THE BEST SUPERVILLAIN COMIC IN THE UNIVERSE

Image Comics Collects Smith & Villavert's Gladstone's School of World Conquerors

Berkeley, CA – 28 October 2011 – The most villainous clique of kids in all of comics will be graduating to a trade paperback volume of GLADSTONE'S SCHOOL FOR WORLD CONQUERORS from Image Comics this November. Originally solicited at a lower page count, once the first 6 issues of this critically acclaimed series were tallied up, the collection clocked in at nearly 200 pages!

Mark Andrew Smith, writer of AMAZING JOY BUZZARDS, the two-time Harvey nominated THE NEW BRIGHTON ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, and editor for the Eisner-winning POPGUN anthology, has devised a dastardly plot to make wicked children the stars of the show in GLADSTONE'S SCHOOL OF WORLD CONQUERORS. And with the help of Armand Villavert's artistic mastermind, the nefarious youths of this series are deftly brought to the page, larger than life and disarmingly adorable!

"I believe in giving kids a story they can really sink their teeth into and never talking down to them," said Smith. "We also don't believe in skimping on story, so this will be a good solid read for any comics fan, new or old!"

Welcome to Gladstone's School for World Conquerors, a top-secret academy for the children of the world's greatest super villains to learn the trade. Join us as Kid Nefarious, Mummy Girl, Martian Jones, Ghost Girl, and the infamous Skull brothers unearth the School's and their parents' hidden past!

Some of the praise critics have given Smith and Villavert's series of supervillainy included enthusiastic recommendations such as these:

"Smith is like the Pixar of comics. ...Kids will see peers, while the wisdom of age lets adults enjoy the book with a sense of nostalgia for the happy times and a pity for the less than happy moments." Robert T. Patey III, Ain't It Cool News

"GLADSTONE’s is a welcome spin to villain origin stories that anybody could enjoy." Dennis Baquedano, WatchPlayRead

"...very reminiscent of another hit Image title, INVINCIBLE, back when it first began. While INVINCIBLE was the birth of a great hero as well as a satire, GLADSTONE'S too offers up that slight satire element as the kids try and behave like adults do..." Matthew Meylikhov, Multiversity Comics

"I believe there are only two types of people in the world: those who enjoyed the series, and those who haven’t heard of it yet."  -Nicholas Yanes, SciFiPulse

"The kids of course, are the heart of this comic, and for would-be Doctor Dooms and Lex Luthors they are really cute and entertaining. There are very few comics about kids that really come across as actual kids..." Larry King, Major Spoilers

"World conquering has never been such a blast." Colin Bell, Newsarama

"...GLADSTONE's looks like a Saturday morning cartoon put on paper in storyboard format." Joey Esposito, IGN

"This is the closest I've seen a comic get to reaching that highly sought-after level of capturing a Pixar-esque balanced audience." Nick Boisson, Comics Bulletin

"GLADSTONE'S SCHOOL FOR WORLD CONQUERORS is one of those 'wish I’d thought of it' concepts!... I just can’t praise it highly enough." Edward Kaye, HyperGeek

"It's so rare to find an all-ages book that doesn't talk down to children, which is why Gladstone's is such a fantastic treat. ... It's hard to read Gladstone's without it putting a huge smile on your face." Miguel Perez, IGN

"GLADSTONE's represents a brilliant concept for the modern superhero comic. ...packs action, a fantastic premise, light, manga-inspired art, and more heart and humor than you can shake a stick at. It's a well-sculpted all-ages dream book..." Erik Lewis, DailyBlam

GLADSTONE'S SCHOOL FOR WORLD CONQUERORS, VOL. 1 TP (SEP110407, ISBN: 978-1-60706-115-1), a 192-page full-color all ages supervillain adventure comic book collection for $15.99, will be on sale in stores November 16.

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.

