Scott McCloud to be Published by First Second
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New York, NY; January 30, 2009—First Second Books announced today that it will publish two upcoming works by Scott McCloud, the award-winning author of the widely-acclaimed Understanding Comics and its followups, Reinventing Comics and Making Comics. A new work of graphic fiction, tentatively titled “The Sculptor,” is slated for publication in Spring 2013 and will be followed by a non-fiction book.
First Second’s Editorial Director Mark Siegel says, “Scott McCloud’s accomplishments are considerable: as spokesman and champion of the medium of comics, as its great explainer and theorist, as its dedicated practitioner. Scott has now tasked himself with an ambitious pole-vault into adult fiction—a great American graphic novel.”
Understanding Comics, McCloud’s seminal work, was published in 1993 and was translated into 16 languages. Reinventing Comics (2000) and Making Comics (2006) cemented his reputation as one of the most in-demand experts on the medium. McCloud’s U.S. author tour in support of Making Comics covered all 50 states, and tens of thousands have attended his lively speaking appearances at universities, corporations, and media.
McCloud has won the grand-slam of Eisner, Harvey, Inkpot and Kirby Awards (the highest awards in the comics industry), and he has been recognized by both his peers and critics as one of the most respected voices in the field. His international reputation has earned him the Alph Art Award (critics prize) at the prestigious annual Comics Festival in Angouleme, France, England’s coveted Eagle Award, and the Finnish Lempi International Award. In 2002 the Association of Educational Publishers awarded McCloud its Distinguished Achievement Award, and in 2007, Making Comics won the Quill Award for Graphic Novels.
Of this new editorial partnership, McCloud commented: “I’m thrilled to be working with First Second. I’ve been in contact with Mark Siegel since the line launched and have watched with admiration as their catalog has grown in depth, breadth and quality, including some of my favorite new artists working on upcoming projects. This is a forward-looking team that understands comics, and can match my enthusiasm for its endless possibilities.”
The deal was brokered by Scott McCloud’s agent Judy Hansen of the Hansen Literary Agency, who feels that McCloud and First Second “will be an impressive match.” Film agent for the Hansen Agency, Nick Harris of Rabineau Wachter Sanford & Harris adds, “We’ve no doubt this will be a hugely commercial film property, as well—one that Hollywood is already taking notice of.”
First Second is an imprint of Roaring Brook Press / Macmillan, USA
For more information visit www.firstsecondbooks.com
Friday, January 30, 2009
Dick Tracy Relaunched: Bigger is Better!
(San Diego, CA; January 30, 2009) -- IDW's successful Complete Dick Tracy series is getting bigger…and better. CEO Ted Adams, who initiated the series and edited its first six volumes, has announced that Tracy is being folded into IDW's Library of American Comics imprint, alongside Terry and the Pirates, Little Orphan Annie, and other classic newspaper strip titles.
Eisner award-winner Dean Mullaney is assuming the helm of the series with volume 7 of Chester Gould's masterpiece, covering more than 600 chronological dailies and Sundays from 1941 to 1943. "This is a dream come true for me," says Mullaney. "Dick Tracy was the first newspaper strip I remember reading as a child. Over 46 years, Chester Gould's bold stories and iconic, diagrammatical drawing style created a unified whole that put Tracy in the pantheon of classic comic strips."
The first big change readers will notice is in the size of each book, matching the larger format of Terry and the Pirates. "Each Sunday strip will be 40% larger," Mullaney notes. "Some times bigger is better, especially as we enter Gould's most famous decade -- the 1940s -- and the introduction of one grand, grotesque villain after another: The Mole, B.B. Eyes, Pruneface, Laffy, The Brow, and Flattop. During this time, Gould could barely keep up with his own imagination, as he also unveiled an ever-expanding cast of supporting characters, such as Gravel Gertie, B.O. Plenty, Vitamin Flintheart, and Diet Smith." The series will also sport a new cover design.
Size isn't the only change coming to the series. The scope of the introductory essays is broadening, to offer readers a fuller and more complete history of the strip and its creator, similar in approach to the universally-acclaimed essays for which the Library of American Comics has become noted.
"We're incredibly excited to announce that we've partnered with the Chester Gould family, the Dick Tracy Museum, and the Shel Dorf collection," Mullaney and Adams explain. "These unique, invaluable resources allow us to add rarely seen art and photographs to these definitive archival editions."
Each volume in the series will now include a biographical and historical essay by Jeff Kersten of the Dick Tracy Museum, based on never-before-seen family and museum archives, in addition to the continuing insightful story analysis provided by Max Allan Collins.
Dick Tracy vol. 7 will be on sale late April, and will be published on a quarterly schedule.
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.
(San Diego, CA; January 30, 2009) -- IDW's successful Complete Dick Tracy series is getting bigger…and better. CEO Ted Adams, who initiated the series and edited its first six volumes, has announced that Tracy is being folded into IDW's Library of American Comics imprint, alongside Terry and the Pirates, Little Orphan Annie, and other classic newspaper strip titles.
Eisner award-winner Dean Mullaney is assuming the helm of the series with volume 7 of Chester Gould's masterpiece, covering more than 600 chronological dailies and Sundays from 1941 to 1943. "This is a dream come true for me," says Mullaney. "Dick Tracy was the first newspaper strip I remember reading as a child. Over 46 years, Chester Gould's bold stories and iconic, diagrammatical drawing style created a unified whole that put Tracy in the pantheon of classic comic strips."
The first big change readers will notice is in the size of each book, matching the larger format of Terry and the Pirates. "Each Sunday strip will be 40% larger," Mullaney notes. "Some times bigger is better, especially as we enter Gould's most famous decade -- the 1940s -- and the introduction of one grand, grotesque villain after another: The Mole, B.B. Eyes, Pruneface, Laffy, The Brow, and Flattop. During this time, Gould could barely keep up with his own imagination, as he also unveiled an ever-expanding cast of supporting characters, such as Gravel Gertie, B.O. Plenty, Vitamin Flintheart, and Diet Smith." The series will also sport a new cover design.
Size isn't the only change coming to the series. The scope of the introductory essays is broadening, to offer readers a fuller and more complete history of the strip and its creator, similar in approach to the universally-acclaimed essays for which the Library of American Comics has become noted.
"We're incredibly excited to announce that we've partnered with the Chester Gould family, the Dick Tracy Museum, and the Shel Dorf collection," Mullaney and Adams explain. "These unique, invaluable resources allow us to add rarely seen art and photographs to these definitive archival editions."
Each volume in the series will now include a biographical and historical essay by Jeff Kersten of the Dick Tracy Museum, based on never-before-seen family and museum archives, in addition to the continuing insightful story analysis provided by Max Allan Collins.
Dick Tracy vol. 7 will be on sale late April, and will be published on a quarterly schedule.
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.
***SPECIAL REDUCED PRICE***INTERVIEW WITH JULES FEIFFER IN NEW YORK, TUES, FEBRUARY 3, 7:00 PM. NOW ONLY TEN BUCKS***
New York, January 30, 2009
From Danny Fingeroth:
***Admission AT THE DOOR ONLY for the JULES FEIFFER interview at the YIVO Institute THIS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, AT 7:00 PM has been reduced to $10.***
All you have to do is say the secret word: “Explainers”
YIVO’s “Comics and the Jewish American Dream” interview series (moderated by DANNY FINGEROTH) continues TUES. FEB. 3 at 7:00 pm with:
"JULES FEIFFER: MAN OF MANY MUSES”
An intimate evening with the multitalented writer and artist.
Learn how an angst-ridden, impoverished Jewish guy from the Bronx became an acclaimed cartoonist, playwright, animator, screenwriter, novelist, and author of children's books, earning himself a Pulitzer Prize, an Obie, and an Oscar along the way. With pop culture critic and historian Danny Fingeroth. Q&A to follow.
About JULES FEIFFER:
In 1956, FEIFFER, who began his career working as an assistant to the legendary Will Eisner, creator of The Spirit and father of the modern Graphic Novel, created the eponymous, satirical cartoon strip that would run in the Village Voice for 42 years. A multitalented man who’s also enjoyed success as a novelist (HARRY THE RAT WITH WOMEN), playwright (LITTLE MURDERS), and screenwriter (CARNAL KNOWLEDGE), he has in recent years turned to writing and illustrating children’s books, including THE MAN IN THE CEILING. The first volume of the “Feiffer” strip compilation EXPLAINERS: THE COMPLETE VILLAGE VOICE STRIPS (1956-1966) was published by Fantagraphics in 2008.
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 Metropolitan Museum. 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).
Tuesday, February 3, 7:00 pm
The YIVO Institute For Jewish Research
15 West 16th Street / New York, NY 10011
***THE REDUCED TICKET PRICE IS AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE DOOR. JUST SAY “Explainers.”***
FOR ADVANCE TICKETS: Call 212-868-4444 or visit WWW.SMARTTIX.COM
FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.YIVO.ORG
Series Concludes With
HARVEY PEKAR: Tuesday, February 17, 7:00 P.M.
New York, January 30, 2009
From Danny Fingeroth:
***Admission AT THE DOOR ONLY for the JULES FEIFFER interview at the YIVO Institute THIS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, AT 7:00 PM has been reduced to $10.***
All you have to do is say the secret word: “Explainers”
YIVO’s “Comics and the Jewish American Dream” interview series (moderated by DANNY FINGEROTH) continues TUES. FEB. 3 at 7:00 pm with:
"JULES FEIFFER: MAN OF MANY MUSES”
An intimate evening with the multitalented writer and artist.
Learn how an angst-ridden, impoverished Jewish guy from the Bronx became an acclaimed cartoonist, playwright, animator, screenwriter, novelist, and author of children's books, earning himself a Pulitzer Prize, an Obie, and an Oscar along the way. With pop culture critic and historian Danny Fingeroth. Q&A to follow.
About JULES FEIFFER:
In 1956, FEIFFER, who began his career working as an assistant to the legendary Will Eisner, creator of The Spirit and father of the modern Graphic Novel, created the eponymous, satirical cartoon strip that would run in the Village Voice for 42 years. A multitalented man who’s also enjoyed success as a novelist (HARRY THE RAT WITH WOMEN), playwright (LITTLE MURDERS), and screenwriter (CARNAL KNOWLEDGE), he has in recent years turned to writing and illustrating children’s books, including THE MAN IN THE CEILING. The first volume of the “Feiffer” strip compilation EXPLAINERS: THE COMPLETE VILLAGE VOICE STRIPS (1956-1966) was published by Fantagraphics in 2008.
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 Metropolitan Museum. 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).
