Friday, January 18, 2008

FALL IN LOVE AT THE MAGIC LOVER’S TOWER...
DRMASTER PUBLICATIONS TO RELEASE Magic Lover’s Tower vol.1 & 2


SAN JOSE, CA – January, 2008 – DrMaster has just announced the publication of Magic Lover’s Tower, a two-volume series. It will definitely grant your wish for an enchanting story of love, fantasy, and all that heart-wrenching love-triangle drama!

Roxanne, the nerdy class cleanliness rep, is secretly in love with the bad boy of the class, Logan. One day she accidentally releases Baphalen, a magic being who was sealed in a painting by the Heavenly Courts as punishment. Baphalen is the celestial guardian of the incense urn of the Old Man Under the Moon, and possesses the fantastic Magic Lover’s Staff. He decides to use his Magic Lover’s Staff to help Roxanne get her wish of winning Logan’s heart.

However, in order for her wish to be fulfilled, Roxanne must participate in a magical game in the realm of the Magic Lover’s Tower. She is given several chances to enter the fantasy world of the Magic Lover’s Tower, where she must get Logan to kiss her and say “I love you.” However, she is only allowed fifteen minutes for each time she enters the fantasy world, and if she fails to complete her tasks within the time limit, Logan will hate her even more than before when she returns to real world!

In the meantime, Baphalen moves into Roxanne’s home and starts attending her school as well. Commotion ensues, and Roxanne’s once-peaceful life soon heads off in a totally unexpected direction. What is going to happen now? Who will Roxanne love, Baphalen or Logan? To make this love triangle more complicated, a lady appears out of nowhere and claims that she loves Logan as well! Will Roxanne and Logan eventually be together? Don’t miss out on the magic, drama and romance in Magic Lover’s Tower!

About the Author
Kao Yung was born in Taiwan, where he grew up and graduated from the National Chengchi University, Department of Law. He is known as “The Godfather of Beauty” because of his elegant works and detailed stories that posses both depth and charm. Many of his works have gained recognition and won awards. In fact, Kao’s works are so renowned that they have been translated and published outside Taiwan, in countries like Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Availability
Both volumes will be released together and shipped out on May 2008. Each volume will be priced at $9.95. Visit www.drmasterbooks.com for more detailed series information.

About DrMaster Publications, Inc.:
From Japan we bring unique stories and characters, brought to life through suspenseful science fiction, relationship dramas, and side-splitting comedies. And from China, we have offerings rich in history and mystique, and titles with unmatched action and suspense. By brazenly going against the grain and laughing in the face of conformity, DrMaster Publications Inc. introduced something different to the legion of comic book fans whose cravings lie outside the superhero box. Choosing the path less traveled we have journeyed across the Pacific to bring US readers, the acclaimed works from Japan and China's biggest and brightest!

Each of our books is like a glimpse into a new realm as seen through the eyes of the authors and artists. You don’t just read a DrMaster book—it jolts you to life, as you are propelled through the pages. Please click here for a list of our current and upcoming titles. And feel free to tour the site. Regular updates will follow as our line of “masterful” comic series expands.

About DGN Productions International:
DGN Productions (Digital Graphic Novel Productions) is a newly-formed production company and studio made up of industry veterans within the comics and video game industries. Through strategic licensing of key comic book titles and the use of recognized industry professionals within the fields of animation and video game development, DGN Pro. Intl. is dedicated to producing cutting-edge video games, comics and animated features adapted from some the biggest and brightest in Hong Kong, Japanese and Korean comic book properties. DGN Productions Intl. was founded June 2004 and is based in Fremont, California.
The Phoenix Comic-Con 2008 Presents:
Win A Lunch with Mark Waid
Bidding Starts today!
Proceeds to benefit The Hero Initiative!


Phoenix, AZ - January 18th, 2008 - Lunch with Mark Waid! What could be cooler than that? Maybe a perpetual motion machine, but that's about all! This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will earn you bragging rights for the rest of your life! Think about it: Mark's the writer of The Flash! Kingdom Come! Captain America! And the newly minted editor-in-chief of BOOM! Studios! Yea, verily! The Waid is a font of great knowledge and anecdotes about the comics biz, and said knowledge and anecdote could be imparted to YOU, along with chili fries!


And think on THIS as your appetizer: If you've ever dreamed of getting into the comics biz as a writer or artist, you can have an entire lunch's worth of advice, mentoring and tutoring from a guy who's been in comics for 20 years and somehow lived through it! He's seen and done it all


Start your bidding on Ebay here: http://tinyurl.com/2owllf

The lunch will take place on Saturday, 26 JAN at 1 PM.

Winner MUST be on-site at con to claim their auction winnings! Swing by the Hero booth by NO later than 12:45 to make sure you're on time!

Lunch will be at a local restaurant, Hero will foot the bill, and you get some quality one-on-one time with one of comic's great writers and personalities! It's WAY better than standing in line for an hour and getting to say "hi" for 45 seconds!

**********************

WHO: Mark Waid is the world-famous storyteller and writer of titles such as The Flash, Kingdom Come, Captain America, and more.

WHAT: Win Lunch With Mark Waid!

WHERE: The Phoenix Cactus Comic-Con, ref:
http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/

WHEN: Saturday, 26 JAN at 1 PM

Lunch with Mark Waid is a benefit for The Hero Initiative, the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and entrée back into paying work.

For more information, visit www.HeroInitiative.org or call 310-909-7809.

Your winning bid is tax deductible.

Bid high!

FAQs:
1) You MUST be present and on-site to win. This is NON-transferable, and this is done at the request of the writer. He wants ta spend some quality time with ya!
2) The art shown is merely a representative piece of Mark Waid's work. It is not part of this auction.
3) Gee, we really hope there's chili fries. They're tasty!
FIRST SCI FI/ VIRGIN COMICS RELEASE

THE STRANDED HITS STORES JANUARY 23, 2008


SCI FI Channel and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Comics announce the January 23, 2008 release of The Stranded, the first comic book from their joint venture under the SCIFI/Virgin Comics banner. The Stranded, created and written by Mike Carey, is an epic adventure spanning two worlds as seen through the eyes of five ordinary people whose extraordinary abilities may ultimately spell doom or salvation for the entire universe.



With new comic book titles serving as the creative genesis, SCI FI/Virgin Comics is developing fresh properties that integrate the unique spirit and vitality of both brands. Delivering innovative, multi-platform projects, original concepts are being considered across all mediums from publishing, film and television to digital and gaming.



Utilizing the global creative and synergistic resources that exist at SCI FI Channel, part of NBC Universal, and Virgin Comics, the partnership aims to attract some of the biggest names and talent from the worlds of comic books, television and movies. SCI FI and Virgin Comics have brought together a multimedia, creative editorial board with members representing comic books, television, movies, digital, gaming, licensing and merchandising.



In The Stranded, five seemingly everyday people must face the terrifying question: what if your entire life – your childhood, your family, your memories – was a lie? For the stranded, Sisera, Endo, Drum and Cullen, it’s true. They are each unknowingly from another world called Standfire, and now their past is returning to try and kill them.



One by one, The Stranded are assaulted by Janus, an altered human working for a mysterious, otherworldly force that seeks their destruction. Their only hope: Tamree, a dark, mysterious woman sent to Earth to protect them. She must awaken the buried individual memories of The Stranded -- along with their powerful, unique psychic and physical abilities. But even if they can defeat Janus and his unseen masters, they must also deal with one of their own...who, damaged and unable to deal with her incredible new powers, cuts a swathe of incredible destruction across the Earth.



The Stranded’s writer/creator Mike Carey is one of the most acclaimed and prolific comics writers of our time. His current work includes X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Voodoo Child and his own creations Faker, Crossing Midnight, and The Re-gifters. His long runs on Lucifer and John Constantine, Hellblazer have been particularly well received. He has just completed a coast-to-coast book tour for his first novel, The Devil You Know.



The first issue of The Stranded boasts two covers with artwork from Marc Silvestri (Cyberforce, Witchblade, The Darkness and the X-Men) and Greg Horn (Elektra, Emma Frost).







SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 93 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.



