Thursday, April 14, 2011

LIONSGATE TO UNLEASH THE BAY ON U.S. AUDIENCES



Biological Disaster Film From Producers Of Paranormal Activity Acquired From Alliance Films





Santa Monica, CA, April 14, 2011- LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, today announced that it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Barry Levinson's found footage eco-horror film THE BAY from Alliance Films. The announcement was made jointly by Joe Drake, President of the Motion Picture Group, and Jason Constantine, President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions.



From the producers of the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY franchise, the film is the next installment in their series following INSIDIOUS, and chronicles an unprecedented biological disaster unleashed from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay- an isopod parasite, carrying a horrific untreatable disease, that jumps from fish to human hosts. The true horror and scope of the event unfolds on footage captured on home videos and the internet by the town's victims.



"Ingenious genre films are and always will be a specialty at Lionsgate," explained Drake of the choice to acquire the film. "THE BAY is a shining example of the kind of truly fresh horror film that audiences are always ready for, and that we excel at eventizing with them. Thanks to Barry, we'll all be afraid to go in the water for years to come."



Adds Constantine, "We have been big admirers of Jason Blum, Steven Schneider and Oren Peli since their breakout hit PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, and are thrilled to be in business with them. This film works so effectively because it establishes a very natural, everyday world, places the audience intimately within it, and then sits back as everything takes a horrific turn. Barry has incorporated found footage to the most satisfying possible effect, and it's all the scarier for not relying on anything supernatural."



"It's exciting to see a company like Lionsgate embrace The Bay so enthusiastically. The found footage / multiplatform approach opened up the film to creative possibilities I hadn't encountered in my previous films, and I think these sorts of films will only continue to push boundaries as the technology changes," said director Barry Levinson.



The film was directed by Levinson, from a script he co-wrote with Michael Wallach. THE BAY was produced by Levinson, Jason Blum, Steven Schneider, and Oren Peli, and co-produced by Mythodic Films, with Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Jason Sosnoff, Colin Strause, and Greg Strause executive producing.



THE BAY is an Alliance presentation in association with IM Global. IM Global handled foreign sales, and Alliance will distribute in Canada, the UK and Spain.



The deal was negotiated by Lionsgate's Constantine, with Eda Kowan, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions, and Wendy Jaffe, Executive Vice President Business & Legal Affairs for Acquisitions. The sale was brokered on behalf of Alliance by ICM and CAA. ICM packaged the film and represents Levinson and Wallach.



About Lionsgate

Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution and new channel platforms. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has 15 shows on more than 10 networks spanning its prime time production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as "Mad Men", "Weeds" and "Nurse Jackie" along with recent series such as "Blue Mountain State" and the syndication successes "Tyler Perry's House Of Payne", its spinoff "Meet The Browns", "The Wendy Williams Show" and "Are We There Yet?".



Its feature film business has generated more than half a billion dollars at the North American box office in the past year, fueled most recently by the success of THE LINCOLN LAWYER, and by such hits as THE EXPENDABLES, which was #1 at the North American box office for two weeks, THE LAST EXORCISM, TYLER PERRY'S WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO?, KICK ASS and the critically-acclaimed PRECIOUS, which won two Academy Awards®. The Company's home entertainment business has grown to more than 7% market share and is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 13,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.
NBM SIGNS WITH IPG FOR GENERAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION





NEW YORK: After many years as a hold-out taking care of distribution into all channels on its own, graphic novel publisher NBM, a pioneer in launching the form in the US, has signed with IPG to start handling all its sales outside of the comic market as well as all its warehousing and fulfillment starting June 1 of this year.


“I’m very excited to form this partnership with a solid company that comes highly recommended from across the industry. This will give us a good base from which to grow and remain a leading player in the independent comics field,” says NBM publisher and founder Terry Nantier. “For a long time, we were able to handle it all ourselves well enough using a book fulfillment service warehouse. But in the last few years, as graphic novels’ acceptance has widened considerably, the scope of where they can be sold has widened a lot as well. That, plus logistics considerations, points to a good time to partner with such a strong distributor as IPG, bringing muscle to our distribution which they can do best, and let us concentrate more in our office on what we do best: publish and promote some of the best graphic novels the world has to offer.”


IPG (Independent Publishers Group; www.ipgbook.com), owned by Chicago Review Press, Inc., is one of the leading distributors of quality independent publishing houses in the country. “NBM has an excellent reputation and a devoted following for their titles. We are very excited to be working with them to bring efficiencies, economies, and an expanded customer base to their business,” says IPG President Mark Suchomel.