Tuesday, February 3, 7:00 pm
The YIVO Institute For Jewish Research
15 West 16th Street / New York, NY 10011
***THE REDUCED TICKET PRICE IS AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE DOOR. JUST SAY “Explainers.”***
FOR ADVANCE TICKETS: Call 212-868-4444 or visit WWW.SMARTTIX.COM
FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.YIVO.ORG
Series Concludes With
HARVEY PEKAR: Tuesday, February 17, 7:00 P.M.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JANUARY 28, 2009
Oni Press is in New York City for this year's New York Comic Con! February 6th - 8th we’ll be strutting our stuff at booth #1413. Come by and check out our eclectic library of titles including the premiere of:
SCOTT PILGRIM VOLUME 5: SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE UNIVERSE
by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Scott Pilgrim is at the top of his game: he just turned 24, he moved in with the girl of his dreams, and he defeated at least half of The League of Ramona's Evil Exes. But life at the top is treacherous and if things can't possibly get any better for Scott, it means they can only get infinitely worse! Scott's band is in total turmoil, his own exes have all boarded the train to crazy town, and Ramona's evil exes have started appearing in pairs! And what's up with Ramona, anyway? She's been acting kinda weird ever since she and Scott moved in together. It's the second-to-last volume of the Scott Pilgrim series and it looks like Scott's precious little life has come back around to bite him in the butt!
To celebrate the release of the eagerly anticipated next chapter of the SCOTT PILGRIM SERIES, Oni Press is pleased to announce the following events and specials:
COMIC BOOK CLUB LIVE! FEATURING BRYAN LEE O'MALLEY
Tuesday, February 3rd from 8pm-10pm at The Peoples Improv Theater. Tickets are just $5!
www.popcultureshock.com/cbclub
MIDNIGHT RELEASE PARY
Tuesday/Wednesday, February 3rd/4th 12:00 Midnight at Jim Hanley's Universe in Manhattan.
www.jhuniverse.com
AFTER WORK SIGNING AND MIXER
Wednesday, February 4th from 7-9pm at Rocketship Comics in Brooklyn.
http://rocketshipstore.blogspot.com
SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 5 FOIL COVER
If you're one of the lucky few to grab a copy before they're sold out, you'll notice that the entire first printing of SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 5 has a spectacular foil cover. Available anywhere comics are sold and at no additional cost!
LIMITED PRINTING OBI WRAP
Only available at NYCC, the Jim Hanley's Universe midnight release, and the Rocketship After Work signings. Featuring original art from creator Bryan Lee O'Malley and included free with purchase of SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 5, while supplies last!
LIMITED PRINTING “I SCOTT NY” SHIRTS
Printed specially for the release of SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 5, these striking ringer tees are sure to make a statement. We're not sure what that statement is, but we know that these are only available at the Oni Press booth during New York Comic Con and at the Jim Hanley's Universe and Rocketship signings, while supplies last.
SCOTT PILGRIM CUBEES
What do you mean “what's a cubee?” It's... you know, a cubee! The papercraft experts from Cubeecraft have been kind enough to work up an entire line of cubees from the SCOTT PILGRIM series. These will be available on the Oni Press website (www.onipress.com) as well as the Cubeecraft website (www.cubeecraft.com) starting the week of the convention and are totally, utterly, and completely FREE! So go get your favorite character from the series and decorate that sad cubicle with square cubees!
NYCC SIGNINGS
Oni Press is pleased to announce the following signings throughout the weekend at booth #1413 during scheduled times. Please check the Oni Press website at www.onipress.com, or come by the booth during the convention to see that day's signing schedule.
Bryan Lee O'Malley (Scott Pilgrim)
J. Torres (Love as a Foreign Language, Scandalous)
Eric Kim (Love as a Foreign Language)
John Layman (Stephen Colbert's Tek Jansen)
Matt Loux (Salt Water Taffy, Sidescrollers)
Philip Gelatt (Labor Days)
Rick Lacy (Labor Days)
Ray Fawkes (The Apocalipstix)
Cameron Stewart (The Apocalipstix)
Rick Spears (Black Metal)
Ross Campbell (Wet Moon)
TJ Kirsch (Uncle Slam Fights Back)
Vasilis Lolos (The Last Call)
Chris Schweizer (The Crogan Adventures)
Cullen Bunn (The Damned)
Ryan Kelly (Local)
Greg Rucka (Queen & Country, Whiteout)
ONI PRESS ON PANELS!
Saturday, 11:00-12:00 in room 1A21: How Not to Break into Comics
There have been countless articles and panels on how to break into comics, but very few on how not to. Come join Randal C. Jarrell (Managing Editor at Oni Press) and other industry insiders as they discuss the common and often hilarious mistakes people make when trying to break into the industry.
Sunday, 2:45 PM-3:45 PM in Kids Zone 3: Pillaging History For Story Ideas
Pirates, ninjas, gunslingers, and knights – history is packed with events, characters, and settings that you can use to make your own original stories! All you need is to know whereto look. Chris Schweizer (The Crogan Adventures) will help you will help you learn how to take real history and use it to make the types of stories that you want to tell.
Sunday, 1:30 PM-2:30 PM in room 1A14: Scott Pilgrim vs. The Panel!
Bryan Lee O'Malley (winner of the Doug Wright, Joe Shuster, and Harvey Awards) sits down with NYCC to discuss his ground-breaking, slice-of-life series Scott Pilgrim. From its genesis to the NYCC release of volume five, O'Malley speaks frankly about where Scott Pilgrim came from and where the series is going from here. With moderation by Douglas Wolk and a fan Q&A to close the discussion, this is a must see event of NYCC 2009!
Oni Press is in New York City for this year's New York Comic Con! February 6th - 8th we’ll be strutting our stuff at booth #1413. Come by and check out our eclectic library of titles including the premiere of:
SCOTT PILGRIM VOLUME 5: SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE UNIVERSE
by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Scott Pilgrim is at the top of his game: he just turned 24, he moved in with the girl of his dreams, and he defeated at least half of The League of Ramona's Evil Exes. But life at the top is treacherous and if things can't possibly get any better for Scott, it means they can only get infinitely worse! Scott's band is in total turmoil, his own exes have all boarded the train to crazy town, and Ramona's evil exes have started appearing in pairs! And what's up with Ramona, anyway? She's been acting kinda weird ever since she and Scott moved in together. It's the second-to-last volume of the Scott Pilgrim series and it looks like Scott's precious little life has come back around to bite him in the butt!
To celebrate the release of the eagerly anticipated next chapter of the SCOTT PILGRIM SERIES, Oni Press is pleased to announce the following events and specials:
COMIC BOOK CLUB LIVE! FEATURING BRYAN LEE O'MALLEY
Tuesday, February 3rd from 8pm-10pm at The Peoples Improv Theater. Tickets are just $5!
www.popcultureshock.com/cbclub
MIDNIGHT RELEASE PARY
Tuesday/Wednesday, February 3rd/4th 12:00 Midnight at Jim Hanley's Universe in Manhattan.
www.jhuniverse.com
AFTER WORK SIGNING AND MIXER
Wednesday, February 4th from 7-9pm at Rocketship Comics in Brooklyn.
http://rocketshipstore.blogspot.com
SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 5 FOIL COVER
If you're one of the lucky few to grab a copy before they're sold out, you'll notice that the entire first printing of SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 5 has a spectacular foil cover. Available anywhere comics are sold and at no additional cost!
LIMITED PRINTING OBI WRAP
Only available at NYCC, the Jim Hanley's Universe midnight release, and the Rocketship After Work signings. Featuring original art from creator Bryan Lee O'Malley and included free with purchase of SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 5, while supplies last!
LIMITED PRINTING “I SCOTT NY” SHIRTS
Printed specially for the release of SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 5, these striking ringer tees are sure to make a statement. We're not sure what that statement is, but we know that these are only available at the Oni Press booth during New York Comic Con and at the Jim Hanley's Universe and Rocketship signings, while supplies last.
SCOTT PILGRIM CUBEES
What do you mean “what's a cubee?” It's... you know, a cubee! The papercraft experts from Cubeecraft have been kind enough to work up an entire line of cubees from the SCOTT PILGRIM series. These will be available on the Oni Press website (www.onipress.com) as well as the Cubeecraft website (www.cubeecraft.com) starting the week of the convention and are totally, utterly, and completely FREE! So go get your favorite character from the series and decorate that sad cubicle with square cubees!
NYCC SIGNINGS
Oni Press is pleased to announce the following signings throughout the weekend at booth #1413 during scheduled times. Please check the Oni Press website at www.onipress.com, or come by the booth during the convention to see that day's signing schedule.
Bryan Lee O'Malley (Scott Pilgrim)
J. Torres (Love as a Foreign Language, Scandalous)
Eric Kim (Love as a Foreign Language)
John Layman (Stephen Colbert's Tek Jansen)
Matt Loux (Salt Water Taffy, Sidescrollers)
Philip Gelatt (Labor Days)
Rick Lacy (Labor Days)
Ray Fawkes (The Apocalipstix)
Cameron Stewart (The Apocalipstix)
Rick Spears (Black Metal)
Ross Campbell (Wet Moon)
TJ Kirsch (Uncle Slam Fights Back)
Vasilis Lolos (The Last Call)
Chris Schweizer (The Crogan Adventures)
Cullen Bunn (The Damned)
Ryan Kelly (Local)
Greg Rucka (Queen & Country, Whiteout)
ONI PRESS ON PANELS!
Saturday, 11:00-12:00 in room 1A21: How Not to Break into Comics
There have been countless articles and panels on how to break into comics, but very few on how not to. Come join Randal C. Jarrell (Managing Editor at Oni Press) and other industry insiders as they discuss the common and often hilarious mistakes people make when trying to break into the industry.
Sunday, 2:45 PM-3:45 PM in Kids Zone 3: Pillaging History For Story Ideas
Pirates, ninjas, gunslingers, and knights – history is packed with events, characters, and settings that you can use to make your own original stories! All you need is to know whereto look. Chris Schweizer (The Crogan Adventures) will help you will help you learn how to take real history and use it to make the types of stories that you want to tell.
Sunday, 1:30 PM-2:30 PM in room 1A14: Scott Pilgrim vs. The Panel!
Bryan Lee O'Malley (winner of the Doug Wright, Joe Shuster, and Harvey Awards) sits down with NYCC to discuss his ground-breaking, slice-of-life series Scott Pilgrim. From its genesis to the NYCC release of volume five, O'Malley speaks frankly about where Scott Pilgrim came from and where the series is going from here. With moderation by Douglas Wolk and a fan Q&A to close the discussion, this is a must see event of NYCC 2009!
FILM INDEPENDENT ANNOUNCES NINTH ANNUAL
DIRECTORS CLOSE-UP: CONVERSATIONS ON THE ART OF FILMMAKING
Influential Independent Directors and Their Collaborators Reveal Secrets of the Craft with Filmmakers and Film Lovers
LOS ANGELES (January 26, 2009) – Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent, announced today the ninth annual Directors Close-Up: Conversations on the Art of Filmmaking, formerly known as the Director Series, which will be held February 4 – March 11, 2009 at The Landmark - West Los Angeles. Attendees will have access to some of the most innovative names in independent filmmaking, with Mary Sweeney (“The Straight Story,” “Mulholland Drive”), David Lynch’s long time creative collaborator, serving as moderator.
