Power Con 2018 exclusive toy reveals
SAM HUMPHRIES TO PEN HARLEY QUINN’S ONGOING ADVENTURES
SAM HUMPHRIES TO PEN HARLEY QUINN’S ONGOING ADVENTURES
Harley Goes to Apokolips and Gets “New God” Powers This July
Paired with Fan-Favorite Harley Artist John Timms, Humphries’ First Story Arc Introduces
Gotham’s Clown Princess to Granny Goodness & the Female Furies
It’s Fury vs. Furies in a Furious Showdown!
(BURBANK, CA) – (March 29, 2018) – This summer, DC Entertainment launches a bold new direction for the Clown Princess of Crime, Harley Quinn, with the creative team of writer Sam Humphries (GREEN LANTERNS, NIGHTWING) and fan-favorite Harley Quinn artist John Timms taking DC’s Maid of Mischief to Jack Kirby’s Fourth World and back.
“The biggest question, and the biggest challenge for Harley, is defining if she’s a hero or a villain,” says Humphries on his new assignment. “But why can’t she be both? Or is there a third choice to explore? My vision for the book is ‘What if Bugs Bunny were a chainsaw, hosting Anthony Bourdain’s show, but in the DC Universe?’ In our first three-issue story arc, John Timms and I are going to bring the crazy Kirby Krackle to HARLEY QUINN—focusing on the manic energy that made us cheer for her and the tragic emotions that made us fall in love with her.”
Beginning July 4 with HARLEY QUINN #45, Humphries and Timms have Harley kidnapped by two Female Furies from Apokolips, who deliver her to one of Darkseid’s Elite, Granny Goodness, with an offer she can’t refuse: join the Furies, get superpowers and do anything she wants! It’s a sweet deal, and all Harley needs to do in return is hunt down a rogue Fury!
“Harley Quinn does and says the things we all wish we could get away with,” continues Humphries. “She’s the embodiment of wish fulfillment. Harley is a wild card, and she’s a survivor; two things we all want to be at different times of the day. And Apokolips is just the beginning of our plans for Harley. No one in the DCU will be safe from Harley Quinn.”
HARLEY QUINN #45, written by Sam Humphries, arrives in stores July 4 with art by John Timms and a cover (below) by Guillem March and Romulo Fajardo Jr. Fans can also expect a variant cover by Frank Cho.
Japanese Metal Dance Unit BABYMETAL Becomes a Graphic Novel!
Japanese Metal Dance Unit BABYMETAL Becomes a Graphic Novel!
Z2 Comics Announces APOCRYPHA: THE LEGEND OF BABYMETAL, An Original Graphic Novel
Based on the Themes of BABYMETAL
April 3, 2018) There’s no band in the world like BABYMETAL, the metal dance unit, whose hit songs like “KARATE,” “Gimme Chocolate,” and “Megitsune” have captured the imaginations of fans around the globe. This fall, Z2 Comics, Hollywood film/TV production company Amuse Group USA, and BABYMETAL’s producer KOBAMETAL are collaborating on a brand new, original story for the graphic novel APOCRYPHA: THE LEGEND OF BABYMETAL, featuring art by award-winning illustrator GMB Chomichuk.
Formed in 2010, BABYMETAL is a metal dance unit made up of three performers, SU-METAL, YUIMETAL, and MOAMETAL. With their combination of powerful metal sound and dance performances, they are by far the most unique band out there. Since its inception, the Japanese metal dance unit has developed a devoted fan base that describes their concerts as both energetic and unforgettable. The band has received glowing praise from the industry’s top acts, including Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Guns N’ Roses’ Slash and Rob Zombie, who told Billboard that BABYMETAL “are like nothing I’ve ever seen before.” BABYMETAL is making waves in the music industry with their chart-topping albums that have solidified their cross-continent success.
The book will be published by innovative independent graphic novel publisher Z2 Comics, who has previously collaborated on acclaimed music-inspired graphic novels with the likes of rockstar Dan Auerbach, bluesman Robert Finley and the Music Maker Foundation, platinum selling DJ Paul Oakenfold and jazz musician Dave Chisholm. “With the book still months from publication, it’s too early to reveal much,” said Z2 Comics Co-Publisher Sridhar Reddy. “In the months to come, BABYMETAL fans can expect more announcements, but today I would say the question we should be asking is not who is BABYMETAL, but what is BABYMETAL?’”
The graphic novel based on the band, APOCRYPHA: THE LEGEND OF BABYMETAL will be available online for preorder on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Kinokuniya USA, and on sale in comic book stores and bookstores in October 2018 and will retail for $24.99. Also, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Kinokuniya USA, and Japanese online market Asmart will each release a limited special cover edition of the graphic novel (pre-order dates for Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Kinokuniya USA are TBD). For more updates on the book, follow Z2 Comics on Twitter and Facebook and follow BABYMETAL on their official website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
*Besides the cover design, the special cover edition will be identical to the standard version
In May, BABYMETAL will be on a world tour across the United States and Europe with performances scheduled at Rock on the Range and Download UK.
