Kunoichi Hime (Ninja Princess)

You may have seen the promotional images we have been placing on Facebook, Twitter and Deviant Art with the caption “Soon”. Well, it’s time to spill the beans. We are excited to announce Kunoichi Hime, the newest story in the saga of the Toshigawa Ninja Clan.

 Fourteen year old Shianndrea deals with the hardships of any normal teenage girl. She’s in love with a boy who is way out of her league and dating someone else. She hates the way she looks. Her teachers are overbearing. And her rival just so happens to be a star pupil who is always willing to make her look bad. But Shianndrea is not like any  normal girl. She is a ninja princess, born into a world of martial arts training and death defying ninja action all in order to safeguard Japan from its evil Emperor. The last thing she wants is to let her clan down.

However, certain forces are moving against her. The Azumi Ninja Clan has their eyes set on capturing Shianndrea and delivering her to the Emperor who is ready to destroy her. They have conjured an Oni (Demon) to make sure that the Ninja Princess does not escape. Now Shianndrea has to stay out of the Azumi’s and their monster’s sights while navigating the trials and tribulations of a teenage girl. All of this and her Ninja Master Test is just around the corner.

“What makes this different from the Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa series?” Well, I’m glad you asked, young reader. This series will be presented initially as a web comic released biweekly. That’s right!! Tune into toshigawa.com every two weeks to see the story onfold! Another thing that sets this series apart from the graphic novels is the story. Kunoichi Hime is set 8 years before the original graphic novel series, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa, and is about how a 14 year old Shianndrea copes with love, life, and ninja training all while trying to discover what kind of woman she wants and needs to be. “We wanted to do some stories that where a bit lighter in tone. Kunoichi Hime is a fun and exciting read that will entertain, not only current readers on the original graphic novels, but teens and girls who love comics and manga as well”, said writer Janet Wade. “I, for one, am extremely happy with the stories that Janet and Kevin have crafted. I’m looking forward to seeing where they take this next.”, said creator Martheus Wade. “It’s going to be refreshing to turn over the reigns of these characters to someone else for a change.”

 Kunoichi Hime will make it’s debut at Anime Blues Con Winter Remix Saturday, January 19, 2013. We will have with us an exclusive 8 page intro story in print and on sale to kick off the web comic. Don’t miss this opportunity to get this REMIX EXCLUSIVE. We will also have prints and posters to help us celebrate this new beginning to the Toshigawa saga. Kunoichi Hime goes live at toshigawa.com on January 26! Mark your calendars and don’t forget to subscribe for frequent updates!

Writen by: Janet Wade

Illustrations by: A.I.M.I

Cover by: Johanna Tamminen

Edits by: Kevin L. Williams

Colors by: Janet Wade

Color assists by: Marvin Cheveallier

Comic book and Manga Classes are a GO!!

INDEPENDENT COMIC CREATOR PUTS A COMIC BOOK SPIN ON ART CLASSES

Indy comic book creator, Martheus Wade, creator of the hit graphic novel series Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa and Turra: Gun Angel and art director for MAW Productions Studios, is proud to announce the formation of The Comic Studio, a series of classes that specialize in the art of comic book and graphic novel creation.

The Comic Studio will be art classes with a comic book twist. The classes take an innovative approach to creative design that combines fine art, writing and graphic design skills and team them with goal setting techniques that will empower students to see projects through to completion. Courses will cover everything from photoshop techniques, to illustration techniques, to writing all from the perspective of comic book and graphic novel creation. “I’ve always wanted to give back to the Memphis area,” Martheus said. “The idea for the Comic Studio began when I taught comic illustration in the penitentiary system. There were some extremely talented individuals there that could have contributed so much to the art world if someone would have reached them early and helped develop their talent. I want to find that child before it’s too late.” Thanks to fellow artist and prolific painter, Adam Shaw, classes will start at his studio in November at 2547 Broad Ave, Memphis TN. “The revitalization of Broad Avenue as an arts district fits The Comic Studio perfectly,” said Martheus. “It’s the perfect place to open minds to the arts and the power of the graphic medium.”

