Tickets Now Available for the Baltimore Comic-Con!
Baltimore, Maryland - August 8, 2008 -The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to announce that tickets for the show are now available for sale. From the show's website, fans can now click on the Tickets link to reach TicketMaster and purchase tickets for Saturday, Sunday, or both! In addition to a great guest list, the Baltimore Comic-Con offers an amazingly diverse list of vendors from all around the country! They'll be bringing their Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, and Modern Age comics, graphic novels, trade paperbacks, statues, action figures, collectible cards, original art, and much, much more!
"If you are looking for something particular, chances are it will be in the room," said show promoter Marc Nathan. "The strength of any great convention is the dealers area, and this year we have some of the best any room can offer."
A full list of retailers can now be found on our website.
Swamp Thing co-creator and Frankenstein artist Bernie Wrightson will be the show's Guest of Honor.
He headlines a guest list that includes, in alphabetical order, Michael Bair (Identity Crisis, 52), Kyle Baker (Nat Turner, The Bakers), Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, Secret Invasion), Ivan Brandon (NYC Mech, Marvel Comics Presents), Buzz (JSA), Jim Calafiore (Exiles, Countdown), Dennis Calero (X-Factor, Countdown), Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales, Kong: King of Skull Island), Howard Chaykin (Wolverine, American Flagg), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Darwyn Cooke (New Frontier, The Spirit), Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, Mighty Avengers), Steve Conley (Star Trek, The Escapist), Amanda Conner (Green Arrow/Black Canary, JSA Classified), Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts, Tellos), Steve Dillon (Punisher, Preacher), David Finch (World War Hulk, New Avengers), Ramona Fradon (Aquaman, Mermaidman and Barnacleboy), John Gallagher (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Ron Garney (Wolverine, Skaar: Son of Hulk), Michael Golden (Micronauts, The 'Nam), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Mike Grell (John Sable, Iron Man), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle, Black Lightning), Dean Haspiel (American Splendor, Brawl), Adam Hughes (Catwoman), Stuart Immonen (Ultimate Spider-Man), Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, Action Comics), J.G. Jones (52, Wonder Woman), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Ultimate X-Men), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man, Empire), Rich Koslowski (Marvel Comics Presents, Sonic the Hedgehog), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon, Image EIC), Jim Lee (All Star Batman & Robin, Wildcats), Norman Lee (Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane), the Luna Brothers (The Sword, Girls), David Mack (Kabuki, Daredevil), Mark McKenna (Banana-Tail, Annihilation: Conquest), Bob McLeod (New Mutants, Spider-Man), Pop Mhan (Blank, Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Mike Mignola (Hellboy, Disney's Atlantis), Mark Morales (Civil War, Secret Invasion), Phil Noto (Danger Girl, Jonah Hex), Michael Avon Oeming (Mice Templar, Powers), Mike Okamoto (Hellraiser, Chaos! Quarterly), Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Jonah Hex), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate X-Men, Strange), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tom Raney (Annihilation: Conquest, Ultimate Secrets), James Robinson (Superman, JSA), John Romita Sr. (Amazing Spider-Man), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Perhapanauts, X-Men: First Class), Andy Runton (Owly), Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Heroes), Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man, Feast of the Seven Fishes), Jim Shooter (Legion of Super-Heroes), John K. Snyder III (Grendel), Mark Sparacio (Heroes for Hire, Captain Action), Robert Tinnell (EZ Street), Peter Tomasi (Nightwing, Green Lantern Corps), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Timothy Truman (Conan, Grimjack), Billy Tucci (Shi, Sgt. Rock - The Lost Battalion), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest, The Wicked West), Matt Wagner (Zorro, Grendel), Mark Waid (Flash, Boom! Studios), Mark Wheatley (Frankenstein Mobster, Mighty Motor Sapiens), Ron Wilson (The Thing), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).
The Harvey Awards will return to the Baltimore Comic-Con for the third consecutive year. The awards dinner and ceremony will be held Saturday night, September 27, 2008, following the convention's normal hours. As in 2007, the first 300 paid attendees and honorees at the 2008 Harvey Awards Ceremonies will receive a Hollywood-style bag of swag. Last year's bag included The EC Archives: Two-Fisted Tales - Volume 1 from Gemstone Publishing, a complete base set of the soon-to-be-released Jericho Season One trading cards from Inkworks, an exclusive pin from AdHouse Books, a Comic-Con exclusive edition of 30 Days of Night: Red Snow 1 from IDW Publishing, a Toon Tumbler from Popfun Merchandising, and an exclusive Harvey Awards keychain from LaserMach. Nominating ballots are presently online at www.harveyawards.org. Kyle Baker will return as Master of Ceremonies for the evening's events.
For more information about the Baltimore Comic-Con, e-mail cardscomicscollectilbes@yahoo.com or call (410) 526-7410. The guest list and other information can be found on the convention's website or on its MySpace page.
For more information about the Harvey Awards, including sponsorship opportunities, e-mail baltimorecomiccon@yahoo.com.
Friday, August 08, 2008
KYLE BAKER TAKES ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS
Award-winning artist adapts Lewis Carroll for CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED
“One of the most accomplished comics creators today.” -- Booklist
“One of the century’s greatest comic illustrators.” -- ESPN
“The best in the graphic novel business. The absolute best.” -- Aaron
McGruder, cartoonist, The Boondocks
They’re all talking about Kyle Baker, writer-artist of CLASSICS
ILLUSTRATED Graphic Novel #3: Through The Looking-Glass. Baker’s
inspired, gorgeous adaptation of the madcap sequel to Alice’s
Adventures in Wonderland starts when Alice wonders what’s on the other
side of a mirror -- and passes through it to find out. She meets such
famous characters as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Lion and the
Unicorn, and Humpty-Dumpty, and even becomes the White Queen in a
surreal chess match against the Red Queen.
Through the Looking-Glass comes on the heels of Papercutz’ very
successful re-launch of CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED. The new series began
with the Wind in the Willows, which Newsweek called “A visual
masterpiece -- Rat, Mole, Toad, and Badger have met their
Michelangelo.” The book went back to press for a second printing within
two months. Other classics already out include acclaimed artist Rick
Geary’s adaptations of Great Expectations and The Invisible Man, and a
collection of tales by the Brothers Grimm.
Baker, who has won the comic-book industry’s Eagle, Harvey, and Eisner
awards, is known for graphic novels as diverse as the historical drama
Nat Turner and the wild New York comedy Why I Hate Saturn. His latest
comics series, The Bakers, is in development with Fox TV. Previews of
his work on Through the Looking-Glass are available at
http://www.papercutz.com/classics/looking_glass/lookingpre1.html. The
book is a full-color, 56-page hardcover, 6 1/2” x 9”, for the
affordable price of $9.95; ISBN 978-1-59707-115-4.
You can order the book through NBM Publishing at 800-886-1223.
See previews and more at www.papercutz.com.
For regular updates and to interact with us, see
http://www.myspace.com/papercutzcomics.
Award-winning artist adapts Lewis Carroll for CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED
“One of the most accomplished comics creators today.” -- Booklist
“One of the century’s greatest comic illustrators.” -- ESPN
“The best in the graphic novel business. The absolute best.” -- Aaron
McGruder, cartoonist, The Boondocks
They’re all talking about Kyle Baker, writer-artist of CLASSICS
ILLUSTRATED Graphic Novel #3: Through The Looking-Glass. Baker’s
inspired, gorgeous adaptation of the madcap sequel to Alice’s
Adventures in Wonderland starts when Alice wonders what’s on the other
side of a mirror -- and passes through it to find out. She meets such
famous characters as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Lion and the
Unicorn, and Humpty-Dumpty, and even becomes the White Queen in a
surreal chess match against the Red Queen.
Through the Looking-Glass comes on the heels of Papercutz’ very
successful re-launch of CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED. The new series began
with the Wind in the Willows, which Newsweek called “A visual
masterpiece -- Rat, Mole, Toad, and Badger have met their
Michelangelo.” The book went back to press for a second printing within
two months. Other classics already out include acclaimed artist Rick
Geary’s adaptations of Great Expectations and The Invisible Man, and a
collection of tales by the Brothers Grimm.
Baker, who has won the comic-book industry’s Eagle, Harvey, and Eisner
awards, is known for graphic novels as diverse as the historical drama
Nat Turner and the wild New York comedy Why I Hate Saturn. His latest
comics series, The Bakers, is in development with Fox TV. Previews of
his work on Through the Looking-Glass are available at
http://www.papercutz.com/classics/looking_glass/lookingpre1.html. The
book is a full-color, 56-page hardcover, 6 1/2” x 9”, for the
affordable price of $9.95; ISBN 978-1-59707-115-4.
You can order the book through NBM Publishing at 800-886-1223.
See previews and more at www.papercutz.com.
For regular updates and to interact with us, see
http://www.myspace.com/papercutzcomics.
PRESS RELEASE - MARK MILLAR AND TONY HARRIS WANT YOU FOR THE WAR HEROES TOUR OF DUTY!
Mark Millar and Tony Harris launch WAR HEROES TOUR OF DUTY!
7 August 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This upcoming week WANTED's Mark Millar and EX MACHINA's Tony Harris storm the United States to support their sold-out, superhero hit WAR HEROES!
"The reaction Tony and I have received for WAR HEROES from fans and retailers alike has been phenomenal so we arranged this tour to say 'thank you' to as many of them as possible," Millar said. "In fact, these trips may be the only way to get the book since the initial printing sold out instantly!"
The tour spans the globe, with a farewell launch party at London's Forbidden Planet on August 9th, followed up by spots to New York's Midtown Comics, North Carolina's Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, Texas' Lone Star Comics, Arizona's Atomic Comics, Las Vegas' Comics Oasis, Los Angeles' Golden Apple and finally, San Francisco's Isotope. All stores will feature the extremely limited WAR HEROES #1 TOUR OF DUTY EDITION, which will never be made available again!
COMPLETE WAR HEROES TOUR OF DUTY SCHEDULE
Saturday, August 9th: Forbidden Planet - London, England - 1-4pm179 Shaftesbury Avenue London, WC2H 8JR, United Kingdom +44 20 7420 3666
Saturday, August 16th: Midtown Comics - New York, NY - 4-6pm200 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018 (212) 302-8192
Sunday, August 17th: Heroes Aren't Hard to Find - Charlotte, North Carolina - 2:00-5:00 PM1957 e.7th st. Charlotte NC 28204 (704) 375-7462
Tuesday, August 19th: Lone Star Comics - Dallas, TX - 3-5:30pm6465 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas, TX 75214 (214) 823-0934
Wednesday, August 20th: Atomic Comics - Chandler, AZ - 1-5pm Atomic Chandler Fashion Center 3155 West Chandler Blvd Chandler, AZ 85226 (480) 940-6061
Thursday, August 21st: Comic Oasis - Las Vegas, NV - 4-7pm 3121 N Rainbow Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89108 (702) 212-8885
Friday, August 22nd: Golden Apple - Los Angeles, CA - 6-8pm7018 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 658-6047
Saturday, August 23rd: Isotope, San Francisco - SIGNING: 5-7 - PARTY: 8-12326 Fell St San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 621-6543
In addition, WAR HEROES #1 2nd Printing, a 32-page full color book for $2.99, is available for reorder now and will be released later this August.
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 five partners in Image Comics (Robert Kirkman, 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
Mark Millar and Tony Harris launch WAR HEROES TOUR OF DUTY!
7 August 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This upcoming week WANTED's Mark Millar and EX MACHINA's Tony Harris storm the United States to support their sold-out, superhero hit WAR HEROES!
"The reaction Tony and I have received for WAR HEROES from fans and retailers alike has been phenomenal so we arranged this tour to say 'thank you' to as many of them as possible," Millar said. "In fact, these trips may be the only way to get the book since the initial printing sold out instantly!"
The tour spans the globe, with a farewell launch party at London's Forbidden Planet on August 9th, followed up by spots to New York's Midtown Comics, North Carolina's Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, Texas' Lone Star Comics, Arizona's Atomic Comics, Las Vegas' Comics Oasis, Los Angeles' Golden Apple and finally, San Francisco's Isotope. All stores will feature the extremely limited WAR HEROES #1 TOUR OF DUTY EDITION, which will never be made available again!
COMPLETE WAR HEROES TOUR OF DUTY SCHEDULE
Saturday, August 9th: Forbidden Planet - London, England - 1-4pm179 Shaftesbury Avenue London, WC2H 8JR, United Kingdom +44 20 7420 3666
Saturday, August 16th: Midtown Comics - New York, NY - 4-6pm200 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018 (212) 302-8192
Sunday, August 17th: Heroes Aren't Hard to Find - Charlotte, North Carolina - 2:00-5:00 PM1957 e.7th st. Charlotte NC 28204 (704) 375-7462
Tuesday, August 19th: Lone Star Comics - Dallas, TX - 3-5:30pm6465 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas, TX 75214 (214) 823-0934
Wednesday, August 20th: Atomic Comics - Chandler, AZ - 1-5pm Atomic Chandler Fashion Center 3155 West Chandler Blvd Chandler, AZ 85226 (480) 940-6061
Thursday, August 21st: Comic Oasis - Las Vegas, NV - 4-7pm 3121 N Rainbow Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89108 (702) 212-8885
Friday, August 22nd: Golden Apple - Los Angeles, CA - 6-8pm7018 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 658-6047
Saturday, August 23rd: Isotope, San Francisco - SIGNING: 5-7 - PARTY: 8-12326 Fell St San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 621-6543
In addition, WAR HEROES #1 2nd Printing, a 32-page full color book for $2.99, is available for reorder now and will be released later this August.
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 five partners in Image Comics (Robert Kirkman, 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
PRESS RELEASE - DNAGENTS COME FULL STRENGTH THIS OCTOBER!DNAGENTS: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH EDITION comes this October!
6 August 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This October, the prototypical supersoldiers of tomorrow return in DNAGENTS: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH EDITION TP, a comprehensive omnibus of the hit superhero series by writer Mark Evanier and artist Will Meugniot.
"DNAGENTS signaled the creator-owned superhero craze years before it started," Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino said. "The work Mark and Will did foreshadowed a lot of what was to come in superheroes. It's very much the precursor to some of the biggest team books out today. Bringing DNAGENTS under the Image I and Shadowline is a true pleasure and something I've hoped to do for years."
DNAGENTS: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH EDITION collects the entire initial run on the series by Evanier and Meugniot, which introduced the world to the Matrix Corporation and the superpowered teens who rebelled against it. As one of the first independently published superhero books, DNAGENTS members Tank, Surge, Rainbow, Amber and Sham broke away from the typical genre norms of the day and paved the way for the independent superhero movement that was to come years later. Their unique combination of lush art and compelling characterization made DNAGENTS one of the most influential books of its era!