Film Independent’s 2009 Directors Close-Up is sponsored by Skywalker Sound, The Landmark, the Directors Guild of America, NBC Universal and NAB Show.
“The Directors Close-Up series is a rare opportunity for both filmmakers and film lovers to learn about filmmaking first-hand from some of our most prominent independent directors and their collaborators,” said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent. “In addition to writers, directors, and producers, those who are simply passionate about film can also be inspired by hearing our diverse group of panelists talk in depth about their craft.”
“Film Independent has had great success with the Directors Close-Up series, not only because of the notoriety of the filmmakers involved, but because of how deeply the panelists delve into every step of the creative process, from developing the script all the way to the post-production process,“ said María Bozzi, Director of Film Education. “Each session provides a sense of how the director’s vision gets translated onto the screen, and how collaboration is key in bringing that vision to life.”
Series panelists this year include Elliot Davis (cinematographer, “Twilight,” “Lords of Dogtown”), Rodrigo García (“In Treatment,” “Nine Lives”), Lance Hammer (“Ballast”), Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight,” “Lords of Dogtown”), Oscar nominee Courtney Hunt (“Frozen River”), Jonathan Levine (“The Wackness”), Nancy Richardson (editor, “Twilight,” “Lords of Dogtown”), Howard Rodman (screenwriter, “Savage Grace”), with additional names to be announced.
Past panelists have included Don Cheadle, Bill Condon, Scott Frank, Alejandro González Iñárritu, David Fincher, Marc Forster, Paul Haggis, Zach Helm, Nicole Holofcener, Tamara Jenkins, Spike Jonze, Miranda July, Callie Khouri, Diana Ossana, Alexander Payne, Elizabeth Peña, Jason Reitman, Walter Salles, Julian Schnabel, and Kevin Smith.
This year’s panels will cover the following topics:
February 4th – Music and Sound Design – The soundtrack of a film is essential to the emotional reality of a film. A director and his/her sound team reveal the power of sound, taking us through the process of designing and creating the soundtrack of a film.
February 11th - The Director’s Vision and the Creative Team – From the initial stages of research to the execution on set, director Catherine Hardwicke and her creative team explain how they achieve the look of a film through cinematography, production design, and editing.
February 18th - The Independent Spirit: A Directors Roundtable – 2009 Spirit Award nominees discuss their films, their careers, and the way in which they have been able to balance their artistic integrity with the demands of the marketplace. Panelists include Courtney Hunt, Lance Hammer, and additional directors to be announced.
February 25th - Writing and Directing – Through the work of directors who write and direct their material, or write for other directors, this panel explores the writing process and the writer/director collaboration. Panelists include Jonathan Levine, Howard Rodman, and additional directors to be announced.
March 4th - Casting and Directing Actors – Hear from every different point of view on what’s behind a great performance, as actors, a casting director, and director Rodrigo García discuss the ways in which they collaborate. Reception following to be hosted by SAGIndie.
March 11th - New Visions, New Media – Explore how new technologies are allowing filmmakers to expand their palettes and take charge of production, not only to make their films, but how to get them to an audience.
All panels will take place in Theater 8 at The Landmark - West Los Angeles (10850 West Pico Boulevard at Westwood Boulevard) on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – between February 4 - March 11, 2009. Each panel will be followed by a reception.
To purchase a pass for the 2009 Directors Close-Up or individual tickets, please phone Film Independent’s reservation line at 310.432.1222 or send an email to Reservations@FilmIndependent.org. Ticket prices are $180 for a series pass and $35 per session for Film Independent members, and $280 for a series pass and $50 per session for the general public. Starting today until February 2, 2009, the purchase of a series pass will also include one free guest ticket to a panel of your choice.
For more information about this year’s Directors Close-Up or to register, please visit www.FilmIndependent.org/directorseries
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a non-profit membership organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.
With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent also offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally-diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.
Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.
For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org
DIRECTORS CLOSE-UP: CONVERSATIONS ON THE ART OF FILMMAKING
Influential Independent Directors and Their Collaborators Reveal Secrets of the Craft with Filmmakers and Film Lovers
LOS ANGELES (January 26, 2009) – Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent, announced today the ninth annual Directors Close-Up: Conversations on the Art of Filmmaking, formerly known as the Director Series, which will be held February 4 – March 11, 2009 at The Landmark - West Los Angeles. Attendees will have access to some of the most innovative names in independent filmmaking, with Mary Sweeney (“The Straight Story,” “Mulholland Drive”), David Lynch’s long time creative collaborator, serving as moderator.
Film Independent’s 2009 Directors Close-Up is sponsored by Skywalker Sound, The Landmark, the Directors Guild of America, NBC Universal and NAB Show.
“The Directors Close-Up series is a rare opportunity for both filmmakers and film lovers to learn about filmmaking first-hand from some of our most prominent independent directors and their collaborators,” said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent. “In addition to writers, directors, and producers, those who are simply passionate about film can also be inspired by hearing our diverse group of panelists talk in depth about their craft.”
“Film Independent has had great success with the Directors Close-Up series, not only because of the notoriety of the filmmakers involved, but because of how deeply the panelists delve into every step of the creative process, from developing the script all the way to the post-production process,“ said María Bozzi, Director of Film Education. “Each session provides a sense of how the director’s vision gets translated onto the screen, and how collaboration is key in bringing that vision to life.”
Series panelists this year include Elliot Davis (cinematographer, “Twilight,” “Lords of Dogtown”), Rodrigo García (“In Treatment,” “Nine Lives”), Lance Hammer (“Ballast”), Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight,” “Lords of Dogtown”), Oscar nominee Courtney Hunt (“Frozen River”), Jonathan Levine (“The Wackness”), Nancy Richardson (editor, “Twilight,” “Lords of Dogtown”), Howard Rodman (screenwriter, “Savage Grace”), with additional names to be announced.
Past panelists have included Don Cheadle, Bill Condon, Scott Frank, Alejandro González Iñárritu, David Fincher, Marc Forster, Paul Haggis, Zach Helm, Nicole Holofcener, Tamara Jenkins, Spike Jonze, Miranda July, Callie Khouri, Diana Ossana, Alexander Payne, Elizabeth Peña, Jason Reitman, Walter Salles, Julian Schnabel, and Kevin Smith.
This year’s panels will cover the following topics:
February 4th – Music and Sound Design – The soundtrack of a film is essential to the emotional reality of a film. A director and his/her sound team reveal the power of sound, taking us through the process of designing and creating the soundtrack of a film.
February 11th - The Director’s Vision and the Creative Team – From the initial stages of research to the execution on set, director Catherine Hardwicke and her creative team explain how they achieve the look of a film through cinematography, production design, and editing.
February 18th - The Independent Spirit: A Directors Roundtable – 2009 Spirit Award nominees discuss their films, their careers, and the way in which they have been able to balance their artistic integrity with the demands of the marketplace. Panelists include Courtney Hunt, Lance Hammer, and additional directors to be announced.
February 25th - Writing and Directing – Through the work of directors who write and direct their material, or write for other directors, this panel explores the writing process and the writer/director collaboration. Panelists include Jonathan Levine, Howard Rodman, and additional directors to be announced.
March 4th - Casting and Directing Actors – Hear from every different point of view on what’s behind a great performance, as actors, a casting director, and director Rodrigo García discuss the ways in which they collaborate. Reception following to be hosted by SAGIndie.
March 11th - New Visions, New Media – Explore how new technologies are allowing filmmakers to expand their palettes and take charge of production, not only to make their films, but how to get them to an audience.
All panels will take place in Theater 8 at The Landmark - West Los Angeles (10850 West Pico Boulevard at Westwood Boulevard) on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – between February 4 - March 11, 2009. Each panel will be followed by a reception.
To purchase a pass for the 2009 Directors Close-Up or individual tickets, please phone Film Independent’s reservation line at 310.432.1222 or send an email to Reservations@FilmIndependent.org. Ticket prices are $180 for a series pass and $35 per session for Film Independent members, and $280 for a series pass and $50 per session for the general public. Starting today until February 2, 2009, the purchase of a series pass will also include one free guest ticket to a panel of your choice.
For more information about this year’s Directors Close-Up or to register, please visit www.FilmIndependent.org/directorseries
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a non-profit membership organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.
With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent also offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally-diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.
Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.
For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org
BLUEWATER ADDS 22 BONUS PAGES TO FEBRUARY RELEASES.
Starting in February, Bluewater is adding a bonus 22-page flipbook to some of its titles. The original $3.99 cover price will stay the same but the consumer will enjoy 48-pages of content.
Listed below are the titles coming with the FREE bonus book:
1) “10th Muse 800” #1 comes with a FREE “Judo Girl/ Venus” #1
2) “Judo Girl/ Venus” #1 comes with a FREE 10th Muse 800 #1
3) “Wrath of the Titans: Cyclops” comes with a FREE “Pit and the Pendulum”
4) “Pit and the Pendulum” comes with a FREE “Wrath of the Titans: Cyclops”
5) “Missile to the Moon” #1 comes with a FREE “Imaginaries” #2
6) “Imaginaries” #2 comes with a FREE “Missile to the Moon” #1
Making sure not to confuse anyone, Bluewater has made a special cover for the back of the flipbook. The original covers, UPC codes & order codes have remained the same.
“With the economy the way that it is, we realize that $3.99 is a lot to spend on a 22 page comic book,” said Bluewater Productions Publisher, Darren G. Davis. “I buy comics every week and I see how expensive they have become. With that in mind we are making sure that people that buy our books get the most for their money.”
Bluewater is also making sure to add bonus material to our other titles. “Plan 9 From Outer Space…Strikes Again”, will have 28 pages of sequential content.
Davis continued, “It is rare that you will find one of our books with only 22 pages. We want to do more than just put in a pin-up to take up space. For example with the Ray Harryhausen titles we showcased some of Harryhausen’s original artwork.”
The “Vincent Price Presents” series will not only have a 4-page back-up stories but pin-ups as well. In each issue the comic comes with an intro and outro featuring Vincent Price. This is on top of the 22-page story.
About Bluewater Productions:
Bluewater Productions, Inc., is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers 10th MUSE, VSS and THE LEGEND OF ISIS. Bluewater publishes comic books with legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen and soon will launch a series in conjunction with sci-fi icon William Shatner. Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry’s top artists and writers. For more information, visit www.bluewateprod.com.
Starting in February, Bluewater is adding a bonus 22-page flipbook to some of its titles. The original $3.99 cover price will stay the same but the consumer will enjoy 48-pages of content.
