Friday, November 14, 2008

IMAGI STUDIOS ANNOUNCES FIRST “ASTRO BOY” LICENSING DEALS

IDW to publish Astro Boy comic books and graphic novels





Los Angeles (November 14, 2008) – Imagi Studios announced today that it has signed worldwide licensing agreements with IDW Publishing, American Greetings, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., Jazwares Inc., and D3Publisher for Astro Boy, its upcoming CG-animated film based on the adventures of the superhero icon. The studio’s agreement with American Greetings also extends to future Imagi films. Astro Boy, slated for domestic release on October 23, 2009, is being distributed worldwide by Summit Entertainment except for Imagi’s reserved territories of Japan, Hong Kong and China.



“The strategic partnerships with these product category leaders speak volumes about Astro Boy and its reach to fans of all ages around the world,” said Erin Corbett, President, Imagi Studios U.S. “In addition, the ongoing relationship with American Greetings reflects a shared vision for the enduring appeal of our upcoming titles and the characters that bring them to life.”



“The suite of promotions that has formed in support of the worldwide roll out of this wonderful family film is extraordinary,” said Nancy Kirkpatrick, President of Worldwide Marketing for Summit Entertainment. “The blue-chip partners on board are a testament to a high level of early anticipation for this animated adventure.”



American Greetings, one of the world’s largest creators, manufacturers and distributors of social expression products, will create items such as greeting cards, stationery, gift wrap and party goods inspired by Imagi properties.



“Imagi's upcoming films include an array of beloved characters with terrific storylines, which lend themselves perfectly for consumers to celebrate through a number of product formats within the social expression category,” said Michael Brown, VP of Licensing, American Greetings Corporation. “We are excited to be embarking on a long-term alliance with Imagi Studios.”



The innovative children’s toy and activity company Jazwares will be the master toy licensee for Astro Boy.



Penguin, one of the world’s largest trade book publishers, will introduce a full range of Astro Boy publications.



In addition, IDW Publishing will support Astro Boy with comic book and graphic novel titles inspired by the film.



Imagi has also partnered with interactive entertainment software leader D3Publisher to publish and distribute Astro Boy game software.



“We’re thrilled at the prospect of both building the Astro Boy brand and further developing our relationship with Imagi,” said Bill Anker, VP of Business Development and Licensing, North America and Europe, D3P. “Our agreement is an excellent complement to our portfolio and the Astro Boy videogame will be a new way for fans, as well as gamers, to experience this renowned character.”



Imagi Studios and Summit Entertainment, the distributor for Astro Boy, also concurrently announced global marketing partnerships with Striker Entertainment as the exclusive licensing agent for the Astro Boy movie while Rogers & Cowan will serve as the promotional agency.



Licensing veterans Russell Binder and Marc Mostman, working together under the Striker Entertainment banner, will deliver a full-fledged consumer products program on a worldwide basis to mass-market consumers with focus on the core six-to-14 demographic.



Striker Entertainment’s Russell Binder said: “Imagi delivers exceptionally high-quality CG animation with a ton of entertainment value that should naturally translate to toys, videogames, publishing and other key categories. Imagi’s production style, coupled with the global iconic character of Astro Boy, perpetrates a ‘perfect storm’ entertainment brand.”



Rogers & Cowan, a leading entertainment public relations and marketing agency, will facilitate promotional partnerships for Astro Boy.



Tom Tardio, Rogers & Cowan CEO, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Imagi Studios on this high-profile project. The family-friendly appeal of the Astro Boy film positions the franchise as a perfect promotional partner for consumer brands seeking to reach kids of all ages and their parents.”



Set in the future, Imagi Studio’s Astro Boy is a classic superhero origin story about a young robot with incredible powers and his adventure-filled journey in search of his identity and destiny, taking him into a netherworld of robot gladiators before he returns to save Metro City.



David Bowers (Flushed Away) is directing Astro Boy and Maryann Garger is the producer. The all-star cast is headed by Academy Award®-winning actor Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy, Eugene Levy and Donald Sutherland, with Freddie Highmore in the title role. Story is by David Bowers, and Timothy Harris (Kindergarten Cop, Trading Places) wrote the screenplay.



The iconic character Astro Boy has found global popularity since his creation in the early 1950s by Japan’s Osamu Tezuka, known as the “god of manga” and “father of anime”, and has been the hero of three acclaimed animated television series aired around the world.





ABOUT IMAGI STUDIOS



Imagi International Holdings Limited is a listed company [Stock Code 585] on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Imagi Studios’ principal business is the development and production of CG-animated theatrical feature films. Imagi’s first theatrical movie TMNT was released in March 2007, opening #1 in U.S. box office revenue, the first time in history that an Asian animated film achieved that honor. Imagi has development operations in Los Angeles, California, and CG production studios at its Chai Wan (Hong Kong) headquarters.







ABOUT SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT, LLC



Summit Entertainment, LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment also represents international sales for both its own slate and third-party product. Summit Entertainment plans to release 10 to 12 films annually.

About IDW PUBLISHING

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. As a leader in the horror, action, and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry including: television's #1 prime time series CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; Hasbro's The Transformers, and the BBC's Doctor Who. IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. In April 2008, IDW released Michael Recycle, the first title from its new children’s book imprint, Worthwhile Books. More information about the company can be found at http://www.idwpublishing.com.
BOOM! STUDIOS TEAMS WITH MYTHIC ENTERTAINMENT TO OFFER EXCLUSIVE IN-GAME ITEM FOR WARHAMMER® ONLINE: AGE OF RECKONING!


