Thursday, November 12, 2009

PRESS RELEASE - YALSA NOMINATES CAVALLARO'S PARADE (WITH FIREWORKS) AS A GREAT GRAPHIC NOVEL FOR TEENS!
Michael Cavallaro's acclaimed graphic novel nominated for YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teen book list!
11 November 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - Image Comics and Shadowline, LLC have announced their critically acclaimed graphic novel, PARADE (WITH FIREWORKS) by Michael Cavallaro, has been nominated for the prestigious Young Adult Library Services Association Great Graphic Novels for Teens Booklist!

"PARADE (WITH FIREWORKS) has received an immense amount of acclaim since its release, but the YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens nomination is one we're most proud of," Shadowline LLC Publisher Jim Valentino said. "We've long felt Michael's very personal tale is the perfect fit in any library and are honored to even be nominated for the booklist. We certainly look forward to any and all feedback we receive from the valued members of the YALSA committee."

PARADE (WITH FIREWORKS) opens in 1923, as Italy is pulling itself from the wreckage of the first World War while unknowingly plummeting toward another. The nation seemed to be holding its breath, and the slightest perceived transgression could result in violence. On the evening of the Feast of the Epiphany, it did, causing one man to choose between political standing and his very own family. The YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens nomination is in of itself a prestigious accolade for a very deserving title.

PARADE (WITH FIREWORKS) TP (DIAMOND: SEP082265 - ISBN: 1582409951), a 72-page full color deluxe tradepaperback for $12.99, is in stores now.


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.
BOOM! STUDIOS TITLES
NOMINATED FOR
2010 GREAT GRAPHIC NOVELS
FOR TEENS LIST



November 11, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA – This year, three BOOM! Studios titles have been nominated by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) to be included in its annual Great Graphic Novels for Teens List. CTHULHU TALES VOL. 2: WHISPERS OF MADNESS, IRREDEEMABLE VOL. 1 and SCREAM QUEEN were all nominated.

“Librarians are our unsung heroes because they are on the front lines of getting a whole new generation of teens reading comics,” said BOOM! Studios Sales Director Jennifer Christopher. “Everyone at BOOM! and the creators involved in these three works are completely humbled to be nominated this year.”


The list nominates books that have teen appeal, including fiction and nonfiction titles. For the full list, please visit:

http://www.lita.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/nominations.cfm

About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (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, including Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, The Henson Company's FARSCAPE, and the original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. BOOM! recently launched its youth imprint, BOOM Kids!, with Pixar’s THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY STORY, as well as Disney’s THE MUPPETS, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE and WALT DISNEY’S COMICS AND STORIES. This year, BOOM! Studios celebrates its fourth anniversary.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT, ILLUSTRATED

Eureka Productions is pleased to announce the publication of GRAPHIC CLASSICS: LOUISA MAY ALCOTT, the eighteenth volume in the GRAPHIC CLASSICS® series of comics adaptations of great literature.

GRAPHIC CLASSICS: LOUISA MAY ALCOTT features "Little Women", adapted for comics by Trina Robbins and illustrated by Anne Timmons. Plus lesser-known gothic mysteries and horror stories including "A Whisper in the Dark" by Antonella Caputo and Arnold Arre, "The Rival Prima Donnas" by Rod Lott and Molly Crabapple, and "Lost in a Pyramid" by Alex Burrows and Pedro Lopez. Also two poems and two strange children's stories, "Buzz" and "The Piggy Girl", illustrated by Mary Fleener, Shary Flenniken, Toni Pawlowsky and Lisa K. Weber.

GRAPHIC CLASSICS are available in bookstores, comics shops, or direct from the publisher at http: ⁄ ⁄ www.graphicclassics.com. Libraries and schools can order from Diamond Book Distributors, Baker & Taylor, Ingram, Follett or other distributors.

______________________

GRAPHIC CLASSICS: LOUISA MAY ALCOTT
Edited by Tom Pomplun
Published November 2009, Eureka Productions
Distributed by Diamond Book Distributors
(ISBN 978-0-9787919-8-8)
144 pgs, 7 x 10", paperback, full color, $17.95
GREG RUCKA AND MATTHEW SOUTHWORTH'S STUMPTOWN #1 SELLS OUT!

