Unbeknownst to most people in America, Junko Mizuno is a young developing manga artist who is growing in popularity in Japan. She uses a unique style that is cute but also very edgy. Viz Comics is publishing her English debut, Cinderella, which is a distorted and mature take on the traditional fairy tale. Pulp Magazine calls it "Powerpuff Girls on acid." Mizuno is celebrating this milestone in her career by attending various locales in California!

LOS ANGELES

July 29th: Midnight Special Bookstore 1318 3rd Street Promenade Santa Monica (310) 393-2923 www.msbooks.com

July 30th: Meltdown Comics 7522 Sunset Blvd (@La Brea/Fairfax) Hollywood (323) 851-7223 www.meltcomics.com

SAN DIEGO

Aug 1st-4th: Comic-Con International San Diego Convention Center www.comic-con.org

SAN FRANCISCO

Aug 6th: Virgin Megastore 2 Stockton (@Market) (415) 397-4525

All admission to see Mizuno is free of charge with the exception of Comic-Con in San Diego. All signings will start at 7 P.M. The 136 page Cinderella Viz graphic novel goes on sale this month for a suggested retail price of $15.96.