Thursday, January 22, 2009

NBM blog announces convention plansNBM AND PAPERCUTZ AT NEW YORK COMIC CONDebuts of new books, previews of upcoming books

The blog of graphic-novel house NBM Publishing (http://nbmpub.com/blog/) has announced the new books and top creators that NBM and its sister company, kids-comics publisher Papercutz, will present during the New York Comic-Con on February 6 through 8. Writers Greg Farshtey (creator of the LEGO® BIONICLE® toy universe) and Neil Kleid (Brownsville) will join NBM and Papercutz publisher Terry Nantier and Papercutz and Marvel Comics editor Jim Salicrup to talk with fans and show off new work.


It’ll all happen at NBM’s booth, #1713 -- close to the FUNimation Entertainment and Jim Hanley’s Universe booths near the front and center of the convention’s exhibit hall (Level 3 of The Javits Center, 655 West 34th Street in midtown Manhattan). See the exhibit hall at www.mapyourshow.com/shows/mys_v4_01/mys_v4_01.cfm?SHOW_ID=NYCC09.


NBM will have copies of its newest graphic novels and comics collections:

• Nocturnal Conspiracies: Nineteen Dreams by David B. (Epileptic)


• Little Nothings, Volume 2: The Prisoner Syndrome by Lewis Trondheim (Dungeon)

• Miss Don’t Touch Me by Hubert & Kerascoet

• Happy Hooligan by Frederick Burr Opper (part of the deluxe series of classic comic-strip reprints, Forever Nuts)


Papercutz will present the latest volumes in its comic-book and graphic-novel series Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Tales from the Crypt and Classics Illustrated.


For more information, visit the New York Comic Con’s website at http://www.nycomiccon.com/ and NBM’s blog at http://nbmpub.com/blog/.


SEE PREVIEWS AND MORE AT WWW.NBMPUBLISHING.COMFor more information and to interact with us, visit our MySpace page, www.myspace.com/nbm_publishing.
PRESS RELEASE - SHADOWLINE BRINGS WEB COMIC SENSATION PLATINUM GRIT TO PRINT!Illustrator/writer Trudy Cooper and co-writer Danny Murphy release their hilarious sci-fi web comic through Shadowline!

22 January 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - For years, web comics fans the world over have thrilled to Trudy Cooper and Danny Murphy's science fiction romp, PLATINUM GRIT, and now Image Comics' Shadowline brings it to print! "PLATINUM GRIT being published by Shadowline is a dream come true for me," Shadowline Editor Kristen Simon said. "I've been a fan of the web comic for many years now and was thrilled when we were able to bring it over to Shadowline’s website as well. Publisher Jim Valentino enjoyed it so much he agreed we needed to print the collections! Fellow fans of PLATINUM GRIT are going to be very happy with this edition."



PLATINUM GRIT VOL. 1 collects the first five chapters of the hit web comics series, in which the fearless Nils and the timid-but-still-surprisingly-together Jeremy take on the Zodiac (they win), Jer's insane Scottish relatives (they sort of win) a 1940s private dick (they draw when poor light stops play) and two sets of alien matchmakers (they... almost).



PLATINUM GRIT VOL. 1 (JAN092411), a 184-page B&W tradepaperback for $14.99, will be in-stores March 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.
Hey everyone! So far this has been one of the busiest months freelancing for me, and happens to be sprinkled with some new things going on.
First up, I'm one of twenty finalists for the 2009 Threadless Bestee Award. If I win, by getting enough votes, I'll get $20,000 as well as the prestigious award, which is a pretty big deal in the t-shirt industry.
In order to win though, I do need votes, so if you would like to help me out, and take five minutes out of your day, please go to the following link:http://www.threadless.com/bt
And vote for my design "Attack of Literacy" to winIt's free to sign up for the website, and the money would definitely be a help to my fiance and I. So, go vote, and if you can, ask people you know to vote for it as well!
Second,The wonderful folks at loiterink.com are now selling my design "When Politics Attack"So, if you would like to check out the t-shirt design, and if you also decide you'd like to buy it, go to this link:http://www.loiterink.com/when-politics-attack/213/and pick up your copy before they run out of supplies
Third,My friend, and fellow illustrator/cartoonist kevin cross and I started a podcast called "Big Illustration Party Time" about the ins and outs of the illustration field and cartooning. You can check the show out, by going to the about me section of the website, or just searching for "Big Illustration Party Time" on itunes
Fourth,My friend Kevin Cross and I will be boothing and signing comics at this years Stumptown Comics Festival in Portland, OR on April 18th & 19th. If you happen to be in town on those dates, swing by our table and say hello.
Finally,I've got some new artwork up in the illustration section of my website, as well as zines, books, and other products for sale in the store section of my website:www.joshuakemble.comKeep checking the site too, because I'll be updating it with loads of new illustrations within the next month.
Thanks! And once again, if anything, please go vote for me to win the bestee as soon as you can (I think the last day for votes is the 26th of this month!). The link again is:http://www.threadless.com/bt

Hope everyone is having a fantastic new year!-Joshua Kemble
--
Joshua Kemble Illustrations
www.joshuakemble.com
STEVE MANNION'S FEARLESS DAWN LAUNCHES AT ASYLUM

PROMISES ACTION PACKED COMIC BOOK ACTION

ASYLUM PRESS ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF STEVE MANNION'S FEARLESS DAWN AS ITS NEW FOUR ISSUE MINI-SERIES, LAUNCHES WEBSITE, PRODUCTION BLOG, AND PREVIEWS.