Virgin Comics LLC is a character entertainment company creating original stories and epic myths for worldwide audiences. The company was founded in November 2005 by Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Enterprises Ltd., alongside author Deepak Chopra, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and entrepreneurs Sharad Devarajan, Gotham Chopra and Suresh Seetharaman. Virgin is developing new stories with acclaimed filmmakers, actors and musicians including John Woo, Guy Ritchie, Terry Gilliam, Jenna Jameson, Dave Stewart, Ed Burns, Nicolas Cage, Duran Duran, Sachin Tendulkar and others. Feature films based on Virgin Comics' characters are also in the works, including an animated feature, "The Secrets of the Seven Sounds," and theatrical live action feature films including "Gamekeeper" in development with Warner Bros. and "Virulents" with Fox. In India, Virgin Comics recently established a partnership with Studio 18 to pioneer the Indian "teen-horror" genre and a separate partnership with UTV Motion Pictures to develop new Indian superheroes. Virgin Comics also formed a joint venture with NBC Universal to create new science fiction properties for graphic novels and television with the Sci Fi Channel. www.VirginComics.com
IMAGE KEEPS THE YOUNGBLOOD FLOWING
YOUNGBLOOD gets second printing to keep issue in-stock!


18 January, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - With YOUNGBLOOD's return to Image Comics being reordered at an exponential rate, Image Comics has gone back to press to ensure copies are available for the foreseeable future.


"We anticipated a high level of interest in Joe and Derec's work on YOUNGBLOOD, but we were frankly caught off-guard by the amount of advance reorders the book generated as press time drew closer," said Image Executive Director Eric Stephenson. "We're thrilled with what the guys are doing with the book, though, and want to make sure copies are available for everyone interested in checking it out."


The new YOUNGBLOOD comes courtesy of THE LAST DEFENDER's Joe Casey and GREEN ARROW's Derec Donovan, who previously worked together for a sixteen-issue run on ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, while being overseen and featuring variant covers by series creator Rob Liefeld. YOUNGBLOOD marks Casey's second acclaimed relaunch of an Image classic. With WILDCATS, Casey was praised for upgrading the original concepts with a post-modern spin. Similarly, YOUNGBLOOD's new direction combines the bombastic beginnings of Liefeld's celebrity heroes such as Shaft and Badrock with the more classic approach developed by Alan Moore, featuring new heroes such Johnny Panic and Doc Rocket and Casey's own sensibilities. In addition, a limited, black and white Rob Liefeld variant cover will be made available on as a 1-in-4 cover for retailers ordering the second printing.


YOUNGBLOOD #1 2nd (DEC078061), a 32-page comic book for $2.99, will be available in stores January 30th, 2008.


Image Comics is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. There are currently four partners in Image Comics (Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino), and Image is currently divided into four major houses (Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central). Image comics and graphic novels cover nearly every genre, sub-genre and style imaginable, offering science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. Visit www.imagecomics.com.
Bye-bye, Boneyard!
Popular horror spoof goes on hiatus in March;
trade paperback collections to continue

Richard Moore, creator of NBM Publishing’s horror-comedy-romance
Boneyard, is taking a break to work on other projects. But first, he
delivers Boneyard’s biggest issue yet!

Boneyard is a quarterly comic book about Michael Paris, a nice guy who

inherits a graveyard but finds that it’s home to the cute vampire
Abbey, the brainy but inept demon Glump, the evil Mayor Wormwood, and
other bizarre creatures. Boneyard #28, the final issue before Moore’s
hiatus, reveals if our hero can rescue faerie princess 'Lita from
marrying an evil prince. But even if he can save her, who will save
Paris? Could it be infinite copies of his sweetie Abbey?

Moore is leaving Boneyard to devote himself to other projects,
including comic books and children’s books. “I can't say how long I'll
be away from Boneyard; it really depends on how things go. I may do the

occasional Boneyard short on my website (once it's up) to feed the
jones of any hardcore fans. And,one of the other projects I'm
considering is a chapter from Abbey's life going back 400 years. If you

like vampires, werewolves, pirates, or just a scantily-clad Abbey, you
won't be disappointed.”

Boneyard fans will also be able to enjoy trade-paperback collections
of the Boneyard comics. NBM has released six collected volumes of
Boneyard so far, with the next one (Boneyard in Color #3) due later
this month.

A favorite since its first issue in the spring of 2001, Boneyard has
only been growing more popular. In 2005, the first Boneyard in Color
collection won a gold medal in Foreword magazine’s Book of the Year
awards.

The critics like Boneyard, too.
“A gem that deserves fame and acclaim.”—Newsarama
“Well rendered, witty tale. Recommended for teens and adults.”—Library

Journal
“A series garnering great word of mouth and increasing sales based on
pure craftsmanship and enjoyment.”—Troy Brownfield, Comicon.com/Pulse
“Simply a delight.”—Andrew Smith, Scripps-Howard papers
“Everything a comic about friendly monsters should be. Moore's
strength is his ear for dialogue and timing.”—Publishers Weekly
Superpowers Showcase and Sneak Peak January 26th



Amazing Fantasy Books and Comics, the premier comic shops in the south suburbs of Chicago ,

will be having a very special event on Saturday January 26th, starting at 11am.

Amazing Fantasy is located at 20523 S. La Grange Rd. Frankfort , IL .

(In the Vineyards plaza, next to Alsip Nursery).

815-469-5092

www.afbooks.com



This exciting event stars Doug Klauba, interior artist for Dynamite’s new Alex Ross helmed project; Superpowers.

Doug is a multiple-awarded fantasy illustrator, and cover artist

on Moonstone’s Phantom and Kolchak the Night Stalker comics and graphic novels.

Doug will be at the shop with a sneak peak at his art for the forth-coming Superpowers #0.

He will also be showcasing many of his original paintings.

Vouchers for a signed copy of Superpowers #0 by Doug Klauba will be available for the low low cover price of 99 cents!

Come on out and enjoy fine art, beautiful comic books,

and even some wine and cheese.

(Yes, it’s true. Comics CAN be high-brow,come see for yourself!)
RETURN TO THE DARK KINGDOM
Tim Vigil, Mark Kidwell and Jay Fotos return to a Frazetta classic


17 January, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) – This April, Frazetta tradition of epic dark fantasy continues as the masterpiece DARK KINGDOM roars to life from the canvas to a full-color 32-page one-shot written by 68's Mark Kidwell and featuring the return of FAUST artist Tim Vigil.


"DARK KINGDOM is the type of project that's impossible to pass up," said Vigil. "How do you say no to working with one of the masters of modern illustration? It's incredibly inspiring, and I couldn't be happier. I'm doing my best to uphold the tradition of quality started by the DEATH DEALER miniseries."


In 2007, the very first fully approved Frank Frazetta comic book made its debut with DEATH DEALER, a six-issue miniseries that received acclaim and praise from all over the industry for its adaptation of the story behind the original paintings. The same attention and care is being brought to DARK KINGDOM, to accurately translate the power and intensity of the original work.


DARK KINGDOM (FEB082115), a 32-page one-shot for $3.99, will be in stores April 2nd, 2008.


Image Comics is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. There are currently four partners in Image Comics (Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino), and Image is currently divided into four major houses (Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central). Image comics and graphic novels cover nearly every genre, sub-genre and style imaginable, offering science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. Visit www.imagecomics.com.
New Super Real Special in stores next week with Josh Howard and
friends.

Super Real Graphics is offering a sneak peek at next week’s release,
Super
Real VS the Movie Industry special #1, which features guest artwork
from
Josh Howard (Dead@17, Lost Books of Eve) and many others.

The all new release from the critically acclaimed series, Super Real,
features a showcase of emerging talent in a double-sized special issue
that
has it’s genetically enhanced reality show cast in lethal situations,

inspired by movies we all know and love. S&M bruisers, juggling
swordsmen,
mechanical death traps, zombie laden graveyards, shark infested trash
compactors, saber wielding luchador-masked henchmen, roller-skating
Japanese
vampire school girls, and 30 foot tall Smashforming Iron Giant Men are
all
in a days work for the cast of SUPER REAL.

If all that wasn’t enough, the book also comes with two covers in
equal
ratio, featuring a Jonboy Meyers (JLA, Danger Girl, Gen13) “Kill
Bill”
homage version, and a pinup section.

2 covers, 48 pages, 14 artists, 5 reality TV participants, 12
blockbuster
film inspired deathtraps, 1 goal… SURVIVE! Check out preview pages
from the
book now, then tune into comic shops next week!