Classes start in November and will meet Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. More information on times will be available in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in enrollment should contact Martheus Wade at martheus@toshigawa.com or join our facebook page, keyword: The Comic Studio. Free art tutorials are also available online at www.mawpro.com.

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Martheus Antone Wade

Optioned for motion picture, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa was created in 1985 by Martheus Antone Wade, a graduate of the University of Memphis. Martheus’ love for martial arts, along with his talent as a graphic artist, was a natural fit for creating exciting characters and imaginative storylines. He then began his carrier as an intern at Signature Advertising. After completing his internship, Martheus worked as graphic designer. After two years, Martheus struck out on his own as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator working with companies such as the Radison Hotel, Trust Marketing, Senior Services, The YWCA, The Girl Scouts Council of the Mid-South, and Special Olympics.

He has illustrated for Maximum CNG, Bloodstream for Image Comics, Shooting Star Comics, Chaos Campus for Approbation Comics and Andrew Dabb’s Slices just to name a few. Recently, he has worked on such titles as Action Man and Nanovor for IDW, Bad Girls Club for the Oxygen Network, and illustrated, wrote, and produced a comic book crossover with his title character, Jetta, and William Tucci’s, Shi. His work has been used for the movie Role Models from Universal Pictures as well as the instructional DVD and book, Hi-Fi Digital Color for Comics available from IMPACT Publishing.

Visit www.mawpro.com to see more of his work and artistic process .

All Cons!! All The Time!!

So, team Toshigawa has finally emerged from the convention tour we have been on for two weeks. While it was fun to hit Superman Celebration and Anime Blues Con in back to back weekends, it was also exhausting! We also made it out of the art whirlwind that was May and June that saw the release of Jetta: Beginnings from Action Lab Entertainment, Free Comic Book day, and our 2nd MAW Productions Drink N Draw. However, after the smoke cleared and the dust settled, we had two great convention experiences! Here’s a rundown of what you missed.

SUPERMAN CELEBRATION 2012

Superman Celebration was all about family for me and Janet as we took Anakin (our son not the Jedi/Sith) to his first real convention. Things where a little hectic juggling daddy duties and being available at the MAW Productions booth. But, in the end, things worked out well. So, since a picture is worth 1000 words, I got plenty of photos to show you guys.

Me and Anakin at the MAW Productions booth! He plays. I work.

Turra and a Super Fan!

I did two seminars on breaking into the comic book industry! I had an awesome time!

Anakin saw Green Arrow and had to take a picture with him! This is an awesome picture!

Anakin also fell in love with Wonder Woman. He was looking for her after this picture so he could take another one with her.

Found this car outside of Lamberts and Anakin and I decided to take a spin around the block!

We took this same shot of him when he was only a few months old. Time flies.

The Super Mule and the Cookie Caper puppet show went great!

Roy Duck, Buford the Dog, and Muley the Mule star in Super Mule and the Cookie Caper!

Got the chance to meet the man himself, Mr. George Perez!

This is what Superman Celebration was about for me this year. My family and my art!

ANIME BLUES CON 2012

Anime Blues Con 2012 was all about work, work, work. Some of you guys know that I’m also a convention head for the art track at ABC. What that means is, not only am I set up for the convention at the MAW Productions booth, but I am also responsible for artist alley, the art panels, and the artist guests of honor. It can be a lot of fun. But it is also very taxing. Here are a few photos from the weekend.

Janet and Aang pose at ABC 2012

Reason number 1 anime conventions are different from other comic cons

Reason number 2 anime conventions are different from other comic cons.

Kevin is interviewed at the MAW Productions booth by Becca Meritt

Animator and comic artist, Alex Zemke, demos his animation skill at his booth!

Paintings by Demarco Randall!

Jewelery by Janet Wade

Anakin shows Turra all of the great spots to take photos!

