Friday, February 15, 2008

[PRESS] R.A. SALVATORE'S 'DEMON SPIRIT' DESCENDS ON COMICS
Volume II of the fantasy legend's 'DemonWars' saga launches from
Devil's Due in March

Chicago, IL. (Feb. 15, 2008) – One of fantasy literature's greatest
sagas continues at Devil's Due Publishing in March with R.A.
Salvatore's DemonWars vol 2: The Demon Spirit. Adapting the second
book from Salvatore's acclaimed series, The Demon Spirit illuminates
Salvatore's vision in a large-format 3-issue mini-series featuring art
by Nadir Balan (Wrath of the Titans) and Mostafa Moussa (Jubilee,
Tales of the Thing) and covers by Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash, Loaded
Bible) and Mike Bear (G.I. Joe).

The Demon Spirit picks up in the aftermath of the first DemonWars
volume, as the story's heroes Pony and Elbryan fight for the world of
Corona's fate. Though the demon dactyl was vanquished in The Demon
Awakens, their struggle turns in this series toward the spiritual
survival of the land as demonic servants roam the land and a corrupt
church threatens all of its inhabitants.

DemonWars vol 2: The Demon Spirit ships bimonthly beginning in March.

For more information, please visit www.devilsdue.net

# # #

About Devil's Due Publishing:
After exploding on the comic book scene by igniting the "80s retro
revival" in the industry, Devil's Due quickly became one of the largest
and most popular comic book publishers in the United States. Today
DDP's
lineup is a diverse mix of original properties and licensed books
including Drafted, Lost Squad, Sheena: Queen of the Jungle, G.I. Joe,
Storm Shadow, Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, DemonWars, Voltron, The
Nye
Incidents, and the cult-favorite Hack/Slash, which is currently in
pre-production as a feature film for Rogue Pictures.

Devil's Due: reminding everyone that "Pop culture IS our culture". For
more information on Devil's Due Publishing, please
visit http://devilsdue.net.
AWARD-WINNING ZOMBIE TALES BECOMES BOOM! STUDIOS' LATEST ONGOING MONTHLY SERIES


Los Angeles - February 14th, 2008 - The award-winning undead anthology ZOMBIE TALES rises from the grave-and this time it's monthly! The premiere issue gathers top writers Steve Niles (30 DAYS OF NIGHTS), Joe R. Lansdale (JONAH HEX), and ACADEMY AWARD® nominee Kim Krizan (BEFORE SUNRISE, BEFORE SUNSET) for a trio of undead tales that will rot your head away!

"I am so excited we decided to bring out the undead monthly with ZOMBIE TALES. Having horror guru Steve Niles along with Joe R. Lansdale and Kim Krizan to jumpstart the ongoing series with such gory brilliance is spectacular," said Mark Waid, BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief.


Steve Niles of 30 DAYS OF NIGHT fame headlines the first issue, joined with writer Joe R. Lansdale, who is best-known for his work on DC's JONAH HEX, and anchored by ACADEMY AWARD® nominated screenwriter Kim Krizan, who makes her comics debut with her tale. Variant covers will ship for every issue. Each issue of ZOMBIE TALES will unearth these stories of the undead with different master storytellers and spectacularly rendered art by some of the top comics artists every month.


This new ZOMBIE TALES ongoing series marks BOOM! Studios' third monthly ongoing title, fitting perfectly alongside its best-selling monthly, FALL OF CTHULHU, and the recently announced CTHULHU TALES. BOOM! Studios' horror titles have helped define the company, from its smash hit ZOMBIE TALES one-shots to BOOM!'s top-selling trio of CTHULHU TALES one-shots, making BOOM! Studios is the "go-to" publisher for quality horror and thrillers.


"Everybody at BOOM! is really stoked about doing another new monthly anthology. We had such success with the original ZOMBIE TALES one-shots, we knew our fans were hungry for more. And this new monthly ZOMBIE TALES will satiate the most ravenous fans!" Chip Mosher, Marketing and Sales Director for BOOM! Studios said.


The original ZOMBIE TALES featured work from the best of the best, including talent such as Mark Waid, Keith Giffen, EUREKA creator Andrew Cosby, TRANSFORMERS THE MOVIE writer John Rogers, EUREKA TV show writer Johanna Stokes, FALL OF CTHULHU writer Michael Alan Nelson, FALLEN ANGEL's J.K. Woodward, PAINKILLER JANE's Lee Moder, 100 BULLETS' Dave Johnson, Mark Badger, and many, many more!


ZOMBIE TALES #1 is featured in this month's February 2008 Diamond Previews catalogue and will ship in April of this year. ZOMBIE TALES #1 Cover A has a Diamond Code of FEB083579 and Cover B has a Diamond Code of FEB083580, For those who missed the previous anthology, the ZOMBIE TALES trade paperback is being offered again in the same Diamond Previews catalogue.


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.
PRESS RELEASE - IMAGE COMICS REVEALS PROOF TO THE MASSES!
Image Comics' PROOF collected this May!


14 February 2008 - Cryptozoology received a frightening re-imagining in the pages of Alex Grecian & Riley Rossmo's PROOF and the uninitiated can catch up this May with the series' very first collection.


"Being new creators with an odd concept is a frightening thing, which may have fueled the horrific things happening in the book," Grecian said. "However, the reception has been fantastic, from both fan and critics alike. We already have five years of the series plotted out, so we're very happy to tell that tale and everything that follows."


PROOF follows Agent Ginger Brown as she's transferred to the FBI's top-secret cryptozoological division and immediately thrust into a murder mystery with an urban legend as its primary suspect. PROOF's mix of horror, mystery and humor has garnered the series a lot of attention from both in and outside the comics industry.


Entertainment Weekly said, "[PROOF] ranges from the nicely fantastical to, when required, the memorably gruesome."


PROOF VOL. 1: GOATSUCKER TP (ISBN: 978-1-58240-944-3), a 128-page full color trade paperback for $9.99, will be in stores May 7th, 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.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

'HALLOWEEN: NIGHTDANCE' #1 SELLS OUT
First issue of Devil's Due's horrific re-introduction of Michael Myers
sells out with a second printing in works

Chicago, IL. (Feb. 14, 2008) – Stefan Hutchinson's true-to-history
story combined with artist Tim Seeley's dark vision were enough to
sell all of Devil's Due's initial stock of Halloween: Nightdance #1.
The first issue of the new 4-issue miniseries premiered on shelves
February 6 and in less than a week has sold out on the distributor
level with Devil's Due's last stock on its way to satisfy orders.

