BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2024: UPDATED YOUNEEK STUDIOS READING GUIDE

27 February 2024

Find Your Story: A YouNeek YouNiverse Recommended Reading Order
New Version Updated for 2024!

Since 2012, Roye Okupe has been building a universe of superheroes that spans centuries, centered around African stories and crafted by African creators. With this ever-expanding line of books, there are many points where a new reader could enter the YouNeek YouNiverse. To help readers choose a starting point, we’ve put together a suggested reading order in the graphic below.

You can see all YouNeek Studios titles here, including currently available and upcoming graphic novels. Stay tuned for more, as the YouNeek Studios line continues to expand and grow at Dark Horse!

Learn More

Since 2021, Dark Horse has been pleased to partner with YouNeek Studios to bring these original stories to a global audience. You can read the initial announcement here.

In Malika: Warrior Queen, Malika inherits the crown from her father, but in the process the kingdom of Azzaz is split in half. After years of civil war, Malika finally unites all of Azzaz, expanding it into one of the largest empires in all of West Africa—but expansion will not come without its costs.

In Iyanu: Child of Wonder, the tale follows a teenage orphan with no recollection of her past. Suddenly Iyanu discovers that she has abilities that rival the ancient deities told in the folklore of her people. It is these abilities that are the key to bringing back an “age of wonders,” and Iyanu must begin her journey to save a world on the brink of destruction.

E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams is an Afrofuturist superhero story about redemption set in the bustling metropolis that is Lagos, Nigeria. Wale Williams, who moonlights as the tech savy superhero E.X.O tries to save the city from a deadly group of emerging extremists, but first he must save himself.

In Windmaker, the West African nation of Atala is thrust into an era of unrest and dysfunction after their beloved president turns vicious dictator. With the country on the brink of civil war, the WindMaker–an ancient hero of the Ataliansmysteriously returns in what appears to be an effort to save his people.

In The Oloris: Heroes Will Unite, heroes from across YouNeek Studios’ different titles unite for the first time in an epic crossover event! When an unknown anarchist unleashes an army of extraterrestrial androids on the continent of Africa, Malika—legendary warrior queen of the 15th-century West African Empire, Azzaz—must put together a team of “unlike-minded” heroes to respond before it’s too late. Featuring appearances from other YouNeek YouNiverse heroes like EXO, Fury, and WindMaker, several YouNeek storylines finally converge.

Praise for YouNeek Studios:

“Wale Williams—and his setting of ‘Lagoon City’—is to Lagos what Gotham City is to New York.”–Forbes

“’Bout time!” —Jamie Foxx

“E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams is the fast-paced, afro-futuristic graphic novel from Roye Okupe.”–CNN

“The designs are very slick and futuristic, and ignore some of the design stereotypes which frequently turn up in many “African set” productions created by less intimate creators. At an initial glance, it has all of the fast-paced action and hi-tech superhero antics that you would expect of most animated action series on Cartoon Network or NickToons, only it is featuring a brand-new hero for a brand-new era.”–The Examiner

Dark Horse Comics

New Release: All the Presidents’ Gardens: How the White House Grounds Have Grown with America By Marta McDowell

Jocie McKade

27 February 2024

All the Presidents’ Gardens: How the White House Grounds Have Grown with America By Marta McDowell

The 18-acres surrounding the White House have been an unwitting witness to history—kings and queens have dined there, bills and treaties have been signed, and presidents have landed and retreated. Throughout it all, the grounds have remained not only beautiful, but also a powerful reflection of American trends. In All the Presidents’ Gardens bestselling author Marta McDowell tells the untold history of the White House grounds with historical and contemporary photographs, vintage seeds catalogs, and rare glimpses into Presidential pastimes. History buffs will revel in the fascinating tidbits about Lincoln’s goats, Ike’s putting green, Jackie’s iconic roses, Amy Carter’s tree house, and Trump’s controversial renovations. Gardeners will enjoy the information on the plants whose favor has come and gone over the years and the gardeners who have been responsible for it all. As one head gardener put it, “What’s great about the job is that our trees, our plants, our shrubs, know nothing about politics.”