Jan 22, 2009 (Los Angeles) Frank Forte, publisher of Asylum Press, has announced that the first issue of Fearless Dawn, By Steve Mannion, will be released April 2009.

Jet riding good girl FEARLESS DAWN battles her arch nemesis Helga Von Krause in this mini-series from Steve Mannion. Fearless Dawn infiltrates the vaunted "Manitoba Sector" to discover the secret behind Helga's chemically-induced NAZI MONSTERS. Meanwhile, all is not well back at home base when Fearless Dawn's boss discovers our hero has broken probation and flown the coop! Join us now as Steve Mannion's beautifully rendered comic book tale unfolds in full-color glory! Fan's of Steve Mannion's The Bomb will love this new action-packed series.

"I am excited to bring Fearless dawn to a full-color series," says creator Steve Mannion," this is a dream project and I'm having a blast."

"This is a great opportunity to showcase one of the great undiscovered comic illustrators of our time," says publisher Frank Forte. "Steve's dedication to the medium is unsurpassed. His pages are just a marvel to look at."

Steve Mannion’s amazing artwork is a beautiful homage to classic comics of yesteryear, and it brings to mind the timeless styles of artists that include Wally Wood, Will Elder, and Robert Crumb. Page layouts vary in style as well, bringing back memories of old Archie Comics, to stuff you see as recently as Eric Powell’s The Goon!

Fearless Dawn website: www.fearlessdawn.com
Fearless Dawn production blog: http://fearlessdawn.blogspot.com/
Fearless Dawn preview: http://www.fearlessdawn.com/FD_1_preview.html

Title:Fearless Dawn #1 (of 4)
Publisher:Asylum Press
Format/Price: SC, color $2.95, 32 pages
Item Code: FEB094073

Featured in Diamond Previews February 2009 shipping April 2009
Also carried by Haven Distributors

Asylum Press can be found on the web at:www.asylumpress.com

Still available from Asylum Press is Steve Mannion's The Bomb TPB.

This huge compilation features Steve Mannion at his unfiltered best spinning yarns of his favorite creations: Fearless Dawn, Sea Goin' Lil, Brownhole Jones, Helga Von Krause and Jungle Chick and the Dinosaur.

Title:The Bomb TPB
Publisher:Asylum Press
Format/Price: SC, b&w $14.95
Item Code: JUN083688

ABOUT ASYLUM PRESS:
Founded in 1999 by Frank Forte, Asylum Press is a unique publishing house specializing in high profile projects from some of the industry's biggest names. Publishing superhero comics with Warlash: Zombie Mutant Genesis, continuing their tradition of horror with Undead Evil, Satan’s 3-Ring Circus of Hell, the upcoming Asylum of Horrors and Beyond Lovecraft, venturing into dark humor with Billy Boy The Sick Little Fat Kid and The Cletus and Floyd Show, Asylum Press continues to be on the cutting edge of comic and graphic novel publishing. Asylum Press is distributed by Diamond Comics, Haven Distributors and Partners Publishers Group.
HULK VS is the most highly anticipated Marvel Animated Feature yet, premiering this Tuesday, January 27th and featuring 2 epic films in 1 release: Wolverine and Hulk VsHulk Vs Thor. A trailer of the film can be viewed at:

http://www.marvel.com/news/moviestories.6320

Hulk Vs will be released as follows, 1 disc Standard Edition DVD, ($19.98), 2 disc Special Edition DVD , ($24.98 - features additional 2 hours of special features not included on standard edition), & Blu-ray, ($29.98 - which includes all the same bonus features as the special edition).

Early buzz began in July, when Hulk Vs Wolverine premiered at San Diego Comic-Con 2008 in the largest room (6,000 seats!) to rave reviews.

Hulk vs


Twice The Action. Twice The Carnage. Double The Smash As Hulk Takes On Wolverine And Thor In The Most Highly Anticipated Marvel Animated Feature Yet!