"It's great news that the books have found an audience so quickly, and
it's a testament to the endurance of John Carpenter's classic film
that the character of Michael Myers is still so popular in
2008—exactly 30 years after he first began terrorizing audiences,"
said Hutchinson. "Hopefully, this will lead to the release of many
more Halloween books, which is great, because we have a lot of stories
planned."

Despite overprinting and healthy orders from Diamond Comic
Distributors at the distributor level, Halloween: Nightdance proved to
be understimated at the retailer level, where new orders are now being
filled as the last of the the issue's first print run is shipped to
Diamond.

"We're really glad to see Halloween: Nightdance exceeding expectations
with the first print now selling out," said Devil's Due President Josh
Blaylock.

In addition to issues left on comic book retailer shelves, copies of
Nightdance #1's exclusive movie tribute cover also remain available
for a limited time at Devil's Due's webstore.

Devil's Due is currently planning a second printing with details to be
announced soon.

Diamond order numbers for Halloween: Nightdance issue #2 and 3 are as
follows:

HALLOWEEN NIGHTDANCE #2 SEELEY CVR A JAN08 3545
HALLOWEEN NIGHTDANCE #2 CUNNINGHAM CVR B JAN08 3546
HALLOWEEN NIGHTDANCE #2 PHILLIPS CVR C JAN083547
HALLOWEEN NIGHTDANCE #3 SEELEY CVR A FEB083691
HALLOWEEN NIGHTDANCE #3 ROBINSON CVR B FEB083692
HALLOWEEN NIGHTDANCE #3 CAPULLO CVR C FEB083693

For more information, please visit www.devilsdue.net and
www.halloweencomics.com

# # #

About Devil's Due Publishing:
After exploding on the comic book scene by igniting the "80s retro
revival" in the industry, Devil's Due quickly became one of the largest
and most popular comic book publishers in the United States. Today
DDP's
lineup is a diverse mix of original properties and licensed books
including Drafted, Lost Squad, Sheena: Queen of the Jungle, G.I. Joe,
Storm Shadow, Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, DemonWars, Voltron, The
Nye
Incidents, and the cult-favorite Hack/Slash, which is currently in
pre-production as a feature film for Rogue Pictures.

Devil's Due: reminding everyone that "Pop culture IS our culture". For
more information on Devil's Due Publishing, please
visit http://devilsdue.net.
Title: Captain Action: First Mission , Last Day



Writer: Fabian Nicieza

Art: Ruben Procopio

Cover: Uwe Jarling

32pgs, color, card stock cover, $3.99



Forget Mr Bond…this is the real deal super-spy Man-of Action!

Welcome to Moonstone’s first “Comic Novella”, as we alternate prose and color illustration every other page!

An exciting new highly satisfying, & longer lasting, reading experience!



To become an elite covert operative, he abandoned his name.

He became ADCO-1, top spy for the top secret A.C.T.I.O.N. Directorate, His mission: to assume the identities of those co-opted by the alien Red Crawl and infiltrate their operations. On his first mission, what he found was an enemy secret large enough to require he create of a brand new identity.

He gave up his name to save his country, but to save the world, he became... CAPTAIN ACTION!

A ground breaking new direction in comics, as well as the year one untold story of Captain Action, written by (Thunderbolts) Fabian Nicieza and art by sculptor extraordinaire Ruben Procopio!
Dark Horse Announces New Hellboy Merchandise

Dark Horse Comics is bringing forward a new presentation of some classic merchandise based on the award-winning graphic novels by Mike Mignola. Aimed at the newer Hellboy collector, these items are just in time for the summer season.

A special set featuring some of the graphic story’s biggest fan favorites will hit the shelves this June. Hellboy, Abe Sapien, and Lobster Johnson will be boxed as a three-pack of PVC figures. Sculpted from original designs by Mike Mignola, and personally approved by him at each phase of their development, these outstanding figures reprise the sculptures originally presented in the out-of-print “long box” set of Hellboy PVC characters. It is value-priced at $14.99 for the set.**

The Hellboy PVC figure will also be available in a new book-and-figure boxed set that will feature a special new edition of the graphic novel that started it all, Seed of Destruction. This new hardcover edition will be in a special 7.5” x 5” size, and will sport new cover art created by Mignola expressly for this version. Packaged in a sturdy double-sided window box casing, the package is priced at $24.99 for the set and will be available on June 4, 2008.

Additionally in June, a new Hellboy ceramic coffee mug is on its way, with a brand-new Mignola design in full color ready to confront you as you enjoy your favorite beverage. Steaming coffee or cocoa adds a special effect at no extra charge.

Dark Horse is currently working with Mignola on a new series of art-based T-shirt designs, which should also be available this spring.

**All Dark Horse PVC figures are composed of non-phthalate PVC and are safety-tested to international standards.
Everything is Coming up Domo

Dark Horse Deluxe recently announced the acquisition of a license to release a line of merchandise based on the popular Japanese NHK mascot Domo. The product line includes a unique self-mailer stationery set, an adorable sculpted refrigerator magnet, an embroidered patch, two separate journals and a flocked vinyl Domo in four variations. The first journal has a photo cover, reminiscent of a 1970s photo album—the kind in which Mom put all those embarrassing shots—that depicts Domo rolling in the grass with patches of flowers all around. The second journal is a silhouette, die-cut in the shape of Domo, and features a flocked surface that creates the sensation of fur. This is combined with laminates on board, so his teeth and mouth contrast in a tactile way, not just with color. His round black eyes are made of plastic affixed to the surface for a three-dimensional effect, with a spiral binding concealed under his arm. The flocked vinyl journal is a first for Dark Horse and is scheduled as a precursor to the centerpiece of the Dark Horse Domo line: 8.5" flocked vinyl figures—not only in traditional Domo-brown, but also variant figures in pink, white, or blue. This is the first time Domo will be seen in a color other than brown, and Dark Horse is proud to present these notable, flocked vinyl figures in very limited runs.

The stationery, photo journal, and patch will release in April, and will range from $4.99–$9.99. The flocked journal and sculpted magnet will be available in June for $7.99–$14.99, as well as the limited-edition flocked vinyl figures for $39.99—see edition size and info below.

Classic Brown - Limited Edition

Royal Blue - Limited to 500

Fabulous Fuchsia - Limited to 500

Polar White - Limited to 250
PRESS RELEASE - YOUR DAILY DOSE OF THE MICE TEMPLAR!
Michael Avon Oeming and Bryan J.L. Glass' THE MICE TEMPLAR goes daily on Newsarama!


13 February 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Image Comics' THE MICE TEMPLAR, the best-selling, fantasy/adventure series by Bryan J.L. Glass, Michael Avon Oeming, Wil Quintana and James Glass, comes to Newsarama Daily this March in a collaboration with hiddenrobot.com.


