KOF 2003 marks the beginning of a new epic saga in the KOF series. The tapestry of human relationships that entangles our new hero and an evil entity is revealed by degrees…KOF 2003 is more than just a fighting game - it’s fighting with a purpose. SNK's most famous characters come to life in THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2003 – the comic!

Fighting game fans will undoubtedly hold their control pads high in salute to the 9th installment of THE KING OF FIGHTERS franchise. So what better way to commemorate the event than with a comic series, which furthers the adventures of your favorite combating teams beyond what is seen in the video games? Those who love to consume anything KOF won’t hesitate to devour both the game and the comic like a well-seasoned porter house steak! Don’t miss the action on-screen and on the page this fall!

We've invited our friends at Fanboy Radio to get this party started. Fanboy Radio will be interviewing the biggest comic book creators at the FUNimation island. Yes, you're reading it right, Frank Cho, Greg Rucka, Scott Kurtz, John Cassaday, Robert Kirkman, Brian Michael Bendis and more will be making their appearances at the FUNimation island. (tentitive list, subject to change) It's like mixing peanut butter and chocolate - the perfect combination of anime and comic books. Sweet! Be sure to check out Atari's booth #4215 for details on their upcoming Dragon Ball Z and Yu Yu Hakusho games. Score Entertainment's booth #3229 will have playable demos of their Dragon Ball GT and Yu Yu Hakusho TCG games. Comic-Con will mark the next to last Dragon Ball GT Focused Regional Event! Making a special signing appearances at the Score booth are several FUNimation voice actors.

It's FUNimation Panel time! From 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm in Room 9 on Saturday, July 24th, check out our FUNimation industry panel. We've announced a lot of titles this year. Be sure to get all the latest news on titles like Fullmetal Alchemist, Case Closed, Dragon Ball GT, Tenchi Muyo! GXP and more. Come for the news, stay for the prizes. You want more? Then be sure to check out the screening of Blue Gender - The Warrior movie Saturday night at 10:35 in Room 25A. Blue Gender - The Warrior will be available in stores Tuesday, July 20th. If you want to check out our newest anime titles, Comic-Con has the rooms you need. Here are the dates, places and times to view our shows. Please consult the onsite Events Guide and the signs outside rooms 24BC, 25A and 25BC for updated information.

Thursday Room 25A 2:10 p.m. Dragon Ball GT 5:05 p.m. Kiddy Grade

Room 25B&C 12:30 p.m. Fruits Basket

Friday Room 24B&C 5:30 p.m. Tenchi Muyo GXP

Room 25A 2:10 p.m. Dragon Ball GT 5:05 p.m. Kiddy Grade

Room 25B&C 12:30 p.m. Fruits Basket

Saturday Room 24B&C 5:30 p.m. Tenchi Muyo GXP

Room 25A 2:10 p.m. Yu Yu Hakusho 5:05 p.m. Kiddy Grade 10:35 p.m. Blue Gender Movie - The Warrior

Room 25B&C 12:30 p.m. Fruits Basket

Limited Collector’s Edition Available! The first volume of the New Fist of the North Star is also available as a Collector’s Edition, which includes the Volume 1 DVD and an attractive custom series art box to house the entire series (SRP $34.98). New Fist of the North Star: The Cursed City (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release, including a 55-minute feature in both English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1 language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: behind the scenes commentary, interview with Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Sensei Phil Cardella, character bios, Japanese press conference and ADV previews.

In the year 2225 A.D. humanity has colonized much of the known solar system. This Sci-Fi thriller follows a group of teenage astronauts in-training. During a routine dive procedure, their space station plummets into a “plasma field” called the Gedult killing all the adult instructors and leaving the trainees to survive on their own via a ship called Ryvius. All seems to be going well until the thirst for power corrupts one of the crew and a grab for ultimate control is made. Based on the intense Bandai Anime, Infinite Ryvius is a action drama which explores not only the dark expanse of space, but deep and churning aspects of humanity such as trust, betrayal, perseverance and drive for survival. While not following the anime to the “letter,” ComicOne’s Infinite Ryvius manga will illustrate episodes unseen, subsequently revealing plot points viewers of the anime will find quite intriguing. This is going to be a truly thrilling ride--complimenting the anime perfectly. Come continue your adventures aboard the Ryvius this fall!

Availability
Infinite Ryvius # 1 will be available in October 2004. Each 200 page graphic novel will be priced at $9.95. Visit www.comicsone.com for more detailed series information.

Mobile Suit Gundam F91 was originally released theatrically in Japan in 1991 where it helped to re-launch the Gundam franchise as a separate feature without ties to the original Gundam series characters or story continuity. The theatrical feature will be presented in its original Japanese language with English subtitles. Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, key creative members from previous Gundam projects have also lent a hand in the theatrical creative production including Kunio Okawara for mecha designs and Yoshikazu Yasuhiko for character designs.

