Friday, February 17, 2012

Spread the word. Starting tonight, comiXology will be having a 20% off sale on Marvel Icon titles — but only through purchase on our website. It's a great opportunity to check out creator-owned titles from Bendis, Brubaker, Fraction, Millar and more!
So what if you want to read on your mobile device? No problem! Using our “buy once, read anywhere” feature, comiXology allows fans to buy their digital comics through the web and then read them on any device that has the Comics by comiXology app! Just stick with the same account you made the purchase with and the comics will sync right over no sweat! In other words, once you buy through the webstore your synced purchases will show up on your device. (That’s why you’ll hear us say that Comics by comiXology is a platform, not an app!)
Here’s a look at what’s on sale:
▪ Casanova
▪ Casanova: Avaritia
▪ Casanova: Gula
▪ Criminal Vol.1
▪ Criminal Vol.2
▪ Criminal: The Last of The innocent
▪ Criminal: The Sinners Vol.1
▪ Fortune & Glory
▪ Incognito
▪ Jinx
▪ Kick-Ass
▪ Powers
▪ Scarlet
Hi There from NBM Publishing!

For April we're currently soliciting the much awaited 5th volume in P. Craig Russell’s adaptations of The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde. Started in the early nineties, this was a pioneer in kid's comics.  Relating to the 1% vs. 99% issue, this story is VERY timely.

The book will debut at this years MoCCA Fest on April 28th & 29th where Craig will be attending as one of the Guests of Honor.


The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde Vol.5: The Happy Prince
The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde
Vol.5: The Happy Prince
P. Craig Russell
The Happy Prince is arguably the most famous and well loved of Oscar Wilde’s nine fairy tales, rivaled only by The Selfish Giant. It is also a very timely tale at a time of controversy over the increasing chasm between rich and poor…The Happy Prince has lived a life of opulence but has died young and his soul inhabits a beautiful ruby encrusted statue covered all over in gold leaf. From his perch high above the city he is witness to all the poverty, misery, and hopelessness in which his people have been living. When a small barn swallow in flight to the warm south ahead of the approaching winter stops to rest upon the statue the Happy Prince prevails upon him to delay his travels in order to remove his gold leaf a piece at a time and shower it upon the poor citizens. Out of love for the Happy Prince the swallow does his bidding. As the days pass the Prince’s beauty is stripped away and as winter sets in the bird’s fate is sealed. In the spring the townspeople finding only a dull statue with a broken lead heart and a dead bird consign the worthless objects to the ash heap. Only an emissary of God recognizes them as the most valuable treasures of the city and brings them to the gardens of heaven.
8 ½ x 11, 32pp., full color jacket hc: $16.99, ISBN 978-1-56163-626-6
See the preview pages
And see the previous volumes, some of which are going back to press on the occasion of this release!
Craig has also been posting short thoughts and making of videos of this book on the NBM Blog.

THE BONEYARD SET VOLUMES 1-4
Richard Moore
All 4 first full color volumes in one specially priced banded set of this popular spoof of horror. Michael Paris has inherited a plot in the remote town of Raven Hollow. As he arrives, he gets to find out what a doozie that is. He’s basically inherited a cemetery that the villagers want razed! Why? It’s haunted with apparently frightening creatures putting a curse on the whole town! But when Paris actually gets to meet some of the denizens of his inherited headache, it turns out they ain’t all that bad (the vamp, in fact, is quite cute) and maybe the evil is not where it may seem…
6×9, 400pp., full color trade pbs., 4 volumes banded set: $49.99, ISBN 978-1-56163-619-8

NEW from EUROTICA:
The Diary of Molly Fredrickson: Peanut Butter, vol.6
Cornnell Clarke

Molly may actually be falling for a handsome -and thickly endowed- young man who saves her from a scary situation with two guys getting dangerously close to rape. The reward for him is letting him take her ass… the largest she’s ever experienced there, a mind blowing experience that can’t be rushed…
8 ½ x 11, 48pp., full color trade pb.: $11.99 ISBN 978-156163-6853
 To see more, click the button on the Eurotica home page

PETER PANZERFAUST #1 TAKES FLIGHT

Debut issue of new series, sells out, gets reprint

Berkeley, CA - 02/17/2012 - PETER PANZERFAUST #1, the debut of the new Image Comics series that merges Peter Pan with a World War II adventure story, has sold out after being released in stores on February 14. It will immediately return to press for a second printing (JAN128112) due in stores the same day as PETER PANZERFAUST #2 (JAN120599), March 14.

In the first issue of this new ongoing series by Kurtis Wiebe (GREEN WAKE) and Tyler Jenkins, French orphans in Calais, a French city that has been heavily bombed by the Germans, encounter a charismatic American soldier. Inspired by his esprit, the boys find themselves trusting him with their lives — and learning that they can perform feats they would have never thought possible.


Comics reviewers have widely praised the debut:


"Peter Panzerfaust can only promise more action and intrigue amidst a magical story time backdrop on a monthly basis. Here, lost boys do indeed live forever."