PREPARE FOR STARBURST WITH THE EAGERLY-AWAITED

HI-DEF SET OF A TELEVISION SCI-FI CLASSIC

FARSCAPE: THE COMPLETE SERIES

BLU-RAY EDITION

Remastered from the Highest Quality Source Material, All 88 Episodes of the

Fan Favorite Series Are Presented in Crystal Clear High Definition, “Better

Than They’ve Ever Looked Before”, Says Exec Producer Brian Henson

The 20-Disc Set ($199.95srp) from A+E Networks Home Entertainment and

The Jim Henson Company Includes Over 15 Hours of Bonus Programming, Highlighted by a Brand-New Documentary Featuring Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Creators Rockne O’Bannon, Henson and Writer Richard Manning

IN STORES NOVEMBER 15

NEW YORK, NY – Although the status of the U.S. space program is in flux, those wishing to explore the furthest reaches of the cosmos need to look no further than FARSCAPE: THE COMPLETE SERIES BLU-RAY EDITION.  This November, home viewers will be transported through a wormhole across a thousand galaxies to the stunningly original universe of this groundbreaking cult classic from The Jim Henson Company, finally available in spectacular hi-def!  Bringing together all four complete seasons (88 episodes) and over 15 hours of bonus programming across 20 blu-ray discs, this definitive collection, optimized for HD from the European PAL masters – the highest quality available source elements -- delivers the most optimal viewing experience for the series which TV Guide named “one of television’s best cult shows ever”.  And, on November 15, it will be available for fans both new and old for $199.95srp.

A+E Networks Home Entertainment, one of the pioneers of TV DVD collectibles, and The Jim Henson Company have worked closely together to guarantee that this BLU-RAY EDITION will satisfy the series loyal fan base.  “With FARSCAPE, we work hard to meet our fans’ high expectations and this new Blu Ray release utilizes the highest quality source materials available so I know our audience will not be disappointed,” said Brian Henson, Chairman of The Jim Henson Company and executive producer of FARSCAPE. “A+E Networks Home Entertainment has met all the challenges that, given the nature and age of the series, are inherent with a show like FARSCAPE and the result is that all four seasons of FARSCAPE look better than ever  before.”

The superb High-Def picture and sound isn’t the only cause for celebration as this set also includes a BRAND-NEW documentary: Memories of Moya: An Epic Journey Explored featuring revealing new interviews with creators Brian Henson and Rockne O’Bannon, writer Richard Manning, and stars Ben Browder and Claudia Black as they look back at the legacy of the sci-fi classic.

In addition to this new documentary, the FARSCAPE Blu-ray set also includes ALL of the bonus material from the bestselling DVD release: over 15 hours episode commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, trailers, promos and more.

An imaginative fusion of live action, state-of-the-art puppetry, prosthetics and CGI, “Farscape,” produced by The Jim Henson Company in association with RHI Entertainment, featured mind-boggling alien life forms, dazzling special effects, edge-of-your-seat thrills, irreverent humor and unforgettable characters -- all brought to rich life by the creative minds at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™.  Strap in and hold on tight for the extraordinary adventures of astronaut John Crichton, (Ben Browder) who, after a freak accident, finds himself surrounded by hostile aliens and soaring through the cosmos aboard Moya, a glorious living space ship.  Hunted by the relentless Peacekeepers, he allies himself with Moya’s crew -- Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black), Luxan warrior Ka D'Argo (Anthony Simcoe), azure priestess Zhaan (Virginia Hey), spritely Nebari thief Chiana (Gigi Edgley), Dominar Rygel, the deposed royal ruler of the Hynerian Empire and Pilot – to search for a way out of this inconceivably alien world and return home. 

In addition to the complete BLU-RAY EDITION, day-and-date, A+E Networks Home Entertainment will also release single season blu-ray sets.  Each BD release in FARSCAPE: THE COMPLETE SEASONS 1-4 BLU-RAY EDITIONS will contain over 18 hours of cosmically cool entertainment -- 22 episodes on five discs packed with incisive and stimulating bonus features for $69.95srp. 

A+E Networks Home Entertainment, part of the Consumer Products Division of A+E Networks, is a distributor of non-theatrical programming, featuring collectible DVD and Blu-ray editions of the high quality programming from A&E Network, HISTORY, and Lifetime, as well as acquired classic programming and sports. A+E Networks Home Entertainment brings the best of critically acclaimed entertainment presented in award-winning packaging to the special interest category.

FARSCAPE: THE COMPLETE SERIES BLU-RAY EDITION

Pre-order date:         October 18, 2011                   Genre:                     Sci-Fi/TV

Street date:               November 15, 2011               Sug. Retail Price:     $199.95

Rating:                     N/A                                        Catalog #:                AAAE256380

Running Time:        68  hrs.,  56 mins. + bonus     Screeners:                Avail. upon request

Format:                    Blu-ray/ 20 discs                   Color Artwork:       Avail. upon request

FARSCAPE: THE COMPLETE seasons 1-4 BLU-RAY EDITIONS

Pre-order date:         October 18, 2011                    Genre:                     Sci-Fi/Television

Street date:               November 15, 2011                Sug. Retail Price:     $69.95 ea.