Behind The Words With Jill Eileen Smith

Jocie McKade

27 February 2024

Today, we welcome bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith to the blog. We’ll be talking about her latest release THE ARK AND THE DOVE.

First, tell our readers about the The Ark and The Dove.

Emzara and Noah live in a world that no longer respects or believes in the Creator. Except for a few of their remaining ancestors, they are alone in their beliefs. The world is a dark place because of the demonic infiltration of the Nephilim, which began in the days of Adam and Eve. When Noah hears from the Creator, who says He is going to destroy the world as they know it and tells Noah to build an ark to save himself and his family and the animals, Noah obeys without question. The challenge of building such an enormous ship takes years fraught with trials, loss, sabotage, and continuing animosity from friends and family. When the time comes to enter the ark, Zara and her family embark on an adventure that tests their faith and patience until that wonderful day when they step again onto dry ground. But the future is nothing like what they expected. Can their family survive in this newly cleansed world when their own hearts are far from free?

What drew you to the story of Noah’s wife and convinced you to make Zara the subject of your next novel?

The story of Noah and the ark has been the subject of much speculation and interest for generations. Besides the many children’s stories and Hollywood films on the subject, people have searched for the lost ark for years. The ark intrigues us, but nothing is really known about the people who boarded it and lived on it with the animals for over a year. Noah’s wife and daughters-in-law are not even named in Scripture. So who were they? What was it like to live with a man who heard from God and did what He said, even if it meant building a huge ship in the middle of a field? I wanted to get to know Zara and her family and imagine what life was like before, during, and after that famous flood.

Where did you turn to do research for this novel?

I visited the Ark Encounter in Kentucky the year I began this book. I bought books there that helped me to picture the ins and outs of life back then. I read the scriptural account many times and searched online and in my store of reference books for anything I could find to help me grasp what Noah’s family went through and what that might have been like.

What fictional elements did you weave into this story? Can you explain the purpose behind one of them?

Every character contains fictional elements because the Bible doesn’t tell us much about any of them. I had to create personalities for each individual, and I chose to make one of the daughters-in-law—Keziah, Ham’s wife—more difficult to live with to add conflict to the story. This also helps us to imagine why Ham is the one who later laughs at his father’s drunken nakedness and why Noah ends up cursing Ham’s son. Giving Ham a difficult wife added to his own rebellious spirit.

Throughout the book, Zara struggles with heartbreak. What allows her to push through?

She prays. She does try to fix things sometimes, but when fixing fails, she talks first to her mother and later to Noah. But most of the time she turns to the Creator because she recognizes that He is the only one with power to do anything regarding her circumstances.

Often, retellings of Noah’s story end when they leave the ark. Why did you decide to continue the story beyond that point?

Noah lived for many years after the flood, and if we do the math with regard to his age and that of his sons, we realize that they lived until the Tower of Babel and the confusing of the languages. I wanted to show what happened generations later without going into too much detail, while imagining what Noah and Zara might have felt when they saw their family moving in different directions. After they had been so close aboard the ark, that couldn’t have been easy, and yet they knew this was what God wanted. When I look at someone who has lived a long life, I find it fascinating to see what they lived through.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading The Ark and the Dove?

My hope is that readers will look at this story less as a mythical tale and more as a fictionalized account of history. That they will see God’s heart in creating humanity and how sin and evil caused Him great sorrow because sin broke our fellowship with Him. The flood came as judgment to show us how heinous sin is and to restore us to a relationship with the Creator. Of course, true restoration didn’t come until God sent the Redeemer. I hope my readers will seek to know our Redeemer, Jesus Messiah.

Is it intimidating to retell and flesh out the stories of the Bible?

Yes. Most of the time it feels nearly impossible to find the bigger story within the vignette given in Scripture. Every time thus far, after much prayer and many drafts, God has shown me that there is a story worth telling.

How can readers connect with you?

My website: www.JillEileenSmith.com
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/JillEileenSmith/ Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/JillEileenSmith/
Twitter: https://Twitter.com/JillEileenSmith

What are you working on next?

The story of Mary Magdalene.

Where can readers purchase a copy of The Ark and the Dove?

Amazon, Baker Book House, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book Distributors, and wherever books are sold.