DNAGENTS: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH EDITION TP (AUG082271), a 452-page black & white tradepaperback for $24.99, will be in stores October 14th.
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 five partners in Image Comics (Robert Kirkman, 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.
6 August 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This October, the prototypical supersoldiers of tomorrow return in DNAGENTS: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH EDITION TP, a comprehensive omnibus of the hit superhero series by writer Mark Evanier and artist Will Meugniot.
"DNAGENTS signaled the creator-owned superhero craze years before it started," Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino said. "The work Mark and Will did foreshadowed a lot of what was to come in superheroes. It's very much the precursor to some of the biggest team books out today. Bringing DNAGENTS under the Image I and Shadowline is a true pleasure and something I've hoped to do for years."
DNAGENTS: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH EDITION collects the entire initial run on the series by Evanier and Meugniot, which introduced the world to the Matrix Corporation and the superpowered teens who rebelled against it. As one of the first independently published superhero books, DNAGENTS members Tank, Surge, Rainbow, Amber and Sham broke away from the typical genre norms of the day and paved the way for the independent superhero movement that was to come years later. Their unique combination of lush art and compelling characterization made DNAGENTS one of the most influential books of its era!
DNAGENTS: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH EDITION TP (AUG082271), a 452-page black & white tradepaperback for $24.99, will be in stores October 14th.
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 five partners in Image Comics (Robert Kirkman, 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.
Presenting the most
intimate book
of the 21st Century...
Joe Ledbetter's Sketchbook
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A wise man once said, "Looking through an artist's sketchbook is like seeing that artist naked."
With this brand-new series of hardcover books, Nerdcore is proud to undress some of pop art's most daring and original creators, beginning with Joe Ledbetter's Sketchbook. Like never before, fans will be welcomed into the creative process, warts and all. Each of the 184 pages in this volume was hand-selected by Mr. Ledbetter from various personal sketchbooks, dating back to 2003 when his now-iconic characters like Mr. Bunny were barely-recognizable scribbles. You'll be treated to character design experiments for creatures that never were, doodles for vinyl toys that still aren't, concepts for paintings that already are, and plenty of surprise smudges just because we can. It's a new kind of artistic intimacy.
184 Pages of Lots of Stuff.
Joe Ledbetter's Sketchbook is anything but polished, featuring raw and unfiltered images from the last six years of the artist's career, including:
Rough compositions for famous paintings
Mockups for collectible vinyl toys
Illustration concepts
Logo trials
Weird ideas
To-do lists
Random phone numbers
Smudges, fingerprints, moisture rings, ink splatter, and lots of other detritus of creativity
Pre-Order Bonus!!!
100 hand silk-screened, signed and numbered 6x8 inch prints (pictured above) will be randomly inserted into pre-orders. These prints are an online exclusive and only available for customers who pre-order before September 1, 2008. Not to be missed!
About Joe Ledbetter.
Influenced by classic animation, graphic design, and daily life, Joe Ledbetter's art is... well... a lot of things. Light-hearted in its approach, he often combines cute and cuddly creatures with unfortunate - albeit humorous - situations. With a lean on the subversive and absurd, these scenarios are all too familiar, questioning our tendency of taking life (and ourselves) too seriously.
While working as a graphic apparel artist for three years, Ledbetter got involved in the LA underground art scene, beginning with group shows like Cannibal Flower. By the summer of 2004, he had honed his trademark visual style of emblematic line-work, vibrant colors, and endearing characters to the point of quitting his day job. His incredible cast of creatures have since been emblazoned on over 100 designer vinyl toys, as well as apparel and lifestyle brands, the world over. joeledbetter.com
About Nerdcore's 'Sketchbook Series.'
Partnering with some of today's most esteemed pop artists, Nerdcore's sketchbook series aims to dismantle the perceived notion that art is always pristine, because it's imperfections that are the very soul of the piece. Often times, telephone doodles or receipt scribbles are much more telling than a finished painting, which is exactly why every fingerprint, tear, smudge, and stain is left intact in each book.
Each edition is hardcover bound and ecologically friendly, printed on premium 100% recycled paper.
Yours nerdly,
The Nerdcore Crew
totallynerdcore.com
intimate book
of the 21st Century...
Joe Ledbetter's Sketchbook
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A wise man once said, "Looking through an artist's sketchbook is like seeing that artist naked."
With this brand-new series of hardcover books, Nerdcore is proud to undress some of pop art's most daring and original creators, beginning with Joe Ledbetter's Sketchbook. Like never before, fans will be welcomed into the creative process, warts and all. Each of the 184 pages in this volume was hand-selected by Mr. Ledbetter from various personal sketchbooks, dating back to 2003 when his now-iconic characters like Mr. Bunny were barely-recognizable scribbles. You'll be treated to character design experiments for creatures that never were, doodles for vinyl toys that still aren't, concepts for paintings that already are, and plenty of surprise smudges just because we can. It's a new kind of artistic intimacy.
184 Pages of Lots of Stuff.
Joe Ledbetter's Sketchbook is anything but polished, featuring raw and unfiltered images from the last six years of the artist's career, including:
Rough compositions for famous paintings
Mockups for collectible vinyl toys
Illustration concepts
Logo trials
Weird ideas
To-do lists
Random phone numbers
Smudges, fingerprints, moisture rings, ink splatter, and lots of other detritus of creativity
Pre-Order Bonus!!!
100 hand silk-screened, signed and numbered 6x8 inch prints (pictured above) will be randomly inserted into pre-orders. These prints are an online exclusive and only available for customers who pre-order before September 1, 2008. Not to be missed!
About Joe Ledbetter.
Influenced by classic animation, graphic design, and daily life, Joe Ledbetter's art is... well... a lot of things. Light-hearted in its approach, he often combines cute and cuddly creatures with unfortunate - albeit humorous - situations. With a lean on the subversive and absurd, these scenarios are all too familiar, questioning our tendency of taking life (and ourselves) too seriously.
While working as a graphic apparel artist for three years, Ledbetter got involved in the LA underground art scene, beginning with group shows like Cannibal Flower. By the summer of 2004, he had honed his trademark visual style of emblematic line-work, vibrant colors, and endearing characters to the point of quitting his day job. His incredible cast of creatures have since been emblazoned on over 100 designer vinyl toys, as well as apparel and lifestyle brands, the world over. joeledbetter.com
About Nerdcore's 'Sketchbook Series.'
Partnering with some of today's most esteemed pop artists, Nerdcore's sketchbook series aims to dismantle the perceived notion that art is always pristine, because it's imperfections that are the very soul of the piece. Often times, telephone doodles or receipt scribbles are much more telling than a finished painting, which is exactly why every fingerprint, tear, smudge, and stain is left intact in each book.
Each edition is hardcover bound and ecologically friendly, printed on premium 100% recycled paper.
Yours nerdly,
The Nerdcore Crew
totallynerdcore.com
OVER 4.1 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF HOLLYWOOD MEMORABILIA
SOLD AT PROFILES IN HISTORY'S 32ND HOLLYWOOD AUCTION
Star Wars T.I.E. Fighter Sells for $402,500; Signed Abe Lincoln Photo, A Special Edition to the Auction Goes For $207,000
Calabasas, CA - Profiles in History (HYPERLINK "http://www.profilesinhistory.com" www.profilesinhistory.com) offered over 1100 iconic Hollywood items at a two day Hollywood memorabilia auction - July 31 and August 1, 2008.
TOP AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS:
$402,500 Original T.I.E. Fighter filming miniature from Star Wars: A New Hope
$207,000 Abraham Lincoln early albumen photograph signed
$74,750 Ian Fleming autograph manuscript relating to the James Bond movie From Russia With Love
$69,000 Screen-used full scale animatronic male Velociraptor from Jurassic Park III
$69,000 Charlton Heston's Ten Commandments Tablets from The Ten Commandments purchased by Triviamania.com
$63,250 Michael J. Fox "Marty McFly" hero Mattel hoverboard from Back to the Future Part II & III
$57,500 Ben Affleck "Daredevil" hero costume from Daredevil
$54,625 Screen-used full-scale male T-Rex head from The Lost World: Jurassic Park II
$48,875 Roald Dahl original working manuscript of his James Bond screenplay,You Only Live Twice
$46,000 Original hero ray gun and holster from Forbidden Planet
$40,250 Screen-used full-scale Velociraptor suit from Jurassic Park III
$40,250 Dracula Re-Release one-sheet poster
$40,250 Archive of original Ben-Hur concept artwork
$40,250 "Jack Skellington" filming miniature house from The Nightmare Before Christmas
$25,875 The Holy Grail from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade purchased by Triviamania.com
Prior Hollywood auctions highlights have included the "Cowardly Lion" costume from The Wizard of Oz ($805,000); A full-scale model T-800 Endoskeleton from Terminator 2: Judgment Day ($488,750); a King Kong Six-Sheet movie poster ($345,000); the Command Chair from the "U.S.S. Enterprise" ($304,750); the original "Robot" from Lost in Space ($264,500); Luke Skywalker's light saber from Star Wars ($195,500); the Black Beauty car from The Green Hornet ($192,000); George Reeves' Superman costume from The Adventures of Superman ($126,500); the H.R. Giger designed Alien creature suit from Alien ($126,500); a full-scale T-Rex head from Jurassic Park ($126,500), the Leaping Alien Warrior figure from Aliens ($126,500), a Christopher Reeve's 'Superman' costume from Superman: The Movie ($115,000), The Wizard of Oz 'Winkie' Guard Costume ($115,000); a "Ming the Merciless" cape from Flash Gordon ($115,000) and the Hydraulic screen-used Velociraptor from The Lost World: Jurassic Park II. ($115,000).
For more information about Profiles in History please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.profilesinhistory.com/" \o "http://www.profilesinhistory.com/" www.profilesinhistory.com.
Note: All prices include fifteen (15%) percent Buyer's Premium.
SOLD AT PROFILES IN HISTORY'S 32ND HOLLYWOOD AUCTION
Star Wars T.I.E. Fighter Sells for $402,500; Signed Abe Lincoln Photo, A Special Edition to the Auction Goes For $207,000
Calabasas, CA - Profiles in History (HYPERLINK "http://www.profilesinhistory.com" www.profilesinhistory.com) offered over 1100 iconic Hollywood items at a two day Hollywood memorabilia auction - July 31 and August 1, 2008.
TOP AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS:
$402,500 Original T.I.E. Fighter filming miniature from Star Wars: A New Hope
$207,000 Abraham Lincoln early albumen photograph signed
$74,750 Ian Fleming autograph manuscript relating to the James Bond movie From Russia With Love
$69,000 Screen-used full scale animatronic male Velociraptor from Jurassic Park III
$69,000 Charlton Heston's Ten Commandments Tablets from The Ten Commandments purchased by Triviamania.com
$63,250 Michael J. Fox "Marty McFly" hero Mattel hoverboard from Back to the Future Part II & III
$57,500 Ben Affleck "Daredevil" hero costume from Daredevil
$54,625 Screen-used full-scale male T-Rex head from The Lost World: Jurassic Park II
$48,875 Roald Dahl original working manuscript of his James Bond screenplay,You Only Live Twice
$46,000 Original hero ray gun and holster from Forbidden Planet
$40,250 Screen-used full-scale Velociraptor suit from Jurassic Park III
$40,250 Dracula Re-Release one-sheet poster
$40,250 Archive of original Ben-Hur concept artwork
$40,250 "Jack Skellington" filming miniature house from The Nightmare Before Christmas
$25,875 The Holy Grail from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade purchased by Triviamania.com
Prior Hollywood auctions highlights have included the "Cowardly Lion" costume from The Wizard of Oz ($805,000); A full-scale model T-800 Endoskeleton from Terminator 2: Judgment Day ($488,750); a King Kong Six-Sheet movie poster ($345,000); the Command Chair from the "U.S.S. Enterprise" ($304,750); the original "Robot" from Lost in Space ($264,500); Luke Skywalker's light saber from Star Wars ($195,500); the Black Beauty car from The Green Hornet ($192,000); George Reeves' Superman costume from The Adventures of Superman ($126,500); the H.R. Giger designed Alien creature suit from Alien ($126,500); a full-scale T-Rex head from Jurassic Park ($126,500), the Leaping Alien Warrior figure from Aliens ($126,500), a Christopher Reeve's 'Superman' costume from Superman: The Movie ($115,000), The Wizard of Oz 'Winkie' Guard Costume ($115,000); a "Ming the Merciless" cape from Flash Gordon ($115,000) and the Hydraulic screen-used Velociraptor from The Lost World: Jurassic Park II. ($115,000).
For more information about Profiles in History please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.profilesinhistory.com/" \o "http://www.profilesinhistory.com/" www.profilesinhistory.com.
Note: All prices include fifteen (15%) percent Buyer's Premium.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
This October finds Scott Morse releasing a short story collection told in lush pin-up illustrations... NOTES OVER YONDER.
The busy hum of the big city envelopes a lonely jazz musician as he deals with loss on the night of a big gig... and a world away, a desolate beach bum pines for his lost lover as a call from beyond washes up at his feet. A mischievous cat and a haunted ukulele tie their worlds together as NOTES OVER YONDER presents a surreal, magical, visual sort of music. Award-winning author Scott Morse combines these two quiet short stories into a uniquely woven tapestry of painted sequential images.
Scott Morse is the author of multiple critically acclaimed and award winning graphic novels including SOULWIND, THE BAREFOOT SERPENT, SOUTHPAW, PLASTIC MAN, and the new launch of the all-ages MAGIC PICKLE series from Scholastic. Morse is currently working in story and design at Pixar Animation Studios.
details:
4C cover
64 four-color pages
5.5" x 7" HC
$12.95 US funds
ISBN 978-0-9774715-2-2
Shipping October 2008
Diamond Order Code: AUG08 3671
Cover image: http://www.adhousebooks.com/adhousebooks/pr/AD.SS3CVR.72.jpg
PDF preview: http://www.adhousebooks.com/adhousebooks/pr/notespreview.pdf
Scott’s Blog: http://scottmorse.blogspot.com/
You can preorder this project through Diamond’s August Previews catalog, which can be found in your local comic shop on 7/30/08. AdHouse items may also be available via Last Gasp.
www.adhousebooks.com
The busy hum of the big city envelopes a lonely jazz musician as he deals with loss on the night of a big gig... and a world away, a desolate beach bum pines for his lost lover as a call from beyond washes up at his feet. A mischievous cat and a haunted ukulele tie their worlds together as NOTES OVER YONDER presents a surreal, magical, visual sort of music. Award-winning author Scott Morse combines these two quiet short stories into a uniquely woven tapestry of painted sequential images.