Street Date: 1/27/09
Order Date: 12/30/08
DVD SRP: $19.98
Special Edition: $24.98
Blu-ray Disc SRP: $29.99

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Incredible Hulk's recent live-action success grossing over $135 million in domestic box office has proven Hulk's incredible staying power as a Marvel comic icon. On the heels of the successful theatrical and DVD release comes the next big chapter for The Incredible Hulk- Hulk Vs. This January, Marvel Animated Features and Lionsgate will release two of the most legendary chapters in Marvel's comic book history with the eagerly awaited DVD release Hulk Vs. If Hulk alone weren't enough, Hulk is now joined by the Super Heroes™ of the next 2 Marvel tentpole films - Wolverine and Thor in this newest addition to the Marvel Animated Features series.

Make way for the clash of Marvel's mightiest heroes, as Bruce Banner's alter-ego takes on fan favorites Wolverine and Thor in two epic, all new, action-packed animated films - Hulk Vs. Wolverine and Hulk Vs. Thor. These dark and violent showdowns have been seen in various forms throughout Marvel comic book history, and the rematches have continued to thrill comic fans ever since. Now Marvel and Lionsgate have taken the two epic comic book battles and merged them into two heart pounding tales on one DVD release that stays true to its comic book roots.

Hulk Vs will be available on DVD, Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray Disc on January 27, 2009 for the suggested retail prices of $19.98, $24.98 and $29.99, respectively. The Standard Edition DVD features collectible 3D lenticular packaging.

HULK VS. WOLVERINE SYNOPSIS
The Incredible Hulk has been tearing a line across the Canadian wilderness, leaving a swath of destruction in his wake. He has to be stopped, and there's only one man up to the job. He's the best at what he does, but what he does isn't very nice. He's Wolverine, an elite agent of Canada's top secret Department H, and he's been put on Hulk's trail with a single objective: stop the green goliath - at all costs. Hulk and Wolverine are about to enter the fiercest battle of their lives.

HULK VS. THOR SYNOPSIS
It's gods versus monsters in this epic forty-five minute movie. For ages, Loki the trickster has sought a way to bring defeat to his accursed stepbrother, Thor. But for all the battles Thor has fought, in all the nine realms, only one creature has ever been able to match his strength-a mortal beast of Midgard known as The Incredible Hulk. Now, with Odin the king of the gods deep in a regenerative sleep, and the forces protecting Asgard at their weakest, Loki is finally ready to spring his trap. In a classic battle that will test a hero's limits more than ever before, only the mighty Thor can hope to prevail.

STANDARD EDITION DVD BONUS FEATURES:

Hulk Vs. Wolverine - Audio Commentary by Supervising Producer/co-writer Craig Kyle and co-writer Chris Yost
Hulk Vs. Thor - Audio Commentary by Supervising Producer/co-writer Craig Kyle and co-writer Chris Yost
"First Look - Wolverine and the X-Men" featurette
"First Look - Thor Tales of Asgard" featurette
Trailer Gallery

SPECIAL EDITION DVD AND BLU-RAY BONUS FEATURES:
Hulk Vs. Wolverine
· Audio Commentary by Supervising Producer/co-writer Craig Kyle and co-writer Chris Yost
· Audio Commentary by Supervising Director Frank Paur and Storyboard Artists Kevin Altieri and
Butch Lukic
· "This is Gonna Hurt: The Making of Hulk Vs Wolverine" featurette
· "Fan Frenzy: Hulk Vs Wolverine at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con" featurette
· "First Look - Wolverine and the X-Men" featurette
· Trailer Gallery

Hulk Vs. Thor
· Audio Commentary by Supervising Producer/co-writer Craig Kyle and co-writer Chris Yost
· Audio Commentary by Supervising Director Frank Paur, Animation Director Sam Liu and
Color Key Design James Peters
· "Of Gods and Monsters: The Making of Hulk Vs Thor" featurette
· "Jack Kirby and Thor" (original Thor comic illustrator) featurette
· "First Look - Thor Tales of Asgard" featurette
· Trailer Gallery
*special features subject to change. Blu-ray special features in hi-def.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

CBS Consumer Products has just released images of the eagerly anticipated Star Trek Barbie Dolls from Mattel. The dolls have been created mainly for collectors and are for ages 6+. The three dolls - Kirk, Spock, and Lieutenant Uhura - are modeled after the three actors playing the same roles in this summer's blockbuster film STAR TREK hitting theatres on May 8th!

The price point for the three dolls is $43.19. They will be on shelves April 20th. Mattel is distributing to Walmart and walmart.com, Barbiecollector.com and Barbie collector dealers. They are selling them as an assortment (but the dolls come individually wrapped, no two or three-packs). Select international markets will have the dolls as well (but no specific dates or info. on that yet).
TALES OF VANITY & VENGEANCE!

Eureka Productions is pleased to announce the publication of GRAPHIC CLASSICS: OSCAR WILDE, the sixteenth volume in the GRAPHIC CLASSICS series of comics adaptations of great literature.