Listed below are the titles coming with the FREE bonus book:
1) “10th Muse 800” #1 comes with a FREE “Judo Girl/ Venus” #1
2) “Judo Girl/ Venus” #1 comes with a FREE 10th Muse 800 #1
3) “Wrath of the Titans: Cyclops” comes with a FREE “Pit and the Pendulum”
4) “Pit and the Pendulum” comes with a FREE “Wrath of the Titans: Cyclops”
5) “Missile to the Moon” #1 comes with a FREE “Imaginaries” #2
6) “Imaginaries” #2 comes with a FREE “Missile to the Moon” #1
Making sure not to confuse anyone, Bluewater has made a special cover for the back of the flipbook. The original covers, UPC codes & order codes have remained the same.
“With the economy the way that it is, we realize that $3.99 is a lot to spend on a 22 page comic book,” said Bluewater Productions Publisher, Darren G. Davis. “I buy comics every week and I see how expensive they have become. With that in mind we are making sure that people that buy our books get the most for their money.”
Bluewater is also making sure to add bonus material to our other titles. “Plan 9 From Outer Space…Strikes Again”, will have 28 pages of sequential content.
Davis continued, “It is rare that you will find one of our books with only 22 pages. We want to do more than just put in a pin-up to take up space. For example with the Ray Harryhausen titles we showcased some of Harryhausen’s original artwork.”
The “Vincent Price Presents” series will not only have a 4-page back-up stories but pin-ups as well. In each issue the comic comes with an intro and outro featuring Vincent Price. This is on top of the 22-page story.
About Bluewater Productions:
Bluewater Productions, Inc., is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers 10th MUSE, VSS and THE LEGEND OF ISIS. Bluewater publishes comic books with legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen and soon will launch a series in conjunction with sci-fi icon William Shatner. Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry’s top artists and writers. For more information, visit www.bluewateprod.com.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
First-Ever iPhone/ iTouch Motion Comic—"SPARKS"—Debuted by Catastrophic Comics
Voiced by Hollywood Actors Michael Paré, William Katt & Michael Bell
(January 28, 2009) Los Angeles—"Sparks,” the first Motion Comic created specifically for the iPhone and iTouch is proudly presented by Catastrophic Comics. The “Sparks” Application, which includes original artwork in addition to the original motion comic, can be downloaded for 99 cents at the iTunes Store (keywords: "Sparks Part 1"; "Catastrophic Comics"). A superhero noir-thriller that was published as a comic book series in 2008, “Sparks” bridges the gap between the printed page and full-fledged animation.
"Part 1” is voiced by actors Michael Paré ("Eddie and the Cruisers"); Michael Bell ("Transformers"); Charlie Brill ("Star Trek"); Kevin Sherwood ("Gamers"); and Courtenay Taylor (“Justice League Heroes”). The episode also features actress Ashley Bell, who currently stars in the new Showtime series "United States of Tara."
Christopher Folino, writer and producer of "Sparks,” comments, "This application is the immediate future of comic books. “Sparks,” in addition to being the first Motion Comic of its kind to debut on the iPhone, features tremendous voice talent and production value."
www.catastrophiccomics.com
Voiced by Hollywood Actors Michael Paré, William Katt & Michael Bell
(January 28, 2009) Los Angeles—"Sparks,” the first Motion Comic created specifically for the iPhone and iTouch is proudly presented by Catastrophic Comics. The “Sparks” Application, which includes original artwork in addition to the original motion comic, can be downloaded for 99 cents at the iTunes Store (keywords: "Sparks Part 1"; "Catastrophic Comics"). A superhero noir-thriller that was published as a comic book series in 2008, “Sparks” bridges the gap between the printed page and full-fledged animation.
"Part 1” is voiced by actors Michael Paré ("Eddie and the Cruisers"); Michael Bell ("Transformers"); Charlie Brill ("Star Trek"); Kevin Sherwood ("Gamers"); and Courtenay Taylor (“Justice League Heroes”). The episode also features actress Ashley Bell, who currently stars in the new Showtime series "United States of Tara."
Christopher Folino, writer and producer of "Sparks,” comments, "This application is the immediate future of comic books. “Sparks,” in addition to being the first Motion Comic of its kind to debut on the iPhone, features tremendous voice talent and production value."
www.catastrophiccomics.com
A DIRECT MARKET EVENT!
NEW ONGOING MARK WAID SUPERHERO SERIES
FROM BOOM! STUDIOS
MARK WAID IS EVIL
MARK WAID ISŠ
IRREDEEMABLE
AN APOCALYPTIC SUPERHERO TALE
IN THE VEIN OF KINGDOM COME
WITH AN EMPIRE TWIST
ISSUE #1 COVERS BY JOHN CASSADAY AND BARRY KITSON
January 27th, 2009 - Brace yourselves for a comic industry event: BOOM! Studios presents a new monthly ongoing superhero series from Mark Waid - IRREDEEMABLE!
With IRREDEEMABLE, Mark Waid dares to ask the question: what if the world's greatest hero decided to become the world's greatest villain? IRREDEEMABLE is a "twilight of the superheroes"-style story from the writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE!
IRREDEEMABLE #1 will feature variant covers by John Cassaday (ASTONISHING X-MEN, PLANETARY) and Barry Kitson (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) in a 75/25 split. The first twelve issues of the series will feature incentive covers by hot newcomer Jeffrey Spokes that will spell out I-R-R-E-D-E-E-M-A-B-L-E! The first issue incentive cover will be a special 1-in-50 rarity with every copy signed by Mark Waid. IRREDEEMABLE issue #1 will also feature a special afterword by Grant Morrison.
Peter (POWER OF SHAZAM) Krause has committed to doing the interiors for the first twelve issues.
"In superhero comics, pretty much everyone who's called upon to put on a cape is, at heart, emotionally equipped for the job. I reject that premise," said series writer and BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid. "IRREDEEMABLE is, in a way, my third and most complex chapter on the cost of superheroics - a pulp adventure tale of horror exploring how the lessons we learn about right and wrong as children can become warped and twisted when challenged by the realities of the adult world. "
"IRREDEEMABLE is a fresh start, a way to enjoy superhero comics without forty to eighty years of back story and following dozens of titles," said BOOM! Studios managing editor Matt Gagnon. "It's the superhero book fans have been waiting for!"
IRREDEEMABLE #1 features variant covers by John Cassaday and Barry Kitson in a 75/25 split with incentive covers by Jeffrey Spokes and is a "Featured Item" in the Diamond Previews Catalog with an order code of FEB094134.
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.
NEW ONGOING MARK WAID SUPERHERO SERIES
FROM BOOM! STUDIOS
MARK WAID IS EVIL
MARK WAID ISŠ
IRREDEEMABLE
AN APOCALYPTIC SUPERHERO TALE
IN THE VEIN OF KINGDOM COME
WITH AN EMPIRE TWIST
ISSUE #1 COVERS BY JOHN CASSADAY AND BARRY KITSON
January 27th, 2009 - Brace yourselves for a comic industry event: BOOM! Studios presents a new monthly ongoing superhero series from Mark Waid - IRREDEEMABLE!
With IRREDEEMABLE, Mark Waid dares to ask the question: what if the world's greatest hero decided to become the world's greatest villain? IRREDEEMABLE is a "twilight of the superheroes"-style story from the writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE!
IRREDEEMABLE #1 will feature variant covers by John Cassaday (ASTONISHING X-MEN, PLANETARY) and Barry Kitson (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) in a 75/25 split. The first twelve issues of the series will feature incentive covers by hot newcomer Jeffrey Spokes that will spell out I-R-R-E-D-E-E-M-A-B-L-E! The first issue incentive cover will be a special 1-in-50 rarity with every copy signed by Mark Waid. IRREDEEMABLE issue #1 will also feature a special afterword by Grant Morrison.
Peter (POWER OF SHAZAM) Krause has committed to doing the interiors for the first twelve issues.
"In superhero comics, pretty much everyone who's called upon to put on a cape is, at heart, emotionally equipped for the job. I reject that premise," said series writer and BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid. "IRREDEEMABLE is, in a way, my third and most complex chapter on the cost of superheroics - a pulp adventure tale of horror exploring how the lessons we learn about right and wrong as children can become warped and twisted when challenged by the realities of the adult world. "
"IRREDEEMABLE is a fresh start, a way to enjoy superhero comics without forty to eighty years of back story and following dozens of titles," said BOOM! Studios managing editor Matt Gagnon. "It's the superhero book fans have been waiting for!"
IRREDEEMABLE #1 features variant covers by John Cassaday and Barry Kitson in a 75/25 split with incentive covers by Jeffrey Spokes and is a "Featured Item" in the Diamond Previews Catalog with an order code of FEB094134.
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.
Radical’s Shrapnel an explosive hit with the critics
January 28th, 2009 – Released in early January, Radical Publishing’s newest title, SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING, has quickly garnered rave attention from retailers, reviewers and fans.
Co-created by Mark Long and Nick Sagan, SHRAPNEL represents Radical’s biggest publishing commitment to date, with the first of three miniseries, ARISTEIA RISING, written by M. Zachary Sherman and painted by Bagus Hutomo. The Jan. 19 edition of The Philadelphia Daily News offers glowing support for the series, concluding: “If you want a book that's different, with a heroine to root for, that reads and looks like a film and that packs a whopping 48 pages in between its covers for only $1.99, SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING No. 1 is for you."
“We made our biggest commitment to release SHRAPNEL, and I’m just as excited about the series now as when Mark and Nick first showed it to me,” says Radical Publishing’s President and Publisher Barry Levine. “The overwhelming response from just the first issue is amazing. And from having read the story, I know that readers are going to want to stay with this for the long haul.”
“The reaction to the book, for me at least, was completely unexpected,” Sherman adds. “I'm very excited to see the response that it’s getting. Mark and Nick's vision of a dystopian future with a universe at war was one I saw in my head immediately, and it’s been a pleasure to contribute to that.”
Other reviews for SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING include:
"Hardcore science fictions fan should not miss this." --IGN
"Intense and intelligent story partnered with art that makes your eyes drool." --Ain't It Cool News
"It is, in a word, epic." --The Scoop
"What a great book! Radical hits another one out of the park with this 48-page premiere issue." --Comic Book Page
"Overall Grade: A. SHRAPNEL delivers a high octane future war story with characters that you want to know. Run out to your local store and get this book." --Comics And...
"Honestly, this is one the best books I've reviewed." --Comics Bulletin
"SHRAPNEL epitomizes everything that sci-fi comics should be." --Twelve Fingers
"This is a great beginning to a sci-fi comic series." --Project Fanboy
"People looking for science fiction, especially with a bit of a harder edge, should check this one out." --Comixtreme
“The reviews have been great, but what I find most satisfying is that the reviewers have recognized Zack’s more subtle, political themes of the series and the bold departure of Kai’s art,” says Long. Adds Sagan, “It’s gratifying that SHRAPNEL is being received so well, and I’m very happy that all the hard work that went into it is shining through.”
SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING #1 is currently on sale now. To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook.
SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING #2 goes on sale Feb. 4 with two covers: one by Arthur Suydam (Diamond Code: DEC084205) and one by Gerhard Mozsi (Diamond Code: DEC084206).
SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING #3 appears in the January 2009 Diamond Previews catalogue, to ship March 2009 with two covers: one by Marek Okon (Diamond Code: JAN094398) and one by Borkur Eiriksson (Diamond Code: JAN094399).
About Radical Publishing
Radical Publishing is founded by BARRY LEVINE (Producer for HERCULES, CALIBER, FREEDOM FORMULA and Executive Producer for the in-development REX MUNDI movie from Warner Bros., written by JIM UHLS and starring JOHNNY DEPP); his protege JESSE BERGER (Executive Producer for HERCULES, CALIBER and FREEDOM FORMULA); and longtime writer/publisher DAVID ELLIOTT (Atomeka Press and Tundra Publishing).
Radical Publishing brings the best writing, storytelling and fully painted cover and interior art to the global comic book market, from prominent international talents such as YOSHITAKA AMANO, JOHN BOLTON, LUIS ROYO, JIM STERANKO, STEVE PUGH, WARREN ELLIS, ARTHUR SUYDAM, STEVE NILES, MARKO DJURDJEVIC, IAN EDGINTON, DAVID HINE, RICK REMENDER, JOSEPH KOSINSKI, NICK PERCIVAL, STEVE MOORE, SAM SARKAR, STJEPAN SEJIC, DAVE WILKINS, TOMM COKER, CLAYTON CRAIN, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, NICK SAGAN, CLINT LANGLEY, NICK SIMMONS, PATRICK REILLY, WETA WORKSHOP, ZOMBIE STUDIOS and many more.
Radical Publishing currently has production deals with Universal Studios, Spyglass Entertainment, PETER BERG's Film 44 and Radical Pictures for HERCULES; JOHN WOO's Lion Rock Productions, JOHNNY DEPP's Infinitum Nihil and Radical Pictures for CALIBER; and BRYAN SINGER's Bad Hat Harry Productions and Radical Pictures for FREEDOM FORMULA.
January 28th, 2009 – Released in early January, Radical Publishing’s newest title, SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING, has quickly garnered rave attention from retailers, reviewers and fans.
Co-created by Mark Long and Nick Sagan, SHRAPNEL represents Radical’s biggest publishing commitment to date, with the first of three miniseries, ARISTEIA RISING, written by M. Zachary Sherman and painted by Bagus Hutomo. The Jan. 19 edition of The Philadelphia Daily News offers glowing support for the series, concluding: “If you want a book that's different, with a heroine to root for, that reads and looks like a film and that packs a whopping 48 pages in between its covers for only $1.99, SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING No. 1 is for you."
“We made our biggest commitment to release SHRAPNEL, and I’m just as excited about the series now as when Mark and Nick first showed it to me,” says Radical Publishing’s President and Publisher Barry Levine. “The overwhelming response from just the first issue is amazing. And from having read the story, I know that readers are going to want to stay with this for the long haul.”
“The reaction to the book, for me at least, was completely unexpected,” Sherman adds. “I'm very excited to see the response that it’s getting. Mark and Nick's vision of a dystopian future with a universe at war was one I saw in my head immediately, and it’s been a pleasure to contribute to that.”
Other reviews for SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING include:
"Hardcore science fictions fan should not miss this." --IGN
"Intense and intelligent story partnered with art that makes your eyes drool." --Ain't It Cool News
"It is, in a word, epic." --The Scoop
"What a great book! Radical hits another one out of the park with this 48-page premiere issue." --Comic Book Page
"Overall Grade: A. SHRAPNEL delivers a high octane future war story with characters that you want to know. Run out to your local store and get this book." --Comics And...
"Honestly, this is one the best books I've reviewed." --Comics Bulletin
"SHRAPNEL epitomizes everything that sci-fi comics should be." --Twelve Fingers
"This is a great beginning to a sci-fi comic series." --Project Fanboy
"People looking for science fiction, especially with a bit of a harder edge, should check this one out." --Comixtreme
“The reviews have been great, but what I find most satisfying is that the reviewers have recognized Zack’s more subtle, political themes of the series and the bold departure of Kai’s art,” says Long. Adds Sagan, “It’s gratifying that SHRAPNEL is being received so well, and I’m very happy that all the hard work that went into it is shining through.”
SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING #1 is currently on sale now. To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook.
SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING #2 goes on sale Feb. 4 with two covers: one by Arthur Suydam (Diamond Code: DEC084205) and one by Gerhard Mozsi (Diamond Code: DEC084206).
SHRAPNEL: ARISTEIA RISING #3 appears in the January 2009 Diamond Previews catalogue, to ship March 2009 with two covers: one by Marek Okon (Diamond Code: JAN094398) and one by Borkur Eiriksson (Diamond Code: JAN094399).
About Radical Publishing
Radical Publishing is founded by BARRY LEVINE (Producer for HERCULES, CALIBER, FREEDOM FORMULA and Executive Producer for the in-development REX MUNDI movie from Warner Bros., written by JIM UHLS and starring JOHNNY DEPP); his protege JESSE BERGER (Executive Producer for HERCULES, CALIBER and FREEDOM FORMULA); and longtime writer/publisher DAVID ELLIOTT (Atomeka Press and Tundra Publishing).
Radical Publishing brings the best writing, storytelling and fully painted cover and interior art to the global comic book market, from prominent international talents such as YOSHITAKA AMANO, JOHN BOLTON, LUIS ROYO, JIM STERANKO, STEVE PUGH, WARREN ELLIS, ARTHUR SUYDAM, STEVE NILES, MARKO DJURDJEVIC, IAN EDGINTON, DAVID HINE, RICK REMENDER, JOSEPH KOSINSKI, NICK PERCIVAL, STEVE MOORE, SAM SARKAR, STJEPAN SEJIC, DAVE WILKINS, TOMM COKER, CLAYTON CRAIN, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, NICK SAGAN, CLINT LANGLEY, NICK SIMMONS, PATRICK REILLY, WETA WORKSHOP, ZOMBIE STUDIOS and many more.
Radical Publishing currently has production deals with Universal Studios, Spyglass Entertainment, PETER BERG's Film 44 and Radical Pictures for HERCULES; JOHN WOO's Lion Rock Productions, JOHNNY DEPP's Infinitum Nihil and Radical Pictures for CALIBER; and BRYAN SINGER's Bad Hat Harry Productions and Radical Pictures for FREEDOM FORMULA.
Death Ray and Maya Partner to bring Dark Horse Comic
El Zombo to the Big Screen
Hollywood, CA. Jan. 26 - Death Ray Films and Maya Entertainment team up to bring the acclaimed Dark Horse comic book El Zombo Fantasma to the big screen.
El Zombo Fantasma, published by Dark Horse Comics in 2005, created by David Wilkins and Kevin Munroe, will be produced under the Death Ray Films banner recently formed by Chris Patton, Kevin Munroe and Robert Sanchez who are currently in production on War Monkeys.
The story follows the mysterious murder of the world's most notorious Mexican wrestler who bargains his way out of an eternity of fiery damnation by returning to Los Angeles to play guardian angel to a troublesome teen, Belisa Montoya. He soon discovers that the teen is not what she seems and that their fates have been intertwined for centuries.
Death Ray Films and Maya Entertainment will bring tales of the undead masked wrestler to multiple mediums starting with the live action feature followed by a new animated series.
Kevin Munroe will write and direct with Chris Patton and Robert Sanchez producing. Wilkins and Munroe will co-produce. Mike Richardson will executive produce for Dark Horse Entertainment.
Jose Martinez and Kellvin Chavez will produce along with Academy Award nominee Moctesuma Esparza who will executive produce for Maya Entertainment.
“Zombo started years ago as just a geeky idea between two friends who worked at the same video game company,” says Munroe. “But Dave and I always knew that the property had a broader appeal than just its publishing roots, and now we'll see it finally reach an entirely new audience. I'm thrilled to be a part of creating this new breed of superhero for the big screen.”
"As a Cuban-American in this industry, I see El Zombo as a unique property that will not only showcase Latinos but also appeal to all audiences. It has action, romance, redemption and wrestling, it's a Latin Hellboy," says Robert Sanchez. "It's the prefect date movie!"
“El Zombo is an extremely cool superhero and it's tremendous, pile-driving fun,” says Kellvin Chavez. “As a fan of wrestling, I used to watch 'Santo, el Enmascarado de Plata' one of the most famous Mexican free wrestlers, so I was excited by this project.”
“We are excited to work with Death Ray and Dark Horse on El Zombo as it furthers our goal of bringing Latino themes and Latino talent to the commercial market,” says Jose Martinez Jr. for Maya. “We plan to blow this out in a big way so that everyone can enjoy this awesome idea.
About Death Ray Films
DEATH RAY FILMS is an entertainment production company founded by comic book & film industry veterans Chris Patton, Robert Sanchez and Kevin Munroe. The trio's diverse backgrounds and extensive experience in all forms of media include: film, TV, Internet, comics and video games. And when combined, they form a giant robot.
About Maya Entertainment
MAYA ENTERTAINMENT, created by award winning producer Moctesuma Esparza, is a vertically integrated company and is the only production/distribution/exhibition entity in the United States, dedicated to the constantly growing US Latino Market. The Latino market represents the fastest-growing consumer segment in the U.S. and accordingly offers some of the most exciting growth opportunities for the entertainment industry today. Maya Entertainment is uniquely poised to become the first broad-based Latino-oriented filmed entertainment company.
El Zombo to the Big Screen
Hollywood, CA. Jan. 26 - Death Ray Films and Maya Entertainment team up to bring the acclaimed Dark Horse comic book El Zombo Fantasma to the big screen.
El Zombo Fantasma, published by Dark Horse Comics in 2005, created by David Wilkins and Kevin Munroe, will be produced under the Death Ray Films banner recently formed by Chris Patton, Kevin Munroe and Robert Sanchez who are currently in production on War Monkeys.
The story follows the mysterious murder of the world's most notorious Mexican wrestler who bargains his way out of an eternity of fiery damnation by returning to Los Angeles to play guardian angel to a troublesome teen, Belisa Montoya. He soon discovers that the teen is not what she seems and that their fates have been intertwined for centuries.
Death Ray Films and Maya Entertainment will bring tales of the undead masked wrestler to multiple mediums starting with the live action feature followed by a new animated series.
Kevin Munroe will write and direct with Chris Patton and Robert Sanchez producing. Wilkins and Munroe will co-produce. Mike Richardson will executive produce for Dark Horse Entertainment.
Jose Martinez and Kellvin Chavez will produce along with Academy Award nominee Moctesuma Esparza who will executive produce for Maya Entertainment.
