The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo will be a star-studded event with Stargate: SG1’s Amanda Tapping and Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff set to appear at the 2012 Convention.

(Calgary, AB) The Calgary Expo, Canada’s second largest pop culture event, is thrilled to announce that two of science fiction’s most outstanding performers will be attending the 2012 convention.  Amanda Tapping (Stargate: SG-1, Sanctuary) and Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica, 24), will coming to the Expo in 2012, much to the delight of Science Fiction fans around the globe.

Amanda Tapping is a Canadian actress, producer, director and writer who is best known for her role as Samantha Carter in Stargate: SG-1. 

“We knew that Stargate SG-1 had a huge following after having Christopher Judge out to the convention in 2011,” says Calgary Expo Director Kandrix Foong.  “Bringing in such an accomplished actress and producer such as Amanda Tapping is a real privilege for the Calgary Expo.”

As a winner of the 2009 Women of Vision award, Amanda has become an ambassador of strength, resilience and innovation in the Canadian television industry.  Her recent endeavour, Sanctuary, started as a web series but soon exploded onto mainstream television networks. She is also one of the founding members of S4K, Sanctuary for Kids, a charity which works to find relief for children who face exploitation, depravation and adversity from around the world.

Katee Sackhoff is most recognized as the rough n’ tough Capt. Kara Thrace aka Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica.  Some of her other roles include appearances in smash hit television shows such as The Big Bang Theory, CSI and 24.  She has also used her vocal talents in animation and video games roles such as Halo 3, Batman: Year One and Spider-Man: Edge of Time.

The Calgary Expo is a non-profit organization that showcases the incredible talent of comic creators, artists, actors, voice over artists, musicians, writers and pop culture icons from all over the world.  Founded in 2006, the convention has grown rapidly having hosted guests from every genre including William Shatner, Malcolm McDowell, Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and legendary artist Neal Adams.  The 2011 convention saw 30,000 attendees and is the largest convention of its kind in western Canada.

The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo will be held April 27 – 29, 2012 at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Advance tickets will go on sale December 1, 2011.

Current announced guests for Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo 2012 include: Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street), Amanda Tapping (Stargate: SG-1, Sanctuary) and Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica, 24)

For more information, visit our website at www.calgaryexpo.com.

QUEEN CRAB IS A REAL CATCH

Image Comics Serves Up a Hardcover Graphic Novel from Jimmy Palmiotti

Berkeley, CA – 23 November 2011 -- In February, Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex, THE PRO, and upcoming CAPTAIN BROOKLYN) presents a distinctly off-kilter story of one woman's life as it transforms from hopeless monotony... to crustacean nightmare! 

QUEEN CRAB is an original hardcover graphic novel full of revenge, lust, violence, and insanity, with themes reminiscent of Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Told in the tradition of such masters of surreal, suspenseful storytelling as David Lynch and Steven King, QUEEN CRAB is about a young woman dealing with the insanity of the world around her, and trying to keep her head above water!

Palmiotti has until now always had a co-writer on his books, but QUEEN CRAB will be his first foray into writing solo. Palmiotti has brought some talented artists on board, including award winning illustrator Sas Christian providing shockingly beautiful cover art and interior artist Artiz Eiguren. With Amanda Conner, Paul Mounts, and many more providing pin-ups, QUEEN CRAB will at once be the most beautiful and most dreadful to behold!

"For me, getting someone with the right skills for the job was mission number one and when I was introduced to Artiz’s work," said Palmiotti. "I felt it was the perfect style to capture the emotional beats, the storytelling I was looking for, and a style of drawing that we don’t see very often in American comics."

"When Jimmy pitched this to me in San Diego, I was pretty blown away," said Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. "He had the whole book there, printed out, and I just couldn't stop reading. In the past, Jimmy has always collaborated with other writers, but my strongest reaction was along the lines - 'What took you so long to start writing on your own? This is brilliant!' It's one of the most intriguingly twisted stories I've read in a long time, and I love it!"

QUEEN CRAB is all about Ginger, a twenty-something office worker in Brooklyn who has been living her life one boring day at a time. Unsatisfied with her lot in life, she has decided to settle down, and finally marry a guy that is clearly head over heels for her. On her ill-fated wedding night aboard a cruise ship, her new husband reveals his true nature... when he attempts to murder her! But that's only the beginning of Ginger's troubles as she wakes up the next morning naked on the beaches of Coney Island…altered, to say the least.

QUEEN CRAB HC (DEC110483, ISBN: 978-1-60706-505-0), a 64-page full-color hardcover graphic novel for $12.99, will be on sale in stores and on digital platforms on February 1, and will be available for order in the December issue of Previews.

