IDW Goes Digital with iPhone Comic Book Applications

Debuts new ePublishing initiative with digital TRANSFORMERS comics



San Diego, CA (June 18, 2009) – IDW Publishing is proud to announce today the release of its new line of digital comic applications, allowing fans to download comics directly to their iPhone or iPod Touch, The company’s TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN movie prequels and adaptation comics, under license from Hasbro, Inc., are the first wave of IDW’s own digital applications.

“E-publishing is clearly becoming an important part of the comics world, and IDW is leading the way,” said company CEO Ted Adams. “With these new apps, people who have never even been to a comic book store can now begin enjoying this great medium in a whole new way.”

The twelve new movie-related digital comics are a must-read for all TRANSFORMERS fan, setting the stage for TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, this summer’s next blockbuster film. In Alliance, readers journey across the globe as humans and AUTOBOTS join forces to defend Earth against the DECEPTICON threat. The very origins of CYBERTRON are revealed in Defiance, fully preparing fans for TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, which picks up directly where the prequel comics leave off.

The TRANSFORMERS comics are supported with a custom landing page on the iTunes store and feature panel-by-panel viewing, easy to use controls, such as “swipe” navigation, and a convenient table of contents function.

These digital comic applications are the first major initiative from IDW’s new ePublishing division, helmed by Jeff Webber. Through partnerships with outside companies, IDW has already created nearly 40 digital comics, including dozens of Top 100 best sellers, such as Star Trek: Countdown. The TRANSFORMERS digital comics are the first that IDW is releasing with its own exclusive software.

“Launching our own iPhone comics is a big step for IDW, and fans of our lineup should look for many more to come,” said Webber.



About IDW
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.




About Hasbro

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. (C) 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPod, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. iTunes is for legal or rightholder-authorized copying only. Don’t steal music.