- JP Fallavollita, Biff Bam Pop

"Peter Panzerfaust captures the magic of Peter Pan and transports it into a story of brotherhood during war.  Not only is Kurtis J. Wiebe's story a great introduction to his new project, but Tyler Jenkins' art masterfully brings that tale to life."

- Jason Clyma, Broken Frontier

"Pick of the Week. If you’re looking for a jaunty boys adventure book with a vintage feel, but modern sensibilities, I can think of nothing on the comic shelves that will fill the need better than Peter Panzerfaust. "

- Josh Flanagan, iFanboy

PETER PANZERFAUST is a monthly, full-color comic book series published under Image Comics' Shadowline imprint, available in comic book stores and multiple digital outlets.


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.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 02.17.2012

Brendan Hay, Seth Green, Zeb Wells, Dan Milano, & Heidi Gardner Present: Rascal Raccoon in Reading, Writing, & Revenge!

Join notorious cartoon meanie Rascal Raccoon and author Brendan Hay for a hilarious reading from their new Oni Press graphic novel, Rascal Raccoon’s Raging Revenge, this Sunday, February 19th  at Meltdown Comics in Los Angelese, CA. Featuring, live and onstage, the voice talents of Seth Green (Robot Chicken, Family Guy), Zeb Wells (Robot Chicken, Avenging Spider-man), Dan Milano (Greg the Bunny, Warren the Ape), and Heidi Gardner (Funny or Die); you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll eat cupcakes... no really, there'll be cupcakes!

“I couldn't be more excited about this event,” said writer Brendan Hay. “I've always been a fan of dramatic readings and the idea of doing one for Rascal Raccoon's Raging Revenge has been in my mind since the book was published. Being fortunate enough to have so many voice actors lend their talents to the event is the icing on the cupcake, so to speak.”

Hay has written for Robot Chicken, The Simpsons, The Mighty B!, and is currently head writer on a new project for Lucasfilm Animation. But his heart belongs to comics. Rascal Raccoon's Raging Revenge tells the tale of Toonie Terrace, home of the fun-loving Toonies and their jealous, bitter rivals, the Meanies. For all their shenanigans, no Meanie has ever murdered a Toonie… until now. After thousands of painful failed attempts, Rascal Raccoon has finally killed his arch-nemesis, the charming and adorable Jumpin’ Jackalope. Rascal is overjoyed, but there’s one problem: what does he do now?

“It's deep philosophy disguised as slap-stick comedy,” said editor Jill Beaton in describing the graphic novel. “If you spent your entire existence striving for one thing and you finally got it, what then? Brendan's writing is hilarious and Justin Greenwood's art brings everything to life. I can't wait to see the panels on the screen and hear the actors portray these characters. It's going to be amazing!”

Come for the reading, stay for the signing and the cupcakes. Best of all the whole event is FREE!

Rascal Raccoon's Raging Revenge is available now at all finer comic shops and booksellers. Rascal Raccoon in Reading, Writing, and Revenge premiers Sunday 2/19 at 2pm in the Meltdown Comics Annex and features a selected live reading of the new graphic novel by Seth Green (Robot Chicken, Family Guy), Zeb Wells (Robot Chicken, Avenging Spider-man), Dan Milano (Greg the Bunny, Warren the Ape), and Heidi Gardner (Funny or Die)

Rascal Raccoon in Reading, Writing, and Revenge
February 19th, 2pm PST
Meltdown Comics, at the Meltdown Annex
7522 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 851-7223
IDW Announces New Associate Manager of Marketing & PR

John Schork joins growing publishing company’s marketing team

San Diego, CA (February 17, 2012) – IDW Publishing, a leader in graphic novel and book publishing, announced today that John Schork has joined the company as Associate Manager, Marketing and Public Relations.

“I’ve known John for a couple of years now, and have always been impressed with his attitude, work ethic, and excitement for comics,” said IDW’s Director of Marketing Dirk Wood, “When the need came for someone new on our team, I thought of him immediately.”

Prior to joining IDW, Mr. Schork served as an assistant editor at Dark Horse Comics for two years, working with the Industry’s top creators on some of their flagship titles, including Dark Horse Presents. In 2009, Mr. Schork graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Humanities, Fine Arts and English, and has had a passion for comics since a young age.

As Associate Manager, Marketing and Public Relations, Mr. Schork will work alongside IDW’s Dirk Wood, and Marketing Coordinator, Chloe Zuanich. Together they will continue to grow IDW’s consumer marketing and outreach while expanding the company’s exposure and presence, with Mr. Schork having a large focus on comic industry press and social marketing. 

"I'd been very impressed with a lot of the moves IDW had been making and the opportunity to join the team and get involved was an incredibly strong one,” said Schork, “and taking on an expanded role in an industry I love was also something that appealed to me a great deal; but, at the end of the day, I just like being on the same team as The Rocketeer."

John Schork can be reached at johns@idwpublishing.com.

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

Thursday, February 16, 2012

MOONSTONE is proudly offering a brand new comic…never published before…as an exclusive to COMIXOLOGY!
 
