SHI: JU-NEN ARRIVES IN APRIL FROM DARK HORSE

[MattBrady]

<i>Press Release</i>

<blockquote>Just in time for the 10th anniversary of Billy Tucci’s highly evocative original mini-series, Shi: The Way of the Warrior, Ana Ishikawa – better known as Shi – is back! The avenging angel torn between two ways of life returns in Shi: Ju-Nen (http://198.65.99.89/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6755), a brand new limited series from Dark Horse Comics.

Ten years have passed since Tucci first introduced us to the shadow war, which has raged for hundreds of years between the warrior monks of the Kyoto and Nara Sohei, direct descendants of Japan’s greatest samurai. It was in that series that we met Ana Ishikawa, who set out on the path of revenge but found herself lost in a sea of conflict, much of it within her own soul.

Things have changed in the last decade. Ana Ishikawa returns to her native Japan where she desperately tries to avert an all out war between the secretive sects of the Kyoto and Nara Sohei. And with the Narans on the verge of annihilation, the Kyoto Sohei are about to rub it in—with the encouragement of the Yakuza and with potentially disastrous consequences. Once again, Ana in the guise of Death Incarnate will take up the naginata and don her grandfather’s Kabuki face paint in order to save both cities, even if it means turning to her father’s murderer Masahiro Arashi to do so.

“Aside from producing the best work of my career, my main goal with “Shi: Ju-Nen” was to create a gripping storyline that would also serve as a jumping off point for new readers,” commented Shi creator Billy Tucci. “ 2004 marks 10 wonderful years for both Ana Ishikawa and myself, and couldn't think of a better home than Dark Horse to afford Shi's readers (both old and new) the production values and content quality they deserve.”

Shi: Ju-Nen features fantastic storytelling and art by Billy Tucci! Issue one of this four part series arrives April 14 with a retail price of $2.99.</blockquote>

[Warewolf]

I am SO there! Finally, another Tucci written and drawn Shi series...

[John Osen]

Originally posted by Warewolf
I am SO there! Finally, another Tucci written and drawn Shi series... :) :D :cool:

[Strike]

I have a few Shi books, and I like them. I will be getting this new series.

In preparation for this, can anybody give me a list of all earlier Shi stories from Crusade, and maybe Avatar.
In order.
Just the stories.
Not interested in variant covers, cover galleries, etc.

Thanks.

[stlfan79]

Can someone help me out here-who publishes Shi? Month after month over the last year I have seen solicitations from Crusade and Avatat and now it is at Dark Horse? Do all these companies (I know Crusade is Billy's) have agreements to produce Shi books or is the Avatar stuff done and he is now coming out from DH?

[mrhelm]

I'm so ready for this. This book should rule.


Now... a short history of Shi's publishing.

Shi debuted in 1994 and her original 12 issue series ran off and on to 1997 (while supposedly being bi-monthly). All these issues were from Crusade. Crusade followed this up with a regular series and several limited series, a couple of them featuring the early art of J.G. Jones (Shi: Black, white, and red is just beautiful)

Tucci decided to take some time off to make movies and BattleBooks (ugh) leaving Crusade publishing 1 or 2 books a year.

In order to keep interest up in Shi, Tucci lisenced Anna no Shi (I think that's her name... she's a Shi of the distant past) for several limited series and one-shots. Most were average at best.

Last year, Tucci made a deal with Dark Horse to publish his new Shi series. Ju-Nen is that series.

I think I got everything right there.

[WebHobbit]

Shi: Ju-Nen” was to create a gripping storyline that would also serve as a jumping off point for new readers,” commented Shi creator Billy Tucci


I think he meant jumping <b>ON</b> point. :D :p

But yeah....I may check this out!

:)

[Billy Tucci]

Originally posted by mrhelm
I'm so ready for this. This book should rule.


Now... a short history of Shi's publishing.

Shi debuted in 1994 and her original 12 issue series ran off and on to 1997 (while supposedly being bi-monthly). All these issues were from Crusade. Crusade followed this up with a regular series and several limited series, a couple of them featuring the early art of J.G. Jones (Shi: Black, white, and red is just beautiful)

Tucci decided to take some time off to make movies and BattleBooks (ugh) leaving Crusade publishing 1 or 2 books a year.

In order to keep interest up in Shi, Tucci lisenced Anna no Shi (I think that's her name... she's a Shi of the distant past) for several limited series and one-shots. Most were average at best.

Last year, Tucci made a deal with Dark Horse to publish his new Shi series. Ju-Nen is that series.

I think I got everything right there.