Thank you so much for joining us today and sharing your newest release. Here’s a look at THE ARK AND THE DOVE which releases today!!!

Zara and Noah have walked together with the Creator for their entire lives, and they have done their best in an increasingly wicked and defiant world to raise their three sons to follow in their footsteps. It has been a challenge–and it’s about to get much, much harder.

When the Creator tells her husband to build an ark to escape the coming wrath against the sins of humankind, Zara steps out with him in faith. But the derision and sabotage directed their way from both friends and extended family are difficult to bear, as is knowing that everyone she interacts with beyond her husband, her sons, and their wives is doomed to destruction. And when the ark is finally finished and the animals have been shut up inside, Zara and her family embark on an adventure that will test their patience and their faith as they await deliverance and dry ground.

Experience the story of Noah and the flood like you never have before. With bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith as your guide, you’ll never look at a rainbow the same way again.

National Library Lovers Month

Jocie McKade

26 February 2024

“I always knew from that moment, from the time I found myself at home in that little segregated library in the South, all the way up until I walked up the steps of the New York City library, I always felt, in any town, if I can get to a library, I’ll be OK. It really helped me as a child, and that never left me.” —Maya Angelou

Do you love your library? National Library Lovers’ Month is in February, and it’s dedicated to people who love their libraries for all they do for them. To join in the affection, we’ve pulled together some of the best fiction set in libraries, or with librarian characters – across genres, for all ages. Check them out at your local library!

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng OUR MISSING HEARTS by Celeste Ng

A Reese’s Book Club pick

Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving father, a former linguist who now shelves books in a university library. His mother Margaret, a Chinese American poet, left without a trace when he was nine years old. He doesn’t know what happened to her—only that her books have been banned—and he resents that she cared more about her work than about him. Then one day, Bird receives a mysterious letter containing only a cryptic drawing, and soon he is pulled into a quest to find her. His journey will take him back to the many folktales she poured into his head as a child, through the ranks of an underground network of heroic librarians, and finally to New York City, where he will finally learn the truth about what happened to his mother, and what the future holds for them both.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig

A GMA Book Club Pick (A Novel)

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig’s enchanting novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

MURDER AT THE LAKESIDE LIBRARY (#1) by Holly Danvers

Perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Miranda James, the Lakeside Library mysteries feature Rain Wilmot and her family’s waterfront cabin in quaint Lofty Pines, where Rain must juggle running the library with sleuthing the slaying of locals.

STORIES OF BOOKS AND LIBRARIES edited by Jane Holloway

The characters in the delightful stories collected here range all the way from the ink-stained medieval monks in Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose to the book-besotted denizens of Ali Smith’s Public Library and Other Stories. In these pages readers are invited to enter the interior lives of librarians in Lorrie Moore’s “Community Life” and Elizabeth McCracken’s “Juliet” and are ushered into a host of unusual libraries, including the infinite rooms of Jorge Luis Borges’s “The Library of Babel” and a secret library in Helen Oyeyemi’s “Books and Roses.”

The Library of the Unwritten by A. J. Hackwith THE LIBRARY OF THE UNWRITTEN by A.J. Hackwith

In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren’t finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson THE LAST CHANCE LIBRARY by Freya Sampson

Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. Shy and reclusive, the thirty-year-old would rather spend her time buried in books than venture out into the world. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother.

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis THE LIONS OF FIFTH AVENUE: A NOVEL by Fiona Davis

A Good Morning America Book Club Pick

In Fiona Davis’s latest historical novel, a series of book thefts roils the iconic New York Public Library, leaving two generations of strong-willed women to pick up the pieces.

Weather by Jenny Offill WEATHER by Jenny Offill

Lizzie works in the library of a university where she was once a promising graduate student. Her side hustle is answering the letters that come in to “Hell and High Water”, the doom-laden podcast hosted by her former mentor. At first it suits her, this chance to practice her other calling as an unofficial shrink—she has always played this role to her divorced mother and brother recovering from addiction—but soon Lizzie finds herself struggling to strike the obligatory note of hope in her responses. The reassuring rhythms of her life as a wife and mother begin to falter as her obsession with disaster psychology and people preparing for the end of the world grows.

