NEW SERIES HITS THE MARK
Image Comics and Benaroya Publishing Offer $1 Debut Issue of Marksman

Berkeley, CA – 26 April 2011 – The battle for New San Diego will begin this July for just $1 when Image Comics and Benaroya Publishing introduce MARKSMAN! This new six-issue miniseries will feature the action-packed story of Dave Baxter, an acclaimed new writer/producer who is making his comics debut with such experienced comic book artists as Javiar Aranda (Star Trek), Garry Leach (Marvelman), and Tomm Coker (UNDYING LOVE).

MARKSMAN begins sixty years after the nation's oil supply has finally run out and debts have been called in, resulting in a civil war that has splintered America into warring fiefdoms. New San Diego is a technocratic utopia that offers the last bastion of peace and prosperity, provided you live within its walls. Drake McCoy is its best protector. McCoy, an expert marksman, defends the city from the numerous threats in the wasteland outside the walls. But when the oil rich Lone Star state sends a powerful army to steal New San Diego’s energy technology, even Drake’s leadership and skill may not be enough to fend off the siege.

This action-packed series contrasts the classic taste of a western against the harsh backdrop of a post-apocalyptic future. With the first issue debuting just in time for San Diego Comic Con, including a SDCC exclusive variant cover, this is one comic you won’t want to miss! Watch as San Diego experiences a battle the likes of which you could never have imagined.

MARKSMAN #1 (MAY110435) is a 32 page full color action adventure comic book that will hit stores on July 20th with the low cover price of just $1!

ABOUT DAVE BAXTER
Dave Baxter is a writer/producer whose first feature film, Shooting Lily, won the 1996 SXSW Film Festival. Dave is making his comic book debut with Benaroya Publishing and Image Comics on the title MARKSMAN. Dave is also the recipient of the 2004 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation/Tribeca Film Institute screenwriting grant for two science themed film projects he currently has in development.

ABOUT JAVIER ARANDA
Javier Aranda is a Spanish artist who’s worked with publishers like DC Comics, Marvel, IDW, Devil’s Due Press, Avatar Press, and most recently Image Comics and Benaroya Publishing. He is best known for his work on Star Trek, World Of Dungeons & Dragons, Infinity, Inc., Hellina, and MARKSMAN. Javier has also published several short-stories and collaborated with other artists and writers on several Spanish market magazines, books, storyboards, and merchandising.

ABOUT GARRY LEACH
Garry Leach is a British artist known for his work on MARVELMAN with writer Alan Moore and as one of the founders of Atomeka Press with Dave Elliott. Garry is co-creator of Warpsmith and has worked on titles like Judge Dredd, THE V.C.s, Global Frequency with Warren Ellis, and has illustrated cards for the Magic: The Gathering collectible cards game.

ABOUT TOMM COKER
Tomm Coker has worked on comic book characters ranging from Batman to Wolverine and X-men to Punisher. He's contributed art to various video games, toy lines, cartoons and film projects. In 2003 he co-wrote and directed his first studio feature (Catacombs) and is now co-writing and illustrating a creator owned book for Image Comics (UNDYING LOVE). Tomm lives in Los Angeles with his wife, daughter, two cats and a dog.

ABOUT BENAROYA PUBLISHING
Founded in 2009 by Michael Benaroya, Benaroya Publishing is a company dedicated to the creation and cultivation of intellectual property by focusing on thrilling and compelling storytelling. Based in Los Angeles, California, Benaroya Publishing launches their debut titles this Spring under the Image Comics label. With David Elliott (FALL OUT TOY WORKS and co-founder of Radical Publishing) at the helm as in-house Editor-in-Chief, Benaroya Publishing promises to bring fresh new ideas, and uniquely told stories to the comics literary world.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.