SUPER REAL VS THE MOVIE INDUSTRY SPECIAL #1
By Jason Martin, various
$4.99 / full color / 48pgs / mature readers
Diamond Order Code SEP073951

Also available now:
SUPER REAL COLLECTED SET
$9.99 / 4 issues (numbers 1-3, plus Super Real VS the Comic Book
Industry
Special #1)
Diamond Order Code SEP073952

For more information, reviews, and previews, please visit the book's
website:
SuperRealGraphics.com - http://superrealgraphics.com/page2.html


##################

PLEASE NOTE:
Links to artwork (for insertion of pics to preview) -

COVERS:
http://www.superrealgraphics.com/SuperRealSpecial_cover2A_JasonMartin.jpg
http://www.superrealgraphics.com/SuperRealSpecial_cover2B_JonboyMeyers.jpg

5 PREVIEW PAGES:
http://www.superrealgraphics.com/SuperRealSpecial2_preview1_JasonMartin.jpg
http://www.superrealgraphics.com/SuperRealSpecial2_preview2_DanMendoza.jpg
http://www.superrealgraphics.com/SuperRealSpecial2_preview3_DennisBudd.jpg
http://www.superrealgraphics.com/SuperRealSpecial2_preview4_JerryGaylord.jpg
http://www.superrealgraphics.com/SuperRealSpecial2_preview5_JoshHoward.jpg

Thursday, January 17, 2008

The countdown to MegaCon ’08 begins with our first news update of the year. This year’s convention is larger than ever before and the guest list is our best one to date. Come visit us on March 7-9, 2008 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Please note that the convention this year is being held in a different hall than in previous years. You can find us in Hall SB in the North/South Building, across the street from our usual location.



If you’re planning to attend, be sure to get your tickets while they are still available. Purchase them online at: https://protected6.purehost.com/d30063092/ordering.asp, or by stopping into any Coliseum of Comics store.



MegaCon ’08 is proud to welcome back Joe Quesada as this year’s Special Guest of Honor. For the past few years, Joe has served as Marvel’s editor in chief, but as we all know he’s a dynamite artist as well. Be sure to come see him and bring your books to have autographed.



This year’s list of Comic Guests is one of our best ever. Here is a sampling of who will be in attendance:



Ethan Van Sciver

Darwyn Cooke

John Romita, Jr.

Brandon Peterson

Phil Noto

Adam Kubert

David Finch

Steve McNiven

Jim Cheung

Mark Waid

Tone Rodriguez

Chuck Dixon

Greg Horn

Stan Sakai

Paul Pelletier

Arthur Suydam

Tim Townsend

Dick Giordano

Amanda Conner

Jimmy Palmiotti

Michael Golden

Mark Texeira

Daniel Way

Mike Perkins

Barbara Kesel

Gary Friedrich

Herb Trimpe

Rudy Nebres

Joseph Michael Linsner

Billy Tucci



Be sure to check out www.megaconvention.com to see what books these creators have worked on and to see our other exciting guests.



If you’d rather spend some time seeking out autographs from your favorite TV or film actors, MegaCon ’08 has plenty of them for you as well. This year we are proud of our biggest line-up of Media Guests yet. You can meet:



Adrian Pasdar (Nathan Petrelli from Heroes)

Erica Durance (Lois Lane from Smallville)

Kristy Swanson (The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Leah Cairns (Margaret “Racetrack” Edmondson from Battlestar Galactica, Emily Hollander from Kyle XY)

Mark Sheppard (Bionic Woman, Firefly, Romo Lampkin from Battlestar Galactica)
Wm. Morgan Sheppard (Klingon Commander from Star Trek VI)

Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca from Star Wars)

Gil Gerard (Buck Rogers from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century)

Erin Gray (Colonel Wilma from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century)

June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson from Lost in Space)

Mark Goddard (Don West from Lost in Space)

Noel Neill (Lois Lane from the original Superman TV show)

Jennifer Rhodes (Grams from Charmed)

Voltaire (Artist and Musician)
Caitlin Glass (Fullmetal Alchemist, Gunslinger Girl)

Cynthia Martinez (Slayers, Kino's Journey)

Vic Mignogna (Fullmetal Alchemist, Tsubasa Chronicle)

George Lowe (The voice of Space Ghost)

Jarrett Crippen (The Defuser from Who Wants To Be A Superhero)
Nell Wilson (Fat Momma from Who Wants To Be A Superhero)

Jon Provost (Timmy from Lassie)

Tanya Huff (Author of the Blood Ties series)

Dylan Neal (Mike Celluci from Blood Ties)

Kyle Schmid (Blood Ties, Henry Fitzroy from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants)

Arne Starr (Actor, Illustrator)

Steve Bacic (Nietzschean Gaheris Rhade from Andromeda, Stargate SG-1)
Jack O'Halloran (Non from Superman II, Superman the Movie)

Neil Kaplan (The voice of Optimus Prime from Transformers: Robots in Disguise)

Lloyd Kaufman (Director, Producer for Troma Entertainment)

Marc Singer (Beastmaster, V: The Series, V: The Final Battle)

Adrienne Wilkinson (Xena)



Keep in mind that many of these celebrities charge for their autographs. You can find out which ones do and how much they charge by stopping by www.megaconvention.com.



MegaCon ’08 will play host to the 8th annual Web Cartoonist Awards. For the first time ever, the fast growing awards will be presented at a live ceremony. If you would like more information, please contact Mark Mekkes at zortic@yahoo.com or visit their website at www.ccawards.com.



MegaCon would like to thank this year’s sponsors, Coliseum of Comics, Blam! Ventures, Students of the Unusual and Hot Flips, for their support.



We look forward to seeing you in Orlando, Florida for MegaCon ’08 on March 7-9, 2008. Stay tuned for more news and be sure to stop by www.megaconvention.com for additional information.
New Arrivals at Comics Village This Week

"There’s so much to tell you since our last chat. Mrs Miggins came close to opening her pie shop but refrained from doing so at the last minute….something to do with some back room shenanigans with that nice Mr Carter, or so they say. Our Phil got into a bit of a pickle but it’s all sorted now. The Reverend Cliiford Meth dropped by yet again to let us know what he was up to, and Young Mark returned home after a few years away – ooh, it’s like he never left. Poor Joseph was sick for a while but is all better now…what’s that? Did it curb his acerbic tongue (missus)? What do you think? And the Village Gossip just wouldn’t shut up – does she ever? Sssh, here she comes now, make yourself scarce….”

2000AD Prog Slog: Year in Review 2007
http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=70

2th Decay? 2000AD Prog 2008
http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=78

Eat S*** And Die
On Buffy etc: http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=82
The Power of Love: http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=71

Form & Void: Aren’t You The Prettiest Little Marxist-Feminist?
http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=79

Guest Sermon
Clifford Meth: http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=81
Spider-Man: BNB: http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=63

Notes From The Bittcave: The Sequel Demanded By No One
http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=75

ReMedia: The Essence of Film
http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=65

Speaking in Tongues
Perspective: http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=69
Thought Bytes: http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=80

Village Gossip
Mike San Giacomo: http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=77
Phil Elliott: http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=68
David Hine: http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=62
Rufus Dayglo: http://www.comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=55

“Has she gone? Good….just time to tell you that the Village Pub http://www.comicsvillage.com/Forums.aspx is now open for business, and that we’ve a few new Japanese residents who’ve moved in permanently. Across the DMZ (http://www.comicsvillage.com/review.aspx?reviewID=100) from the Chances (http://www.comicsvillage.com/review.aspx?reviewID=53) and the Troopers (http://www.comicsvillage.com/review.aspx?reviewID=97) you can now visit a Sexy Voice (http://www.comicsvillage.com/review.aspx?reviewID=68), buy some Alcohol (http://www.comicsvillage.com/review.aspx?reviewID=103) and take your chances with MPD Psycho (http://www.comicsvillage.com/review.aspx?reviewID=87). If you survive this, come back next week dearie, won’t you?”
Ascend Returns as Fully Re-mastered Graphic Novel
Following Sold-Out First Run

IDW Publishing to re-release the hit book Ascend as a special edition,
complete with new art and other extras


San Diego, CA (January 15, 2008)-Following its sold-out release three years ago, the graphic novel Ascend: Special Edition will be re-released by IDW Publishing (www.idwpublishing.com) in January. Originally published by writer/creator Keith Arem and PCB Productions (www.pcbproductions.com) the 200-page hardback will feature 70 additional pages and a completely rewritten story, taking the reader deeper into post-apocalyptic Purgatory Wars, where a battle over "harvested" human souls has destroyed heaven and hell.

With all-new dialog, the special edition further explores several story elements. All art panels were re-mastered, with additional art panels added along with new border and text effects. There is also an added opening prologue that introduces the main character as he is harvested into the Purgatory Wars. Included are original story and research notes along with a full leather cover and an increased size to 9"x13".

