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https://blacknerdproblems.com/azuki-adds-new-manga-series-for-may/

My favorite digital manga subscription service Azuki, home of my beloved My Dear Detective: Mitsuko’s Case Files will be adding six new titles to its library. This includes four comic series from Japanese publisher YUZU Comics and distributed by Media Do International, Inc., and two one-shots from independent manga publisher Star Fruit Books. The six titles are now available worldwide on the Azuki website and iOS and Android apps, with select free chapters available.

The two Star Fruit Books one-shots — Handyman Quincy and To White — are Azuki digital exclusives. This is part of a new partnership between Azuki and Star Fruit Books that will bring new Star Fruit Books titles to Azuki before they’re available anywhere else. A full list of the series with synopses from the publishers is provided below.

The Light Conjurer by Gene, published by YUZU Comics and distributed by MD-i: Robin, a seemingly useless summoner whose conjuring attempts are comically futile, secretly dreams of defeating a dragon. Fate has a sense of humor when Robin summons a mysterious prince who coerces him into going to an abandoned castle… where a dragon lives. Can a useless conjurer face the challenge of confronting a legendary beast? Creator Gene is a comic artist/illustrator who was born and raised in Tainan, Taiwan. She was the Bronze Prize-winner in the BL category at the first Ever Glory Original Comic Competition. An active figure in various doujin communities. Gene’s works come in diverse styles, and she loves to add a touch of humor to stories. Her work Wanted, Magic Girl! was selected to the 10th Golden Comic Best New Artist Award in 2019 and she also has won two top prizes at the 2020 Kyoto International Manga Anime Awards.

This looks like it will appeal to fans of: fantasy BL, PRINCES AND DRAGONS and really gorgeous, detailed artwork, and some really fun world-building,

Loving You When the World Ended by Gene, published by YUZU Comics and distributed by MD-i: An apocalyptic event forces two strangers to navigate a world where the old order is shattered. Is it survival of the fittest or survival of the richest? Spoiled Nuowan can’t stay alive in this new reality without the help of skilled hotel worker Yu Seng, whom he met only moments before the world ended. Yu’s former military training comes in handy but is kissing out of the blue a survival tactic?

This looks like it will appeal to fans of: post-apocalyptic settings, the grumpy/sunshine romancing trope, and the hilarious side of BL

Three Seconds After Our Eyes Met by Rancha, published by YUZU Comics and distributed by MD-i: The friendly, kind Student Union Event Division President Hezhan has a carefully maintained image but when fellow student Shunwen witnesses Hezhan’s outburst in a meeting room, he inadvertently becomes the keeper of Hezhan’s hidden side. Worried his secret will be revealed, Hezhan approaches Shunwen but every time their eyes lock, it feels like Shunwen sees right through him and he must “never lock eyes for more than three seconds.” Will Hezhan be able to protect his secret or will Shunwen reshape Hezhan’s life and his own? The creator of Three Seconds After Our Eyes Met, Rancha, was a Gold Prize-winner in the BL category at the second Ever Glory Original Comic Competition. Rancha is one of Taiwan’s most popular BL comic creators and renowned for delicate storytelling and for realistically presenting the emotions of his characters.

This looks like it will appeal to fans of: layered storytelling, college life/school life settings, and lots of drama

Confessions of a 35 Year Old by TEI, published by YUZU Comics and distributed by MD-i: Thirty-five-year-old, single office worker Jason normally finds love to be elusive. He doesn’t give much thought to his new coworker Frank when he joins the company. But when a chance encounter evolves into a series of shared moments, an unanticipated twist in their relationship finds Jason and Frank being roommates. Will Jason find his new normal is love?

This looks like it will appeal to fans of: late bloomers via characters in BL, older characters, and work place romances

Handyman Quincy by Stephan Lapin with art by Naoto Tsushima, published by Star Fruit Books: Quincy, a boy with prosthetic limbs, starts as a handyman to support his family. But buying a second-hand phone from a thrift shop accidentally connects him to hitman requests. Can the kind-hearted Quincy fulfill these requests for murder?

This looks like it will appeal to fans of: futuristic settings, disabled characters, and LOTS OF ACTION

To White by Dei Saito, published by Star Fruit Books: A young girl living in a strange black-and-white world fights her way past a creature guarding a door that leads to somewhere else.

