Comics Briefly
-- Publishers Weekly, 7/3/2007
VIZ Releases The Taste of Tea
VIZ Pictures, a division of Viz Media which distributes Japanese live-action films, will release the DVD of The Taste of Tea. The film will be offered in a single disc version for $24.98 and also, as a two-disc version with a ninety minute Making of the Taste of Tea feature, along with director and cast interviews for $34.98. The film will be released July 3, 2007. More information about The Taste of Tea can be found at the VIZ website.
Dinner with Joss Whedon
Dark Horse and eBay are offering a chance to have dinner with Joss Whedon at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Fans can bid on seats at Whedon’s table, and the money raised will go to Equality Now, an organization to protect the human rights of women around the world. Bidding begins July 2 and runs until July 12, and there will be five winning bidders. More information about the bidding process and the dinner can be found at eBay.
Hong Kong Artist wins Manga Nobel
Hong Kong artist, Lee Chi Ching, has received the first International Manga Award, also known as the “Nobel Prize” of Manga. The award is meant to recognize nonjapanese Manga artists from around the world. Lee Chi Ching won for his manga Sun Zi’s Tactics, and he beat out 145 other entries from 26 countries. There were three runner-ups for the prize: Kai from Hong Kong, Benny Wong Hou from Malaysia and Madeleine Rosca from Australia, whose Hollow Fields was just released in the U.S. in June by Seven Seas.
Ellison, Fantagraphics Suit Resolved
The lawsuit, Ellison vs. Fantagraphics, has been resolved. Last week Fantagraphics publisher Gary Groth, author Harlen Ellison and their lawyers met to discuss the lawsuit Ellison filed against Fantagraphics and Groth last September and a resolution to the suit was announced. Neither party will discuss the terms of the resolution at this time. More information can be found at Journalista.
