Comic books in 'Manga', graded by CGC

Volume 7 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. When the last pivotal stone soul of the Hiba family is destroyed, all the negative energy that had been accumulating to a critical point is released and steers Okinawa toward annihilation! In order to put a stop to the evil and twisted Hiyou's experiments, Kuro and the gang begin the battle that will put their lives on the line. Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 8 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. The countdown to the destruction of Okinawa has begun! As comrades fall all around them, those left standing must rely on a miraculous beam of light to win the fight! The Nirar Kanai Arc finally comes to a dramatic climax! Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 9 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. A fantasy-action series about the tenuous partnership between a young game designer and a superhuman girl. With the danger in Okinawa now passed, Keita, Kuro, and Akane return to Tokyo. Though Kuro and he were ultimately victorious in Okinawa, Keita worries that his own weakness is holding back the team and begins training even harder to face the battles that lie ahead. Unfortunately, more than danger is looming on the horizon. A roaming mototsumitama wanders into town, causing as much of a fuss as Kuro did when she first arrived in Keita's life! Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 10 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. Kuro begins her intensive training with a master Motosumitama to learn a new style of martial arts. Though he compliments her form, she still has much to learn. Meanwhile, Excel has miraculously resurfaced. Her knowledge of the Kaionji group would be invaluable... if she hadn't lost her memory! Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 208 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 11 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. A fantasy-action series about the tenuous partnership between a young game designer and a superhuman girl. Though Kuro and he were ultimately victorious in Okinawa, Keita worries that his own weakness is holding back the team and begins training even harder to face the battles that lie ahead. Unfortunately, more than danger looms on the horizon! Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 12 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. In spite of weeks of training with Keita, Kuro crumbles at the reappearance of the mototsumitama Aragi. But just as Kuro is prepared to submit to death, someone calls out to her from deep within her heart. Remembering the sacrifices of friends and family, will Kuro find the strength to defeat her most feared enemy? Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 13 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. Keita and Kuro learn more about the masked man, Ghost, who has caused such chaos amongst the mototsumitama clans living in Tokyo. When Arie of the Souyou clan describes how Ghost murdered her father before her eyes, Kuro and her partner decide to continue their training and help the young girl. Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 14 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. With the addition of Mana, Keita is officially outnumbered five girls to one in one small apartment! Although Mana has been welcomed in as part of the "family" her disdain for the human world and the mototsumitama who ally with them is evident. A glimpse into the past reveals the cause: Mana's beloved older abandoned her right to clan leadership - and her little sister - to marry the human she'd fallen in love with. Can Mana set aside her resentment and help Kuro and Keita find and defeat the elusive Ghost? Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 15 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. Though Mana is somewhat able to counteract the effects of the Tribal Ends' tranquilizer, victory against Kaien seems impossible in her weakened state. But Mana would rather admit defeat fighting on her own than accept the help offered by Kuro, Keita, and Arie. Will the strict laws of her clan prevent Mana from seeing all that the coexistence equilibrium encompasses both human and mototsumitama and the possibility of camaraderie between them? Will a newly forged bond between mototsumitama and human be what ultimately saves them all? Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 208 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 16 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. Despite Kuro and Mana's best efforts, the two high mototsumitama are no match for Shion, one of Reishin Shishigami's top generals. Amused by Mana's arrogance, Shion reveals that the proud mototsumitama and the rest of the modern purebloods are actually an impure breed descended from the original mototsumitamas, who gave up the purity of their race in order to survive. Filled with rage, Kuro launches a ferocious attack unlike anything the others have ever seen! Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 208 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 17 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. Despite Kuro and Mana's best efforts, the two high mototsumitama are no match for Shion, one of Reishin Shishigami's top generals. Amused by Mana's arrogance, Shion reveals that the proud purebloods are actually an impure breed descended from the original mototsumitama who gave up the purity of their race in order to survive. Without the powerful battle genes of her ancestors, Kuro cannot hope to defeat Shion, let alon Reishin! Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 208 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 18 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. Kuro and Keita's glimpse into the past has left them with more questions than answers. The partners seek another audience with Ghost to gain a better understanding of what they ahve seen and what lies ahead. If it is indeed true that humans and mototsumitama exist outside the will of tera, then perhaps Reishin Shishigami's end goal is starting to make its own kind of sense! Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 176 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

Volume 19 - 1st printing. Written by Dall-Young Lim. Art by Sung-Woo Park. A fantasy-action series about the tenuous partnership between a young game designer and a superhuman girl. Softcover, 5-in. x 7 1/2-in., 288 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.99.