Then he stops to take pictures with Catwoman. His convention tour continues!!

Animaniacs in the house!

TEST YOUR MIGHT!

ABC was so huge that DJ Lance Rock made an appearance!

Out of the Blu number 1 made it's debut at ABC! This was awesome to see completed and have anime and manga fans read for the first time. Be on the look out for the web series coming soon.

The Anime Blues Program Book and Out of the Blu #1 together! 2X BLues! Anime Blues!

Ninjettete from my favorite graphic novel series Empowered!

Anime Blues Con 2! Two times the trouble!

Shuks Howdy!!!

This is the look of an exhausted con head and artist.

CONVENTION COMMISSIONS APLENTY!!

Dejah Thores Commission

New 52 Superman Commission

Muley the Mule and Snuffy Commission

BATGIRL commission

Turra Shibata commission

She-Hulk Commission

Jetta Commission

Thanks to everyone that came out to both Superman Celebration and Anime Blues Con! You guys are what we do this for and I look forward to meeting you all out there on the convention road! Next stop, Memphis Comics and Fantasy Convention.

Superman Celebration 2012

Superman Celebration 6/7-10/2012

Several things are about to happen, but first: Don’t forget to click on the comic book cover below to order your own digital copy of the Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa – Beginnings Omnibus from MAW Productions!!  You want it, you know you do, so go get it!  Only $6.99 for 120 pages of full color glorious art! 

Coming up soon, you can find appearances by all your favorites at Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL!  June 7 – 10, 2012!

On hand you can find Kevin L. Williams and Muley the Mule, Martheus Wade and Janet Wade.  We’ll also have Muley being supported by Richard Meeks on Friday and Saturday for a Meet-n-Greet on Friday and Saturday as well as Turra Shibata on the same days supported by Micah Riley.  Artist DaMarco Randle will be there as well with a live-painting demonstration, all watched after closely by our Guard at Arms, Cliff Riley.

So, what does our schedule look like?

Each day the Artist’s Alley opens at 10 am, and you can find Muley and Turra there at that time.  Friday, you can meet Muley in is regular t-shirt; but on Saturday Muley will be donning his SuperMule suit for a visit!  Bring your cameras and autograph books!   Also, each day DaMarco Randle will be doing painting demonstrations that you can bid on while he paints LIVE for you!  All artists will be taking commissions for art throughout the weekend.  Artist’s Alley closes each day at 6pm.

Friday, June 8th, we’ll be there all day and working hard on art, sketches, and more, so be sure to swing by for a visit, except these times:

12 Noon: “Marketing for the Pitch” featuring creator Martheus Wade! Planet Krypton, 719 Market Street.

2:30 pm: “SuperMule and the Cookie Caper” performance*  Planet Krypton, 719 Market Street.

4:00 pm: “Kids Superhero Costume Contest” at the Smallville Tent is where you can find Muley next.

The puppet show performance is “SuperMule and the Cookie Caper!”  Can SuperMule save the day when all the city’s cookies are disappearing at the hands of an evil cookie thief?  You’ll have to come to the show and find out!  Featuring Muley the Mule as SuperMule; his pals Buford the Dog and Roy Duck; the victimous Missy Mule; Santa Fish and Frankie Steinatra as the goons; Death as the heavy; and Captain Davis as Captain Davis.

Saturday, June 9th, back at the booth all day starting at 10 am for artwork, sketches, and other activities. 

2:00 pm: Comic Book Pencilling workshop with Martheus Wade at Planet Krypton, 719 Market Street.  It’s a free class, and the best educational opportunity you can find for creating comics!  (The only other place I would suggest to go to learn anything would be at the MAW Studios website for the tutorials.)

7:30 pm: Come see the Memphis Blues Brothers – Soloman DH and Linwood Blues – as they come out of seclusion for a one-night-only celebratory song of Superman, introducing the annual Fan Film Competition! 
Sunday Morning at 10 am you can find us at the booth with your last-chance to purchase Muley/Jetta/Turra goodies and get art commissions ordered as usually we break down about noon.