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.

DARK HORSE UNLEASHES MIKE MIGNOLA’S YEAR OF MONSTERS!

PUBLISHING SCHEDULE REVEALED FOR YEARLONG VARIANT-COVER PROGRAM, LAUNCHING IN JANUARY 

NOVEMBER 23, MILWAUKIE, OR—Following up on an announcement made at this year’s New York Comic Con, Dark Horse unveils the schedule for Mike Mignola’s 2012 Year of Monsters program.

The program kicks off in January with a highly anticipated Lobster Johnson miniseries, The Burning Hand. Following up on the critically acclaimed 2007 series The Iron Prometheus, this new story pits the 1930s vigilante against one of the more terrible villains of the twentieth century.

These special variant covers will be available to any retailer who orders five or more copies of the standard cover. These are sure to be sought-after items with a broad appeal to fans of Mike Mignola’s work, as well as monster fetishists of all types!

“Mike Mignola got into the comics business with the simple goal of drawing monsters for a living,” said Dark Horse managing editor Scott Allie. “Mike celebrates 2012 by pitting his greatest characters against his favorite monsters on these special covers, unrelated to the stories inside.”

The schedule for the first half of the year can be found below. Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #1 arrives in stores on January 11, 2012.

January—Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #1

February—B.P.R.D Hell on Earth: The Long Death #1

March—B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Pickens County Horror #1

April—Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #4

May—B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Transformation of J. H. O’Donnell

June—Baltimore: Dr. Leskovar’s Remedy #1

 

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES THE BIGGEST

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY EVER! 

FOUR GREAT STORIES, TWO AMAZING BOOKS,

ONE HECK OF A SATURDAY!

NOVEMBER 23, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse rolls out the announcement of all four titles that will be featured in two different comics to be given away to thousands of fans on May 5, 2012.

First comes a special flip book featuring both Felicia Day’s gaming web series turned comic, The Guild, and Dark Horse’s best-selling comics continuation of Joss Whedon’s iconic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Buffy has never needed a vacation as badly as she does now, with the world overrun with zompires and other fallout from Season 8. After an old friend suggests a relaxing getaway from all things that go bump in the night, it turns out to be harder than she could ever expect for a Slayer to get a day off! 

Felicia Day, creator of The Guild, continues to bring on the funny with high jinks from her diverse group of gamers when the Guildies struggle to find a meeting place they can all agree on. A little in-game battle becomes the deciding factor, and the circle follows the decree of the winner: the beach?!

Next up is one of the biggest flip books we’ve ever published, when Zack Whedon brings you tales of the coolest guy in the galaxy and the most charming rebel in the ’verse! That’s right; we’ve paired Star Wars with Joss Whedon’s Serenity! 

Han Solo and Chewbacca have a falling-out after a deal with their slickest—and shadiest—customer goes bad. But when the client gets designs on the Millennium Falcon, Han and Chewie present a united front that can’t be beat! 

Meanwhile, Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds is no stranger to jobs gone wrong himself. But when the chips are down, he’s able to rely on the amazing, odd, and diversely talented crew of Serenity.

Dark Horse Free Comic Book Day 2012: Four great stories for the price of, well, none!

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, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products

A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third-party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.

About LucasFilm

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

AXE COP RETURNS WITH VOLUME 3!

LET THE CHAOS RESUME!  

November 23, MILWAUKIE, OR—Axe Cop returns with a collection of exciting and unpredictable stories written by the endlessly inventive six-year-old Malachai Nicolle and drawn by his Eisner Award–nominated thirty-year-old brother, Ethan Nicolle!

This stellar volume collects eight Axe Cop stories previously published online and features “Stolen Pizza, Stolen Lives,” a crossover special with fellow webcomics superstar Dr. McNinja! It also contains the Halloween story “The Night Monster” and a special Christmas episode, “The Power of Christmas”! Axe Cop joins his comrades Uni-baby, Bat Warthog Man, and Dinosaur Soldier to fight bad guys and restore justice for kids—and grownups—everywhere!  

Upon its debut as a webcomic in December of 2009, Axe Cop was instantly hailed by the entertainment press as a hit! Axe Cop Volume 1 has sold over 12,000 copies to date!

“Fun with a Capital F.”—Ain’t It Cool News 

Axe Cop Volume 3 is on sale March 28, 2012.

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, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

Hyoe Narita, New President of VIZ Media Europe

VIZ Media Europe is proud to announce that Hyoe Narita, previously Executive Vice President at VIZ Media, LLC in San Francisco, will become the new President of VIZ Media Europe (VME) from December 1, 2011.