WARHAMMER: CROWN OF DESTRUCTION Readers to Get Explosive New
In-game Item for Critically Acclaimed MMORPG




LOS ANGELES- November 13, 2008 - BOOM! Studios today announced that their upcoming trade paperback, WARHAMMER: CROWN OF DESTRUCTION, includes an exclusive in-game item for Mythic Entertainment's critically acclaimed MMORPG, Warhammer® Online: Age of Reckoning. Each copy of WARHAMMER: CROWN OF DESTRUCTION contains an unique code to unlock the Book of BOOM!, a special item that has an explosive effect on a player's character!

"I'm so happy to bring together the fans of WARHAMMER gaming and WARHAMMER comics," said BOOM! Studios' Games Workshop editor Ian Brill. "BOOM! is all about telling stories with visual art, conveying our tales of adventure and human drama as comics. Video games are interactive stories, and while their interfaces may differ from ours, the goal of escapism and fun is still present. This promotion is meant to expose readers of comics and video games to see what the other side has to offer."

WARHAMMER: CROWN OF DESTRUCTION is BOOM! Studios' third series from the blood-soaked WARHAMMER battlefield. Greatsword Frohlich, last seen in FORGE OF WAR, leads his men into a clash with the bloodthirsty Skaven. What seemed like just another test of Sigmar's power reveals itself to be more.

Written by Kieron Gillen, gaming journalist and author of PHONOGRAM, and drawn with spell-bounding digital images by newcomer Dwayne Harris, CROWN OF DESTRUCTION takes WARHAMMER fans and fantasy readers deep into the darkest depths of the WARHAMMER universe!

The WARHAMMER: CROWN OF DESTRUCTION trade paperback is currently available for pre-order from Diamond Comics Distributors (order code NOV083878.)


To find a comic store near you click: http://www.comicshops.us


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.


Games Workshop, Warhammer, Warhammer Online, Age of Reckoning, and all associated marks, names, races, race insignia, characters, vehicles, locations, units, illustrations and images from the Warhammer world are either ®,  and/or © Games Workshop Ltd 2000-2008. Used under license by Electronic Arts Inc. All Rights Reserved.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective licensors.
RADICAL PUBLISHING

MIAMI SIGNING EVENT


WHO: SAM SARKAR, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT FOR JOHNNY DEPP’S INFINITUM NIHIL & CREATOR OF CALIBER

WHAT: TO HOST RADICAL PUBLISHING BOOK SIGNING AT 5TH ANNUAL MIAMI BOOK FAIR INTERNATIONAL

WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH—SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH

10:00AM-6:00PM


WHERE: Booth 117, Comix Galaxy, Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus


Breakthrough graphic novel publisher Radical Publishing is proud to announce its participation in this year’s 25th annual 2008 Miami Book Fair International taking place Friday, November 14th—Sunday, November 16th, 2008 at Booth 117 on Miami Dade College's Wolfson Campus. All three days, visit Radical’s booth for a signing and meet & greet with entertainment industry veteran Sam Sarkar (creator and writer of Caliber, and director of development for Johnny Depp's production company Infinitum Nihil), and find out what new Fall titles are under Radical Publishing’s sleeve. Friday, November 14th: FREE. Saturday, November 15th & Sunday, November 16th: FREE with Admission to the Street Fair ($5.00 for 19+, FREE for 18 and under).


LOS ANGELES SIGNING EVENT


WHO: SAM SARKAR, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT FOR JOHNNY DEPP’S INFINITUM NIHIL & CREATOR OF CALIBER

WHAT: TO HOST RADICAL PUBLISHING BOOK SIGNING AND COMICS DISCUSSION AT BARNES & NOBLE

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH

7:30PM


WHERE: BARNES & NOBLE – THE GROVE

189 Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323. 525. 0270


Breakthrough graphic novel publisher Radical Publishing is proud to debut the release of Caliber, its latest graphic novel masterpiece, with a special signing and comics discussion on Wednesday, 19 November 2008 at 7:30PM with entertainment industry veteran Sam Sarkar (creator and writer of Caliber, and director of development for Johnny Depp's production company Infinitum Nihil) located at Barnes & Noble at The Grove on 189 Grove Drive. Find out what new Fall titles are under Radical Publishing’s sleeve and secure your own copy of Radical’s latest comic book property at this live, in-store event. A must-see calendar event for all comic and graphic novel fanatics. Admission is FREE.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAM SARKAR
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sam Sarkar is a 23-year veteran of the entertainment industry. He began his career as an actor and was one of the leads on the long-running, syndicated television series “Neon Rider”. Following the series, Sam decided to pursue writing and worked for the hit television series “Beverly Hills 90210”. Stemming from his work on the show, he also co-wrote a television pilot for Spelling Entertainment under the direct guidance of TV legend Aaron Spelling. Deciding then to embark on feature films, Sam took some chances, following a varied path of writing screenplays and working as a sound technician. In 2004, after working on several films with actor Johnny Depp, Sam was asked to help run Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil, headed by Christi Dembrowski. As such, he continues to serve the varied needs of Hollywood as an executive, producer and writer. Caliber is his first graphic novel.

RADICAL PUBLISHING
In a world of publishing where the market is always hungry for the next fresh property, one new publisher is looking to shake things up and deliver exciting new creative products with a bold new business approach. Aptly named, Radical Publishing leverages its experienced leadership, dynamic crew and unique business infrastructure to create that vital connection. Founded by Barry Levine, Jesse Berger, David Elliott and Matthew Berger, Radical Publishing is a manufacturer of the next generation of premium comic book products, with a focus on high-concept stories and art by the top breakthrough talent. Radical has already made significant strides even within its first year, and its success so far continues to encourage the loyalty of a roster of A-list creators as they reap the benefits of success as part of this brave new offering. The quality of the work ensures a longer shelf life for each property as a collective library of intellectual properties.