Ascend's Background
In Ascend, the young human Sebastian is tragically killed and unwillingly drafted into the war where he is reunited with his deceased brother, Gideon, the most powerful angel in the Legions of Heaven. Gideon is planning a coup to regain power and restore order. Realizing that he holds the key to ending the war, Sebastian must face his brother before Gideon destroys the cycle of life on earth.
"Ascend is an enormous, mythological world that has been a fantastic universe for our first 'transmedia' title," says Arem. "We are developing a new screenplay and game, and we're excited to revisit the world of Ascend with this special edition for the fans."

This is the first graphic novel from Arem, whose background in games, audio and animation led to the development of Ascend: Divination - an animated web series, based on the hit book. The Ascend: Special Edition will be released in stores nationwide in January 2008 and will be available through online retailers, as well as through comic book shops. www.preparetoascend.com

This comic book will be in stores January 2008; call 1-888-comic-book (1-888-266-4226) to find a store near you.

ABOUT IDW PUBLISHING
IDW PUBLISHING is a division of Idea and Design Works, LLC, a revolutionary creative service company with a wide range of clients. Among its best-selling titles are Hasbro's THE TRANSFORMERS; Paramount/CBS's STAR TREK; and Fox's ANGEL. IDW's 30 DAYS OF NIGHT film from Sony Pictures was released in October 2007 and was the #1 movie in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at www.idwpublishing.com.

ABOUT PCB PRODUCTIONS
Keith Arem is President and Creative Director for Los Angeles based PCB Productions, known for his work on over 500 commercial titles, including Call of Duty, Lord of the Rings, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Spiderman, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, Far Cry, Prince of Persia, X-Men, Star Wars, Ridge Racer, Planetside, Everquest, and Rainbow Six.
VIZ MEDIA'S BRAVE STORY WINS!

BRAVE STORY, written by Miyuki Miyabe and published domestically by VIZ,
has won the 2008 Batchelder Award by the Association for Library Service
to Children (ALSC).

The award, established in 1966, is a citation given to an American
publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of
those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign
country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the
United States. The Association for Library Service to Children gives the
award to encourage American publishers to seek out superior children's
books abroad and to promote communication among the people of the world.

BRAVE STORY tells the adventures of Wataru, a meek and unassertive 10
year-old elementary school student with mediocre grades and little
aspiration. Things get worse for the boy when his father runs off with a
mistress. Shocked and depressed, Wataru’s mother is hospitalized after a
failed suicide attempt. Bewildered and seemingly alone, Wataru finds
refuge in a half constructed building in his neighborhood that is
supposedly haunted. But the building actually is the entrance to an
alternate world called Vision, filled with fantastic creatures both
fierce and friendly. Wataru must master magic techniques and collect
hidden treasures on his journey to the Tower Of Destiny where a goddess
of fate awaits, who it is believed, can make wishes come true. With
winged dragons, corkscrew wolves and other intriguing life forms around
every corner, Wataru realizes the task may be tricky. Before long, he
acquires a band of loyal cohorts, including Kee Keema, a quirky lizard,
and Meena, a circus cat. Only when Wataru has completed this journey and
collected five elusive gemstones will he posses the Demon’s Bane, which
is the key to unlock the future. And to complicate matters Wataru must
also outwit a merciless rival from the real world. Charity, bravery,
faith, grace and the powers of darkness and light are the provinces of
each gemstone and Wataru must learn important lessons about each during
his quest. When finally brought together, the stones have the power to
finally reunite Wataru’s family.

Author Miyuki Miyabe is renowned in Japan as a successful author of a
diverse collection of science fiction, mysteries, historical fiction,
social commentary and juvenile fiction. BRAVE STORY drew tremendous
acclaim upon its publication, selling more than half a million copies in
Japan, and was also turned into a critically acclaimed animated and as
spawned a video game for the Sony PSP as well.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one
of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga
(graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of
Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and
licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and
Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in
the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking
audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and
animation. The company offers an integrated product line including,
magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos,
DVDs and audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated
entertainment from initial production, television placement and
distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and
consumers of all ages.
Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone
(415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(original news from ALA)
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2008/january2008/batchelder08.htm
Here are the BOOM! Studios titles that are in stores this week (01/16/08).

Enjoy!


DOMINION #4

Written by Michael Alan Nelson
Drawn by Tim Hamilton
$3.99, 24 pages, full color (4 of 5)

Chicago is further torn apart, even as the authorities struggle to contain the virus - no one can get in, no one can get out, and as a result, no cavalry is coming. Just the same,salvation seems to be coming in the form of a vaccine and a cure - but is it too late to save Dick?


2 GUNS #5
Written by Steven Grant
Drawn by Mateus Santolouco
$3.99, 32pgs, full color (5 of 5)

The greatest heist comic of the year concludes with all things unraveling. Trench and Steadman find that when everyone wants you dead, allies become enemies and enemies become allies! Teaming up, they angle to take down the conspiracy that threatens to wipe them out. A fun crime-fiction romp in the vein of Ocean's Eleven and The Italian Job and for fans of Ed Brubaker's Criminal.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

NORTH WIND #1 GETS SECOND PRINTING


Historic Simultaneous Release by BOOM! Studios and MySpace Comic Books Drives Demand

LOS ANGELES- January 15th, 2008 - BOOM! Studios announced today that NORTH WIND #1 will receive a second printing. Hitting the market simultaneously in stores and online at MySpace Comic Books , the first printing of NORTH WIND sold out in only ten days. The second print will have a slightly altered cover to distinguish itself from the first printing.

Diamond Comics Distributors will make the second printing of NORTH WIND #1 available on January 23rd, at that time the second printing's code will open for orders, and a Diamond Daily article will also run that day alerting retailers to its availability. BOOM! Studios is also offering retailers an additional 3% reorder incentive on all issues that have been solicited and remain in print.

In addition to the release of the NORTH WIND online to over 145,000 friends at MySpace Comic Books, BOOM! Studios commissioned a trailer for NORTH WIND that was featured on MySpaceTV and on the log-in page for MySpace. The trailer received 10,000 views in ten days and can seen here: http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=25270023

While the simultaneous release of NORTH WIND has its critics, BOOM! Studios has received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from retailers across the nation.

"BOOM!'s decision to make NORTH WIND available on MySpace was an innovative and brave decision that has paid off immensely. Readers who tried it online wanted to get a permanent copy they could hold in their hands, and wound up, in most cases, looking for more. Any gateway we can find to introduce non-traditional readers to comics is what this industry needs. Congrats, BOOM!" Said Mike Malve, owner of the Atomic Comics chain, a chain that includes four retail stores, including a mobile store housed in a van, all located in and around the greater Phoenix, Arizona area.

"The MySpace promotion has brought attention to BOOM!'S new title NORTH WIND in a very big way. Regulars who ONLY get Marvel and DC are asking for it, and we sold out of all of our shelf copies the day it came out, and even had a waiting list for our reorders. We have since sold out of two reorders and the overship copies that came in. Our stores only had three people on the pull list before the book came out, but we have since sold almost as many copies of NORTH WIND #1 as we have any BOOM! book so far, including TALENT. It is easily one of the best new reads I have picked up in a while, and the exposure on MySpace will help drive people not only for this book (as people will want a copy to collect) but also for other BOOM! books as well." Said Jon Newman, owner of the Ultimate Comics chain, comprised of three stores, in the Raliegh-Durham-Chapel Hill research triangle area of North Carolina.

NORTH WIND, written by David DiGilio, best known for writing the film EIGHT BELOW and creating the ABC TV show TRAVELER, is a five issue mini-series set in a future Los Angeles after a new ice age has covered the earth. NORTH WIND chronicles the rise of a new hero in a dystopian world where people burn books for fuel, and Skinrunners trade valuable pelts for rations and warmth. The first issue features a cover by Andrew Huerta with interior artwork by newcomer and soon to be fan-favorite, Alex Cal.

MySpace, the world's most popular social network, and BOOM! Studios, a leader in comic book and graphic novel publishing, announced a partnership January 3rd to provide the MySpace Comic Book community with free digital downloads of BOOM! Studios' highly anticipated new comic book series, NORTH WIND. Throughout the five-issue mini-series, MySpace users will be able to download all the issue of NORTH WIND for free exclusively on the MySpace Comic Books profile (http://myspace.com/comicbooks) the day each issue hits store shelves.

MySpace Comic Books (http://myspace.com/comicbooks) is a community dedicated to the best in comics, manga, and graphic novels. Launched in March 2007, MySpace Comic Books provides the online community with the latest comic book news and interviews and spotlights the most exciting projects, creators and events in the industry. With more than 145,000 friends, and growing, MySpace continues to see significant interest from its members in the comic book arena.

About BOOM! Studios

Winner of Wizard Magazine's "Best New Publisher," BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique new publishing house specializing in high-profile projects from some of the industry's biggest talents. Founded by the creator of the TV show EUREKA, Andrew Cosby, and his partner Ross Richie, BOOM! Studios continues to be on the leading edge of comic and graphic novel publishing.

BOOM! Studios co-founder Andrew Cosby's television series, EUREKA, recently finished its second season at the Sci-Fi Channel, having launched to impressive ratings this past summer and consistently winning several key demographics on basic cable. EUREKA is the highest-rated series in the Sci-Fi Channel's history.
UNCOVER THE SECRET… THE FOUR CONSTABLES ARE BACK!




San Jose, CA – January, 2007 – Your number one source of Hong Kong comics in the U.S.A is at again! DrMaster Publications and DGN Productions have just announced that they will publish the 3-volume continuation of The Four Constables, The Four Constables: Secret of the Delirium Dagger!

Four of China's supremely skilled detectives loyally serve their Master Zhuge Zhen-Wo, the head bodyguard and advisor for China's all-powerful Emperor. Emotionless is a master of weapons and devices. Iron Hand possesses incredible chi and can stop the sharpest blades with his bare hands. Life Snatcher is highly skilled in light-foot granting him undaunted legwork and kicks. Lastly Cold Blooded was raised by wolves and has since learned to convert his pain into strength - enabling him to defeat opponents much stronger than himself. Each of them is entrusted by the Emperor with the power to arrest and execute any corrupt officials or lawless criminals within the Chinese Empire. These Imperial Constables act as protectors. With their venerable skill as kung fu practitioners and meticulous sleuths, they root out potential usurpers and discern the cause of many strange occurrences during the Sung Dynasty!

In this sequel to the first series, Emotionless lives! He was saved by the master of the West Town, Yuan-Shan Lan, BUT in return for his debt, Yuan-Shan Lan wants Emotionless to murder him! They engage in an intense fight like none other! At the same time, Iron Hands and Cold Blooded are on a dangerous mission to find the criminals wreaking havoc on local towns. When they accidentally pull in two unconscious bodies from the river who they discover were victims of the criminals’ crimes. Thus the two victims lead the brave constables on a trail after the evil mastermind behind the vicious crimes, and get entangled with his evil pursuit of the powerful Delirium Dagger. Who is he and what machinations does he have planned? The constables fight for their lives as they unravel more secrets and get closer to finding the villainous mastermind.... Don’t miss out on all the action, drama and intrigue!

About the Author:
When it comes to creative team-ups, you can't get more impressive than comic giant Tony Wong (Weapons of the Gods, Oriental Heroes) locking pencils with rising star Andy Seto (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Shaolin Soccer). They have come together to produce the comic adaptation of The Four Imperial Constables, the critically-acclaimed novel by Wen Rui-An. Wen’s literary works jump-started today's kung fu hysteria nearly forty years ago.

Although of Chinese descent Wen Rui-An was born in Malaysia. He published his first literary piece when he was only nine years old and organized his own literary group when he was barely twenty. He had completed more than 200 fiction and nonfiction literary pieces before he was thirty. His forty-nine martial arts series have been published under Wang-Sheng Pub. The novels mainly deal with the final years of the Northern Sung Dynasty (ca. 1100 A.D.) under Emperor Huei.

Availability
Volume 1 of The Four Constables: Secret of the Delirium Dagger will be available in June 2008. The full color 128 page graphic novels will be priced at $13.95. Visit www.drmasterbooks.com more detailed series information.

About DrMaster Publications, Inc.:
From Japan we bring unique stories and characters, brought to life through suspenseful science fiction, relationship dramas, and side-splitting comedies. And from China, we have offerings rich in history and mystique, and titles with unmatched action and suspense. By brazenly going against the grain and laughing in the face of conformity, DrMaster Publications Inc. introduced something different to the legion of comic book fans whose cravings lie outside the superhero box. Choosing the path less traveled we have journeyed across the Pacific to bring US readers, the acclaimed works from Japan and China's biggest and brightest!

Each of our books is like a glimpse into a new realm as seen through the eyes of the authors and artists. You don’t just read a DrMaster book—it jolts you to life, as you are propelled through the pages. Please click here for a list of our current and upcoming titles. And feel free to tour the site. Regular updates will follow as our line of “masterful” comic series expands.

About DGN Productions International:
DGN Productions (Digital Graphic Novel Productions) is a newly-formed production company and studio made up of industry veterans within the comics and video game industries. Through strategic licensing of key comic book titles and the use of recognized industry professionals within the fields of animation and video game development, DGN Pro. Intl. is dedicated to producing cutting-edge video games, comics and animated features adapted from some the biggest and brightest in Hong Kong, Japanese and Korean comic book properties. DGN Productions Intl. was founded June 2004 and is based in Fremont, California
Zenescope Closes in on Milestone

Late in 2005 a small indie comic book from a small unknown publisher hit stands for the first time. It was entitled GRIMM FAIRY TALES and no one, not even the publishers themselves, could predict the amount of success the brand new series would have in the ultra-competitive comic book market. But two years later Zenescope’s popular GRIMM FAIRY TALES is fast approaching a milestone 25th issue. Said series co-creator and co-writer Ralph Tedesco “It’s been truly amazing the way this series has grown over the last couple years. We had a pretty solid readership from the beginning and it continues to grow monthly. We really want to thank the fans and retailers that stuck with the ‘little comic that could’ this whole time and also the comic news websites that continue to offer coverage to independent books such as this one. We’ve had our share of shipping delays with some issues, which we are always working on reducing, but we’ve always been committed to making sure the quality is there every single issue and that we’re delivering a story that compels our readers to return month in and month out.”

The other good news: GRIMM is back on schedule with issue #20 hitting stands next Wednesday and issues 21 through 23 on shelves throughout late January and early February.

Zenescope has released a 6 page preview of their 25th landmark issue which is scheduled for a late March release and is now available for preorder through Diamond. For every 25 copies ordered, retailers will also receive a limited edition sketch over issue.

Diamond order code: JAN084008
EASTER'S GOT A BRAND NEW SAVIOR!
ARCHIBALD SAVES EASTER this April!


January 15th, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This April Archibald the Aardvark reveals Hell hath no fury like an Aardvark scorned within the pages of ARCHIBALD SAVES EASTER, the much anticipated, mature readers follow up to last winter's ARCHIBALD SAVES CHRISTMAS.


"Writer Dwight MacPhearson and I had too good of a time working together on ARCHIBALD SAVES CHRISTMAS to not do a follow up," said artist and creator Grant Bond. "It's a unique opportunity to explore both my humorous and sadistic sides."


ARCHIBALD SAVES EASTER continues the story behind Archibald Aardvark, one of cartoons biggest stars of yesteryear who may or may not be a vicious serial killer. However, when his closest friends personal demons turn out to be literal, they find his Hyde-like alter ego may be the key to saving them all.


Shadowline President Jim Valentino said, "Shadowline strives to showcase the newest and most interesting talent emerging into the industry. Both Dwight and Grant are certainly high up on our list of favorite finds."


ARCHIBALD SAVES EASTER, a 32-page two-color comic for $3.50, will be on stands April 2nd, 2008.


Image Comics is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. There are currently four partners in Image Comics (Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino), and Image is currently divided into four major houses (Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central). Image comics and graphic novels cover nearly every genre, sub-genre and style imaginable, offering science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. Visit www.imagecomics.com.
LORD ZANGO IS THE LAZIEST SUPER VILLAIN ALIVE



Absolute Tyrant aims to conquer world with The Nearly Infamous Zango

Rob Osborne strikes back with ongoing, bi-monthly epic funnybook series



AUSTIN, TX, January 14, 2008—The Nearly Infamous Zango #1 introduces comic book readers to the laziest super villain alive. From creator Rob Osborne (1000 Steps To World Domination, Sunset City) and published by Absolute Tyrant, The Nearly Infamous Zango is an ongoing, bi-monthly comic book series. The first issue hits store shelves in March 2008.