A comic sized preview from the Black Jack, Volume 1 GN. "The First Storm of Spring" by Osamu Tezuka. B&W, 24 pages, standard paper stock, cardstock cover.

By Osamu Tezuka. Cover price $3.25.

Viz Edition - Volume 1 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack, a gifted and charismatic surgeon, treats patients on the edge of society, disregarding the rules and regulations of the medical profession. Created by Osamu Tezuka, the original stories of Black Jack and his run-ins with the law were published in Japan between 1973 and 1979. Now, those early tales of Black Jack are collected in this first volume of Vertical's Black Jack series, bringing these takes of the genius doctor to new audiences! Softcover, 6-in. x 7 1/2-in., 184 pages, B&W. Cover price $15.95.

Viz Edition - Volume 2 - 1st printing. "Two-Fisted Surgeon!" Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack, a gifted and charismatic surgeon, treats patients on the edge of society, disregarding the rules and regulations of the medical profession. This volume includes Dingoes, Hospital Jack, Assembly-Line Care, Black Jack in Hospital, and more! Softcover, 6-in. x 7 1/2-in., 200 pages, B&W. Cover price $15.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 1 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack, a gifted and charismatic surgeon, treats patients on the edge of society, disregarding the rules and regulations of the medical profession. Created by Osamu Tezuka, the original stories of Black Jack and his run-ins with the law were published in Japan between 1973 and 1979. Now, those early tales of Black Jack are collected in this first volume of Vertical's Black Jack series, bringing these takes of the genius doctor to new audiences! Softcover, 6-in. x 7 1/2-in., 288 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 2 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack is a mysterious and charismatic young genius surgeon who travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. Though a trained physician, he refuses to accept a medical license due to his hatred and mistrust of the medical community's hypocrisy and corruption. Black Jack charges exorbitant fees for his services, the proceeds from which he uses to fund environmental projects and to aid victims of crime and corrupt capitalists. But because Black Jack keeps his true motives secret, his ethics are perceived as questionable and he is considered a selfish, uncaring devil. Black Jack is recognized as Osamu Tezuka's third most famous series, after Astro Boy and Kimba, the White Lion. The Black Jack series is told in short stories, and each volume contains 16-20 stories, each running approximately 20-24 pages in length. Softcover, 6-in. x 7 1/2-in., 304 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 3 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack is a mysterious and charismatic young genius surgeon who travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. Though a trained physician, he refuses to accept a medical license due to his hatred and mistrust of the medical community's hypocrisy and corruption. This leads Black Jack to occasional run-ins with the authorities, as well as from gangsters and criminals who approach him for illegal operations. He charges exorbitant fees for his services - the proceeds from which he uses to fund environmental projects and to aid victims of crime and corrupt capitalists. But because Black Jack keeps his true motives secret, his ethics are perceived as questionable and he is considered a selfish, uncaring devil. The Black Jack series is told in short stories, with each volume in the series featuring 16-20 stories, each ranging from 20-24 pages in length. This third volume reprints 20 more pages of stories of Osamu Tezuka's creation, Black Jack. Softcover, 6-in. x 8 1/2-in., 304 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 4 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack is a rich medical drama about a talented surgeon who works outside the law that mixes mystery, intrigue, suspense, action, and a dash of humor! Black Jack is a fascinating main character, who keeps his caring nature a secret, preferring instead to be perceived as a heartless cad. Softcover, 6-in. x 8 1/2-in., 304 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 5 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack is a mysterious and charismatic young genius surgeon who travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. Though a trained physician, he refuses to accept a medical license due to his hatred and mistrust of the medical community's hypocrisy and corruption. This leads Black Jack to occasional run-ins with the authorities, as well as from gangsters and criminals who approach him for illegal operations. But because Black Jack keeps his true motives secret, his ethics are perceived as questionable and he is considered a selfish, uncaring devil. Black Jack is recognized as Osamu Tezuka's third most famous series, after Astro Boy and Kimba, the White Lion. Softcover, 6-in. x 8 1/2-in., 320 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 6 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack is recognized as Osamu Tezuka's third most famous series, after Astro Boy and Kimba, the White Lion. A mysterious and charismatic young genius surgeon, Black Jack travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. The globe-trotting maverick surgeon flies to Italy to save the life of a young boy who seems to be turning to stone. Black Jack must discover the source of an elderly father's breathing difficulties before his son conducts a medically assisted suicide to end his misery. These and other dramatic tales fill this volume of Black Jack's medical exploits. Softcover, 6-in. x 8 1/2-in., 304 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 6 - 2nd or later printings. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack is recognized as Osamu Tezuka's third most famous series, after Astro Boy and Kimba, the White Lion. A mysterious and charismatic young genius surgeon, Black Jack travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. The globe-trotting maverick surgeon flies to Italy to save the life of a young boy who seems to be turning to stone. Black Jack must discover the source of an elderly father's breathing difficulties before his son conducts a medically assisted suicide to end his misery. These and other dramatic tales fill this volume of Black Jack's medical exploits. Softcover, 6-in. x 8 1/2-in., 304 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 7 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Though a trained physician, Black Jack refuses to accept a medical license due to his hatred and mistrust of the medical community's hypocrisy and corruption, leading to run-ins with the authorities, as well as from gangsters and criminals who approach him for illegal operations. Told in short stories, Black Jack is recognized as Osamu Tezuka's third most famous series. Softcover, 6-in. x 8 1/2-in., 304 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 11 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack is a mysterious and charismatic genius surgeon who travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. Through highly trained, he freelances without a license because he distains the medical establishment. This leads to run-ins with the authorities and unscrupulous, sometimes criminal, individuals. Because Black Jack keeps his true motives secret, his ethics are perceived as questionable and he is considered a selfish, uncaring devil. Softcover, 6-in. x 8 1/2-in., 320 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 14 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack is a mysterious and charismatic genius surgeon who travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. Through highly trained, he freelances without a license because he distains the medical establishment. This leads to run-ins with the authorities and unscrupulous, sometimes criminal, individuals. Because Black Jack keeps his true motives secret, his ethics are perceived as questionable and he is considered a selfish, uncaring devil. Softcover, 6-in. x 8 1/2-in., 320 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 15 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. A rich medical drama that mixes mystery, intrigue, suspense, action, and a dash of humor with a fascinating main character, a notorious world-traveling scalpel-for-hire, Black Jack is recognized as manga master Osamu Tezuka's third most-famous series. Like Hugh Laurie's titular doctor in House, MD, Black Jack performs medical miracles, though his enigmatic nature makes the medical industry question his true motives. Softcover, 6-in. x 8 1/2-in., 320 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Vertical Edition - Volume 16 - 1st printing. Story and art by Osamu Tezuka. Black Jack is a mysterious and charismatic young genius surgeon who travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. Though a trained physician, he refuses to accept a medical license. This leads Black Jack to occasional run-ins with the authorities, as well as from gangsters and criminals who approach him for illegal operations. Because he keeps his true motives secret, his ethics are perceived as questionable and he is considered a selfish, uncaring devil. Softcover, 6-in. x 8 1/2-in., 320 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $16.95.

Volume 1 - 2nd and later printings.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

Lock 'n' load with the baddest group of mercenaries ever to hit the high seas of Southeast Asia! Aboard their World War II torpedo boat, the Black Lagoon, Dutch the Boss, Benny the Mechanic, Revy Two Hand, and Rock, the salaryman from Japan, deliver anything, anywhere. In the dangerous underworld of the Russian Mafia, Chinese triads, Colombian drug cartels, crazed assassins, and ruthless mercenaries, it's hard to know who to trust. But if you've got a delivery to make, and you don't mind a little property damage along the way, you can count on the crew of the Black Lagoon! Rokuro Okajima was just an average Japanese salaryman, living an average life. But when he's taken hostage by the crew of the Black Lagoon, Rokuro finds himself thrown headfirst into a deadly world of outlawed heroes, brutal villains, and blazing gunfights. Where he ends up is anyone's guess, but one thing is for certain - he's in for a wild ride!