In no way limited to print, Radical's unique business model extends the influence of its properties into new realms that include merchandise (Radical Toyz), children's books (Radical Kidz), and motion picture adaptations (Radical Pictures) that have formed established relationships with companies like Lion Rock Entertainment, Bad Hat Harry Productions, and Johnny Depp's Infinitum Nihil, among numerous others. This year, Radical is also joined by the Asian property foundry Storm Lion. Based in Singapore and led by Edmund Shern, Storm Lion represents the next-gen approach to publishing and entertainment, with titles designed to appeal to Asian and international audiences in comics, books and anime.

Barry Levine is a founding member, President and Publisher at Radical Publishing, set up to introduce the next generation of the comic book medium via a multi-vertical, intellectual property brokerage business model for all media sectors. Levine is widely regarded as one of the top handful of executives in the comics-to-film world that combines expertise in both sourcing as well as producing high-concept filmed media from comic book properties. He is currently producing with Peter Berg and Film 44 on the Radical Comics project Hercules for Universal Studios/Spyglass Entertainment and with Bryan Singer and Bad Hat Harry Productions on the Radical Comics project Freedom Formula. Prior to Radical Publishing, Levine was a producer with a first look deal in the comics-to-film entertainment division of Dark Horse Comics, the largest independent comic book publisher in the world. In his three-year tenure, he set up nine Dark Horse comic book properties as film or television properties with nearly every major studio, including Universal, Sony, Paramount/MTV Films, Warner Bros. and Disney/Miramax. Levine's producing credits include New Line's “Detroit Rock City”, as well as “Driftwood” and “Splinter” under Dark Horse Entertainment independent. Mr. Levine is currently set to produce “Rex Mundi”, with Johnny Depp attached to star, and is an Executive Producer on “R.I.P.D” at Universal. Levine started working in the motion picture business in 1987 as a music supervisor, and worked on such films as “Driving Miss Daisy”, “Guilty By Suspicion”, “Judge Dredd”, “Street Fighter” and “Die Hard With A Vengeance”. Mr. Levine's career began as one of the top rock photographers in the world, photographing the major bands of the 1970s and ’80s including KISS, Motley Crue, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Beatles, Elton John and hundreds others.
It’s So . . . Baylis!
Comics writer’s funny So Buttons digs into heart-touching topics ranging from Dad to Dachau to dating

"Don't let Baylis fool you. Yes, his comics are funny, but I read them for the quiet, human moments that will stick with you long after you've finished reading."

Xeric award winner Nick Bertozzi (The Salon and Houdini: The Handcuff King)



“Baylis' observations and anecdotes are amusing and revealing.”

Sequart.com



“A fun comic. Jonathan is a writer to keep an eye on.”

Xeric award winner Scott Mills (Cells)



These experts are talking about So Buttons, a new comic book by writer Jonathan Baylis. His tales -- personal yet accessible to anyone who’s struggled through growing up -- are "a promising collection of collaborations… transitioning somehow seamlessly from interracial porn to the musical Annie,” according to Jeffrey Brown, comics creator for McSweeney’s and Drawn & Quarterly.



Joining Baylis on So Buttons are three gifted artists. Says comics blogger Shannon Smith, “Each artist has a distinct style from the others, but they all make good comics.”

• T.J. Kirsch has drawn for publishers ranging from Archie Comics to Slave Labor Graphics. He’s most recently worked on Uncle Slam Fights Back! with writer Ande Parks for Oni Press.

• David Beyer Jr. has worked on Image Comics’ Tales of the Starlight Drive-In and his own strip, “The Twisted Adventures of Stinko.”

• Mr. Alan is a man of mystery.



So Buttons’ stories include:

• “So . . . My Dad Got Drafted?”, a tale of surprising family secrets.

• “So . . . Racist?”, which delves into unconscious levels of racism.

• “So . . . The Sun Won’t Come Out Tomorrow,” about Annie’s odd power.

• “So . . . I’m Dating a Comic” and “So . . . She Moved in with Me Anyway,” strips revealing why comedy is easy but dating is hard.

• “So . . . Heaven Smells Like Bacon,” a slice of life in a diner.


• And the finale, “So . . . Only Nixon Could Go to China,” covering the Jewish Baylis’ trip to Europe -- and, in particular, to Dachau.

So Buttons is on sale now, and Baylis is available for interviews. For more information, visit http://www.sobuttons.com.
PRESS RELEASE - SHADOWLINE COLLECTS SOLD-OUT SERIAL KILLER DRIVEN MINI-SERIES, THE ROBERTS, THIS FEBRUARY!The complete mini-series is finally available once again!

13 November 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Following a total sell out of each issue, Image Comics Shadowline's serial killer thriller by writer Justin Shady (aka Wayne Chinsang) and artist Erik Rose, THE ROBERTS, comes collected this February!
"THE ROBERTS' collected edition is going to be a major treat to both the fans of the series and those who have yet to discover it," said Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino. "We've jam-packed the trade with both sold out issues and nearly fifty pages of brand-new extras! It's the perfect time to catch up on Shadowline's newest sleeper hit!"