NBM (www.nbmpublishing.com) was the first comics publisher to pursue general bookstore distribution ever since its inception in the mid seventies, at first getting Caroline House, an early model for such distributors as Publishers Group West, to distribute its fledgling line in the late seventies and then as the category started getting noticed, signing with PGW for 2 years in 1986. Ever since, NBM had been handling its own sales into the chains, wholesalers and indie stores, accumulating advanced experience in this market, well ahead of its fellow comics publishers, even assuming the first distribution of Dark Horse’s books there. “Now we look forward to further expanding our presence with IPG’s help,” said Nantier.


Established in 1971, IPG (www.ipgbook.com) was the first organization specifically created for the purpose of marketing titles from independent presses to the book trade. It was acquired by Chicago Review Press in 1987. IPG has a wide reach in the market, distributing academic, Spanish-language, computer and general trade nonfiction and fiction titles.
BUTCHER BAKER, SALES MAKER
Butcher Baker #2 Sells Out and Goes Back to Press

Berkeley, CA – April 13, 2011 – As the reprint of the first issue of BUTCHER BAKER, THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER returns to stores, news of distribution-level sell out of the simultaneously-released second issue has been confirmed. That’s right, just weeks after the news of the first issue sell out of this explosive first issue of the new comic book from writer Joe Casey and artist Mike Huddleston, the second issue has sold out just as quickly as the first!

In the second issue of this maniacal, bombastic title, the superhero BUTCHER BAKER, THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER, plows through expectations of heroism in his continued search to flush out the criminal population. Butcher, with patriotic and violent splendor, interacts with some memorable characters, including a well-intended though misguided trooper.

Two issues in, BUTCHER BAKER, THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER has not only burned through two issues' worth of initial orders, but it's also receiving many accolades from the press:

"…a grindhouse superhero comic where nothing is off-limits. …the second issue is even better, as Casey introduces Baker’s rogues and delves deeper into the soul beneath his tough exterior." -- Onion AV Club

"It’s a comic that revels in being a comic, taking advantage of the medium to both inhabit and comment upon its dominant genre, the superhero." -- Comic Book Resources

"Mike Huddleston's two distinct art styles complement each other perfectly and I've scarcely seen a comic that balanced black & white and colored sequences so effortlessly." -- IGN

"Casey has been on a tear as of late with several off-kilter gems that take the stereotypical world of superheroes and action and turn it on its head." -- Newsarama

"This book is vulgar and badass while also being a hell of a lot of fun. If you're easily offended, keep your sensitive nature away from this book." -- Multiversity

Joe Casey himself commented: "The Liberty Belle rolls on down the highway. Nice to see such a good response to our little bedtime story so far. Mike and I are having a blast, and the more readers that wanna join the party, the better."

BUTCHER BAKER ,THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER #2 Second Printing (MAR118139), a raunchy 32-page full-color political/sexploitation superhero comic book, will be on sale May 25, 2011 as well as BUTCHER BAKER, THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER #3 (MAR110573).

ABOUT JOE CASEY

Joe Casey is a founding partner of Man of Action Studios, a creative development company formed in 2000 by graphic novelists Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau and Steven T. Seagle. Based in Los Angeles and New York, Man Of Action Studios created the popular BEN 10 TV franchise as well as the new series Generator Rex. Currently they are supervising producers/story editors on the upcoming Ultimate Spider-Man animated series premiering in 2012 on Disney/XD. Man of Action wrote the X-Men and Superman comic book series and currently publish their original creations through Image Comics. They wrote the best-selling video games X-Men: Legends for Activision, and Darksiders: Wrath of War for THQ. For more information, visit www.manofaction.tv.

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.
Austin Books & Comics presents Free Comic Book Day event series
Nationally-acclaimed pop culture retailer hosts Dr. Who, Star Wars, 30 Days of Night and Thor events

Austin, TX---Thursday, April 14, 2011– Central Texas’s biggest and oldest comics and pop culture retailer, Austin Books & Comics is proud to announce a premiere series of special events throughout April, in celebration of upcoming Free Comic Book Day, being held across the nation at participating stores on Satruday, May 7. Following is a complete schedule of events. Austin Books & Comics is located at 5002 North Lamar Boulevard.