HONEY WEST/CAPTAIN ACTION/FLINT
Team up in this one-shot, 60pg, super groovy spy thriller!
Vertigo’s crime writer Gary Phillips (Angel Town, Cowboys) presents this oversize comic one time event!
For the first time ever Zen freelance spy Derek Flint, the cool curvaceous
private eye Honey West, and the mysterious secret agent super-hero Captain Action team up in a story in swingin’ sixties L.A. to battle hippie
robots, mobbed-up, ray gun totting gangsters, a wigged out mad scientist,
brainwashed GIs and an alien menace we could only called DANGER A-GO-GO.  Dig it!
 
 
this book CANNOT be seen anywhere else!
 
The print version would retail at $6.99, but the digital version is just $3.99!
TRAVEL CHANNEL PREMIERES ALL-NEW EPISODE OF
“GHOST ADVENTURES” VISITING SHANGHAI TUNNELS IN PORTLAND, OREGON
ON FRIDAY, MARCH 9 AT 9:00 PM ET/PT


Travel Channel returns with season six of the popular paranormal travel series, “Ghost Adventures” on Friday, March 9 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT.  Investigative duo, Zak Bagans and Nick Groff, along with equipment technician Aaron Goodwin, explore some of the most haunted locations in America to unearth the trapped souls and dark energy within.  This season, the team visits spots that have never been explored by the Ghost Adventures team including the Shanghai Tunnels in Portland, OR, the Peabody-Whitehead Mansion in Denver, CO, as well as the family home of paranormal equipment inventor Gary Galka in East Granby, CT, where business gets personal as they help one family make contact with their dead daughter in a deeply personal story of love, loss and a haunted house.  Each of the seven, one-hour episodes starts with an in-depth profile of a location’s haunted past.  Once the story is told, viewers follow the investigative team as they survey every nook and cranny while conducting scientific experiments while being locked down overnight.

The new season kicks off with the trio taking a deep dive into the dingy Shanghai Tunnels to unearth the spirits that still haunt Hobo’s Restaurant & Lounge in Portland, Oregon.  They meet Shanghai Tunnels curator, Michael Jones, who gives insight on the tragic history of these passageways.  In the 1850’s, Portland sent many ships across the Pacific to trade goods.  In order to man the ships with an adequate crew, people were “shanghaied,” or kidnapped and sold illegally to trading ships.  The tunnels were used to hold them and later transport them to the harbors.  Andrew Guthrie, owner of Hobo’s, shows the Ghost Adventures team the trap doors that were once used to trick unsuspecting locals into the tunnels.  One of the most tragic stories involves the legend of Nina, a former prostitute who knew about the horrors of the underground.  Nina shared these stories with a local missionary, and they in turn went to the cops.  The next day, she was found dead at the bottom of an elevator shaft.

The Ghost Adventures team begins their lockdown inside the Shanghai Tunnels at dawn.  They descend into the dark tunnels, and their equipment starts to record audio of a female voice.  Zak first believes this voice is Nina’s spirit, but after he probes further, it seems to be one of a different prostitute.  Then, they record audio of a male that accompanies the initial female voice.  Later on, a door rattles unprovoked.  As Zak, Nick and Aaron further investigate, they hear phantom footsteps.  Meanwhile, one of the static cameras record visual evidence of an unexplained mist.  Finally, the guys split up across the tunnels.  Zak captures an anomaly in his thermal imaging camera moving towards Aaron in the next room over. 


TRAVEL CHANNEL (http://www.travelchannel.com) is a multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar, whether it's around the world or around the block.  A dual feed network that is also available in HD, Travel Channel is the world’s leading travel media brand, and is available in over 94 million U.S. cable homes.  Owned and operated by Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), Travel Channel has offices in Chevy Chase, MD, and New York, NY.  Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN
The story of a girl assassin in EPIC KILL, from Image Comics in May

BERKELEY, CA — February 16, 2012 — The past is a mystery to the protagonist of EPIC KILL, a new comic book series by Raffaele Ienco due out from Image Comics in May. Eighteen-year-old Song is an assassin. She just doesn't know it. In her life at the St. Thomas School for Troubled Girls, hints of her past slip into her daily life — a tea cup caught before it can shatter on the floor, memories of sparring sessions, and, finally, her ultimate skill put to use once more.

Ienco's anti-heroine is both graceful and cold, having been trained both to kill and to have no remorse. "Song was taught to 'suppress all human emotion and compassion' because of her mission — which is far bigger than what you see in the first issue — can’t be completed by someone with doubt, someone who would stop for even a second and question what she is doing," Ienco elaborated. "She’s come to America to fulfill this mission and left all the tears she’ll ever shed back home in the body of the little girl she once was. Anyone who gets in her way… better move."

Song must fight her way through scores of men trying to kill her to find the man who sent them, and perhaps solve the mystery of who she is — and why she is one of the deadliest weapons in the United States. Ienco, whose previous work includes the horror comic DEVOID OF LIFE, also published by Image, promises to deliver on the title of his comic, with Song performing at least one epic kill in every issue. 