The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai THE BORROWER: A NOVEL by Rebecca Makkai

Lucy Hull, a children’s librarian in Hannibal, Missouri, finds herself both kidnapper and kidnapped when her favorite patron, ten-year-old Ian Drake, runs away from home. Ian needs Lucy’s help to smuggle books past his overbearing mother, who has enrolled Ian in weekly antigay classes. Desperate to save him from the Drakes, Lucy allows herself to be hijacked by Ian when she finds him camped out in the library after hours, and the odd pair embarks on a crazy road trip. But is it just Ian who is running away? And should Lucy be trying to save a boy from his own parents?

FOR YOUNGER READERS

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: The Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO’S LIBRARY: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL by Chris Grabenstein, Douglas Holgate

Find out if game-loving Kyle Keeley can escape from what James Patterson calls “the coolest library in all the world” in this fun-filled graphic novel from the much-loved co-author of Treasure Hunters and the bestselling illustrator of The Last Kids on Earth!

Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall LOVE IN THE LIBRARY by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Yas Imamura

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tama is sent to live in a War Relocation Center in the desert. All Japanese Americans from the West Coast—elderly people, children, babies—now live in prison camps like Minidoka. Trying not to think of the life she once had, she works in the camp’s tiny library, taking solace in pages bursting with color and light, love and fairness. And she isn’t the only one. George waits each morning by the door, his arms piled with books checked out the day before. As their friendship grows, Tama wonders: Can anyone possibly read so much? Is she the reason George comes to the library every day? Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s beautifully illustrated, elegant love story features a photo of the real Tama and George—the author’s grandparents—along with an afterword and other back matter for readers to learn more about a time in our history that continues to resonate.

Digging for Words by Angela Burke Kunkel DIGGING FOR WORDS: JOSÉ ALBERTO GUTIÉRREZ AND THE LIBRARY HE BUILT by Angela Burke Kunkel, Paola Escobar

A gorgeous and inspiring picture book based on the life of José Alberto Gutiérrez, a garbage collector in Bogotá, Colombia who started a library with a single discarded book found on his route.

SCHOMBURG: THE MAN WHO BUILT A LIBRARY by Carole Boston Weatherford; Illustrated by Eric Velasquez

Amid the scholars, poets, authors, and artists of the Harlem Renaissance stood an Afro–Puerto Rican named Arturo Schomburg. This law clerk’s life’s passion was to collect books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora and bring to light the achievements of people of African descent through the ages. When Schomburg’s collection became so big it began to overflow his house (and his wife threatened to mutiny), he turned to the New York Public Library, where he created and curated a collection that was the cornerstone of a new Negro Division. A century later, his groundbreaking collection, known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, has become a beacon to scholars all over the world.

For more on these and many other library themed titles visit: Libraries and Librarians

For National Library Month ideas and info check out L.A. County Library’s page here

PenguinRandomHouse

Guest Post: Herbal Help for Coughs and Colds by Anna Franklin

Jocie McKade

26 February 2024

Winter and early spring always bring a seasonal crop of coughs, colds, and flu. Happily, Mother Nature provides us with some help to boost our immune systems and treat the symptoms of these ailments.

The most important thing is to eat well to boost your immune system, with plenty of fruits and vegetables. However, there are some herbs will also help. Rosemary is a perfect winter herb, antiviral and full of the vitamins and minerals we need at this time. I add it to soups and stews to get the benefits. Parsley helps lift winter fatigue and supplies plenty of vitamins C, A, and E, plus magnesium, iron, potassium, and calcium. Add it to food or make a cup of tea with a teaspoon of fresh leaves and a cup of boiling water. I always consume plenty of garlic in food in winter; it is both antiviral and antibacterial, and it has been shown to help reduce the incidence and duration of colds thanks to a compound called allin (this is converted in the body to sulphur, which increases the ability of white blood cells to fight infection). Thyme supports the immune system and strengthens the lungs. I like to infuse thyme leaves in honey to make an electuary and take a teaspoon of this whenever I need it or infuse a sprig of thyme in boiling water and drink a cup every morning.