Rating:                     N/A                                         Catalog #:    AAAE256340 (S1), 256350 (S2), 256360 (S3), 256370(S4)

Running Time:        Approx. 17 h., 40m. + extras  Screeners:                Avail. upon request

Format:                    Blu-ray/5 Discs ea.                 Color Artwork:       Avail. upon request

BLU-RAY EDITION Includes:

• 20 Blu-ray discs featuring 88 complete and unedited episodes from the four-season run (1999-2003), remastered from the highest quality source material available 
• Collectible packaging featuring all-new series artwork
• 29 Episode Commentaries, including “Premiere” with Rockne S. O’Bannon, Brian Henson and Ben Browder; “Jeremiah Crichton” with Claudia Black, Producer/Writer David Kemper, Browder and O’Bannon; “Bone to Be Wild” with Anthony Simcoe;“Relativity” with Lani Tupu (Crais/Voice of Pilot) and Director Peter Andrikidis; and, “Bad Timing” which features Browder, Black and Kemper discussing the series’ final episode.
• A BRAND-NEW documentary – Memories of Moya: An Epic Journey Explored featuring revealing new interviews with the cast and creators.
• Multiple featurettes and documentaries including “In the Beginning: A Look Back with Brian Henson”; “Making of a Space Opera” and “Inside Farscape: Save Farscape,” on which fans, cast and crew discuss the fate of their beloved series.
• Multiple video profiles featuring archival clips and cast/crew discussing their characters and roles on Farscape.
• Over 90 minutes of deleted scenes.
• Slideshows and archival photo galleries, including character concepts and promo photos.
• Production design galleries featuring screenshots, rough drafts and concept slide shows.
• Behind-the-Scenes interviews with Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Anthony Simcoe, Virginia Hey, Gigi Edgley, Paul Goddard (Stark), Wayne Pygram (Scorpius) and more.
• Original TV promos and trailers 

#   #   #

GERARD BUTLER, SAM WORTHINGTON & MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY
ENLIST TO STAR IN ACTIONER “THUNDER RUN”
TO BE DIRECTED BY SIMON WEST

Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park International to Handle Foreign Sales

LOS ANGELES – October 27, 2011 – Gerard Butler, Sam Worthington and Matthew McConaughey will star in Freedom Films’ upcoming action thriller “Thunder Run” with Simon West set to direct, announced Brian Presley, CEO of Freedom Films, who will produce alongside Carissa Buffel and Kevin Matusow of Freedom Films and Jib Polhemus of The Graphic Film Company. Additional casting will begin in the next week. Hyde Park International has signed on for international sales.

“Thunder Run,” is an all CG 3-D action thriller based on the novel “Thunder Run - The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad,” by Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent David Zucchino. Adapting the story for the screen are Academy Award-winner Robert Port and Ken Nolan, screenwriter of “Black Hawk Down.” The Graphic Film Company will utilize proprietary facial-capture technology they used on West’s upcoming “Night of the Living Dead: Origins 3-D” along with the motion capture technology used in “AVATAR.”

“We are very excited to have attracted this outstanding level of acting and writing talent. ‘Thunder Run’ will be the first ever conventional war film made to utilize this revolutionary facial and motion capture technology and state of the art CG and 3D. Simon and I have developed this project over the last five years so it will be nice to see it come alive,” commented Presley.

“Thunder Run” is the untold story of the dangerous and bloody capture of Baghdad by American Forces at the onset of the Iraq War. In April 2003, three battalions and fewer than a thousand men launched a violent thrust of tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles into the heart of a city of five million, igniting a three-day blitzkrieg, which military professionals often refer to as a lightning strike, or “thunder run.” In telling the story of the surprise assault on Baghdad- one of the most decisive battles in recent American combat history--this movie paints the harrowing picture of the soldiers on the front lines and the realities of modern warfare.

Freedom Films is represented by Jay Cohen of the Gersh Agency. CAA represents West, Butler, Worthington, and McConaughey.

