HAMPTON AND TINNELL PRESENT RIVEN!

CLASSIC WEREWOLF TERROR! 

March 2, MILWAUKIE, OR—From the creators of Sight Unseen and Demons of Sherwood, Dark Horse is thrilled to deliver a new level of horror: Riven!

The third collaboration between cowriters Bo Hampton (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) and Robert Tinnell (The Wicked West), Riven is 196 pages of finely tuned terror that will send shivers up your spine!

“Riven is a stone killer of a werewolf story with a fragile young woman as a protagonist. It was irresistible for us to create and we’re betting the readers will agree it was well worth the wait,” said Bo Hampton. “She’s adopted from a Romanian orphanage at the age of three and brought to America. At the age of thirteen an accident puts her in a coma—but doctors are completely baffled because her brain waves spike every thirty days—in direct correlation with the full moon.”

“I always say that it’s tough to really scare people in a comic book—for a variety of reasons. When Bo and I did Sight Unseen a few years ago we worked really hard to try and legitimately frighten or otherwise unnerve the reader. And it would seem we were successful. Now we have more pages and we had a vision for genuinely trying to not only creep out the reader, but really jolt them in places,” Robert Tinnell stated. “I think if you like to be scared you’ll have good reason to respond to Riven because I honestly believe there are very scary moments in this book.”

Katya has been in a coma for five years, and when she awakes, everything has changed. Now she is a gorgeous teenager with a mysterious, gruesome past, becoming aware of a growing, terrifying power inside her body, triggered by the touch of the full moon, eager to break free . . . Can Katya solve the mystery of her blood-drenched nightmares before they become reality?

All fans of horror should look for Riven, on sale August 22, 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.

Byrne and Wrightson strike again! John Byrne and Bernie Wrightson both return with new series! San Diego, CA (March 2, 2012) – IDW Publishing is ecstatic to announce new projects from legendary creators JOHN BYRNE and BERNIE WRIGHTSON!  This May, Byrne will be smashing into stands with a brand-new, creator-owned superhero series, TRIO.  TRIO follows the exploits of three super-powered heroes known as Rock, Paper, and Scissors on a series of explosive adventures! Along the way, beloved inkers who have finished off Byrne’s pencils in the past will be inking variant covers for the series, starting with “Joltin’” Joe Sinnott on issue 1, and Byrne’s Silver Surfer/X-Men: The Hidden Years cohort Tom Palmer on #2. “Trio really is Byrne’s return to superheroic form,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief. Ryall will be editing Trio himself. He added that “fans who’ve loved Byrne at all stages of his career, from his beloved and influential superhero comics to his more recent work with us on Star Trek and Next Men, will love what he’s bringing to bear on this series.” In FRANKENSTEIN ALIVE, ALIVE! Wrightson teams up with one of his greatest collaborators, STEVE NILES to continue the legacy of one of his greatest works.  This sequel to Wrightson’s acclaimed 1983 illustrated version of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s Frankenstein was scripted by Niles and will feature Wrightson’s inimitable brushwork in addition to heaps of engrossing supplemental material like interviews, essays, and a serialization of Shelley’s original work. And just to show how thrilled we are about these new series, IDW is throwing its full weight behind TRIO and FRANKENSTEIN ALIVE, ALIVE! and making each debut issue fully returnable for retailers. “Both Byrne and Wrightson are not only legends in the comics field,” Ryall said, “but they’re also doing work here that stacks up nicely alongside their very best comics from the past, and we want retailers to know we stand behind these books in a big way. Hopefully the returnability of the issues really speaks to how strongly we feel about these books being a good bet for comic shops.” This May, join IDW in welcoming these iconoclasts back to genres they helped define and experience time-tested comics greatness firsthand! Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books. ###

About IDW Publishing IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coasts Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, and Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot, while Michael Bay‘sPlatinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

INVINCIBLE'S NEW HERO TAKES FLIGHT

INVINCIBLE #89 sells out, gets second printing

In INVINCIBLE #89, creator Robert Kirkman changed everything, and fans responded — after hitting stores on February 29, the issue has sold out, prompting a second printing (JAN128085) that will be in stores on March 28, the same day as INVINCIBLE #90.

With Mark Grayson fighting the deadly Scourge virus in an alien hospital, a new hero dons the Invincible costume, INVINCIBLE #89 has led long-time readers to speculate what direction the story will take and provided new or lapsed readers with a jumping-on point.

INVINCIBLE #89 is a full-color comic book for $2.99, written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Ryan Ottley. The ongoing monthly series is available in comic book stores and on multiple digital platforms.

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.

ABOUT ROBERT KIRKMAN
Robert Kirkman's success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company's inception twenty years ago. He's the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, kid-friendly Super Dinosaur, The Astounding Wolfman, and new title Thief of Thieves, among many others. Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011, taking four of the top spots.  He's the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 120 countries and 250 million households.  www.Skybound.com is your destination for all news and merchandise for Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles.