GRAPHIC CLASSICS: OSCAR WILDE features "The Picture of Dorian Gray", Wilde's tale of narcissism and horror, adapted for comics by Alex Burrows and illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. Plus the comic satire "The Canterville Ghost" by Antonella Caputo and Nick Miller, "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime" by Rich Rainey and Rich Tommaso, and an adaptation of Wilde's exotic Biblical play "Salome", illustrated by Molly Kiely.

GRAPHIC CLASSICS are available in bookstores, comics shops, or direct from the publisher at http: ⁄ ⁄ www.graphicclassics.com.

“These are handsomely-crafted books presenting terrific stories.’”
— Tony Isabella, Comics Buyer's Guide

“A splendidly inventive series.”
— Malcolm Jones, Newsweek

“In short, every volume is highly recommended.’”
— Paul Buhle, Rain Taxi

______________________

GRAPHIC CLASSICS: OSCAR WILDE
Edited by Tom Pomplun
Published January 2009, Eureka Productions
Distributed by Diamond Book Distributors
(ISBN 978-0-9787919-6-4)
144 pgs, 7 x 10", paperback, b&w, 4c cover, $11.95

__________________

The Graphic Classics series:
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: EDGAR ALLAN POE (978-0-9746648-7-3)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE (978-0-9746648-5-9)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: H.G. WELLS (978-0-9746648-3-5)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: H.P. LOVECRAFT (978-0-9746648-9-7)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: JACK LONDON (978-0-9746648-8-0)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: AMBROSE BIERCE (978-0-9787919-5-7)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: BRAM STOKER (978-0-9787919-1-9)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: MARK TWAIN (978-0-9787919-2-6)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON (978-0-9746648-0-4)
HORROR CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Ten (978-0-9746648-1-1)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: O. HENRY (978-0-9746648-2-8)
ADVENTURE CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Twelve (978-0-9746648-4-2)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: RAFAEL SABATINI (978-0-9746648-6-6)
GOTHIC CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Fourteen (978-0-9787919-0-2)
FANTASY CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Fifteen (978-0-9787919-3-3)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: OSCAR WILDE (978-0-9787919-6-4)
BOOM! STUDIOS LAUNCHES MARKWAID.COM





Los Angelese - January 21, 2008 - How to write comics. What secrets the comics medium holds in its past, and how its future trends. Which graphic novels are worth reading. How to survive the editorial process. Learn it all at MARKWAID.COM, launching today!

BOOM! Studios Editor-In Chief Mark Waid, award-winning writer of such series as KINGDOM COME, EMPIRE, 52, and AMAZING-SPIDER MAN and a longtime industry veteran, hits the keyboard to blog regularly at MARKWAID.COM about his years of experience in the field. Updated daily with new content, MARKWAID.COM will feature free webcomics, podcasts, vlogs, script tutorials, rants, and special guests on a regular basis.

"Who better to hand a megaphone to than a comics vet who's seen it all and done it all?" said BOOM! Studios marketing and sales director Chip Mosher. "Mark's earned a reputation for being outspoken. BOOM! is proud to sponsor a site where Mark can stand on his soapbox and harangue readers far and wide!"

"I don't know if 'harangue' is the word I'd use," added Mark Waid while glaring at Mosher, "but I've been searching for a regular venue where I can upload some of my comics stories and behind-the-scenes anecdotes and, in general, go on at droning length about comics history and comics criticism, turn over some rocks, and see how long I can go without saying something stupid and inflammatory that will send the collective wrath of comics fandom down on me. What time is it now?"

MARKWAID.COM kicks off by posting, free for viewing, the entire first issue of POTTER'S FIELD, the critically acclaimed series from Waid and artist Paul Azaceta. The series follows the mysterious detective known only as "John Doe" as he pins identities to New York City's anonymous dead. Other web-posted comics will follow, as will video and audio interviews, essays, and eyewitness tales of comics history.


About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique 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.
MARK WAID'S POTTER'S FIELD: STONE COLD
ONE-SHOT
COMES OUT THIS MARCH


Go To MARKWAID.COM
To Read The Complete First Issue
Of The Original POTTER'S FIELD Mini-Series




January 21th, 2008 - Shipping this March, Mark Waid (52, KINGDOM COME) and Paul Azaceta (DAREDEVIL, B.P.R.D, THE REMNANT) return to their smash hit crime series POTTER'S FIELD with the special one-shot: POTTER'S FIELD: STONE COLD!

To celebrate this direct market event, BOOM! Studios will be launching MARKWAID.COM this Wednesday with the complete first issue of the original POTTER'S FIELD mini-series.

Premiering with a three-issue mini-series last winter, POTTER'S FIELD follows the detective known only as John Doe as he pins identities to New York's anonymous dead. In POTTER'S FIELD: STONE COLD, John Doe unearths a conspiracy that leads all the way back to the horrors of September 11th, and it is up to him to stop it.