"Bryan and I couldn't be more excited by the tremendous reception the series has received," Oeming said. "We're hearing from comic fans of all sorts who love the series, so we're hoping to continue to reach this diverse audience by releasing the Dailies online."


THE MICE TEMPLAR is a tale of tragedy and restoration centering on Karic, a young mouse who finds himself thrust headlong into the very real world surrounding the legends of his youth. In addition to the unfolding saga in the Daily format, the universe of MICE TEMPLAR can be explored deeper via the Website materials compiled by writer Bryan Glass and Webmaster Tim Daniel, featuring original unpublished art, early stories, and an exhaustive glossary of all terms, titles and characters: a veritable MUST for all fans of the fantasy epic.


MICE TEMPLAR DAILY debuts Monday, March 3, 2008 at http://www.hiddenrobot.com/MTDAILY. For more information on THE MICE TEMPLAR please visit t http://www.hiddenrobot.com/MICETEMPLAR.


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.

BALTIMORE, MD (Feb. 13, 2008) - Ron Garney, Adam Hughes, Mark Wheatley and Robert Tinnell have joined the Baltimore Comic-Con, which will be held September 27-28, 2008.



Garney, artist on Wolverine, is best known for impressive runs on Captain America and most recently Amazing Spider-Man. Hughes, among other works, has been celebrated for his popular covers on Catwoman and Wonder Woman. Wheatley, the creator of Frankenstein Mobster, has most recently teamed with Robert Tinnell, creator of Feast of the Seven Fishes, to develop EZ Street for ComicMix.



“We’re extremely pleased to have all of these creators returning to the Baltimore Comic-Con. Every time we hear Ron Garney is on a series, we know that’s going to be a big book with fans in our area,” said Marc Nathan, the show’s promoter. “Likewise with Adam Hughes, who has a huge fan following. Mark Wheatley has been to every Baltimore Comic-Con and Bob Tinnell is on record as loving the show, too.”



Bernie Wrightson, the highly influential artist on Frankenstein and the co-creator of Swamp Thing, will be the convention's Guest of Honor.



Additional guests already announced include Jim Lee (Batman, Wildcats - appearing both days in 2008), along with Kyle Baker (The Bakers), Howard Chaykin (American Flagg, Wolverine), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, Mighty Avengers), Steve Conley (Star Trek, The Escapist), Amanda Conner (JSA Classified, Terra), David Finch (World War Hulk, New Avengers), Ramona Fradon (Aquaman, Metamorpho), John Gallagher (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Michael Golden (Micronauts, The 'Nam), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle, Black Lightning), Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, Action Comics), J.G. Jones (52, Wonder Woman), Dean Haspiel (Brawl), Stuart Immonen (Ultimate Spider-Man), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Ultimate X-Men), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man, The Order), Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Jonah Hex), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate X-Men, Strange), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Heroes), Jim Shooter (Legion of Super-Heroes, Secret Wars), Vincent Spencer (Zombie-Proof), J.C. Vaughn (Zombie-Proof, 24), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest, The Wicked West), Mike Vosburg (Lori Lovecraft), and Mark Waid (Flash, Boom! Studios).



This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 27-28, 2008 at the Baltimore convention center in downtown Baltimore . Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the 2007 Harvey Awards will be held Saturday evening, September 27. Nomination ballots are now online at http://www.harveyaw ards.org. The ballot deadline is March 21, 2008. Full details can be found on the ballot and on the website.



For more information about the Baltimore Comic-Con, visit www.comicon. com/baltimore or call 410-526-7410.
MIRANDA MERCURY LAUNCHES HER OWN WEBSITE
Jack Warning chronicles her life as issue #295 debuts

Kearny, NJ -- Feb 14, 2007 -- Jack Warning, faithful sidekick and transcriptionist to THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY, has used his genius to produce the website to end all websites: www.mirandamercury.com. The website includes: downloads (avatars and wallpapers), snapshots of Miranda’s life, news, character profiles, creator profiles, links to interviews, and so much more.

Archaia Studios Press, teaming up with Jack’s confidants, Brandon Thomas and Lee Ferguson, are thrilled to release THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY #295 ($3.95, Diamond Code: DEC07 3385, 32 full-color pages, Ages 10+ Mild Violence). It hits earth-dimension retailers everywhere Wed, Feb 27.

Fellow chronicler Brandon Thomas, interviewed by tow-haired Jack, said, "MirandaMercury.com provides another way to plug into the world of this great adventurer. New character profiles and behind-the-scenes materials will be updated frequently. Plus, Jack, your Journal of Jack Warning will debut on the same day as our 295th issue. You’ve told me this will be the place for folks to learn about some of the happenings in the prior 294 issues of your lives. I know you won’t disappoint."

But Jack knows the truth. Miranda Mercury will die. And both THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY and MirandaMercury.com will be the only places her legacy will live on as her life ends.

THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY #295 (of 300)
Writer: Brandon Thomas (ROBIN), Artist: Lee Ferguson (SUPERGIRL),
Inker: Marc Deering, Colorist: Felix Serrano.

In less than one year, a lifetime of heroism will come to a premature end---Miranda Mercury, the greatest adventurer in this or any other galaxy, is dying. With her partner, Jack Warning, she has done the impossible over and again. But Miranda's greatest adversary Cyrus Vega will ultimately succeed in causing her death, where so many others have failed.

So why have Miranda and Jack gone through so much trouble to secure the legendary Riddle of Rebel Ronin? It might have something to do with extra-dimensional terrorists and the secret auction of the Eighth Day. Or it just might be that Jack knows something he isn't supposed to. Something that will change their relationship forever and endanger the legacy Miranda hopes to leave behind.

ABOUT ARCHAIA STUDIOS PRESS
Mark Smylie founded Archaia Studios Press (ASP) in 2002 as a new home for his epic fantasy comic book, Artesia (first published by Sirius Entertainment). Artesia, winner of ForeWord Magazine’s Best Graphic Novel of 2003, and its sequels -- Artesia Afield and Artesia Afire -- gave ASP its foundation. Artesia: Adventures in The Known World, a roleplaying game written by Mark, expanded ASP into the world of gaming; the game won the Origins Award for Role-Playing Game of 2005. Now Mark and publishing partner Aki Liao have expanded ASP to include a line of idiosyncratic and creator-driven comic books and graphic novels in the fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres, as well as translations of several of Europe’s best titles. More information can be found at www.aspcomics.com.
VIZ PICTURES ANNOUNCES THEATRICAL SCREENINGS OF FUNKY FOREST: THE FIRST CONTACT IN THREE NORTH AMERICAN CITIES

New York, Seattle And Los Angeles Set To Run Visually Inventive Comedy From Director Katsuhito Ishii

San Francisco, CA, February 13, 2008 – VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced a trio of theatrical screenings in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles for its newest film, FUNKY FOREST: The First Contact, throughout March and April. With special press screenings to take place in New York and in Los Angeles.