See you on the road for some Super Sized fun!

Out of the Blu

Anime Blues Presents: “Out of the Blu”

Anime Blues • June 15 – 17, 2012

We’ve talked about it for months and now here it is; “Out of the Blu” an exclusive comic for Anime Blues Con starring our mascots, Trixi and Dax and created by us, MAW Productions. Have you ever wondered how Dax and Trixi met? Here’s your chance to find out! All of Anime Blues Con 2012 pre-registered attendees will receive a FREE copy of “Out of the Blu” and a limited number of copies will be available at the con for sale. On Saturday, stop by the MAW Productions table and get your copy of “Out of the Blu” signed by Trixi and Dax themselves!

As well, join us on Sunday at 3:00pm for the Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa panel!

Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa – Graphic Novels, Music and More

Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa has been a graphic novel fixture for 17 years as readers have followed Shianndrea Toshigawa, AKA Jetta, on her journey to become the Chosen One of the Toshigawa Ninja clan. Now, the books climatic end is fast approaching. With a live action movie in the works, the creative team that brought you this independent hit would like to celebrate this 17 year journey with Anime Blue Con! Come meet MAW Productions creators, Martheus Wade, Kevin Williams and Janet Wade with special guests Alex Zemke and Andrew Chandler as they talk the past, present and future of this exciting story. This panel will be kicking things of with live music from Iyse Gibson and D’Voted as they perform tracks inspired by the Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa – Defiance soundtrack! Don’t miss this celebration!

Find out more about Anime Blues Con here!! Hope to see you there!

MAW DRINK AND DRAW 2

It’s that time again to Drink-N-Draw!! And we have a big reason to celebrate the art of putting pencil to paper!
MAW Productions Studio invites you to join us at The Spaghetti Warehouse on May 18th for a night of pencil pushing, copic slinging, and beer drinking!! This is in celebration of the digital release of our first omnibus titled Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa – Beginnings published by Action Lab Entertainment!! To kick this release off right, every 5th person to come to the Drink -N- Draw will get an offer for a free download of the new book! So, sign up at the link below and come hang out and draw (or write) with our art community. See you there!!
Sign Up for the FUN here!!

Free Comic Book Day and Con Appearances

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2012

Free Comic Book Day is May 5th 2012 and we will be celebrating it in two different locations at the same time. (Crazy I know.)

First off Janet Stone Wade and myself along with Shawn Pryor of Action Lab Entertainment will be signing books, sketching, and meeting readers at Collectibles Etc in Lexington Ky! Janet and I will have copies of our new book, Jetta vs Turra that we will be giving away to everyone that stops by our table. If you will be in the area, make sure you stop by, grab a book and sketch and enjoy the festivities.

Back in Memphis, TN Kevin L. Williams, Muley and Turra will be signing copies of Muley the Mule and Friends, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa and Turra: Gun Angel at The Comics Cellar along side members of the Mid South Cartoonists Association! If you are in the Memphis area, take a trip to The Cellar and find out more information on the MSCA, grab a book from the editor of MAW Productions and have Turra sign your books!!

June is going to be just as busy for us!

SUPERMAN CELEBRATION 2012

On June 7th-10th Kevin, Janet, Muley, Turra and myself will be at Superman Celebration with other special guest artists! Muley will be hosting SuperMule and the Cookie Caper, a show that will star all of the cast of Muley the Mule and Friends. I will also be teaching comic book illustration classes on Saturday and Sunday. If you want to know more and see who all will be there, check out the site at http://www.supermancelebration.net/specialguests/comicsguests

ANIME BLUES CON 2012

The very next week, we will be at Anime Blues Con June 15th-17th!

