Press Release
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, launches the acclaimed multi-generational paranormal action adventure manga (graphic novel) series, JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE, with the print debut of JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 1 – PHANTOM BLOOD, Vol. 1 on February 24th.
Released in print in English for the very first time, JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 1 – PHANTOM BLOOD will be published under VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump Advanced imprint in a deluxe hardcover edition featuring color pages and fresh cover art. The series is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN. JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE PART 2 – BATTLE TENDENCY is scheduled to debut in the Fall 2015.
A digital version of JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: PART 1 – PHANTOM BLOOD Vols. 1-3 is available now for $10.99 each (US/CAN) across all platforms serviced by VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App. The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. The digital edition is be similarly available on digital storefronts for the Kindle, iBooks, GooglePlay, Kobo, ComiXology, and Nook.
In the series’ opening volume, young Jonathan Joestar’s life is forever changed when he meets his new adopted brother, Dio. For some reason, Dio has a smoldering grudge against him and derives pleasure from seeing him suffer. But every man has his limits, as Dio finds out. This is the beginning of a long and hateful relationship!
“JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE is filled with outlandish characters, wild humor and bloody battles,” says Urian Brown, Editor. “This wildly popular, bonafide Shonen Jump classic has a fervent fanbase spread across the globe and is unlike anything you’ve read. VIZ Media is finally releasing the first volumes in 2-in-1 hardbound deluxe collectors editions. Witness the beginning of the heroic Joestar family and their multi-generational battle against evil!”
Manga creator Hirohiko Araki made his manga debut in 1981 with the Wild West story, Busô Poker. He experimented with several genres, including mysteries (Mashonen B.T.) and action-horror (Baoh), before beginning JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE in 1986. Propelled by imaginative storylines, weird imagery and individualistic artwork, JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE is one of the longest-running and most popular shonen manga ever released. Araki’s current works include a new series set in the JOJO’S universe, JoJolion.
For more information on JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE or other manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan’s largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.