Scott Morse is the author of multiple critically acclaimed and award winning graphic novels including SOULWIND, THE BAREFOOT SERPENT, SOUTHPAW, PLASTIC MAN, and the new launch of the all-ages MAGIC PICKLE series from Scholastic. Morse is currently working in story and design at Pixar Animation Studios.
details:
4C cover
64 four-color pages
5.5" x 7" HC
$12.95 US funds
ISBN 978-0-9774715-2-2
Shipping October 2008
Diamond Order Code: AUG08 3671
Cover image: http://www.adhousebooks.com/adhousebooks/pr/AD.SS3CVR.72.jpg
PDF preview: http://www.adhousebooks.com/adhousebooks/pr/notespreview.pdf
Scott’s Blog: http://scottmorse.blogspot.com/
You can preorder this project through Diamond’s August Previews catalog, which can be found in your local comic shop on 7/30/08. AdHouse items may also be available via Last Gasp.
www.adhousebooks.com
Hello,
Below are the new title solicits for Radical Publishing in the new August Previews. Just to note, City of Dust: A Philip Khrome Story #1 will be a 48 page book for $3.99. Issues #2-5 will be 28 pages and will retail for $2.99.
RADICAL PUBLISHING
Solicitation copy
OCTOBER 2008 shipping
City of Dust #1 cover A: Lucio Parrillo – Diamond Order Code: AUG084256
City of Dust #1 cover B: Frederick Rambaud of IFS – Diamond Order Code: AUG084257
City of Dust #1 cover C: Clint Langley – Diamond Order Code: AUG084258
City of Dust #1 cover D: Arthur Suydam – Diamond Order Code: AUG084259
City of Dust #1 cover E: Zid of Imaginary Friends Studios – Diamond Order Code: AUG084260
CITY OF DUST: A PHILIP KHROME STORY #1
Writer STEVE NILES
Artist and Colorist ZID of IMAGINARY FRIENDS STUDIOS
Letterer CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
48 pages for only $3.99
5 Covers
From the dark mind of STEVE NILES (30 Days of Night) comes a story set in the aftermath of our world's collapse. This chilling vision of the future unveils a world where the police now patrol for crimes of the imagination. Religious beliefs, along with any tales of false heroes, idols or gods, are illegal. The world is anew and the enemy adapts.
Detective Philip Khrome doesn't enforce Imagination, he works homicide; that's where the action is, and he's seen it all before. But criminals evolve and the world's forever changing. When a killing spree hits his city sector, Khrome finds himself face to face with killers born of grim reality with old world superstition and everything is not what it seems.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Freedom Formula #3 cover A: Steve Pugh – Diamond Order Code: AUG084261
Freedom Formula #3 cover B: Stjepan Sejic – Diamond Order Code: AUG084262
FREEDOM FORMULA: GHOST OF THE WASTELAND #3
Writer EDMUND SHERN
Artist KAI and JENNYSON ROSERO of IMAGINARY FRIENDS STUDIOS
Colorist YINA GOH of IFS
Letterer STANLEY ONG of IFS
28 pages, $2.99
2 Covers
The mystery of Daedalus deepens and it becomes increasingly clear that he is somehow tied to Zee's past. Meanwhile the corporation's stranglehold on the city tightens and more street racers are being hunted and executed. As they close in, Zee makes a fatal mistake.
Below are the new title solicits for Radical Publishing in the new August Previews. Just to note, City of Dust: A Philip Khrome Story #1 will be a 48 page book for $3.99. Issues #2-5 will be 28 pages and will retail for $2.99.
RADICAL PUBLISHING
Solicitation copy
OCTOBER 2008 shipping
City of Dust #1 cover A: Lucio Parrillo – Diamond Order Code: AUG084256
City of Dust #1 cover B: Frederick Rambaud of IFS – Diamond Order Code: AUG084257
City of Dust #1 cover C: Clint Langley – Diamond Order Code: AUG084258
City of Dust #1 cover D: Arthur Suydam – Diamond Order Code: AUG084259
City of Dust #1 cover E: Zid of Imaginary Friends Studios – Diamond Order Code: AUG084260
CITY OF DUST: A PHILIP KHROME STORY #1
Writer STEVE NILES
Artist and Colorist ZID of IMAGINARY FRIENDS STUDIOS
Letterer CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
48 pages for only $3.99
5 Covers
From the dark mind of STEVE NILES (30 Days of Night) comes a story set in the aftermath of our world's collapse. This chilling vision of the future unveils a world where the police now patrol for crimes of the imagination. Religious beliefs, along with any tales of false heroes, idols or gods, are illegal. The world is anew and the enemy adapts.
Detective Philip Khrome doesn't enforce Imagination, he works homicide; that's where the action is, and he's seen it all before. But criminals evolve and the world's forever changing. When a killing spree hits his city sector, Khrome finds himself face to face with killers born of grim reality with old world superstition and everything is not what it seems.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Freedom Formula #3 cover A: Steve Pugh – Diamond Order Code: AUG084261
Freedom Formula #3 cover B: Stjepan Sejic – Diamond Order Code: AUG084262
FREEDOM FORMULA: GHOST OF THE WASTELAND #3
Writer EDMUND SHERN
Artist KAI and JENNYSON ROSERO of IMAGINARY FRIENDS STUDIOS
Colorist YINA GOH of IFS
Letterer STANLEY ONG of IFS
28 pages, $2.99
2 Covers
The mystery of Daedalus deepens and it becomes increasingly clear that he is somehow tied to Zee's past. Meanwhile the corporation's stranglehold on the city tightens and more street racers are being hunted and executed. As they close in, Zee makes a fatal mistake.
TUNE IN FRIDAY NIGHT TO SPIKE TV'S
"GAMETRAILERS TV WITH GEOFF KEIGHLEY" FOR EXCLUSIVE
INTERNATIONAL COMIC-CON 2008 COVERAGE
Don't Miss Out on Interviews With Samuel L. Jackson, Stan Lee and Much More - Friday Night on GameTrailers TV!
WHAT:
Tune-in Friday night, August 8th at 1:00am ET/PT as "GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley" brings viewers the best of Comic-Con with interviews from some of the biggest names in the business. Keighley speaks with entertainment industry veteran Samuel L. Jackson about his role in the upcoming Afro Samurai game, as well as Hugh Jackman about his role in the upcoming Wolverine video game. GTTV also interviews comic book legend, Stan Lee about Marvel's newest video games.
"While attending this year's Comic-Con, I was able to meet with several industry insiders and find out first-hand what gaming and comic book enthusiasts can expect to see in the coming months," said Geoff Keighley, host and executive producer, GTTV. "I'm thrilled to bring the latest and most exclusive Comic-Con news to our ever-growing gaming audience."
Episode highlights include:
An Interview with the Watchmen cast and Zack Snyder about the Watchmen videogame, with hints at the possibility of a next generation 300 title
Daniel Kayser speaks with Jim Lee about his role in SOE's DC Universe Online and the Gears of War comic book
Interviews with Mark Wahlberg, Ludacris and Mila Kunis about the highly anticipated Max Payne movie and the upcoming videogame
Co-host Amanda MacKay talks to Richard Taylor, director of WETA Workshop about his Halo Toy designs and she checks out the coolest toys and collectables at Comic-Con
Exclusive first-ever footage of Universal Studio's video game Wanted, and an interview with Pete Wanat regarding his involvement in the game
An Interview with Michael Hollick, the voice of Niko Bellic about the upcoming downloadable content for Rockstar Games' notorious Grand Theft Auto IV
WHEN:
Friday night, August 8th, at 1:00am ET/PT
WHERE:
SPIKE TV and Spike HD
Catch Full HD Episodes at GameTrailers.com and on Xbox Live Video Marketplace!
About GTTV
"GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley" on Spike TV is the ultimate guide to the world of videogames. Each week the show delivers unprecedented access to the gaming industry's most anticipated titles and hottest events. Join Geoff Keighley, Amanda MacKay and Daniel Kayser as GTTV travels around the world to bring you the latest game reviews and previews, world exclusive trailers and hard-hitting interviews with the biggest names in the industry. From Gears of War 2 and Super Smash Bros Brawl to Resistance 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV, viewers can count on timely, in-depth coverage of the biggest Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, PC and handheld games along with behind-the-scenes access to huge industry events such as Tokyo Game Show, E3, PAX, GDC, Comic Con and more!
"GAMETRAILERS TV WITH GEOFF KEIGHLEY" FOR EXCLUSIVE
INTERNATIONAL COMIC-CON 2008 COVERAGE
Don't Miss Out on Interviews With Samuel L. Jackson, Stan Lee and Much More - Friday Night on GameTrailers TV!
WHAT:
Tune-in Friday night, August 8th at 1:00am ET/PT as "GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley" brings viewers the best of Comic-Con with interviews from some of the biggest names in the business. Keighley speaks with entertainment industry veteran Samuel L. Jackson about his role in the upcoming Afro Samurai game, as well as Hugh Jackman about his role in the upcoming Wolverine video game. GTTV also interviews comic book legend, Stan Lee about Marvel's newest video games.
"While attending this year's Comic-Con, I was able to meet with several industry insiders and find out first-hand what gaming and comic book enthusiasts can expect to see in the coming months," said Geoff Keighley, host and executive producer, GTTV. "I'm thrilled to bring the latest and most exclusive Comic-Con news to our ever-growing gaming audience."
Episode highlights include:
An Interview with the Watchmen cast and Zack Snyder about the Watchmen videogame, with hints at the possibility of a next generation 300 title
Daniel Kayser speaks with Jim Lee about his role in SOE's DC Universe Online and the Gears of War comic book
Interviews with Mark Wahlberg, Ludacris and Mila Kunis about the highly anticipated Max Payne movie and the upcoming videogame
Co-host Amanda MacKay talks to Richard Taylor, director of WETA Workshop about his Halo Toy designs and she checks out the coolest toys and collectables at Comic-Con
Exclusive first-ever footage of Universal Studio's video game Wanted, and an interview with Pete Wanat regarding his involvement in the game
An Interview with Michael Hollick, the voice of Niko Bellic about the upcoming downloadable content for Rockstar Games' notorious Grand Theft Auto IV
WHEN:
Friday night, August 8th, at 1:00am ET/PT
WHERE:
SPIKE TV and Spike HD
Catch Full HD Episodes at GameTrailers.com and on Xbox Live Video Marketplace!
About GTTV
"GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley" on Spike TV is the ultimate guide to the world of videogames. Each week the show delivers unprecedented access to the gaming industry's most anticipated titles and hottest events. Join Geoff Keighley, Amanda MacKay and Daniel Kayser as GTTV travels around the world to bring you the latest game reviews and previews, world exclusive trailers and hard-hitting interviews with the biggest names in the industry. From Gears of War 2 and Super Smash Bros Brawl to Resistance 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV, viewers can count on timely, in-depth coverage of the biggest Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, PC and handheld games along with behind-the-scenes access to huge industry events such as Tokyo Game Show, E3, PAX, GDC, Comic Con and more!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
PRESS RELEASE - MONSTERS GET THEIR DUE AS SCREAMLAND GETS COLLECTED!
The highly acclaimed SCREAMLAND gets collected this October!
5 August 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This October, the original movie monsters get their day thanks to Image Comics, writer Harold Sipe and artist Hector Casanova in the pages of SCREAMLAND!
"In an era of films shot against green screens and fixed in post, where have the iconic creatures gone," Sipe asked. "SCREAMLAND is a love letter to old Hollywood using monstrous metaphors, while not whitewashing over any of the ugly bits. The characters' fall into unattended convention signings, failed romances and dot-com busts is only the beginning of the story."
The SCREAMLAND deluxe tradepaperback features an introduction from SCALPED's Jason Aaron, eight never-before-seen pages, a behind the scenes look at Casanova's artistic process and a pinup gallery featuring artists such as Nathan Fox, Steve Sanders, Kerry Callen and many more. In addition, SCREAMLAND fans can get another fix of their favorite movie monsters in October's PROOF #13, also featuring THE SAVAGE DRAGON.
CASANOVA and UNCANNY X-MEN writer Matt Fraction praised the book as, "Beautiful, brilliant, brutally hilarious and hilariously brutal. I wish MY first comic was this good."
SCREAMLAND (AUG082243), a 152-page full color tradepaperback for $16.99, will be in stores October 29th.
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 five partners in Image Comics (Robert Kirkman, 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.
The highly acclaimed SCREAMLAND gets collected this October!
5 August 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This October, the original movie monsters get their day thanks to Image Comics, writer Harold Sipe and artist Hector Casanova in the pages of SCREAMLAND!
"In an era of films shot against green screens and fixed in post, where have the iconic creatures gone," Sipe asked. "SCREAMLAND is a love letter to old Hollywood using monstrous metaphors, while not whitewashing over any of the ugly bits. The characters' fall into unattended convention signings, failed romances and dot-com busts is only the beginning of the story."
The SCREAMLAND deluxe tradepaperback features an introduction from SCALPED's Jason Aaron, eight never-before-seen pages, a behind the scenes look at Casanova's artistic process and a pinup gallery featuring artists such as Nathan Fox, Steve Sanders, Kerry Callen and many more. In addition, SCREAMLAND fans can get another fix of their favorite movie monsters in October's PROOF #13, also featuring THE SAVAGE DRAGON.
CASANOVA and UNCANNY X-MEN writer Matt Fraction praised the book as, "Beautiful, brilliant, brutally hilarious and hilariously brutal. I wish MY first comic was this good."
SCREAMLAND (AUG082243), a 152-page full color tradepaperback for $16.99, will be in stores October 29th.
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 five partners in Image Comics (Robert Kirkman, 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.
Have you always aspired for comic book immortality? Well, here is your big break! To celebrate this fall’s debut of the highly anticipated new Virgin Comics series Nowhere Man, from the creative team of Hugh Jackman, Marc Guggenheim and Paul Gulacy, Virgin Comics is giving 5 randomly selected winners a chance to be a real Nowhere Man (or woman) and get drawn into an issue!!
Will you be a government agent? A bad-ass assassin? You'll have to win to find out. Not only will you appear in an issue, but Hugh Jackman, Marc Guggenheim and Paul Gulacy will all personally autograph the copy of the issue that you appear in!
And if you're not one of the few lucky winners, don't worry… you could always be one of the ten runner-ups to receive a copy of Nowhere Man #1 autographed by Hugh Jackman!
Enter now at www.virgincomics.com/nowhereman or send an e-mail to nowhereman@virgincomics.com with DRAW ME as the subject. The contest runs through September 15th, 2008.