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 206 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 2 - 2nd and later printings.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

As the newest crewmember of the Black Lagoon, Rock is learning that life as a pirate is a lot more than just fun in the sun. After a salvage job on a sunken German U-Boat turns into a full-auto blowout with a gang of neo-Nazis, the crew of the Black Lagoon realizes they have more than a few issues with Revy's hair-trigger temper. But when the arrival of a pair of psychotic assassins in Roanapur nearly starts an all-out gang war, Rock is going to need all the friends he can get!

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 206 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 3 - 2nd and later printings.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

Roanpur turns into a war zone when Balalaika and Hotel Moscow team up with the Triad to hunt down the psychotic Romanian killers Hansel and Gretel. The bloody climax leaves Rock scarred by the grim reality of the underworld he's become a part of. But there's no rest for the wicked. A terrorist organization makes a move against the Triad, and the crew of the Black Lagoon once again gets pulled into the line of fire as an echo of the past comes back to haunt the present. Cock the hammer, it's time for action!

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 206 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 4 - 2nd and later printings.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

The action shifts to chilly midwinter Tokyo, where Balalaika hires Rock as her interpreter, and Revy comes along as Rock's bodyguard. The Washimine-gumi, a Yakuza family on its way down, wants to make a deal with Hotel Moscow. Soon, however, the yakuza realize they might have been better off making a deal with the Devil himself! As the pressure builds, Rock faces the reality of his outlaw life, and Revy meets her match in the Washimine's number-one enforcer. The icy streets of Tokyo are about to burn red-hot!

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 206 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 5 - 2nd and later printings.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

VIZ Media's monthly manga magazine, Shojo Beat, offers vast quantities of serialized shojo manga appearing in the United States for the first time. In addition to tons of beautiful artwork and compelling storylines from well-known manga creators, Shojo Beat offers quality editorial on Japanese trends, art, news, fashion, and culture, plus interviews, how-tos, and more! Shojo Beat is a hip, fun, informative read that will appeal to newbies and manga fans alike.

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 206 pages, 193 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 6 - 2nd and later printings.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

After their trip to Japan, the crew unwinds back in Roanapur. The R&R doesn't last long--Jane, a counterfeiter on the run from Florida-based gangsters, seeks refuge with Sister P.W. Deegan's Church of Violence.

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 208 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 7 - 2nd and later printings.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

The deadly maid and ex-terrorist Roberta begins her quest for vengeance and she's not going to quit! Roberta's dance of death won't be over until everyone has paid their price in blood.

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 206 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 8 - 2nd and later printings.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

Roberta's vendetta continues as Revy and Rock enlist some old acquaintances to try and catch up with Roberta before it's too late. They're going to have to get in line since Roberta's got everyone from a U.S. military black ops unit to her ex-F.A.R.C. comrades gunning for her, not to mention the CIA and the NSA. When the turmoil becomes more than the city's criminal underworld can bear, Balalaika and her Hotel Moscow commandos enter the game. With so many players at the table, it's winner take all, and the stakes couldn't be higher!

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 200 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 9 - 1st printing.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

Roanapur explodes as Roberta's vendetta against a top secret U.S. Special Forces team brings out the city's heaviest hitters. Balalaika and the ex-Soviet military troops of Hotel Moscow face off with Major Caxton's Grey Fox unit as it tries to fight its way out of Roanapur. Meanwhile, Rock, Revy and Garcia Lovelace continue their pursuit of Roberta.

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 200 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 9 - 2nd and later printings.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

Roanapur explodes as Roberta's vendetta against a top secret U.S. Special Forces team brings out the city's heaviest hitters. Balalaika and the ex-Soviet military troops of Hotel Moscow face off with Major Caxton's Grey Fox unit as it tries to fight its way out of Roanapur. Meanwhile, Rock, Revy and Garcia Lovelace continue their pursuit of Roberta.

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 200 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 10 - 1st printing.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

Rei Hiroe. Lock n' load with the baddest group of mercenaries ever to hit the high seas of Southeast Asia! Aboard their World War II torpedo boat, the Black Lagoon, Dutch the Boss, Benny the Mechanic, Revy Two Hand, and Rock, the salaryman from Japan, deliver anything, anywhere. In the dangerous underworld of the Russian Mafia, Chinese triads, Colombian drug cartels, crazed assassins, and ruthless mercenaries, it's hard to know who to trust. But if you've got a delivery to make, and you don't mind a little property damage along the way, you can count on the crew of the Black Lagoon!

