7 Billion Needles GN (2010 VERTICA) comic books 2010-2012

Volume 1 - 1st printing. Story and art byNobuaki Tadano. Modern-day Japan is the stage for a new form of hard science-fiction, as author Nobuaki Tadano revisits one of the genre's Grand Masters, Hal Clement, in his debut series 7 Billion Needles. Loosely based on Clement's golden age title Needle, Tadano's gripping homage follows the life of a teenage girl whose melancholy days are dramatically changed when her body becomes host to an alien life form caught up in an intergalactic manhunt. Always sporting her headphones to try to close out the people and the world around her, Hikaru is a somewhat reclusive teenaged girl. Within her body resides another lifeform known as Ciel, a hunter in search of an intergalactic murderer intent on wiping out humanity. In 7 Billion Needles, two lives share one heart as they race to protect each other and the memories they cherish. Softcover, 6-in. x 8-in., 192 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $10.95.

Volume 1 - 2nd and later printings. Story and art byNobuaki Tadano. Modern-day Japan is the stage for a new form of hard science-fiction, as author Nobuaki Tadano revisits one of the genre's Grand Masters, Hal Clement, in his debut series 7 Billion Needles. Loosely based on Clement's golden age title Needle, Tadano's gripping homage follows the life of a teenage girl whose melancholy days are dramatically changed when her body becomes host to an alien life form caught up in an intergalactic manhunt. Always sporting her headphones to try to close out the people and the world around her, Hikaru is a somewhat reclusive teenaged girl. Within her body resides another lifeform known as Ciel, a hunter in search of an intergalactic murderer intent on wiping out humanity. In 7 Billion Needles, two lives share one heart as they race to protect each other and the memories they cherish. Softcover, 6-in. x 8-in., 192 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $10.95.

Volume 2 - 1st printing. Story and art byNobuaki Tadano. Loosely inspired by Hal Clement's novel Needle, 7 Billion Needles follows the life of a teenage girl whose life is dramatically changed when her body is possessed by an alien life form caught up in an intergalactic manhunt. As strange as "normal" might seem to her now, "happy days" are much more welcomed than the surreal days Hikaru experienced with Celistial. Having wasted Maelstrom in battle, she has been freed from the voices and is moving on with her life. But not only is Maelstrom still around and possibly more determined than ever to defeat Celestial, but Celestial has been in her blood all along! Softcover, 6-in. x 8-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.95.

Volume 3 - 1st printing. Story and art byNobuaki Tadano. A modern homage to a golden age sci-fi novel, 7 Billion Needles mixes drama, action, mystery, and intergalactic intrigue, with a strong-willed but aloof main character, a teenage girl with a habit of always wearing headphones. After surviving her showdown with the intergalactic terrorist Maelstrom, Hikaru attempts to return to society with the peace of mind that mankind is now safe. But her very reality may be torn asunder as she no longer has one alien lifeform living in her bloodstream - now there are two! Softcover, 6-in. x 8-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.95.

Volume 4 - 1st printing. Story and art byNobuaki Tadano. Created as an homage to Hal Clement's science-fiction classic Needle, 7 Billion Needles re-invents the sci-fi manga genre by mixing whodunit mystery with a very youthful cast of teenage girls. Hikaru is a strong-willed and self-reliant teenage girl, who does not shy away from danger or responsibility. In this final volume, she must build up her courage to save mankind from annihilation at the hands of a highly-evolved alien race. Softcover, 6-in. x 8-in., 192 pages, B&W. Cover price $10.95.