Amidst a barrage of glowing reviews Oni Press is reporting today that, less than one week after its initial release, Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth's new series STUMPTOWN is completely sold out from Diamond Comic Distributors.

Fans should make their way to their local comic shop to pick up a copy of STUMPTOWN #1 while they last, and are encouraged to place their early orders for STUMPTOWN #2 (Diamond No: SEP090941 & UPC Code: 64985600026200211)

G4TV's Fresh Ink: Pick of the Week.
“...strong, tough, intelligent women who don't have ridiculously disproportionate boobs. Thanks a good thing!” -Blair Butler, Fresh Ink

iFanboy.com's DON'T MISS
“One of our favorite writers” -iFanboy.com

JK Parkin, Comic Book Resources: Pick of the Week
“...a likable female protagonist, gritty realism and enough of a hook that simply makes you want more at the end of the issue.” -JK Parkin

“...Rucka leaves a lasting impression for this series's opening issue.
” -Newsarama

“Stumptown is Scalped meets Criminal, and that sounds like a comic I wouldn't mind reading each month.” -Comic Book Resources

“...fans of Rucka or the genre owe it to themselves to check out Stumptown...” - IGN.com

“Stumptown is solid crime fiction without getting too garish or going too soft. The fact that the art and design are top notch only serves to solidify the quality.” -Tor.com

“It's got a fun, Rockford Files/Magnum PI vibe to it that I didn't realize I'd been missing. I haven't had this much fun with a mystery story since the first arc of Fables.” -Robot 6

“Rucka's modern, noir-influenced detective tale grabs your attention, and both he and artist Southworth have done an admirable job of turning the city of Portland, Oregon into one of the story's characters.” -Comics Alliance

“I had a blast reading it, and when my only complaint was that I want the next issue in my hands right away, that’s a great sign.” -Read About Comics

“Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth have created a world I’m dying to visit again, and the next thirty days of waiting to see what happens next are going to be rough.” -The Quarter Bin

“Both the artist and writer have built an intriguing and engrossing world here. Wonderful comic. Buy it.” -Comic Proportions

“[Rucka's] one of very few writers in comics who not only write about women, but consistently get it right. Stumptown’s first issue is solid. Go buy it. Now.” -Hive Five Comics
ASYLUM PRESS ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF STEVE MANNION'S FEARLESS DAWN #2 PREVIEW

Preview Title: “Hopped up out of their freakin' minds!”

(Los Angeles) Frank Forte, publisher of Asylum Press, has announced the release of a 4 page preview of the tongue in cheek pulp book Fearless Dawn #2. The synopsis of issue #2 can be described as this: "Hopped up out of their freakin' minds on the Combat "Power" drug, Fearless Dawn,(heroine extraordinaire), and Number Seven (her manly love interest) go on a rampage through Helga's camp. The combat monster versions of Fearless Dawn and Old Number Seven SMASH a lot of stuff and MAIM aplenty as they make their exciting escape! Meanwhile, the SYNDICATE sends in a secret weapon to aid in the rescue. Get set dear readers for an Eisnerian ROMP of unprecedented proportions! BLGGLGH!!! Join us now as Steve Mannion's beautifully rendered comic book tale unfolds in full-color glory! Fan's of Steve Mannion's The Bomb will love this new action-packed series.

“Back in February's PREVIEWS there was a book from Asylum Press called Fearless Dawn that went largely unnoticed by fans and retailers. The entire industry went on rolling without giving it a second glance, and like many small press books it nearly slipped into obscurity without reaching the core readers in our hobby. But when a copy of it made its way across my desk, I knew from first glance it was something special that people needed to see” commented Jim Kuhoric of Diamond Comics Distributors.

"I am excited to bring Fearless dawn to a full-color series," says creator Steve Mannion," this is a dream project and I'm having a blast." “We’ll be updating the website and blog on a regular basis so fans can see pencil to ink pages, colors, thumbnails and interact with Steve,” says publisher Frank Forte.

