compelling characters and experience the fight between the Exorcists and the Millennium Earl.

While the art style has been criticized for being generic, I find the character designs to be fascinating and unique. The akuma and exorcist transformations are so interesting that I can't wait to see the next one to see what reality will be completely altered. I will admit that the backgrounds are dark and the action sequences can be difficult to decipher. I still like the alternate reality created that I keep coming back for more.

D.Gray-man was awarded the prize for best manga series 2006 at the Anime and Manga 2007 French Grand Prix. It was also awarded the manga of the year in 2006 by Webotaku.

To enhance your enjoyment of this story, why not check out the anime based off of the manga. D.Gray-man transports you to an alternate Victorian England. Enjoy the world that Hoshino created in vibrant color. Experience the exciting action that you can only get a glimpse of in the manga. The anime follows the storyline of the manga closely and allows the characters to come alive.

You can find the D.Gray-Man manga and anime by Katsura Hoshino on the CPL Catalog. If you enjoyed D.Gray-Man, you may want to try Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa or Bleach by Tite Kubo.

Lunch Lady in Times Square

Lunch Lady in Times Square!
The cover for Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute is on display in Times Square, along with the other winners in the Children's Choice Book Awards, for the whole month of June! Look for it on the Toys R Us jumbotron screen!

Benny and Penny

http://www.toon-books.com/puppets.php

This link will take you to a page where you can choose to print popsicle puppets from Benny and Penny by Geoffry Hayes or Zig and Wikki in Something Ate My Homework.


Check out www.toon-books.com/fun.php for cartoon drawing lessons!

New York Times Best Selling Graphic Novels List, June 6-12

New York Times Best Sellers Hardcover Graphic Novels - June 6-12, 2010

This Week		Weeks on List
1	TWILIGHT: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, VOL. 1, by Stephenie Meyer and Young C. Kim. (Yen Press, $19.99.) The comic adaptation of the ever-popular vampire series.	13
2	KICK-ASS, by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.. (Marvel Entertainment, $14.99.) A "realistic" look at what would happen if a teenage boy put on a costume to fight crime. Not for the weak of heart.	15
3	WILSON, by Daniel Clowes. (Drawn & Quarterly, $21.95.) "Meet Wilson, an opinionated middle-aged loner who loves his dog and quite possibly no one else."	6
4	THE PHANTOM: THE COMPLETE NEWSPAPER DAILIES, VOL. 1, by Lee Falk and Ray Moore. (Hermes Press, $39.99.) The Phantom, "the ghost who walks," gets the lavish-collection treatment, this one covering his very first adventures from 1936 to 1938.	1
5	FLASH: REBIRTH, by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. (DC Comics, $19.99.) Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash, is back from the dead. He must adjust to his return and what he learns about the Speed Force to which all the super-speedsters are linked.	6
6	JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE, by James Robinson and Mauro Cascioli. (DC Comics, $24.99.) A new more aggressive Justice League is formed in the wake of the deaths of some long-time comrades.	1
7	BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. (DC Comics, $17.99.) This critically acclaimed story from 1988 offers a possible origin for the Joker.	66
8	WEDNESDAY COMICS, by Various. (DC Comics, $49.99.) The oversized newspaper anthology series featuring some of the industry''s most popular talents gets a first-class facelift.	2
9	BATMAN AND ROBIN, VOL. 1, by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely and Philip Tan. (DC Comics, $24.99.) After Batman’s demise, Dick Grayson, the first Robin, takes on the mantle of the Bat. His costumed partner is Damien, the son of Bruce Wayne. Causing them grief? Jason Todd, the second Robin.	9
10	JONAH HEX: NO WAY BACK, by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti and Tony DeZuniga. (DC Comics, $19.99.) The antihero of the Wild West stars in this original graphic novel. In it, Jonah tries to reconnect with his dying mother and searches for his missing lover Tallulah Black.	1

New York Times Best Sellers Paperback Graphic Novels - June 6-12, 2010

This Week		Weeks on List
1	SCOTT PILGRIM: PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE, by Bryan O''Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) Meet Scott Pilgrim, twentysomething slacker, member of the band Sex Bob-Omb and would-be suitor of Ramona Flowers.	14
2	MASS EFFECT: REDEMPTION, by Mac Walters and John Jackson Miller. (Dark Horse Comics, $16.99.) The four-part series reveals the back story of events leading up to Mass Effect 2, the video game released in January.	1
3	SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD, by Bryan Lee O'Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) Scott Pilgrim faces off against the second of Ramona’s evil ex-boyfriends. What will Knives Chau think? Aren’t THEY dating?	10
4	SCOTT PILGRIM AND THE INFINITE SADNESS, by Bryan Lee O'Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) Scott must face not only Ramona''s third evil ex, but also his own! Oh, and the two exes just happen to be dating each other and in a band. Which can mean only one thing: Bass Battle!	2
5	FINAL CRISIS, by Grant Morrison, J. G. Jones, Carlos Pacheco and Doug Mahnke. (DC Comics, $19.99.) The heroes of the DC Universe have their backs against the wall in this event storyline which features a much-publicized “death,” a surprising rebirth and bits and pieces of Morrison brilliance.	1
6	THE WALKING DEAD, VOL. 1, by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore. (Image Comics, $14.99.) The gripping story of the human survivors in a world overrun by zombies begins.	32
7	SCOTT PILGRIM: GETS IT TOGETHER, by Bryan Lee O'Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) In this fourth volume of the series, Scott gets a job (Best. Dishwasher. Ever) and battles Roxie the ninja, another of Ramona’s evil exes.	6
8	WATCHMEN, by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. (DC Comics, $19.99.) This epic tale from 1986 signaled a new maturity in comic books.	68
9	SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE UNIVERSE, by Bryan Lee O’Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) Can Ramona’s twin ex-boyfriends be defeated? Sounds like a job for… Scott Pilgrim.	10
10	V FOR VENDETTA, by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. (DC Comics, $19.99.) In a dystopian future, an anarchist sets out to topple the oppressive and totalitarian government of the United Kingdom.	60