Nowhere Man takes place 500 years in the future, when the Earth's population has been infected with a virus that allows an oppressive government to monitor their thoughts. It's the Patriot Act gone haywire. But a group of rebels have engineered the ultimate weapon: a genetically altered child, born immune to the virus. He's the only one on the planet who can bring some semblance of privacy and individuality back to the world. He is the Nowhere Man.
A special $1.00 Nowhere Man # 0 16-page preview issue hits comic stores on October 22nd (Diamond Order Code: AUG084355), and features a stunning cover by Marko Djurdjevic.
Will you be a government agent? A bad-ass assassin? You'll have to win to find out. Not only will you appear in an issue, but Hugh Jackman, Marc Guggenheim and Paul Gulacy will all personally autograph the copy of the issue that you appear in!
And if you're not one of the few lucky winners, don't worry… you could always be one of the ten runner-ups to receive a copy of Nowhere Man #1 autographed by Hugh Jackman!
Enter now at www.virgincomics.com/nowhereman or send an e-mail to nowhereman@virgincomics.com with DRAW ME as the subject. The contest runs through September 15th, 2008.
Nowhere Man takes place 500 years in the future, when the Earth's population has been infected with a virus that allows an oppressive government to monitor their thoughts. It's the Patriot Act gone haywire. But a group of rebels have engineered the ultimate weapon: a genetically altered child, born immune to the virus. He's the only one on the planet who can bring some semblance of privacy and individuality back to the world. He is the Nowhere Man.
A special $1.00 Nowhere Man # 0 16-page preview issue hits comic stores on October 22nd (Diamond Order Code: AUG084355), and features a stunning cover by Marko Djurdjevic.
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Launches August 11
Premiere episode, "Homestar Ruiner," will release simultaneously on WiiWare and PC
SAN RAFAEL, CA, August 5, 2008 – Telltale Inc., the leader in interactive episodic entertainment, is announcing that "Homestar Ruiner", the first of five monthly Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People episodes, will premiere Monday, August 11. "Homestar Ruiner" will release on Nintendo's WiiWare™ download service in North and South America and worldwide on PC simultaneously. WiiWare availability for Europe, Australia and New Zealand will follow shortly.
As the star of the popular Homestarrunner.com web cartoons, Strong Bad has been answering emails (in boxing gloves), pranking his friends, pummeling his enemies, and making people with questionable taste snort milk out of their noses for years. Now he's branching out to star in the monthly Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People series developed in partnership with Homestarrunner.com creators Mike and Matt Chapman.
In the season premiere, Strong Bad's plans to beat the snot out of his rival Homestar Runner backfire, and he ends up with an unwanted houseguest cramping his style. Now he needs to get life back to normal, by any means possible. Comical point-and-click gameplay progresses the story, with side quests, mini games, achievements, and an "extended play" sandbox mode that unlocks after the story is completed rounding out the game experience.
"Homestar Ruiner is a great series premiere and kick-off for the season. The next five months will be filled with lots of surprises," says Telltale CEO Dan Connors. "This is how we always envisioned episodic gaming—monthly releases, straight into the living room. We’re happy to be working with the Chapmans and Nintendo to make it a reality."
New Strong Bad episodes can be downloaded from the Wii™ Shop Channel each month for 1000 Wii Points™. The series takes advantage of the WiiConnect24™ technology by giving players the ability to send Strong Bad-themed emails to Wii friends directly from the Lappy. Photos taken using the in-game camera feature can be attached to emails, allowing players to show off Easter eggs uncovered or hidden costumes collected during the game.
"We are very excited," said a Videlectrix spokesperson from his pretend high-rise office, "Our last game topped out at 8 bits. We've heard this one might reach 9 or 10!"
Downloadable versions of each Strong Bad episode will also be available for the PC exclusively from Telltale's website, with preorders starting today at www.telltalegames.com/strongbad. Episodes can be purchased individually for $8.95 or as part of a five-episode subscription for $34.95. As with Telltale's popular Sam & Max series, customers who purchase the full series from Telltale will later be eligible to get a disc version for the cost of shipping and handling.
After the "Homestar Ruiner" premiere on August 11, storylines in the monthly episodes will run the gamut from political struggles to rock’n roll to the world of videogames (of course), building to the exciting season finale in December. Many fan favorite characters from Free Country USA will appear in each episode, along with special new super 8-bit style mini-games from Videlectrix. Additional details about the series can be found at www.telltalegames.com/strongbad.
About Homestarrunner.com
Homestar Runner was conceived in 1996 by Mike Chapman and friend Craig Zobel as an idea for a weird kids' book they would only make a few photocopies of for friends. In 2000, Mike and brother Matt dusted off the idea and launched Homestarrunner.com, featuring the Flash-animated exploits of the characters. Since 2002, they have updated with new cartoons almost every week including the popular feature 'Strong Bad Email' in which fans get their emails answered by the cartoon's charming antagonist, Strong Bad. Mike and Matt write and animate the cartoons with Matt and Missy Palmer providing voices for the characters. The site has been featured and mentioned in the New York Times, Wired Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Time, The Wall Street Journal, and, most importantly, two songs from the site were featured in the Guitar Hero series.
About Telltale, Inc.
Telltale is pioneering new forms of interactive entertainment, building upon strong foundations in both traditional and new media. Founded in 2004 by industry veterans with decades of experience, the company has quickly become the leading online episodic gaming publisher and developer, delivering award-winning interactive experiences that emphasize engaging stories, strong characters, and rich worlds. Telltale is establishing a regular, ongoing schedule of online episodic series, across all major gaming and entertainment platforms and channels.
Telltale's games include the award-winning Sam & Max episodic series; Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, the first episodic series for WiiWare based on the Homestarrunner.com Flash cartoons; and a new Wallace & Gromit game series coming soon. Telltale has also created games based on television's popular CSI program, in partnership with Ubisoft, and on Jeff Smith's epic Bone graphic novels. Telltale has built a robust digital distribution channel at www.telltalegames.com, and also publishes its games with select partners.
About Videlectrix
Since the beginning of organized time, or shortly thereafter, the 'Trix, as they are sometimes known, has been at all four fronts of the electronic video gaming industry, providing lo-res entertainment to parents and children alike. In the early years, The Big V, as they are othertimes known, got their start by typing numbers into calculators and then turning the calculators upside down to form words. In 2003, they partnered with Homestarrunner.com and released the arcade peasant-masher Trogdor! They've since followed up with hit after hit, including next-gen text adventure Peasant's Quest, side scrolling platformer Stinkoman 20X6, and the unforgettable Color Television Calibration Cartridge.
Premiere episode, "Homestar Ruiner," will release simultaneously on WiiWare and PC
SAN RAFAEL, CA, August 5, 2008 – Telltale Inc., the leader in interactive episodic entertainment, is announcing that "Homestar Ruiner", the first of five monthly Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People episodes, will premiere Monday, August 11. "Homestar Ruiner" will release on Nintendo's WiiWare™ download service in North and South America and worldwide on PC simultaneously. WiiWare availability for Europe, Australia and New Zealand will follow shortly.
As the star of the popular Homestarrunner.com web cartoons, Strong Bad has been answering emails (in boxing gloves), pranking his friends, pummeling his enemies, and making people with questionable taste snort milk out of their noses for years. Now he's branching out to star in the monthly Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People series developed in partnership with Homestarrunner.com creators Mike and Matt Chapman.
In the season premiere, Strong Bad's plans to beat the snot out of his rival Homestar Runner backfire, and he ends up with an unwanted houseguest cramping his style. Now he needs to get life back to normal, by any means possible. Comical point-and-click gameplay progresses the story, with side quests, mini games, achievements, and an "extended play" sandbox mode that unlocks after the story is completed rounding out the game experience.
"Homestar Ruiner is a great series premiere and kick-off for the season. The next five months will be filled with lots of surprises," says Telltale CEO Dan Connors. "This is how we always envisioned episodic gaming—monthly releases, straight into the living room. We’re happy to be working with the Chapmans and Nintendo to make it a reality."
New Strong Bad episodes can be downloaded from the Wii™ Shop Channel each month for 1000 Wii Points™. The series takes advantage of the WiiConnect24™ technology by giving players the ability to send Strong Bad-themed emails to Wii friends directly from the Lappy. Photos taken using the in-game camera feature can be attached to emails, allowing players to show off Easter eggs uncovered or hidden costumes collected during the game.
"We are very excited," said a Videlectrix spokesperson from his pretend high-rise office, "Our last game topped out at 8 bits. We've heard this one might reach 9 or 10!"
Downloadable versions of each Strong Bad episode will also be available for the PC exclusively from Telltale's website, with preorders starting today at www.telltalegames.com/strongbad. Episodes can be purchased individually for $8.95 or as part of a five-episode subscription for $34.95. As with Telltale's popular Sam & Max series, customers who purchase the full series from Telltale will later be eligible to get a disc version for the cost of shipping and handling.
After the "Homestar Ruiner" premiere on August 11, storylines in the monthly episodes will run the gamut from political struggles to rock’n roll to the world of videogames (of course), building to the exciting season finale in December. Many fan favorite characters from Free Country USA will appear in each episode, along with special new super 8-bit style mini-games from Videlectrix. Additional details about the series can be found at www.telltalegames.com/strongbad.
About Homestarrunner.com
Homestar Runner was conceived in 1996 by Mike Chapman and friend Craig Zobel as an idea for a weird kids' book they would only make a few photocopies of for friends. In 2000, Mike and brother Matt dusted off the idea and launched Homestarrunner.com, featuring the Flash-animated exploits of the characters. Since 2002, they have updated with new cartoons almost every week including the popular feature 'Strong Bad Email' in which fans get their emails answered by the cartoon's charming antagonist, Strong Bad. Mike and Matt write and animate the cartoons with Matt and Missy Palmer providing voices for the characters. The site has been featured and mentioned in the New York Times, Wired Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Time, The Wall Street Journal, and, most importantly, two songs from the site were featured in the Guitar Hero series.
About Telltale, Inc.
Telltale is pioneering new forms of interactive entertainment, building upon strong foundations in both traditional and new media. Founded in 2004 by industry veterans with decades of experience, the company has quickly become the leading online episodic gaming publisher and developer, delivering award-winning interactive experiences that emphasize engaging stories, strong characters, and rich worlds. Telltale is establishing a regular, ongoing schedule of online episodic series, across all major gaming and entertainment platforms and channels.
Telltale's games include the award-winning Sam & Max episodic series; Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, the first episodic series for WiiWare based on the Homestarrunner.com Flash cartoons; and a new Wallace & Gromit game series coming soon. Telltale has also created games based on television's popular CSI program, in partnership with Ubisoft, and on Jeff Smith's epic Bone graphic novels. Telltale has built a robust digital distribution channel at www.telltalegames.com, and also publishes its games with select partners.
About Videlectrix
Since the beginning of organized time, or shortly thereafter, the 'Trix, as they are sometimes known, has been at all four fronts of the electronic video gaming industry, providing lo-res entertainment to parents and children alike. In the early years, The Big V, as they are othertimes known, got their start by typing numbers into calculators and then turning the calculators upside down to form words. In 2003, they partnered with Homestarrunner.com and released the arcade peasant-masher Trogdor! They've since followed up with hit after hit, including next-gen text adventure Peasant's Quest, side scrolling platformer Stinkoman 20X6, and the unforgettable Color Television Calibration Cartridge.
SHMOBOTS.COM GOES LIVE!
New Website for BOOM! Studios Graphic Novel praised by everyone from Publishers Weekly to Stan Lee!
August 5th, 2008 (Los Angeles, CA) -- For a comic about slacker robots, SHMOBOTS has actively been gaining praise since its July 2008 publication. To commemorate the series' well deserved success, SHMOBOTS.COM has been launched to give curious readers an in-depth look at the world's laziest robots and their sidesplitting misadventures. The site even has clips of the infamous Kitten TV!
"SHMOBOT is a dirty and offensive word! The politically correct term is mechanical American," explained SHMOBOTS writer Adam Rifkin. "In my very first graphic novel, SHMOBOTS, I explore the annoying subculture of lazy, slacker robots, stoner droids not only programmed with free will but also equipped with an irritating sense of entitlement. SHMOBOTS.COM is the nexus point where all things SHMO and all things BOT intermingle. Whether you're already a fan of the book or just looking to learn more about it before you buy it, SHMOBOTS.COM is a great place to familiarize yourself with its colorful characters, meet the creators, read all of our killer reviews and find all sorts of fun Easter eggs."
Publisher's Weekly had this to say about SHMOBOTS:
"This hilarious graphic novel shows a futuristic society where robots were created to do the dirty work, only they were built by the lowest bidder, creating a race of metallic slackers--the shmobots...the plot whips along and delivers some dastardly fun." - Publisher's Weekly
Comics legend Stan Lee chimed in:
"Over the years, there have been so many stories about robots that I didn't think there could possibly be a new angle. Boy, was I wrong!," said Lee. "Once you read SHMOBOTS, by the clever writer/artist team of Adam Rifkin and Les Toil, with a surprise on almost every page, you'll never look at robots the same way again!"
BOOM! Studios is currently serializing SHMOBOTS at their website, updating a page a day online: http://webcomics.boom-studios.net/2008/07/13/shmobots-page-1/
Written by Adam Rifkin and drawn by Les Toil, SHMOBOTS is available in trade paperback for purchase online and at fine retailers everywhere!
About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique new publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents. In its inaugural year, Wizard Magazine named BOOM! "Best New Publisher." 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.
New Website for BOOM! Studios Graphic Novel praised by everyone from Publishers Weekly to Stan Lee!
August 5th, 2008 (Los Angeles, CA) -- For a comic about slacker robots, SHMOBOTS has actively been gaining praise since its July 2008 publication. To commemorate the series' well deserved success, SHMOBOTS.COM has been launched to give curious readers an in-depth look at the world's laziest robots and their sidesplitting misadventures. The site even has clips of the infamous Kitten TV!
"SHMOBOT is a dirty and offensive word! The politically correct term is mechanical American," explained SHMOBOTS writer Adam Rifkin. "In my very first graphic novel, SHMOBOTS, I explore the annoying subculture of lazy, slacker robots, stoner droids not only programmed with free will but also equipped with an irritating sense of entitlement. SHMOBOTS.COM is the nexus point where all things SHMO and all things BOT intermingle. Whether you're already a fan of the book or just looking to learn more about it before you buy it, SHMOBOTS.COM is a great place to familiarize yourself with its colorful characters, meet the creators, read all of our killer reviews and find all sorts of fun Easter eggs."