Most people are aware of the benefits of lemon when treating a cold. It is high in vitamin C, which supports the immune system, and has antiseptic, astringent, and fever-reducing properties. It is also soothing the airways thanks to its anti-inflammatory compounds. Try making a tea with lemon juice, and if your diet allows, a teaspoon of honey.

One of the best-known immune boosters is echinacea (Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea angustifolia), usually taken in the form of a supplement. It contains several compounds that stimulate the activity of white blood cells to combat infections, particularly those that affect the sinuses, throat, and upper respiratory tract. My favourite immune booster, though, is elderberry (Sambucus niger), which I take in the form of elderberry vinegar or elderberry glycerite (macerate the berries in vinegar or glycerine for a week). Research has shown that strongly antiviral elderberry can reduce the duration and help relieve the symptoms of flu, colds, and upper respiratory tract infections. Elderberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which are also beneficial.

It is important to act quickly when an infection strikes. When the first signs of sore throat appear, I gargle with sage (Salvia officinalis) tea, made with two or three leaves and a cup of boiling water. Lemon juice diluted in lukewarm water is effective as a gargle for sore throats; the astringent juice helps shrink swollen tissue and the acidity creates a hostile environment for viruses and bacteria.

To relieve the miserable congestion of a cold and alleviate phlegm, you can try decongestant black pepper, chilli, mustard, or horseradish added to food, or you could employ the drying effect of cinnamon to clear mucus from the sinuses and lungs (you can just chew on a cinnamon stick or take a cup of cinnamon tea). A steam inhalation of eucalyptus essential oil, or a few leaves of fresh marjoram or peppermint in a bowl of boiling water will clear your sinuses. The vitamin C in lemons helps reduce the levels of histamine, responsible for stuffed noses and runny eyes.

If your infection is accompanied by a fever, turn to diaphoretic herbs, which help promote sweating and help break the fever. A tea of ginger, sage, peppermint, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) or elder flowers (Sambucus niger) can all be beneficial.

For a cough, an old country remedy in Britain is horehound (Marrubium vulgare) tea. It helps loosen a cough and also has a soothing effect. Black pepper is an expectorant, which means it helps break up congestion in the chest and sinuses. Have some thyme growing in a pot in your kitchen? It is useful for coughs, colds, flu, and bronchitis, as it is both an expectorant and antispasmodic, which means it helps loosen mucus so you can cough it up while also relaxing constriction in the lungs. Add a spoon of soothing honey to thyme tea. Caraway (Carum carvi) contains mild antihistamines that help to relax the muscles that cause coughing spasms. Use in the form of a tea made from the crushed seeds to soothe the throat, nose, and other parts of the respiratory system. An herb specific for coughs is elecampane (Inula helenium); it supports the lungs and helps expel phlegm.

I hope that you do not suffer too many coughs and colds this winter, but remember that we always have plant allies that can help!

Here’s look at Anna’s latest release:

The Hearth Witch’s Garden Herbal: Plants, Recipes & Rituals for Healing & Magical Self-Care

More than just a place to connect with nature, your garden can provide a variety of foods, medicines, and magical ingredients. This book shows you how to use dozens of common plants to improve your health, make personal care products, and develop your spiritual practice. Some of the flowers you already grow might be as magical as any exotic herb money can buy.

Anna Franklin provides comprehensive profiles for nearly thirty plants, sharing each one’s culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic uses as well as recipes, correspondences, and magical virtues. This practical guide also offers deep insights on seasonal garden rituals, fairy flowers and trees, weather lore, garden spirits and familiars, harvesting and storing, and more. From tinctures, meads, and jellies to creams, bath salts, and incenses, this book helps you turn your bountiful harvest into an enchanting natural lifestyle.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anna Franklin is a third-degree witch and high priestess of the Hearth of Arianrhod who has been a practicing Pagan for more than forty years. She is the author of nearly thirty books, including the Hearth Witch series, and the creator of the Sacred Circle Tarot, Fairy Ring Oracle, and the Pagan Ways Tarot. Her books have been translated into nine languages. Anna has contributed hundreds of articles to Pagan magazines and has appeared on radio and TV. She lives and works in a village in the English Midlands where she grows her own herbs, fruit, and vegetables, and generally lives the Pagan life. Visit her at AnnaFranklin.co.uk.