EPIC KILL #1 (MAR120415), a 32-page full-color action comic book for $2.99, will be on sale in stores and digital platforms on May 2 and is available for order in the March issue of Previews. An exclusive preview of EPIC KILL #1 was featured at USA Today on February 15.
Gaius Falls Victim to Evil as Morgana and Agravaine
Hunt Down the Mysterious Emrys on This Week’s MERLIN

‘Gangs of New York’ and ‘Billy Elliot’ star Gary Lewis joins MERLIN
as a powerful wizard when ‘The Secret Sharer’
airs Friday, Feb. 17, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, only on Syfy

The secret of Emrys’ identity may be revealed, and Camelot’s future may be doomed, when Morgana turns her determined focus to court physician Gaius in “The Secret Sharer,” an all-new episode of MERLIN premiering Friday, Feb. 17, at 10 p.m. ET/PT only on Syfy.

In the episode, Agravaine stirs the pot of discontent and casts suspicion on Gaius as a traitor – leading Arthur to order his arrest. It’s a bold gamble to isolate Gaius, who Morgana believes may be the only one who knows the true identity of her most powerful enemy: Emrys.  Morgana enlists the powerful wizard Alator (Gary Lewis) to kidnap and force the secret from Gaius. The faithful Merlin knows Gaius to be innocent of the crimes, and sets forth to save his mentor and protect the secret.

Colin Morgan takes his performance as Merlin to new level of drama and emotion in “The Secret Sharer,” a feat not lost on series co-creator and executive producer Johnny Capps.

“Colin has always been a fantastic actor, and when we auditioned him we saw that he had a huge range – which we knew would be essential for the role,” says Capps.  “What’s amazing about Colin as an actor is that you’re constantly refining his lines because he has such a powerful presence on screen.

“He can do so much with just a look now. Because of that, with the way we write the dialogue and conceive stories, we can be far more filmic in Merlin’s journey – because Colin doesn’t have to constantly communicate what he’s feeling and thinking through dialogue. He communicates those things so well with just his face that we’re able to push the emotional content of stories a lot more.”

Gary Lewis is the latest acclaimed star of stage and screen to make a guest appearance in MERLIN. The Scottish actor is best known to American audiences for his international breakthrough role as the father in Billy Elliot, and for memorable appearances in Gangs of New YorkEragon and Goal! The Dream Begins.

“Gary Lewis is fantastic,” Capps says. He’s an actor we’ve all really liked, and he plays this very mysterious character that comes into the story working for Morgana. Gary brings a sort of intrigue to the part – a quiet, refined performance that keeps you guessing. And Gary is another amazing addition to a really stellar guest cast for Season 4. We have a huge list of actors we’d love to work with, and we’ve always gotten the first actor we wanted, so we’ve been very lucky.”

“The Secret Sharer,” an all-new episode of MERLIN, airs Friday, Feb. 17, at 10 p.m. ET/PT only on Syfy.  All three seasons of MERLIN are now available on DVD and on iTunes.  Be sure to follow the latest news on MERLIN at the Official Merlin page on Facebook.
2012 HARVEY NOMINATION BALLOTS AVAILABLE!
SCOTT KURTZ TO HOST HARVEY AWARDS!   

 
Harvey Awards Nominee Logo 
BALTIMORE, MD (February 16, 2011) -- The Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con are proud to present the official Nomination Ballot for this year's Harvey Awards. Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art.

Ballots can be downloaded from HarveyAwards.org and completed forms can be e-mailed to harveyballots@hotmail.com.

Ballots are due for submission by Monday, April 16th, 2012.  In addition to being available on the website, ballots will be sent to all major publishers and distributed at comic conventions. We look forward to your participation and input in this process, and we look forward to seeing you at the Baltimore Comic-Con and the Harvey Awards.
 
Returning for his fourth consecutive Harvey Awards, Scott Kurtz will be the Master of Ceremonies for the awards banquet, to be held Saturday, September 8th, 2012 as part of the Baltimo
re Comic-Con.  "After Scott, Stan Lee, and the Fake Stan Lee brought the house down again last year, we had to have him back!  We are thrilled that Scott agreed to come back to Baltimore and help to make the Harvey Awards ceremony as fun and exciting as the last few years have been!" said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Scott Kurtz has been creating his own comic strips since he got hooked on Garfield in the 4th grade. In 1998, his comic strip, PvP, debuted on the world wide web (pvponline.com) with 700 daily readers. Over the last 10 years, PvP has grown into a genuine Internet phenomenon, growing in readership to an estimated 150,000 readers per day, a monthly title from Image comics, winning a Harvey Award in 2010 for Best Online Comics Work, and winning the Eisner Award for best digital comic in 2006. Scott co-wrote the book "How To Make Webcomics" and co-founded webcomics.com to help assist others in forging their own creative destinies.

Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators - those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field. The Harvey Awards are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 8-9, 2012.  Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM.  The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 8th.  Additional details about the Harvey Awards and the awards ceremony will be released over the next few months.
About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 25 years, the last 7 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in 22 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.  For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org
About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 13th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area.  With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 8-9, 2012.  For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.
AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER—THE PROMISE PART 1 TOPS BOOKSCAN AT #1! 
February 16, MILWAUKIE, OR—In an amazing show of demand for Dark Horse’s newest graphic novel, Avatar: The Last AirbenderThe Promise Part 1 soared to the top of the Bookscan charts last week!
Written by Gene Luen Yang, author of the National Book Award-nominated American Born Chinese, Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise Part 1 marks the continuation of Airbender and the link to its upcoming sequel, Legend of Korra!
Ever since the conclusion of Avatar: The Last Airbender, its millions of fans have been hungry for more--and it's finally here!  This series rejoins Aang and friends for exciting new adventures, beginning with a faceoff against the Fire Nation that threatens to throw the world into another war, testing all of Aang's powers and ingenuity!
Avatar: The Last AirbenderThe Promise Part 1 is a must-have for any Airbender fan! This is the latest release in an ongoing partnership between Nickelodeon and Dark Horse to bring you the very best in Airbender books.

Avatar: The Last AirbenderThe Promise Part 1 is on sale now!
Avatar: The Last AirbenderThe Promise Part 2 is on sale May 30th

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 SlayerAliens, ConanEmily 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.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Telltale Games and Robert Kirkman Announce Playing Dead & New Website/Screenshots For Their Game Based on The Walking Dead
New Online Talk Show Reveals the Process of Making a Game based on the World’s Most Popular Zombie Franchise
San Rafael, CA – February 15, 2012 – Telltale Games and Robert Kirkman, the Eisner Award-winning creator/writer of The Walking Dead, announced that the first episode of Playing Dead, a new online talk show discussing their upcoming game, The Walking Dead, is now live and available to view on the games’ official website, which also debuted today.
Based on Robert Kirkman’s groundbreaking comic book series, The Walking Dead is an episodic Adventure Horror game series set during the same apocalyptic period witnessed by Sheriff Rick Grimes.  Telling the story of a new group of survivors as they struggle to flee the horror of Atlanta and the surrounding communities consumed by the undead, The Walking Dead offers players the chance to experience the very first days of the apocalypse, meeting people and participating in events that intersect with the story seen in the comic books.
Playing Dead is an online talk show that takes fans behind the scenes to reveal what has gone into making the game.  Hosted by AJ LoCascio (the voice of Marty McFly in Telltale’s Back to the Future: The Game series), the nine-part show will feature guests including The Walking Dead creator/writer Robert Kirkman and Gary Whitta, screenwriter for The Book of Eli and story consultant for the game.
After a 24-hour period of exclusivity on the official website, Playing Dead will also be available to watch on YouTube, iTunes and soon after, other online outlets including Xbox LIVE® and PlayStation®Network.
“Telltale has always believed in sharing and interacting with our fans as much as possible as we head towards the launch of a game and Playing Dead is an exciting evolution of that process,” said Dan Connors, Telltale co-founder and CEO. “I don’t think any other developer or publisher has created anything quite like this before and we really hope that people will enjoy it.”
“Collaborating with Telltale on The Walking Dead continues to be a fantastic process.  They understand the world and the characters that I created and what it takes to make a game out of them.  What’s really exciting is that they’re telling a new story with new characters, so you’ll get to see the same world Rick Grimes did, but now from a different point of view,” added Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead.   “Playing Dead is going to be an awesome way for fans to learn about the game and how it was made.  It makes sense that Telltale are talking to people in this unique way because The Walking Dead is going to be a unique zombie game.”
Telltale also released 3 new screenshots from the game, highlighting the game’s distinctive visuals, inspired by the work of The Walking Dead comic book artist Charlie Adlard. They can be accessed at Telltale's media center vip.telltalegames.com. Direct link to new screenshots: Link
The Walking Dead is a five part episodic Adventure Horror game that will be available for digital download beginning in spring of 2012 for all major gaming platforms.

Telltale Games has also compiled a list of some frequently asked questions about their game based on Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead for reference. It can be viewed at the Telltale blog: Link
Jason’s I Killed Adolf Hitler Gets Optioned For The Silver Screen

FEBRUARY 15, 2012– Fantagraphics is excited to announce that Studio Eight has optioned the film rights to the Eisner award-winning graphic novel I Killed Adolf Hitler in association with Up Country Productions. The graphic novel by acclaimed Norwegian comics artist Jason (aka John Arne Sæterøy) and published by Fantagraphics Books in 2007 revolves around a hitman sent back to 1938 by a scientist to kill the Führer and avert the Holocaust. Complications ensue.
Jamie and Alex Brown of Studio Eight have teamed on the project with screenwriter D.C. Walker of Up Country Productions, who adapted the material.
More details to be announced.
I KILL GIANTS WINS INTERNATIONAL MANGA AWARD

Image Comics congratulates Joe Kelly and J.M. Ken Niimura on their receiving the International Manga Award for their comic book I KILL GIANTS. The Japanese Foreign Ministry announced that Kelly and Niimura had won the prestigious prize on Tuesday.

Originally published by Image Comics in 2008, then released in an oversized hardcover collection in 2010, I KILL GIANTS tells the story of Barbara Thorson, an acerbic fifth-grader so consumed with fantasy that she doesn't just tell people that she kills giants with an ancient Norse warhammer — she starts to believe it herself. The reasons for Barbara's troubled behavior are revealed through the course of the book, as she learns to reconcile her fantasy life with the real world.