THE ROBERTS reveals the final fate of the infamous Zodiac Killer and The Boston Strangler as they live out their last days in The Shady Lane Retirement Center. While they've been able to live their lives anonymously from their fellow retirees, one reveals his long-kept secret to the other and may have no option other than to give in to his instinct to murder. In addition, the fifty pages of extras include Chinsang's never-before-seen personal correspondences with real life serial killers Richard Ramirez and Charles Manson.

THE ROBERTS TP, a 144-page black & white tradepaperback for $14.99, will be available February 11th, 2009.

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.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

JACK AND BENNY RETURN TO THE BOOKSHELF!

Following closely on the success of the first volume of his new graphic adventure series, Matthew Loux brings us the second installment with SALT WATER TAFFY VOL. 2: A CLIMB UP MT. BARNABAS. In stores this week and with a third volume already in the works, critics are convinced that the American Library Association & YALSA award winning Matthew Loux is here to stay. Read what they're saying about Loux and his amazing all ages series SALT WATER TAFFY!

Good Comics For Kids
“[Saltwater Taffy] will delight kids and parents equally.” -GoodComicsForKids.com

Aint It Cool News Review
“Matthew Loux does a great job of recreating that feeling of a pair of city boys on vacation with their parents, looking at everything with wide eyes and disbelief … It’s the kind of story that tweaks the imagination … Anyone who has ever longed for that feeling of innocence and wonder, of childhood vacations and adventures with family, should check this one out.” - Ambush Bug AintItCool.com

ReadAboutComics.com.
“…I can’t help but think that kids will be just [as] entranced by Loux’s graphic novel as I was by my books back in the day …a book that could be used almost as a lesson in how to properly pace a story. Not a single one of its 96 pages are wasted … Loux packs a lot of fun into this book, and with each new twist and turn it just gets more and more entertaining. You’ll read it quickly not because it’s short, but rather because it’s hard to not want to read it as fast as you can… so that you can go back to the first page and start all over again. Fun, fun, fun from start to finish. More, please.” -ReadAboutComics.com

Eye On Comics
“This is an adorable little book, and it actually lives up to the label “all ages,” normally associated with comics that are really just for kids alone.” –Don MacPherson.

Johnny Bacardi Show
“…you’ll find yourself having a good time with this story of a giant lobster with sinister designs on not only the surface world but his own fellow lobsters as well, and how the boys team up with a wizened old fisherman to battle it ... First of what appears to be a very enjoyable series. A-“
-Johnny Bacardi Show
Brand-New Episode This Friday Is Just

the Beginning of CLONE WARS Excitement



In addition to a brand-new episode this Friday, “Duel of the Droids,” there is a lot of excitement around STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS – not the least of which is the addition of a new Saturday morning encore presentation. At 9:30 a.m. each Saturday, Cartoon Network will re-air the previous evening’s 30-minute episode. As fans know, a new episode premieres every Friday at 9 p.m..



And after each week’s premiere, StarWars.com continues the CLONE WARS excitement. Complementing each episode is an online comic, exclusive to StarWars.com and written by Star Wars expert Pablo Hidalgo. Four different artists offer unique and intriguing interpretations of the signature style of Lucasfilm Animation, and the stories serve as a “prequel” to individual episodes, showcasing the backstory that precedes the on-screen action.



The online comics are available only at StarWars.com, which debuts a new story every Monday.



For fans who can't wait for the Cartoon Network encore airings throughout the week, each episode is also available as streaming video on both StarWars.com and CartoonNetwork.com beginning at 12 a.m. Saturday. Both sites offer two streaming episodes at a time, so you never have to miss a moment of the action-packed, animated excitement of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS.



Fans also have an opportunity to put the lightsaber in their hands and play the CLONE WARS adventures in Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels on Wii and Star Wars The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance on Nintendo DS, available this week in stores nationwide.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Friends-

Issue 22 of CWR is here, and this time out, we have something a little different: a look at the nation’s economy and how it affects comics buyers… and creators. Here's what we’ve got for you:

Rob Osborne interviewed! The writer and artist of 1000 STEPS TO WORLD DOMINATION, SUNSET CITY, and THE NEARLY INFAMOUS LORD ZANGO discusses the pamphlets vs. trades phenomenon and how the financial crunch has put his self-publishing plans on hold:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/robosborne.html

Reviews of ALAN’S WAR, CITY OF DUST, LABOR DAYS, GOTHS CAGE, LOVE AND ROCKETS and more:
http://reviews.comicswaitingroom.com

New CWRtv! Elliott Serrano hits the airwaves with a bombardment against some Marvel madness:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/cwrtv.html

Matt Maxwell says “not so fast” about $4 comics meaning doom. After all, IDW and Boom have been pricing themselves there and continuing to grow along the way:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/fullbleed31.html

Marc Mason says it’s time to give up on the floppy format:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/mason22.html

Avril Brown says that comics show us the way we should be treating strangers, and that’s with kindness:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/avril22.html

Vince Moore is saddened by the Prop. 8 mess in California:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/vince28.html

Bryan Miller wonders if price increases will lead to a homogenization of the product on comics stores shelves:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/miller3.html

Jocelyn Saddler looks at FINAL CRISIS and wonders if it was specifically designed to bankrupt the fanboy set:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/bb2.html

Jess Blackshear finds hope for the American dream in the form of her Canadian father-in-law:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/jess14.html

CONTEST: Do you think you can BE Alan Moore? Prove it and win a copy of the MINDSCAPE OF ALAN MOORE DVD:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/toc.html

All wrapped in the usual, excellent, Elliott Serrano-designed cover, featuring a Rob Osborne drawn monkey hanging off of the economic cliff:
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
PRESS RELEASE - IMAGE COMICS' LIBERTY COMICS RAISES NEARLY $27,000 FOR THE COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND!LIBERTY COMICS anthology raises nearly $27,000 for The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund!