After five years in his function as President of VME, John Easum, will be stepping down at the end of November to pursue new initiatives. Under Easum’s leadership, VME was established in January 2007. Easum was instrumental in building VME’s presence and implementing VME’s strategy of growing the European market for VIZ’s animation and manga properties. From December, he will be moving to Tokyo where he will continue to provide services to the manga and anime industries.

Narita has been appointed as Easum’s successor and will assume the role of President of VME from December 1. Narita will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations in Europe along with Cedric Littardi, Managing Director of Kazé, and Nicolas Weber Krebs, Managing Director of VIZ Media Switzerland.

Narita has dedicated his career to growing markets for Japanese content and entertainment. After nine years in Japan, working in the publishing industry for Shogakukan, Inc., he has spent the last nine years at VIZ Media, LLC in San Francisco, helping VIZ Media become a market leader in manga distribution and ensuring that the latest in Japanese manga is made available to U.S. readers.

With this experience and his passion for Japanese pop culture, Narita intends to bring strong support to VME in the coming years.

About Hyoe Narita

As Executive Vice President of VIZ Media, LLC in San Francisco, Narita was responsible for all of VIZ Media’s publications in the United States, including the negotiating process for rights to publish Japanese products in North America. He has overseen the publication of Pokémon books and was responsible for publishing more than 100 books in a two-year period. He was instrumental in developing a series of Shonen Jump manga for U.S. distribution.

In Japan, he worked at Shogakukan on publications such as: CanCam, the country’s #1 fashion magazine, a monthly magazine targeting 18-25 year old women; Petit Seven, a bi-weekly top fashion magazine for teenage girls, where he directed the Celebrity pages with TV/Movie actors/actresses interviews; and Big Comic Spirits, a weekly manga magazine targeting 18-25 year-old men.

Born in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Narita graduated from Keio University.

About VIZ Media Europe, S.A.R.L. (VME),

Headquartered in Paris, France, VIZ Media Europe (VME) specializes in managing the development, marketing and distribution throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa of Japanese animated entertainment and graphic novels (manga). Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators, publishers and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VME handles the comprehensive distribution, licensing and promotion of some of the most popular Japanese manga and animation properties for consumers of all ages.  VME administers an integrated product line including graphic novels, consumer products, DVD and music. Current VME animated properties include: BLUE EXORCIST, BLEACH, BLUE DRAGON, DEATH NOTE, HAMTARO, HONEY&CLOVER, KEKKAISHI, KILARI, M.A.R, NEURO, A PENGUIN’S TROUBLES, ZOIDS GENESIS, and JEWELPET.

Contact VIZ Media Europe at 45 Rue de Tocqueville Paris, France. Website: www.vizeurope.com.

THE GOVERNOR GETS DELUXE TREATMENT

Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment To Release Deluxe Slipcased The Walking Dead – Rise Of the Governor Novel

Berkeley, CA – 22 November 2011 – Are you looking to impress THE WALKING DEAD fan in your life this holiday season with the perfect gift? Well, you're in luck! That's right, holiday shoppers need look no further than their favorite comic book retailer to purchase the deluxe, leather bound, slipcased hardcover edition of the New York Times bestseller, THE WALKING DEAD – RISE OF THE GOVERNOR NOVEL by series creator Robert Kirkman and co-writer Jay Bonansinga. 

"Many have asked me whether I will ever write a prequel about the lives the character lead before," said Kirkman. "Well, that's basically what we're doing with these novels. And we wanted to offer the fans a special edition before the holidays."

To make the gift even more impressive, this deluxe edition will feature spot illustrations by series artist Charlie Adlard. Comic book readers may wonder if there's any better way to improve upon a novel than by adding pictures. Well, there is! There is also an even rarer, super deluxe edition that will also be signed and numbered by Kirkman!

THE WALKING DEAD – RISE OF THE GOVERNOR NOVEL is the first in a planned trilogy of novels based on the characters introduced in THE WALKING DEAD comic book series. RISE OF THE GOVERNOR sheds light on the true origins of The Governor, the most vile and deadly villain yet to appear in THE WALKING DEAD comic book series. Now fans of the comic book and AMC's record breaking TV adaptation can discover the transformation of one man into a monster with this special deluxe edition!

THE WALKING DEAD – RISE OF THE GOVERNOR NOVEL: DELUXE SLIPCASED EDITION (OCT110517, ISBN: 978-1-60706-482-4), a 336-page novel for $74.99, will be on sale in stores on December 7, along with the limited signed & numbered edition (OCT110518, ISBN: 978-1-60706-483-1) for $124.99.