■「APOCRYPHA: THE LEGEND OF BABYMETAL」
Scheduled release 2018/10
■BABYMETAL WORLD TOUR 2018
【US TOUR】
2018/05/08 Kansas City, MO / Uptown Theater
2018/05/10 Austin, TX / ACL Live at the Moody Theater
2018/05/11 Dallas, TX / House of Blues Dallas
2018/05/13 Houston, TX / Revention Music Center
2018/05/15 Atlanta, GA / Tabernacle Atlanta
2018/05/17 Charlotte, NC / The Fillmore
2018/05/18 Nashville, TN / Marathon Music Works
2018/05/20 Columbus, OH / 「Rock on the Range」appearance
【EUROPE TOUR】
2018/06/01 Nürburg, Germany /「Rock am Ring」at Nürburgring appearance
2018/06/02 Nuremberg, Germany /「Rock im Park」at Zeppelinfeld appearance
2018/06/04 Innsbruck, Austria/ Music Hall Innsbruck
2018/06/05 Utrecht, Netherlands / TivoliVredenburg
2018/06/06 Utrecht, Netherlands / TivoliVredenburg
2018/06/09 Derby, UK / 「Download UK」at Donington Park appearance
■BABYMETAL Official Web Site
Japanese http://www.babymetal.jp/
English http://www.babymetal.com
New York International Auto Show 2018 recap.
This week was the media days of the New York International Auto Show and there was a lot of news that came out of the show. I covered it for two days and there were many new automobiles that were shown for the first time this week which will be available later this year to early 2019. First, i will discuss the World Car of the Year awards.
This is the first major award show of the NYIAS and here are the results.
World Urban Car of the Year: Volkswagen Polo
World Luxury Car of the Year: Audi A8
World Car Design of the Year: Range Rover Velar
World Green Car: Nissian LEAF
World Performance Car: BMW M5
World Car of the Year: Volvo XC60
Many car companies were also there showcasing what will come later this year to next year and i have taken photos of these cars that were also previewed at press conferences
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New York Auto Show 2018-KIA Press Conference
New York International Auto Show 2018-Toyota press conference
CozyPhones from Wicked Cool Toys
At Toy Fair 2018, we attended Wicked Cool Toys event and we got to see some amazing products. One that really caught our attention was something that seems so simple but very awesome when you dissect it.
We give you CozyPhones the idea is simple enough, a headband with headphones on the inside.
We were given two samples, a cute Unicorn and from the super popular Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol show, Skye!
The earphones are set to a low settings so no worries about your young one potentially damaging their ears and as a headband, it adds a level of pseudo-cosplay elements.
What makes it even cooler is it can be used as a sleep mask at night. The headphones are removable and the mask is washable.
My daughter can’t get enough of CozyPhones, especially when she wears them at night for a sleepmask. We highly recommend CozyPhones to anyone with a young child and assure you they will absolutely love it.
Press Release:
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR 2018
Wicked Cool Toys Partners with CozyPhones – Top Selling Kids’ Headphones!
Super Comfortable 3-in-1 Headphones, Sleep Mask and Headband with Kid Safe Volume Control
Bristol, PA – February 17, 2018 – Wicked Cool Toys is excited to partner with Halo Acoustic Wear on the #1 selling kids’ headphone brand on Amazon: CozyPhones™. Wicked Cool will bring to market the innovative, 3-in-1 CozyPhones headphones, sleep mask and stylish headband for children with new licenses and retail expansion in summer 2018.
Selling over 220,000 units last year, CozyPhones groundbreaking design provides hours of listening enjoyment for children at home or on the go. No more struggling with ill-fitting (or lost) earbuds and bulky over-the-ear headphones! The comfort-fit headband is wide and lightweight for a secure fit, and is also a wonderful solution for children with sensory issues and special needs. CozyPhones are great for travel, as the ultra-thin 1/8″ speakers lay flat in the headband providing total comfort in the car and on airplanes. Another plus? The speakers are easy to remove making the headband completely washable!
“Young children are consuming content on all screens, and these CozyPhones headphones from Halo Acoustic Wear are a great solution for them. The soft, adjustable headband stays comfortably on small heads, while protecting their ears from listening too loudly,” said Jeremy Padawer, Co-President of Wicked Cool Toys. “Plus,” added Michael Rinzler, Co-President of Wicked Cool Toys, “they’ll love wearing their favorite characters when they rock out to music, or watch their favorite shows. We can’t wait to bring them to a wider audience this year and beyond.”