"We do a lot of books I'm extremely proud of, but this is one is way up there," said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "The outstanding work Joe and Ken did on I KILL GIANTS is proof positive of how great this medium is. That something so moving and heartfelt can be both a critical and commercial success should be an inspiration to creative people everywhere. It's nothing short of an honor to be associated with such an extraordinary piece of work."

Kelly and Niimura will receive their award in a ceremony on Friday, followed by a ten-day tour of Japan, during which they will meet with Japanese cartoonists and publishers and visit areas hit hard by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami last year.

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.

 
TODD MCFARLANE TO ATTEND FIRST EVER IMAGE EXPO
Spawn Creator Brings Exclusive Toys and Comics to the Bay Area  
 
In celebrating 20 years of independent comic book publishing, Todd McFarlane joins fellow Image Founders and Partners at the Image Expo in Oakland, CA February 24th-26th, and he’s bringing his toy and publishing companies with him!
 
If you didn't get your hands on the exclusive signed version of the resin statue, Spawn: The Beginning, sold solely in our online store, now is your chance!  A limited number of statues will be available at the show, so be sure to get yours early at the McFarlane booth. The first 75 people who purchase a statue will receive access to a private signing with Todd McFarlane on Saturday, February 25th at 4:00 PM.  As an added bonus, each person will receive a FREE signed advanced copy of Spawn #217, along with the FREE copy of Spawn #1 and #2 included with your resin statue purchase!  We'll also have various Spawn, Haunt, and Sam & Twitch trade paperbacks available, as well as select t-shirts from the upcoming Famous Stars and Straps Spawn line. For more information, stop by the McFarlane Companies booth, #36!
 
To know where to catch McFarlane in action, here’s an inside look at his events for the weekend:
 
Todd McFarlane Signing
Saturday, February 25th
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Don’t miss your chance to meet legendary comic creator Todd McFarlane!  Signing limited to two items per person.  Tickets available the morning of the signing at the McFarlane Companies booth, #36. 
 
Twenty Years of Independence: The Image Comics 20th Anniversary Panel
Saturday, February 25th
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
 
Twenty years ago, a group of young artists left their work-for-hire jobs to forge their own path in comics. The result was Image Comics, a publisher dedicated to creators’ individual visions and a champion of creative ownership. The Image Comics partners and some of the original founders now come together to talkabout that momentous meeting of minds and talent.
 
Panelists: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino
 
 
 
From Page to Screen: Comics on TV
Saturday, February 25th
3:00 – 4:00 PM
 
How do producers go about translating comics for the small screen? How does working in comics compare to working in television? A panel of comics creators who have worked in television — whether as producers like Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and Brian K. Vaughan (Lost), writers like Jay Faerber (Ringer), creators like Joe Casey (Ben 10) and Todd McFarlane (Spawn), or a little bit of everything like Blair Butler — will assemble to talk about the ins and outs of the industry.
 
Panelists: Blair Butler, Joe Casey, Jay Faerber, Robert Kirkman, Todd McFarlane, and Brian K. Vaughan
 
Todd McFarlane Exclusive Spawn: The Beginning Resin Statue Signing
Saturday, February 25th
4:00 – 5:30 PM
 
Join Todd McFarlane for an exclusive signing devoted to the first 75 fans to purchase our limited edition Spawn: The Beginning resin statue.  All signed versions of this collectible are sold out in our online store, so this is a rare opportunity to get your hands on one.  Tickets will be given away with purchase at the McFarlane Companies booth, #36, along with a FREE signed advanced copy of Spawn #217. 
 
Pro Tips with Todd McFarlane
Sunday, February 26th
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
 
In a world of comic book icons, comic superstar Todd McFarlane and his creation Spawn have clearly stood the test of time. Now McFarlane himself is inviting aspiring creators and fans to an extended workshop where he'll share behind-the-scenes tips and tricks about his creative process. Armed with a Wacom and more than 20 years of experience as one of the most successful pros in the business, McFarlane will show fans how to unleash their own creativebeast within! WORKSHOP ROOM A
Image Comics: A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Cartoon Art Museum Exhibition:  February 4 – April 29, 2012
Opening reception Thursday, February 23, 2012


San Francisco, CA:

In 1992, seven of the most popular comic book artists in the world joined forces to create Image Comics, a company specializing in the publication of creator-owned comics and graphic novels.  The first wave of Image Comics was an immediate hit with fans, and the company has grown over the past two decades to become one of the largest comics publishers in North America.  In addition to publishing work by the Image partners, they give a voice to work by numerous independent creators. Its best-known series include Spawn, Savage Dragon, Witchblade, The Darkness, Invincible and The Walking Dead.

The Cartoon Art Museum’s exhibition Image Comics: A 20th Anniversary Celebration features over 40 pieces of original artwork spanning 20 years, including works from all seven Image founders, Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Jim Lee (WildC.A.T.s), Rob Liefeld (Youngblood), Todd McFarlane (Spawn), Whilce Portacio (Wetworks), Marc Silvestri (Cyberforce), and Jim Valentino (Shadowhawk).  Works from Image partner Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) will also be included in this historic exhibition.