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.

NEW PEOPLE KICKS OFF 2011 HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON WITH A SPECIAL RETAIL SALE ON JAPANESE POP FASHIONS AND PRODUCTS

Shoppers Are Invited To Add A Fun Dose Of Japanese Pop Culture To Holiday Shopping With Special Sale Items At NEW PEOPLE THE STORE, BABY THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT,

h. NAOTO, And SOU • SOU; Save Up To 50% On Select Items!

San Francisco, CA, November 22, 2011 – NEW PEOPLE, the dynamic San Francisco entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, kicks off the 2011 holiday shopping season with a variety of special sales and promotions that will take place throughout the venue beginning on Black Friday, November 25^th.

NEW PEOPLE, The Store will offer several Thanksgiving Weekend Shopping Specials on select items in the store on sale for 30%-50% off! Visit NEW PEOPLE’s very on retail location, located in the venue’s lobby, and explore a vast collection of fun and inventive products inspired by Japanese pop culture. Shoppers can browse a fantastic selection of carefully selected Japanese products that include apparel, accessories, books, toys, DVDs, music, and design items for the home and office.

Also announced is a special DVD pre-order promotion for the upcoming release of the DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued, which traces the incredible rise to international stardom of AKB48, one of Japan’s hottest pop idol groups. Pre-orders are now being accepted for the new film, which will be sold exclusively online for $19.99 through the NEW PEOPLE store at: store.newpeopleworld.com. For a limited time, NEW PEOPLE, The Store is offering a FREE bonus DVD title from its catalog to all pre-order purchasers. The film will be released December 1^st.

NEW PEOPLE’s newest apparel boutique, the edgy Goth fashion brand, h. NAOTO, will also hold a sale with items available for between 30% and 50% off. The sale runs thru November 27^th. The first 50 customers that purchase over $100.00 of merchandise will also receive a special invitation to attend h. NAOTO’s Holiday Party on December 10^th. More details are available at the boutique.

Baby, The Stars Shine Bright, the renowned Japanese Lolita fashion brand, will have a special sale with over 250 items marked 30% to 50% off. Shoppers are invited to take advantage of some of the best deals of the season on hand-crafted Lolita-inspired baby doll dresses and accessories.

Finally, Japanese Tabi shoe manufacturer SOU • SOU will hold a Holiday Sale beginning November 25^th thru November 27^th. SOU • SOU has developed a unique line of Japanese classic “Tabi” shoes based on a design originally favored by Japanese construction workers. SOU • SOU’s combination of form-fitting soles and colorful graphic patterns has attracted a huge following, from dancers to the sneaker-obsessed. During the sale, shoppers that purchase at least $100.00 of SOU • SOU products will receive a free pair of Tabi socks. Offer applies to in-store purchases only; limit one pair of socks per customer. SOU • SOU will also offer free shipping to online purchases over $75.00. (U.S. shipping only)

About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (www.newpeopleworld.com) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.

###

IT’S ALL GOING TO HELL IN 2012!

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES FIVE NEW B.P.R.D. TITLES THAT WILL SHAKE THE ORGANIZATION TO ITS VERY CORE! 

NOVEMBER 21, MILWAUKIE, OR—The epic story line that began back in 2010 with B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: New World is coming to a head in 2012. Dark Horse announces the most ambitious B.P.R.D. publishing schedule yet, with five new titles and some of the most earth-shattering events in the history of the series!

First up, in February comes B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Long Death, written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, with art by James Harren (Abe Sapien: The Devil Does Not Jest, Heralds). A team is sent to the deadly woods from New World to investigate a new series of disappearances, but they discover more than just the monster responsible, as loyalties are questioned and tensions mount!

March will see the release of B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Pickens County Horror, written by Mike Mignola and Scott Allie, with art by Jason Latour (Wolverine, Scalped) and an all-new cover by Becky Cloonan! This chilling two-issue series brings a B.P.R.D. crew into the grips of a backwoods vampire clan hiding out in a Gothic southern home.

Next, in May comes B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth­: The Transformation of J. H. O’Donnell, pairing Mike Mignola with Scott Allie again for the discovery of what drove the Bureau’s expert on ancient foes to near madness after a mission with Hellboy twenty-four years earlier. This supernatural thrill ride features art by B.P.R.D. newcomer Max Fiumara (Amazing Spider-Man) and a cover by Becky Cloonan.