12 November, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This past summer, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Corporate Member Image Comics teamed up with an all-star roster of talent for LIBERTY COMICS, a special anthology benefiting the Fund, and raised nearly $27,000 for the organization's important work!

"The CBLDF couldn't defend our field's First Amendment rights if it weren't for the efforts of our supporters, and LIBERTY COMICS is an incredible example of that principle in action," CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein said. "The Fund is a team effort that only exists because of the efforts of the whole industry -- from publishers and creators to retailers and fans. With this project, members of each of those communities stepped up to speak up with one voice in support of the Fund's work., and we're tremendously grateful for their efforts. "

The now sold-out anthology, conceived by editor Scott Dunbier, included a star-studded line-up of contributors and characters from across the industry including: HELLBOY by Mike Mignola, DANGER GIRL by J. Scott Campbell, THE BOYS by Garth Ennis & Darick Robertson, CRIMINAL by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips, and original shorts by Mark Millar, Darwyn Cooke, John Paul Leon, Art Adams, Rick Veitch, Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier. All creators donated their work, with Image and Diamond Comic Distributors donating all of their proceeds from the sold out anthology to raise a grand total of $26,967.56.

The donation is part of Image Comics' continual support for the CBLDF in addition to their regular donations as a Corporate Member, the San Diego Comic Con fundraiser they co-host every year and the many efforts the publisher puts out to protect the freedoms of retailer and creator alike. This December readers will have a second chance to support the Fund as a second printing, featuring an all-new Thor cover by acclaimed series artist Walter Simonson, will hit stands.

Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson added, "We couldn't be more proud to support the CBLDF and their never-ending battle to defend our medium's first amendment rights. Considering Image's place in the industry as a bastion of independent, creator-owned comics, we feel they're one of the most important institutions in the industry and look to support them at every chance we get."

LIBERTY COMICS #1 2nd. ptg (OCT082259), a 32-page full color comic book for $3.99, will be available in stores December 3rd, 2008.

Image Comics is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. There are currently 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.
IDW’S ONE AND ONLY

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION SALE,

DECEMBER 6, 10 AM – 3 PM





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE







(San Diego, November 12, 2008) IDW Publishing is holding its first ever sale of comic books and graphic novels at its San Diego headquarters on Saturday, December 6, 10 am – 3 pm. This is a fantastic opportunity for comic book collectors to scoop up some real bargains and hunt down some rare titles they may have missed, including some limited editions and signed copies – all at bargain prices. There will be surprises and giveaways with every purchase.


A number of comic book creators will be on hand offering free autographs on their work, including Ben Templesmith (Wormwood, 30 Days of Night), Chris Ryall (Clive Barker’s The Great and Secret Show, Zombies vs. Robots), and Chris Mowry (Transformers).



The sale gives IDW a chance to thank fans for their continued support and for helping with the company’s phenomenal growth over the past few years. IDW was recently ranked No. 4 comic book publisher in the United States by Diamond Comic Distributors.



The sale is primarily intended to free up space in IDW’s warehouse for the company’s expanded and exciting line up of titles in 2009.



“Our warehouse manager is literally buried,” says IDW’s Chief Operating Officer, Greg Goldstein. “After 10 years of publishing, it’s only natural that the boxes have piled up because of accidental print overruns, books that were set aside as office copies, books intended for reviewers and others earmarked for promotional purposes. Time to get them out of here.”



The sale will be held in IDW’s parking lot, 5080 Santa Fe St, San Diego, CA 92109.



IDW is offering new comics for $1 each (Reg. $3.99 cover). Titles include — subject to availability — 30 Days of Night, Transformers, Star Trek, Wormwood, Spike, Fallen Angel, Dr. Who, Scarface, Gene Simmons, Metal Gear Solid, Clive Barker, Zombies vs. Robots, and CSI.

Trade paperbacks / collections will be $5 each (Reg. $19.95-$24.95 each).


Other books, comics and magazines will be up to 80% OFF cover price.


Most items are brand new; some with nicks and dings.


There will also be some limited edition and signed editions TBD, along with special surprises.


For example:

· Signed and numbered, limited edition copies of Clive Barker’s Thief of Always (hardcover) only $10!

· Limited edition Zombies vs. Robots Bertie statue regularly priced at $350 will be reduced to $250.



(All prices are in effect day of sale only and are not applicable online.)

Giveaways with every purchase.

Cash or major credit cards accepted; no checks.



About IDW Publishing

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. As a leader in the horror, action, and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry including: television's #1 prime time series CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; Hasbro's The Transformers, and the BBC's Doctor Who. IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. In April 2008, IDW released Michael Recycle, the first title from its new children’s book imprint, Worthwhile Books. More information about the company can be found at http://www.idwpublishing.com.
NEW YORK, NY – This Thanksgiving, MONSTERS HD cordially invites viewers to cozy up to a gaggle of zombies -- and we don’t mean your musty relatives -- for the network’s traditional undead buffet with all the trimmings: “Thanksgiving Day of the Dead.” This year, on top of the 24/7 zombie thrills, the undead are also being unleashed online with the MONSTERSHD.COM (www.MONSTERSHD.com) premieres of the George Romero cult classic Day of the Dead and the neo-classic, The Rage, from director and special-effects master, Robert Kurtzman. So, this holiday, while everyone else is gobbling turkey, sink your teeth into “the other white meat” with these tasty zombie offerings, premiering on November 27.