Doctor Who: A Fairytale Life Author Signing
Wednesday, April 20, 5 pm - 8 pm
Join us on New Comics Wednesday next week to meet series writer Matt Sturges in-store for the debut of Doctor Who: A Fairytale Life #1. Pick up your copy from 5 to 8pm that evening, and get it signed by series writer Matt Sturges. Sturges is well-known for the Eisner-award nominated Jack of Fables from DC/Vertigo. He is also taking over the writing of Justice Society of America with issue #29

Star Wars Day
Saturday, April 23, 2 pm - 4 pm
Meet Richard LaParmentier, "Admiral Motti"
We're big Star Wars fans, so we’re going to throw a Star Wars Party just because we want to. We can now confirm film and TV actor Richard LaParmentier will be joining us for a signing. His character in the original Star Wars film, Admiral Motti, was the unfortunate recipient of the first demonstration of Vader's powerful Force-choke. For one day only, all Star Wars comics, graphic novels, and merchandise will be 25% off, plus we’ll have some really cool classic merchandise that we've never had on display before. Joins us for Star Wars Trivia and win great prizes! A rare appearance of Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion is rumored…no, really, live Stormtroopers.

Horror Writer Steve Niles In-store Signing
Meet the Writer & World Horror Convention Guest
Wednesday, April 27, 4 pm - 7 pm
Meet horror comic/ novel/ film writer Steve Niles. He's in town as our guest for the World Horror Convention (April 28 - May1), but we wanted to make sure to get him into the store for a signing too! Steve revitalized the horror genre with his graphic novel series “30 Days of Night,” later turned into a major studio feature film. His other titles include BAD PLANET with co-writer Thomas Jane, THE CRYPTICS with artist Ben Roman, and the CRIMINAL MACABRE series from Dark Horse.

Thor: God of Thunder Game Launch Party
Saturday, April 30, 2 pm - 5 pm
Become Thor, God of Thunder, as he battles to save his home of Asgard! Austin Books & Comics presents Thor: God of Thunder Wii video game launch party on Saturday, April 30, 2 pm to 5 pm, featuring original comic book characters Thor and Sif in the flesh. SEGA®and Austin game developer Red Fly Studio are teaming up with Austin Books & Comics to launch their new Wii game, Thor: God of Thunder. Guests can try out the Thor: God of Thunder game demo, meet the game developers and win free copies of the new Wii game.

RSVP to any of these events by checking our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/AustinBooks and clicking on the various Events.

About Austin Books & Comics
www.austinbooks.com
Central Texas’s biggest and oldest comics and pop culture retailer, AustinBooks & Comics has been in business since 1977. Austin Books & Comics is a multiple Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retail finalist, and was inducted into the Austin Chronicle's 'Best Of” Hall of Fame. The Chronicle has referred to Austin Books as “the Library of Alexandria of comics.”Austin Books & Comics is proud to host both frequent and surprise celebrity guest signings and events.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

A FALLEN ANGEL RETURNS
Mark Poulton and Owen Gieni Bring Back Rob Liefeld's Avengelyne in July

BERKELEY, CA --13 April 2011 -- More than a decade ago, Image Comics founder Rob Liefeld (creator of YOUNGBLOOD, Deadpool) introduced a beautiful and vengeful angel to comics. She fought the demons of the 1990s, providing fans a story of good vs. evil on an apocalyptic level. Now, following in the footsteps of Liefeld, writer Mark Poulton (Koni Waves) and artist Owen Gieni (Sore Thumbs) are announcing a relaunch of AVENGELYNE for Image Comics.
"As with any of my creations, I try to marry the right creative team with a character, and after a long chat with Mark Poulton, I knew he was the writer for the gig,"
Rob Liefeld said of his decision to relaunch
AVENGELYNE
with an all-new creative team. "
Mark has chronicled the adventures of a female lead in his Koni Waves series for the past several years, so he is a natural for AVENGELYNE. Artist Owen Gieni worked up the best samples I've ever seen. Both are ready to treat Avengelyne fans to amazing, daring and controversial new story lines.

"We are all hard at work on the third issue, these guys are hungry and eager to deliver
AVENGELYNE
to a new generation of fans!"
"Rob is the reason I wanted to get into the comics business in the first place," Poulton stated. "To be able to relaunch AVENGELYNE with Rob at Image is a dream project. Owen and I are committed to doing a lengthy run on the series that will define the character."

“Working on Avengelyne is truly a dream come true for me!” exclaimed artist Owen Gieni. “My goal is to do as long a run as I can, get better each issue, and to do it monthly! We hope to touch all corners of the larger Image universe, reintroduce a ton of Rob's classic characters and create a bunch of crazy new ones. This book is a pure dream to draw. I'm in Heaven."

