Deep into the 21st century, the line between man and machine has been inexorably blurred. In this rapidly converging landscape, cyborg super-agent Major Motoko Kusanagi is charged to track down the most dangerous terrorists and cybercriminals, including "ghost hackers," capable of exploiting the human/machine interface by reprogramming human minds to become puppets to carry out their criminal ends.
A covert mission in Shanghai reunites Kusanagi with a wartime rival amid shifting loyalties. The infiltration of an anti-cyberization cult calls for Section 9’s most “human” members to do things the old-fashioned way. A deep dive into the mind of a criminal forces Kusanagi to question the nature of imagination – and her own identity. The stories in Global Neural Network bring a 21st-century perspective to its questions of human identity and the border between mind and machine that made The Ghost in the Shell one of the most revered manga of all time, and unleash top Western comics artists on eye-popping action scenes starring Kusanagi, Batou, Togusa, Aramaki, and all the members of Section 9! Original stories by: * Alex de Campi (Twisted Romance) & Giannis Milonogiannis (Prophet) * Brenden Fletcher (Gotham Academy, Motor Crush) & LRNZ (Golem) * Genevieve Valentine (Mechanique, Icon), & Brent Schoonover (The Astonishing Ant-Man) * Max Gladstone (the Craft Sequence) & David López (All-New Wolverine)
POSEIDON ON THE PRECIPICE! The secret society Poseidon is finally ready to execute the Apollo Seed Project, even if it makes them enemies of the entire world! And they aren't the only ones moving into a new phase. Some major changes are in store for Nene, too!
Deep into the 21st century, the line between man and machine has been inexorably blurred as humans rely on the enhancement of mechanical implants, and robots are upgraded with human tissue. In this rapidly converging technoscape, the cover-ops agents of Section 9 are charged to track and crack the most dangerous terrorists, cybercriminals, and ghost hackers the digital future has to offer. Whether dealing with remote-controlled corpses, lethally malfunctioning micromachines, or cop-killer cyborgs, Section 9 is determined to serve and protect…and reboot some cybercrook butt! Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor presents for the first time in America the "lost" Ghost in the Shell stories, created by Shirow Masamune after completing work on the original Ghost in the Shell manga and prior to his tour-de-force, Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface, but never collected until now. Focusing on Section 9 agents in their daily battle against technocrime, Human-Error Processor has all the mind-twisting cybermadness you’ve come to expect from Ghost in the Shell but set in a more police-procedural context with action and suspense galore. Features the stories "Fat Cat," "Drive Slave," "Mines of Mind," and "Lost Past."
Witness the incredible artwork behind the creation of 'Ghost in the Shell', the live-action feature film based on the Japanese manga classic and starring Scarlett Johansson. As well as featuring beautiful concept art, stunning on-setphotography and exclusive interviews with major cast andcrew members, delve into the advanced special effects thatbring Japan and the cyborg elements of the story to life.
The definitive history of the most influential cyberpunk anime of all time! This beautiful, color hardcover guide begins with the seminal feature that inspired The Matrix and many other films, comics, and novels, and ends with the live-action Hollywood adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson. Follow the franchise that made manga master Shirow Masamune, legendary director Mamoru Oshii, and the studio Production I.G the legends they are today. In-depth interviews, stunning concept art, and tales of behind-the-scenes triumphs and near-tragedies from the 22-year history of The Ghost in the Shell. Begin with the original anime, which was released in Japan in 1995 and subsequently took the West by storm, through the award-winning sequel Innocence and the global smash hit TV adaptation Stand Alone Complex, all the way up to 2017, with the release of the new live-action film from Paramount Pictures.
Neither a utopia nor a dystopia, it’s still a world of nations at strife, as dominated by corporations as ever. Technology hasn’t made humans nearly obsolete, but rather bettered us, if you will, attaching to our bodies and even brains as enhancements—for those who can afford it. Comics artist Shirow Masamune’s vision of our coming society, animated to global acclaim and finally the basis of a major Hollywood production, branches out in five original stories by some of the most beloved SF novelists working in Japan today. A standalone collection, it requires no familiarity with the franchise to be enjoyed but is indispensable for fans for its thoughtful exploration of the series’ implications. While reality may never become virtual, it will be increasingly networked and augmented. Navigate herein age-old questions about man that will return, not so ironically, in full force: What is the self? Is there such a thing as the soul?
Masamune Shirow, creator of Ghost in the Shell and Appleseed, is famed worldwide for his groundbreaking contributions to manga and animation, and his work in the game industry is equally impressive. Intron Depot 5: Battalion presents Shirow's stunning design and conceptual art for Asura Fantasy, RF Online, Fire Emblem, and others, showcasing 128 pages of characters, costumes, weapons, gear, and environments, all in glorious color. In his commentary, Shirow discusses his increasingly sophisticated CG technique as well as the unique demands of working in Japan's fast-paced game industry. A must for any manga, anime, or gaming enthusiast and essential for any fantasy/science-fiction artist.
