Studio 407 is thrilled to announce that they have acquired Ben Fisher and Michael Henderson's Smuggling Spirits for publication. After it was announced last year that Ambrosia would be shutting down, Studio 407 jumped at the chance to have Smuggling Spirits be apart of their expanding catalog. Last month Studio 407 also finalized a deal with Argentina's Altercomics that will bring their most popular titles to North America.

Studio 407's managing director Alex Leung says "We picked up Smuggling Spirits from Ambrosia, and we thought it was an incredible book that went under the radar, and did not get the exposure it deserved when it was first released in single volumes. I think both Ben and Michael are incredible talents to watch for and their skills have meshed perfectly to produce an incredibly unique storytelling experience. We feel extremely fortunate to be involved with this book."

Leung continues. "The difference between this and the Ambrosia release is that it collects all the volumes of the original series into a handsome, full-sized hardcover book, that people will love to have on their coffee table. With the stark, red and black cover, it will definitely be eye-catching and compel people to pick it up. There are also 12 pages of additional artwork and a new ending as well that the creators felt was closer to what they originally envisioned, so you can easily call this the definitive, "director's cut' edition."

Smuggling Spirits is described as: Set in a nightmarish vision of the past where deadly monstrosities called "darklings" roam the shadows of Prohibition-Era America, Al Stone is a bootlegger who finds himself on the run when he inadvertently stumbles upon the bloody secret of the creatures' survival. As the beasts close in to take back what's theirs, Al and his young ward, Nathan, must make their final stand. Smuggling Spirits is a pulse pounding, thrill ride that blends the action noir of Sin City with the horror and suspense of Hellboy. Read what Rue Morgue calls "a shot of white lightning."

****Chosen as a Staff Pick in the February Previews*****
TAKE A LOOK INSIDE!

Comics Bulletin says Smuggling Spirits is "For any fan of the horror genre...harsh, humorous and all together weird."

Ain't It Cool News calls it "Road to Perdition with monsters...I really liked this one."

You can pre-order Smuggling Spirits now by using the Diamond order code: DCD item # FEB094452

Smuggling Spirits
Written by: Ben Fisher
Illustrated by: Mike Henderson
130 pgs, B&W
$20.99 Hard Cover
ISBN # 1-935385-03-8
In stores April 29, 2009.

For more information on Studio 407, visit them online a www.Studio-407.com or check them out in your local comic book shop!

About Studio 407
Studio 407 brings together the imagination and creative talents of writers and artists from North America and Asia to generate a flow of distinct and kinetic East-meets-West entertainment. A writer driven studio that blends innovation with tradition, Studio 407 is dedicated to publishing the highest quality in comics and manga, across a wide variety of genres. From capes to kung fu, giant robots to vampires, and secret agents to mad scientists; at Studio 407, we sweat the details.

www.Studio-407.com

eigoMANGA LLC and Visionary Comics Studio proudly announce the forthcoming publication of "The Frog Princess" (Diamond Order Code JAN094212), an original hardcover graphic novel from writer Jeff Loew (finalist in the "Be a Visionary" contest co-sponsored by VCS and AAM/Markosia) and artist Rie Ikaza (aka "Fitri," one of Indonesia's hottest manga artists). 

Inspired by true events, "The Frog Princess" tells the story of amphibian biologist Larissa Talcott, as she fights to save her research pond from real estate developers... while her new lawyer boyfriend Liam secretly helps the developers turn the pond into a golf course. Can their romance survive?  Can Larissa hold on to her ideals while Liam tries to find his own true voice? And what about the frogs?  Loew and Ikaza's graphic novel combines romantic comedy, action, drama, and fantasy, all wrapped up in a socially-conscious eco-fable -- in a formula destined to prove irresistible to shojo manga fans and all fans of character-driven storytelling. 

"The concept for 'The Frog Princess' came about when I learned that a local university was scrambling to save its biology labs after a change in the water supply threatened every amphibian on campus," explains writer Loew, whose work has been featured in the Judge Dredd Megazine, Arcana's Dark Horrors, eigoMANGA’s Sakura Pakk, and in a weekly column for comics news website Broken Frontier.  "Starting from this basic conflict, the characters and situations just sprang to life."