About Freedom Films, LLC

Brian Presley launched Freedom Films, LLC in 2004 to produce indie films with big-budget production values and great scripts. Attracting A-list writers and actors, Freedom Films acquired Don Handfield’s “Touchback” in 2009 and quickly went into production on the high-profile project with Presley and stars Kurt Russell, Christine Lahti and Melanie Lynskey. In 2010, Presley announced Freedom Films’ partnership with Palo Verde Hedge Fund’s Paul Ross and Tony Stacy financing Freedom’s projects. “Touchback” was the first and “Thunder Run” is the second of a slate of films to be made under the Palo Verde deal. www.FreedomFilmsLLC.com

About Hyde Park International

Hyde Park International is one of the most important foreign sales companies in the world and is a permanent fixture at Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, and the American Film Market. The company is focused on representing commercial fare as well as award-winning films that serve the global marketplace. The company’s slate includes “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 3D” in partnership with Sony and starring Nic Cage which opens worldwide day-and-date on February 17, 2012; the spy thriller “The Double” starring Richard Gere, Topher Grace, Stephen Moyer, Stana Katic and Martin Sheen which opens nationwide in the US on October 28; as well as indie favorites such as Richard Linklater’s “Bernie” starring Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, and Shirley Maclaine; the award-winning “Blue Valentine” starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams; and the Paul Rudd comedy “Our Idiot
Brother.”

VIZ MEDIA TO RELEASE

DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION OF CLAMP’S

APOCALYPTIC MANGA SERIES, X

Manga Powerhouse CLAMP Delivers A Prophetic Vision Of The End Of The World That Ponders Man’s Biology, Ethics And Ideals

San Francisco, CA, October 27, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the upcoming release of a deluxe collector’s edition for X, the apocalyptic action epic from the internationally renowned manga (graphic novel) creative team of CLAMP. X 3-in-1 Edition, Volume 1, debuts on November 8^th, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN.

Each of VIZ Media’s X releases bundles three complete manga volumes and features 24 pages of gorgeous, full-color illustrations never before published outside Japan! The pages are also printed in their original right-to-left reading order and presented in the highest quality.

As X (previously released in the United States as X/1999) opens, Kamui Shiro is a young man followed by mystery. He was taken from Tokyo by his mother while still a child and had to leave behind his dearest friends, including the gentle Kotori and her brother Fuma, following a terrible incident that claimed their mother's life. Returning to Tokyo following his mother's death, Kamui is a changed young man – moody and distant to his old friends, yet determined to protect them from the dark forces that swirl around him. It turns out that he is the nexus of a great cataclysm to come, and the inheritor to a strange destiny that could decide the fate of the entire world.

“X is the newest series to join our library deluxe collector’s edition manga titles, and its gripping story will resonate with a wide array of readers,” says Andy Nakatani, Editorial Director. “The manga creators of CLAMP forged new ground by blending the intricate artwork characteristic of the shojo, or girls, manga genre with the graphic action more often found in ‘seinen,’ or manga aimed at older male readers. This edition is a great way for fans to revisit the series in a new way, and is also an entry point for new readers to discover the riveting and sometimes controversial manga works created by CLAMP!”

CLAMP is an artistic team composed of four women – Satsuki Igarashi, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi, and Nanase Ohkawa – whose works are loved my millions of fans worldwide. They debuted with the manga series, RG Veda, in 1989 and went on to create such internationally bestselling series as X/1999, Magic Knight Rayearth, Cardcaptor Sakura, Angelic Layer, Chobits, xxxHolic and Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE, all of which have been adapted into popular TV anime series. In addition to manga, CLAMP also produces illustrations, book designs, screenplays, and essays.

For more information on X and other VIZ Media manga titles, please visit www.viz.com/manga.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

GHOSTBUSTERS #1 Comic Sells Out

Second printing coming soon
 

San Diego, CA (October 27, 2011) — Following the much anticipated comic launch of the popular franchise, IDW Publishing’s GHOSTBUSTERS #1 has sold out from the distributor. The new ongoing comic series debuted on September 28th in comic stores throughout North America, receiving glowing reviews. To meet continued demand and ensure fans everywhere have access to the comic, IDW is rushing a second printing to stores for a release date of November 23, 2011.