Okay, thanks for the insight and assistance MrHelm,

Crusade which is me continuously published from 1994-98. In 1999 we did publish a bunch of BattleBooks and a 5th Anniversary edition. In 2000 I published the three issue "Year of the Dragon" and the Wolverine/Shi Crossover. In 2001, I was in midst of writing the Shi Movie Screenplay for Franchise Films and needed a break but we did manage to produce "Akai" which introduced Victoria Cross and I believe a "Shi Zero". Of course since 1998 we've been producing an annual "Tour Book" and a bunch of posters, prints and other merchandise. In 2001 I also started to write, direct and shoot my film "some trouble of a SeRRious nature" which continued over to 2002 with the editing and all that jazz. Also in 2002, I produced the most important book of my career "Shi - Through the Ashes" our 9/11 benefit book that raised a bunch of money for the Uniformed Firefighters Widow's and Children's Fund, and "Victoria Cross" 1/2 issue and the "Undaunted." and begun the 7 issue bi-monthly "Shi - The Illustrated Warrior." We basically did a bunch. I am good friends with William Christensen from Avatar who offered to publish even more Shi while I was in trying to remain in creative mode. To be honest, since 9/11, my wife getting pregnant and having our son, I've made the choice that any time spent away from my family would be creating, and that's where the Avatar and now Dark Horse aspects come into place. I think I've proven myself as a self-publisher and just want to write and draw. I'll probably triple my output and focus everything on the story...

Whew!

Thank you all for supporting me and I think you'll enjoy "Ju-Nen". As my good friend JC Vaugh told me, "you don't often get a second chance to make a first impression."

It's also really nice to have a Previews cover again!

[Billy Tucci]

Originally posted by WebHobbit
I think he meant jumping <b>ON</b> point. :D :p

But yeah....I may check this out!

:)

Oh damn, what did I say?

I'm sure you're right. I am a cartoonist afterall...;)

[Strike]

That doesn't help.

All I want is a list of what books to buy to know the story of Shi - including any that have been collected as trades.

[Matt Hawes]

I am glad to read that there will be a new Shi comic! I'm also glad to see that Mr. Tucci is posting here, on Newsarama! He is truly one of the coolest professionals I have ever met! I mean, how many comics pro's do you know that will buy you an ice cream? :)

If you ever get a chance to chat with Mr. Tucci at a convention, I recommend it!

I wish you good luck with the new series, Mr. Tucci. I'll make sure that I order it for my shop!

[WebHobbit]

Hot babe character, Martial arts and ice-cream....what's not to love?

:cool:

[joggler]

I loved Shi once, but I'm hesitant to jump back in for two reasons. 1) Sorry, Billy, but your track record for getting your books out on time pretty much sucks ... and 2) Sorry again, Billy, but you didn't do the art for all twelve 'Shi: Way of the Warrior' books, and that makes me wonder whether you're going to lose interest again and turn your wonderful pencils over to someone who clearly doesn't get it. I suspect I'm not alone. I will say this, though ... man, you can draw when you want to. Just wish you wanted to more often.

[Billy Tucci]

Originally posted by joggler
I loved Shi once, but I'm hesitant to jump back in for two reasons. 1) Sorry, Billy, but your track record for getting your books out on time pretty much sucks ...

Joggler you are right! That's why I want to step away from publishing and to concerntrate directly on creating. Dark Horse is perfect and has taken a HUGE load off my shoulders! It's an incredible sence of freedome. But I want you to know that on the other hand it's very easy to draw a book in a month, it's just when that book happens to be your own creation, you also spend a lot more time on each panel and page.

and 2) Sorry again, Billy, but you didn't do the art for all twelve 'Shi: Way of the Warrior' books, and that makes me wonder whether you're going to lose interest again and turn your wonderful pencils over to someone who clearly doesn't get it. I suspect I'm not alone. I will say this, though ... man, you can draw when you want to. Just wish you wanted to more often. [/B]

I did most of the art in the "Way of the Warrior", but foolishly got all caught up in the publishing stuff, with our other books. Who would've known the damn thing was going to take off like that. But I can assure you that I will be doing all the art on "Ju-Nen" unless I can find someone better!
;)

But seriously, I hope you do check it out and give it a chance, I understand any past reservations and no offense has been taken. But I can assure you that of my dedication and only care to tell great stories now...

[Billy Tucci]

Originally posted by Matt Hawes
I am glad to read that there will be a new Shi comic! I'm also glad to see that Mr. Tucci is posting here, on Newsarama! He is truly one of the coolest professionals I have ever met! I mean, how many comics pro's do you know that will buy you an ice cream? :)

If you ever get a chance to chat with Mr. Tucci at a convention, I recommend it!