FANTASY AND INTRIGUE AWAIT READERS IN THE NEW VIZ MEDIA SHOJO MANGA SERIES

THE EARL AND THE FAIRY

A Fairy Doctor Who Sees Magical Creatures Helps An Aristocrat Search For A Legendary Sword And Hunt A Mysterious Killer

San Francisco, CA, March 1, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, launches a fantastic tale of fairies and fantasy set in against the backdrop of Victorian England with the debut of THE EARL AND THE FAIRY on March 6^th. The new Shojo Beat series, created by Mizue Tani with artwork by Ayuko, is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Lydia Carlton is a fairy doctor and one of the few people with the ability to see the magical creatures who share our world. During one of her rare trips to London to visit her father, Lydia’s quiet life is suddenly transformed when she is rescued from kidnappers by a mysterious young man!

Edgar Ashenbert claims to be descended from the human ruler of the fairy kingdom, and he urgently needs Lydia’s help to find and claim his birthright, the legendary sword of the Blue Knight Earl. Things will never be the same for Lydia as she is pulled into a dangerous quest against dark forces!

“Author Mizue Tani originally wrote THE EARL AND THE FAIRY as a popular collection of light novels, and the story has been captivatingly adapted into a manga series with beautiful artwork created by Ayuko,” says Pancha Diaz, Editor. “Intrigue awaits readers as the Earl tells Lydia that he is the descendant of the Blue Knight. But a serial killer is also on the loose, and Edgar matches his description. Could this charismatic aristocrat really be a murderer?”

Mizue Tani is the author of several fantasy novel series and received an honorable mention in 1997 for the Shueisha Roman Taisho awards. Aside from THE EARL AND THE FAIRY, her other major series is Majo no Kekkon (The Witch’s Marriage).

Artist Ayuko debuted with the story, “Us, You and Me,” in the Japanese shojo magazine Bessatsu Margaret, and has gone on to publish several manga titles in addition to THE EARL AND THE FAIRY.

For more information on THE EARL AND THE FAIRY, or other shojo manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit ShojoBeat.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

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

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN^™: Ultimate Ninja^® STORM Generations Approved for Manufacturing

NAMCO BANDAI’s Blockbuster Comes to Xbox 360 and PlayStation^®3 system March 13 with the Largest Roster and most Comprehensive Online Fighting Mode in the Series’ History

SAN JOSE, Calif., (March 1, 2012) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., today announced that NARUTO SHIPPUDEN^™: Ultimate Ninja^® STORM Generations has now entered the manufacturing phase and will be on sale in North America on March 13 for the PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Developed by CyberConnect2 and based on the popular animated NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series from VIZ Media from the manga created by Masashi Kishimoto (also available from VIZ Media), NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM Generations is the latest rendition in the smash hit ‘NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja Storm’ series of games, featuring the original Japanese voiceovers and lovingly crafted presentation faithful to the NARUTO series. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM Generations offers NARUTO and gaming fans a torrential downpour of NARUTO ninja fighting action and adventure. For those gamers who cannot wait to get in on the ultimate ninja battle, the playable demo is available now for download on the PlayStation^®Network and Xbox LIVE^®.

“NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM Generations is an essential addition to the library of any Naruto fan,” said Carlson Choi, Vice President of Marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “Beyond the unprecedented number of characters and online modes, stalwart fans can enjoy over an hour of brand new animation created by Studio Pierrot for the game.”

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM Generations will revolutionize the series; online play and ramp up the number of playable characters to more than 70, with even more fan favorites available as support characters.  Players will compete in a variety of online battle modes with their favorite NARUTO characters, including Naruto and Sasuke, and by popular demand, the characters Zabuza and Haku. For the first time in the series, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM Generations will feature an innovative system that integrates real-world collectible cards with the video game, allowing players to unlock corresponding artwork for their in-game profile card and engage in a special mini-battle to unlock a bonus skill and gain an advantage in the network battle. This new card functionality works with the SAGE’s LEGACY edition of the collectible cards, which are sold separately.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM Generations is rated “T” for teen by the ESRB and carries an MSRP of $59.99.  While supplies last, all copies of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM Generations sold will include one or more exclusive foil-printed SAGE’s LEGACY cards, allowing players to try out the exciting card functionality for themselves.

For more information, please visit: www.namcobandaigames.com or http://naruto.namcobandaigames.com . For more information and to view free streaming episodes of NARUTO and the uncut NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (both rated TV-14), please visit www.naruto.com or www.VIZAnime.com; subscribers to the Hulu Plus service (www.hulu.com/plus) may also simulcast the latest episode of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN in high-definition an hour after broadcast debut in Japan.

###

About NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., part of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings Inc., is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive content — including all major video game consoles, iOS, mobile and online.  The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises, including PAC-MAN®, Tekken®, SOULCALIBUR®, NARUTO™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, Dragon Ball®, GALAGA®, RIDGE RACER® and ACE COMBAT®.  More information about the company and its products can be found at www.namcobandaigames.com or www.facebook.com/namco.