Poulton further explained: "The appeal of the character for me wasn't the demons or the scary monsters she faced, but the fact that she was fighting for redemption. She had fallen from grace and was paying for her sins. She's flawed. When you combine that aspect of the character with the demons, scary monsters, and supernatural world she lives in the possibilities for stories are endless."

The redesigned supernatural heroine, AVENGELYNE, will return to comics to continue her search for atonement by correcting the wrongs of villains the likes of Torment, an aptly named psychotic serial killer, and Red Dragon, who appears to have found a new human vessel. With this new characterization of Liefeld’s original character, artist Owen Gieni’s depiction of AVENGELYNE is not only sexy, but ready to battle all the plot twists that Poulton has up his sleeve for her.

AVENGELYNE #1 (MAY110432), a 32-page full color comic book priced at $2.99, will be available for order in the May issue of Diamond Previews catalog and goes on sale July 20th, 2011.
The Crest: Black Dynamite Screening

ASR Innertainment to host film screening of Black Dynamite to promote Black Dynamite Comic Book from Ape Entertainment

April 13, 2011: Released in 2009, Black Dynamite quickly became a cult smash and received a comic book treatment from Ars Nova and Ape Entertainment. Black Dynamite: Slave Island, everyone’s favorite Blaxploitation sensation will appear in a one-shot, bringing his Kung-Fu fighting skills in this sequential page as he shuts down the mysterious island where Black slavery still exists.

“Fans of the film will feel right at home with the comic,” states Ape Entertainment founder and co-publisher Brent E. Erwin. “It has all of the elements that made the movie a cultural phenomenon, and Black Dynamite himself is still as much of a bad dude on the page as he is on the screen.”

Black Dynamite was directed by Scott Sanders and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009. The film stars Michael Jai White as Black Dynamite, a Kung-Fu fighting, gun blasting ladies’ man willing to fight from the ghetto streets all the way to the White House in his efforts to take down “The Man”.

“Although written for film, Black Dynamite was always meant to move beyond the camera,” continues Sanders. “As a medium, comic books seemed like such a logical step in Black Dynamite’s development as a character, and what better way to start then having him bring down the infamous Slave Island.”

Black Dynamite: Slave Island is based on a story by Michael Jai White, Myron Minns and Scott Sanders. Written by Brian Ash with pencils by Jun Lofamia, the 48-page on shot hit stores in February 2011.

As part of ASR Innertainment’s The Crest: Movie Series, the company will be holding two screenings of Black Dynamite. The first screening will be at the Crossroads Theater 2590 Washington Street Denver, CO. on Friday, April 15, 2011, from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, film starting at 7:45pm sharp. A reception will precede the first screening with food and beverages, with sounds provided by DJ Cavem (www.djcavem.com).

The second screening with be next door at Coffee at The Point 710 East 26th Avenue, from 10:00pm to 2:00am for a midnight screening of Black Dynamite. Sounds will be provided by The Girl Grabbers (www.facebook.com/girlgrabbers) from 10:30pm to 11:30pm. A closing reception will follow the second screening with food, beverages and promotional materials, including limited copies of the limited edition comic book, Black Dynamite: Slave Island, as well as Black Dynamite merchandise for purchase at booth screenings.

For More Information on ASR Innertainment, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASR-Innertainment/132894606761823?sk=wall

For More Information on Black Dynamite, visit www.black dynamite.com.

For More Information on Ape Entertainment, visit www.ape-entertainment

For More Information on Ars Nova, visit www.arsnovaent.com

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

MOONSTONE BRINGS MYSTERY, NOIR, AND COOL BACK

WITH ANGELTOWN COLLECTION!



Moonstone Entertainment, Inc., known for innovative books and comics starring classic as well as original characters, sets the standard once more for the Private Investigator story with its release of ANGELTOWN: THE NATE HOLLIS INVESTIGATIONS written by Gary Phillips, Interiors by Shawn Martinbrough, Cover by Michael Stribling.







Los Angeles is the birthplace of noir because the brighter the sunshine, the deeper the shadows and the more deadly the mischief that goes on in the dark.



Angeltown: The Nate Hollis Investigations is a hardcover from Moonstone reprinting the Vertigo mini series in glorious black and white -- the original critically praised sequential mystery featuring the cool, tough private eye's frenzied search in the shadows for a pro hoopster wanted for murder in "Baller."



The brand of noir that encompasses private eye tales is all about style and gritty substance. Phillips tells a hard hitting story with rapid fire dialogue and staccato pacing. Martinbrough adds to the fist to the face this story gives the reader with both stark and subtle imagery. Between them, the original mini series set a new standard for PI Noir.



Exclusive to this hardcover, Gary Phillips (Operator 5), raises the bar once more with two original illustrated prose short stories; "Hollywood Killer," wherein superhero pretenders prowling Hollywood Boulevard for tips are getting bumped off, art by Manoel Magalhães (Vincent Price Presents, Bluewater Comics) and "King Cow," about cattle, low-riders and babes with nazi tattoos, art by Alejandro Aragon (28 Days Later, Boom Studios).







Slick as spit, big-shouldered Hollis walks the walk and talks the talk in the Angeltown comics, taking on a star-studded scandal that could rip the roof off post-Rodney King L.A.---

Kevin Burton Smith, Mystery Scene





Anyone who has read his Monk series knows Gary Phillips can write great PI stories. Well as it turns out he is also quite adept at using the comics/ graphic novel medium as well. With Angel Town Phillips has introduced us to a new PI character, Nate Hollis, set in L.A. and ready to kick ass and take names. --- Jon Jordan, Crimespree magazine



Gritty. Sordid. Dark. Hard boiled. And all cast against the canvas of the Land of Broken Dreams. Angeltown: The Nate Hollis Investigations is that and so much more and it's all from Moonstone!
CHICKS IN CAPES SPOTLIGHTS FEMALE HEROINES AND CREATORS!

AVAILABLE NOW!








 Moonstone Entertainment, Inc takes Super Hero fiction to an all new level with CHICKS IN CAPES! Chicks in Capes is a fun and provoking collection of ALL NEW prose short stories by a wide range of female authors: including NYT Bestselling authors Nancy Holder, Debbie Viguie, and Jennifer Fallon, along with comic book herstorian Trina Robbins, and a host of other popular fiction and comic book contributors.








All of the stories are about super heroines, many characters created exclusively for this collection, and featuring ALL NEW stories about established characters: Lady Action and Domino Lady. All contributors for the book are female, including the interior illustrator, the cover artists, and the editors!








 What will you find within the pages of CHICKS IN CAPES? Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Science-fiction…!Authors include Trina Robbins; Nancy Holder; Gillian Horvath; Cathy Clamp; Barbara Randall Kesel; Elaine Lee; Kathe Catto; Valerie D'Orazio;K.G. McAbee; Jennifer Fallon; Debbie Viguie; and Elizabeth Massie















The wonderful art in CHICKS IN CAPES also came from talented female professionals. Emily Stone provided interior illustrations as well as one of the two covers for the book. Nicola Scott also produced a cover used for one edition of the collection. Lori Gentile and Karen O'Brien edited the anthology.





















 Strong female super-heroine characters from all walks of life are included in this stellar anthology: a parking valet, an archeologist, a bike messenger, a nurse, a holocaust survivor and many more. Also new stories featuring Lady Action and Domino Lady are included in this fantastic collection!




















 One of the strongest points of CHICKS IN CAPES is that its creators feel that its high time the world had more super heroine fiction written by women. According to contributor Trina Robbins, "We need to see more creative concepts of superheroines, and we need to see them from a woman's point of view. I'm not saying men can't write good women, many men do...but I do believe that women tend to know what women like, because, being women, it's what THEY like, no? But it's revolutionary, by golly, to see not just a woman's take on an already established superheroine, but to see a woman create her own superheroine."







CHICKS IN CAPES spotlights not only female characters by female creators, but it casts a new light on the concept of super heroes in general. According to contributor Jennifer Fallon, "I think it’s a timely reminder that superheroes are not just for boys. They come in all shapes and sizes. We should judge our superheroes by their deeds, not their gender. Just like real people."




CHICKS IN CAPES from Moonstone Entertainment, Inc! AVAILABLE NOW!

http://www.moonstonebooks.com/
MOONSTONE GOES BACK TO THE JUNGLE WITH SAVAGE BEAUTY #2

Moonstone Entertainment, Inc., Captain Action Enterprises, and Runemaster Studios, announce that SAVAGE BEAUTY #2 is on its way!