That same month features the return of the regular B.P.R.D. team of Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, and Tyler Crook, with B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Devil’s Engine. The Zinco Corporation again rears its ugly head after a devastating earthquake, pitting Devon and Fenix in an uneasy alliance against bat-faced monsters and the evil empire’s other mad-science experiments! Additionally, this new series will feature covers by former Hellboy artist Duncan Fegredo!

Finally, Cameron Stewart returns to the B.P.R.D. universe in June with B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth­: Exorcism! In this story we learn more about Ashley Strode’s evolution as an agent after she meets up with a familiar face for a series of exorcisms in a rural Indiana town. Mike Mignola and Cameron Stewart team up to share writing duties, with pencils by Cameron and covers by Viktor Kalvachev!

“Let’s break some stuff that can’t be fixed. Let’s turn some corners where there’s no going back” said Mike Mignola. “In both Hellboy and B.P.R.D., we’re saying, “Well, once we do this—once we round this corner—that’s it!” It’s not like, “Oh, Batman, different costume.” We’re doing stuff where there’s no way to fix it. That is the new reality in our world. You're REALLY going to see that in 2012.”

B.P.R.D. is sure to be the most-talked-about series of the coming year, as the team stands at the brink of the end of the organization and the world itself!

It’s all going to hell in 2012!

 

DICK TURPIN, THE LEGENDARY LAWBREAKER, COMES TO COMICS!

Publisher Mohawk Media has today announced the release of a preview issue of its upcoming project, starring history’s most notorious masked highwayman, Dick Turpin.

This issue is available exclusively via the publisher’s groundbreaking line of paperless Eco Comics.

Writer Chris Bunting says: “It’s every writer’s dream to write such a famous, or should I say, infamous character as Dick Turpin. His multi-layered, unpredictable nature makes for great drama. Expect some startling revelations about the life of this legendary lawbreaker.

“Turpin lived at a time when England was more like the Wild West, and criminals faced the death penalty at the gallows. Highwaymen led a very exciting life but often a very short one.

“This 18th Century swashbuckling firebrand was born to be a 21st Century complex comic book character. Dick Turpin’s return is a case of perfect timing.”

The digital and paperless Dick Turpin: Pencil-Only Preview features pencil-art from the first instalment of the upcoming title.

Editor Stuart Buckley explains: “This format allows the reader the opportunity to see Dick Turpin ride again in the untouched, gorgeous art of Salvador Velázquez.

“The creative team gives us a taste of what is to come: forget stuffy historical fiction, this is a comic book cocktail of action-adventure and mystery-thriller featuring one of Britain’s, if not the world’s, most recognisable rogues.

“With his mask and famous steed, Turpin has been the archetype for many highwaymen and outlaws: even the Lone Ranger bears remarkable parallels.”

Dick Turpin: Pencil-Only Preview is a 16-page issue featuring lettered pencil art only, and is available now in various digital formats via the Eco Comics store: www.mohawkmedia.co.uk/ecocomics for $1.95 (approximately £1.20).

Further details on the Dick Turpin project are due to be announced.

COLLECTOR’S PARADISE AND OWEN WISEMAN CELEBRATES THE FINALE OF SAMURAI’S BLOOD

 

SAMURAI’S BLOOD, written by Owen Wiseman, illustrated by Nam Kim and featuring covers from Jo Chen, is an epic historical drama that’s been a hit with both fans and critics alike. The miniseries comes to a close with issue #6 and Collector’s Paradise is proud to announce that writer Owen Wiseman will be on hand November 30th, starting at 5:00 P.M., to sign copies.

 

Produced by Benaroya Publishing and published by Image Comics, SAMURAI’S BLOOD deals with three teenagers who must make their way through the world hiding their identities in order to find their destinies. As their village burns behind them, they are headed for a city they’d heard about only in stories. The three young samurai must now struggle to stay alive and take vengeance on the evil usurper who has destroyed the rest of their clan and the only world they’d ever known. Will they rise on the tides of vengeance, or they will they fall on the swords of fate?