Sneak Peek: Murder Marks the Page By Karen Rose Smith

Jocie McKade

26 February 2024

Murder Marks the Page By Karen Rose Smith

The first in a new series spun off from the Daisy Tea Garden Mysteries, Daisy’s daughter Jazzi Swanson has opened her own book and tea shop, providing a variety of literature and flavored beverages for a rural New York community. But Jazzi has not only inherited her mother’s gift for brewing tasty drinks—she also has a nose for sniffing out murder.

New York State’s Belltower Landing is a lakeside resort town where tourists spend their summer days boating, floating, and paddle-boarding on the water. It’s also the perfect place to cuddle up with a good book and enjoy a cup of tea, courtesy of Tomes & Tea. Owned and operated by Jazzi and her best friend Dawn Fernsby, the book bar is beloved by vacationers and locals alike, but browsers grabbing brews in the off season aren’t enough to help them make ends meet.

Between brainstorming social media publicity ideas for the shop and fending off flirtatious men she has no interest in or time for, Jazzi befriends a woman named Brie who has recently made contact with her biological father. As an adopted child herself, Jazzi is more than happy to give Brie emotional support, especially as her wealthy father’s wife and children see her as a threat.

But Brie is also looking to start a family of her own. Unfortunately, all the potential princes she’s met through a dating app turn out to be frogs. Then, when Brie is found murdered, Jazzi finds herself playing detective. With a list of suspects ranging from jealous half-siblings to less-than-suitable suitors, Jazzi may need to consult some of her shop’s bestselling mysteries to help her uncover a killer . . .

Includes delicious recipes!

Welcome to WcDonald’s: McDonald’s Brings Anime Fans’ Favorite Fictional Restaurant to Life

Jocie McKade

25 February 2024

For years, anime fans have been making McDonald’s-inspired “WcDonald’s” restaurants a part of anime’s most memorable movies and shows. Now, in collaboration with some of the biggest names in anime, WcDonald’s will make the move from fiction to real life. Beginning Feb. 26 in more than 30 global markets, we’re building on our fans’ vision and imagination by unleashing the WcDonald’s universe in our restaurants and beyond, with a new sauce, manga-inspired packaging, episodic shorts and so much more.

“Anime is a huge part of today’s culture, and we love that our fans have been inviting us into the conversation for years,” said Tariq Hassan, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at McDonald’s USA. “The WcDonald’s universe is a reflection of what fans have created. It honors their vision and celebrates their creativity, while authentically bringing it to life in our restaurants for the first time ever.”

A Sauce that Packs a Punch
Fans can animate their taste buds with our new Savory Chili WcDonald’s Sauce, available for a limited time. The unique combination of ginger, garlic and soy with a slight heat from chili flakes packs an energetic blast of flavor in every bite. Mirroring the bold, dynamic spirit of your favorite anime heroes, the sauce pairs perfectly with an order of 10-piece “WcNuggets” (our fan-favorite Chicken McNuggets) or on the side of any of your go-to menu items.

Manga Packaging and More from Acky Bright
We’ve teamed up with iconic Japanese manga artist/illustrator Acky Bright to design custom WcDonald’s packaging that will take you deeper into the world of WcDonald’s with every meal. For a limited time, fans will receive manga-inspired packaging featuring WcDonald’s Crew characters, sketched by Acky himself.

Fans can also scan the code on the packaging to access weekly digital manga drops that star a full cast of WcDonald’s Customers and Crew, including Hashirune, a WcDonald’s regular, Mr. Bev, the Crew jokester, WcDizer 3000, WcDonald’s very own mecha, and many more.

“I had a great time partnering with McDonald’s to help make WcDonald’s a reality for manga fans who have a genuine love for the brand,” said Acky Bright. “From the details of the diverse Crew characters to the manga plot itself, I loved being able to use my artwork to bring to life the dynamic, vibrant world of WcDonald’s for people around the world.”

The First-Ever Official WcDonald’s Anime

Welcome to WcDonald’s: McDonald’s Brings Anime Fans’ Favorite Fictional Restaurant to Life

McDonald’s has partnered with legendary animation house studio pierrot to produce the first official WcDonald’s anime. Four episodic shorts will take fans into the flavorful world of WcDonald’s, where a story about the WcDonald’s Sauce and WcNuggets unfold each week.