“The Gundam franchise is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in Japan and along with a new Gundam series [Gundam SEED] on TV, the highly anticipated Zeta Gundam release on DVD, and now the theatrical/DVD release of Gundam F91 here in North America, this is definitely turning out to be a great year for old and new Gundam fans alike,” said Jerry Chu, Marketing Manager, Bandai Entertainment.

Directed by legendary director Yoshiyuki Tomino (Mobile Suit Gundam, Overman King Gainer) – Mobile Suit Gundam F91 takes place many years after the devastating One Year War. The Earth Federation has begun constructing new space colonies to replace the former Side 4 cluster. This new Frontier Side now consists of four colonies, among them the Frontier IV colony where young Seabook Arno lives with his father and his sister Reese. Their peaceful lives are disrupted when the colony is attacked by the Crossbone Vanguard, an elite fighting force seeking to reestablish the aristocratic ideals of the Ronah family. Fleeing from the attacks, Seabrook is forced to pilot the F91 Gundam in defense of the Space Ark training facility in a journey to escape a new and destructive war.

LADY DEATH COMIC CON EVENTS: THURSDAY, JULY 22nd, 1pm ADV Booth #3628, Lady Death director Andrew Orjuela and creator Brian Pulido FRIDAY, JULY 23rd, 1pm ADV Booth #3628, Lady Death director Andrew Orjuela and creator Brian Pulido FRIDAY, JULY 23rd, ADV Panel: LADY DEATH “Behind the Scenes”, 2:30-3:30pm ROOM 9 FRIDAY, JULY 23rd, ADV: LADY DEATH WORLD PREMIERE, 9-11:00pm ROOM 5AB SATURDAY, JULY 24th, 1pm ADV Booth #3628, Lady Death director Andrew Orjuela and creator Brian Pulido

Visit the Lady Death website at www.ladydeathtmp.com for the latest production updates, amazing character gallery and to view the upcoming movie trailer. The Making of the Film ADV Films took great pains in bringing to life Chaos! Comics’ popular character, Lady Death! To ensure this film would deliver a unique and original vision, ADV Films brought together some of its finest talents and incorporated them with some of the best animators and musicians in the business.

This animated masterpiece was directed and produced by first-time director Andrew Orjuela, who also conceptualized the stunning animation. The screenplay was written by renowned writer Carl Macek, developer and story editor for Robotech; producer of the English-language version of Miyazaki's classic My Neighbor Totoro; and producer and director of the English language version of Vampire Hunter D. ADV Films also, worked closely with Lady Death creator, Brian Pulido in capturing the true essence of the diva of death herself. Known for composing music for such directors as Steven Spielberg, Clive Barker and Oliver Stone in films like Any Given Sunday, Ali and Finding Forrester, famed composer Bill Brown took command of composing the original musical score for this epic tale.

The Story Set in 15th Century Sweden, Hope, the beautiful daughter of Matthias—believed to be a skilled mercenary, but who in actuality is Lucifer, the Lord of Lies—is accused of being the devil’s consort following a hellish incident witnessed by local villagers. Ultimately, Hope is sentenced by the town priest to be burned at the stake. Writhing in pain and unable to think clearly, she accepts Lucifer’s offer of life in Hell—presented by the malevolent Pagan—over a hideously painful death. Lucifer’s grand plan to corrupt a soul of pure innocence meets unanticipated resistance, as Hope rejects Lucifer's scheme and eventually, transformed into the powerful warrior LADY DEATH, challenges the Lord of Lies for control of Hell itself. A powerful story of innocence lost, savage betrayal and glorious rebirth.

Creator: Brian Pulido is best known as the founder of Chaos! Comics, the place “where darkness dwells” with titles such as Lady Death, Evil Ernie, Purgatori, Chastity and The Chosen. Nominated by Diamond Comic Distribution as new publisher of the year in 1994, Chaos! was Wizard Magazine’s publisher of the year in 1996 and winner of two Comic Buyer’s Guide Awards in 1997 and 1998. Chaos! Comics was also known as the number one publisher of supernatural comics, appealing to a range of readers who like their comic fiction with teeth.

Producer / Director: Andrew Orjuela also served as producer and art director of ADV Films’ animation co-production, SIN, and has over ten years experience with ADV Films. In addition to taking the wheel for the first time as a director, Mr. Orjuela was also responsible for fashioning an original environment populated by unique characters that are both fresh and familiar at the same time. “It’s a very exciting time for ADV Films and myself,” said Orjuela. “As a huge fan of comic books and anime films, I hope to incorporate the best of both worlds and deliver a film that will entertain fans by staying true to the integrity of the character, while using both old and new animation techniques to tell an epic story that all people can relate to.”