FUNKY FOREST is a visually inventive masterpiece from director Katsuhito Ishii (THE TASTE OF TEA, available on DVD from VIZ Pictures and distributed by VIZ Media, and SHARK SKIN MAN & PEACH HIP GIRL) and will screen March 7-13 in New York City, NY at the Imaginasian Theater. The film moves on to Seattle, WA, March 21-27, at the Grand Illusion Cinema, and finally April 18-24 in Los Angeles, CA at the Imaginasian Center. Theater information follows at the end of this release.

Cult-favorite director Katsuhito Ishii, who also notably directed the animated portion of Kill Bill Vol. 1, teams up with the talented directors Shunichiro Miki and ANIKI (aka Hajime Ishimine) to create a visually imaginative masterpiece with some hilariously odd characters. FUNKY FOREST: The First Contact was a hit at numerous international film festivals and was an official selection at the 2006 Montreal Fantasia Film Festival, the 2006 San Francisco Independent Film Festival and the 2007 New York Asian Film Festival.

FUNKY FOREST features 21 free-associative episodes ranging from a nonsense "sci-fi" comedy to a dance-battle daydream. Akin to a feature length sketch routine in the tradition of Monty Python, it opens with the Mole Brothers, a traditional but hyperactive Japanese stand-up duo that return periodically throughout the film.

FUNKY FOREST then shifts to a science fiction daydream featuring actress Maya Banno of THE TASTE OF TEA who plays a distracted student who dreams of wild adventures in the cosmos when she should be finishing her homework. In another segment, three unpopular brothers, Katsuichi, Masaru and Masao, are comically featured as they struggle to be popular among the girls. Luckily enough, they finally get a chance to have a co-ed picnic with some pretty young ladies! Audiences will delight in the Babbling Hot Spring Vixens, a trio of professional women on a hot spring vacation telling each other increasingly pointless stories as they get progressively drunker. In one of the film’s most memorable comedic vignettes, Neon Genesis Evangelion director Hideaki Anno is cast as an animator complaining about the lack of artistry in the youth of today while drawing sequences for a project directed literally, by a dog.

“We are excited to announce this special series of screenings of FUNKY FOREST: The First Contact,” says Manami IIboshi, Director, Marketing, VIZ Pictures “Director Katsuhito Ishii endeared audiences to his offbeat style of filmmaking with THE TASTE OF TEA, and he offers a daring, quirky and funny experience with FUNKY FOREST. For anime fans, the appearance of famed Evangelion director Hideaki Anno is also a treat. We look forward to cinema aficionados of all types seizing this rare opportunity to catch this unique film theatrically.”

Theatre information:

NEW YORK
Press Screening: February 22, 10:30AM
Theatrical Screening: March 7-13
IMAGINASIAN THEATRE
239 East 59th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave.)
New York 10022
(212) 371-6682

SEATTLE
MARCH 21-27
GRAND ILLUSION CINEMA
1403 NE 50th St.
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 523-3935

LOS ANGELES
Press Screening: April 3, 2PM
Theatrical Screening: APRIL 18-24
IMAGINASIAN CENTER
251 South Main Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 617-1033

About VIZ Pictures, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese "kawaii (cute) and cool" pop culture. VIZ Pictures approaches each release from a J-pop fan's point of view to serve manga and anime generation in North America. VIZ Pictures titles include TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, LINDA LINDA LINDA, THE TASTE OF TEA, and PING PONG. The company will continue to offer the hottest visual entertainment straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages in North America. VIZ Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, the San Francisco-based leading U.S. publisher of Japanese manga (comics) and merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular "NARUTO" animated TV series.
© 2006 VIZ Pictures, Inc

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 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, 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.

###

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

THE PHANTOM #25



Written by Mike Bullock

Art by Silvestre Szilagyi

Colors by Bob Pedroza

Cover by Doug Klauba

48pgs, color, $5.99



"Checkmate #5 (of 5)"



This is it…the big one…SPECIAL DOUBLE SIZE ISSUE!

Bangalla Invaded! The biggest arc in Moonstone's Phantom run climaxes here!

Featuring wrap around, card-stock painted cover by Doug "Project Superpowers" Klauba!


"An effortlessly entertaining adventure story." – Comics in the Classroom

"Moonstone is really treating this classic character right." – Comixtreme

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

IDW Publishing To Release Zombies vs. Robots vs. Amazons as hardcover edition

Oversized edition showcases additional Ashley Wood art



San Diego, CA (February 12, 2008)-Following the success of IDW Publishing's sold-out comic series Zombies vs. Robots and its subsequent hardcover collection, artist Ashley Wood and writer Chris Ryall produced an even more insane sequel, the three-part tale, Zombies vs. Robots vs. Amazons. Now this miniseries is being published in its own oversized hardcover edition.

The Zombies vs. Robots world ended with a nuclear war that decimated the population of the entire globe, including zombies and robots alike. In Zombies vs. Robots vs. Amazons, Ryall and Wood answer these questions: Who is left to fight? And how is an island of Amazon warrior-women involved? Fans of nonstop action, purveyors of Ashley Wood's gorgeous art, and zombie Minotaur aficionados will all find something of interest in this new collection.

The oversize hardcover Zombies vs. Robots vs. Amazons book, which showcases the Eisner Award-nominated team's tale on glossy 8-3/4 " x 13" pages, includes all three stories in the miniseries, the multiple covers Ash designed, and additional never-before-seen Wood art. And it's all adorned by an all-new cover painting from Wood, too. "This format is the ultimate showcase for Wood's artwork," says Ryall, who also serves as IDW's Publisher and Editor-in-Chief.

About the series, Ain't It Cool News stated "Ryall and Wood seem to be implementing a 'throw a bunch of [stuff] against the wall and see what sticks' mentality with this series. The good thing is that a whole lotta [stuff] is sticking."

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.
Cold Cut Distribution Under New Management


As you read this, thousands of comics are being packed up and shipped from their old home in Salinas, CA to their new home in Chicago, IL. Cold Cut Distribution, the leading distributor of independent and small to mid-size press comics in the United States, has sold their company assets to Rogue Wolf Entertainment.