DAY OF THE DEAD (1985)

In this George Romero-directed installment, zombies have taken over the country, except for a small group of scientists and military personnel who reside in an underground bunker/ government lab. As they race to find a “cure,” disturbing facts are revealed, pitting soldiers against scientists and, of course, zombies. Preceded by Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, and succeeded by Land of the Dead, Romero cites this film as his personal favorite –even making a cameo as one of zombies. Day of the Dead garnered a 1986 Saturn Award for Tom Savini for best make-up from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films.




THE RAGE (2007)

Robert Kurtzman, behind one of the top make-up and effects shops in the business and such films as From Dusk Till Dawn, Vampires, Cabin Fever, Hostel and The Devil’s Rejects, deftly utilizes his genre skills in The Rage, which he co-wrote and directed. In this gory take on the zombie genre, a mad scientist (Andrew Divoff) experiments with a rage-inducing virus on innocent victims. When these victims escape, they have a new found appetite for human flesh -- as do the mutant vultures that feed on the rage-infected humans. Reggie Bannister (Phantasm series), the “hardest working man in the horror genre”, co-stars in a film Dread Central calls a “new splatter classic”.




About MONSTERS HD

It’s Alive! Launched in October 2003, MONSTERS HD (www.monstershd.com) is television’s first and only, definitive channel dedicated to the popular horror & creature feature category. From the classic horrors of Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman to prehistoric giants like King Kong and Godzilla, to supernatural terrors like The Evil Dead and The Exorcist to the modern maniacs of Freddy, Jason Michael and Leatherface. MONSTERS HD also goes behind the screams with Monsterama, the channel’s original series hosted by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Monsterama focuses on every aspect of monster movie mania imaginable. From Hollywood special effects, creature shops and monster make-up to the latest creature collectibles, conventions and upcoming theatrical, DVD and video game releases. MONSTERS HD’s Monsterama series has fright fans glued to their seats and drooling with delight with the eerie sights on display shot in stunning high definition.
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People builds to big finish with episodes featuring Dangeresque and Trogdor

New episode set to release November 17 on PC and WiiWare, followed by "burninating" season finale



SAN RAFAEL, CA, November 11, 2008 – Starring in a popular web cartoon wasn't enough. Strong Bad, who has been answering fan emails on Homestarrunner.com since 2001, has crossed over to dominate PC and WiiWare™ gaming in Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, an episodic series created by Sam & Max developers Telltale, Inc., and Homestarrunner.com creators Mike and Matt Chapman. Starting this month, the Strong Bad game series is barreling to an exciting climax with two episodes featuring the franchise's most iconic characters: Dangeresque, a crooked cop in pursuit of glory, justice (sort of), and big sacks of cash, and Trogdor, the one-armed, fire-breathing dragon who burninates peasants across the land.



First up is Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective, Strong Bad's oft-delayed cinematic oeuvre, set to release on November 17. The final installment in a series of low-budget action flicks starring, written by, and directed by Strong Bad, Dangeresque 3 has been teased on Homestarrunner.com for over five years. Unlike the first two "movies," which took the form of online cartoons, Telltale's Dangeresque 3 game places you inside the film in the role of the title character, with Homestar Runner, Bubs, The Cheat, Strong Mad, and the rest of the Homestarrunner.com crew rounding out the cast. Complete with shaky camera shots, flubbed lines, and awkward post-production editing, Dangeresque 3 provides the humorous, homemade movie experience Strong Bad fans have come to expect, plus an added layer of interactivity.



In Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective, what starts as a simple job to recover a long-lost formula morphs into a high-stakes race to save the world from certain destruction at the hands of Dangeresque's unhinged nemesis, Uzi Bazooka. The filmic fantasy is maintained throughout the game, down to the inclusion of interactive "deleted scenes" accessible only after the main storyline has been completed. The original Dangeresque cartoons and a preview of the upcoming game can be viewed at www.dangeresque3.com.



Then comes Trogdor! If you've ever snickered at a Homestarrunner.com cartoon, you probably recognize the name. After months of speculation, Telltale is confirming that the infamous one-armed dragon plays a role in the fifth and final Strong Bad episode. A first glimpse of the menacing Burninator—as well as another surprise for longtime Homestarrunner.com fans—can be seen starting on November 17, in the preview video included with Dangeresque 3.



Like episodes of a television sitcom, the Strong Bad games are self-contained and new players can jump into the series with any episode. The first three Strong Bad episodes are available now, for PC from www.telltalegames.com/strongbad, or for the Wii™ console through the Wii Shop Channel. Fans anticipating the upcoming Dangeresque 3 release can preorder the PC version from Telltale, either individually or as part of a 5-episode season pass.





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.
NEW FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA TO BE FEATURED IN A COMIC BOOK

The life of America’s future first lady, Michelle Obama, will be the subject of the latest chapter of Bluewater Productions' ongoing "Female Force" comic series. The book will follow Obama, a Princeton- and Harvard-educated lawyer, from her youth on the South Side of Chicago to her community, civic service and private-sector career successes through the 2008 presidential campaign and election day. The book is scheduled for release in April 2009.

"Mrs. Obama is a dynamic force and one of the most influential women in the world,” said Bluewater Productions President Darren G. Davis. "Her potential influence on future policy decisions makes her a fascinating figure to feature.”

"In creating an image of our new first lady, Michelle Obama, it was my goal to represent her class, beauty and intelligence," said artist Vinnie Tartamella. "I hope I reflected these qualities and characteristics in this historical piece. I'm truly honored to have been asked to create this."