"I'm excited to return to this character," said series writer and BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid. "I'm genuinely fascinated by the concept of a nameless avenger going out of his way to help everyone but himself, embarking on what seems to be a totally impossible mission. I created John Doe with a simple idea in mind, but the storytelling potential keeps me up at night. POTTER'S FIELD: STONE COLD gives me a chance to explore real-world crime drama."

Giving names back to the dead, John Doe calls upon the New York City's greatest natural resource, its people, to solve the mysteries others didn't care to solve or couldn't.

"What better way to launch MARKWAID.COM than with POTTER'S FIELD? The book was a huge fan favorite last year," said BOOM! Studios marketing and sales director Chip Mosher. "People at conventions and online kept asking when Mark would do more with this series, and here's their answer! For those that haven't gotten on board yet, the first issue of the original mini is now available at MARKWAID.COM for free!"

POTTER'S FIELD: STONE COLD features cover and interior art by Paul Azaceta, Diamond Order Code: JAN094061.

About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (http://www.boom-studios.com) is a unique 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.
Hey All,


With al the talk out there about the economy and price points, I just wanted to send out a quick note to let everyone know that BOOM!'s line of Disney/Pixar books have a $2.99 cover price.


That's right, The Incredibles: Family Matters, Cars: The Rookie and The Muppet Show all have a $2.99 cover price and will all be coming out this March!


Thanks,

Chip Mosher
BOOM! Studios
SUPER REAL UPDATE



It’s true, one year since the last issue of Super Real hit comic book shops, I’m happy to say the wait is over, and that there is indeed a new issue on it’s way!



Although it won’t be in the Diamond Previews catalog for another month, the new book does happen to tie into this inauguration day, as it features a new cast member who resembles a certain new president…



SUPER REAL: Cast Change (aka Episode VI: The Cast Strike Back) will be a double-sized issue listed in the March Previews catalog (out the last week of February, 2/25), for product shipping to comic book shops this May.



So, I wanted to get all the friends of the book advance word, and a peek at the cover (see attached).



As you likely know, Super Real has been on hiatus for a year now, so this new issue will serve as a standalone story that also picks up where we left off, and ties up the series’ first story arc. It’s essentially the next issue of the regular series, but it will be marketed as a new special issue. A king-sized issue all written and drawn by me, that ties up all the questions the series has raised, and puts our cast through one final crisis, or a civil war of sorts, where a new cast member squares off with our five participants, with everything on the line.



Oh, and by the way, the new cast member looks a lot like Barack Obama!

As any fan of the book knows, we’ve used presidential likenesses all along, so it’s only fitting that we close out our story with a character inspired by the new president, to bring things full circle!



Stay tuned for more information on this exciting new issue, and also, keep your eyes open for digital offerings, and other new products from Super Real Graphics in the coming year.

_____



CONVENTION APPEARANCES AND NEW ARTWORK



The 2009 convention season is already upon us, and as much as I’d like to return to New York Comic Con again this year (it’s a great show), a schedule conflict simply won’t allow it. And as you may know, Wizard LA was canceled/postponed, so I won’t be doing that either.

Here are the shows I have confirmed so far though:

Wondercon - February 27th thru March 1st

Emerald City Comicon – April 4th and 5th

San Diego Comic-Con – July 22nd thru 26th



I’m looking at potentially doing Heroes con, and/or Wizard World Chicago too.



I’ll also be creating a new 2009 sketchbook full of new and unpublished artwork, and lots of fan art… as well as new prints and the like.



Additionally, I have just a very few copies of the 2008 sketchbook remaining if anyone’s interested, just check out the website store: http://superrealgraphics.com/page3.html



Looking forward, as always, to mixing it up with the fans and all my friends. So, I hope to see you at one of this year’s shows!

_____





Aside from the conclusion of Super Real, I’ve got a lot planned for 2009, and am really looking forward to a huge year!



Thanks for your support,

Jason



SuperRealGraphics.com

superrealgraphics.com/blog.html

jasinmartin.deviantart.com/
Stranded on a distant planet, the Jedi must convince its pacifist inhabitants to bend their beliefs and fight for peace in “Defenders of Peace,” an all-new episode of the hit animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Jan. 23, on Cartoon Network.



While the Jedi combat a new Separatist weapon, the pacifist Lurmen must decide whether they will lay down to the invading forces or take up arms with Anakin, Ahsoka and Jedi General Aayla Secura to protect their belief system.



Director Steward Lee and story editor Henry Gilroy embraced the episode’s departure from the more explosive aspects of the war. Focusing on the Lurmen and their beliefs provided a unique opportunity to step away from the central conflict to explore issues facing innocents who are all-too-often caught in the crossfire.



“It’s about making choices,” Lee says. “The Lurmen chose this pacifist way of life, and the Jedi chose to defend them whether they want it or not. The Jedi must show the younger generation of Lurmen that you have to defend what you love.”