The opening reception for Image Comics: A 20th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 7:00-9:00pm.  Special guests include Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible), Fiona Staples (Saga), Ryan Ottley (Invincible) and many more to be announced, as well as a few last-minute surprises.  Pre-sale tickets can be purchased here:  .  Admission to this party will be $5-$50, with tickets sold on a sliding scale.  This party kicks off the three-day Image Expo which will be held at the Oakland Convention Center from Friday, February 24 through Sunday, February 26.  Please visit imagecomicexpo.com <http://www.imagecomicexpo.com/> for details.

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 <http://www.imagecomics.com/> .

ABOUT IMAGE EXPO
Image Expo is the premier Northern California comics convention in 2012. The three-day event takes place at the Oakland Convention Center February 24, 25 and 26. Celebrating the creative spirit of independence, Image Expo commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the formation of Image Comics. But more than just looking to the past, the event showcases the evolving the comic market by spotlighting the future of independent publishing.

Headline guests include Image Comics Founders & Partners Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino. Special guests for Image Comic Expo include Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples, Blair Butler, Ed Brubaker, Joe Casey, John Layman, Jonathan Hickman, and many more!
HIDE YOUR LASAGNA!
KaBOOM! LAUNCHES
A NEW ONGOING GARFIELD MONTHLY
COMIC BOOK SERIES
THIS MAY
  

February 15, 2012 - Los Angeles, CA - KaBOOM!, BOOM! Studios' all-ages imprint, is proud to announce a partnership with PAWS, Inc. to produce a new original ongoing GARFIELD comic book this May. THE GARFIELD SHOW and GARFIELD AND FRIENDS writer Mark Evanier teams up with Garfield strip cartoonist Gary Barker to bring you all the laughs (and lasagna) you can handle!

“We’re excited to be working with BOOM! Studios to bring fans the first comic book with Cattitude,” Jim Davis, Garfield’s creator, said. “Watch out, Dark Knight and Man of Steel…here comes Garfield!”

“We are incredibly honored to work with this character and this creative team,” BOOM! Studios Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ross Richie said. “Mark Evanier wrote or co-wrote nearly every episode of seven seasons of the show GARFIELD AND FRIENDS, one of the longest-running Saturday Morning cartoon shows in history, and works on THE GARFIELD SHOW right now. He, along with strip artist Gary Barker, were hand-picked by Jim Davis himself, so we know we've got just the right creative team.”

"We can't wait to tell new Garfield stories," BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon said. "We have two awesome creators who have had their hand in the Garfield world for a very long time. We couldn't ask for better creators to work with and bring the world of lasagna, hated Mondays and diets to the Direct Market.”

This May, everyone’s favorite lasagna-scarfing cat opens the fridge to an all-new ongoing comic book series! Join Garfield as he begins his monthly exploits with Jon, Odie, and the rest of the gang in the latest all-ages must-read from KaBOOM! With brand new stories featuring everyone’s favorite feline, this debut #1 issue is sure to please Garfield fans new and old alike!

GARFIELD #1 is written by Mark Evanier (THE GARFIELD SHOW) with art by Gary Barker. This title ships in May with with a special cover incentive program. For every 10 copies ordered, retailers receive 1 free copy. For every 15 copies ordered, retailers may order 1 free Gary Barker "Superhero" variant. For every 30 copies ordered, retailers may order 1 First Appearance Garfield variant free.

GARFIELD features 24 pages of story and carries a price point of $3.99 and a Diamond Code of MAR120887.Find more information at: http://www.kaboom-studios.com/series/title?series_id=837&name=Garfield


About BOOM! Studios
Founded by Ross Richie, 2009 and 2010's "Best Publisher" BOOM! Studios, an Eisner and Harvey Award-winner, generates a constellation of bestselling comic books and graphic novels with the industry's top talent, including Mark Waid's IRREDEEMABLE, new HELLRAISER comics written by Clive Barker, PLANET OF THE APES, 28 DAYS LATER, and Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?. BOOM!'s all ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz' PEANUTS, Cartoon Network's ADVENTURE TIME, Roger Langridge's SNARKED, and Scholastic's WORDGIRL. BOOM!'s lit comix-focused imprint, BOOM! Town, recently won the Eisner Award for its first book, Shannon Wheeler's I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER.

About Garfield
GARFIELD was born on the comics pages on June 19, 1978.  The mastermind of cartoonist Jim Davis,GARFIELD is a humorous strip centered on the lives of a fat, lazy, cynical orange cat who loves lasagna, coffee, and his remote control; Jon Arbuckle, his owner; and Odie, a sweet but dumb dog. GARFIELD was introduced to the world in just 41 newspapers and is now the most widely syndicated comic strip ever, appearing in 2400 newspapers. The success of the comic strip spawned a popular animated TV show, Garfield and Friends, which appeared on CBS-TV from 1988 to 1995, and is currently in worldwide syndication.  In 2009, The Garfield Show debuted on Cartoon Network USA and now airs in 135 countries.  PEOPLE magazine called the show, "One of the Year's Best New Kids' Shows" in 2009.