Publisher's Weekly had this to say about SHMOBOTS:
"This hilarious graphic novel shows a futuristic society where robots were created to do the dirty work, only they were built by the lowest bidder, creating a race of metallic slackers--the shmobots...the plot whips along and delivers some dastardly fun." - Publisher's Weekly
Comics legend Stan Lee chimed in:
"Over the years, there have been so many stories about robots that I didn't think there could possibly be a new angle. Boy, was I wrong!," said Lee. "Once you read SHMOBOTS, by the clever writer/artist team of Adam Rifkin and Les Toil, with a surprise on almost every page, you'll never look at robots the same way again!"
BOOM! Studios is currently serializing SHMOBOTS at their website, updating a page a day online: http://webcomics.boom-studios.net/2008/07/13/shmobots-page-1/
Written by Adam Rifkin and drawn by Les Toil, SHMOBOTS is available in trade paperback for purchase online and at fine retailers everywhere!
About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique new publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents. In its inaugural year, Wizard Magazine named BOOM! "Best New Publisher." 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.
Friends-
Issue fifteen of CWR is now online, and because we took off an extra week for Comic-Con, we have come back JAM-PACKED with awesome content! Here’s what we have in store for you:
Colleen Doran interviewed! Marc Mason chatted with Colleen in San Diego and got the scoop on her involvement with Tori Amos’ COMIC BOOK TATTOO, the coming end of A DISTANT SOIL, and the person she most wants to work with in comics:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/colleeendoran.html
CWRtv times three! Video segments with writer/artist Jeff Lemire, writer/artist Colleen Coover, and artist/colorist Emily Warren!:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/cwrtv.html
The CWR San Diego Flickr stream!:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050056@N07/sets/72157606450609930/
Reviews of ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, SLOW STORM, BLUESMAN, BORDERLINE, MUMBAI MACGUFFIN, ESSEX COUNTY: THE COUNTRY NURSE and more!
http://reviews.comicswaitingroom.com
Elliott Serrano delivers CWR’s first ever podcast, interviewing the great Gene Ha:
http://reviews.comicswaitingroom.com/2008/08/03/elliott-serrano-interviews-gene-ha-the-podcast.aspx
Marc Mason interviews Kal Penn and John Cho about HAROLD AND KUMAR, the image of Asian-Americans in film, and their roles as educators:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/mason15.html
Avril Brown imagines what San Diego would have been like if she were able to go, and it involves a comics legend… and some smooching!:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/avril15.html
Bonus Avril: she tackles first impressions, both in person and in the first issues of comics:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/avril14.html
Vince Moore takes the knives to HANCOCK and the subtle messages it contains, then wonders why Eddie Murphy’s latest was such a big flop:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/vince23.html
Matt Maxwell returns with new stuff, taking a look at what might be wrong with San Diego… and what is surprisingly right:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/fullbleed25.html
Introducing Steve Saunders! Steve joins The Waiting Room as our gaming expert, and he delivers some news on some upcoming items to look out for as well as a few comics reviews to boot:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/tpk1.html
All wrapped in a terrific Elliott Serrano designed cover:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com
Remember: If you read something at CWR that you like, pass it on to friends and blogs. Enjoy the reading!
Marc Mason
Editor-in-Chief
Comics Waiting Room
Issue fifteen of CWR is now online, and because we took off an extra week for Comic-Con, we have come back JAM-PACKED with awesome content! Here’s what we have in store for you:
Colleen Doran interviewed! Marc Mason chatted with Colleen in San Diego and got the scoop on her involvement with Tori Amos’ COMIC BOOK TATTOO, the coming end of A DISTANT SOIL, and the person she most wants to work with in comics:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/colleeendoran.html
CWRtv times three! Video segments with writer/artist Jeff Lemire, writer/artist Colleen Coover, and artist/colorist Emily Warren!:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/cwrtv.html
The CWR San Diego Flickr stream!:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050056@N07/sets/72157606450609930/
Reviews of ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, SLOW STORM, BLUESMAN, BORDERLINE, MUMBAI MACGUFFIN, ESSEX COUNTY: THE COUNTRY NURSE and more!
http://reviews.comicswaitingroom.com
Elliott Serrano delivers CWR’s first ever podcast, interviewing the great Gene Ha:
http://reviews.comicswaitingroom.com/2008/08/03/elliott-serrano-interviews-gene-ha-the-podcast.aspx
Marc Mason interviews Kal Penn and John Cho about HAROLD AND KUMAR, the image of Asian-Americans in film, and their roles as educators:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/mason15.html
Avril Brown imagines what San Diego would have been like if she were able to go, and it involves a comics legend… and some smooching!:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/avril15.html
Bonus Avril: she tackles first impressions, both in person and in the first issues of comics:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/avril14.html
Vince Moore takes the knives to HANCOCK and the subtle messages it contains, then wonders why Eddie Murphy’s latest was such a big flop:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/vince23.html
Matt Maxwell returns with new stuff, taking a look at what might be wrong with San Diego… and what is surprisingly right:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/fullbleed25.html
Introducing Steve Saunders! Steve joins The Waiting Room as our gaming expert, and he delivers some news on some upcoming items to look out for as well as a few comics reviews to boot:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/tpk1.html
All wrapped in a terrific Elliott Serrano designed cover:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com
Remember: If you read something at CWR that you like, pass it on to friends and blogs. Enjoy the reading!
Marc Mason
Editor-in-Chief
Comics Waiting Room
Deadworld goes into the Slaughterhouse
Desperado Publishing brings two new Deadworld projects in October
(August 4, 2008). Deadworld, the long running independent zombie title that has appeared from Arrow, Caliber, Image, and currently, Desperado Publishing, will have two new projects coming out for the October horror season.
Slaughterhouse is a mini-series within the Deadworld saga that showcases the depths of depravity mankind will succumb to in order to combat the growing zombie menance. It features the writing return of Gary Reed after Michael Raicht (Marvel Zombies) handled the Frozen Over story arc. Reed will be joined by rising star, Sami Makkonen, who worked with Elizabeth Genco on the Blue graphic novel as well as stories in various anthologies.
In addition to Slaughterhouse, Desperado is also releasing Deadworld Chronicles which is an anthology graphic novel of all new stories from various creators. Chronicles is intended to be an ongoing series of graphic novels featuring glimpses into the Deadworld.
"There's a lot going on with Deadworld," said Reed. "In addition to the two projects, we have plans with Desperado for a couple of original graphic novels, bring the sold out Requiem for the World graphic novel from Image Comics back in print, a special project featuring original Deadworld artist, Vincent Locke, and we're looking at a way of presenting the original Deadworld series which has been out of print for over a decade."
Other Deadworld projects include the Deadworld role playing game from Seraphjim Guard scheduled for release in 2009 as well as the Deadworld novel. Shocker Toys is also preparing the Deadworld action figure for a 2009 release. "Deadworld has branched out into some areas such as licensed T-shirts, masks, and the CD-Rom that collects the first 46 issues," Reed said, "and we hope to announce soon details regarding the movie option. But I'd rather wait until we had more details." Reed noted that the film situation could be announced shortly.
The Slaughterhouse saga, beginning in October, features a testing facility that searches for a way to defeat the zombie plague. Humans are subjected to tests, often causing death (or undeath) in order to find an answer. Reed said that he has been looking forward to doing this story for awhile and was a national progression for the zombie title. "Deadworld has always been more about the people and how they interact rather than a simple zombie chase and this story allows me to use my science background (Reed teaches college biology) to explore things in this direction. But I always thought it should have a certain art style and when Sami was available, I knew the time was right."
Sami Makkonen was happy to come on board saying, "When Joe Pruett (Desperado Publishing) asked me if I was interested to do a Deadworld story arc I was like yes, VERY interested! I have been a big fan of Romeros zombie movies a long long time and soon as I started to really study realistic illustration style it was always like some day I`m going to do a comic that includes the dead walking. All I did was drawing zombies for couple of years and then some more. So for me this is one dream come true. My approach for the illustration style will be darker when compared to Blue, my last comic project. This is a post apocalyptic world with nearly no hope in sight, so it just has to be. The script Gary has written is a challenging and yet fun to draw: there is a lot cool stuff to do; gas masks, laboratories, piles of bodies and of course the zombies."
Also in October will be an anthology of all new stories under the umbrella title of Deadworld Chronicles, which according to Reed is designed to be an ongoing series of graphic novels of new stories without any firm schedule at this time. Reed writes some of the stories and is joined by Chris Dows, Colin Clayton, Gary Francis, and the original Deadworld writer, Stu Kerr. Artists include Mark Bloodworth, Wayne Reid, Bill Bryan, Steve Beckett, Tomm Gabard, and others. "It's a nice variety of stories set in Deadworld but not in the continuity of the series itself," said editor Joe Pruett.
Deadworld: Slaughterhouse #1 is available in the Diamond Previews (August for October shipping), Diamond Order Code AUG08 3977. The websites for Deadworld feature more details including preview pages and a primer on the series in the form of "Dr. Slaughter's Journal" which leads into the series. www.deadworld.info and www.desperadopublishing.com for more information. Cover art can be obtained here, http://www.garyreed.net/Deadworld/DeadWdSlaughterhouse.jpg Preview pages are available at http://www.garyreed.net/Deadworld/DeadworldSlaughterhousePrev.htm
Deadworld Chronicles is also is available in the Diamond Previews (August for October shipping), Diamond Order Code AUG08 3976. A preview can also be found at the websites, www.deadworld.info and www.desperadopublishing.com. Cover art can be obtained here, http://www.garyreed.net/Deadworld/DeadWdChronicles.jpg Preview pages are available at http://www.garyreed.net/Deadworld/DeadworldChroniclesPrev.htm
Desperado Publishing brings two new Deadworld projects in October
(August 4, 2008). Deadworld, the long running independent zombie title that has appeared from Arrow, Caliber, Image, and currently, Desperado Publishing, will have two new projects coming out for the October horror season.
Slaughterhouse is a mini-series within the Deadworld saga that showcases the depths of depravity mankind will succumb to in order to combat the growing zombie menance. It features the writing return of Gary Reed after Michael Raicht (Marvel Zombies) handled the Frozen Over story arc. Reed will be joined by rising star, Sami Makkonen, who worked with Elizabeth Genco on the Blue graphic novel as well as stories in various anthologies.
In addition to Slaughterhouse, Desperado is also releasing Deadworld Chronicles which is an anthology graphic novel of all new stories from various creators. Chronicles is intended to be an ongoing series of graphic novels featuring glimpses into the Deadworld.
"There's a lot going on with Deadworld," said Reed. "In addition to the two projects, we have plans with Desperado for a couple of original graphic novels, bring the sold out Requiem for the World graphic novel from Image Comics back in print, a special project featuring original Deadworld artist, Vincent Locke, and we're looking at a way of presenting the original Deadworld series which has been out of print for over a decade."
Other Deadworld projects include the Deadworld role playing game from Seraphjim Guard scheduled for release in 2009 as well as the Deadworld novel. Shocker Toys is also preparing the Deadworld action figure for a 2009 release. "Deadworld has branched out into some areas such as licensed T-shirts, masks, and the CD-Rom that collects the first 46 issues," Reed said, "and we hope to announce soon details regarding the movie option. But I'd rather wait until we had more details." Reed noted that the film situation could be announced shortly.
The Slaughterhouse saga, beginning in October, features a testing facility that searches for a way to defeat the zombie plague. Humans are subjected to tests, often causing death (or undeath) in order to find an answer. Reed said that he has been looking forward to doing this story for awhile and was a national progression for the zombie title. "Deadworld has always been more about the people and how they interact rather than a simple zombie chase and this story allows me to use my science background (Reed teaches college biology) to explore things in this direction. But I always thought it should have a certain art style and when Sami was available, I knew the time was right."
Sami Makkonen was happy to come on board saying, "When Joe Pruett (Desperado Publishing) asked me if I was interested to do a Deadworld story arc I was like yes, VERY interested! I have been a big fan of Romeros zombie movies a long long time and soon as I started to really study realistic illustration style it was always like some day I`m going to do a comic that includes the dead walking. All I did was drawing zombies for couple of years and then some more. So for me this is one dream come true. My approach for the illustration style will be darker when compared to Blue, my last comic project. This is a post apocalyptic world with nearly no hope in sight, so it just has to be. The script Gary has written is a challenging and yet fun to draw: there is a lot cool stuff to do; gas masks, laboratories, piles of bodies and of course the zombies."
Also in October will be an anthology of all new stories under the umbrella title of Deadworld Chronicles, which according to Reed is designed to be an ongoing series of graphic novels of new stories without any firm schedule at this time. Reed writes some of the stories and is joined by Chris Dows, Colin Clayton, Gary Francis, and the original Deadworld writer, Stu Kerr. Artists include Mark Bloodworth, Wayne Reid, Bill Bryan, Steve Beckett, Tomm Gabard, and others. "It's a nice variety of stories set in Deadworld but not in the continuity of the series itself," said editor Joe Pruett.
Deadworld: Slaughterhouse #1 is available in the Diamond Previews (August for October shipping), Diamond Order Code AUG08 3977. The websites for Deadworld feature more details including preview pages and a primer on the series in the form of "Dr. Slaughter's Journal" which leads into the series. www.deadworld.info and www.desperadopublishing.com for more information. Cover art can be obtained here, http://www.garyreed.net/Deadworld/DeadWdSlaughterhouse.jpg Preview pages are available at http://www.garyreed.net/Deadworld/DeadworldSlaughterhousePrev.htm
Deadworld Chronicles is also is available in the Diamond Previews (August for October shipping), Diamond Order Code AUG08 3976. A preview can also be found at the websites, www.deadworld.info and www.desperadopublishing.com. Cover art can be obtained here, http://www.garyreed.net/Deadworld/DeadWdChronicles.jpg Preview pages are available at http://www.garyreed.net/Deadworld/DeadworldChroniclesPrev.htm
BLUEWATER’S LAUNCHES NEW MANGA LINE IN NOVEMBER
BELLINGHAM, WA— August 4 2008— Bluewater who is known for such titles as 10th Muse and Legend of Isis will be launching a new manga line of comics based on some the their flagship titles.
Waterbury will be starting the line in November. The book is described as: Living in the town of Waterbury in an aging inn wasn’t Audrey’s dream. It was her husband’s. But now her husband is dead, and Audrey is the only one who thinks it wasn’t an accident. She's also the only one who thinks the scarecrows scattered throughout the town have been moving. What’s really going on in Waterbury? Audrey’s about to find out.
Legend of Isis will be making its way in early 2008 along with the 10th Muse. Both will have new and updated looks. The new series will be in traditional manga style. The 10th Muse and Legend of Isis have both been optioned for feature films. The 10th Muse launched in 2001 as the 6th highest selling comic based on Diamond charts.
