Press Release 3/22/18 Press Release 3/22/18

Discover The First Ongoing Series From I KILL GIANTS Co-creator and Artist Ken Niimura, The Fantastical Cooking Comic UMAMI

Press Release

On Friday, March 23rd, the release of the film I KILL GIANTS starring Zoe Saldana will introduce a new audience to the acclaimed graphic novel by writer Joe Kelly (BIG HERO SIX) and co-creator and illustrator Ken Niimura, that inspired the film. The film’s release, in theaters, On Demand, and Digital HD, promises to bring new attention to the career of International Manga Award-winning and Eisner Award-nominated artist Ken Niimura. Today, ten years after the original release of the I KILL GIANTS comic book, Niimura is currently creating a wonderful, whimsical ongoing webcomic, UMAMI, which is published in monthly installments on Panel Syndicate. Food and cooking comics are all the rage in Japan, where Niimura currently lives, and UMAMI offers something new for American audiences.

Press Release 2/13/18 Press Release 2/13/18

Image Comics to publish Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin's miniseries BARRIER

Press Release

Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin, the Eisner Award-winning creative team behind THE PRIVATE EYE, are reunited in BARRIER, the five-issue miniseries originally published in digital format via Panel Syndicate and featuring color work by Muntsa Vicente. This May, all five issues will be available in print for the first time, exclusively from Image Comics.

Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18

Review: Umami #3

By Dustin Cabeal

As I said on my podcast, if Umami had released just one more issue in 2017, it would have likely ended up on my best of list. The inner debate with myself was non-stop about this book a one or two more that were also very close to making the top five. What Umami has going for it above all other comics, is the overwhelming feeling of happiness that it fills you will. That is the main dish that Ken Niimura’s two characters are cooking up, joy and happiness.

Dustin Cabeal 12/20/17 Dustin Cabeal 12/20/17

Review: Umami #2

By Dustin Cabeal

Umami nearly made my “best of” list for the year. The thing that kept me from adding it was the fact that I had only read one issue, but then… here’s the second issue. I’m still not sure if I’m going to add it since it’s a tight list that I’ve already completed, but don’t be surprised if on my review for the third issue I mention kicking myself or some such nonsense.

Dustin Cabeal 11/8/17 Dustin Cabeal 11/8/17

Review: Umami #1

By Dustin Cabeal

Umami is one of the most delightful comics I’ve read all year. The storytelling has a strong manga influence, but not so much that a non-manga reader would be turned away from the structure and style. Because it’s embracing both styles though, there is something incredibly pure about it. Something that resonates because it’s a comic, trying to be a comic and nothing more.

Dustin Cabeal 8/25/17 Dustin Cabeal 8/25/17

Review: Black Hand, Iron Head #2

By Dustin Cabeal

Well, I’m way late to the party, but I’m still reviewing the second issue of Black Hand, Iron Head. This story is interesting. The second issue was a lot goofier than the first issue, and so I don’t quite understand the tone of the series. I liked the tone of this comic though, and I find it interesting the pairing of the sisters.

Dustin Cabeal 4/26/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/26/17

Review: Blackhand Ironhead #1

By Dustin Cabeal

As anyone that reads comics knows, Panel Syndicate is a “Pay What You Want” platform from Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin. They’ve done two series themselves, a one-shot and added another creator to their lineup. The platform has worked for them, though I have no idea how well it worked for the series that wasn’t by them.