In the first issue of The Nearly Infamous Zango, Lord Alfred Zango, Jr. is a formerly fearsome super villain. He was once the most notorious man in Metrotown. He razed entire city blocks, crushed super heroes beneath his heel. Now Lord Zango is just a malcontent couch potato. In bunny slippers and bathrobe, he gorges himself on junk food and fumes over the media attention that other super-baddies receive. Too lethargic to leave the house, Lord Zango sends a gorilla assassin to eliminate his competition.



The writer-artist of Zango is Rob Osborne. He is best known for 1000 Steps To World Domination, a mostly humorous, sometimes personal, often inspirational look at Osborne’s quest to conquer the world. That story garnered Osborne the first-ever Isotope Award for Excellence in Mini-Comics and was later published as a graphic novel by AiT/PlanetLar. The writer-artist followed with Sunset City, a graphic novella about a retired widower’s search for relevance.



Zango is Osborne’s first foray into the super hero genre, and the cartoonist is undaunted by the surplus of super-powered comics. “Calling Zango a super hero book is like suggesting that Arrested Development was homage to The Brady Bunch,” said Osborne. “This is a quirky, audacious look into a dysfunctional family of super villains.”



Lord Zango’s ambitions have spread to the internet, and he has his own MySpace page (www.myspace.com/lordzango). As MySpace users know, he is wont to hurl insults at those who befriend him. In a recent comment to a MySpace friend, Lord Zango wrote, “Finally, you're using that lump of cognitive mush! Choosing to serve me on MySpace is smart, but don't get cute! You are still a spineless, no-good wretch! Your charge is to submit to Lord Zango!”



The first story about Lord Zango and his family debuted as a one-shot comic book at the Alternative Press Expo in 2006. Last year, Osborne made a new, expanded version of The Nearly Infamous Zango available online at www.robosborne.net. The new story was well received as a webcomic, paving the way for the ongoing comic book series. According to Shawn Demumbrum, proprietor of SpazDog Comics in Phoenix, Arizona, that makes Osborne evil. “Make no mistake. I think he’s an evil genius for making us wait so long to see this story in print.”



The Nearly Infamous Zango #1 (Diamond order code: JAN083288, as seen in Diamond Comics’ January Previews, page 201) is a 24-page B&W comic shipping in March 2008 for $3.50. Written and drawn by Rob Osborne, and published by Absolute Tyrant. For more information, visit www.absolutetyrant.com.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

THE COMICS WAITING ROOM RELAUNCHES IN A NEW, BI-WEEKLY WEB-MAGAZINE FORMAT!

Cover stories, columns, feature articles, reviews, news and contests! The new CWR has all the stuff you’re looking for!

TEMPE, AZ, Tuesday, January 15, 2008-

The Comics Waiting Room (www.comicswaitingroom.com) is proud to announce a changing of format, as it moves away from daily updates and becomes a bi-weekly web magazine.

Waiting Room founder and Editor-in-chief Marc Mason had this to say: “The reality of comics-related websites is simple: if your name isn’t Tom, Dirk, or Heidi, there isn’t a pressing need to visit every day. So rather than continue butting my head against the wall, trying to figure out how to change that, the CWR writers and I came up with a better idea: become more of a special destination. By going bi-weekly, we hope to position ourselves as the comics equivalent of ROLLING STONE: still timely, but also able to explore many topics with more depth. And much like a typical magazine, we’ll have a primary feature in each issue.”

Along with the new direction comes a new look for the site, including a new color scheme and a new logo designed by CWR writer and graphic artist Elliott Serrano. Other changes include a new format for comics reviews, as the publisher pages the site previously used have made way for a new URL specifically created for reviews (also with a new logo of its own): http://reviews.comicswaitingroom.com. News items have now shifted to the classic CWR blog: http://comicswait.blogspot.com. And if you like the new look, we encourage you to stop by the CWR store and buy a t-shirt: http://www.cafepress.com/cwrshop.

About Issue One:

You can start with our cool cover here: http://www.comicswaitingroom.com OR

Issue one’s cover story is a lengthy interview by Marc Mason with web cartoonist Danielle Corsetto, creator of GIRLS WITH SLINGSHOTS. Find the interview here: http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/corsetto.html

Matt Maxwell offers up an amusing look at being audited by the columnist police here: http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/fullbleed14.html

Vince Moore discusses why manga can’t replace his love of superheroes, along with the Tiffany Fallon/Wonder Woman controversy, here: http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/vince13.html

Elliott Serrano joins a twelve-step program and figures out that Marvel went wrong way before “One More Day”, tracing the problems back to the mid-80s, here: http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/ccw6.html

Marc Mason takes a look at the character viability of Red Sonja and reviews an entire year’s worth of her books here: http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/mason1.html

And Avril Brown, a 25-year old writer from Chicago, joins the site with her column “Rogue Element.” Avril will be writing on fashion and lifestyles for the geek set, and her first effort discusses what makes X-Men t-shirts a hot item. You can find the first Rogue Element here: http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/avril1.html and her permanent archive here: http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/avril.html

Plus, a contest! Those who join the site’s Google Group will be entered to win some autographed comics from Marc Mason’s personal collection. These books include signatures from such creators as Brian Bendis, Steve Lieber, and Jill Thompson


“I’m excited about these changes,” Mason added. “I think if folks give us a try, they’ll discover we’re site with high-quality content, and we probably have the most diverse group of writers of any comics spot on the web. And hopefully, they’ll keep coming back every two weeks to see what we’re up to. It’s sure to be good.”

About The Comics Waiting Room:
Established by Marc Mason in July 2006, after working for a number of other comics-related websites, The Comics Waiting Room has now shifted and become a bi-weekly web magazine. Each issue will offer a diverse and interesting mix of comics and graphic novel reviews, news, columns, interviews, feature stories, and more.

Contact: Marc Mason
marc@comicswaitingroom.com
Peterson and Cho Sign in Maryland



BALTIMORE, MD (Sept. 28, 2007) - Brandon Peterson, the artist of Strange, Ultimate Extinction, Ultimate Vision, and Ultimate X-Men and Frank Cho, the artist of Mighty Avengers, creator of Liberty Meadows, and co-writer and cover artist of Jungle Girl and Savage Red Sonja will appear at Cards, Comics & Collectibles in Reisterstown, Maryland this Saturday, January 19, 2008 from 5 PM to 7 PM.



Cards, Comics & Collectibles is located at 100-A Chartley Drive , Reisterstown , Maryland 21136 , just minutes off I-695, the Baltimore Beltway, just up I-795. For further information, please call (410) 526-7410 or email cardscomicscollecti bles@yahoo. com.



In addition to meeting Brandon Peterson and Frank Cho, attendees will be able to get the latest news on the September 27-28, 2008 Baltimore Comic-Con. The guest list already includes Jim Lee (Batman, Wildcats - appearing both days in 2008), along with Howard Chaykin (American Flagg, Wolverine), Steve Conley (Star Trek, The Escapist), Amanda Conner (JSA Classified, Terra), David Finch (World War Hulk, New Avengers), Ramona Fradon (Aquaman), John Gallagher (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Michael Golden (Micronauts, The 'Nam), Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, Action Comics), J.G. Jones (52, Wonder Woman), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Ultimate X-Men), Barry Kitson (Empire, The Order), Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Jonah Hex, Eric Powell (The Goon), Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Heroes), Jim Shooter (Legion of Super-Heroes, Secret Wars), J.C. Vaughn (Zombie-Proof, 24), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest, The Wicked West), and Mark Waid (Flash, Boom! Studios).



For additional information about the Baltimre Comic-Con, visit the show website http://www.comicon. com/baltimore/ or the show¢s MySpace page. (www.myspace. com/baltimore)
Buckaroo Banzai: The Prequel #2 (of 2)



Story: Earl Mac Rauch

Art: Chewie

Colors: Ken Wolak

Covers: Ken Wheaton & Joe Corroney



32pgs, color, $3.99



More BANZAI adventures by the original creators!

Screenwriter Earl Mac Rauch and Director WD Richter return to their creation with a brand new story!

Don’t miss the conclusion of “Of Hunan Bondage”, the wild epic tale that sets up the film!

Action!- Adventure! -Love! -Bondage!

You’ll laugh: you’ll cry; you’ll get a craving for watermelon…

Inside you’ll find: Banzai tortured, a dream meeting of the great minds, Peggy Priddy captured, the insidious Hanoi Xan, beautiful young virgins, a fill-in harp player, the first test of the overthruster, The Hong Kong Cavaliers to the rescue, …and the ultimate sacrifice!

Art by Superman Returns storyboard artist Chewie!