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 200 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 10 - 2nd and later printings.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

Rei Hiroe. Lock n' load with the baddest group of mercenaries ever to hit the high seas of Southeast Asia! Aboard their World War II torpedo boat, the Black Lagoon, Dutch the Boss, Benny the Mechanic, Revy Two Hand, and Rock, the salaryman from Japan, deliver anything, anywhere. In the dangerous underworld of the Russian Mafia, Chinese triads, Colombian drug cartels, crazed assassins, and ruthless mercenaries, it's hard to know who to trust. But if you've got a delivery to make, and you don't mind a little property damage along the way, you can count on the crew of the Black Lagoon!

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 200 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 11 - 1st printing.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

Disavowed by the Chinese government and now hunted as a traitor, Feng Yifei has turned to Rock and Revy for help. While dodging the PRC's four hired guns from one side of Roanapur to the other, Feng presses Rock to make an important decision. Things get even more complicated when Eda shows an interest in the situation, and if she's involved, it means the CIA isn't far behind...

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 200 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

Volume 12 - 1st printing.

Story and art by Rei Hiroe. Translated by Joe Yamazaki.

Peace in Roanapur is fragile, balanced on a powder keg that could explode at any moment. When a mysterious crew of assassins shows up and starts taking out specific members of the city's underworld, the major players-the Triad, the Sicilians, and Hotel Moscow-have to get involved. The rogue hit squad also seems to have Dutch in its sights, and Rock and Revy begin an investigation. Tracking down the killers means lifting the lid on Dutch's background and perhaps exposing the true identity of the skipper of the Black Lagoon.

Softcover, 5 1/2-in. x 8-in., 176 pages, B&W. Mature Readers

Cover price $12.99.

1st Edition - Volume 1 - 1st printing. Story and art by Shirow Masamune. It's a time in the future -- a time where the creation of life itself has evolved to include biodroids named after the ancient Greeks and cyborg warriors programmed to destroy. The power struggle between the various synthetic life-forms and the humans could mean the end of all life. But there is one, named Typhon, who may be able to prevent that. This collection is the first-ever-published work of the genius behind Ghost in the Shell -- Masamune Shirow. Softcover, 204 pages, B&W. Cover price $16.95.

Volume 1 - 1st printing. Story and art by Kazuhiro Fujita. A blend of historical fiction and Gothic ghost story featuring a fictionalized version of Florence Nightingale from a renowned creator. A twisting, twisted mystery plot will keep readers engaged in the fashion of mature manga hits like Monster and Uzumaki. Deep in Scotland Yard in London sits an evidence room, where artifacts of the greatest mysteries in London history are kept. In this "Black Museum" sits two bullets, fused together after a head-on collision. This was the key piece of evidence in a case that brought together a supernatural Man in Gray and the famous nurse and activist Florence Nightingale, the only person who can see him. Surrounded by war and suffering, the lady enters into a desperate pact with this ghostlike man. Hardcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 192 pages, PC/PB&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $19.99.

Volume 1 - 1st Printing. Story and Art by Hikaru Nakamura. Translated by Richard Tobin. A slightly creepy Christmas comedy by the acclaimed creator of Saint Young Men that inspired a live-action film! Hino Miharu spends Christmas the same way every year, working alone at a dead-end part-time job at a convenience store. He'd do just about anything to land a full-time gig, but when he runs into a shadowy Santa Claus dressed all in black, he has no idea he's encountered the real deal. Well, almost. While the normal Santa Claus who dresses in red and white oversees Christmas for all the good boys and girls, his dark counterpart is in charge of handling the bad children-and Miharu just wound up on the naughty list. Gobbled up by a slavering, talking sack, he's spirited away to the Arctic, where he finds himself the newest employee of a massive Christmas operation. Yeah, the pay and benefits are great, and his coworkers sure are cute, but is this the dream job he's been hoping for, or the beginning of a Christmas nightmare? Softcover, 5-in. x 7-in., 204 pages, B&W. Cover price $13.99.