"I've been involved with a number of sell-outs here at IDW, both as a writer and an editor," said Ghostbusters editor Tom Waltz. "And I can honestly say this is the one I'm the most proud of, because I know just how hard the creative team worked to make this the success it has become. A lot of blood, sweat, and slime went into the making of Ghostbusters #1 without a doubt, and Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening, Nick Runge, Tristan Jones, and Luis Antonio Delgado have continued to give it their all in subsequent issues. This is a great ongoing comic book series and I salute the creative team for their tremendous individual and collaborative efforts!"

As IDW’s first-ever Ghostbusters ongoing series, fans will be entertained with exciting new stories led by GHOSTBUSTERS: INFESTATION writer Erik Burnham, fan-favorite artist Dan Schoening (GHOSTBUSTERS: WHAT IN SAMHAIN JUST HAPPENED?!), alongside popular cover artist Nick Runge (GHOSTBUSTERS: HAUNTED HOLIDAYS). In addition, each issue will contain two pages of exclusive behind-the-scenes extras by creator Tristan Jones (Tales of the TMNT.)

Fans can check with their local retailer for one of the remaining copies of GHOSTBUSTERS #1, also available at the IDW online store. In this debut issue, pschychokinetic energy is on the rise again, and business is booming for the boys. Ray is troubled by what could be a prophetic dream – is this an omen of an upcoming apocalypse, or just a little indigestion?



GHOSTBUSTERS #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) is now available in comic stores.

GHOSTBUSTERS #1 second printing ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in November. Diamond order code: AUG11 8203.


Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.


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! Studio.

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 Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 130 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at www.sonypictures.com.

IDW Publishing and Topps Partner for
Mars Attacks 

Celebrate 50th anniversary of cult sci-fi classic in 2012
with all-new comic series
 

San Diego, CA (October 27, 2011)—Leading into the Long Beach Comic and Horror Con, IDW Publishing and Topps today announced a long-term partnership to offer new comics based on the fan-favorite Mars Attacks. Created in 1962, Mars Attacks will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2012 with major product launches throughout the year. IDW’s new comic series, as well as high-quality reprints of existing material, will be a cornerstone of that effort.

“We are excited to be partnering with Topps on this classic brand. Mars Attacks has always been a favorite of the comics creator community, and fans can look forward to top talent bringing their visions to fruition,” said Greg Goldstein, IDW’s Chief Operating Officer. “I know we will definitely bring the comics to the next level.”

Originally developed as a series of trading cards, Mars Attacks was created by Len Brown and Woody Gelman, after Brown was inspired by the Wally Wood cover to Weird Science #16 (EC Comics). The cards went on to achieve cult status for their then-shocking imagery, fully painted by pulp legend Norm Saunders, and remains a staple of pop culture. Topps revived the franchise in the mid 1990s with a second card set, comic book series and toy line. The story was also adapted into the 1996 feature film, Mars Attacks!, directed by Tim Burton.

“When looking for a comics partner for Mars Attacks, we wanted a publisher with the right creative sensibilities and an appreciation of our brand’s fifty-year legacy,” said Ira Friedman, Topps/VP, Global Licensing. “There’s no doubt that IDW will provide a great home for us. We’re looking forward to Mars Attacks complementing their existing stable of powerhouse franchises.”

Debuting in summer 2012, IDW’s comic series will offer the first stories of an all-new Mars Attacks universe, bringing the brand’s outrageous action and dark humor to a new set of tales.



Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books. For information on Topps, please visit topps.com.


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! Studio.

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 Topps
Founded in 1938, The Topps Company is the preeminent creator and brand marketer of sports cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery. Topps leading sports and entertainment products include Major League Baseball, National Football League, WWE, UFC, Star Wars, Wacky Packages, Garbage Pail Kids and other trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games. The Company's top confectionery brands include "Ring Pop," "Push Pop," "Baby Bottle Pop," "Bazooka" bubble gum, "Sharkies" and "Juicy Drop Pop" products.   For more information, visit www.topps.com.