“Zombo started years ago as just a geeky idea between two friends who worked at the same video game company,” says Munroe. “But Dave and I always knew that the property had a broader appeal than just its publishing roots, and now we'll see it finally reach an entirely new audience. I'm thrilled to be a part of creating this new breed of superhero for the big screen.”
"As a Cuban-American in this industry, I see El Zombo as a unique property that will not only showcase Latinos but also appeal to all audiences. It has action, romance, redemption and wrestling, it's a Latin Hellboy," says Robert Sanchez. "It's the prefect date movie!"
“El Zombo is an extremely cool superhero and it's tremendous, pile-driving fun,” says Kellvin Chavez. “As a fan of wrestling, I used to watch 'Santo, el Enmascarado de Plata' one of the most famous Mexican free wrestlers, so I was excited by this project.”
“We are excited to work with Death Ray and Dark Horse on El Zombo as it furthers our goal of bringing Latino themes and Latino talent to the commercial market,” says Jose Martinez Jr. for Maya. “We plan to blow this out in a big way so that everyone can enjoy this awesome idea.
About Death Ray Films
DEATH RAY FILMS is an entertainment production company founded by comic book & film industry veterans Chris Patton, Robert Sanchez and Kevin Munroe. The trio's diverse backgrounds and extensive experience in all forms of media include: film, TV, Internet, comics and video games. And when combined, they form a giant robot.
About Maya Entertainment
MAYA ENTERTAINMENT, created by award winning producer Moctesuma Esparza, is a vertically integrated company and is the only production/distribution/exhibition entity in the United States, dedicated to the constantly growing US Latino Market. The Latino market represents the fastest-growing consumer segment in the U.S. and accordingly offers some of the most exciting growth opportunities for the entertainment industry today. Maya Entertainment is uniquely poised to become the first broad-based Latino-oriented filmed entertainment company.
Anthony Daniels and his alter ego C-3PO play a pivotal role in “Trespass,” an all-new episode of the hit animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Jan. 30, on Cartoon Network.
While investigating the disappearance of a clone security force on a fiercly inhospitable ice world, Anakin and Obi-Wan are caught in the middle of a conflict between the planet’s natives and the greedy representatives of a nearby moon. In an effort to broker a tentative peace, Anakin turns to C-3PO for help – and finds his fluency in more than 6 million forms of communication to be most useful.
Daniels has played C-3PO on screen in all six STAR WARS movies, and has continued in the role since the inception of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. With the animated series, Daniels becomes the only actor to play the same role in every on-screen incarnation of the Saga. He has also become a spokesman and host for the popular Art and Science of Star Wars exhibition around the world, and has written extensively about his experiences as a part of the Star Wars phenomenon.
“I've never left the character or, rather, he's never left me,” says Daniels. “I put him in the cupboard for a while, but people call and I take him out again. There was a time many years ago when I thought I should move on to other things, but then I thought that was stupid. I'm very fond of Threepio.”
Daniels says the voiceover performance of Threepio is a welcome respite from the rigors of bringing Threepio to the screen in live-action productions. He finds the animation process offers “quite a lot of freedom.”
“When you're reading lines by yourself, it's not always as easy to ad-lib,” Daniels says. “But what Dave (Filoni) and I do is to go over my lines before we start because, sadly, I am the world's greatest expert. And I say that with a kind of wry fun, because Threepio is kind of like my best friend, and you know your best friend better than anyone.”
Filoni says, “It was important to have Anthony as Threepio because I wanted to learn as much from him as I could. Anthony has incredible insight into every word and phrase that he says. There’s rarely a line that he won’t adapt to Threepio’s cadence, so we’ve developed a good vocabulary. We’re both excited to do new things with Threepio, and hopefully in the future, viewers will see us expand our view of the character. After all, Threepio is as much an icon of Star Wars as Darth Vader.”
In “Trespass,” Threepio presents his most proper, most effective side – that of translator. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t provide a moment or two of levity, as is usually the case with the protocol droid.
“The thing I always liked about Threepio is that he wasn't a hero – he was somebody who had no sense of humor and no sense of irony,” Daniels says. “He doesn't know that he's funny. We think he's funny because he's ridiculous, he's uptight and a bit critical and it makes us laugh at him. But his saving grace and the reason that we like him is that he's very thoughtful and very loyal. If he's on your side, you would have a friend to the end of your existence. Or probably to the end of his existence, because he's loyal to a fault, to his last nut and his last bolt.”
Daniels has a clear memory of the original reference to the Clone Wars, and the curious impression it had on the cast – though, he admits, nobody had any idea it would grow to the proportions it has achieved within the Star Wars universe.
“I was amused the other day to remember Mark Hamill going through his lines with me one day, and we both kind of looked at each other regarding this casual one-liner about ‘the Clone Wars,’” Daniels recalls. “And then of course, it got picked up in the prequels and now it's its own TV series. Animation has grown up. It's become very, very honorable, and I think Clone Wars has taken the next step.”
While investigating the disappearance of a clone security force on a fiercly inhospitable ice world, Anakin and Obi-Wan are caught in the middle of a conflict between the planet’s natives and the greedy representatives of a nearby moon. In an effort to broker a tentative peace, Anakin turns to C-3PO for help – and finds his fluency in more than 6 million forms of communication to be most useful.
Daniels has played C-3PO on screen in all six STAR WARS movies, and has continued in the role since the inception of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. With the animated series, Daniels becomes the only actor to play the same role in every on-screen incarnation of the Saga. He has also become a spokesman and host for the popular Art and Science of Star Wars exhibition around the world, and has written extensively about his experiences as a part of the Star Wars phenomenon.
“I've never left the character or, rather, he's never left me,” says Daniels. “I put him in the cupboard for a while, but people call and I take him out again. There was a time many years ago when I thought I should move on to other things, but then I thought that was stupid. I'm very fond of Threepio.”
Daniels says the voiceover performance of Threepio is a welcome respite from the rigors of bringing Threepio to the screen in live-action productions. He finds the animation process offers “quite a lot of freedom.”
“When you're reading lines by yourself, it's not always as easy to ad-lib,” Daniels says. “But what Dave (Filoni) and I do is to go over my lines before we start because, sadly, I am the world's greatest expert. And I say that with a kind of wry fun, because Threepio is kind of like my best friend, and you know your best friend better than anyone.”
Filoni says, “It was important to have Anthony as Threepio because I wanted to learn as much from him as I could. Anthony has incredible insight into every word and phrase that he says. There’s rarely a line that he won’t adapt to Threepio’s cadence, so we’ve developed a good vocabulary. We’re both excited to do new things with Threepio, and hopefully in the future, viewers will see us expand our view of the character. After all, Threepio is as much an icon of Star Wars as Darth Vader.”
In “Trespass,” Threepio presents his most proper, most effective side – that of translator. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t provide a moment or two of levity, as is usually the case with the protocol droid.
“The thing I always liked about Threepio is that he wasn't a hero – he was somebody who had no sense of humor and no sense of irony,” Daniels says. “He doesn't know that he's funny. We think he's funny because he's ridiculous, he's uptight and a bit critical and it makes us laugh at him. But his saving grace and the reason that we like him is that he's very thoughtful and very loyal. If he's on your side, you would have a friend to the end of your existence. Or probably to the end of his existence, because he's loyal to a fault, to his last nut and his last bolt.”
Daniels has a clear memory of the original reference to the Clone Wars, and the curious impression it had on the cast – though, he admits, nobody had any idea it would grow to the proportions it has achieved within the Star Wars universe.
“I was amused the other day to remember Mark Hamill going through his lines with me one day, and we both kind of looked at each other regarding this casual one-liner about ‘the Clone Wars,’” Daniels recalls. “And then of course, it got picked up in the prequels and now it's its own TV series. Animation has grown up. It's become very, very honorable, and I think Clone Wars has taken the next step.”
FARSCAPE #1 NEW YORK COMIC CON EXCLUSIVE
JOHN CRICHTON HOLOFOIL COVER
LIMITED TO 500
ONLY AVAILABLE AT NEW YORK COMIC CON 2009
BOOM! STUDIOS BOOTH #1313
NOT OFFERED ANYWHERE ELSE
FIRST IN A SERIES OF 3 CONVENTION COVERS
THIS SPRING
LOS ANGELES - January 26th, 2009 - BOOM! Studios will be offering a limited holofoil edition of their sold out comic FARSCAPE #1 available exclusively during New York Comic Con 2009.
The holofoil cover, featuring FARSCAPE's main character John Crichton, is limited to 500 copies, and will only be available at the BOOM! Studios booth (#1313) during New York Comic Con 2009. Featuring a gold metallic finish on a cardstock cover, it will be one of the most special limited edition collectibles ever made in association with FARSCAPE due to its extremely low print run. It is unavailable anywhere else.
New York Comic Con runs from Friday to Sunday February 6th - 8th, 2009 at The Javits Center in Manhattan.
This special limited edition comic is the first of an upcoming series of three special covers that will debut at a select number of comic book conventions across the country at the BOOM! Studios booth.
"When I first heard the term 'holofoil' I didn't know what to think. It's hard to describe the special metallic effect the books have. But once the issues came into the office, they blew my socks off," said Chip Mosher, Director of Sales and Marketing. "Fans are going to absolutely love them."
FARSCAPE #1 was released to near unanimous praise December 24th, 2008. After selling out in five days, FARSCAPE #1 will be receiving a second printing that will hit store shelves early February, shortly after the second issue hits the stands.
FARSCAPE #1 is written by television series creator Rockne S. O'Bannon with script by Keith R.A. DeCandido, interior art by Tommy Patterson and cover art by fan-favorites Dennis Calero and Joseph Corroney!
Picking up directly where the television miniseries FARSCAPE: THE PEACEKEEPER WARS left off, fans can look forward to show creator O'Bannon steering their favorite characters into new and original stories, keeping with the existing canon - and then extending it!
Debuting on the SCI-FI Channel in 1998, FARSCAPE follows the adventures of astronaut John Crichton, who has a freak accident during an experimental space mission that catapults him across a thousand galaxies to an alien battlefield. Suddenly, he's trapped among alien creatures wielding deadly technology - a battle that 20th century sci-fi pop culture never prepared him for. Hunted by a merciless military race, Crichton begins his quest for home from a distant galaxy.
A groundbreaking award-winning sci-fi production, FARSCAPE from The Jim Henson Company and [HALLMARK] has become a global favorite. Named by TV Guide as one of television's "Best Cult Shows Ever" and most recently named by EMPIRE Magazine as one of the "50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time," FARSCAPE is known for the overwhelming fan-based campaign that led to its miniseries production. The show has continued to find new audiences as it airs in syndication and is available on iTunes and DVD.
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.
JOHN CRICHTON HOLOFOIL COVER
LIMITED TO 500
ONLY AVAILABLE AT NEW YORK COMIC CON 2009
BOOM! STUDIOS BOOTH #1313
NOT OFFERED ANYWHERE ELSE
FIRST IN A SERIES OF 3 CONVENTION COVERS
THIS SPRING
LOS ANGELES - January 26th, 2009 - BOOM! Studios will be offering a limited holofoil edition of their sold out comic FARSCAPE #1 available exclusively during New York Comic Con 2009.