“Steve Mannion is one of the most underrated artists in comics. Part Dave Stevens, part Wally Wood his art encapsulates everything I love about comic books,” says Rick Remender (Punisher, Fear Agent)

The Publication schedule is as follows. Fearless Dawn:Special Edition #1 (ships Nov. 2009), Fearless Dawn #2 (Ships Dec. 2009), Fearless Dawn #3 (Ships Feb. 2010), and Fearless Dawn #4 (Ships Mar. 2010),

Fearless Dawn #2 preview: http://www.asylumpress.com/FD_2_preview.html
Fearless Dawn website: www.fearlessdawn.com
Fearless Dawn production blog: http://fearlessdawn.blogspot.com/

Title:Fearless Dawn #2 (of 4)
Format/Price: SC, color $2.95, 32 pages
Item Code: OCT090746
ISBN:9780981823072

STILL AVAILABLE FOR REORDER:
Title:Fearless Dawn #1 (of 4)
Format/Price: SC, color $2.95, 32 pages
Item Code: SEP090625 FEARLESS DAWN #1 (OF 4) SP ED

Still available from Asylum Press is Steve Mannion's The Bomb TPB. "The Bomb is a good place to start as it tells Fearless Dawn's origin story and her first adventure," explains Publisher Frank Forte.

Title:The Bomb TPB
Format/Price: SC, b&w 176 pgs. (16-page color section) $14.95
Item Code: SEP090626 BOMB TP
For a preview of The Bomb go here: www.asylumpress.com/thebomb.html

ABOUT ASYLUM PRESS:
Founded in 1999 by Frank Forte, Asylum Press is a unique publishing house specializing in high profile projects from some of the industry's biggest names. Publishing superhero comics with Warlash: Zombie Mutant Genesis, continuing their tradition of horror with Undead Evil, Satan’s 3-Ring Circus of Hell, the upcoming Asylum of Horrors and Beyond Lovecraft, venturing into dark humor with Billy Boy The Sick Little Fat Kid and The Cletus and Floyd Show, Asylum Press continues to be on the cutting edge of comic and graphic novel publishing. Asylum Press is distributed by Diamond Comics, Haven Distributors and Tony Shenton and Partners Publishers Group.
FORTE AND GUCUNJA’S DTOX ETCHED IN HEAVY METAL
DTOX, A POST ARMAGHEDDON HUNTER OF MUTANTS, GETS AN 8-PAGE STORY PRINTED IN THE NOV. 2009 ISSUE OF HEAVY METAL


Asylum Press announced today that an eight page story featuring the character DTOX will be featured in the November 2009 issue of Heavy Metal magazine. DTOX is written by Frank Forte (Warlash, Undead Evil) and illustrated by Nenad Gucunja (Satan's 3-Ring Circus of Hell, Girls and Corpses).

DTOX takes place in a post-Armageddon future. The lone biohazard warrior fights to cleanse the earth of a rising toxic mutant population. Killvixen, a knife-wielding femme fatale, soon joins him. Together, armed with the mobile arsenal code-named DTANK, they travel the ravaged mid-west in search of rogue monstrosities and fuel. Their destination is to locate the evil bio-scientist Scourge and destroy him and his mutant factory.

“This episode printed in Heavy Metal is actually episode 2 in the DTOX story. It works alone as a twisted sci-fi tale, but is part of a larger “Scourge” storyline, explains creator Frank Forte, “In this tale DTOX and Killvixen come upon a recent battlefield between the military and mutants. With corpses littering the area they stumble upon one lone survivor, a woman who pleads for her life. All is not what it seems as DTOX drops his guard and the woman turns into a giant slug-like mutant who wants to feast.”

"The character DTOX is inspired by the Heavy Metal Magazine and EPIC Illustrated I used to read in the 1980's. Characters like Ranxerox and Den showed how far comics could really go. Pepe Moreno, Guido Crepax and Caza just blew me away. I grew tired of costumed superheroes after a while and wanted something more. I found it in the pages of Heavy Metal, " explains Frank Forte. " Now I'm giving back."

"DTOX was a great addition to the November issue of Heavy Metal and we look forward to printing the next episode in the coming issues, " says Howard Jurofsky, VP Heavy Metal.

"Working on DTOX was fantastic, " says Nenad Gucunja, " I was able go off on the script and expand the scenes. Then Frank would go back and rewrite it. What came out was something fun and demented."

