The wait is finally over! VIZ Media launches the debut issue of its new digital manga (graphic novel) magazine – WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA. The first issue is available now through VIZManga.com; it will also be part of the upcoming update to the VIZ Manga apps for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.  

Elias Soriano, lead vocalist of the band Nonpoint spoke to metalmachine.net last August in NYC. Metalmachine.net and the band go way back, to the MCA days. Elias spoke about some future projects that were coming up. Now this interview of course was before the band signed with Razor & Tie and members Zach Broderick and founding bassist Ken MacMillan left the band.  

Word on the street is that the famed rock club CBGB’s will be making a return to NYC. The clubs name rights and memorabilia have been purchased by a group that will be making an official announcement soon. The rights were purchased from Lisa Kristal, daughter of famed owner Hilly Kristal.  

In ALPHA GIRL, Judith is the last woman left standing when a cosmetic company’s new product turns the world’s women — and only women — into man-eating zombies. Retailers pursued the first issue of the new Image Comics series with equal voracity, as ALPHA GIRL #1 sold out in the week leading up to its release.  

Today Marvel Comics released a new teaser for something called Spider-Men. no news yet on what this might be, but stay tuned to metalmachine.net for up coming hints!  

Deathgasm Records, in conjunction with Orchestrated Misery Recordings, is proud to announce the release of the debut full-length recording from Indiana’s NOCTURNAL TORMENT on February 9th. They Come at Night is a nine track-exercise in old school death metal that isn’t afraid to show its thrash roots.  

Portland, Oregon punk metal miscreants TOXIC HOLOCAUST are pleased to announce an additional run of dates with New York street punks The Casualties. The tour will serve as an extension to an already bludgeoning stretch of shows alongside English Dogs, The Casualties and Havok, set to commence on February 10 in Baltimore.  

 Universal City, California –Universal Studios HollywoodSM prepares for battle with the debut of an innovative, national 30-second commercial for its exciting, new motion-based thrill ride, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D,” debuting May 2012.  

KING GIANT’s new LP, Dismal Hollow, is officially available today, now available for purchase worldwide via deluxe digital download, on digipak CD and on 180-gram gatefold LP, the latter available in swamp green with bone swirl, and bone with gold haze color schemes.  

Arizona rockers Man Made Machine are hitting the road with Pop Evil as support. The tour will kick off on February 17th in Muncie, IN and will make stops throughout the Midwest and Southern United States before concluding in Broussard, LA on March 3rd (tour dates below). Their debut album, Become, is available in stores and via all digital service providers. The album was produced by Chad Grey and Greg Tribbett of Mudvayne and HELLYEAH and was mixed by Jeremy Parker (Godsmack/Evanescence).  

IMAGE EXPO, the one-of-a-kind celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Image Comics and showcasing creator-owned comics, has announced that Ed Brubaker, writer of FATALE, will be the latest independent comics star to be added the impressive list of special guests.