This exclusive compilation features the work of the top ten prize-winning manga artists in America. Illustrations.

With a long list of activities and events to attend, cousin Thomas paints a picture of city life that makes Jessie’s world seem a little dull in comparison. When her mother suggests they invite Thomas to visit their island, Jessie wonders glumly what she could possibly write in her letter that would sound as exciting as zoos, planetariums or video arcades. But as Jessie looks out over her island home, she sees a world of endless variety, from killer whales in the strait and bald eagles soaring overhead to anemones in tide pools and tiny hermit crabs on the shore. She thinks of countless days spent exploring, fishing, swimming and canoeing.

TOP COW is proud to bring you issues 1-8 of the critically acclaimed series RISING STARS. This is the first story arc written by J. Michael Straczynski and tells the tale of the beginnings of the Specials. With new cover by MIDNIGHT NATION artist Gary Frank. This collection is the perfect way to revisit the earlier issues of RISING STARS in one sitting or to discover fro the first time the mose realistic superhero epic since Alan Moore's Watchmen.

The country's leading manga publisher launches its fifth Rising Stars of Manga competition. The top ten talented winners will score prizes and have their winning entries published in this anthology. Illustrations.

Here comes the new breed! The first full-length anthology of best new manga, by the brightest young talents in the field. Bursting with energy and imagination, this collection features the most exciting new work by western manga-ka Japanese style comics being produced by western artists. Contributors include promising stars like Michiru Morikawa, winner of the Grand Prize of the International Manga and Anime Festival, Selina Dean and Asia Alfasi, as well as established names such as Andi Watson and Craig Conlan. Over 500 pages long, the anthology showcases more than fifteen new stories, complete and unabridged. Many expand on the limited popular conception of 'big-eyed' manga in original and unexpected ways — home-grown stories that speak directly to western audiences. The collection follows the format of the benchmark annual Mammoth anthologies of science fiction and horror, and includes a brief introduction to each contributor.

Naofumi Iwatani, still beset by enemies, continues to adventure and battle his way through a fantasy world—a world he was suddenly thrown into without warning. In the third volume of this epic series, he encounters new friends and foes. A powerful threat revels herself in the midst of an epic battle. A new companion with a penchant for magical birds, and tied to the royal family, appears at his side. And once again we find Naofumi plotted against, set up, and betrayed. Will Naofumi escape his pursuers and help the poor people of this strange world? Or is he forever doomed by the aggression that threatens to overcome him from all sides—and from within?

"If you refuse to fight, I'll have to kill you all." Naofumi and his friends meet Fitoria, the queen of the filolials. But in order to fulfill her own objectives, Fitoria challenges Filo to battle! What's more, the Spear Hero, Motoyasu, utters something absolutely shocking. In the midst of despair, when all seems lost, what will Naofumi do?

Akari is a cute but somewhat inhibited teenage girl who attends high school with her childhood chums, Hiroyuki and Masashi. Though she regards these two along the lines of siblings, Akari finds her world becoming troublesome as her adolescent affection for the generous and warm-hearted Hiroyuki begins to grow onto something more. The complications only thicken when a beautiful senior, Serika Kurusugawa, steps into the picture. Akari finds her solution in an unlikely place: An android named Multi, who happens to be training to become a full fledged maid robot, just might be able to use her machined mind to help Akari overcome her shyness and win Hiroyuki's love!

Yumi is a fun-loving schoolgirl with a deadly fate: she was born with a curse, and now something wicked her way comes.

The race is on for Maeve, Aiden and Devin to find a way to trick Sylne into betraying herself, but without Veril around, their efforts might be futile. Junael adds a formidable and highly knowledgeable component to the odd team, but even his advice and skill may not be enough. As a newly licensed and still-inexperienced demon, Maeve and her magical skills may be their best hope!