 

Here are what some critics have had to say about Samurai’s Blood:

"I’ll be picking up the 6-issue run of Samurai’s Blood...I’d suggest you do the same." - IGN

"Samurai’s Blood is just another example of all the great stuff Image Comics is putting together this year...I recommend the entire series." - Comic Book Bin

“One of the best things about Samurai's Blood is its strong period feel, which is carried in particular by Nam Kim's idealized yet realistic art and Jo Chen's more expressionistic covers." - Playback STL

"Once again (and unbelievably, I might add), Wiseman has upped the stakes with this story... I can’t honestly understand how this book keeps getting better every issue, but somehow it does. 5 out of 5" - Comic Attack

The SAMURAI’S BLOOD autograph event will take place in Canoga Park at Collector’s Paradise on November 30th, 2011 from 5-7 P.M. at 7131 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka, CA 91306. For more information, please visit www.ComicsAndCards.net or call (818) 999-9455

ABOUT COLLECTOR’S PARADISE

Collector’s Paradise Comics & Gallery has been a mainstay in the Southern California Comic Book scene since 1994. In recent years, the store has focused on offering their customers an exceptional experience that goes beyond collecting comic books, from creator appearances, to proprietary online subscription manager software, and an Art Gallery. The store’s future plans include many new and very different ways to experience the comic book culture. The store recently opened its second branch, in Old Town Pasadena.

ABOUT OWEN WISEMAN

Owen Wiseman writes graphic novels, screenplays, and prose. Owen was raised by hippies in the Pacific Northwest, and fed a steady diet of appropriate books and inappropriate movies. In seventh grade, he was accidentally put into a Japanese class, and the venerable Furado-sensei convinced him to stay. He taught Owen about the language, culture, and fascinating history of this complex and beautiful island nation, and Furado-sensei’s passion for the Japanese culture triggered Owen’s love for it as well.

EXPERIENCE CREATIVITY AT IMAGE EXPO: A 3-DAY CELEBRATION OF CREATOR OWNED COMICS!
Berkeley, CA – 21 November 2011 -- IMAGE EXPO is coming! Experience the creativity of the men and women making the best creator owned comics in America at this one-of-a-kind celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Image Comics!

IMAGE EXPO is a three-day celebration of creator-owned comics happening at the Oakland Convention Center.  Image partners Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino, will be the guests of honor, appearing throughout the weekend for signings, panels, and special events.  Other special guests include Image founders Rob Liefeld, and Whilce Portacio, plus the creators of today's best creator-owned comics, including: Joe Casey, Jay Faerber, Jonathan Hickman, Ryan Ottley, Richard Starkings, Fiona Staples, and Brian K. Vaughan.

IMAGE EXPO is Northern California's premiere comic con experience in 2012. The three-day event takes place at the Oakland Convention Center in the heart of the bustling nightlife and restaurant center of downtown Oakland, CA on February 24-25-26.

IMAGE EXPO isn't just about Image Comics, it's a celebration of independent creativity in comics.  The exhibit floor is open to anyone who makes creator-owned comics.  We're also going to be hosting unique programming for fans, aspiring creators, and library professionals.  We'll be continuing our tradition of supporting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's important work to protect creators and retailers by hosting special events including a massive benefit auction. 

Get in on the ground floor and sign up for your exhibitor or artist alley space today! Contact info@ImageComicExpo.com for more information about the show and how to sign up to exhibit.

ABOUT AMAZING COMIC CONVENTIONS

Amazing Comic Conventions is a leading promotional company operated by Jimmy S. Jay and Jay Company Comics.  The Amazing Arizona Comic Con is their signature event, kicking off the Comic Con Season each January.  The Amazing Arizona Comic Con is the premiere destination for graphic novel pop culture in the Southwest.  The 2012 Amazing Arizona Comic Con takes place January 6-7-8 at the Mesa Convention Center, in the Phoenix Metropolitan area.  Guests for the upcoming event include Walking Dead creator/executive producer Robert Kirkman, legendary creator Rob Liefeld, Batman artist Greg Capullo, and many more.  For more information, visit www.AmazingArizonaComicCon.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, visit www.imagecomics.com.

DARK HORSE DIGITAL CYBER MONDAY DEAL!

November 21^st, MILWAUKIE, OR – Close on the heels of the infamous shopping holiday, Dark Horse Comics is giving you another killer deal for Cyber Monday!

Dark Horse Digital is offering the first 500 people through the checkout 50% off their entire order! 

You can redeem this 50% with the coupon code: ­­­­­­­­­­dhcyber

This coupon is limited to 500 redemptions and you must have a $20 minimum cart to redeem it!  Good only for 24 hours beginning at midnight (PST) on Monday, November 28^th!

Dark Horse Digital is available through all modern web browsers and as an app in the iTunes Store for Mac devices. 

Stop by https://digital.darkhorse.com and get a massive discount on all the Dark Horse Comics you could want and more! 

About Dark Horse Digital

Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has grown to become the third-largest comics publisher in the United States and is acclaimed internationally for the quality and diversity of its line. Now, in 2011, the company that revolutionized the comic industry proudly presents its groundbreaking digital-publishing program, Dark Horse Digital.