NEW RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT

HALF A BILLION BOOKS SOLD… THE HIGHEST GROSSING FILMS OF ALL TIME… A PHENOMENON THAT INSPIRED THE WORLD… POPPY MONTGOMERY (“WITHOUT A TRACE”) STARS IN THIS LIFETIME ORIGINAL MOVIES, THE TRUE RAGS-TO-RICHES STORY OF THE MOST SUCCESFUL AUTHOR OF OUR GENERATION MAGIC BEYOND WORDS: THE J.K. ROWLING STORY Street Date: November 7, 2011 DVD SRP: $19.95 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Just before the final installment of the Harry Potter film franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2, arrives on DVD (11/11), uncover the incredible real life of Harry’s creator with Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story,  the top-rated Lifetime Original Movie which chronicles the British author’s (Montgomery) struggle to bring the beloved wizard fantasy to life as a single mother on welfare and become one of the world’s wealthiest women.  Following its Lifetime Network airing this past July, the rags-to-riches tale arrives on DVD…only from A+E Networks Home Entertainment “Rowling is played with charm by Poppy Montgomery… this film adds one more sweet dollop of upbeat charm to [Rowling’s] whole story.” -- NY Daily News An inspiring look at J.K. Rowling’s rise to become one of the most influential writers ever (with more than 400 million copies of her visionary books sold across the globe resulting in a billion-dollar film franchise), MAGIC BEYOND WORDS follows her humble beginnings as an imaginative young girl and awkward teenager through the devastating loss of her mother and the genesis of the Harry Potter phenomenon in her early twenties.  The drama also follows Rowling’s tumultuous first marriage, becoming a mother, her divorce, and the dark days of living on government assistance while publisher after publisher passed on her first novel…before it became an international best-seller and solidified Rowling’s rightful place in literary and cultural history. PROGRAM INFORMATION Type:   DVD/Single Catalog #:  AAAE253880 Running Time: 90 mins. + Genre:  Drama Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo

BRANDON GRAHAM’S “THE SPEAKER”

DEBUTS IN DARK HORSE PRESENTS #7

October 27, MILWAUKIE, OR—Brandon Graham, creator of King City and Multiple Warheads and writer of Prophet, one of the series in the heavily NYCC-hyped Extreme Studios relaunch, will be making his Dark Horse Presents debut in issue #7!

“A man loses his voice—his voice goes off to see the world. Years later the man dies and the voice that walks like a man hears the news and returns home. The Voice has to deal with all the personifications of the man’s doubts, secrets, and ideas that are left behind.

“It’s got doubts using tuning forks like guns and ideas that smash the light bulbs over their heads like they were bottles in a bar fight,” says Graham.

Graham’s work is widely known and followed through his blog, http://royalboiler.wordpress.com/.

Stay tuned for more about original stories premiering in Dark Horse Presents!

Dark Horse Presents #7 is on sale December 21, 2011, and also contains brand-new Age of Reptiles, Skeleton Key, and Hellboy stories.

 About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.

 

What Has Been The Top Grossing iPad App For Six Wednesdays Running?:

Comics by comiXology

Same Day As Print Releases Turns “New Comic Wednesday” into an iPad Event!

"This isn't just a huge milestone for comiXology, but a huge milestone for comics as a medium."