Every Monday, from Feb. 26 until March 18, a new short will drop in tandem with new manga on WcDonalds.com, or by scanning the code on the WcDonald’s bag. The shorts will honor four of anime’s biggest subgenres – Action, Romance, Mecha and Fantasy.

The Race to WcDonald’s (drops Feb. 26): A rivalry strong enough to withstand the test of time as our two heroes embark on an epic race to WcDonald’s.
Love from Across the Booth (drops March 4): Our two protagonists discover the WcDonald’s Sauce and WcNuggets aren’t the only perfect pairing.
WcNuggets Space Frontier 3000 (drops March 11): A team of WcDonald’s pilots must protect the last WcNugget against an ominous force.
The Wisdom of the Sauce (drops March 18): Three women are transported to a distant land to unravel the mystery surrounding the elusive sauce before it’s gone forever.

An Immersive Dining Experience at WcDonald’s
Taking inspiration from the isekai anime subgenre, we’re transporting fans to the first IRL WcDonald’s on March 9-10. The WcDonald’s Immersive Dining Experience will be a multi-sensory dining experience in Los Angeles, CA – a genre-bending fusion of entertainment and food. Guests will be transported into the WcDonald’s universe through 360 projection mapping and immersive tabletop projections inspired by the four WcDonald’s anime episodic shorts – all while enjoying a set menu of WcDonald’s items. Fans can reserve their spot exclusively on OpenTable starting Feb. 28 by searching “WcDonald’s Immersive Dining Experience” on the OpenTable app or website.

A Celebration of Anime Fan Art
WcDonald’s wouldn’t be what it is if it weren’t for the creativity of our fans. So, we’re recognizing three up-and-coming anime artists who have created WcDonald’s-themed artwork with grants to help fund their upcoming projects and a celebration at their local McDonald’s. Additionally, the three artists will receive a one-on-one mentoring session with top manga artist/illustrator, Acky Bright.

On Feb. 26, get ready for an anime-fueled adventure that starts with, “Welcome to WcDonald’s, may I take your order?”

About McDonald’s USA
McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, and follow us on social: X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Journey of a Lost Oxa By Ro Smith

Jocie McKade

25 February 2024

Journey of a Lost Oxa By Ro Smith

Author Ro Smith is thrilled to announce the debut of her newest book, ‘Journey of a Lost Oxa.’ This highly anticipated new title will officially launch on February 26, 2024, on Amazon.

Smith is an adventurer at heart who traversed to the pinnacle of Cape Town’s Table Top Mountain and even ventured to the Serengeti and to Zambia, walking side by side with wild animals and enjoying the freedom and excitement of the journeys. As a professional, she has served as an Air Force Military Police Officer, social worker, and teacher. Now, she is also an author who has penned several titles.

In Smith’s newest book, ‘Journey of a Lost Oxa,’ she shares a piece of her wild heart with an incredible journey into the mystical realm of Firyali. The book opens with a depiction of an idealistic utopia in which Princess Firyali lives peacefully. Then, Pirates resurface and shatter this seemingly perfect world. Princess Firyali is faced with the decision of following her first love or serving as an heir to the throne. She embarks on a journey that exposes her true lineage as a witch of the Jumey, and then she must decide if she will surrender to the Pirate King or embrace her journey and fight.

‘Journey of a Lost Oxa’ is the first book in the ‘Legacy of Firyali’ duology and delves into the fantasy genre, transporting readers to a world of magic and exploration. “My goal is to transport readers to worlds where exploration fuels adventure and adversity shapes destinies,” said Smith. “I invite readers to explore the depths of imagination.”

‘Journey of a Lost Oxa’ will be available for purchase beginning on February 26, 2024, via Amazon. More information about Ro Smith can be found at https://iamrosmith.com.

ABOUT RO SMITH

Ro Smith is an author, adventurer, and former Air Force Military Police Officer whose passion for storytelling has led to the creation of several books including ‘Journey of a Lost Oxa.’

CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS: A NOVEL OF THE COURT OF SHADOWS By Sebastien de Castell

Jocie McKade

25 February 2024

CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS By Sebastien de Castell

A mortally wounded magistrate faces his deadliest trial inside an ancient abbey where the monks are going mad and the gods themselves may be to blame!

Estevar Borros, one of the legendary sword-fighting magistrates know as the Greatcoats and the king’s personal investigator of the supernatural, is no stranger to tales of ghosts and demons. When the fractious monks of the abbey rumored to be the birthplace of the gods begin warring over claims of a new pantheon arising, the frantic abbot summons him to settle the dispute.

But Estevar has his own problems: a near-fatal sword wound from his last judicial duel, a sworn knight who claims he has proof the monks are consorting with demons, a diabolical inquisitor with no love for the Greatcoats, and a mysterious young woman claiming to be Estevar’s ally but who may well be his deadliest enemy.

Armed only with his famed investigative talents, his faltering skill with a blade and Imperious, his ornery mule, Estevar must root out the source of the madness lurking inside the once-sacred walls of Isola Sombra before its chaos spreads to the country he’s sworn to protect.

Investigate alongside Estevar and the most heroic mule ever to appear in print in this thrilling swashbuckling fantasy mystery by Sebastien De Castell, author of the internationally acclaimed Greatcoats and Spellslinger series!

Amazon.com: Crucible of Chaos: Court of Shadows, Book 0.5 (Audible Audio Edition): Sebastien de Castell, Joe Jameson, Jo Fletcher Books: Audible Books & Originals

Crucible of Chaos : de Castell, Sebastien: Amazon.ca: Books

Praise For Sebastien:

“The Three Musketeers meets Joe Abercrombie via Mark Lawrence: ‘Guaranteed to increase household swashbuckling by 100%,”’ says Library Journal

“Like the tremendous Spellslinger and Greatcoats series’, THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN is another example of the brilliant and vivid world-building that Sebastien de Castell uniquely delivers through his incredibly original characters and their riveting adventures.—– Chad Stahelski, director of John Wick

“Malevolent Seven is a masterful blend of Sebastien de Castell’s unique brand of wry humour, elegant prose, and wonderfully imaginative worldbuilding. I devoured this book and loved every page”.—Nicholas Eames, bestselling author of Kings of the Wyld

“With a contemporary style, relentless pace, and a unique and exciting magic system, the Malevolent Seven is an action-packed adventure that not only questions the true nature of heroes but the very meaning of good and evil”.—Michael J. Sullivan, bestselling author of The Ryria Revelations

“Doesn’t so much break the fourth wall as shatter it completely – A brutal and hilarious romp of rotters that would make Deadpool proud.”—Peter Mclean, author of Priest of Bones

“Vigorous and action-packed . . . There is no way you can read this book without a grin on your face.”—– James Lovegrove, The Financial Times

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist.

His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.

Sebastien’s acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.

Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com

New Book Declares the End of Human Evolution

Jocie McKade

24 February 2024

In his new book Evolution Ended, author J. J. Jerome posits that human evolution may be reversing. His assertions are based on the fact that modern technology allows almost everyone to survive and reproduce regardless of their physical traits, eliminating the survival advantage of “superior DNA”. Jerome cites substantial evidence that humanity is actually devolving with lowering IQ scores, epidemic obesity, and rapidly reducing fertility rates. The book Evolution Ended traces mankind’s journey from our tribal beginnings to a new AI-powered society where technology has replaced the natural evolutionary processes that made us human.

J.J. Jerome is an award-winning engineer and futurist who used his unique background in brain science and electronics to become a seminal influence in numerous cutting-edge technologies. He has been an internationally acknowledged leader in developing intelligent buildings and is currently one of the nation’s leading thinkers on using AI to mitigate climate change. His book Evolution Ended posits that humanity is in the midst of a technologically induced transition that is dramatically affecting our social, economic, and political systems. Evolution Ended shows how AI has accelerated this trend to lead to enormous changes in how we live, work, and the very evolution of mankind.

If you would like more information on the book or would like to interview Jeff Jerome, please contact him through his website jjjerome.com,

1...707172...937 Page 71 of 937