The holofoil cover, featuring FARSCAPE's main character John Crichton, is limited to 500 copies, and will only be available at the BOOM! Studios booth (#1313) during New York Comic Con 2009. Featuring a gold metallic finish on a cardstock cover, it will be one of the most special limited edition collectibles ever made in association with FARSCAPE due to its extremely low print run. It is unavailable anywhere else.
New York Comic Con runs from Friday to Sunday February 6th - 8th, 2009 at The Javits Center in Manhattan.
This special limited edition comic is the first of an upcoming series of three special covers that will debut at a select number of comic book conventions across the country at the BOOM! Studios booth.
"When I first heard the term 'holofoil' I didn't know what to think. It's hard to describe the special metallic effect the books have. But once the issues came into the office, they blew my socks off," said Chip Mosher, Director of Sales and Marketing. "Fans are going to absolutely love them."
FARSCAPE #1 was released to near unanimous praise December 24th, 2008. After selling out in five days, FARSCAPE #1 will be receiving a second printing that will hit store shelves early February, shortly after the second issue hits the stands.
FARSCAPE #1 is written by television series creator Rockne S. O'Bannon with script by Keith R.A. DeCandido, interior art by Tommy Patterson and cover art by fan-favorites Dennis Calero and Joseph Corroney!
Picking up directly where the television miniseries FARSCAPE: THE PEACEKEEPER WARS left off, fans can look forward to show creator O'Bannon steering their favorite characters into new and original stories, keeping with the existing canon - and then extending it!
Debuting on the SCI-FI Channel in 1998, FARSCAPE follows the adventures of astronaut John Crichton, who has a freak accident during an experimental space mission that catapults him across a thousand galaxies to an alien battlefield. Suddenly, he's trapped among alien creatures wielding deadly technology - a battle that 20th century sci-fi pop culture never prepared him for. Hunted by a merciless military race, Crichton begins his quest for home from a distant galaxy.
A groundbreaking award-winning sci-fi production, FARSCAPE from The Jim Henson Company and [HALLMARK] has become a global favorite. Named by TV Guide as one of television's "Best Cult Shows Ever" and most recently named by EMPIRE Magazine as one of the "50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time," FARSCAPE is known for the overwhelming fan-based campaign that led to its miniseries production. The show has continued to find new audiences as it airs in syndication and is available on iTunes and DVD.
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.
PHOENIX TRIO BRING INDEPENDENT PRESS ABOVE GROUND
Monday, January 26, 2009 - Phoenix, AZ - On the last weekend of April in 2009, Phoenix will be proudly hosting its first-ever small press-based zine and comics convention, aptly dubbed the Underground Publishers Convention.
This inaugural festival, which is free for all attendees, will feature some of the best local and national underground publishers of zines, comics, magazines, and books, along with handcrafted DIY items and art. The convention will also feature Skill Share Sessions, where experienced and subversive authors, artists, and publishers will give brief how-to lessons on everything from self-publishing to brewing beer, making stencils, screen printing, making public art in the community and more!
The difference between UPC and the Phoenix Cactus Comic-Con, the local comic books and pop culture convention, is that UPC focuses exclusively on underground, independent, and small press comix and zines publishers and creators.
The event will be held al fresco at Stinkweeds Record Exchange on Camelback and Central Avenue in Phoenix Arizona. UPC 2009 is being organized by local Phoenix artists and publishers Jacki O., Brandon Huigens, and Camilla Orr.
Admission to UPC is free, and the weekend will be kicked off with a free show at Conspire Boutique and Coffee House on 5th Street and Garfield on Friday night, April 24 at 8pm, featuring readings from authors, publishers, activists, entertainers, artists, and musicians.
For the entire duration of the convention, there will be an ongoing mural of live artwork, done by exhibitors and attendees, on the north side of the Stinkweeds parking lot. Giant pieces of canvas will be used to create one of the largest pieces of community art ever presented in Phoenix, after which the canvas will be cut by hand and used for next year's UPC free event programs.
After each convention day closes, there will be designated after-party spots at some of Phoenix's finest establishments like The Lost Leaf, The Bikini Lounge, and The Roosevelt, complete with musical entertainment from a few of Phoenix's finest bands and musicians.
Come join us for a weekend of zines, comics, skillshares, music, food, DIY art and crafts, and fun. Admission is FREE April 24-26, 2009 at Stinkweeds Record Exchange, 11am to 6pm on Saturday, and 11am to 4pm on Sunday. Live-spun music will be provided courtesy of Stinkweeds, and free food for vegans, vegetarians, and hungry zinesters of all types will be available throughout the weekend. Trading of artwork and publications amongst exhibitors and attendees is strongly encouraged.
##
Camilla Orr is a writer and self publisher, recently relocated from Boston, where she helped found the Papercut Zine Library. Additionally, Orr has attained a vast array of relevant experience working in publicity at an academic university press back in Boston.
Writer and artist Brandon Huigens is a multi-award-winning cartoonist, comedian, and musician whose writing and comix can be found in Modest Proposal Magazine, Your Invisible City, ASU's Hayden's Ferry Review, and on AZ Central, among several others. His myriad comedic and autobiographical comics work has been praised by renouned indie cartoonists such as Jeffrey Brown, James Kochalka, and Jim Mahfood.
Jacki O. has been running Phoenix's only zine distro - Desert City Death Distro - since 2004. She compiles, edits, produces and publishes Your Invisible City, a cultural magazine on Phoenix underground art and music. She is a writer, publisher, comedian and artist, and co-produces the monthly Muff Mondays comedy show at The Ruby Room.
Links to flyers:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/theleadingbrand/typewriter_flyer_web.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/theleadingbrand/recyclehands_flyer_web.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/theleadingbrand/UPCinviteflyer.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/theleadingbrand/UPCtablingflyer.jpg
Monday, January 26, 2009 - Phoenix, AZ - On the last weekend of April in 2009, Phoenix will be proudly hosting its first-ever small press-based zine and comics convention, aptly dubbed the Underground Publishers Convention.
This inaugural festival, which is free for all attendees, will feature some of the best local and national underground publishers of zines, comics, magazines, and books, along with handcrafted DIY items and art. The convention will also feature Skill Share Sessions, where experienced and subversive authors, artists, and publishers will give brief how-to lessons on everything from self-publishing to brewing beer, making stencils, screen printing, making public art in the community and more!
The difference between UPC and the Phoenix Cactus Comic-Con, the local comic books and pop culture convention, is that UPC focuses exclusively on underground, independent, and small press comix and zines publishers and creators.
The event will be held al fresco at Stinkweeds Record Exchange on Camelback and Central Avenue in Phoenix Arizona. UPC 2009 is being organized by local Phoenix artists and publishers Jacki O., Brandon Huigens, and Camilla Orr.
Admission to UPC is free, and the weekend will be kicked off with a free show at Conspire Boutique and Coffee House on 5th Street and Garfield on Friday night, April 24 at 8pm, featuring readings from authors, publishers, activists, entertainers, artists, and musicians.
For the entire duration of the convention, there will be an ongoing mural of live artwork, done by exhibitors and attendees, on the north side of the Stinkweeds parking lot. Giant pieces of canvas will be used to create one of the largest pieces of community art ever presented in Phoenix, after which the canvas will be cut by hand and used for next year's UPC free event programs.
After each convention day closes, there will be designated after-party spots at some of Phoenix's finest establishments like The Lost Leaf, The Bikini Lounge, and The Roosevelt, complete with musical entertainment from a few of Phoenix's finest bands and musicians.
Come join us for a weekend of zines, comics, skillshares, music, food, DIY art and crafts, and fun. Admission is FREE April 24-26, 2009 at Stinkweeds Record Exchange, 11am to 6pm on Saturday, and 11am to 4pm on Sunday. Live-spun music will be provided courtesy of Stinkweeds, and free food for vegans, vegetarians, and hungry zinesters of all types will be available throughout the weekend. Trading of artwork and publications amongst exhibitors and attendees is strongly encouraged.
##
Camilla Orr is a writer and self publisher, recently relocated from Boston, where she helped found the Papercut Zine Library. Additionally, Orr has attained a vast array of relevant experience working in publicity at an academic university press back in Boston.
Writer and artist Brandon Huigens is a multi-award-winning cartoonist, comedian, and musician whose writing and comix can be found in Modest Proposal Magazine, Your Invisible City, ASU's Hayden's Ferry Review, and on AZ Central, among several others. His myriad comedic and autobiographical comics work has been praised by renouned indie cartoonists such as Jeffrey Brown, James Kochalka, and Jim Mahfood.
Jacki O. has been running Phoenix's only zine distro - Desert City Death Distro - since 2004. She compiles, edits, produces and publishes Your Invisible City, a cultural magazine on Phoenix underground art and music. She is a writer, publisher, comedian and artist, and co-produces the monthly Muff Mondays comedy show at The Ruby Room.
Links to flyers:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/theleadingbrand/typewriter_flyer_web.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/theleadingbrand/recyclehands_flyer_web.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/theleadingbrand/UPCinviteflyer.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b183/theleadingbrand/UPCtablingflyer.jpg
BOOM! STUDIOS PRESENTS
CAPED
AN IRREVERENT SUPERHERO STORY
THIS MARCH
Written by SOUTH PARK'S Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle!
Millions would kill to be a superhero's personal assistant
like Jimmy Lohman.
Unfortunately, he's not one of them.
Los Angeles - January 26th, 2009 - Think your boss is tough? Try working for a superhero! A story of capes, cowls and Blackberrys, CAPED comes to you from the brains of SOUTH PARK writers Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle, with art by Yair Herrera.
In CAPED, we meet Jimmy Lohman. Millions would kill to be a superhero's personal assistant. Unfortunately, Jimmy's not one of them. Down on his luck, and assisting a has-been hero, will anyone take Jimmy seriously when he uncovers the plot to kill off every superhero in town?
"Josh and Darin are some of the funniest guys I have met. And CAPED captures that completely. It's a laugh out loud funny superhero story that every tights and spandex fan will love," said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid.
"First thing you should know is that CAPED is autobiographical. We both had bosses who were jerks. They hogged all the credit but passed on all the blame. We wanted to tell a story about the unsung heroes and nowhere were those themes bigger - and funnier - than the superhero genre,"said CAPED co-writer Darin Moiselle.
CAPED features interior illustrations by Yair Herrera, known for his work on IDW's ZOMBIES: ECLIPSE OF THE UNDEAD! and THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO DRAWING SUPERHEROES AND VILLAINS.
"Sometimes we just need to make fun of superheroes!" said CAPED series editor Ian Brill. "This is the series to do that."