Retailers can still access the online ordering system at www.ColdCut.com, but be advised that Cold Cut will not be able to fulfill new orders while the inventory is still being moved and set up in the new warehouse.“We expect to be back up to full speed by the end of February,” said Lance Stahlberg, Vice President of Rogue Wolf. “We’ve already begun to reach out to customers and publishers, making sure inventory gaps are kept to a minimum as we rebuild.”


"I'd been looking for someone who could take the company to the next level, and Lance and his team are exactly the right people for the job," said Cold Cut's owner,Mark Thompson. "Having Cold Cut located in Chicago will cut shipping times and costs for most of our customers and suppliers, and makes more sense for the entire
industry."


The new owners will continue to offer the same flat discount rate to retailers, and will seek to extend the same terms to all new accounts with previous Cold Cut customers.“As a team, we bring twenty-four years experience in the distribution business combined with a first-hand understanding of the needs of independent publishers to the table,” Lance added. “We have the resources to take this company to new heights.”


Keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks!


ABOUT COLD CUT DISTRIBUTION –

www.ColdCut.com

Cold Cut is the industry's leading reorder distributor for quality independent comics, serving retailers across the country and internationally since 1994. They have consistently lead the way in supporting and promoting independent comics in an ever-changing market place.

ABOUT ROGUE WOLF ENTERTAINMENT –

www.Rogue-Wolf.net

Rogue Wolf Entertainment, Inc was founded in 2006 with the idea of creating comics for comic fans. They currently produce three web-comic titles. With this new addition to their corporate portfolio, their focus will be on helping their fellow creators and valued supporters succeed and hopefully improve the comics industry as a whole in the process.
Friends-

With considerably less stress involved, issue #3 is now live and online. And what cool things do we have for you?

A nifty cover designed by Elliott Serrano:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com

Our feature interview with smashing Swedish talent Naomi Nowak:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/naominowak.html

The 2007 Comics Ink Awards:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/cia2007.html

Plus: some great columns!

Elliott on geeks vs. jocks:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/ccw7.html

Matt on finding new readers:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/fullbleed16.html

Vince on women:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/vince15.html

Avril vs. Robert Kirkman:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/avril3.html

Marc on why success can be the worst possible result:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/mason3.html

PLEASE: If you read something at CWR that you like, pass it on to friends and blogs- we are not at this time an ad-supported site, so we're making this e-zine for the love of it. We hope you share it with us! Enjoy the reading!

Marc Mason
Comics Waiting Room
VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES ANNUAL ART ISSUE OF SHOJO BEAT MAGAZINE

March 2008 Issue Features Original Cover Illustration By Noted Comic Book Artist Bryan Lee O’Malley And A Range Of Articles On Manga Art And Video Game Design

San Francisco, CA, February 12, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the content for its annual art edition of SHOJO BEAT magazine, which is expected to hit newsstands nationwide on February 15th. The special issue will feature an original cover illustration of this month’s Beat Girl, the magazine’s spokesperson, by noted Canadian comic book artist, Bryan Lee O’Malley. O’Malley also gives insight into his career and influences in a jam-packed interview offering a step-by-step breakdown of his drawing process, and he also contributes a four-panel comic. This issue will also include an article on how some manga favorites are put together, and readers will be able to explore a collection of comics-friendly universities and video game design schools.

The March 2008 issue of SHOJO BEAT, rated T+ for older teens, runs a hefty 330+ pages. Readers will meet SHOJO BEAT mascot Moko’s new friend, take a Manga Quiz and have the opportunity to win manga art supplies in a special contest. An added feature on the Art of Video Games will offer insights into careers in video game design, along with an article on Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day) in Japan and a tutorial on how to make sweet, plushy hina dolls! This issue is augmented by the exciting next chapters in a range of ongoing serialized manga series that currently include ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND, CRIMSON HERO, VAMPIRE KNIGHT, HONEY & CLOVER, HARUKA and SAND CHRONICLES.

Bryan Lee O’Malley is an acclaimed Canadian comic book artist heavily influenced by manga and video games. He created the popular Scott Pilgrim series, which has achieved both critical and commercial success and garnered a number of awards. Volume 4 was one of the top selling graphic novels in the country and a movie based on the series is now in production at Universal Studios. For more information on Bryan Lee O'Malley and his work go to http://radiomaru.com/.

“It is an honor to illustrate Beat Girl for the cover of the March issue of SHOJO BEAT,” says O’Malley. “The manga genre, and the shojo art style in particular, have notably influenced the direction and look of many Western series, including my own, and SHOJO BEAT has been at the forefront of building a genuine interest in comics for girls by an increasing amount of domestic female readers. I look forward to the momentum continuing and to readers exploring this special issue.”

“Research has shown that SHOJO BEAT readers not only read and collect manga, but they also tend to have strong artistic talents they actively nurture and develop,” says Marc Weidenbaum, SHOJO BEAT Editor-in-Chief. “A significant amount of our readers draw, take design classes and read art journals and many are interested in careers in art, design or fashion. We hope to further stimulate these interests with this special art issue that includes special guest artist, Bryan Lee O’Malley, who has channeled his love of art and manga into a successful career. Whether you create, collect or just appreciate art and manga, this is an interesting exciting issue to explore!”

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.
Premiere of “The Keepers” Animated Trailer at WonderCon 2008



Is it possible that the Bay Area will yet again be home to a widely received science fiction trilogy; one that will spawn movies, video games, action figures and comic books?



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



San Francisco, CA / February 11, 2008 – Local sci-fi author, Richard Friar will premiere “The Keepers” animated promotional trailer at WonderCon 2008 (San Francisco, Moscone Center) on February 22-24th. Friar will also sign copies of his book The Keepers: Part One: WWIII (Baker and Taylor, $14.95), from which the amazing battlemachines in the trailer are based off of.



The promotional trailer is a result of Rick’s intuition that his controversial trilogy should not be marketed in the traditional manner. Success in the book trade is just part of Friar’s ultimate game plan. After obtaining interest from several film studios during a trip to LA, he is adapting the novel into a screenplay. He is also seeking licensing for graphic novels, video games, toys and other collector’s items.



However, Friar loathes many of the blockbuster ideas out there that seem to exist only as a means to procure spin-off products. Richard considers himself a product of the MTV vs. History Channel generation. He loves to be entertained but also upholds the value of realism. He believes fans are becoming bored by the glut of over the top science fiction stories that exist simply as sensory overload but have no factual relevance or ability to exist in the “real world.”