“I’ve always been intrigued by pacifists during wartime – people who will do anything they can to avoid fighting, yet are inexorably drawn into a battle against their will and without choice,” says Gilroy, who cites Akira Kurosawa’s The Seven Samurai as inspiration for the episode. “It’s about choosing sides or choosing death. You have the Jedi willing to sacrifice their lives to defend innocents who don’t really want to defend themselves or to be defended. I think that’s an interesting premise.”
THE U.S. DEBUT OF SWORD OF THE STRANGER - A ROUSING SAMURAI ANIME EPIC - HITS MOVIE THEATRES NATIONWIDE
FOR A ONE NIGHT EVENT


Tickets Now on Sale for Exclusive In-Theatre Anime Event

Appearing in More than 360 Movie Theatres on February 5th



Centennial, Colo. ? Jan. 6, 2009 ? NCM Fathom and Bandai Entertainment presents Sword of the Stranger, an exhilarating samurai anime tale straight from Japan, on the big screen in a special one-night event on Thursday, Feb. 5th at 7:30 p.m. local time. This unique theatre event (English dubbed) that brings the story of a nameless samurai to movie theatres will feature an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Sword of the Stranger at studio BONES as well as never-before-seen interviews with the English voice actors, director Masahiro Ando, and legendary producer Mashiko Minami.

Tickets for this special event are available at www.FathomEvents.com and presenting theatre box offices. For a complete list of theatre locations and prices, visit the website (theatres are subject to change).



Acclaimed Japanese anime studio BONES ("Cowboy Bebop," "Full Metal Alchemist," "Soul Eater") brings Sword of the Stranger to life for this one-night exclusive event. Hunted by the Mings from China, a young boy named Kotaro and his loyal dog Tobimaru meet a nameless samurai who is haunted by his past - a memory so terrible he has vowed to never draw his sword again. Among the Mings is Luo-Lang, a ruthless Western swordsman with the Chinese name who has walked the earth in search of a worthy rival. When both groups clash with a feudal lord and monks torn between faith and survival, the truth behind the Mings' pursuit of Kotaro tests the bond between the boy and the samurai.



"Bandai Entertainment is proud to partner with NCM Fathom for the American debut of Sword of the Stranger - this film has some of the most stunning action choreography ever seen in anime film," said Robert Napton, marketing director for Bandai Entertainment, Inc. "Anime and samurai fans won't want to miss this visually amazing and emotionally compelling event at their local movie theatre, where this film was meant to be seen."



Sword of the Stranger, which was recently submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for consideration for Best Animated Feature of 2008, appears on the big screen in high-definition with Cinema Surround Sound in more than 360 select AMC Entertainment Inc., Celebration! Cinema, Cinemark Holdings, Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Cobb Theatres, Georgia Theatre Company, Goodrich Quality Theatres, Hollywood Theaters, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements and Regal Entertainment Group movie theatres, as well as Arlington Theatre (Santa Barbara, CA) and Palace Cinema 9 (South Burlington, VT) through NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network ? North America's largest cinema broadcast network.



"NCM Fathom has experienced great success bringing anime events to the big screen in limited engagement events and we are excited to bring Sword of the Stranger to anime fans across the country this February," said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom.



About National CineMedia, Inc.

National CineMedia (NCM) LLC operates the largest digital in-theatre network in North America through long-term agreements with its founding members, AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), the three largest theatre operators in the U.S., and through multi-year agreements with several other theatre operators. NCM LLC produces and distributes its FirstLook pre feature program; cinema, lobby and online advertising products; comprehensive meeting and event services and other entertainment programming content. NCM LLC's national network includes over 17,000 screens of which approximately 15,000 are part of the company's Digital Content Network (DCN). NCM LLC's network covers 176 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50). During 2007, approximately 689 million patrons attended movies shown in theatres currently included in the network (excluding Consolidated Theatres and Star Theatres). National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 42.3% interest in and is the managing member of NCM LLC. To learn more about National CineMedia Inc., visit the company's website at www.ncm.com.



About Bandai Entertainment

Bandai Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. and the premier distributor of Japanese animation on DVD and programming for television broadcast in North America. Additional company and product information is available through our website at www.bandai-ent.com.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Friends-

Issue 25 of CWR is here! After a nice holiday break, we’re back in the new year to bring you the best in comics and pop culture. Let’s take a look at what we have for you in this issue!