Along with the fictionalized conflict of saving Larissa's research pond, "The Frog Princess" deals with the real, broader issue of the drastic decline in the world’s amphibian populations.

"When Jeff brought 'The Frog Princess' to us, I knew it was something eigoMANGA wanted to be a part of," says Austin Osueke, eigoMANGA’s CEO and publisher.  "Larissa and Liam face conflicts we all can relate to.  They're rekindling a relationship while realizing they may share different values.  They're each facing the clash between their ideals and the pragmatic pursuit of success. You can't help but read on to find out how it's all going to end.  Or to see what ridiculous situation they'll stumble into next."

Visionary Comics Studios head C. Edward Sellner shares Osueke's excitement. "We've been fans of Jeff and his work ever since he entered and became a finalist in our 'Be a Visionary' talent contest.  We're thrilled to be working with eigoMANGA to bring the work of Jeff and Ms. Ikaza to a wider audience in a story that has a message we all need to hear." 

The complete Frog Princess hardcover also includes two backup short stories by Loew and world-renowned Argentinean master Oscar "Sensei" Capristo (Heavy Metal): "Goatspell" (featuring Grynn & Barrett, Dark Arts Detectives) and "I Married Ghost Girl"; along with a third short story by Loew and Spanish sensation Esdras, "Night and Day." The Frog Princess Hardcover is available for pre-order now and ships on March 25, 2008, 160 pages, with a $14.95 cover price.

The Frog Princess can be previewed online at http://www.eigoMANGA.com or http://www.drunkduck.com/frog_princess

The Frog Princess
Intended Audience: 13+
Genre: Manga, Romance, Comedy
Format: Hard Cover Digest, 160 pgs, B&W, 6x9, Perfect Bound
Suggest Retail Price: $14.95
Release Date: 03/25/09

eigoMANGA announces the release of the comic book adaptation of 'God Drug' (Diamond Order Code JAN094213) to retail stores on March 29, 2009. The 'God Drug' graphic novel is based of a highly acclaimed American fiction novel originally written by Stephen Antczak.

'God Drug' is a story about the C.I.A. subjecting a group of low-ranking marines with experimental LSD-like hallucinogen. The experiments failed and created a being with destructive psychic abilities who was driven insane after being held in cryo-stasis for over 30 years.

God Drug's comic adaptation was written by seasoned screenwriter Natashia McGough whose television credits include 'Goode Family' and 'Nightstalker'. The original God Drug novel was inspired by punk rock and psychedelic drug scenes in modern society however, Natashia took the God Drug comic into a different direction. She believes that the hidden message within the story is about giving birth to new realities. She also wanted to give the characters more complex and multi-dimensional roles. "It's not a black and white world. Everything has shades of grey. Even within darkness there is still purity and beauty within that", states Natashia.

"I let Natashia do her thing her way. The God Drug manga isn't my book, it's her's and the artist's now" claims novelist and creator, Stephen Antczak. He fully supported eigoMANGA's initiative to create a manga adaptation out of God Drug, "I felt like the story lent itself to the manga world. It could not have been done as an American style comic, in my opinion. Yes, it will be tough, but that's what will make it a kick-ass manga...it will take passion and creativity to make it work".

The 'God Drug' graphic novel is released to retailers on March 25, 2009. And graphic novel can be previewed online at http://www.GodDrug.com.

"I hope that the readers will be visually pleased and mentally stimulated as they read God Drug. There are many profound, subliminal messages about life and our purpose within it in God Drug. This comic book reassures us that we, as humans, definitely create our own reality. It also allows us to understand how our perception can direct our thoughts and actions. I hope the readers enjoy it", adds Natashia.

God Drug
Intended Audience: 16+
Genre: Action Adventure
Format: Hard Cover, 120 pgs, B&W, 6x9, Perfect Bound
Suggest Retail Price: $14.95
Release Date: 03/25/09