Therefore, Friar challenged himself to write a high octane, action-adventure with amazing technology, without breaking the finite rules of what is within the realm of possibility. What resulted was The Keepers: Part 1: WWIII which chronicles the tide of events leading the superpowers of 2039 into WWIII and the catastrophe that ensues. Consistent with Friar’s desire to create a well-rounded realistic story, Part 1 details the evolution of the political ideologies, historical precedent and technology that provide impetus for the war. The book and the trailer feature revolutionary technology called the Animalian Projects based on technology in its infancy today. The second installment in the trilogy, Tribulation has an estimated print date of September 2008.



LINKS

Animated Trailer teasers:


Kolibri vs. Hornet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTl_UXfYov0



Delfin vs. Sidewinder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9-J2O5_DhE



Rick at Barnes and Noble:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP0PaglpTHY



The Keepers official website: www.thekeepersww3.com



The Keepers on Myspace: www.myspace.com/thekeepersww3
Talking to a 4/4 Beat:
Véronique Tanaka's Metronome
Reclusive Artist Gives Rare Interview

Just when you thought that nobody could create something new in
comics, NBM Publishing presents Metronome, the debut graphic novel by
Véronique Tanaka (with an Introduction by Bone’s Jeff Smith). Metronome

is a wordless, erotically charged visual poem, a very human and
elegantly structured tale of a doomed relationship, and a gorgeous art
book/graphic novel from a mysterious new artist. You can see preview
art at www.nbmpub.com/metronome/metroprev1.html and the animated
Metronome at www.nbmpub.com/metronome/index.html.

The following interview with Véronique Tanaka was conducted by Nicola
Peruzzi and Antonio Solinas for the Italian comic website De: Code at
Italy’s Lucca Comics Festival. All the parties concerned have
generously allowed the interview to be more widely disseminated because

they’d like more people to be aware of Véronique and her work.
Metronome is due out this spring.

DE: CODE: Hi, Véronique. Could you please introduce yourself to the
Italian readers?

TANAKA: My mother is French and my father is Japanese. I was born in
Kyoto in 1977. My work is with contemporary art, mainly installations
and events but I also paint. This is my real life.

DE: CODE: Could you tell us something about your career as a
conceptual artist?

TANAKA: Some of my work is what is called conceptual art. I have
exhibitions. I live in Brazil a lot. I call myself Véronique Tanaka for

my printed work.

DE: CODE: How did you first get involved with comics?

TANAKA: Metronome is my first comic album. I grew up reading French
and Japanese comics but only now have done a comic because I have this
strong idea and design in my mind.

DE: CODE: Metronome is coming out in March. Could you please give us a

short summary of Metronome?

TANAKA: It is sixty-four square pages, sixteen panels each page, four
panels each line and is in 4/4 time, like music. And music is a theme.
The man in the story is a composer. The individual panels often make
designs over the whole page. The book is about one instant and about
memories evoked in that instant. It begins where it ends and could be
read again after, like a loop. It is a visual poem but there is a
strong story under the surface.

DE: CODE: When did you conceive Metronome?

TANAKA: About eight years ago, after reading a short story, “La
Plage,” by Alain Robbe-Grillet. It is an existentialist piece of
writing. It is no story.
Some children walk along a beach. They leave footprints in the sand.
Seagulls fly off when they get near, fly about and land in front of
them. A church bell is tolling in the distance. That’s it. They walk,
waves come in, the birds fly off, the bell rings. Each thing repeats.
It is as if the moment is going on forever.
It is frozen in time and also taken out of time to exist in its own
space. But the atmosphere is fantastic. It made me start to think of a
story that could be told in repeated images. Images that at first seem
random but all gain significance as the pages turn.

DE: CODE: Metronome is all about exploring the relationship between
rhythm and storytelling. What are the reasons behind such a choice?

TANAKA: Yes, the images, the panels are like beats in music. I had
this idea first, and thought of the composer afterwards. It gives a
reason to why use the rhythm. My story is not existential. It has a
well-constructed plot. It is the story of a relationship based on sex
and nothing else. And so it is doomed.

DE: CODE: Bryan Talbot is acting like an agent / sponsor for your
work. How did you two met?

TANAKA: Two years ago I went to the comic festival in Angoulême. I go
to it when I can. It is a great thing. Bryan Talbot was signing albums
at the tables of his publisher. I have read the French edition of his
L’Histoire d’un Vilain Rat (The Tale of One Bad Rat) a while ago and I
love it. I love the ligne claire [clear line] style and the
storytelling. I talked to him, and we went for a drink together after.
I know nothing of the comic industry, and he agreed to help me find a
publisher after I showed him copies of the pages I had completed.

I don’t want to be involved in the comic business. Later, after I
finish the book, I posted it to him on CD. He had several copies
printed and sent them to some publishers and Terry Nantier of NBM
publisher accepted it.

DE: CODE: Your graphic style blends manga, French and even American
influences. Is that correct? How did you develop your style?

TANAKA: I have not read many American comics. Only some by Robert
Crumb and Art Spiegelman. My style came all out of working on computer.

I did all the book in Photoshop. I draw using the pad and then copy and

change drawings with the stylus. I build up a library of images that I
can adapt and change.

DE: CODE: Metronome explores themes like love, personal relationships
and sexuality. What were your inspirations?

TANAKA: “La Plage” began the idea, as I say. The story is not
autobiographical. It is of the imagination. The two characters -- the
composer and the woman -- came from mixing different people I have
known. I know a woman friend who has had this violence from her
husband. And she left him.

DE: CODE: On Shadowgallery.co.uk, there’s a 17-minute flash animation
of Metronome that works very well because it’s hypnotizing,
mesmerizing, and sometimes even disturbing. What’s the reason behind
the choice of the multimedia animation?

TANAKA: This was the idea of Bryan Talbot. He said that the comic
would also work as an animation at one panel each second. He had the
book on CD and so animated it. Cornwell Internet were kind to host the
animation for me.

DE: CODE: There are no pictures of you on the net, and this seems to
be a precise choice. Can you elaborate, especially in an era in which
image seems to count more than substance?

TANAKA: I have another life as a fine artist. I am from a different
world. So I like to be anonymous in the comics world. I am quite shy
anyway and don’t like my picture taken.

DE: CODE: Do you still read comics? Is there anything in particular
you like?

TANAKA: I love Bone. I meet Jeff Smith and his wife, Vijaya in
Angoulême. He was kind and wrote the introduction to Metronome. Right
now I like Exit Wounds and The Rabbi’s Cat.

DE: CODE: What are your current projects?

TANAKA: My next comic will be called, I think at the moment, Véronique

Erotique, after some prints I made a few years ago. It will recount a
piece of conceptual art I did last year in Paris in summer. I walked
around the centre of Paris dressed in a full burqa and veil, but
underneath I was wearing nothing but a corset and black stockings and
high heels. It was a very strange sensation to feel, and that was the
reason I did it. It was exciting to be completely hidden but sexual
underneath. I went to the Louvre and sat down before a painting. This
act was inspired by an old illustration by Moebius, who I love.