Carol Lay interviewed! The cartoonist behind THE BIG SKINNY talks about her artistic roots, why she doesn’t do mainstream comics, and how the book has begun to affect the lives of its readers!:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/carollay.html

Paul Horn interviewed! The genius behind the smash webcomic COOL JERK sits down to talk about the strip’s origins, how to build an online empire, and his strange inability to draw cars!:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/paulhorn.html

Reviews, and loads of ‘em! We kept on reviewing right through the holiday break:
http://reviews.comicswaitingroom.com

Elliott Serrano looks at the Steve Wacker/Erik Larsen dust-up and wonders whatever happened to the “professional” in “comic book professional.”:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/ccw21.html

Marc Mason breaks a 27-year streak with Marvel Comics and explains why:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/mason25.html

Avril Brown discusses what makes comics movie adaptations work and what makes them die a horrible death:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/avril25.html

Vince Moore discusses the inauguration and what it means to him and so many others:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/vince31.html

Matt Maxwell puts on his indy publisher hat and talks about the new Diamond minimums and benchmarks and what they mean to him and others in his shoes:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/fullbleed33.html

Saurav Mohapatra talks about knowing when to turn a job down and why you might be right to do so, no matter how much you love comics:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/ninepanelgrid8.html

Jocelyn Saddler continues her look at the disaster that is FINAL CRISIS and puts the pieces together to explain why it fails:
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/bb4.html

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
Studio 407 Strikes Comic Book Deal with Horror Film Scribe Neal Marshall Stevens

January 19, 2008 - Studio 407 proudly announces a comic book deal with THIRTEEN GHOSTS writer Neal Marshall Stevens. Studio 407 teams up with Stevens on two series, the futuristic action thriller "Havoc Brigade", which will be in stores on March 25, 2009 and the horror adventure "Demon Squad" which will be out later this year.

The comic book deal is an expansion of the relationship Stevens and Studio 407 developed while working together on the just completed motion picture HUNTER (aka HYBRID) that was co-produced by Studio 407 and Stallion Pictures (T3 and PUNISHER:WAR ZONE). The film penned by Stevens, was directed by French horror director Eric Vallete (MALEFIQUE, ONE MISSED CALL) and is on track for a 2009 release date. Studio 407 is also producing a feature based on their comic book Hybrid with Myriad Pictures, and recently partnered with them again to develop a film based on their NIGHT PROJECTIONIST graphic novel.

Stevens says “I’ve been working as a professional screenwriter for a long time. Only around one in ten of the projects that go into development end up on the screen. That means, for most writers, including me, most of the projects that I’ve worked on down through the years – and that includes some very good work -- have never seen the light of day and most likely never will.” Continues Stevens “One of the reasons that I was excited at the prospect of moving into graphic novels was because I knew going in that the scripts that I wrote would actually be produced, and that the work would get in front of an audience.”

Neal Marshall Stevens graduated Film School at New York University where he received his MFA. In 1998 he optioned his spec script, THE SLOW MAN, from Ocean Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox. The following year Neal optioned horror script, DEADER, to Dimension Pictures which was ultimately produced as HELLRAISER:DEADER, a sequel to HELLRAISER. In the years that followed, Neal divided his time writing for almost every Hollywood major studio, including the remake of THIRTEEN GHOSTS for Joel Silver’s Dark Castle Entertainment at Warner Brothers. He is currently writing the latest Amityville sequel, the AMYTIVILLE TAPES for MGM.

Says Studio 407 managing director Alex Leung: “We had a great experience working with Neal on the HUNTER film. Since comics is a big part of what we do and knowing Neal was bursting at the seams with some more great stories, it only made sense to do a comic book deal with him as well. I think a lot of great writers in the studio system see the creative freedom that the comic industry provides, and they’re taking advantage of that opportunity.”

“Havoc Brigade” is described as: In the near future, armed with Havoc-class battlesuits made of an indestructible material, the Havoc Brigade brings peace to a war-ravaged Europe, ending a decades-long conflict. But the Brigade’s team leader, Major Jackson, goes rogue when he learns that the government is shutting down the program. Stealing the Army’s ultimate weapon, he succeeds in killing all his men and destroying all the other battlesuits except one. Now it’s up to the only surviving member of the Havoc Brigade to bring the renegade Major to justice, but does Sergeant Barnes have what

takes to go toe-to-toe with his former commander and mentor, and stop him before it’s too late?

Preview Havoc Brigade at: http://studio-407.com/havoc/preview.html

“Havoc Brigade” is illustrated by Jon Bosco who has worked on a number of books including DC’s “Nightwing,” and “Heroes for Hire,” Acclaim’s “Turok,” and the Image comic “Noble Causes.” The second book in the deal will be “Demon Squad,” which tells the story of a team of scientists, mystics, and mercenaries who band together to hunt down demons that prey on teenagers. Described as an action/horror film in the vein of SCREAM and THE EXORCIST, it continues the Studio 407 mandate of producing high-end, horror comics.

Preview Demon Squad at: http://studio-407.com/demon/preview.html

Adds Leung: “I’ve read a lot of the great scripts Neal has written, and seen them stranded in the 9th circle of development hell, so I’m very excited to be part of his “coming out” party in the comics industry. He is incredibly deft with genre (having written almost every kind for the studios), and he has a no holds barred approach to writing that I think will make him a force to be reckoned with in this medium.”

