GET READY FOR TURBO-CHARGED ACTION IN MAX STEEL: HERO OVERLOAD ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL AVAILABLE NOW FROM VIZ MEDIA S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT

GET READY FOR TURBO-CHARGED ACTION IN MAX STEEL: HERO OVERLOAD ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL AVAILABLE NOW FROM VIZ MEDIA'S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT

Teen Superhero Max Gets More Than He Bargained For When He Helps Train A Young Trio Of Heroes-In-Waiting

San Francisco, CA, January 16, 2014 VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America, delivers a new installment of its ongoing series of original graphic novels based on the hit kids action adventure property, MAX STEEL , with the release of MAX STEEL: HERO OVERLOAD.

MAX STEEL: HERO OVERLOAD features an original story by B. Clay Moore and artwork by Alfa Robbi. The full-color release from VIZ Media's Perfect Square imprint is available now, rated A' for All Ages, and carries an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN. A digital version is also available for $4.99 U.S. / CAN from the Perfect Square App, which offers titles for the Apple iPad and iPad Mini. The Perfect Square App is available from the iTunes store. Fans can also find a digital version for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.

In the latest adventure, Max Steel realizes that he isn't the only superhero around. Max encounters a trio of super-powered teens with mysterious skills who are in serious need of training. He takes on the task, but can Max get these new heroes up to speed before they have to battle a real threat? One of Max's biggest baddies is waiting in the wings to strike... and Max is going to have to face him with a bunch of newbies!

Originally developed by Mattel, MAX STEEL is a global boy's entertainment franchise spanning toys, publishing and consumer products. Season 1 of an acclaimed MAX STEEL CGI animated series, co-produced with FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment, has also captivated legions of fans of all ages on the Disney XD channel in the U.S. and Teletoons in Canada. In the TV and original graphic novel series, Maxwell McGrath is just an average 16-year-old boy until he starts experiencing uncontrollable Turbo Energy! To control this amazing superpower, he must merge with a know-it-all alien Ultralink named Steel. Steel gives Maxwell the ability to harness his power and merge his own to create one unified super force Max Steel and together, this unlikely duo will battle to save the earth as the ultimate turbocharged superhero!

In Hero Overload, the latest graphic novel featuring teen superhero MAX STEEL, Max encounters a new team of superhero peers that were created exclusively for this story by writer B. Clay Moore. The new characters have a design from Alfa Robbi that helps them fit perfectly into the world of Max Steel, and of course, they are not at all what you might think when you first meet them, says Joel Enos, Editor for the MAX STEEL graphic novels. As you can expect from a veteran comics writer like B. Clay Moore, the action jumps off from the very first page. And like all our Perfect Square books, readers of all ages can really dig into this turbo-powered new story!

Writer B. Clay Moore has authored comic books for virtually every major publisher, including VIZ Media, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, WildStorm, Oni Press and Top Cow Productions. He is also the co-creator of a handful of critically acclaimed creator-owned titles.

Artist Alfa Robbi was born and raised in Semarang City, in Central Java, Indonesia. His published works include Planetary Brigade (Boom!) and Ev (TokyoPop). Robbi's current focus is Papillon, a comic book art studio he founded with Fajar Buana in 2002. Alfa was also the illustrator for Perfect Square's Voltron Force: Rise of the Beast King.

VIZ Media's Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga (graphic novels) and other children's books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on other manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japans largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

About Max Steel

Developed by Mattel, Inc., Max Steel is an immersive franchise that brings a positive and relatable superhero to kids, supported by a captivating storyline and compelling multi-platform content for today's tech-forward kid. Featuring an animated superhero series, Max Steel draws upon turbo-charged teamwork, laughter and friendship to help kids overcome life's obstacles from the everyday, to the out-of-this-world. With worldwide distribution partners, the franchise launches include content and a robust portfolio spanning toys, digital platforms and consumer products. For more information, visit www.maxsteel.com

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