Other new manga titles will be “Dead End Boys” and “Queen of Hearts” based on the characters from Alice in Wonderland.
Bluewater is working with some of the top manga artists in the industry. Bryan Golden has taken on the helm of doing the redesigns of the characters. The specific art teams will be announced in a couple months. “I have been a fan of action adventure manga for a long time. “Battle Angel Alita” is one of my personal favorites, so we decided to launch a new and exciting line of titles though this manga line” said Darren G. Davis, publisher of Bluewater Productions.
Ryan Burton who is the writer on “Dead End Boys” said “I am really excited that Bluewater is expanding it’s horizons in this area. I think there is a lot to be done here and just have begun to test the limits”.
After the 4 issues of each comic book comes out in color, Bluewater will be releasing a trade paperback in black and white. The single-issue comics will be the only place you can find the colored versions of the titles.
For more information on Bluewater Productions, go to www.bluewaterprod.com or check them out in your local comic book shop!
# # # #
ABOUT BLUEWATER: Bluewater Productions is a creative studio founded in 2004 by Darren G. Davis; creator of such popular characters as THE 10th MUSE, ISIS, VSS, Ray Harryhausen Presents, Vincent Price Presents and JUDO GIRL! Bluewater Productions has published with Image Comics, Alias Enterprises and Arcana Studios. Visit Bluewater Productions online at http://www.bluewaterprod.com.
BELLINGHAM, WA— August 4 2008— Bluewater who is known for such titles as 10th Muse and Legend of Isis will be launching a new manga line of comics based on some the their flagship titles.
Waterbury will be starting the line in November. The book is described as: Living in the town of Waterbury in an aging inn wasn’t Audrey’s dream. It was her husband’s. But now her husband is dead, and Audrey is the only one who thinks it wasn’t an accident. She's also the only one who thinks the scarecrows scattered throughout the town have been moving. What’s really going on in Waterbury? Audrey’s about to find out.
Legend of Isis will be making its way in early 2008 along with the 10th Muse. Both will have new and updated looks. The new series will be in traditional manga style. The 10th Muse and Legend of Isis have both been optioned for feature films. The 10th Muse launched in 2001 as the 6th highest selling comic based on Diamond charts.
Other new manga titles will be “Dead End Boys” and “Queen of Hearts” based on the characters from Alice in Wonderland.
Bluewater is working with some of the top manga artists in the industry. Bryan Golden has taken on the helm of doing the redesigns of the characters. The specific art teams will be announced in a couple months. “I have been a fan of action adventure manga for a long time. “Battle Angel Alita” is one of my personal favorites, so we decided to launch a new and exciting line of titles though this manga line” said Darren G. Davis, publisher of Bluewater Productions.
Ryan Burton who is the writer on “Dead End Boys” said “I am really excited that Bluewater is expanding it’s horizons in this area. I think there is a lot to be done here and just have begun to test the limits”.
After the 4 issues of each comic book comes out in color, Bluewater will be releasing a trade paperback in black and white. The single-issue comics will be the only place you can find the colored versions of the titles.
For more information on Bluewater Productions, go to www.bluewaterprod.com or check them out in your local comic book shop!
# # # #
ABOUT BLUEWATER: Bluewater Productions is a creative studio founded in 2004 by Darren G. Davis; creator of such popular characters as THE 10th MUSE, ISIS, VSS, Ray Harryhausen Presents, Vincent Price Presents and JUDO GIRL! Bluewater Productions has published with Image Comics, Alias Enterprises and Arcana Studios. Visit Bluewater Productions online at http://www.bluewaterprod.com.
LEGENDARY IRON MAN ARTIST
TAKES ON LOVECRAFT LORE
Artist Don Heck, best known for co-creating Marvel's Iron Man, delves into Lovecraftian horror in The Miskatonic Project: H.P. Lovecraft's The Whisperer in Darkness, scheduled for an October 2008 release from Transfuzion/Millennial Concepts.
The 128 page graphic novel presents an adaptation of and a sequel to a pivotal story in H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, "The Whisperer in Darkness", with a cover by Darryl (Green Lantern) Banks and Melissa Martin.
Written by best-selling SF author Mark (James Axler) Ellis, the interior art is by Darryl Banks, noted Lovecraft illustrator Daryl (Crypt of Cthulhu) Hutchinson and legendary Marvel Comic artist Don Heck, who handles the majority of the art chores for the graphic novel.
All of the elements of the Cthulhu Mythos are present--from the city of "witch haunted" Arkham, the Miskatonic University, the blasphemous book, The Necronomicon, and of course, loathsome creatures from beyond.
A long-time resident of Rhode Island, H.P. Lovecraft's home state, Mark Ellis is pleased that the subject matter of the second release by Transfuzion/Millennial Concepts is so close to home.
"I've been a Lovecraft fan since I was in my teens," he says. "His work has been an influence in my own writing career. In fact, several novels in my Outlanders series feature Lovecraftian themes."
Mark is aware that at first glance, Don Heck seems to be an odd choice to illustrate Lovecraft, particularly since the famed artist is known more for his superhero work, from The Avengers to The Justice League of America.
"Most people don't know that Don drew horror and supernatural tales for pre-Fantastic Four Marvel and other publishers," points out Mark. "He was great at it…he felt his horror stories were superior to his work on superhero titles."
Don Heck began work at Marvel in 1954 and quickly earned a reputation as a trustworthy utility man, able to draw any kind of comic story, whether it was romance, science fiction or war.
When Stan Lee came out with anthology titles such as Strange Tales and Amazing Adult Fantasy, Don found steady employment illustrating stories about giant monsters with names like Torr, Zutak and Droom, the Living Lizard.
In a 1991 interview, Don Heck described his work at pre-hero Marvel as crammed full of "buildings tumbling down all over the place—Japanese monster movie stuff."
After the success of Marvel's first super-hero titles, Don found himself assigned the inaugural Iron Man story. It took him a bit of time to adjust to drawing super-heroes, but his solid craftsmanship set Iron Man on the road to enduring popularity.
"I was never that keen on superheroes," Don told Will Murray in 1993. "I always liked regular stories—people as people."
Mark says, "Don, like almost all comic artists and cartoonists in his age group, came from the Milton Caniff school. Caniff was the Gold Standard of cartooning for about 30 years…in fact, Don assisted Milton Caniff on Steve Canyon for a while."
Mark asked Don if he would be interested in working with him on The Miskatonic Project and he was happy to do so, partly because it was a break from superheroes.
"Also," Mark says, "Grant, one of the main characters, reminded him of Hawk, the character played by Avery Brooks on Spenser For Hire, his favorite TV show."
Don Heck is one of the seminal figures of the Silver Age of Comics, and most of his early Iron Man work has been collected in deluxe format Marvel Masterwork editions.
The Miskatonic Project graphic novel also contains an extensive interview with Don conducted by Lou Mougin and features never-before-published work from the late artist as well as many other extras.
"This isn't simply a compilation or a reprint volume," says Mark. "All of the artwork has been digitally remastered and it's completely re-lettered. The gray-toned art is in the classic tradition of Creepy and Eerie magazines and we have a lot of new material. This is a beautiful package designed by Melissa Martin and is sure to appeal to Lovecraft and comics fans alike."
Of The Miskatonic Project: The Whisperer in Darkness, The Comic Shop News said: "This may be the first successful Lovecraft project in the comics medium, which has found Lovecraft's essence very elusive thus far."
About Transfuzion
Transfuzion Publishing is a graphic novel publisher started up by former Caliber publisher, Gary Reed and Rafael Nieves. Finishing up their first year of publishing, Transfuzion will have released 16 graphic novels, primarily collections of comic series but with a goal of publishing all new material in 2009. For more information, visit www.transfuzion.biz.
About Millennial Concepts
Mark Ellis and Melissa Martin Ellis, were founders of Millennium Publications, a well known comics publisher of the 1990's with such titles as Anne Rice's The Mummy, The Wild, Wild, West, Doc Savage, Nosferatu, and the Justice Machine. Their newly revived company has formed a joint graphic novel publishing venture with Transfuzion.
www.transfuzion.biz
TAKES ON LOVECRAFT LORE
Artist Don Heck, best known for co-creating Marvel's Iron Man, delves into Lovecraftian horror in The Miskatonic Project: H.P. Lovecraft's The Whisperer in Darkness, scheduled for an October 2008 release from Transfuzion/Millennial Concepts.
The 128 page graphic novel presents an adaptation of and a sequel to a pivotal story in H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, "The Whisperer in Darkness", with a cover by Darryl (Green Lantern) Banks and Melissa Martin.
Written by best-selling SF author Mark (James Axler) Ellis, the interior art is by Darryl Banks, noted Lovecraft illustrator Daryl (Crypt of Cthulhu) Hutchinson and legendary Marvel Comic artist Don Heck, who handles the majority of the art chores for the graphic novel.
All of the elements of the Cthulhu Mythos are present--from the city of "witch haunted" Arkham, the Miskatonic University, the blasphemous book, The Necronomicon, and of course, loathsome creatures from beyond.
A long-time resident of Rhode Island, H.P. Lovecraft's home state, Mark Ellis is pleased that the subject matter of the second release by Transfuzion/Millennial Concepts is so close to home.
"I've been a Lovecraft fan since I was in my teens," he says. "His work has been an influence in my own writing career. In fact, several novels in my Outlanders series feature Lovecraftian themes."
Mark is aware that at first glance, Don Heck seems to be an odd choice to illustrate Lovecraft, particularly since the famed artist is known more for his superhero work, from The Avengers to The Justice League of America.
"Most people don't know that Don drew horror and supernatural tales for pre-Fantastic Four Marvel and other publishers," points out Mark. "He was great at it…he felt his horror stories were superior to his work on superhero titles."
Don Heck began work at Marvel in 1954 and quickly earned a reputation as a trustworthy utility man, able to draw any kind of comic story, whether it was romance, science fiction or war.
When Stan Lee came out with anthology titles such as Strange Tales and Amazing Adult Fantasy, Don found steady employment illustrating stories about giant monsters with names like Torr, Zutak and Droom, the Living Lizard.
In a 1991 interview, Don Heck described his work at pre-hero Marvel as crammed full of "buildings tumbling down all over the place—Japanese monster movie stuff."
After the success of Marvel's first super-hero titles, Don found himself assigned the inaugural Iron Man story. It took him a bit of time to adjust to drawing super-heroes, but his solid craftsmanship set Iron Man on the road to enduring popularity.
"I was never that keen on superheroes," Don told Will Murray in 1993. "I always liked regular stories—people as people."
Mark says, "Don, like almost all comic artists and cartoonists in his age group, came from the Milton Caniff school. Caniff was the Gold Standard of cartooning for about 30 years…in fact, Don assisted Milton Caniff on Steve Canyon for a while."
Mark asked Don if he would be interested in working with him on The Miskatonic Project and he was happy to do so, partly because it was a break from superheroes.
"Also," Mark says, "Grant, one of the main characters, reminded him of Hawk, the character played by Avery Brooks on Spenser For Hire, his favorite TV show."
Don Heck is one of the seminal figures of the Silver Age of Comics, and most of his early Iron Man work has been collected in deluxe format Marvel Masterwork editions.
The Miskatonic Project graphic novel also contains an extensive interview with Don conducted by Lou Mougin and features never-before-published work from the late artist as well as many other extras.
"This isn't simply a compilation or a reprint volume," says Mark. "All of the artwork has been digitally remastered and it's completely re-lettered. The gray-toned art is in the classic tradition of Creepy and Eerie magazines and we have a lot of new material. This is a beautiful package designed by Melissa Martin and is sure to appeal to Lovecraft and comics fans alike."
Of The Miskatonic Project: The Whisperer in Darkness, The Comic Shop News said: "This may be the first successful Lovecraft project in the comics medium, which has found Lovecraft's essence very elusive thus far."
About Transfuzion
Transfuzion Publishing is a graphic novel publisher started up by former Caliber publisher, Gary Reed and Rafael Nieves. Finishing up their first year of publishing, Transfuzion will have released 16 graphic novels, primarily collections of comic series but with a goal of publishing all new material in 2009. For more information, visit www.transfuzion.biz.
About Millennial Concepts
Mark Ellis and Melissa Martin Ellis, were founders of Millennium Publications, a well known comics publisher of the 1990's with such titles as Anne Rice's The Mummy, The Wild, Wild, West, Doc Savage, Nosferatu, and the Justice Machine. Their newly revived company has formed a joint graphic novel publishing venture with Transfuzion.
www.transfuzion.biz
BOOM! STUDIOS AND IFANBOY.COM ANNOUNCES JEFFREY BROWN WARHAMMER 40,000 ART AUCTION TO BENEFIT RETAILER DAVID PIRKOLA
August 5th, 2008 (Los Angeles, CA) - BOOM! Studios is proud to announce an art auction to benefit David Pirkola, the Kentwood, Michigan comic retailer who was robbed and shot while working in his store April 26th. Pirkola is currently in recovery. Jeffrey Brown, comic creator who happens to be a friend and customer of Pirkola, will be auctioning off a WARHAMMER 40,000 tribute art page through the comic book news and review site, iFanboy.com in association with BOOM! Studios.
The ebay auction for Brown's original work can be found here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180273199072
An avid fan of all things WARHAMMER 40,000, Jeffrey Brown is an independent comics book writer, known for his Top Shelf series CLUMSY, the Ignatz award winning I AM GOING TO BE SMALL and last year's THE INCREDIBLE CHANGE-BOTS. Brown's work has also appeared in Fantagraphics' MOME anthology, McSweeny's #13 and Drawn And Quarterly Showcase. The director of Death Cab For Cutie's "Your Heart Is An Empty Room" musical video, Brown has also appeared on NPR's "This American Life." His latest book, LITTLE THINGS, was released last month.
"I became a father a year and a half ago, so it's been a while since I've had the time to field my Ultramarines force or let my epic scale ork gargants rampage across the battlefield," said Brown. "I keep up with the comics, novels, and White Dwarf magazine, but spend more time playing with buses and trucks now. It was a great experience to work on this page and get back to the game that I love, and it was even better knowing I could help David by doing it."
"This is why I love comics," said Chip Mosher, BOOM! Studios' Marketing and Sales Director. "They are exciting, escapist fantasies that take us to new worlds, but in a split second used to help people in ours. Hopefully this page will raise money to aid Mr. Pirkola and give fans of WARHAMMER 40,000 something exciting to look at as well."
The auction will start August 5th at www.ifanboy.com. So far, fundraising campaigns have raised $7,000 for Pirkola's medical and business expenses.
iFanboy.com will also be auctioning off many rare and signed BOOM! Studios' comics spanning the publisher's work from past to present that were recently found while cleaning out their warehouse.
