When I read this release, I couldn’t help but think of the Eddie Griffin movie Undercover Brother, and some of the ridiculous ads in that’s film’s storyline including a chicken meal that came with a free 40 oz. But here goes – Church’s Chicken announced Monday (January 26,2009) a promotional partnership with Surge (a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Games America) and the new game Afro Samurai. Church’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Farnaz Wallace said this was a way to reach the “urban youth market through non-traditional media.”

OK, maybe I’m cynical, but couldn’t that tie-in with this game inadvertently say, “Young Black folks love Church’s Chicken and video games?”

In fairness to Church’s Chicken, last year the company did a similar promotion with…

The anime turned videogame Afro Samurai has been released today (January 27, 2009) across North America. It brings a unique blend of animation and music to the hack and slash gameplay formula. Incidentally it’ll also be getting some tasty promotions from the fast food restaurant Church’s Chicken. In preparation for the games release NAMCO BANDAI has teamed up with Church’s Chicken to create another round of “advergaming” for its games. Soul Caliber IV was also subjected to a cross promotion campaign with Church’s that showed signs of success.

The promotion includes…

The eagerly anticipated Afro Samurai video game is finally in stores. So if you own a PS3 or Xbox 360 and enjoyed the miniseries when it ran on Spike TV, then you may want to head out and pick it up. The game follows the general story of the series, that is the Afro Samurai and his quest to avenge his father’s death. Both versions cost $59.99, and both carry a “Mature” ESRB rating.

The game should feel familiar to returning fans, since Samuel L. Jackson returns to provide the voice acting for Afro Samurai. In addition, music from RZA, from the Wu-Tang Clan, is used throughout the game, just as it was throughout the original animated series. The character art and designs also look incredibly similar as well. So basically, it’s almost like an interactive version of the series…

Fans of the Afro Samurai television program will be able to see the game in person at this years Comic-Con (July 23-27, 2008) in San Diego, CA (USA). Once you’ve gotten your fill of eye candy you may be lucky enough to get some hands on time with the demo. The game is scheduled to be released Q1 2009 for both the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. If you are planning on making the trip to Comic-Con this year, you may want to drop in on the Afro Samurai panel featuring a discussion with the show’s creators.

The second day of Comic-Con will include a one hour (4:15-5:15 p.m. PST) panel discussion between the creators of Afro Samurai as well as executive producers Samuel L. Jackson and Leo Chu, music composer The RZA, and the series mastermind Takashi Okazaki. Needless to say this is possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see…