Having launched with hundreds of titles, Dark Horse Digital offers its most popular titles at an unprecedented value, while providing the highest-quality reading experience possible. Single-issue comics are priced as low as just $0.99, and there is also an extensive list of free introductory #1 issues. Additionally, DH Digital’s “bundles” group together story arcs spanning multiple issues into affordable packages, allowing readers to get the three or four issues that comprise a complete narrative, starting at just $3.99 and up. And through cloud-based technology, Digital Store purchases can be read and enjoyed on your laptop, desktop, mobile browser, and Dark Horse Bookshelf app, available now on iTunes.

To get started, simply log on to Digital.DarkHorse.com or download the app to create an account, and begin building your collection today.

ComiXology and IDW Publishing Host

Dungeons & Dragons Gaming

at Jim Hanley’s Universe

November 23rd in NYC

to Celebrate Latest Release of

Dungeons & Dragons on Comics by comiXology

November 21st, 2011 - New York, New York - Harken to the call of adventure as comiXology, IDW Publishing, and legendary comic shop Jim Hanley's Universe team up for an unprecedented Dungeons & Dragon's gaming event!
In honor of the latest release of IDW's massive collection of fantastic Dungeon & Dragons comics on Comics by comiXology, comiXology and IDW Publishing will be hosting an evening of classic Dungeons & Dragons gaming at Jim Hanley's Universe in New York City! Gaming oversight provided by Tavis Allison of http://www.adventuringparties.com/

When: November 23rd, 2011 6:00pm

Where: Jim Hanley's Universe on 33rd Street, right next to The Empire State Building in New York City.

What: Come prepared with a Dungeons & Dragons Digital Comic already downloaded on your device and receive a free comiXology t-shirt that adds + 5 to your base Awesome factor!

Didn't understand that last joke? Worry not as players need not be experienced in the grand tradition of D&D to play. Adventurers of all levels are invited to take part in an evening filled with magic, adventure and a whole lot of geeky fun. So gather up thy lucky dice, digital devices, and whatever else one might need to slay Orcs or hunt for treasure and come join us on November 23rd at Jim Hanley's Universe. Download the latest Dungeons & Dragons Digital Comics from comiXology Today!
https://comics.comixology.com/series/4638
Space is limited so RSVP on Facebook Now!
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 Archaia Entertainment, BOOM! Studios, DC Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Image Comics and Marvel 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.

STAR WARS ACTRESS ASHLEY ECKSTEIN UNVEILS NEW HOLIDAY PRODUCTS FOR GEEK GIRLS

First 500 Orders on HerUniverse.com Receive FREE Star Wars Holiday Yoda Pin
with an Autographed Certificate by Ashley Eckstein

NEW YORK, NY, November 21, 2011 – Actress Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano on the hit animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and founder of Her Universe, a female sci-fi genre line of fashionable apparel and accessories, revealed today her new designs for the holidays. These new items will debut on Cyber Monday, November 28TH, at www.heruniverse.com. Representing Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Warehouse 13 and Eureka, female fans, and those buying presents for the fangirl in their life, will find the perfect geeky gifts from Her Universe for this holiday season.

In addition to presenting assorted new Geek Girl pieces to the Her Universe product line, Eckstein is offering a FREE Limited Edition Star Wars holiday pin of everyone’s favorite Jedi Master, Yoda. For the first 500 orders placed on heruniverse.com shoppers will receive this pin along with a signed card from Eckstein, herself. For orders of $40.00 or more, heruniverse.com customers will receive FREE SHIPPING as well.

Available for the first time this holiday season is a new thermal hoodie design with original art by Star Wars artist, Cat Staggs. Also from the beloved Star Wars franchise is a regal sterling silver plated Jedi charm to add to the already popular Star Wars charm bracelet. For Syfy, Eckstein has created several new products for their television shows including a Battlestar Galactica pajama set and a stunning, sterling silver plated Battlestar Galactica necklace featuring Admiral Adama’s senior pilot wings. For followers of Warehouse 13, Eckstein has produced an ultra-soft WH 13 logo burnout tee so you can imagine you’re a Warehouse agent seeking supernatural artifacts while you “snag it, bag it and tag it.” As a fan of the Syfy series, Eureka, Eckstein has created a useful holiday tote bag featuring the cast of Eureka in animated form with exclusive art from the holiday episode of this fan favorite show. All of these new items will be available to order on the Her Universe website starting on November 28th. For more information and to order the current Her Universe product line from Star Wars and Syfy please visit the official website at www.heruniverse.com.