About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique new publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents. In its inaugural year, Wizard Magazine named BOOM! "Best New Publisher." 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.
August 5th, 2008 (Los Angeles, CA) - BOOM! Studios is proud to announce an art auction to benefit David Pirkola, the Kentwood, Michigan comic retailer who was robbed and shot while working in his store April 26th. Pirkola is currently in recovery. Jeffrey Brown, comic creator who happens to be a friend and customer of Pirkola, will be auctioning off a WARHAMMER 40,000 tribute art page through the comic book news and review site, iFanboy.com in association with BOOM! Studios.
The ebay auction for Brown's original work can be found here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180273199072
An avid fan of all things WARHAMMER 40,000, Jeffrey Brown is an independent comics book writer, known for his Top Shelf series CLUMSY, the Ignatz award winning I AM GOING TO BE SMALL and last year's THE INCREDIBLE CHANGE-BOTS. Brown's work has also appeared in Fantagraphics' MOME anthology, McSweeny's #13 and Drawn And Quarterly Showcase. The director of Death Cab For Cutie's "Your Heart Is An Empty Room" musical video, Brown has also appeared on NPR's "This American Life." His latest book, LITTLE THINGS, was released last month.
"I became a father a year and a half ago, so it's been a while since I've had the time to field my Ultramarines force or let my epic scale ork gargants rampage across the battlefield," said Brown. "I keep up with the comics, novels, and White Dwarf magazine, but spend more time playing with buses and trucks now. It was a great experience to work on this page and get back to the game that I love, and it was even better knowing I could help David by doing it."
"This is why I love comics," said Chip Mosher, BOOM! Studios' Marketing and Sales Director. "They are exciting, escapist fantasies that take us to new worlds, but in a split second used to help people in ours. Hopefully this page will raise money to aid Mr. Pirkola and give fans of WARHAMMER 40,000 something exciting to look at as well."
The auction will start August 5th at www.ifanboy.com. So far, fundraising campaigns have raised $7,000 for Pirkola's medical and business expenses.
iFanboy.com will also be auctioning off many rare and signed BOOM! Studios' comics spanning the publisher's work from past to present that were recently found while cleaning out their warehouse.
About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique new publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents. In its inaugural year, Wizard Magazine named BOOM! "Best New Publisher." 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.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Shepard Fairey and MoveOn Announce
New Pro-Obama Art Contest
Winner's Work To Be Shown At "Manifest Hope Art Gallery"
During Democratic National Convention
MoveOn.org, artist Shepard Fairey and Upper Playground announced today that they will join forces to host the "Manifest Hope Art Gallery" (manifesthope.com) at the Democratic National Convention. The gallery, open from Sunday, August 24 through Thursday, August 28 2008, will feature both known and new artists all supporting Barack Obama for President.
The groups also launched a related contest today, calling for entries of visual art from grassroots supporters of Senator Obama. Similar to MoveOn.org's "Obama in 30 seconds" contest, the submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges including famed artists Ross Bleckner, April Gornik, Eric Fischl, Shepard Fairey, musicians Moby, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth and DJ Spooky and Cydney Payton - Executive Director & Chief Curator Museum of Modern Art Denver, and Nancy Spector - Author & Guggenheim Curator of Contemporary Art. Five finalists will be selected to show in the MANIFEST HOPE Gallery alongside well-known artists such as Shepard Fairey, Sam Flores, Ron English, Chris Pastras, Mel Kadel and David Choe.
Shepard Fairey is one of the most prolific and infamous urban artists known world wide for his iconic image of Andre The Giant. He is also the designer of the highly visible HOPE posters, stickers and shirts that have been embraced by the grassroots movement that surrounds the Barack Obama campaign.
"I believe with great conviction that Barack Obama should be the next President of the United States. He was against the war when it was an unpopular position, is for energy and environmental conservation and supports real health care reform. He has awakened a massive grass roots movement and engaged the creative community in a way unseen before. Art provides the perfect platform to express our collective enthusiasm and commitment for change. The Manifest Hope Gallery will shine a light on artists using their works to engage their community and challenges other artists to do the same." says Shepard Fairey.
"Our members have used creativity really effectively to help in elections, and we're excited to partner with Shepard and his crew to bring more artistic voices to help elect Obama," said Eli Pariser, Executive Director of MoveOn.org. "The contest, the gallery, and the event will add energy to an already vibrant movement for progressive change in our country."
The Manifest Hope Gallery will be housed in 10,000 sq. ft. of gallery space in downtown Denver. It will show some of the most widely recognized art pieces seen in the 2008 presidential campaign and a wide variety of new works by famed artists.
The top 30 submissions to the Manifest Hope Gallery contest will present their works in an on-line gallery hosted by MoveOn.org and Obey Giant. The works will be presented to the public for bidding as an eBay auction with all funds donated to the MoveOn PAC.
Manifest Hope Gallery
2990-2936 Larimer St
Denver, CO 80205
www.manifesthope.com
About Moveon.org
MoveOn.org Political Action is a political action committee powered by 3.2 million progressive Americans. We believe in the power of small donors and grassroots action to elect progressive leaders to office and to advance a progressive agenda. We do not accept any donations over $5,000, and the average donation to MoveOn.org Political Action is under $100.
About Obey
OBEY/GIANT is the ongoing creation of artist Shepard Fairey. Started in 1989 while he was still at RISD, the OBEY/GIANT work has consisted of Iconic imagery of Andre The Giant and his Obey Icon in countless variations, stenciled and wheat-pasted on walls around the world. In addition to continuing the OBEY project, Shepard founded Studio Number One, a creative studio, bringing together a team of highly skilled designers who work on commercial art and advertising. Shepard's political irony transformed into reality this year when his "HOPE" poster became an icon of the Obama campaign and the values it represents. For more information visit www.obeygiant.com.
About Upper Playground
Based in San Francisco, California, Upper Playground was founded in 1999 and has become a leader in today's progressive art movement with its innovative apparel line and art gallery, FIFTY24SF. Recognized as a catalyst for the fusion of fashion with art, Upper Playground produces apparel lines bi-annually and features designs from notable local and international artists. The apparel line is sold nationally and internationally in over 300 boutiques and online. Upper Playground's FIFTY24SF Gallery showcases art from some of the best contemporary artists in the world with its monthly art exhibits. Please visit www.upperplayground.com for more information.
New Pro-Obama Art Contest
Winner's Work To Be Shown At "Manifest Hope Art Gallery"
During Democratic National Convention
MoveOn.org, artist Shepard Fairey and Upper Playground announced today that they will join forces to host the "Manifest Hope Art Gallery" (manifesthope.com) at the Democratic National Convention. The gallery, open from Sunday, August 24 through Thursday, August 28 2008, will feature both known and new artists all supporting Barack Obama for President.
The groups also launched a related contest today, calling for entries of visual art from grassroots supporters of Senator Obama. Similar to MoveOn.org's "Obama in 30 seconds" contest, the submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges including famed artists Ross Bleckner, April Gornik, Eric Fischl, Shepard Fairey, musicians Moby, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth and DJ Spooky and Cydney Payton - Executive Director & Chief Curator Museum of Modern Art Denver, and Nancy Spector - Author & Guggenheim Curator of Contemporary Art. Five finalists will be selected to show in the MANIFEST HOPE Gallery alongside well-known artists such as Shepard Fairey, Sam Flores, Ron English, Chris Pastras, Mel Kadel and David Choe.
Shepard Fairey is one of the most prolific and infamous urban artists known world wide for his iconic image of Andre The Giant. He is also the designer of the highly visible HOPE posters, stickers and shirts that have been embraced by the grassroots movement that surrounds the Barack Obama campaign.
"I believe with great conviction that Barack Obama should be the next President of the United States. He was against the war when it was an unpopular position, is for energy and environmental conservation and supports real health care reform. He has awakened a massive grass roots movement and engaged the creative community in a way unseen before. Art provides the perfect platform to express our collective enthusiasm and commitment for change. The Manifest Hope Gallery will shine a light on artists using their works to engage their community and challenges other artists to do the same." says Shepard Fairey.
"Our members have used creativity really effectively to help in elections, and we're excited to partner with Shepard and his crew to bring more artistic voices to help elect Obama," said Eli Pariser, Executive Director of MoveOn.org. "The contest, the gallery, and the event will add energy to an already vibrant movement for progressive change in our country."
The Manifest Hope Gallery will be housed in 10,000 sq. ft. of gallery space in downtown Denver. It will show some of the most widely recognized art pieces seen in the 2008 presidential campaign and a wide variety of new works by famed artists.
The top 30 submissions to the Manifest Hope Gallery contest will present their works in an on-line gallery hosted by MoveOn.org and Obey Giant. The works will be presented to the public for bidding as an eBay auction with all funds donated to the MoveOn PAC.
Manifest Hope Gallery
2990-2936 Larimer St
Denver, CO 80205
www.manifesthope.com
About Moveon.org
MoveOn.org Political Action is a political action committee powered by 3.2 million progressive Americans. We believe in the power of small donors and grassroots action to elect progressive leaders to office and to advance a progressive agenda. We do not accept any donations over $5,000, and the average donation to MoveOn.org Political Action is under $100.
About Obey
OBEY/GIANT is the ongoing creation of artist Shepard Fairey. Started in 1989 while he was still at RISD, the OBEY/GIANT work has consisted of Iconic imagery of Andre The Giant and his Obey Icon in countless variations, stenciled and wheat-pasted on walls around the world. In addition to continuing the OBEY project, Shepard founded Studio Number One, a creative studio, bringing together a team of highly skilled designers who work on commercial art and advertising. Shepard's political irony transformed into reality this year when his "HOPE" poster became an icon of the Obama campaign and the values it represents. For more information visit www.obeygiant.com.
About Upper Playground
Based in San Francisco, California, Upper Playground was founded in 1999 and has become a leader in today's progressive art movement with its innovative apparel line and art gallery, FIFTY24SF. Recognized as a catalyst for the fusion of fashion with art, Upper Playground produces apparel lines bi-annually and features designs from notable local and international artists. The apparel line is sold nationally and internationally in over 300 boutiques and online. Upper Playground's FIFTY24SF Gallery showcases art from some of the best contemporary artists in the world with its monthly art exhibits. Please visit www.upperplayground.com for more information.
UNIVERSAL BLOWN AWAY BY 2 GUNS
Studio scoops up third BOOM! Studios graphic novel
August 1st, 2008 - Los Angeles, CA - BOOM! Studios has teamed for a third time with Universal Studios and WANTED producer Marc Platt, this time for the Steven Grant graphic novel 2 GUNS. Co-founders Andrew Cosby and Ross Richie are attached to produce via their Boom Entertainment banner alongside Platt.
2 GUNS was created and written by Steven Grant, a veteran comic book scribe well known for developing Marvel Comics' THE PUNISHER into a franchise character. Story follows two thieves targeting a mob bank - unknown to either, they're both undercover agents. They pull off their heist, only to find out they've stolen cash from a CIA black bag operation, not the mob, and are now in over their heads. Project is targeted to be a throwback to classic 80s buddy movies in the vein of LETHAL WEAPON and 48 HOURS, but with a modern spin. Grant is well known to comic book fans for his online Comic Book Resources column Permanent Damage as well as his work on the Dark Horse Comics character "X" and the Marvel series X-MAN.
BOOM! Studios is currently serializing 2 GUNS at their website, updating a page a day online: http://webcomics.boom-studios.net/2008/07/13/2-guns-page-1/
2 GUNS is the latest BOOM! graphic novel set up after the acquisition of NORTH WIND by Davis Entertainment. Cosby and Richie teamed with Universal twice previously to set up TAG and TALENT with Marc Platt. In addition, Paramount snatched up the BOOM! comic book series THE FOUNDATION for Cosby and Richie to produce in a preemptive bid before publication. Ice Cube's CubeVision is adapting big-screen version of the BOOM! graphic novel "10" at Dimension as a starring vehicle for the actor.
Cosby created the hit TV series EUREKA which just started its third season on the Sci-Fi Channel to record-setting numbers.
Platt's summer blockbuster hit WANTED has grossed $225 million to date worldwide.
BOOM! Studios is represented by Valarie Phillips and Christopher Smith at Paradigm and managed by Pete Golden and Farley Zeigler at Golden Entertainment West
About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique new publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents. In its inaugural year, Wizard Magazine named BOOM! "Best New Publisher." 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.
Studio scoops up third BOOM! Studios graphic novel
August 1st, 2008 - Los Angeles, CA - BOOM! Studios has teamed for a third time with Universal Studios and WANTED producer Marc Platt, this time for the Steven Grant graphic novel 2 GUNS. Co-founders Andrew Cosby and Ross Richie are attached to produce via their Boom Entertainment banner alongside Platt.
2 GUNS was created and written by Steven Grant, a veteran comic book scribe well known for developing Marvel Comics' THE PUNISHER into a franchise character. Story follows two thieves targeting a mob bank - unknown to either, they're both undercover agents. They pull off their heist, only to find out they've stolen cash from a CIA black bag operation, not the mob, and are now in over their heads. Project is targeted to be a throwback to classic 80s buddy movies in the vein of LETHAL WEAPON and 48 HOURS, but with a modern spin. Grant is well known to comic book fans for his online Comic Book Resources column Permanent Damage as well as his work on the Dark Horse Comics character "X" and the Marvel series X-MAN.
BOOM! Studios is currently serializing 2 GUNS at their website, updating a page a day online: http://webcomics.boom-studios.net/2008/07/13/2-guns-page-1/
2 GUNS is the latest BOOM! graphic novel set up after the acquisition of NORTH WIND by Davis Entertainment. Cosby and Richie teamed with Universal twice previously to set up TAG and TALENT with Marc Platt. In addition, Paramount snatched up the BOOM! comic book series THE FOUNDATION for Cosby and Richie to produce in a preemptive bid before publication. Ice Cube's CubeVision is adapting big-screen version of the BOOM! graphic novel "10" at Dimension as a starring vehicle for the actor.
Cosby created the hit TV series EUREKA which just started its third season on the Sci-Fi Channel to record-setting numbers.
Platt's summer blockbuster hit WANTED has grossed $225 million to date worldwide.
BOOM! Studios is represented by Valarie Phillips and Christopher Smith at Paradigm and managed by Pete Golden and Farley Zeigler at Golden Entertainment West
About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique new publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents. In its inaugural year, Wizard Magazine named BOOM! "Best New Publisher." 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.
MORE BY LANSDALE ON TALES FROM THE CRYPT!
Plus an all-new Nancy Drew!