Covers by (The Simpson’s) Ken Wheaton, and (Star Wars) Joe Corroney!.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Critically Acclaimed LEFT ON MISSION Nominated for Broken Frontier Award


Nominated alongside Brubaker's CRIMINAL, Rucka's CHECKMATE, and Hickman's THE NIGHTLY NEWS, Mosher's LEFT ON MISSION TPB hits shelves January 23rd


January 14th, Los Angeles, CA -- Currently nominated for a Broken Frontier Award for best Mystery/Suspense comic, BOOM! Studios' LEFT ON MISSION will be hitting shelves January 23rd, 2008 in trade paperback form. Other comics nominated alongside the critically acclaimed LEFT ON MISSION include Brubaker's CRIMINAL, Rucka's CHECKMATE, and Hickman's THE NIGHTLY NEWS.


"I wasn't surprised to see LEFT ON MISSION make the short list for our Broken Frontier Awards this year, regardless of the competition in the Mystery/Suspense category. Going up against stalwarts like Criminal and Checkmate and the fact that it was a mini-series goes to show just how strong a release this was. Chip Mosher's definitely on the map because of it." Said Frederik Hautain, proprietor of venerable comic news site BrokenFrontier.com.


Compiled by the entire Broken Frontier staff and "honoring the cream of the crop in the comics industry throughout 2007," this will be the fourth year that Broken Frontier ( www.brokenfrontier.com) has given out their own awards. The winner will be announced on Thursday, January 17.


The Broken Frontier Award nomination caps a year of almost continuous critical praise for LEFT ON MISSION, which has included positive pronouncements from many different media outlets, including the following:




"...spy fiction at its best." - Ain't It Cool News (www.aintitcoolnews.com)






"...reminiscent of Le Carré or even Fleming... for a better espionage comics, one need look no further... " - Double O Section (doubleosection.blogspot.com )






"Better than James Bond, makes Bourne almost boring... Without a doubt the best miniseries of 2007... " - Comics And... (comicsand.blogspot.com )






Most recently, LEFT ON MISSION spent almost a month ranked in the "Top 20 Hottest Graphic Novels" on TFAW.com.


LEFT ON MISSION tells the story of agent Eric Westfall coming out of retirement to stop a rogue spy from auctioning a stolen hard-drive on the black market for $50 million. Westfall must track down the traitorous Emma, and eliminate her -- despite the fact that the two were once lovers! The debut published work for writer/creator Chip Mosher, LEFT ON MISSION was drawn by fan-favorite Francesco Francavilla and colored by industry great Martin Thomas.


The LEFT ON MISSION trade paperback, collecting all five issues, will be available at comic shops around the country on January 23rd.


More information about the title is available at http://www.boom-studios.com/node/1380 .




About BOOM! Studios


Winner of Wizard Magazine's "Best New Publisher," BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique new publishing house specializing in high-profile projects from some of the industry's biggest talents. Founded by the creator of the TV show EUREKA, Andrew Cosby, and his partner Ross Richie, BOOM! Studios continues to be on the leading edge of comic and graphic novel publishing.


BOOM! Studios co-founder Andrew Cosby's television series, EUREKA, recently finished its second season at the Sci-Fi Channel, having launched to impressive ratings this past summer and consistently winning several key demographics on basic cable. EUREKA is the highest-rated series in the Sci-Fi Channel's history.
Blue Dream Studios Press Release

For Immediate Release

“THE DREAMLAND CHRONICLES” CELEBRATES 2nd ANNIVERSARY WITH ITS 4,000,000th READER!

Nashville, TN -- Jan 14, 2007 -- On Sunday, Blue Dream Studios celebrated two years of the online serialization of Scott Christian Sava’s award-winning THE DREAMLAND CHRONICLES. And in a moment of serendipity, THE DREAMLAND CHRONICLES reached its 4 millionth unique reader the same weekend.

At http://www.thedreamlandchronicles.com, a new page in the epic story of Alex and his friends’ adventures in Dreamland and the coming war with the Nightmare Realm is revealed every weekday. The serialization has been collected thus far into two separate collections, THE DREAMLAND CHRONICLES: BOOK ONE and THE DREAMLAND CHRONICLES: BOOK TWO. The third book in the six-book epic comes out in July 2008.

“I figured picking up a million new readers from January to June was a big, big deal,” said Sava. “Then I pick up TWO million in the six months after that! I’m blown away, and so thankful to my readers who recruit more and more fans. And with Blue Dream’s growth---we have six new titles coming out this year---and the interest from Hollywood, we’re excited about our 2008.”

THE DREAMLAND CHRONICLES: BOOK ONE (ISBN: 978-0-9789168-0-0, $19.95, 300 pages, full-color perfectbound, 6” x 9”) is in retailers’ stores now or can be ordered if you ask your friendly retailer to get it for you today. BOOK ONE collects the first four issues of the story of Alex, a young adult who used to live adventures in Dreamland as a child, but who somehow lost his way. Now, with the help of a once-thought-lost necklace, Alex reunites with Nastajia the elf princess, Paddington the rock giant, and Kiwi the fairy, and nightly visits a land filled with wondrous and fantastical creatures and lands…all while living the life of a struggling college student by day, and perhaps being the hope of Dreamland by night.

THE DREAMLAND CHRONICLES BOOK 2 (March 2008, ISBN: 978-0-9789168-3-1, $19.95, 272 pages, full-color perfectbound, 6” x 9”) moves the adventure forward at an exhilarating pace as Alex escapes from prison, battles the dragon king Nicodemus, visits the underwater city of Naroobi---is even given the tail of a mermaid!---and battles a kraken, all while uncovering clues to the mystery of Nastajia’s parents’ disappearance, rekindling a romance, and learning the reasons why Dreamland needs him now more than ever.

All of Blue Dream Studios’s ALL-AGES titles are available at finer comic book shops and bookstores everywhere, and on amazon.com.
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ABOUT BLUE DREAM STUDIOS
Founded in 2000 by Scott Christian Sava, Blue Dream Studios has become an international icon in technical innovation and creative storytelling. More than just an animation studio, Blue Dream is creating some of the most original and charming characters and stories of its time. From Casper the Friendly Ghost to Spider-Man to Predator to Star Trek, Blue Dream Studios has been instrumental in bringing these and many other characters to life for television, film, comics and video games. Other titles include ED’S TERRESTRIALS and PET ROBOTS.
Strangeco
Proudly Presents
The Vivisect Playset





STRANGEco is pleased to announce a new multi-artist designer toy series
Based on the annual gallery exhibition curated by artist Luke Chueh and
Hosted by Los Angeles-based Gallery 1988.



Started in 2003, The Vivisect Playset is an annual group art show curated by artist Luke Chueh, which thematically focuses on (drawings of) the dissection and reconstruction of animals to demonstrate human emotion. To celebrate this wildly successful show, STRANGEco has enlisted the participation of regular Vivisect artists Anthony Ausgang, Luke Chueh, Peter Gronquist, Thomas Han, Joe Ledbetter, Greg Simkins and Amanda Visell, to create a very special collectible toy series. This 8-piece collection will debut at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles on January 26th, 2008 and includes one original design per artist plus a collaborative piece by Simkins and Ledbetter.

The Vivisect Playset is one of Gallery 1988's longest- running group shows, breathing new life into the young start-up gallery and helping skyrocket it into the spotlight of the art world. Following the success of the Vivisect Playset series, Gallery 1988 partners Katie Cromwell and Jensen Karp went on to open another Gallery 1988 in San Francisco in 2006, where the fourth Vivisect Playset show took place in December 2007.

Cromwell credits artist Luke Chueh with helping to make 1988 a relevant gallery. "Jensen and I opened the LA Gallery almost 4 years ago." "We were kids with absolutely no business experience. It's a miracle that we're still in business- and that miracle is a man named Luke Chueh."

Luke Chueh and the other Vivisect Playset artists have caught the attention of some high profile fans and art aficionados of all walks of life. With the Vivisect Playset's anthropomorphous art in such high demand, STRANGEco has made it possible for even more art connoisseurs to take home a "piece" of their story. "As our second multi-artist toy series, we couldn't be happier collaborating with such a gifted group of artists and on such a continuously engaging gallery show", commented Jim Crawford, co-founder of STRANGEco. "The Vivisect Playset toy series is the kind of project that got me started making toys in the first place."

The 8 piece, 3-4" PVC figure series will sell individually in blind box packaging and will be available at Gallery 1988 and other fine retailers.