An updating of the Jungle Girl genre tale, SAVAGE BEAUTY uses two very strong female leads to not only introduce pulp like heroics into the jungles of today's world, but also tackles real life issues. The comic is a tool of vital partnership between its creators and agencies and organizations dedicated to making life better and even saving lives in Kenya, Africa, and other ravaged lands.



SAVAGE BEAUTY #2
Ripped from today’s world news comes a reimagining of the classic jungle girl genre debuting a new hero for the modern age!



Anaya trails the PLA into the mountains of the DR Congo after they kidnap the wife of a Ugandan dignitary intent on selling her into slavery. Follow the trail of political upheaval down the streets of human trafficking as Lacy and Liv unleash their Savage Beauty!



Also, SAVAGE BEAUTY #2 takes another great look back at the golden age with jungle pulp covers. SAVAGE BEAUTY'S charity partners this issue are Do Good Day and Resolve.

And in case you're wondering what people thought of SAVAGE BEAUTY #1, read on!



Eric J., www.thepullbox.com, summed up the origins and appeal of SAVAGE BEAUTY wonderfully-



I am a huge pulp fan, always have been...The adventure, thrill and danger of an altruistic hero risking life and limb to take down a dastardly villain was almost too much for my little 7-year heart to handle. Well, what I know (as most of you do too) is that when creative teams try to “modernize” the genre something is lost in the translation and they fail more often than they succeed...Running counter to that sad norm, the folks over at Moonstone have been lighting the way for years and showing fans that pulp can still be done and done well. Savage Beauty, as a title, just continues to add to their testimony.



In his review at www.playeraffinity.com, Dustin Cabeal points out what makes SAVAGE BEAUTY a modern and relevant title in his 'Short Version'-



If you’re looking for a sexy jungle story about two women fighting the crimes of Africa then you’ll only be half right. This story is anything but goofy and uses the comic to look at a very realistic problem in the world, while presenting it in a very accessible way. Simply put this isn’t a kid’s comic, but it’s still really good.















Ray Tate with www.comicsbulletin.com sees SAVAGE BEAUTY as...



a welcome addition to the jungle girls category of books. The writers and artists direct their talents to raise awareness about real world vermin while creating satisfying escapism in a twist on legacy heroism.



Christopher with www.jonja.net states-



Don't let the cover fool you, this is more than just an excuse to draw pretty girls in fur bikinis. This new spin on the jungle heroine looks like it will be a serious and at times dark journey to, at least in the literary world, bring justice to the criminals that deserve it most.







SAVAGE BEAUTY #2-Swinging at You soon from MOONSTONE!
During Autism Awareness Month, Drawing Autism Shows Artistry & Self-Expression of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Drawings, paintings, and collages by children & adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder comprise this inspiring art collection
Over the last decade autism has become an international topic of conversation. Knowing no racial, ethnic, or social barriers, today autism is diagnosed in 1 in every 110 children. Drawing Autism from Mark Batty Publisher celebrates the artistry and self-expression found in the drawings, paintings, and collages created by individuals diagnosed with autism. The work of over 50 international contributors exhibits unique perspectives on how these individuals see the world and their places in it.

Author Jill Mullin, a behavior analyst and educator, has assembled a staggering array of work and interviews from established artists like Gregory Blackstock, Jessica Park, and Ping Lian Yeak to those who use art as a means of therapy and communication. From acute self-awareness to non-verbal, these artists and their creations comprise a fascinating and compelling book that makes visual how autism manifests differently in every diagnosis.

Mullin's introduction and the foreword by best-selling author Temple Grandin provide an overview of autism and advocate for nurturing the talents, artistic and otherwise, of autistic individuals.

"The artists in this book come from all over the world and have had very different experiences, with one common theme: many of the artists thrive off the encouragement they have received from their family and friends," says Mullin. "Art has helped many of these individuals gain confidence that has helped to increase their enjoyment of life. I wanted to make sure that when possible the artists expressed their thoughts about their work and their lives on their own terms, in their own voices."

About Jill Mullin

Jill Mullin is a behavior analyst and educator. Currently, Mullin works at the New York Center for Infants and Toddlers as a clinical supervisor, training teachers and social workers to use applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy while working with individuals diagnosed with autism and their families.

Mullin has a BA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a MA in Psychology from the University of the Pacific, and a MSEd from Touro College. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

About Mark Batty Publisher
Mark Batty Publisher (http://www.markbattypublisher.com) is an independent publisher dedicated to making distinctive books on the visual art of communicating, showcasing the visual power and innovation of contemporary culture in all of its varied poses. Today, the visual comes at us from more places than ever, and its dissemination is faster and more advanced every year. Books from Mark Batty Publisher capture this acceleration on the pages of every book. Affordable, well designed, thoughtfully created, and produced to last, MBP books are artful products that readers want to hold onto forever.