$#!T GETS SURREAL

Joe Casey & Nathan Fox Take On Haunt At Issue #19

Berkeley, CA – 21 November 2011 -- When Joe Casey (BUTCHER BAKER, THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER and GODLAND) and Nathan Fox (BLUE ESTATE, Florescent Black, and Pigeons From Hell) threaten to shake things up, it turns out that they unleash a category 5 tornado of shockingly visceral, brutally unpredictable comics. While Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman's HAUNT series was never meant for the faint of heart, come issue #19, things get a whole lot nastier!

"It's time to scare the **** out of people," said Casey. "That's our mandate on HAUNT, and Nathan and I are taking full advantage. Trust me on this... when you read this book, have clean underwear on hand."

Casey's uniquely twisted storytelling voice and Fox's dark, gritty, and gestural brushwork are taking hold of the characters and world that Kirkman and McFarlane initially populated and fleshed out, and transforming them. The arrival of HAUNT #19 was pushed back a few weeks to give time for the preceding issues' release, but now the new team's debut issue is set to arrive in stores on November 30th, and their over-the-top new direction promises to be well worth the wait!

As the final release date for HAUNT #19 creeps closer, McFarlane, who is still involved in this unique multiple genre series in an editorial role, expects the response from comics and horror fans to be overwhelmingly positive.

"HAUNT is getting darker, more down and dirty," McFarlane explained. "If you've read some of Joe's previous work, I think you know just how far this guy will go. And I think people are in for a real treat with Nathan's art. It's very different from my own style, much looser, but it displays a great confidence in brush stroke that evokes just the right dark mood and emotions."

"We're doing some pretty insane **** and redefining a whole new direction in the series," added Fox. "I'm having a blast with Joe's scripts as we toss Daniel and Kurt off a cliff with no real life support, new foes, and new characters. No one can be trusted, and HAUNT has no idea what he's in for. The evolution of this thing is going to be pretty insane on a monthly basis. So stay tuned for the nightmare! It's well under way."

HAUNT began with a story of two brothers, one a priest and one a dangerous secret agent. When one brother is murdered, his spirit becomes bound to Earth. He continues to hover around his brother, speaking to him... haunting him. A sudden trauma leads the surviving brother to discover that he can temporarily join with his deceased brother's spirit to become something else... HAUNT.

There are two previously collected volumes of HAUNT, with more issues available monthly. HAUNT #19 (JUL110423), a 32-page full-color horror comic book for $2.99, will be on sale in stores on November 30.

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 NATHAN FOX

Nathan Fox was born in 1975 in Washington D.C.. Raised from the age of five on the suburban outskirts of Houston, an early addiction to Cartoons, Commercials and Video Games led to a lifelong exploration of Narrative Art and the over-stimulation associated with his generation.  In the hopes of making such an addiction his full time job, Nathan left Texas for Missouri where he attended the Kansas City Art Institute. What followed over the next four years can only be described as an eye opening experience compared to the somewhat quiet Southern upbringing. The discovery of Anime, Yoshitoshi's Yukiyo-e Prints, Sideshows and Comics would lead him down the happily twisted path he still follows today. After graduating from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1997, Nathan pursued Illustration from Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the next two years with little result. Frustrated with pursuing editorial illustration and working as an offset pressman, he and his wife moved to New York City in 2000 where Nathan attended The School of Visual Arts Illustration As Visual Essay Graduate Program. Those two years of graduate study would prove to be the most fruitful as Nathan has been freelancing full time as an illustrator and storyteller ever since. His work has appeared in The New York Times Newspaper and Magazine, Interview, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Wired, ESPN Magazine, Print, Entertainment Weekly, Mother Jones, Spin, Mad Magazine, MTV Store Windows and Tshirts, Burton US Open 2009, Instant Winner and REAL Skateboards, DC Comics, Vertigo, Dark Horse Comics, Marvel and many other publications and mediums. Future projects include pursuing Comics, Narrative Illustration and Gallery Work. For further information, updates and samples of Nathan's illustration work, Comics, Murals, Skate Decks and more, visit www.foxnathan.com on the World Wide Web.

ABOUT TODD MCFARLANE PRODUCTIONS

Todd McFarlane Productions is the company behind the monthly comic book Spawn. Created by Todd McFarlane, Spawn debuted in May 1992, selling 1.7 million copies, making it the bestselling independent comic book of all time. Spawn is published in nine languages and distributed in more than 32 countries. Currently, TMP releases the long-running Spawn monthly comic now in its 19th year. Other TMP titles include Haunt, Hellspawn, and Sam & Twitch. To find out more about product coming out of TMP, visit www.spawn.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, visit www.imagecomics.com.