I wish you good luck with the new series, Mr. Tucci. I'll make sure that I order it for my shop!

Thank you for the extremely kind words Matt! It's people like you who've changed my life... I hope you like the series.

-Billy

[joggler]

Hey, Billy ... thanks for the reply. In the back of my mind I was hoping you'd reassure me that you're going to see this one through.

I browsed through a 'Shi: Way of the Warrior' trade paperback today ... and fell in love once again with Ana ... or, more accurately, YOUR vision of Ana.

Let's be honest ... if you're drawing Shi, I'm not going to be able to pass it up. (smile)

OK, Billy ... I'm in. I'm just really hoping you're in for the long haul.

There are so many things wrong with comics today ... and right there near the top of the list are writers and artists (and comics companies) who don't finish what they start.

Thanks for replying. You're cool.

[Billy Tucci]

Right again on all counts.

Thanks for being in... Check out our website for the newest art in the next couple of weeks. I'm really having a lot of fun with Ju-Nen and hope you think it's my best work yet! Just drew Ana living out on rural Hokkaido bow-hunting a nice Sika buck.

[Delvie]

Originally posted by Strike
That doesn't help.

All I want is a list of what books to buy to know the story of Shi - including any that have been collected as trades.



I think everybody keeps missing your point, Strike.

Try this:
I highly recommend you start w/ Way of the Warrior (& then go back & read the timeline), but the WOTW series takes several sidebars that deepen the storyline. For the timeline order try:

Year of the Dragon 1,2,3
Grifter/Shi
WOTW 1
WOTW 2
WOTW 3
WOTW 4
WOTW 5
Tomoe 0
WOTW 6 (or Tomoe 1, the same)
WOTW 7
Tomoe 2
Tomoe 3
WOTW 8
Shi vs Tomoe
WOTW 9
WOTW 10
WOTW 11
WOTW 12
Manga Shiseiji
Tomoe/Witchblade
Manga Shi 2000 1
Manga Shi 2000 2
Manga Shi 2000 3
Tora No Shi 1
Tora No Shi 2
Tora No Shi 3
Heaven & Earth 1
Heaven & Earth 2
Heaven & Earth 3
Heaven & Earth 4
Shi Masqerade
Tomoe Unforgettable fire
Shi the Series 1,2,3


I think that's right. I could be wrong. Year of the Dragons takes place when she was a child
Grifter Shi happens just before moving to America
& then yada

It is VERY imperative that you avoid SHI: The Series until after you read the base Shi storyline as the sidebars tend to gut nuts after Series #3.

In a nutshell:
Basically, (starting @ WOTW) Ana as a child witnesses her father & little brother being murdered by an upstart Yakuza boss. She is raised catholic by her mother w/ forgive & forget values but raised as a Sohei warrior by her grandfather to avenge the family honor. Jump to current day NYC & she comes to America under the guise as a Japanese art dealer w/ the sole purpose of bringing down said yakuza boss who has now brought his operation to America under the umbrella of Japanese business corporation. Ana begins her quest to bring down the Yakuza boss by bringing down his entire foundation. Turning Mafia against yakuza against bad cops etc. The story takes several twists & turns thru love, foiling plans, Ana's best friend (who belongs to a centuries old rival Sohei sect) to kill her, boyfriend cop losing his badge, etc. Eventually, when the time comes to fight her enemy one on one, the ending takes yet another surprising twist. Later on, all the killing has caught the attention of her grandfathers peers in Japan & they order her dead, capturing her mother & using her as bait against Ana. The rescue attempt results in Ana's capture & she as well as her mother are sentenced to death. Just when all looked lost, a rogue group from w/in the Kyoto Sohei who were inspired by her actions set her free to fight for her life. Next, she is betrayed by her best friend from the Nara Sohei sect who not only attacks Ana's enemies, but her saviors as well. Ana's grandfather appears just in time to take out the leader of the Kyoto Sect who lead the capture of Ana & her mother.


Hope that helps




http://www.watchfarscape.com/forums/images/smilies/thumb.gif

[mrflameb]

Hi billy i'm glad to hear of u new series i want read more of ana,well i hope u remember me we met a few years ago here in mexico in a comic con named th' CONQUE and i gave u my own comic book Molibdeno i hope u still have it,but right now u can check my new one ezra from arcana, i hope hear of u soon man.

[Billy Tucci]

Of course I remember you! Thanks for the Congrats!

[mrflameb]

Hi billy also u can check my art work in th' www.arcanastudio.com please contact me in my mail to know more about th' new series. we're in contact. seeya soon.:cool: