B.P.R.D. COMES TO DARK HORSE PRESENTS

IN ISSUE #8!

MILWAUKIE, OR, SEPTEMBER 2—Following last week’s announcement of Hellboy’s upcoming appearance in the flagship anthology Dark Horse Presents, Dark Horse announces that fans will have their first glimpse of the aftermath of the events in The Fury—and their effect on the B.P.R.D.—in January.

In “An Unmarked Grave,” we find Kate in England to uncover some upsetting news. “Another amazingly beautiful job by Duncan—a heartfelt goodbye to Hellboy,” said Hellboy creator Mike Mignola.

“B.P.R.D.: An Unmarked Grave” will appear in the eighth issue of the newly relaunched Dark Horse Presents in January 2012.

EXHIBITING THE FINE ART OF SWEETS

Chamberlain's Sweets: A New Orleans Crime Story in Gallery and Trade Paperback

Berkeley, CA – 2 September, 2011 – SWEETS: A NEW ORLEANS CRIME STORY, the acclaimed noir-inspired comic book miniseries written and drawn by Louisiana native Kody Chamberlain, will soon be collected into a complete trade paperback through Image Comics. Chamberlain's gritty and richly illustrated series tells the story of a down-and-out detective trying to bring a killer to justice before his city and evidence are washed away by an impending storm. SWEETS is steeped in effortless local detail, recalling readers to the sights, sounds, and flavors of New Orleans.

While Chamberlain's fans await the release of the new trade paperback collection, his work is being presented for the first time ever in a fine arts gallery setting at The Arcadiana Center for the Arts. The gallery exhibition is now open and available for viewing until October 1st, 2011. Arcadiana Center for the Arts will also host a release party and book signing for the trade paperback comic with Chamberlain on September 10th at 6pm.

"Kody Chamberlain's work in this exhibit transcends the genre of comic illustration with a depth of perspective and intensity of vision that can only be described as masterful," said Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, Executive Director, Acadiana Center for the Arts. "The chiseled technical detail of his work combines with solid psychological underpinnings to draw the viewer down the rabbit hole and lets us wander in strange and exciting landscapes."

"This is a highly unique exhibit. I was able to install my entire miniseries, with lettering, in a gallery setting," said Chamberlain. "The 117 pages of sequential story completely fills the space with only a half inch of wall between each page, the end result is a striking visual experience. This comic feels like it's alive in that room."

SWEETS: A NEW ORLEANS CRIME STORY,  was the winner of the 2011 Spinetingler Award in the category of Best Mystery/Crime Comic or Graphic Novel, and has also amassed an impressive list of positive reviews, including these:

"[Chamberlain]'s a one-man band, and the fact that this story read so well as a complete package is nothing short of amazing. ...This kind of care and craftsmanship isn't just art — it's magic." -- David Pepose, Newsarama

"...a thrilling read that executes a stellar story with beautiful art... I have never possessed anything even closely resembling a sweet tooth, but the experience of reading this book was so palpable, I found myself wanting a good ol’ fashioned pecan praline after I was done." -- Joy Hog

"I enjoy the rare one man comic book trifecta that actually works out. 4/5 stars!" -- The Daily BLAM! 

"Chamberlain is an impressive artist who captures New Orleans with such a sense of authenticity and accuracy that at any second you expect to see Ignatius Reilly pushing a hotdog cart through the French Quarter in the background of one of his panels." -- Shawn O'Rourke, Pop Matters

"...a cop drama for people who are sick of cop dramas. ...SWEETS feels far more visceral and dark and somehow less like it’s mugging for the camera than the endless string of unrealistic cop-schlock shows that permeate the airwaves..." -- Andy Grossberg, Tripwire Magazine

"…incredibly rendered" -- Examiner.com

"A phenomenal graphic masterpiece." -- Comic Geek Speak

Gallery details: 

Kody Chamberlain - Sweets: A New Orleans Crime Story

The Acadiana Center for the Arts - Mallia Gallery 

101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette, LA 70501

337.233.7060 (phone), 337.233.7062 (fax)

Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 10 AM - 5 PM, Saturday: 10 AM -  5 PM

Admission: Members: Free; General: $5; Students & Seniors: $3; 

17 & Younger: $2; 4 & Younger: Free

SWEETS: A NEW ORLEANS CRIME STORY TP (JUN110516, ISBN: 978-1-60706-413-8), a 136-page full color crime noir comic book, will be on sale for $14.99 in stores September 9. For more information about the work of Kody Chamberlain, visit http://www.kodychamberlain.blogspot.com/.

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, visitwww.imagecomics.com.

IMAGE COMICS’ THE VAULT #2 SELLS OUT

Following on the heels of the sold out debut issue, Double G Marketing proudly announces that THE VAULT #2, written by Sam Sarkar (Caliber: First Canon of Justice), illustrated by Garrie Gastonny (Warren Ellis’ Supergod), edited by Dave Elliott (current EIC at Benaroya Publishing) and published through Image Comics has sold out at the distributor level.   THE VAULT, recently optioned for a feature film adaptation from Johnny Depp’s Infinitum Nihil and Graham King’s GK Films, is about a small team of treasure hunters, struggling to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits Sable Island, the "Graveyard of the North Atlantic." Equipped with all the latest technology, the scientists believe they are prepared against all of nature's fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash.   Sam Sarkar, when informed of the news, stated, “Once again, I'm very grateful to the retailers for ordering it and the readers for picking it up.  Even though there is only one issue left in the series, this is not the end.  It is only the BEGINNING of the end.  Hopefully, it'll take a long time and a lot of great reading to get there.  My thanks to Garrie Gastonny for the amazing realization of THE VAULT and to Sakti Yuwono and Bagus Hutomo as well. Gianluca Glazer is a rockstar for getting the word out and of course, it would never have happened at all without my editor and good fiend, Dave Elliott. And yes, I called him a fiend."   Critics who’ve read THE VAULT had this to say:   “You don’t want to miss out on this deep-sea adventure!” - Fangoria   “A highly enjoyable read.“ - Newsarama   “…Looking forward to more.” – MTV Geek   “This is turning out to be a great story.” – My Comic Network   “The Vault is a must read on my list so make it a part of yours… NOW!” - From the Tomb Magazine   “What a gem of a book! I can totally recommend The Vault. Get it now.” - Weekly Comic Book Review   “The comic book equivalent of a big-budget summer blockbuster.” - Blogcritics Books   “Readers looking for adventure and suspense thrillers will want The Vault.” - Comic Book Bin   “I could see it being a sleeper hit of the year and would recommend checking it out.” - Comic Book Realm   “If you're keen on action comics and sunken treasure, you are going to like this comic.” - Sequential Tart   “5 out of 5 stars” - Novel Chatter     Fans still looking to pick up a copy of THE VAULT #2 may contact their local comic shop (www.comicshoplocator.com) for availability or purchase the digital edition from Comixology (www.comixology.com) on September 14th, 2011.     ABOUT SAM SARKAR Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sam Sarkar is a 23-year veteran of the entertainment industry. He began his career as an actor and was one of the leads on the long-running, syndicated television series Neon Rider. Following the series, Sam decided to pursue writing and worked for the hit television series Beverly Hills 90210. Stemming from his work on the show, he also co-wrote a television pilot for Spelling Entertainment under the direct guidance of TV legend Aaron Spelling. Deciding then to embark on feature films, Sam took some chances, following a varied path of writing screenplays and working as a sound technician. In 2004, after working on several films with actor Johnny Depp, Sam was asked to help run Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil, headed by Christi Dembrowski. As Senior VP at the company, he continues to serve the varied needs of Hollywood as an executive, producer and writer.   ABOUT GARRIE GASTONNY Having worked as a comic book artist and illustration lecturer, Garrie Gastonny now mainly focuses on illustration to avoid getting beaten up. Garrie also serves as Senior Artist at Imaginary Friends Studios. His credits include Warren Ellis' Supergod, Caliber: First Canon of Justice and Lady Death. For more information about the artist, please visit http://thegerjoos.deviantart.com/.   ABOUT DAVE ELLIOTT Dave Elliott has more than 25 years of experience working in every aspect of the comic book industry from writer and artist to editor and publisher.  He has worked on diverse titles such as A1, Deadline, Heavy Metal, Penthouse Comix, 2000 AD, Justice League of America, Transformers, GI Joe and Doctor Who. In 2006, Dave co-founded Radical Studios.  As both the co-publisher and Editor-In-Chief, Dave was integral to the development and launch of Radical’s premiere comic book titles, which included Hercules, Caliber (created by Sam Sarkar of The Vault), Freedom Formula, City of Dust (created by Steve Niles of 30 Days of Night), Hotwire (created by Steve Pugh) and Lords of Misrule, as well as a complete re-imagining of Aladdin, which was conceived by Dave.  The success of these titles led to Radical winning the Diamond Comic Distributor's Gem Award for New Comic Book Publisher of the Year in 2009. Currently, Dave serves as Editor-In-Chief of Benaroya Publishing, a subsidiary of Benaroya Pictures, with titles Red Spike, Samurai’s Blood and Marksmen released under the Image Comics brand. Additionally, Dave Elliott has worked with the band Fall Out Boy for Image Comics’ Fall Out Toy Works as well as with Nascar/MMI to create and brand new IP, which he sites as examples of new media integration for a more immersive entertainment experience.

VIZ MANGA DEBUTS

SEVEN VOLUMES OF NARUTO IN SEVEN DAYS

Release Promotion Culminates in NARUTO Volume 52 Debuting Same Day As Print Counterpart on September 6^th

VIZ Media starts off September with a special NARUTO release promotion through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for the Apple iPad™, iPhone™ and iPod™ touch. NARUTO Vol. 46 is available now, Vol. 47 launches today, and a new volume of NARUTO (volumes 48-51) will be available each day thereafter. On Tuesday, September 6^th, NARUTO Volume 52 will debut DAY-AND-DATE with its print counterpart!

Created by Masashi Kishimoto in 1999, NARUTO (rated ‘T’ for Teens) quickly became Japan’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens and has sold more than 85 million copies to-date. NARUTO is also one of the most popular anime/manga properties in North America. The NARUTO manga and animated series depict the adventures of a young boy named Uzumaki Naruto who trains to become a ninja. Naruto, cursed with the spirit of the nine-tailed fox demon sealed within his body, is forced to live a bullied life discriminated against by his fellow villagers. But Naruto is resilient and undaunted and his determination often inspires those around him. Through the adventures, the young ninja learns the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity and right vs. wrong. More information on NARUTO is available at www.NARUTO.com.

NARUTO Vol. 52 sees a Cell Seven reunion as Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto finally meet and the former classmates' complicated past gives way to a violent and unsure future. Naruto realizes he must eventually battle Sasuke one-on-one...to the death! But with Sasuke and his dark allies bent on complete destruction, and political intrigue in the villages, will the powerful Allied Shinobi Forces allow the two "friends" to meet in battle?!

September 5^th also sees new additions to 11 other VIZ Media manga series, including:

BLACK BIRD Vol. 10 – available a day earlier than the print counterpart!

DENGEKI DIASY Vol. 4

DRAGON BALL Z Vol. 25

GRAND GUIGNOL ORCHESTRA Vol. 3

I’LL GIVE MY ALL TOMORROW Vol. 3

KEKKAISHI Vol. 12

OISHINBO Vol. 2

ONE PIECE Vol. 42

OURON HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB Vol. 10

ROSARIO + VAMPIRE II Vol. 4

RUROUNI KENSHIN Vol. 21

VIZ Media's digital manga platform continues to expand access for fans in North America to the world's best manga. Starting with the VIZ Manga app (the #1 app for reading manga on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch) in 2010, the recently launched VIZManga.com is now a leading online destination for reading manga on desktop/laptop computers and on Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users can select from nearly 400 volumes across 40+ series and then enjoy their purchases through even more devices than ever.

For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps. 

Nine Month Deathly Hallows Campaign Enormously Successful

Boston, MA – After nine months, seven horcruxes, and many successes, The Harry Potter Alliance (HPA) is celebrating the official end to the Deathly Hallows Campaign (DHC). “The Deathly Hallows Campaign was a great illustration of why the HPA works,” said HPA Executive Director Andrew Slack. “Members were involved in creative and engaging ways challenging some our world’s greatest obstacles to justice, ranging from inequality, to global warming to negative body image. Our members walked away from this epic campaign not only having helped people across the world, but also receiving a sense of self-empowerment while doing so.” The nine-month campaign consisted of seven issues that the HPA compared to horcruxes – evil objects that Harry must destroy before Voldemort could be destroyed.  The last campaign, or horcrux, was the Climate Crisis. Participants imagined ways that environmental activism could be improved. The contest's advisory board evaluated the entries and the winners received $1000 to make their ideas a reality. The board included:    Congressman Ed Markey; Tim Kring, producer of Heroes; Bill McKibben, celebrated environmentalist; Hank Green and Dan Brown, prominent social media leaders;  John Green and Melissa Anelli, bestselling authors; Christina Lurie, co-owner of the Philadelphia Eagles; Anthony Stewart Head, Jason Alexander, and Evanna Lynch; Harry Potter Wizard Rock group Harry and the Potters; Shawn Ahmed, Simon Billenness, and Andrew Slack, all prominent activists. Lynch also participated in the DHC’s work against child slavery in its ongoing campaign, “Not in Harry's Name,” a campaign to get Warner Bros. to make all Harry Potter chocolate Fair Trade. Amassing over 15,000 signatures including some of the Harry Potter cast Lynch's, Jason Isaacs, Mark Williams, and Natalie Tena, the petition received a response from Warner Bros. CEO Barry Meyer expressing interest in working towards switching to fair trade chocolate. The Harry Potter Alliance will continue communicating with Warner Bros. and fair trade experts in the hopes that Harry Potter's name will no longer be put on chocolate created at the cost of others lives, especially children. Throughout the campaign, the HPA has had many successes. This year’s Accio Books campaign brought the organization’s total to over 88,000 books raised for communities across the world. Nearly 10,000 of those books went to the newly inaugurated Imagine Better library for The New Beginnings Charter School in NYC. Wrock 4 Equality 2 resulted in the HPA helping Massachusetts Equality break nearly all of their call records. And overall, the HPA raised awareness and helped educate its members on topics ranging from depression and poor body image to child slavery and environmental concerns. “The many facets of the Deathly Hallows Campaign illustrate the work of the HPA to come,” Slack added. “We are heartened by our members enthusiasm and the unprecedented network of fan communities that we have built for changing the world.”                                                                                                                                                                                             ###

The HP Alliance (www.thehpalliance.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit that engages Harry Potter fans in social activism. With over 70 active chapters and 40 volunteer staff, the HPA has donated five cargo planes to Haiti, 55,000 books, protection for thousands in Darfur, and made huge strides in anti-genocide, LGBT, and media reform advocacy, and more. Covered in hundred of major publications and praised by JK Rowling, Harry Potter celebrities, Paul Farmer, and a slew of NGO’s the HPA recently came in first place in the Chase Bank Community Giving Contest on Facebook winning $250,000.

Comic Professionals Honor Peers at 2011 Harvey Awards

 

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - September 1, 2011 - Comic professionals came together Saturday night, August 20, 2011 to honor their peers during the presentation of the 2011 Harvey Awards, sponsored by DC Comics, comiXology, Insight Studios, IDW, and Painted Visions Comics, Cards & Games. The banquette to honor those nominated and the winners in more than 20 categories was hosted by the Baltimore Comic-Con and Cards, Comics & Collectibles.

Named in honor of Harvey Kurtzman, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the field of comics and is the only industry award both nominated and selected by comic professionals. First awarded in 1988, it is one of the industry's oldest and most respected awards.

Scott Kurtz, who is best known for his webstrip, PvP, served as Master of Ceremonies for the third year in a row, bringing his great sense of humor and charisma to the stage.

Special thanks go to the sponsors who generously donated to the 2011 Harvey Gift Bags, including: Abrams Books; Adhouse Books; BOOM! Studios; DC Comics; IDW; Lasermach; Legendary Comics; Top Cow; and Popfun Merchandising.

This year's winners include:

Best Letterer: John Workman, Thor, Marvel Comics

Best Colorist: Jose Villarrubia, Cuba: My Revolution, Vertigo/DC Comics

Best Syndicated Strip or Panel: Doonesbury, Gary Trudeau, Universal Press Syndicate

Best Online Comics Work: Hark! A Vagrant, Kate Beaton, http://harkvagrant.com/

Best American Edition of Foreign Material: Blacksad, Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido, Dark Horse Comics

Best Inker: Mark Morales, Thor, Marvel Comics

Best New Series: American Vampire, Scott Snyder, Stephen King and Rafeal Albuquerque, Vertigo/DC Comics

Most Promising New Talent: Chris Samnee, Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Marvel Comics

Special Award for Humor in Comics: Roger Langridge, The Muppet Show, BOOM! Studios

Best Original Graphic Publication for Younger Readers: Tiny Titans, Art Baltazar and Franko Aureliana, DC Comics

Best Graphic Album Previously Published: Beasts of Burden, Even Dornkin and Jill Thompson

Best Anthology: Popgun #4, edited by DJ Kirkbride, Anthony Wu and Adam P. Knave, Image Comics

Best Domestic Reprint Project: Dave Steven's The Rocketeer: Artists Edition, design by Randall Dahlk and edited by Scott Dunbier, IDW

Best Cover Artist: Mike Mignola, Hellboy, Dark Horse Comics

Best Biographical, Historical or Journalistic Presentation: The Art of Jaime Hernandez: The Secrets of Life and Death, Todd Hignite, Abrams ComicArts

Special Award for Excellence in Presentation: Dave Steven's The Rocketeer: Artists Edition, design by Randall Dahlk and edited by Scott Dunbier, IDW

Best Original Graphic Album: Scott Pilgrim Volume 6: Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Oni Press

Best Continuing or Limited Series: Love and Rockets: Volume 3, Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez, Fantagraphics

Best Writer: Roger Langridge, Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Marvel Comics

Best Artist: Darwyn Cooke, Richard Stark's Parker: The Outfit, IDW

Best Cartoonist: Darwyn Cooke, Richard Stark's Parker: The Outfit, IDW

Best Single Issue or Story: Daytripper, Fabio Moon and Gabiel Ba, Vertigo/DC Comics

Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Hero Award: Mike Gold

Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award: Stan Lee

Paul McSpadden, Harvey Awards Administrator, was also honored with an award commemorating his 24 years of service. 

The Baltimore Comic will host the Harvey Awards for the seventh year during the 13th annual show, taking place September 8-9, 2012.

Save the Date! Baltimore Comic-Con 2012!

That's right! Mark your calendars now for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con, which will take place the weekend of September 8-9, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center, and we'll see YOU in Baltimore!

Contact Information

Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:

press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution

promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications

registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations

harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for communications regarding the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet

general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries

About The Baltimore Comic-Con

The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 12th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 20-21, 2011. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 6 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org

HASBRO, INC., AND IDW PUBLISHING
TO LAUNCH MAGIC: THE GATHERING COMIC BOOKS

 

SAN DIEGO, CA (September 1, 2011) – IDW Publishing and Hasbro, Inc. today announced yet another extension of the companies’ long-term relationship with an all-new comic book series based on the ground-breaking MAGIC: THE GATHERING trading card game (TCG). Under license from Hasbro, Inc., and in collaboration with Wizards of the Coast, IDW will launch a new series entitled MAGIC: THE GATHERING this fall, the first comic series in more than a decade based on the many worlds of the hugely popular game. Adding to the rich stories are exclusive, playable, alternate-art cards for the MAGIC: THE GATHERING TCG, which will only be available through select issues of the IDW comics.

"Magic: The Gathering is an incredibly strong property which spawned a new entertainment category, and there is so much to be done creatively with comics,” says IDW's Magic editor, Denton J. Tipton. "I’m really looking forward to telling new stories in the many worlds of Magic, which have been near and dear to my heart since the mid-90s.”

IDW Publishing and Hasbro subsidiary, Wizards of the Coast will work closely together to ensure the comics offer another layer of experience for MAGIC: THE GATHERING fans. The initial four-issue miniseries will focus on a unique, new Planeswalker, a powerful mage with the ability to travel between worlds in the Magic Multiverse. Many popular MAGIC: THE GATHERING characters will be featured in the series, as well.

This comic series is written by renowned author and game designer Matt Forbeck (The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game, Amortals, The Marvel Encyclopedia), who is joined by talented newcomer, artist Martín Cóccolo. Each comic book will also be collected at intervals into graphic novels. MAGIC: THE GATHERING will be distributed to a wide audience through comic-book outlets, trade bookstores, mass retailers, and digitally through a variety of platforms.


IDW Publishing is Hasbro’s comic book licensee for the TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE brands. IDW launched the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ongoing comic series in 2010, and publishes licensed comic books for many other hugely popular brands, include HBO’s True Blood, The BBC’s Doctor Who, and EA’s Dragon Age.

About Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering® is the first and most widely played trading card game. Players take on the role of Planeswalkers – powerful mages who battle others for glory, knowledge and conquest. Their weapons include spells, creatures, and artifacts gathered from a vast multiverse of unique fantasy worlds. With over 11,000 different cards available, Magic offers an unrivaled depth of game play with many levels of choice and customization for its players. The cards feature unique illustrations by top fantasy artists inspired by familiar elements of myth and legend. These elements weave together to provide a strategically rich and satisfying game play experience. Whether in the competitive arena or participating in a local Magic event, there is always an opportunity to shine.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for EA Comics.

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. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio.  From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY.  The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.
Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

Japanese Pop Group Ryo(Supercell) Releases Brand New EP SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI Featuring Vocals By Hatsune Miku And Available Now From Sony Music Direct On iTunes And Amazon

Innovative Multimedia Group Follows Up Chart Toping Full-Length Album With New U.S. Release Featuring Vocals By World’s First Virtual Pop Star

New York, NY, August 31, 2011 – Following up the release of its first full-length record in the U.S., Sony Music Direct (Japan), Inc., a division of Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Inc., has announced the U.S. release of a brand new EP by the Japanese pop artist/group, Ryo (Supercell). The new release, SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI, is available now exclusively on iTunes and Amazon and features vocals from Hatsune Miku, the world’s first virtual pop diva.

.

The EP’s title track, “SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI” (SEKIRANUN means Thundercloud), is also the theme music to the latest Hatsune Miku PROJECT DIVA arcade console game and video game for the PSP, which will be released in Japan this fall. The release also contains the new single, “Fallin' Fallin' Fallin’,” which was composed by Ryo and the celebrated Japanese Vocaloid producer known as Dixie Flatline. The SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI EP also contains instrumental and remixes of the two tracks. Cover art for the new release was created by Atsuya Uki.

Ryo and his pop group Supercell are a group of Japanese multimedia creators and artists. Singer Hatsune Miku, whose name means, “first sound of the future,” is a Vocaloid (meaning machine-made vocals) digital female avatar and the most popular of the Vocaloid Character Series software originally created by Crypton Future Media using Yamaha’s Vocaloid 2 engine to create organic-sounding synthesized vocal tracks.

The group’s first full length U.S. release, Supercell Featuring Hatsune Miku, topped the iTunes World Music Charts in May 2011 and has continued to bring the virtual pop star greater exposure to enthusiastic fans in North America. In Japan, Hatsune Miku is a major national phenomenon appearing in many popular video games and music videos. She’s also played several sellout “concerts,” where she performed on stage as a 3D hologram backed by a live band. Miku recently played her first live show in the U.S. called, “MIKUNOPOLIS in LOS ANGELES,” at the 2011 Anime Expo held in July in Los Angeles, CA.

More information on Supercell is available at: http://www.facebook.com/supercell.JPN.

About Sony Music Direct

Sony Music Direct (Japan), a division of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), and manufactures and distributes the music of both Japanese recording artists and the legacy catalogs of other top international artists across a variety of genres.

Spencers DigsMe – DigMe Productions that is!Spencer Gift's to carry Strike, Spared, Or In the Gutter.
(Philadelphia, PA- August 31, 2011) DigMe Productions announced today that Spencer Gifts will be carrying their first release Strike, Spared,Or In The Gutter. The product should be in stores by the end of September. Strike, Spared, Or In The Gutter retails for $9.99 and is carried in both brick and mortar stores as well as online. Purchase is available online at http://www.digme-games.com/strike-spared-or-in-the-gutter.php. The game is a tongue in cheek alternative to the traditional drinking game although drinking is not required to enjoy the product.  It is currently available on www.amazon.com as well!
"We are so excited about this", exclaimed Christine Dimmig Co Creator of the game. "We had no idea what to expect going into this but Spencers' and all the other retailers involved have been great to work with!" There are 4 other game products fully developed with a second release to come out early 2012.  For more information visit www.digme-games.com. Retailers should email web.inquiry@digme-games.com to place an order or ask questions.
About DigMe Productions:
Started in 2004, Kim and Christine set out to create affordable easily playable games that were all about the FUN! The first game Strike, Spared, Or In The Gutter launched in March of 2011 at the GAMA Trade show and has inspired a whole line of products already in development. DigMe Productions games will always be cheap, easy to play and something that NEVER takes itself too seriously!Dynamic Innovative Games Made to Endlessly entertain = DIGME

SEGA and Marvel Entertainment Ready Epic Thor: God of Thunder & Captain America: Super Soldier Video Games for Nintendo 3DS Handheld

 

SEGA of America, Inc. and Marvel Entertainment today announced release dates for their tandem of superhero video games, Thor: God of Thunder and Captain America: Super Soldier for the Nintendo 3DS handheld. Thor: God of Thunder will be available September 13^th, 2011 followed by Captain America: Super Soldier on October 25^th, 2011. Both titles were released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS earlier this year.

 

Thor: God of Thunder takes players through a massive adventure for which the Eisner Award-winning writer and lead Thor comic book author, Matt Fraction, served as story consultant and created an original story specifically for the video game that is set within the same universe as this year’s Thor film from Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures. In the game, which features the voice and likeness of Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Tom Hiddleston as Loki, players battle to save Thor’s home world of Asgard from destruction.

 

Captain America: Super Soldier transports players to the darkest days of World War II to face the Red Skull and his Hydra forces. Playing as Captain America and wielding his legendary shield, gamers will engage in free-flowing combat and acrobatic platforming to infiltrate Hydra’s mysterious castle. Once inside, players will battle the infamous Iron Cross, the forces of Hydra, and a host of nefarious enemies lifted from the pages of the comics as they seek uncover the secrets of the evil scientist, Arnim Zola, and his wartime experiments.

Dork Knight Rising!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gbrettwilliams/this-batman-life

Chicago, Illinois - September, 31 2011 - This Batman Life is the story of one nerd's journey to see the country the way a young Bruce Wayne might have seen it. Equal parts travelogue and documentary, this project follows writer G. Brett Williams as he attempts to learn to be The Batman, and hopefully learn a thing or two about himself along the way.

Throughout this project, Brett will travel to some of the most vibrant cities in the country, including Chicago and New York City, as he attempts to learn everything Bruce Wayne had to learn to be the Batman. This Batman Life isn't simple hero worship, nor the desire for vigilantism. Instead, it is a journey through the heart of America and the heart of a man, as he seeks to better himself and to support the communities through which he travels. Brett will learn the skills provided by martial arts and Eastern philosophy, glean the secrets of detective work from a real private eye, dart across rooftops with professional Parkour practitioners and learn to live off the land from tried and true survival experts.

One part On the Road and one part Batman: Year One, this project combines the time honored American traditions of the open road novel and superhero comic book. Come along for this exciting and illuminating journey as one aging nerd decides to live, This Batman Life.

G. Brett Williams is a blogger and aspiring comic book writer living in Chicago, IL. He has contributed to various pop culture websites including Broken Frontier and CC2K and keeps his own blog for aiding other young creators looking to break into the comic book industry. His latest work, an essay on Warren Ellis's Transmetropolitan, will appear in Sequart's upcoming book, Shot In The Face.

VIZ MEDIA DOMINATES THE LATEST

NEW YORK TIMES MANGA BESTSELLER LIST

Newest YU-GI-OH! GX Volume Takes #1 Spot And Is Complemented By Other Top Manga Properties Including BLUE EXORCIST, BLEACH, BAKUMAN。, BLACK BIRD, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, NARUTO And More!

San Francisco, CA, August 30, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced that its titles swept the latest Top 10 on the New York Times Manga Bestseller list for the week of August 20^th.

The top selling VIZ Media manga (graphic novel) titles included:

1.           YU-GI-OH! GX Vol. 7

2.           BLUE EXORCIST Vol. 3

3.           BAKUMAN。 Vol. 6

4.           BLEACH 3-In-1 Edition Vol. 2

5.           FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 3-In-1 Edition Vol. 2

6.           AI ORE! Vol. 2

7.           SAKURA HIME: THE LEGEND OF PRINCESS SAKURA Vol. 2

8.           BLACK BIRD Vol. 5

9.           NARUTO Vol. 48

10.        NARUTO 3-In-1 Edition Vol. 1

The New York Times Bestseller lists are an expanded version of those appearing in the September 4, 2011 print edition of the Book Review, reflecting sales for the week ending August 20, 2011. Rankings reflect weekly sales for books sold in both print and electronic formats.

“It’s very exciting to see such a varied array of VIZ Media titles sweep the latest New York Times Top 10 manga bestseller list,” says Leyla Aker, Vice President, Publishing. “Cornerstone properties like the top placing YU-GI-OH! GX, as well as NARUTO, BLEACH, and FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, continue to resonate with legions of fans and our new 3-In-1 omnibus manga collections have also proved a big hit with readers. We’re also very happy to see several shojo properties like AI ORE, SAKURA HIME, and BLACK BIRD perform so well. We look forward to readers continuing to look to VIZ Media for the best in both print and digital manga!”

For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit: www.VIZ.com.

OUR MINDS ARE ON THOUGHT BUBBLE
Image Comics Proudly Presents Thought Bubble Anthology in November
Berkeley, CA – 30 August, 2011 – Like Image Comics, UK's Thought Bubble festival celebrates sequential art in all its forms and genres. Now the leading creator-owned publisher is joining forces with the non-profit Thought Bubble organization to celebrate the fifth year of the festival with THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY, a collection whose proceeds will go to the charity Banardos.

THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY will feature short stories written by Andy Diggle, Stuart Gordon, and Antony Johnston, gorgeous art by Charlie Adlard, Duncan Fegredo, and D'Israeli, and a cover by Becky Cloonan, and will also include the six winners of the Northern Sequential Arts Competition.

"Thought Bubble is delighted to be working with one of our favourite publishers, Image Comics, for our first ever anthology," said Lisa Wood, Thought Bubble Festival Director. "We are stunned at the support we have received from everyone who has contributed to the comic and hope it is the first of many more to come!"

The Thought Bubble Festival takes place across Leeds from the 14th-20th of November with a massive Comic Con held at the city's largest convention halls on the 19th and 20th. It is now the UK's largest festival celebrating comic art in all its wondrous forms.

THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY #1 (SEP110389), an oversized, 24-page full color anthology comic book, will be on sale for $2.99 in stores November 9 and is available to order now in the September issue of Previews. For more information, visit www.thoughtbubblefestival.com.

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, visitwww.imagecomics.com.

AustinBooks & Comics presents September events
Annual Labor Day Sale is complete blowout for comic fans and collectors
          Austin, TX---Monday, August 29, 2011– Austin Books & Comics, Central Texas’s biggest and oldest comics and pop culture retailer, is proud to announce their Annual Labor Weekend Day Sale, September 1 to September 5, plus special midnight DC Comics Prelaunch event and debut Sailor Moon Party.

DC Comics Relaunch - Midnight Premiere
Wednesday, August 31 at Midnight
          DC Comics is relaunching the majority of its publishing line this September with a wave of new #1 issues starting with "Justice League" by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.  There will be 52 monthly titles with #1 issues, with 13 new titles shipping each week. After months of waiting since the original re-launch announcement in May, we're giving you the opportunity to be amongst the first to try out the new DC comics!  Only on Wednesday, August 31 at midnight, for an entry fee of $8 (the combined cover price of Flashpoint #5 and Justice League #1), you get both issues and the very first pick of our Labor Day Weekend Sale items.  RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100871900017319

The Austin Books & Comics Labor Day Weekend Sale
Thursday, September 1 – Monday, September 5
          Our Monster Sale returns! Every Labor Day weekend, we have our one big sale of the year and it becomes more epic every time.  This year's irrelevant theme: Unicorn Magic.  HALF OFF Back Issues! A HUGE selection of HALF-OFF collections and graphic novels! An all new selection of back issue bagged sets, collecting complete stories at a massive discount!  The Beginning of the End of the Sidekick Store, with a full refresh of dollar comics! On Saturday, September 3 we'll be joined by our very own Sidekick Girl in full costume!  RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=249050645107208

Sailor Moon Party
Saturday, September 17, 4 pm – 6 pm
          She's back! After years of being out of print, the adventures of Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts are available for a new generation of fans to discover.  Sailor Moon revitalized the magical girl genre in the nineties, and created a whirlwind of demand for manga in the United States. The popular series has been unavailable for over six years, but Kodansha is bringing it back along with its previously-unavailable predecessor, Codename: Sailor V!

          Join us Saturday, September 17th for a party celebrating the release of Codename: Sailor V and Sailor Moon: Volume One! Featuring a costume contest, snacks, a screening of the original Sailor Moon movie, and fun hosted by Kachi Kolache! RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193681770699561

Special Guest Author Signing: science graphic novelist Jim Ottaviani
Thursday, September 29, 4 pm to 7 pm.
          Jim Ottaviani is the world’s preeminent writer of comics and graphic novels about science, and we’re lucky to be the only store in Austin to host him!  Most recently, Ottaviani has writtenFeynman, the substantial graphic novel biography of Richard Feynman: quantum physicist, Nobel winner, bestselling author and safe-cracker. Other notable works include a biography of Niels Bohr and the fast-paced tale of the desperate lives of early paleontologists, and T-Minus: The Race to the Moon, from Aladdin books. Ottaviani has worked as a nuclear engineer and is currently employed as a reference librarian in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

          Brilliantly illustrated by Leland Myrick, Feynman tells the story of presents the larger-than-life exploits of adventurer, musician, world-class raconteur, and one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century: Richard Feynman, including his work on the Manhattan Project and the Challenger disaster. Anyone who ever wanted to know more about Richard P. Feynman, quantum electrodynamics, the fine art of the bongo drums, the outrageously obscure nation of Tuva, or the development and popularization of the field of physics in the United States need look no further than this rich and joyful work.  RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=258484737507900.

          RSVP to any of these events by checking our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/AustinBooks and clicking on the various Events.  Austin Books & Comics is located at 5002 North Lamar Boulevard.

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 Austin Chronicle has referred to Austin Books & Comics as “the Library of Alexandria of comics,”while Ain’t It Cool News says that Austin Books & Comics is the “one-stop shop for anything comic related.”  Austin Books & Comics is proud to host both frequent and surprise celebrity guest signings and events.  Partners include Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, Regal Cinemas and SCARE For a CURE.