The entire MAW Productions Crew will be there in full force as we will be hosting a slew of panel discussion about the creation of comic books and manga, as well as a Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa panel filled with music and fun!! Also, look for our exclusive comic book for the convention called, “The Blues” that will only be available at ABC 2012! To see all of the panels we will be hosting as well as guests to this awesome con take a look at animeblues.com!

See you somewhere out there on the road!!

The Blues

Here is a sneak peak at “Out of the BLUE”, a book that will debut at Anime Blues Con 2012 and stars convention spokes models, Trixi and Dax! See how the band get’s back together only at ANIME BLUES CON 2012

Illustrated and written by Martheus Wade

Inks by Janet Wade

Colors by Marvin Cheveallier

Edits by Kevin L. Williams

Free Comic Book Day 2012

Free Comic Book Day is May 5th 2012 and we will be celebrating it in two different locations at the same time. (Crazy I know.)

First off Janet Saltygirl Stone Wade and myself along with Shawn Pryor of Action Lab Entertainment will be signing books, sketching, and meeting readers at Collectibles Etc in Lexington Ky! Janet and I will have copies of our new book, Jetta vs Turra that we will be giving away FOR FREE to everyone that stops by our table. If you will be in the area, make sure you stop by, grab a book and sketch and enjoy the festivities.

Back in Memphis, TN Kevin L. Williams, Muley and Turra will be signing copies of Muley the Mule and Friends, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa and Turra: Gun Angel at The Comics Cellar along side members of the Mid South Cartoonists Association! If you are in the Memphis area, take a trip to The Cellar and find out more information on the MSCA, grab a book from the editor of MAW Productions and have Turra sign your books!!

Also, don’t forget to download your FREE 200 plus page digital comic from Action Lab Entertainment, called Action Lab Confidential from digital comic providers such as Graphicly, Comics+, Drive Thru Comics and additional digital outlets.

Action Lab Entertainment, best known for the indie smash-hit comic book Princeless and the soon to be released Double Jumpers wants to give readers the opportunity to read extended previews of their entire catalog of comics and original graphic novels, including some titles that have yet to hit the shelves.

This means you can download a copy and get a free sneak extended preview of Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa – Beginnings!!

“Beginnings” collects Jetta – Last Chances (first published in 2003) and Jetta – Crucible (first published in 2009)into one 120 page full color graphic novel.

With all new story additions, art and ending commentary, Beginnings brings an entirely new reading experience to these exciting books and provides an excellent jumping on point for new readers who have always wanted to check out one of the most popular female characters in independent comics.

We will be all over the place this Free Comic Book Day!! Happy reading and we’ll see you guys somewhere out there.

Anime Blues Con 2012

Maw Productions will, once again, be setting up at Anime Blues Con! This year, the convention is going to be loaded with artistic goodness. From the packed artist alley to the artist guests, ABC looks to be the place where you can find that art piece you need or that vital piece of information that will make your art fly. Here is a rundown of the featured artists.

MAW Productions

Created in 1994, MAW Productions has gained acknowledgement in their hit graphic novel series titled Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa and take pride in creating exciting new worlds for lovers and readers of comic books and manga to enjoy. They are continuing to make strides in the motion picture and animation industry as well and is continuing to bring new ideas to readers with their newest graphic novel, Turra: Bombs and Betrayal, the family friendly antics of Muley the Mule and Friends, and numerous original art, prints, sketch books, jewelry and merchandise.

Alex Zemke

Shawn Pryor

President Action Lab Entertainment

As President of Action Lab Entertainment, Shawn tries to put the emphasis of putting fun back into the comic book and animation medium and in his spare time ponders if he’s related to the late-great comedian with whom he shares the same last name.

See more of Shawn’s and Action Lab Entertainments work here

http://www.actionlabcomics.com/comics/

Dave Beaty

Illustrator inker DC Comics

Since 1992 Dave Beaty has produced numerous award winning illustrations and designs for the publishing, entertainment, advertising, film and music industries. Past clients include Archer Malmo, Clear Channel Communications, Elektra Entertainment Group, Marvel Comics and DC Comics.