For more information on Studio 407, visit them online at (http://www.Studio-407.com).


About Studio 407

Studio 407 brings together the imagination and creative talents of writers and artists from North America and Asia to generate a flow of distinct and kinetic East-meets-West entertainment. A writer driven studio that blends innovation with tradition, Studio 407 is dedicated to publishing the highest quality in comics and manga across a wide variety of genres. From capes to kung fu, giant robots to vampires, and secret agents to mad scientists; at Studio 407, we sweat the details. www.Studio-407.com.
Happy Monday Monday!

I wanted to drop a quickie in your inbox to tell you my newest comic
"Yes We Will" is online now at Tor.com in honor of tomorrow's
inauguration. Tor has blurbed the comic as "It's 2012, and President
Obama finally delivers on his campaign promise." Have a read and sun
yourself in the blazing birth-fires of a new world:

http://tor.com

Also: there's another exclusive preview of 08 with new material
online now at The Daily Beast, if you haven't seen it: http://
www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-01-18/political-funny-
pages/ Enjoy that; 08 hits bookstores a week from tomorrow!

I'm thinking of WE as we hold our breaths for a brighter tomorrow.

---------love-----> d!
Dan Goldman
http://dangoldman.net
follow me on Twitter: dddangoldmannn
Greetings:

A quick note to let you all know that starting this morning, the web version of Strangeways: The Thirsty (the second story in the series), starts running at the Robot 6 blog, located at Comic Book Resources. You can read the pages as they're posted on the main blog at the following location:

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com

If you want to get a hold of the first chapter of the story, you can read it at the following:

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/strangeways

It'll also be housed at its first site of internet publication, the Blog@Newsarama, but new pages will not be posted there. Though on good terms, I've ended my connection with Blog@Newsarama and wish them nothing but the best of fortunes.

In the meantime, be sure to head over to Robot 6 at Comic Book Resources to catch new pages on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. There'll be bonus features and a look behind the scenes as well, but not on a set schedule, so be sure to check in so as not to miss those.

See you all there!

-Matt Maxwell
***SPECIAL REDUCED PRICE***INTERVIEW WITH AL JAFFEE IN NEW YORK WEDS, JANUARY 21, 7:00 PM. $10 (CHEAP!)***

New York, January 18, 2009

From Danny Fingeroth:

Admission AT THE DOOR ONLY for the AL JAFFEE interview at the YIVO Institute THIS WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21 AT 7:00 PM has been reduced to $10 (“CHEAP!,” as the cover to MAD MAGAZINE proclaims about its price).

All you have to do is say the secret word: “FOLD-IN.”

YIVO’s “Comics and the Jewish American Dream” interview series (moderated by DANNY FINGEROTH) kicks off WEDS. JAN 21 at 7:00 pm with:

"The MAD, MAD, MAD (Jewish) World of AL JAFFEE"

About AL JAFFEE:
Raised in Savannah, Georgia, Lithuania, and the Bronx, AL JAFFEE (born in 1921) was in the first graduating class at New York's High School of Music and Art. JAFFEE then worked as an editor, writer and artist for Stan Lee at Timely (later Marvel) Comics during the 1940s. In 1955, JAFFEE joined “the Usual Gang of Idiots” at MAD MAGAZINE, where he’s been a mainstay ever since, entertaining generations with his "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions" and "Mad Fold-Ins." Join us as JAFFEE provides snappy answers to provocative questions about his art and life, including his new book, TALL TALES (Abrams).

About DANNY FINGEROTH:
Series curator and moderator DANNY FINGEROTH, a longtime writer and editor at Marvel Comics, has spoken about comics at the Smithsonian Institution and The New School. He’s the author of DISGUISED AS CLARK KENT: JEWS COMICS, AND THE CREATION OF THE SUPERHERO (Continuum) and THE ROUGH GUIDE TO GRAPHIC NOVELS (Penguin).

Wednesday, January 21, 7:00
The YIVO Institute For Jewish Research
15 West 16th Street / New York, NY 10011

***THE CHEAP DEAL IS AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE DOOR. JUST SAY “FOLD-IN.”***

FOR ADVANCE TICKETS: Call 212-868-4444 or visit WWW.SMARTTIX.
FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.YIVO.ORG

Series Continues With
JULES FEIFFER: Tuesday, February 3, 7:00 P.M.
HARVEY PEKAR: Tuesday, February 17, 7:00 P.M.
All,

Just dropping a quick note to let you all know that my wife, Kendra and I have started blogging on the Great Books of the Western World and liberal arts education in general. Please check it out if you have time and/or inclination at http://liberalartistry.blogspot.com and feel free the pass the link on to anyone you think might enjoy our little journey!

Many thanks, Rob and Kendra Vollmar

Rob Vollmar- a writer of and about comics and manga

Blog: http://robvollmar.blogspot.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/robvollmar