In 2004, Twentieth Century Fox invited Garfield to star in his first-ever full-length feature film, Garfield: The Movie. A sequel, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties  was released in June 2006.  The movies earned over $340 million at the box office.  Garfield has also starred in three CGI animated movies, all penned by Jim Davis.  Fox released Garfield Gets Real (2007), Garfield's Fun Fest (2008), and Garfield's Pet Force (2009) on DVD and in limited theatrical release.

Garfield also entertains his fans on a popular web site, garfield.com, and engages kids in interesting and pedagogically sound activities to promote literacy at professorgarfield.org.  English, Science and Life Skills are among the topics Garfield and his pals address at learninglab.org, a public service of the Virginia Department of Education. 

Garfield has long been considered a “classic” or “evergreen” property because he has not only endured, but continues to be fresh and funny after over 30 years in the limelight.

Follow Garfield, along with 3.5 million other fans, on Facebook (facebook.com/Garfield) and Twitter (twitter.com/Garfield).

About Garfield
Cartoonist Jim Davis’ company, Paws, Inc., located near Albany, Indiana, was founded in 1981 to handle the creative end of the Garfield licensing business.  Today, Paws is the sole owner of all copyrights and trademarks for the Garfield property, and controls not only the creative angle of the fat cat’s flourishing empire, but also the licensing, marketing, and brand management of Garfield and the Garfield characters.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012


ARCANA AND RENEGADE’S TURNING TIGER ROARS INTO ACTION THIS APRIL
 
 
Take one state of the art fully armed sentient military attack robot, let it go rogue, then set the army and more robots after it. And let it happen in downtown Ewanstown, USA . If things get bad, have it kidnap a child and see if you can stop her parents blowing the operation wide open to the media.
 
Arcana Comics is proud to present the April release of TURNING TIGER: SPECIAL EDITION, written by Richmond Clements, illustrated by Alex Moore and produced by Renegade Arts Entertainment. Collecting the two part miniseries, TURNING TIGER: SPECIAL EDITION is also filled with extras such as an afterwards from Richmond Clements, character designs, and a pin-up gallery from artists such as Shane Oakley (Albion, Cthulhu Tales), Chie Kutsuwada (The Story of Lee), Michael Carroll (2000 A.D., Judge Dredd Megazine) and more.
 
TURNING TIGER involves a top secret military robot colliding with the world of a suburban American family. TURNING TIGER brings a tale of explosive action, government conspiracies, and above all, family. But why has the robot chosen this family and their daughter in particular? All will be revealed...
 
Critics have raved about TURNING TIGER:
 
"Turning Tiger is the perfect tale of sci-fi encountering the family next door, a gripping adventure that we know really could happen. The dynamic storytelling will melt the heart of both the young and adult reader alike, so it’s simply not to be missed!" - SciFiPulse.net
 
"This is a superb comic..." - Forbidden Planet International
 
"...production is really smart, and the art from Alex Moore is stunning." - Comic Buzz
 
"Ultimately, this is a well-produced piece of work and a worthy first effort." - Irish Comic News
 
TURNING TIGER: SPECIAL EDITION, a 58-page full-color paperback, will be on sale in stores April 1st for $7.99 and is available to order in the February 2012 edition of Diamond Previews (FEB120740, ISBN: 978-1-926914-87-9). For more information, please visit http://www.arcana.com/view_title.php?id=265
 
About Arcana Studios
Arcana Studios, Inc. is a transmedia company that has aggressively pursued establishing brands through engaging storytelling and compelling art. With a strong foothold in the print publishing world, Arcana continues to be a premier content provider. Arcana owns one of the world’s largest libraries of graphic novels and comics, and has adapted this library into live action feature films, stereoscopic 3D animated features, episodic television series and toys.
 
About Clements
Richmond Clements is the father of two wonderful boys and lives in the Scottish Highlands with his partner Vicky Stonebridge, with whom he co-organizes HiEx: The Highland International Comic Expo. As well as writing Turning Tiger, and between bouts on his beloved X-Box, he is an editor for FutureQuake Press and writer of the forthcoming Graphic Novels Ketsueki, Corvus and Pinkerton. For more from visit: http://hiexcomics.blogspot.com/
 
About Alex Moore
Currently studying illustration at Middlesex University, Alex’s artwork has featured in Orang Utan Comics’ FTL anthology. She is currently working on Liberty, a graphic novel for Markosia. Her influences include Juanjo Guarnido, Adrian Alphonsa, and Fabio Moon. For more on Alex visit her blog: http://threepennyorchestra.blogspot.com/.
 
About Renegade Arts Entertainment
We are a creator owned publisher of comic books, but only a few and we are very discerning with our choices. Our mix so far has been from experienced A-list writers and artists and newer blood who pitched projects just too good to turn down.
 
Some of our projects have come from within Renegade itself, like Alan Grant and Shane Oakley's Channel Evil and Alexander Finbow and William Simpson's Shades Of Grey. We only publish comic books that our creators are 100% passionate about and all of us at Renegade believe are of the highest quality. For more information, please visit us at www.renegadeartsentertainment.com.