This looks like it will appeal to fans of: manga in the fantasy genres, female protagonists, unique artwork, and one-shots

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OTHER BIG AZUKI NEWS:

My Dear Detective is Coming to Print from Seven Seas!

Ever since Azuki launched the series, they’ve gotten nonstop requests for a print edition of My Dear Detective: Mitsuko’s Case Files. It’s a digital exclusive historical mystery manga about a talented detective and her quirky assistant. Now Seven Seas has announced My Dear Detective will be coming to print in October 2024! If you’ve kept up with my manga coverage on the site, you know this is a manga series that I love for its historical setting as well as one that I recommend for lovers of detectives stories via manga.

Of course, Azuki will continue to release the series digitally. You can read the entire series right now, plus new chapters straight from Japan on the first Monday of the month, in their Web, iOS, and Android apps! Find out what all the fuss is about!

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Azuki is available on the web at www.azuki.co and in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The app features 300 manga series, including international hits like Attack on Titan, Fire Force, and A Silent Voice. Azuki also publishes acclaimed new series like Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms, Natsume & Natsume, and My Dear Detective: Mitsuko’s Case Files, with weekly new chapters available exclusively via the Azuki app.

Manga fans can start reading for free with advertisements today, or upgrade to Premium and access the full Premium catalog featuring thousands of chapters for just $4.99 a month. A 14-day free trial and discounted annual plan are also available, and additional volumes outside the subscription can be purchased via direct volume sales. Premium members get 20% off all volumes. Most titles are available worldwide (except Japan). Stay up to date on the latest announcements by following Azuki at x.com/ReadAzuki, facebook.com/ReadAzuki, and instagram.com/readazuki.

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The post Azuki Adds New Manga Series for May appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/heritage-auctions-hip-hop/

Heritage Auctions is holding an online auction in which hundreds of mementos from the hip-hop world will be featured.

According to Complex, this is the first auction dedicated entirely to hip-hop memorabilia from many esteemed recording artists in the genre. The auction is currently open and will end on May 26. Anyone interested in getting their hands on possessions that may have been owned or correlated in some way to their favorite hip-hop recording artists can check the Heritage Auctions website to see what is available.

Items up for bids include trading cards featuring artists like JAY-Z, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, N.W.A., Drake and Kendrick Lamar — several vinyl recordings of Eminem albums like The Marshall Mathers LP, Encore and the 8 Mile Soundtrack. Original photographs include some of Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Tone Loc, Run-DMC (including Jam Master Jay), and Busta Rhymes. Ticket stubs for concerts like the “Up In Smoke Tour,” the “Anger Management Tour,” and the “Home and Home Tour.”

Several handbills for shows featuring Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, and the Cold Crush Brothers. Concert posters featuring Biz Markie, Nas, Queen Latifah, A Tribe Called Quest, Salt-N-Pepa and Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) plaques for 3rd Bass and the Beastie Boys.

Some of the items up for auction have no bids, with some listed as having bids in the hundreds of dollars per item. Then there are some items, like a 1992 Tupac Shakur autograph on a 30-day notice to his landlord that currently has a bid of over $2,000, and the Eazy-E-signed It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa cassette tape EP, which has a bid price of $5,000.

Hip-hop fans can surely find a variety of hip-hop pieces to own, ranging from artists who helped start the genre’s commercial success to artists still recording and performing shows worldwide.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/wine-and-spirits-companies-summer-activities/

Originally Published Jun. 26, 2020.

With the start of summer comes seasonal drinks for kickbacks with friends and family while enjoying the weather. It is a time where you can enjoy your favorite summer drink either by yourself or with a companion. As you prepare your bar with your favorite wine and spirits, add a few Black-owned brands to your top shelf.

For Outdoor Dining And Picnic — Le Fête Du Rosé

As the first Black-owned rosé based out of St. Tropez, France, founder and CEO, Donae Burston wanted to created a wine that had a more multicultural focus in its marketing materials. The fruity, eco-friendly rosé wine is ideal for outdoor outings like picnics with friends on a beautiful day.

For People Dreaming Of Their Next Vacation — Cremas Absalon 

Cremas is a Haitian rum similar to coquito in Puerto Rico. Cremas Absalon brings the traditional drink to a larger audience with a twist: a cream liqueur with a taste that reminds you of an island vacation. The company also produces an ice cream made from the rum to enjoy during the summer.