# # #


Drawing Autism By Jill Mullin
Page Count: 160 pages
Size: 8 x 11 inches
Format: Casebound
Publication Date: November 2009
Price: $34.95
ISBN: 978-0-9819600-0-5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: eigoMANGA's Original Animation Videos Stream On Crunchyroll

San Francisco, California (April 12, 2011) – eigoMANGA has begun streaming English-subtitled original animation videos ("OAV") on the Crunchyroll video service. More information can be found on http://www.crunchyroll.com/publisher/eigomanga.

eigoMANGA has released two OAV titles on Crunchyroll. 'Demian' is a story about an elite government team that pilots a five into one super robot fighting force. They are called to take down their robot's creator who is now a terrorist. The Crunchyroll page for 'Demian' is http://www.crunchyroll.com/demian.

'Break Ups' is a slice of life story about a young couple with an on-and-off relationship. They stumble upon a time machine that takes them back to several periods in their lives as a couple. The Crunchyroll page for 'Break Ups' is http://www.crunchyroll.com/break-ups.

'Demian' and 'Break Ups' are produced by Goingdol, an animation studio based in Seoul, South Korea.

eigoMANGA's publisher, Austin Osueke said, "We're really excited to release our animation line and it's really an honor to have it featured on Crunchyroll to be seen by millions of anime fans from around the world."

The OAVs can be accessed from Crunchyroll.com, the free iPad and iPhone application, the Android application, Roku, Boxee, Vizio VIA, WD TV Live and additional set-top channels, and affiliate partners.


About eigoMANGA

eigoMANGA is a comic book publishing company that specializes in creating original Japanese-influenced comic books and media productions. Visit http://www.eigoMANGA.com.

About Crunchyroll, Inc.

Crunchyroll is a leading global video network and developer of social media applications for Japanese anime and Asian media. Through applications like Crunchyroll for iPhone, iPad, Android, TV set-top boxes, affiliate websites and its own streaming website, Crunchyroll delivers officially-licensed content from leading Asian media producers directly to consumers.

Crunchyroll has offices in San Francisco, Calif. and Tokyo, Japan, and is a member of the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) and Licensing International Merchandisers' Association (LIMA). Founded in 2006, Crunchyroll is funded by leading venture capital firm, Venrock, Japanese entertainment giant TV TOKYO, digital publishing leader Bitway and a group of angel investors representing some of the brightest and most successful entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. More information can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com.
SHANNON WHEELER'S
I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER
THE DEBUT PUBLICATION FROM
BOOM! STUDIOS' IMPRINT
BOOM! TOWN
GETS NOMINATED FOR EISNER AWARD!

COMING JUST A WEEK AFTER
SHANNON WHEELER
SIGNS 3-BOOK DEAL
WITH BOOM! STUDIOS!

April 11, 2011 - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles, CA – BOOM! Studios is proud to announce that BOOM! Town's debut publication I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER is nominated for a Best Humor Publication Eisner Award!

“I'm ecstatic, through the roof even, to have been able to work with Shannon Wheeler on I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER to showcase his gut-busting humor and hopefully bring another Eisner Award to his mantel!” says BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher. “I’ve known Shannon for over 20 years, and probably know his work better than almost anyone, and I always knew that people would respond to his non-TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN work if it was just given the right package. Well, we found the right package!”


Published in June 2010, I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER premiered as one of the debut publications for BOOM! Studios' lit-comix imprint BOOM! Town. Currently an occasional contributor to The New Yorker Magazine this collection of Shannon Wheeler's most hilarious rejected New Yorker cartoons has almost completely sold out of its run upon first release and is now being nominated for a Best Humor Publication Eisner Award.

The Eisner Award nomination comes just a week after Shannon Wheeler announced a three book deal with BOOM! Town to publish three new bodies of work: TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN: CUTIE ISLAND & OTHER STORIES, GRANDPA WON'T WAKE UP and a follow-up to last year's smash hit and now Eisner Award-nominated I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER. A new reprinting of I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER in a gift-friendly hardcover format is set for Fall 2011.