- David Steinberger, co-founder & CEO of comiXology

October 27th, 2011 – New York, NY – Yesterday marked the sixth Wednesday in a row that the Comics by comiXology app charted as the top grossing iPad app in Apple's entire App Store — beating out Apple's own Pages and Keynote applications. Long known as "new comic book day" to print comic fans across the nation, Wednesday has now become an online comic book event thanks to more and more publishers going digital same day as print with new releases available on the Comics by comiXology iPad app. Created by comiXology, the leading distributor of digital comics, the Comics by comiXology app on iPad is just one part of the Comics by comiXology ecology — also available on the iPhone, Android, and the Web — offering more than 14,000 comic books from top-selling publishers.
"When have comic books, not comic book movies, not comic book merchandise, but the actual comic books been #1 in anything, much less high tech?" asked comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger. "Being the number one grossing iPad application six Wednesdays in a row isn't just a huge milestone for comiXology, but a huge milestone for comics as a medium…and we could not be prouder."
Through a quirk of history and economics, comic books for the last thirty some odd years have been a destination item, sought out by a hard-core fan following and serviced by a dedicated group of independent retail brick and mortar stores. And while this network of stores rescued the comic book industry from near oblivion as newsstands disappeared in the 1970s, the unfortunate byproduct was that if you didn't live near a comic shop or actually go to a comic shop, you would most likely be denied the experience and enjoyment of comic books — one of the great American art forms.
But this has all changed with the debut of Comics by comiXology.
"Our main goal since day one was to expand the audience for comic books. The medium has long been the inspiration for movies and imagery from comic books can be seen on everything from t-shirts to toothbrushes — but most people have not experienced the actual source material," said comiXology co-founder and CTO John Roberts. "ComiXology was created to correct that wrong. David and I saw the opportunity to use digital distribution as a way to "unleash" this great medium on a largely unsuspecting public — and being ranked #1 for the last six weeks shows that we have met that goal."
Comics by comiXology rose up the top grossing iPad apps chart beginning early September with the 3.0 release of the Comics by comiXology app. This was immediately followed by the launch of DC Comics - The New 52, where leading comic book publisher DC Entertainment released 52 all-new number one issues that became top sellers in both print and digital. Other major publishers have quickly followed suit, committing to a same day as print release schedule.
ComiXology most recently announced the addition of IDW Publishing, one of the top independent comic book publishers in North America, to their platform.
And while September has seen record sales of comics through the iPad, September has also seen record print sales — bucking the conventional wisdom that "print is dead" and showing that print and digital can both grow the comic book reading market standing side-by-side.
"It's great to take a moment and reflect that one of our big goals of being a leader in the comic book industry has been met," David Steinberger reflected. "But that doesn't mean we can rest on our laurels. All I can say is…you ain’t seen nothing yet!"
About comiXology
Since 2007 comiXology has been developing the technological infrastructure to bring comics into the digital mainstream and expose new audiences to the rich history and culture of the industry. Through partnerships with top comic book publishers including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, IDW Publishing, Archaia Entertainment, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment and Image Comics as well as their own mobile and web apps which host over 14,000 digital titles, comiXology has become a leader in digital comic book proliferation. Also focused on creating strong ties with retail stores through its technology solutions, comiXology continues to transform the previously fragmented comic ecosystem into a vibrant and cohesive marketplace.

ASYLUM PRESS RELEASES BLACK POWDER #2  (of 6 ) PREVIEW

ASYLUM PRESS RELEASES BLACK POWDER #2 (OF 6) PREVIEW PAGES FEATURED IN OCTOBER PREVIEWS SHIPPING DECEMBER 2011

Preview can be seen here:
http://www.asylumpress.com/titles/black-powder

Product Title: BLACK POWDER
Frequency: Bi-Monthly
Issue Number: #2 (of 6)
Intended Audience: General Readers
Writers’ and Artists’ Names: (written and Illustrated by) Dwayne Harris
Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE
Format: Comic Book, 32 pgs, full color, Saddle Stitched
Cover Dimensions: 6.625" x 10.25"
Retail Price: $2.99.
ISBN13: 978-1-61724-025-6

BLACK POWDER #2 Synopsis: Robert Young and his crew set out on the Mississippi River in search of Molly Livingston, who has been captured by the ruthless river pirate Samuel Mason.  As they make their way north, against the current, they approach hostile indian territory as well as the first in series of terrible earthquakes.  Meanwhile, Molly is threatened with death and rape by Samuel Mason and his gang of cutthroats.

Black Powder #1 (of 6) is still available Through Diamond Comics

BLACK POWDER #1 (OF 6)
Writers’ and Artists’ Names: (written and Illustrated by) Dwayne Harris
Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE
Format: 32 pages 7x10 SC standard comic
Retail Price: $2.95
ISBN13: 978-1-61724-091-1

Item Code: JUL110860

BLACK POWDER---SERIES SYNOPSIS: A Bloody Frontier Adventure!--Set during the catastrophic New Madrid earthquake of 1812.  Black Powder is the story of Robert Young, a former captain in the Barbary Wars, and his river journey on America's first steamboat to rescue the woman he loves from a gang of river pirates led by his cutthroat nemesis and former commander, Samuel Mason. On the way he encounters hostile Indians, swashbuckling battles, and several historical figures, all set against the backdrop of an earthquake that sinks islands, reverses the flow of the Mississippi river and wrenchingly exposes the fractures of a new nation itself.