TALES FROM THE CRYPT #9
by writers John L. Lansdale, Rob Vollmar, and Jim Salicrup
and artists Steve Mannion, Tim Smith 3, and Rick Parker
The wildest issue of TALES FROM THE CRYPT yet begins with “Chicken
Man,” the story of an insane scheme revolving around a Voodoo Man. It
turns out the Voodoo Man has a couple murderous schemes of his own,
involving a beautiful woman (soon to be a rich widow) and her wealthy
husband (who wishes to run away with the chambermaid, if he could just
get rid of his wife). It all spins out of control, and that’s when the
wicked fun begins! And in “Brainfood,” a mental patient who believes he
was attacked by a vampire is about to become the victim of a monster
who feasts on fear! Plus, more groovy goings-on of the ever gruesome
GhouLunatics -- The Old Witch, The Vault-Keeper, and the Crypt-Keeper!
Bi-monthly comic book, 48 pages, full color, $3.95, UPC: 071896453065
06
NANCY DREW graphic novel #15: “Tiger Counter”
By writers Stefan Petrucha & Sarah Kinney and artist Sho Murase
Manga-style mystery and suspense with everyone’s favorite Girl
Detective! Nancy and her BFFs Bess and George encounter lions, tigers,
and scares -- oh, my! -- as they explore the mystery of a missing cat.
When the authorities learn exactly how many cats eccentric old Mrs.
Eartha keeps in her house, health code violations force the cats to be
removed -- but Hell hath no fury like a cat-woman scorned! That’s when
Nancy, Bess, and George run into escaped lions and tigers in the woods,
and a deadly cat-and-mouse game ensues.
Full-color trade paperback, 5” x 7 1/2,” 96 pages, $7.95, ISBN:
978-1-59707-118-5
Also in collector’s hardcover: $12.95, ISBN: 978-1-59707-119-2
SEE PREVIEWS AND MORE AT WWW.PAPERCUTZ.COM
You can order through NBM Publishing at 800-886-1223.
See previews and more at www.papercutz.com.
For regular updates and to interact with us, see
http://www.myspace.com/papercutzcomics.
Plus an all-new Nancy Drew!
TALES FROM THE CRYPT #9
by writers John L. Lansdale, Rob Vollmar, and Jim Salicrup
and artists Steve Mannion, Tim Smith 3, and Rick Parker
The wildest issue of TALES FROM THE CRYPT yet begins with “Chicken
Man,” the story of an insane scheme revolving around a Voodoo Man. It
turns out the Voodoo Man has a couple murderous schemes of his own,
involving a beautiful woman (soon to be a rich widow) and her wealthy
husband (who wishes to run away with the chambermaid, if he could just
get rid of his wife). It all spins out of control, and that’s when the
wicked fun begins! And in “Brainfood,” a mental patient who believes he
was attacked by a vampire is about to become the victim of a monster
who feasts on fear! Plus, more groovy goings-on of the ever gruesome
GhouLunatics -- The Old Witch, The Vault-Keeper, and the Crypt-Keeper!
Bi-monthly comic book, 48 pages, full color, $3.95, UPC: 071896453065
06
NANCY DREW graphic novel #15: “Tiger Counter”
By writers Stefan Petrucha & Sarah Kinney and artist Sho Murase
Manga-style mystery and suspense with everyone’s favorite Girl
Detective! Nancy and her BFFs Bess and George encounter lions, tigers,
and scares -- oh, my! -- as they explore the mystery of a missing cat.
When the authorities learn exactly how many cats eccentric old Mrs.
Eartha keeps in her house, health code violations force the cats to be
removed -- but Hell hath no fury like a cat-woman scorned! That’s when
Nancy, Bess, and George run into escaped lions and tigers in the woods,
and a deadly cat-and-mouse game ensues.
Full-color trade paperback, 5” x 7 1/2,” 96 pages, $7.95, ISBN:
978-1-59707-118-5
Also in collector’s hardcover: $12.95, ISBN: 978-1-59707-119-2
SEE PREVIEWS AND MORE AT WWW.PAPERCUTZ.COM
You can order through NBM Publishing at 800-886-1223.
See previews and more at www.papercutz.com.
For regular updates and to interact with us, see
http://www.myspace.com/papercutzcomics.
NEW IN OCTOBER: DAVID B. COMES TO NBM
Author of EPILEPTIC reveals his dreams; plus, Eurotica presents new
Chica by Jordi Bernet
NOCTURNAL CONSPIRACIES: NINETEEN DREAMS
By David B
The best-selling author of EPILEPTIC and one of Europe’s leading new
generation comics artists invites us to experience 19 of his most
imaginative dreams. Strange, scary, beautiful, and funny, with a logic
and sense all their own, these are tales of David B.’s inner psyche.
Two-color trade paperback with flaps, 6” x 9”, 128 pages, $14.95, ISBN
978-1-56163-541-2
NEW from EUROTICA
CHICA, Volume 2
By Jordi Bernet & Carlos Trillo
Hot tamale Chica and her blonde friend (who’s hot for her) have gotten
themselves into so much trouble, even escaping across the border into
Mexico doesn’t fix things. Quite the contrary, they get into even more
hilarious problems -- with the entire Mexican army, no less! Enjoy
suspense, dark humor, and hot sex as Chica goes over all the craziness
that she’s sown along her way.
Black-and-white trade paperback, 8 1/2” x 11”, 68 pages, $11.95, ISBN
978-1-56163-546-7
And don't miss CHICA, Volume 1 -- still available!
For more information and to interact with us, visit
www.nbmpub.com/comingup/comaug.html and our MySpace page,
www.myspace.com/nbm_publishing.
Author of EPILEPTIC reveals his dreams; plus, Eurotica presents new
Chica by Jordi Bernet
NOCTURNAL CONSPIRACIES: NINETEEN DREAMS
By David B
The best-selling author of EPILEPTIC and one of Europe’s leading new
generation comics artists invites us to experience 19 of his most
imaginative dreams. Strange, scary, beautiful, and funny, with a logic
and sense all their own, these are tales of David B.’s inner psyche.
Two-color trade paperback with flaps, 6” x 9”, 128 pages, $14.95, ISBN
978-1-56163-541-2
NEW from EUROTICA
CHICA, Volume 2
By Jordi Bernet & Carlos Trillo
Hot tamale Chica and her blonde friend (who’s hot for her) have gotten
themselves into so much trouble, even escaping across the border into
Mexico doesn’t fix things. Quite the contrary, they get into even more
hilarious problems -- with the entire Mexican army, no less! Enjoy
suspense, dark humor, and hot sex as Chica goes over all the craziness
that she’s sown along her way.
Black-and-white trade paperback, 8 1/2” x 11”, 68 pages, $11.95, ISBN
978-1-56163-546-7
And don't miss CHICA, Volume 1 -- still available!
For more information and to interact with us, visit
www.nbmpub.com/comingup/comaug.html and our MySpace page,
www.myspace.com/nbm_publishing.
From Josh Fialkov:
Hey gang,
It's been a busy month leading through Comic-Con, and it doesn't look like it's getting any easier. Three big things for y'all to check out this month.
First off, starting August 4th (or thereabouts) voting begins on Pilot Season once more. This year, I have Alibi, which I did with the AMAZING Jeremy Haun (don't believe me? Go here: http://www.jeremyhaun.com). You guys all came out in big time support for Cyblade last year, so, here's hoping we can get even MORE votes this year. Vote for the book and follow along with the results here: http://www.myspace.com/pilotseason.
If you'd like to help spread the word about Alibi, here's a handy dandy image you can post around. http://www.thefialkov.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/alibi-votead.gif (I think it's more funny than useful, but, well... yknow.)
Secondly, in OTHER Top Cow news, this month's previews has the very first issue of my Cyblade series for order. It's got a cover that already has tongues wagging, and I swear the inside is not at all what you're expecting. Order number is AUG08 2277, so please tell your local comics retailer.
Finally... this one I'm still being coy about, so, y'know, more to come on in the next few weeks... I give you... The Resistance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETyjUBN6mCc
Thanks for reading gang.
Hey gang,
It's been a busy month leading through Comic-Con, and it doesn't look like it's getting any easier. Three big things for y'all to check out this month.
First off, starting August 4th (or thereabouts) voting begins on Pilot Season once more. This year, I have Alibi, which I did with the AMAZING Jeremy Haun (don't believe me? Go here: http://www.jeremyhaun.com). You guys all came out in big time support for Cyblade last year, so, here's hoping we can get even MORE votes this year. Vote for the book and follow along with the results here: http://www.myspace.com/pilotseason.
If you'd like to help spread the word about Alibi, here's a handy dandy image you can post around. http://www.thefialkov.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/alibi-votead.gif (I think it's more funny than useful, but, well... yknow.)
Secondly, in OTHER Top Cow news, this month's previews has the very first issue of my Cyblade series for order. It's got a cover that already has tongues wagging, and I swear the inside is not at all what you're expecting. Order number is AUG08 2277, so please tell your local comics retailer.
Finally... this one I'm still being coy about, so, y'know, more to come on in the next few weeks... I give you... The Resistance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETyjUBN6mCc
Thanks for reading gang.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121764057720406573.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Rebel Yell
A book tells the story of Nat Turner's uprising -- in cartoon form
By JAMIN BROPHY-WARREN
August 2, 2008; Page W2
On Aug. 21, 1831, a self-educated slave named Nat Turner sparked an uprising in Virginia that left more than 50 adults and children dead and served as one of the opening salvos in the fight to end slavery. Nearly 200 years later, award-winning cartoonist Kyle Baker is exhuming Turner's story and presenting the tale as a graphic novel aimed at readers of all ages.
[comic]
"Nat Turner" uses stark black-and-white graphics to portray Turner and his band of rebel slaves. It follows Turner from childhood to his execution of the bloody revolt.
As a youngster, Mr. Baker had wondered why there were so few details about Nat Turner in his history books. "There are no statues and there's no plaque where the rebellion was," Mr. Baker says.
In 2003, Mr. Baker launched his own publishing company and began researching the uprising and slave conditions before printing "Nat Turner" as a three-part series a year later. (The recent edition collects those comics into book form.) "The thing I thought was preposterous was that people wonder why he did it," he says, noting that the brutal conditions under slave masters were "worse than jail."
"Nat Turner" is a more serious turn for Mr. Baker, who had specialized in lighter fare. Born in the New York borough of Queens, Mr. Baker started his comic career at Marvel Comics as an intern in high school. Mr. Baker went on to work in animation, and also published several graphic novels. His work for DC Comics' "Plastic Man" series won him one of his nine Eisner awards, considered the Oscar of comic books.
[book cover]
"People say history is boring and they don't want it in comics," says Karen Berger, a senior vice president and executive editor for DC Comics, who worked with Mr. Baker on his graphic novel "King David." "He brings such a contemporary take. He can make stories like Nat Turner seem like they happened today."
Mr. Baker's instincts as a visual artist drew him to Nat Turner's story. "I thought it would make a good comic book," says Mr. Baker, noting the story has "lots of visuals, action, and fights." Mr. Baker's most recent series about the Iraq War, "Special Forces," features similarly explosive content.
The artist hopes his book will appeal to young readers. His publisher, Abrams Books, is promoting the story to schools with its other young-adult fare. Mr. Baker says he even passed a copy to his mother at a family reunion. "That was one of my happiest days," he says.
Write to Jamin Brophy-Warren at Jamin.Brophy-Warren@wsj.com
latest kb books: HOW TO DRAW STUPID AND OTHER ESSENTIALS OF CARTOONING
NAT TURNER (Single Volume HC)
THE BAKERS: BABIES & KITTENS
SPECIAL FORCES #1 & #2
coming soon: SPECIAL FORCES #3
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/qualityjollity
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=864950061
blog: http://thebakersanimationcartoons.blogspot.com/
website: http://www.kylebaker.com/
newsletter: http://www.kylebaker.com/www/newsletter/newsletter.htm
Rebel Yell
A book tells the story of Nat Turner's uprising -- in cartoon form
By JAMIN BROPHY-WARREN
August 2, 2008; Page W2
On Aug. 21, 1831, a self-educated slave named Nat Turner sparked an uprising in Virginia that left more than 50 adults and children dead and served as one of the opening salvos in the fight to end slavery. Nearly 200 years later, award-winning cartoonist Kyle Baker is exhuming Turner's story and presenting the tale as a graphic novel aimed at readers of all ages.
[comic]
"Nat Turner" uses stark black-and-white graphics to portray Turner and his band of rebel slaves. It follows Turner from childhood to his execution of the bloody revolt.
As a youngster, Mr. Baker had wondered why there were so few details about Nat Turner in his history books. "There are no statues and there's no plaque where the rebellion was," Mr. Baker says.
In 2003, Mr. Baker launched his own publishing company and began researching the uprising and slave conditions before printing "Nat Turner" as a three-part series a year later. (The recent edition collects those comics into book form.) "The thing I thought was preposterous was that people wonder why he did it," he says, noting that the brutal conditions under slave masters were "worse than jail."
"Nat Turner" is a more serious turn for Mr. Baker, who had specialized in lighter fare. Born in the New York borough of Queens, Mr. Baker started his comic career at Marvel Comics as an intern in high school. Mr. Baker went on to work in animation, and also published several graphic novels. His work for DC Comics' "Plastic Man" series won him one of his nine Eisner awards, considered the Oscar of comic books.
[book cover]
"People say history is boring and they don't want it in comics," says Karen Berger, a senior vice president and executive editor for DC Comics, who worked with Mr. Baker on his graphic novel "King David." "He brings such a contemporary take. He can make stories like Nat Turner seem like they happened today."
Mr. Baker's instincts as a visual artist drew him to Nat Turner's story. "I thought it would make a good comic book," says Mr. Baker, noting the story has "lots of visuals, action, and fights." Mr. Baker's most recent series about the Iraq War, "Special Forces," features similarly explosive content.
The artist hopes his book will appeal to young readers. His publisher, Abrams Books, is promoting the story to schools with its other young-adult fare. Mr. Baker says he even passed a copy to his mother at a family reunion. "That was one of my happiest days," he says.
Write to Jamin Brophy-Warren at Jamin.Brophy-Warren@wsj.com
latest kb books: HOW TO DRAW STUPID AND OTHER ESSENTIALS OF CARTOONING
NAT TURNER (Single Volume HC)
THE BAKERS: BABIES & KITTENS
SPECIAL FORCES #1 & #2
coming soon: SPECIAL FORCES #3
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/qualityjollity
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=864950061
blog: http://thebakersanimationcartoons.blogspot.com/
website: http://www.kylebaker.com/
newsletter: http://www.kylebaker.com/www/newsletter/newsletter.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