Announced in 2010, BOOM! Town is an imprint of BOOM! Studios, specializing in high quality, lit-oriented comix. BOOM! Town has already released works by such indie comix luminaries as Denis Kitchen with DENIS KITCHEN'S CHIP BOARD SKETCHBOOK, and through association with Denis Kitchen, R. Crumb's HEROES OF THE BLUES and EARLY JAZZ GREATS trading card sets, as well as Harvey Kurtzman's THE GRASS HOPPER AND THE ANT. BOOM! Town has also produced a book of political satire REPUGLICANS written by Steve Tatham with art by Pete Von Sholly which made The Village Voice’s Top 10 list and a critically acclaimed anthology of stories about the famed New York Punk venue in CBGB.

Shannon Wheeler, a legend in the indie-comix scene, is best known for his Eisner Award-winning series TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN, originally self-published in the 90's under Wheeler's Adhesive Comics banner and then during the last decade by Dark Horse Entertainment. Wheeler also produced a weekly comic strip in the print edition of The Onion titled POSTAGE STAMP FUNNIES. He is currently an occasional contributor for The New Yorker Magazine and maintains a weekly comic strip, HOW TO BE HAPPY, on his website http://www.tmcm.com/.

I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER is written and drawn by Eisner Award-winning Shannon Wheeler and carries price point of $19.99, a Diamond Code of FEB100763, and an ISBN13: 9781608860340.

About BOOM! Studios
Award-winning "Best Publisher" BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of bestselling comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent, including Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE, Stan Lee's SOLDIER ZERO, THE TRAVELER, and STARBORN (the first new series in print from the industry icon in 20 years), new HELLRAISER comics written by Clive Barker as well as 20th Century Fox's PLANET OF THE APES, 28 DAYS LATER, and DIE HARD, Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, and The Henson Company's FARSCAPE. BOOM!'s recently rebranded all-ages imprint, KABOOM! will see publication of PEANUTS, SPACE WARPED, Roger Langridge's SNARKED!, Scholastic's WORDGIRL and DUCKTALES, as well as continuing to publish fan-favorite Disney Afternoon series DARKWING DUCK, CHIP 'N' DALE RESCUE RANGERS along with Disney standards MICKEY MOUSE, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE, and WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES.
Entertainment One Enters into Deal with Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
to Distribute the Nationally Syndicated “Elvira’s Movie Macabre”
on Home Video and Digital in North America



· Deal brings additional titles to eOne’s rapidly expanding U.S. horror portfolio



(Port Washington, NY) – Leading independent distributor Entertainment One (eOne) has acquired North American home video and digital rights for the nationally syndicated series ELVIRA’S MOVIE MACABRE, which will arrive in its first two installments of hilariously horrifying “Double Feature DVDs” this June. Presented by Elvira: Mistress of the Dark – the world’s sexiest, most outrageous and original movie hostess – ELVIRA’S MOVIE MACABRE was re-launched on over 120 stations across the country this past fall and was instantly praised as “a dream come true for horror fans” (Fangoria).



Featuring Elvira’s signature, unflinching, tongue-in-cheek commentary of some of the “greatest” B-movies ever to unspool, eOne’s release of all-new ELVIRA’S MOVIE MACABRE “Double Feature DVDs” kicks off with the zombie-themed pairing of George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead with I Eat Your Skin and a double-bill of Hammer Film’s The Satanic Rites of Dracula with The Werewolf of Washington. Future DVDs will pair such camp classics as The Terror (starring Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson) with Eegah! and Scared to Death (starring Bela Lugosi) with Manster.



When you hear the name Elvira only one person comes to mind – Halloween icon and quintessential symbol of all things spooky, the one and only Mistress of the Dark. The first horror host ever to be syndicated nationally, Elvira has seen her reign as “Queen of Halloween” span an amazing twenty-nine years, highlighted by two feature films, an IMAX film and two motion control rides. She has appeared in national ad campaigns for Pepsi and Coors, recorded five music CDs, published four books and licensed over 400 products, including two Bally pinball machines, BC Rich guitars, three comic book series, Elvira’s “Night Brew” beer, “Evil” perfume and a slot machines from IGT. Elvira also boasts the best selling female costume of all time and has just launched a new iPhone App and an online fan club at www.elvira.com.



ELVIRA’S MOVIE MACABRE is a 34D Production and is written and produced by Cassandra Peterson and Ted Biaselli. The series’ Executive Producer is Anita First.

Elvira is played by actress/writer Cassandra Peterson.



About Entertainment One

Entertainment One (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company’s comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, kids programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 20,000 film and television titles, 2,400 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.