ABOUT ASYLUM PRESS:Founded in 1999 by Frank Forte, Asylum Press is a unique publishing house specializing in high profile projects from some of the industry's biggest rising stars. Steve Mannion’s Fearless Dawn is the company’s newest title and has been a great fan favorite.  Publishing action/adventure comics with Black Powder: A Bloody Frontier Adventure, Trenchcoats, Cigarettes and Shotguns, Warlash: Zombie Mutant Genesis. And continuing their tradition of horror with Undead Evil, Satan’s 3-Ring Circus of Hell, Asylum of Horrors, Zombie Terrors, EEEK! and Beyond Lovecraft, also venturing into dark humor with Billy Boy The Sick Little Fat Kid and The Cletus and Floyd Show, Asylum Press continues to be on the cutting edge of comic and graphic novel publishing. Asylum Press is distributed by Diamond Comics Distributors, and Tony Shenton and to the Booktrade by SCB Distributors, Ingram and Baker and Taylor.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE LEGEND OF ZELDA

MANGA BOX SET

Just in Time to Celebrate Video Game’s 25^th Anniversary, Collection Features Complete Set of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Volumes In A Keepsake Box

San Francisco, CA, October 26, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will delight gamers and manga (graphic novel) fans nationwide with the release of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Box Set, just in time to celebrate the series’ 25^th Anniversary. The set, available in stores now, is rated ‘A’ for All Ages, includes all 10 volumes of the fantasy action adventure series as well as a full color poster, and carries an MSRP of $69.99 U.S. / $80.99 CAN.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA celebrates its 25^th Anniversary this year, and is the best selling role-playing, puzzle-solving, action title for Nintendo video game platforms. More information on the history of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA and its anniversary is available at: www.zelda.com/25th.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA manga series takes place in the mystical land of Hyrule, where three spiritual stones hold the key to the Triforce. Whoever holds them will control the world. A boy named Link sets out on a quest to deliver the Emerald, the spiritual stone of the forest, to Zelda, Princess of the land of Hyrule. The journey will be long and perilous, and Link will need all his skill and courage to defeat evil. The battle for Hyrule and the Sacred Realm has begun!

“THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Box Set bundles Link’s entire magical quest into a single collection that is a must-read for any true fan of the classic video game,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, Children’s Publishing. “The series wonderfully transforms the game’s fast-paced action into a linear storyline, and has been a consistent bestseller since VIZ Media published the first volume in 2008. This new box set is an eye-catching way to revisit the entire series and commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of this groundbreaking game title.”

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA manga series was created by Akira Himekawa, which is the pen name of two women known simply as A. Honda and S. Nagano. The pair have created nine manga adventures featuring Link and the popular video game world of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, including Ocarina of Time, Oracle of Seasons and FOUR SWORDS. Their most recent work, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, was serialized in Japan in the kid’s magazine Shogaku Rokunensei, published by Shogakukan.

For more information on the THE LEGEND OF ZELDA manga series, please visit: www.viz.com/the-legend-of-zelda.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like Naruto, Bleach and InuYasha, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

USAGI YOJIMBO REACHES 200^TH ISSUE!

STAN SAKAI HONORED WITH YEAR OF THE RABBIT EXHIBIT!

October 25, MILWAUKIE, OR—Earlier this year, Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai was named the 2011 Cultural Ambassador by the Japanese American National Museum. Shortly thereafter, the JANM opened their Year of the Rabbit exhibit—the most comprehensive collection of Sakai’s work to date.

Stan Sakai has won several Eisner Awards and has received over twenty Eisner Award nominations. Prior to Dark Horse’s long run on the series, there were thirty-eight Fantagraphics issues, sixteen Mirage issues, a summer special, and four color specials. Dark Horse’s Usagi Yojimbo #141 marks the landmark two hundredth overall issue of master storyteller Stan Sakai’s beloved series, and the rabbit ronin celebrates with a special story perfect for new readers, “200 Buddhas”! With a ruthless gang terrorizing his small town, a humble stonecutter receives a vision and sets out to carve two hundred stone figures. Just as he has finished the 199th, a long-eared stranger comes to his door seeking shelter from the rain!

“In a perfect world, everyone would read Usagi Yojimbo.”

—Greg McElhatton, Comic Book Resources

The Japanese American National Museum is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry. The founding of the museum is a story of high hopes, remarkable achievements, frustration, and, ultimately, success. The JANM is located in Los Angeles, and the Year of the Rabbit exhibit closes its doors October 30, 2011 - http://www.janm.org/exhibits/stansakai/ 

Usagi Yojimbo #141 is on sale October 26, 2011!