The latest addition to the "Female Force" series follows the biographies of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, announced earlier this year. “Female Force” comic books showcase influential women who are making and shaping modern history. The “Hillary Clinton: Female Force” comic book is available for order through Diamond Distributors, order code NOV083848 F.
R2-D2's inner workings revealed in Friday's

episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS



What is R2-D2 made of? Audiences will find out, both literally and figuratively, in "Duel of the Droids," an all-new episode of the hit animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Nov. 14, on Cartoon Network.



In the episode, Anakin, Ahsoka and replacement droid R3-S6 (aka "Goldie") embark on a dual rescue/sabotage mission when they discover R2-D2 is being held at General Grievous's secret enemy listening post.



Writer Kevin Campbell ("Disney's House of Mouse," "Jackie Chan Adventures") created a little extra work for the Lucasfilm Animation crew when he used the unusually vivid word "splayed" to describe how R2-D2's internal mechanisms would be removed and exhibited across an examining table. That gave the production team ample opportunity to delve into Artoos’s inner workings, as well as to have a little fun at director Rob Coleman’s expense.



"Dave (Filoni) and the designers – particularly Killian Plunkett – figured out what was actually inside Artoo," Coleman says. "He's the ultimate Swiss Army knife, and we all love the myriad things that come out of him, but having to build and animate all of that is another story. Lucasfilm Animation's Gary Scheppke got a box full of 'Artoo bits,' and the modelers – basing it off the actual hardware – crammed it into the model inside the computer. There are definitely some recognizable pieces on that table from the films, as well as all the things that show up for the first time in this episode – a cutter wheel, suction cups, etc. Then they animated in a few things like a pea shooter and a boxing glove just to get my attention. They're funny guys."



Campbell says he took pride in the opportunity to add some history for Artoo and his capabilities, showing some aspects of the droid that audiences haven't seen before.



"I love that we’re adding back story to the back story. We discover that when Princess Leia hides the Death Star plans inside Artoo in Episode IV, it's not the first time he's been entrusted with important information," Campbell says. "I also like that we get to play with Anakin's emotional side. The Jedi are saying he gets too attached, that he's willing to risk everything to get Artoo back. He's a Jedi, and yet he assigns sentimental value to an inanimate object. I can relate to that, because that's real loyalty."
AWARD-WINNING WEBCOMIC COMES TO PRINT COMICS THIS MONTH FROM IDW PUBLISHING



The Dreamer: Adventure, Romance, War... 1776 is back!


(November 10, 2008) San Diego, CA—Lora Innes’s webcomic, The Dreamer, transported the reader back to our nation’s rocky conception at the beginning of the American Revolution, and now the award-winning series will be released as printed comic books for the first time.


The Dreamer will be released as a six-issue miniseries starting this month. Issue #1 reaches comics retailers on November 12th. Each issue will include Lora Innes’s original cover art, as well as new covers painted by Jenny Frison.



The Dreamer is equal parts 18th-century adventure and 21st-century teenage slice-of-life tale. It is the story of 17-year-old Beatrice Whaley, a wealthy high school senior who lives in Boston and aspires to a career on Broadway. But her plans for her future are rudely interrupted by the past when she awakes from a vivid and unforgettable dream about a soldier in a redcoat. As the dreams continue, always starting where the last one ended, she attempts to keep the two worlds separate until they begin to overlap. She has no choice but to become involved and finds herself fighting for her life next to Knowlton’s Rangers in the largest battle of 1776. The Dreamer tells a story of the American Revolution with acclaimed historical accuracy through the eyes of Knowlton’s Rangers, a group of ordinary men turned citizen soldiers--farmers, school teachers and young boys--and reminds us that the fate of America was anything but certain.



Launched as a webcomic in the summer of 2007, The Dreamer very quickly gained a huge cult following online. It debuted in the top 50 of Top Web Comics, soared upward and has held a healthy spot on the listing for a year. Just five months after it began its weekly update schedule, The Dreamer was nominated in the Web Cartoonists’ Choice Awards as the “Outstanding Newcomer Comic” of 2008. Later that same year, it won three awards at the Drunk Duck Awards, the largest community of online comics on the web: “Best Adventure Story,” “Best Digital Art” and “Best Romance,” and was nominated in three other categories. The Dreamer has quickly gained a reputation amongst readers and creators as one of the highest quality webcomics in terms of both artwork and story—an opinion reflected by IDW Publishing in their decision to collect and publish The Dreamer.



The Dreamer counts among its diverse readership teachers, historical re-enactors, high school and college girls and more. “The web has made comics accessible to entirely new demographics of people who never would have dreamed of buying comic books before they added that first webcomic to their morning RSS feed,” says creator Lora Innes, “So if these people can find great, compelling stories that capture their heart on the web, I can’t help but believe that their attitude toward print comics won’t be changed. I see the webcomics experiment bringing in a whole new readership to print comics, and frankly, I’m excited to be a part of it.”



The Dreamer #1 (Diamond Order Code SEP08 4131), a 32-page $3.99 full-color comic, will be in stores on November 12, 2008.



About IDW
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, Calif. As a leader in the horror, action, and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry including: television's #1 prime time series CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; Hasbro's The Transformers, and the BBC's Doctor Who. IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. In April 2008, IDW released Michael Recycle, the first title from its new children's book imprint, Worthwhile Books. More information about the company can be found at http://www.idwpublishing.com.
PRESS RELEASE - THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE ANNOUNCES SAVAGE DRAGON IS BACK IN BLUE WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA!Erik Larsen's seminal creation returns to the Chicago police force after a twelve year absence and President-elect Obama is there to bring him on board!