DE: CODE: The very last question. Could you please name the three
comics that everybody must have on their shelves?

TANAKA: I think The Tale of One Bad Rat, Tintin -- I grew up with
Tintin -- and I think three has to be Akira because it made such a big
impression on me when I was young.
NBM news.

The just-concluded comics festival in Angouleme, France, has chosen DUNGEON: PARADE by Lewis Trondheim, Joann Sfar, and Manu Larcenet as one of the year's best books. On January 20, Trondheim's LITTLE NOTHINGS earned recognition from the Washington Post's MediaMix column .

Richard Moore's popular fantasy-comedy BONEYARD is going on hiatus after issue #28, shipping in March. In the meantime, NBM will continue to issue trade-paperback collections of BONEYARD. The next one, BONEYARD IN COLOR #3, should be in stores very soon. It may even be in some stores now.

Phil Yeh, creator of the geography graphic novel DINOSAURS ACROSS AMERICA, tells me: "[I] will have a space to paint a mural promoting literacy and the arts at the NY Comic Con, attached to their special emphasis on CHILDREN'S COMICS this year." Phil has been on tour, promoting literacy and painting murals with the help of schoolkids, for about 20 years. The New York Comic-Con (http://www.nycomiccon.com/App/homepage.cfm?moduleid=2577&appname=100453) takes place on April 18 through 20.

Véronique Tanaka's METRONOME, with an introduction by BONE's Jeff Smith, is also shipping in March and is already getting some very nice attention.
Publishers Weekly -- http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6522760.html
Publishers Weekly's The Beat blog -- http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/01/20/watch-metronome/
Forbidden Planet -- http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/?p=6250
Comics And -- http://comicsand.blogspot.com/2008/01/indies-preview-review-for-march-part-2.html

THE ART OF BRYAN TALBOT is getting some flattering reviews.
SF Crows Nest -- http://www.sfcrowsnest.co.uk/articles/books/2008/nz12062.php
ComicMix -- http://www.comicmix.com/news/2007/12/27/the-art-of-bryan-talbot-review/
Comics Waiting Room -- http://comicswait.blogspot.com/2007/12/art-of-bryan-talbot-published-by-nbm.html
Comics Alliance -- http://www.comicsalliance.com/2007/12/16/the-comics-page-bryan-talbot/
Forbidden Planet -- http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/?p=5927
Thick magazine -- http://thickonline.com/reviews/books/index.php?mod=cnt&act=cnt&id=2929
Withersin magazine -- http://www.withersin.com/review_bryan_talbot.htm
Fist Full of Comics -- http://www.fistfullofcomics.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=515

THE MUSEUM VAULTS (the latest in our line of the Louvre Museum's graphic novels) is attracting some nice attention, too.
New York magazine -- http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/01/comics_museum.html
Comics Waiting Room -- http://reviews.comicswaitingroom.com/2008/01/18/the-museum-vaults.aspx
ComicMix -- http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/01/17/the-museum-vaults-review/

Naomi Nowak's new graphic novel, HOUSE OF CLAY, is going strong.
Library Journal -- http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6516163.html?q=House+of+Clay
The Onion -- http://www.avclub.com/content/node/69562 (scroll down; it's there)
Comics Creators Guild -- http://www.comicscreatorsguild.co.uk/nowreadthis/?p=1701
Feminist Review -- http://feministreview.blogspot.com/2008/01/house-of-clay.html
Jazma Online -- http://forums.jazmaonline.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=487
Comics Waiting Room -- http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/nbm4.html
ComicMix -- http://www.comicmix.com/news/2007/10/24/house-of-clay-review/

THE SAGA OF THE BLOODY BENDERS, Rick Geary's final volume in the Treasury of Victorian Murder graphic-novel series, has remains popular as well.
The American Library Association's Great Graphic Novels for Teens -- http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/08ggnt.cfm
Publishers Weekly's critics poll of the year's best graphic novels -- http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6514737.html
The Onion's best comics of the year -- http://www.avclub.com/content/feature/the_best_comics_of_2007
Comics Buyer's Guide -- http://cbgextra.com/balloon/default,date,2008-01-11.aspx
Comic Book Resources -- http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=206903
Precocious Curmudgeon -- http://precur.wordpress.com/2008/01/01/the-year-in-fun-2007/
GoodReads.com -- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1437906.The_Saga_of_the_Bloody_Benders
Bookgasm -- http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/thrillers/saga-of-bloody-benders/
Broken Frontier -- http://brokenfrontier.com/columns/details.php?id=756

Monday, February 11, 2008

Virgin Comics’ Contest Puts Fans in the

Hands of Jenna Jameson



‘Shadow Hunter’ horror series on sale February 20

40-page collector’s edition $2.99 at comic shops and www.JennaComix.com



Everyone has a horror story about their family, and now your nightmare can get you comic book immortality.

Virgin Comics is asking readers to submit videos, pictures or stories explaining why your family is from hell. The winner will be drawn into the graphic novel edition of Jenna Jameson's Shadow Hunter.

Virgin's "Is Your Family from Hell?!?" contest celebrates the February 20 release of Shadow Hunter #1, Jenna Jameson's new, non-nude horror comic. In it, a remarkably attractive and familiar looking Jezzerie Jaden is the daughter of the dark and ultimately evil Shadow Lord. Fortunately for us, Jezzerie rebels against her family from hell, launching a bloody crusade to track down and destroy her father's demons.

Shadow Hunter #1 can be pre-ordered at www.JennaComix.com for just $2.99, with free shipping on all pre-orders.

"Jenna is a true connoisseur of horror," commented Larry Lieberman, Virgin Comics' Chief Marketing Officer. When she announced the Shadow Hunter series at San Diego Comic-Con she told her fans, “When other people go back to their hotel rooms at night and watch me, I go back to my hotel room and watch horror movies!’."


Greg Horn – acclaimed cover illustrator of many comics including Virgin Comics’ Dan Dare, Devi, The Stranded and now Shadow Hunter – will be drawing the contest winner into a full-fledged combat panel with the Shadow Hunter. No word yet on how badly the winner's butt gets kicked! Ten runner-ups will win a Jenna autographed limited edition Shadow Hunter litho by Greg Horn plus a collection of graphic novels from Virgin Comics.


A video trailer of Shadow Hunter has been one of the most viewed videos on iFilm.com since exclusively premiering on the site, viewed by more than 40,000 users. Jenna's Shadow Hunter video can now be seen at www.JennaComix.com and www.youtube.com, among numerous other viral video sites.