Original Styles
The original styles feature popular favorites, including a Fox, Frog, Panda, and the beloved Unicorn. All CozyPhones have adjustable and removable ultra-thin 1/8″ speakers that are nestled within a soft and stretchy lightweight fleece headband for a snug, secure and comfortable fit for most head sizes. A built-in volume control feature limits the volume to 90 dB, giving parents peace of mind that their child’s hearing is protected. Also included is a durable 52” braided cable and standard 3.5 mm stereo plug that will not kink, tangle or twist. Ages 4+, SRP: $19.99
Exciting New Licenses from Top Shows and Brands 
CozyPhones has aligned itself with some of the top shows and brands in children’s entertainment which appeal to millions of fans including Paw Patrol (Chase, Marshall & Skye), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo), JoJo Siwa with more favorites to come!
Just like the original styles, all licensed CozyPhones are lightweight, comfortable and washable with adjustable and removable ultra-thin speakers that provide the perfect fit. CozyPhones can also be pulled down over the eyes as a sleep mask and pack easily in a backpack or suitcase! Built-in volume limiting provides hearing protection. Also included is a durable 52” braided cable that will not kink, tangle or twist. Ages 4+, SRP $19.99
All CozyPhones are compatible with Apple iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Samsung Galaxy, Blackberry, Nokia, LG, HTC, Google Nexus, Lenovo, Asus, Sony, Dell, Toshiba, HP, MP3, MP4 and other audio devices.
About Halo Acoustic Wear and CozyPhones:
Halo Acoustic Wear, based in Ashburn, VA is a leading manufacturer of its patent pending character headband headphones for kids and adults under the CozyPhones™ brand. Founded in 2015, CozyPhones™ were initially created as a sleeping aid, and have expanded to include a line for kids, travel, relaxation, and exercise. For more information visit www.cozyphones.com.
About Wicked Cool Toys:
Founded in 2012, Wicked Cool Toys (Wicked Cool Toys LLC/WCT) a leader in innovative play, creates, designs, manufactures and markets a dynamic, fun portfolio of licensed and owned-IP toys for all ages. WCT’s portfolio includes global master toy partnerships with Pokémon (ex-Asia), Cabbage Patch Kids®, Teddy Ruxpin as well as key licensing deals with Crayola, Nickelodeon, CozyPhones, MasterChef Junior, WWE®, Wild Kratts, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, and owned-IP Egg Babies, Xtreme Cycle, Cat Paw and My Girl’s Dollhouse. Visit www.wickedcooltoys.com and follow the Company on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. www.facebook.com/wickedcooltoys – @wickedcooltoys
CozyPhones are available for purchase at Amazon here.
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LEGENDARY CREATOR FRANK MILLER SIGNS FIVE-PROJECT DEAL WITH DC
LEGENDARY CREATOR FRANK MILLER SIGNS
FIVE-PROJECT DEAL WITH DC
Miller Pens First Young Reader Graphic Novel Starring Carrie Kelley
as Part of Multi-Project Agreement
BURBANK, CA (March 23, 2018) – Industry icon Frank Miller continues his long-standing relationship with DC as a five-project deal is announced today by DC Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee.
Amongst the planned releases from the legendary writer/artist is a forthcoming graphic novel starring Carrie Kelley, whom Miller created for the genre-defining series BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Marking Miller’s first-ever foray into storytelling for young readers, the new graphic novel will feature illustrations by artist Ben Caldwell (PREZ).
This new project will join the previously announced DC Black Label prestige series SUPERMAN: YEAR ONE, featuring art by John Romita Jr., as part of Miller’s multi-project deal.
“Frank is a creative force in this industry, not just with a transformative take on iconic characters like Superman and Batman, but also by tackling the young reader genre,” says DC Publisher Dan DiDio. “He is an icon. As a publisher, I’m thrilled—as a fan, I’m even more excited.”
“Frank Miller is an absolute visionary,” says DC Publisher Jim Lee. “He continues to push the boundaries of storytelling, and I can’t wait for a new generation of fans to meet Carrie Kelley. Joining Frank as collaborator on Carrie Kelley is one of my favorite artists–Ben Caldwell, a singular talent who brings his stylized, clean line and rock solid, playful storytelling to this project. We couldn’t ask for a better creative team.”
In addition to the above two books, Miller will pen three additional upcoming projects yet to be announced.
“I am psyched to continue my partnership with DC,” explains Miller. “Developing the Carrie Kelley project and SUPERMAN: YEAR ONE with Dan and Jim has been a dream. It’s thrilling to have Carrie Kelley take center stage for the first time, and the energy that Ben is bringing to her is new and different—it’s incredible to see. It’s also a lot of fun working alongside John on SUPERMAN: YEAR ONE, this project is a childhood dream come true for me.”