11 November 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Earlier this morning The Chicago Tribune's RedEye announced Erik Larsen's famed Image Comics superhero, SAVAGE DRAGON, would be returning to the Chicago Police Force after a twelve year absence with Barack Obama there to greet him in his first comic book appearance as the President-elect!
"Writing and drawing Savage Dragon as a cop after nearly twelve years feels good--it feels right," Larsen told the Tribune. "It's a homecoming of sorts and it's a joy to be back."

SAVAGE DRAGON's announcement in the Tribune's RedEye included an exclusive comic strip featuring Chicago's other beloved adopted son, President-elect Barack Obama, congratulating Dragon on his new position. The appearance will be printed in March's SAVAGE DRAGON #145, also the issue in which Savage Dragon returns to the police force.

SAVAGE DRAGON #145, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be available in stores March 25th, 2009. The full article is available at http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-111108-serranocolumn,0,6738591.column.

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.
For Immediate release. Famed comic artist and Crow Creator James O'Barr's First Gallery Show



An evening with James O'Barr showcases 30 original pen and ink drawings and paintings Saturday November 15th at 6pm. O'Barr most know for his creation turned major motion picture the Crow has spent 20 years in the comic industry perfecting his unique style and art.



This is the second in a series of gallery shows featuring famous comic artists hosted by Zeus Comics and Popsyndicate.com.



The show starts at 6pm and runs until 9pm on Saturday November 15th at Zeus Comics in Uptown. The event is free and open to the public. All artwork is available for purchase.



Zeus Comics is located at 4411 Lemmon Avenue in Dallas. For information contact Zeus Comics at 214-219-8697 or visit http:/www.popsyndicate.com/

Monday, November 10, 2008

Hey gang,
Long time no weekly update. In the weeks in between, I'm sure you've all been checking out the weekly episodes of The Resistance at lg15.com. If not, you can get caught up extra easy on the front page of www.thefialkov.com.

As part of the show, we're heading to Boston at the end of next week. Anybody who's in town who wants to meet up, or take part in our live event should drop me a line, and I'll get you some more info.

And finally, in stores this week, the comics debut of screenwriting wunderkin, Fialkov wedding best man, and all around good guy Mark Wheaton (ably supported by yours truly) in The Cleaners from Dark Horse Comics. It'll be at your local retailer this wedneday, or, you can order (and preview) the first issue at this link: http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/15-214/The-Cleaners-1

So, that's it. Hope all of y'all are doing well, and, looking forward to catching up with any of y'all in my old stomping grounds.

See you next week,

j.
www.thefialkov.com
www.lg15.com
Hi !

We're excited about two new DVDs we've added to our collection, just in time for the holidays!

#1 is "FOCUS: The Collected Filmstrips of Brian Dewan," a whimsical, mysterious, sometimes dark and always wonderfully illustrated collection of over 12 filmstrips handmade with narration and soundtrack by the artist and musician, Brian Dewan. The run time is just about 2 hours.

We are offering 2 versions: the regular DVD and a special limited edition, which includes a signed letterpress print of "More Than One Way to Skin a Cat." There are only 100 copies of the limited edition, so act soon before they're gone forever.

#2 is "The Wonderful World of Kittens" is a widely appealing DVD of just plain kitten footage. Kittens frolicking, playing, sleeping, eating, rolling around and being amazingly cute. With 45 minutes of footage, the kittens are accompanied by a funkadelic soundtrack by Brian Dewan.

Both of these DVDs have an official release date of December 1st, but since you are on our special mailing list, you can get them from us now.

Please visit our site - http://www.brightredrocket.com - for additional info and to order.

Thanks and Happy Autumn!

Cecilia
Bright Red Rocket
http://www.brightredrocket.com
Sequart Research & Literacy Organization's Teenagers from the Future: Essays on the Legion of Super-Heroes is now available for order through comic shops. (The order code is NOV084474.)

The book, edited by Timothy Callahan (Grant Morrison: The Early Years), is currently listed in November's Previews catalog. Sequart is also pleased to announce that Teenagers from the Future was chosen as the top Featured Item in the books section of the catalog. You can see the online Previews listing here.

Teenagers, sporting a foreword by Matt Fraction and an afterword by Barry Lyga, has a wide array of essays, including:

"The Death and Resurrection of Lightning Lad," by Richard Bensam
"The (Often Arbitrary) Rules of the Legion," by Chris Sims
"The Legion's Super-Science," by James Kakalios
"Architecture and Utopia," by Sara K. Ellis
"Thomas, Altman, Levitz, and the 30th Century," by Timothy Callahan
"Revisionism, Experimentation, and Dystopia in Giffen's Legion," by Julian Darius
"Gender Identity and Homosexuality in the Legion," by Alan Williams
"The Racial Politics of the Legion of Super-Heroes," by Jae Bryson
…and ten more, covering the whole of Legion history.

This collection (softcover, 6"x9", 344 pgs, B&W, $26.95 cover price), written by fans and scholars alike, is as diverse as Legion history. No Legion fan or comics scholar should go without this critical celebration of the Legion.

But please don't count on your store to order copies -- most stores won't. The best thing you can do is to order copies in advance by telling your local retailer that you want them to get a copy for you. Because we're buried in the catalog, it might help to give your local retailer the book's order code, which is NOV084474.

Legal Disclaimer: the Legion of Super-Heroes and related characters are trademarks of DC Comics. This book is not endorsed by DC Comics.