About Virgin Comics

Virgin Comics 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, 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 based upon Virgin Comics’ title Gamkeeper (with Joel Silver and Warner Bros.) and Virulents (with FOX directed by John Moore (The Omen, Max Payne). 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. The first title in this series, The Stranded, premiered in January 2008. www.VirginComics.com
IDW's Snaked! Censored by US Political Heavyweights?
Page 22 of issue three of Snaked! pulled from the comic due to depictions of Bill and Hillary Cliinton….includes the censored art:
http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=129

The Unearthing Diaries: Alan Moore & Mitch Jenkins̢۪ New Work
Phil Hall with the first extract from his exclusive diaries of this graphic novel revolution:
http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=123

Notes From The Bittcave: The Return of Spider-Man
Mark Bittmann explains why it wasn̢۪t important HOW One More Day happened, just THAT it happened:
http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=121

Speaking In Tongues: Fight The Power!
Joseph Patrick Gauthier asks where have the heroes gone, reveals who in comics is Agent Smith and tells why the industry is The Matrix:
http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=128

Eat S#!t and Die: Netspeak, The Next Generation
Phil Hall revisits classic netspeak definitions with his unique comics twist:
http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=131

Sheridan Cottage: Scott McCloud̢۪s Facial Hair
Andrew Luke explains how comics criticism can learn from film criticism…and vice versa:
http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=132

Indy Undercurrent: New Squaxx on the Block
The 2000AD fanzine Zarjaz has a new editor and publisher – new and old interview each other to find out why, what, how, when and where:
http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=125

Village Gossip: Natalie d̢۪Arbeloff
The Gossip intrudes on the creator of The God Interviews, and nearly asks about comics for once:
http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=130


Plus the usual cartload of reviews:
http://comicsvillage.com/Reviews.aspx
And the launch of Manga Village:
http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=122
http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=108
Visit us at www.papercutz.com/ and on MySpace at
www.myspace.com/papercutzcomics.

Tales from the Crypt comic book #6
By writers Rob Vollmar, Arie Kaplan, and Jim Salicrup, and artists Tim
Smith 3, Mr. Exes, and Rick Parker
Thomas Donalley, the hapless soul from TALES FROM THE CRYPT #1 who
acquired the (very) wrong action figure, returns in an all-new terror
tale. Working at an old folks’ home, Donalley schemes to steal a
fortune from a sick, elderly resident. Can Donalley succeed this time?
The answer’s in “Graveyard Shift in the Twilight Gardens.” In “Jumping
the Shark,” a reality TV producer, fond of dreaming up horrible ways to

torture the show’s contestants, doesn’t stop pitching shows even after
he dies! And it wouldn’t be Tales from the Crypt without the
Crypt-Keeper, the Old Witch, and the Vault-Keeper as macabre masters of

ceremony!
Bi-monthly full-color comic book, 6 5/8” x 10", 48 pages, $3.95

HARDY BOYS Graphic Novel #13: “The Deadliest Stunt”
By Scott Lobdell and Paulo Henrique
When a mysterious saboteur infiltrates the Miss Teen Stunt Americana
competition, Joe and Frank Hardy are assigned to back up contestant
Lind'Z Rider, the most flamboyant and impulsive A.T.A.C. agent ever! As

if the competition stunts weren’t dangerous enough, Frank and Joe must
stop the saboteur before someone dies!
Full-color trade paperback, 5” x 7 1/2”, 112 pages, $7.95, ISBN
978-1-59707-102-4
Also in collector’s hardcover: $12.95, ISBN 978-1-59707-103-1

Visit us at www.papercutz.com/ and on myspace at
www.myspace.com/papercutzcomics!
NBM in April: Giardino’s NO PASARAN! Concludes
Plus: BONEYARD IN COLOR trade paperback!

MAX FRIEDMAN (NO PASARAN!, Volume 3)
By Vittorio Giardino
The wartime adventure’s much anticipated climax! Max Friedman begins
the last stage of his stay in Republican Spain. The Communists are
dividing into internecine camps as the Red Army is losing ground to
Franco’s troops. Friedman returns to Barcelona to search for his friend

Treves. But is Treves a deserter, as his communist colleagues have
said? Or is he continuing his battle against Franco?
Full-color trade paperback, 8 1/2” x 11,” 72 pages, $15.95, ISBN
978-1-56163-531- 3 Please note: the page count is much higher than
solicited, and the price is different.

To celebrate Volume 3, we're bringing back to press NO PASARAN!,
Volume 1. Volume 2 is available as well.
Some reviews for NO PASARAN!:
“Giardino's full-color art is very realistic, detailed, and
accomplished.” -- Library Journal
“Refreshing. A continued recommendation.” -- Andrew Smith,
Scripps-Howard Newspapers
“This compelling narrative artfully plays with a question: Who's
spying for whom?” -- Kirkus Reviews
“A tour de force of line art.” -- RC Harvey, Comics Buyer's Guide
“Master of comics still in top form!”-- Bill Radford, Knight-Ridder
Newspapers

BONEYARD VOLUME 4 IN COLOR
By Richard Moore
BONEYARD continues its move to color! As Abbey the vampire recovers
from her showdown with the much more powerful Lilith, the swamp girl
Nessie starts taking the upper hand in her pursuit of Abbey’s love,
Michael Paris. Meanwhile, the hapless Glump continues his farcical
schemes to rule the world, launching the (wait for it) “Doomsday Frog!”

But all of the players are quickly brought together to face a new
threat: zombies sprouting up from the cemetery! This volume collects
the Boneyard comic book, issues 12 through 16.
Some praise for BONEYARD:
“A gem that deserves fame and acclaim.”—Newsarama
“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
“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
Full-color trade paperback, 6” x 9”, 112 pages, $13.95, ISBN
978-1-56163-528-3. Earlier volumes are available as well.

For more information and to interact with us, visit
www.nbmpub.com/comingup/comaug.html and our new page on MySpace:
www.myspace.com/nbm_publishing.


New from EUROTICA

PEANUT BUTTER: THE DIARY OF MOLLY FREDERICKSON, VOLUME 3
By Cornnell Clarke
This best-selling series is now for the first time fully painted in
color! Molly is in college in San Diego and busy finding out all the
fun, rude, and lewd stuff you can do as a college student far from
home! Roommates, faculty, basketball teams, oh, yeah! There’s plenty on

her horny plate.
Full-color trade paperback, 8 1/2” x 11”, 48 pages, $10.95, ISBN
978-1-56163-534-4

See previews at www.nbmpub.com/eurotica/eclarke/3pre1.html.