For Drinks After Dark With Friends — HH Bespoke Spirits

Gin is another popular spirit that shows a lack of diversity in its field. The owners behind HH Bespoke Spirits used the inspiration of the Harlem Renaissance to bring their traditional London Dry style gin to a modern American audience.

For Someone Who Enjoys A Solo Drink — Uncle Nearest

Uncle Nearest is named after the country’s first Black master distiller, Nathan “Nearest” Green, who was believed to perfect the Lincoln Country Process that created Tennessee Whiskey. He is also the one who taught Jack Daniels how to distill his whiskey. The brand opened in 2019 in Tennessee to honor the African American whiskey maker.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Food, Wine, And Fete’ Luxury Soca Experience Returns To Miami

https://nerdist.com/article/star-trek-discovery-series-finale-epilogue-reveals-the-fate-of-captain-burnham/

After five seasons and 65 episodes, Star Trek: Discovery has landed in dry dock. The first ever Star Trek streaming series has released its final episode, “Life, Itself.” And the finale has a coda that ties off the journey of Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green). What a journey it has been. In the first episode, set in the 23rd century, Burnham (Spock’s adopted sister) is a mutineer whose actions landed her in the Starfleet prison. She joins Discovery‘s crew, and serves under several captains. Then, after time-traveling 900 years into the future, Michael Burnham becomes the Captain of Discovery herself. And now, we see where her life takes her decades later.

Michael Burnham met the man who would be the love of her life, the Kwejian Cleveland Booker (David Ajala), when she arrived in the 32nd Century. This was at the start of season three. The two became partners when Burnham became stranded in this strange future. She became a space courier with Booker, or “Book” for short. Eventually, they became romantically involved, even after she became Captain of Discovery. Over the course of the last three seasons, the pair had their ups and downs. They even split up for a time. But in the series finale, the two recommitted their love for one another. This was at the wedding of Captain Saru (Doug Jones) and the Vulcan President T’Rina (Tara Rosling).

Admiral Burnham Is Married to Booker, and They Have an Adult Son in Starfleet

Then, Star Trek: Discovery drops a bombshell on us. We flash forward decades into the future. We see that Burnham and Booker are now married, living in a country home on a remote alien planet. As Michael wakes up to get her morning coffee, Book follows her, and in their conversation, it’s revealed that today is a big day for her. She’s now Admiral Burnham, and a shuttle is coming to take her to a special ceremony. When the shuttle arrives, a young man beams down, played by Sawandi Wilson. He reveals himself as the son of Burnham and Booker. He’s also in Starfleet, and is about to get his own command and starship. He appears as “Captain Leto” in the credits, although they never refer to him by name. He looks about thirty, meaning she and Booker have been married for at least three decades or more in these scenes.

Michael Burnham Takes Command of Discovery One Last Time

Booker stays behind on the alien world, and mother and son go to Starfleet HQ together. In typical Trek fashion, they have a new uniform design. They talk together on the shuttle about Burnham’s friend Tilly, who is now the longest-tenured instructor at Starfleet Academy. We don’t really find out what became of the rest of Discovery’s crew, although we see a montage of them together in younger days. Once they get to Starfleet HQ, we see that they are reverting Discovery to its original 23rd-century mode, with the letter “A” removed from its registry number.

Michael Burnham beams aboard Discovery, now an empty ghost vessel, and talks to Zora, Discovery’s sentient AI system. They embark on one final mission together. It’s a secret “Red Directive” mission, where Discovery will await a ship of unknown origin for a thousand years. Upon reaching the coordinates, Burnham will disembark, while Zora awaits the mysterious vessel. Zora realizes that after this mission, she and Burnham won’t ever see each other again. Burnham says her famous catchphrase one last time as they go to warp — “Let’s fly.”

Will Michael Burnham Return in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

Will we follow up on this future version of Michael Burnham? It depends on exactly when the new Starfleet Academy series takes place. It might happen concurrently with the elder Michael Burnham we see in the Discovery epilogue. What we do know is that after many hardships, Admiral Michael Burnham led a fulfilled and fruitful life, something she could never have foreseen for herself in the series’ original episode, when she was an outcast mutineer, shunned by almost every member of Starfleet. Admiral Michael Burnham has had a journey unlike any Starfleet commander, or Star Trek series lead, before her.

The post STAR TREK: DISCOVERY Series Finale Epilogue Reveals the Fate of Captain Burnham appeared first on Nerdist.