CAPED #1 features two variant covers by Saumin Patel and Joe Quinones with a Diamond Order Code: JAN094060
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.
CAPED
AN IRREVERENT SUPERHERO STORY
THIS MARCH
Written by SOUTH PARK'S Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle!
Millions would kill to be a superhero's personal assistant
like Jimmy Lohman.
Unfortunately, he's not one of them.
Los Angeles - January 26th, 2009 - Think your boss is tough? Try working for a superhero! A story of capes, cowls and Blackberrys, CAPED comes to you from the brains of SOUTH PARK writers Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle, with art by Yair Herrera.
In CAPED, we meet Jimmy Lohman. Millions would kill to be a superhero's personal assistant. Unfortunately, Jimmy's not one of them. Down on his luck, and assisting a has-been hero, will anyone take Jimmy seriously when he uncovers the plot to kill off every superhero in town?
"Josh and Darin are some of the funniest guys I have met. And CAPED captures that completely. It's a laugh out loud funny superhero story that every tights and spandex fan will love," said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid.
"First thing you should know is that CAPED is autobiographical. We both had bosses who were jerks. They hogged all the credit but passed on all the blame. We wanted to tell a story about the unsung heroes and nowhere were those themes bigger - and funnier - than the superhero genre,"said CAPED co-writer Darin Moiselle.
CAPED features interior illustrations by Yair Herrera, known for his work on IDW's ZOMBIES: ECLIPSE OF THE UNDEAD! and THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO DRAWING SUPERHEROES AND VILLAINS.
"Sometimes we just need to make fun of superheroes!" said CAPED series editor Ian Brill. "This is the series to do that."
CAPED #1 features two variant covers by Saumin Patel and Joe Quinones with a Diamond Order Code: JAN094060
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.
CBS Consumer Products and Playmates Toys will be reviving over 40 years of history with a new line of realistic Star Trek action figures, authentic playsets, and cutting-edge accessories, all approved by the creators of this summer's blockbuster film! Recommended for ages four and older and available at all major retailers beginning April 19th.
The first phase of the new Star Trek toys will include:
three scales of life-like, fully-articulated action figures (3.75", 6", 12") come with removable utility belts, phasers, communicators and other accessories. ($6.99, $8.99, $29.99)
the USS Enterprise. The updated vessel from the new film includes lights and emits sound effects and actual film dialogue between the Kirk and Spock characters. It rests on a Starfleet shield base that attaches via a ball-and-socket tip that lets the ship pivot 360 degrees. ($30)
basic role-play toys boasting exciting electronic features including the Communicator, Phaser and Tricorder ($15 each)
amazing and intricate playsets with working lights and sounds that are compatible with the 3.75" action figures including the Enterprise Bridge($25) and the Transporter Room playset ($30)
The first phase of the new Star Trek toys will include:
three scales of life-like, fully-articulated action figures (3.75", 6", 12") come with removable utility belts, phasers, communicators and other accessories. ($6.99, $8.99, $29.99)
the USS Enterprise. The updated vessel from the new film includes lights and emits sound effects and actual film dialogue between the Kirk and Spock characters. It rests on a Starfleet shield base that attaches via a ball-and-socket tip that lets the ship pivot 360 degrees. ($30)
basic role-play toys boasting exciting electronic features including the Communicator, Phaser and Tricorder ($15 each)
amazing and intricate playsets with working lights and sounds that are compatible with the 3.75" action figures including the Enterprise Bridge($25) and the Transporter Room playset ($30)
PRESS RELEASE - SAVAGE DRAGON #137 AND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RETURNS TO PRESS FOR A FOURTH AND FINAL TIME!Savage Dragon #137'S Barack Obama Presidential Endorsement Returns Fourth and Final Printing In A Special Commemorative Edition!
26 January 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - Despite three sold out printings, recent renewed demand for SAVAGE DRAGON's nomination of President Barack Obama has resulted in a fourth and final commemorative edition!
"While we sold out some time ago, we've been receiving an awful lot of letters from fans and retailers alike demanding another printing," Erik Larsen said. "This fourth - and definitely final, I might add - printing commemorates the very first time a superhero has openly nominated a real-life candidate for Presidential office. It's been flattering to receive such attention and I hope everyone who's bought a copy sticks around for the rest of the series, especially #145's relaunch!"
When originally announced, SAVAGE DRAGON's nomination took the press by storm, being the first comic to be featured so highly for its Barack Obama appearance, with stories ranging from The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Yahoo!, Radar Magazine and comic mainstays like Comic Book Resources, Newsarama and iFanboy. The issue featured both a cover and interior endorsement of the then Democratic candidate and is followed up by February's SAVAGE DRAGON #145, the new beginning for the series in which Dragon returns to the Chicago police force and Chicago's other favorite adopted son, President Barack Obama, is there to greet him!
SAVAGE DRAGON #137 FOURTH PRINTING, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be in stores to coincide with SAVAGE DRAGON #145 (Obama Cover: DEC082233 & Regular Cover: DEC082232 ) on February, 25th, 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.
26 January 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - Despite three sold out printings, recent renewed demand for SAVAGE DRAGON's nomination of President Barack Obama has resulted in a fourth and final commemorative edition!
"While we sold out some time ago, we've been receiving an awful lot of letters from fans and retailers alike demanding another printing," Erik Larsen said. "This fourth - and definitely final, I might add - printing commemorates the very first time a superhero has openly nominated a real-life candidate for Presidential office. It's been flattering to receive such attention and I hope everyone who's bought a copy sticks around for the rest of the series, especially #145's relaunch!"
When originally announced, SAVAGE DRAGON's nomination took the press by storm, being the first comic to be featured so highly for its Barack Obama appearance, with stories ranging from The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Yahoo!, Radar Magazine and comic mainstays like Comic Book Resources, Newsarama and iFanboy. The issue featured both a cover and interior endorsement of the then Democratic candidate and is followed up by February's SAVAGE DRAGON #145, the new beginning for the series in which Dragon returns to the Chicago police force and Chicago's other favorite adopted son, President Barack Obama, is there to greet him!
SAVAGE DRAGON #137 FOURTH PRINTING, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be in stores to coincide with SAVAGE DRAGON #145 (Obama Cover: DEC082233 & Regular Cover: DEC082232 ) on February, 25th, 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.
MANKIND RISES FROM THE BUNKERS FOR THE MOST ANTICIPATED COMIC SERIES OF 2009: MARC GUGGENHEIM'S RESURRECTION
From the writer of YOUNG X-MEN, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, and the co-creator of television's ELI STONE comes a science fiction epic that explores the aftermath of Earth's most brutal conflict. For ten years the alien invaders have laid waste to our planet, but now they've vanished, leaving the survivors with two questions - "Where did they go?" and "Where does humanity go from here?" It's existential questions with alien-fueled intrigue, and there's no better time to get on board as Oni Press is proud to announce its Gold Sponsorship for this years FREE COMIC BOOK DAY coupled with a $6 RESURRECTION trade paperback!
“We want to give fans who might have missed out on the first arc a quick introduction and an easy way to get caught up,” said managing editor Randal C. Jarrell. “The FCBD issue, RESURRECTION #0, is a stand-alone issue that can be picked up and enjoyed independent of any knowledge of the previous series. If they like it, and we know they will, then they can turn around and on the same day pick up the entire first arc of RESURRECTION for just six bucks!”
The trade paperback entitled, RESURRECTION VOL. 1: THE INSURGENT EDITION hits store shelves on April 29th, the Wednesday just before Free Comic Book Day. With 184 pages of content, collecting the first six issues of the series and the double-sized annual, RESURRECTION VOL. 1 is the perfect opportunity to get initiated into Marc Guggenheim's critically acclaimed storyline.
Marketing director Cory Casoni said, “All of this is leading up to the new arc of RESURRECTION that launches in June. The second arc begins exactly where the first arc began, but it follows a different group of survivors. Marc's story adds so many new layers to the last arc and is complimented perfectly by industry newcomer Justing Greenwood's art.”
“We're so confident about this series that we're relaunching it in full color this summer,” commented editor in chief, James Lucas Jones. “RESURRECTION will be one of only a handful of color books that we've ever published. The original arc was black and white, but we realized in approaching the series again that with the huge scope of the piece, the decimation after the war, the rebuilding of humanity, it simply called for color.”
When asked about this change, Marc Guggenheim commented “I'm really pleased with all the support Oni has given to me and to RESURRECTION.” And to the fans he added “We've got some really amazing stuff in store for you. I can't wait for the release.”
RESURRECTION #0 is available free of charge at participating comic shops on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, Saturday May 2nd, just three days after the April 29th release of RESURRECTION VOL 1: THE INSURGENT EDITION.
From the writer of YOUNG X-MEN, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, and the co-creator of television's ELI STONE comes a science fiction epic that explores the aftermath of Earth's most brutal conflict. For ten years the alien invaders have laid waste to our planet, but now they've vanished, leaving the survivors with two questions - "Where did they go?" and "Where does humanity go from here?" It's existential questions with alien-fueled intrigue, and there's no better time to get on board as Oni Press is proud to announce its Gold Sponsorship for this years FREE COMIC BOOK DAY coupled with a $6 RESURRECTION trade paperback!
“We want to give fans who might have missed out on the first arc a quick introduction and an easy way to get caught up,” said managing editor Randal C. Jarrell. “The FCBD issue, RESURRECTION #0, is a stand-alone issue that can be picked up and enjoyed independent of any knowledge of the previous series. If they like it, and we know they will, then they can turn around and on the same day pick up the entire first arc of RESURRECTION for just six bucks!”
The trade paperback entitled, RESURRECTION VOL. 1: THE INSURGENT EDITION hits store shelves on April 29th, the Wednesday just before Free Comic Book Day. With 184 pages of content, collecting the first six issues of the series and the double-sized annual, RESURRECTION VOL. 1 is the perfect opportunity to get initiated into Marc Guggenheim's critically acclaimed storyline.
Marketing director Cory Casoni said, “All of this is leading up to the new arc of RESURRECTION that launches in June. The second arc begins exactly where the first arc began, but it follows a different group of survivors. Marc's story adds so many new layers to the last arc and is complimented perfectly by industry newcomer Justing Greenwood's art.”
“We're so confident about this series that we're relaunching it in full color this summer,” commented editor in chief, James Lucas Jones. “RESURRECTION will be one of only a handful of color books that we've ever published. The original arc was black and white, but we realized in approaching the series again that with the huge scope of the piece, the decimation after the war, the rebuilding of humanity, it simply called for color.”
When asked about this change, Marc Guggenheim commented “I'm really pleased with all the support Oni has given to me and to RESURRECTION.” And to the fans he added “We've got some really amazing stuff in store for you. I can't wait for the release.”
RESURRECTION #0 is available free of charge at participating comic shops on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, Saturday May 2nd, just three days after the April 29th release of RESURRECTION VOL 1: THE INSURGENT EDITION.
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