The DTOX trailer can be seen here: http://www.dtoxcomic.com/

Images for this press release can be found here:
http://www.asylumpress.com/pressimages/DTOX_HM01.html

Still on sale at the Asylum Press store:
DTOX: SPECIAL BIOHAZARD EDITION No. 0, introduces a new character to the Asylum Universe. DTOX is presented in a magazine size format. DTOX is written by Frank Forte (Warlash, Undead Evil) and illustrated by Nenad Gucunja (Satan's 3-Ring Circus of Hell, Girls and Corpses). This 12-page action packed story introduces the world of DTOX, Killvixen and the evil bio-scientist Scourge, who is creating an army of disease carrying mutants. Also features a special concept art section with unused penciled pages and character design.
Intended Audience: Mature Readers
Retail Price: $2.95, SC, 24pgs, Full color.
RICHARD STARKINGS SIGNING
DO ANDROIDS DREAM
OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? VOL 1 HARDCOVER

Wednesday November 11th, 2009 @ Collector's Paradise


November 9, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA – Come celebrate the release of DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? Vol. 1 Hardcover by having your copy signed by legendary DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? letterer Richard Starkings!

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? takes the novel that inspired the movie BLADE RUNNING and transplants the full novel into the comic book medium. Debuting this past June, BOOM! Studios' DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? has been a smash-hit in the direct market and a critical success as well. Mixing the complete text of the novel in an innovative, ground-breaking 24 issue maxi-series, this November sees release of the first volume collecting the first four issues into a deluxe hardcover edition. Illustrated by Tony Parker and lettered by Richard Starkings, DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? is a must have for every sci-fi fan.


When:
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 from 1-8pm

Where:
Collector’s Paradise
7131 Winnetka Ave.
Winnetka, CA 91306


About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (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, including Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, The Henson Company's FARSCAPE, and the original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. BOOM! recently launched its youth imprint, BOOM Kids!, with Pixar's THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY S
BOOM! STUDIOS NOMINATED
FOR PROJECT FANBOY AWARDS






November 9, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA – The nominations are in and BOOM! leads the pack! The annual Project Fanboy awards allow readers and fans to select their favorite comics in the industry and tell the world what is the best in the industry today. And to no surprise, BOOM!’s critically acclaimed titles IRREDEEMABLE, HEXED and THE ANCHOR made the cut!

BEST INDY WRITER:
Mark Waid (IRREDEEMABLE)
Michael Alan Nelson (HEXED)

BEST INDY ARTIST:
Brian Churilla (THE ANCHOR)
Emma Rios (HEXED)

BEST INDY TITLE:
IRREDEEMABLE
HEXED

BEST INDY VILLAIN:
The Plutonian (IRREDEEMABLE)

BEST INDY CHARACTER:
Lucifer (HEXED)

BEST PUBLISHER:
Boom! Studios

BEST GRAPHIC NOVEL:
IRREDEEMABLE Vol. 1

BEST ROOKIE TITLE:
THE ANCHOR
HEXED


Voting is open November 1st – December 31st, so head to http://awards.projectfanboy.com/?pageid=pfaabout to place your votes now and keep reading! Winners will be announced on March 14th at Orlando's MEGACON.

About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (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, including Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, The Henson Company's FARSCAPE, and the original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. BOOM! recently launched its youth imprint, BOOM Kids!, with Pixar's THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY STORY, as well as Disney's THE MUPPETS. This year, BOOM! Studios celebrates its fourth anniversary.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Friends-

Issue 46 of Comics Waiting Room is now live and here’s what we’ve got for you!

Claremont Re-Examined! Marc Mason takes a look at Claremont’s initial 15-year run on Uncanny X-Men and says that the most reviled era was actually one of the best and most important of the writer’s career.
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/claremont.html

Indy Artist Spotlight: Joanne Ellen Mutch! Marc Mason shares some convention art from a terrific artist and discusses using conventions to find cool comics you may not otherwise find elsewhere.
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/mason46.html

Werewolves In The Spotlight! Avril Brown says “move over vampires, it’s time for the wolves to howl,” and takes a journey through pop culture to chart the history of lycanthropes.
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/avril42.html

Fear And Loathing: One Year Later! Vince Moore looks at the country and the culture one year after the Presidential election and sees where we’re at.
http://www.comicswaitingroom.com/vince45.html

Enjoy the reading!

Marc Mason
Editor-in-Chief
Comics Waiting Room