Suggested Retail Price - $7.99

For more information please visit: http:// www.STRANGEco.com

For more information on Gallery 1988 please visit: http:// www.nineteeneightyeight.com/

You can see more work by the artists at their individual websites:
Luke Chueh - http://www.lukechueh.com/
Anthony Ausgang - http://www.ausgangart.com/
Peter Gronquist - http:// www.petergronquist.com/
Thomas Han - http://www.thomas- han.deviantart.com/
Joe Ledbetter - http://www.joeledbetter.com/
Greg Simkins - http://www.imscared.com/
Amanda Visell - http:// www.thegirlsproductions.com/

ABOUT STRANGEco:

The foremost purveyor of artist-based toys, design objects and curiosities, STRANGEco continuously creates and produces innovative designs, and has deservedly gained recognition as the leader of the art toy revolution from both artists and customers alike. Working closely with artists they admire, STRANGEco develops character designs, often only seen in two dimensions. The end results are beautiful original art pieces in three-glorious dimensions which fans can actually afford and collect. Notable artists STRANGEco has worked with include tokidoki, Gary Baseman, Jim Woodring, FriendsWithYou, Mars-1, Nathan Jurevicius Pete Fowler, James Jarvis and many others.

ABOUT GALLERY 1988:

Gallery 1988 opened its Los Angeles location on the corner of Melrose and La Brea in 2004 and quickly became the place to see artists on the rise. The gallery has been covered in Maxim, FHM, Juxtapoz, The Washington Post, the LA Times and Nintendo Power, while CNN, Fox, Spike TV and G4 have also all reported on specific shows, such as last year's Crazy 4 Cult, where over 2000 patrons visited on opening night, along with host Kevin Smith, to see 100 artists reinterpret images from classic cult films. Gallery 1988 has also worked hand in hand with The Disney Company, Capcom and Mattel to create art shows and build their brand through art-inspired marketing. In 2007, Gallery 1988 opened its second gallery in San Francisco and has brought its arsenal of artists and original themed shows to a whole new city and fan base.
PRESS RELEASE - PERHAPANAUTS KEEP COMING!
The battle of the super cryptics goes monthly!


January 14th, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Hot off the heels of this February's PERHAPANAUTS ANNUAL, Craig Rousseau and Todd Dezago return this April with the ongoing adventures of everyone's favorite crypto-zoological super-team!


"Getting PERHAPANAUTS out on an ongoing basis has been a goal of ours since its inception," said writer Todd Dezago. "As fans of the series know, we have a love for introducing background elements that eventually become major players later on. While we highly enjoyed our previous mini-series, this new ongoing series will allow us to fully explore all the ideas we've had brewing for years!"


PERHAPANAUTS is a book that features quite a few familiar faces from urban legend, but with an entirely new view. Bigfoot - yes, THAT bigfoot - heads up a team consisting of psychics, paranormals, dimension hoppers and even a chubacabara against menaces from beyond the outer edges of reality!


Artist Craig Rousseau said, "Drawing PERHAPANAUTS would be any artists dream come true - the book features all the best parts of superhero stories and tales of terror with a good balance of heart and suspense. It's a cliche, but here's it's true - we're set out to make a book where anything is possible."


PERHAPANAUTS #1, a full-color ongoing series for $3.50, will be in stores April 16th, 2008.


Image Comics is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. There are currently four partners in Image Comics (Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino), and Image is currently divided into four major houses (Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central). Image comics and graphic novels cover nearly every genre, sub-genre and style imaginable, offering science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. Visit www.imagecomics.com.
New items at Angry Drunk Graphics






New items for January 15 2008
01-15-08
FANS-
We have all new items up for sale at Angry Drunk Graphics. We will be offering downloads soon, too. Download a whole comic book for almost nothing! Read dark humor and filth while you are at work, your boss will be none the wiser. We will also be offering new music on vinyl!
STORES-
There are a few stores who let us email them so I would like to add that if you are a store you can get everything at Angry Drunk Graphics for almost the same price we get 'em for (40% off of the cover), we would rather see this stuff in "real" stores than make money off of it.
Email steve@angrydrunkgraphics.com to find out how.
NON FANS-
We started using this email program to keep spammers from getting our email addresses. Unfortunately, when I added our mail list to the account it added EVERYONE who ever emailed us. It costs us to email each one of you, so please ask to be removed from this list if you do not want to be on it.
Thank you.







FTB issue Zero
To keep this email rated PG I can't write the full name of the comic in it (and I can't describe what it's about either). But be assured, if you liked Steven Vincent's Spaztic Colon comic series you will probably like this filth as well.

FTB Issue Zero Contains all of the FTB comics from Steven Vincent's Spaztic Colon series. The FTB Christmas story, The first three pages of the upcoming FTB issue 1 and games!

16 pages
very limited run
FOR MATURE READERS!
$4








Douglas Paszkiewicz' Arsenic Lullaby Pulp Edition
ARSENIC LULLABY PULP EDITION #1 by Douglas Paszkiewicz The King of dark humor returns from a sabbatical larger and better that ever! This latest collection is a clinic on how to force laughter out of readers, whether they like it or not. Witch doctor 'Voodoo Joe' returns with his zombie fetus army to reluctantly help the helpless. Baron Von Donut, an alcoholic cereal mascot, travels to Cuba to help a long-lost love, and is eaten by sharks for his trouble, only to return the next morning to warn children of the dangers of heterosexuality. And Tex Buckaroo, an old school TV cowboy (and raging bigot), becomes a guardian angel! All this, plus Nazis, Ethiopians, and Chinese sweatshop workers. You wouldn't think it by that cast of characters, but this may be the funniest comic you read this year!

MATURE READERS
24 pages







Happy Drunk Christmas Spectacular #2 HOLIDAY PACK
Only available for a limited time!

Each set includes the Angry Drunk Graphics Holiday Spectacular #2 and a comp CD featuring some of the best bands that have played our events. Each comic is 36 pages of Holiday inspired stories by some of the underground's most disturbed artists featuring Steven Vincent, Mike Diana, Douglas Paskiewicz, Sergio Zuniga, Sam Henderson and more. Plus each comic features a wrap around cover/poster by Ryan Jones.

The first 25 orders will receive Mike Stoneroad's holiday coloring book, a pack of four neon crayons, a button and a candy cane.

MATURE READERS ONLY
VERY EXPLICIT
36 PAGES







Sergio Zunigas'- Ofice Boredom Art #2
One of the best new artists out there, New York City's own Sergio Zuniga is offering the follow up to his Office Boredom Art 1 (one of our best selling books). This book features more insane doodles and comics. All of these illustrations were drawn in ink by Zuniga while at work. The detail is amazing and the fact that it was drawn all at once with no erasing is almost unbelievable.

of course...
MATURE READERS







THE FLASH ATTACKS - PRAY FOR DEATH (free download or vinyl lp available)
Review from Maximum Rock N Roll: The Flash Attacks are a real breath of fresh air compared to all the other shlock I've listened to tonight. Tight as hell, angry, mildly metallic, thrashy hardcore punk. How's that for adjectives? This is really, really well played. A good comparison escapes me at this point though. The playing is is also impressively tight. Seriously, all the members are way above most of their peers, talentwise. Ahh, there is hope.(10 song CD - lyrics included) (Justin) Swedish Webzine(http://web.telia.com/~u31309301/) Anarcho-punk again and I enjoy it for full. I feels how much I have missed a band as Conflict right now. These ten songs is really tough but in a good way and they have as many other bands understand the weight of melodies in hard and aggressive music too. Discharge guitars can be heard also and The Flash Attacks have really got foreward 80´s punk in some way and I feel the nostalgic wings of history. It seems like if they have released the record as DIY but it feels unnecessary because a band like this should have a contract?have they been in England so had Mortarhate been the right label but now I don´t know.(SEVEN) 10/1-07
Officiail PR: Silent Devil Announces Online Sale

Silent Devil, the publisher of the critically acclaimed graphic novel
series Astronaut Dad and the surprise hit comedy Division 18, has
announced a massive sale via their online store. All single issues
have been reduced to $1.50 each. This includes such titles as Empty
Chamber, Jim Reaper, For Life, Furious Fist of the Drunken Monkey and
more. In addition, all of Silent Devil's graphic novel prices have
been slashed. Fans will be able to pick up The Devil's Panties Volume
One, Dracula vs. King Arthur and other books at lower rates.

Founded by The Beranek Brothers in 1996, Silent Devil is one of the
leading independent production companies in the industry.

Please visit http://www.silentdevil.com for more details.