Inaugural Screen Writing Competition comes to Phoenix Comicon

An Exciting Opportunity for Arizona Writers

To celebrate the rich film and geek communities in the valley and throughout Arizona, the inaugural Phoenix Comicon screenwriting competition will focus on Arizona writers. Submissions are being accepted until March 31st 2012, judging will begin shortly after the deadline.

“This is an exciting opportunity for local writers to show off their work” said Marketing Director Jillian Squires.

The categories for this years competition are Fan Film, Original Steampunk, Original Superhero/Villain or Original Horror. Scripts need to be 15 to 20 pages long and written by a resident of Arizona state or attending a local college.

Judging is anonymous and will begin with a score card round judged from the fans perspective. The final round of judging will be conducted by a panel of professionals from the local film making community. Scripts in the final round of judging will receive a score card from from the final judging panel.

“One of the great things about how we are running this contest is each submission will receive score cards with feedback about their script” stated Programing Director Joe Boudrie.

The contest will have a winner for each of the four categories that will receive full membership passes for Phoenix Comicon 2012. In addition, there will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for the best overall scripts. The grand prize winner will get to see their script read by local actors at a panel during this years Phoenix Comicon. All of the placing and winning scripts will receive more comprehensive feedback in the form of a coverage document from the final judging panel.

Phoenix Comicon is the signature pop culture event of the southwest. Comicon is presenting guests and programming for hobbyists by attracting the top segments of the comics, anime, sci-fi, film, tv, and gaming industries. Entering its tenth year, Phoenix Comicon is expected to draw over 25,000 attendees to its May 24-27, 2012 convention held at the Phoenix Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Downtown Phoenix.

For more information, please go to http://www.phoenixcomicon.com.

Time is Running Out to Enter the Phoenix Comicon 2012 Film Challenge

Entries Accepted Until March 31st 2012

The 2012 Phoenix Comicon Film challenge is looking for entries. This year they invite one and all to submit to the Film Festival and to the Film Challenge. Have a chance for your film to air at the convention in front of over 30,000 expected attendees. The film festival accepts entries from many different genres from Sci-Fi and comedy to documentaries and horror films.

“The Film Festival is a great way to reach new audience members and create recognition for your film” says Marketing Director Jillian Squires

All films must be under 15 minutes long, and must be premiering at the Phoenix Comicon. Since this is a family friendly event submissions not suitable for all-ages will be considered for late night screenings. The Film Festival is open to all filmmakers and creates the opportunity for their work to be seen during the convention

The Film Challenge is a competition for newly created works to be submitted, reviewed and judged by the Phoenix Comicon panel. Prizes will vary but each winner’s video will be screened during the convention. More information on both competitions can be found at https://phoenixcomicon.com/film_festival

Phoenix Comicon is the signature pop culture event of the southwest. Comicon is presenting guests and programming for hobbyists by attracting the top segments of the comics, anime, sci-fi, film, tv, and gaming industries. Entering its tenth year, Phoenix Comicon is expected to draw over 25,000 attendees to its May 24-27, 2012 convention held at the Phoenix Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Downtown Phoenix.

For more information, please go to http://www.phoenixcomicon.com.

THE MARVEL UNIVERSE ARRIVES ON FACEBOOK WITH MARVEL: AVENGERS ALLIANCE

The First Social Game Based on Marvel’s Iconic Characters Features Heroes Including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk and Dozens More

PALO ALTO, Calif. – March 1, 2012 – Marvel Entertainment and Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) today announced that the first social game based on Marvel’s iconic characters, Marvel: Avengers Alliance, is now live on Facebook. Developed by Playdom, Marvel: Avengers Alliance features a tactical turn-based combat experience with dozens of familiar Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains, setting a new standard of production value and interactivity in a social game.

“Marvel: Avengers Alliance combines epic Marvel characters with Playdom’s industry-leading game mechanics to deliver a game that is sure to attract casual gamers and Super Hero fans alike,” said John Spinale, Senior Vice President of Social Games, Disney Interactive Media Group. “With this game, Disney is bringing one of the world’s largest entertainment brands to the largest social network, giving millions of fans an entirely new opportunity to engage with the characters they love.”

"We are thrilled to break new ground here, working with Playdom to create the first ever Facebook game to feature Marvel's Super Heroes,” said TQ Jefferson, Vice President of Games Production for Marvel. "With both a compelling story and Marvel's premier super team, The Avengers, leading the rest of our heroes in epic turn-based battles, Marvel: Avengers Alliance allows us to engage fans and gamers in a way that we never have before. The future of Marvel games begins now."

With dozens of the most iconic Marvel characters available at launch, Marvel: Avengers Alliance offers players a tactical turn-based combat experience unlike any other social game. Players will have the opportunity to recruit some of Marvel’s most notable characters, including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow and many others. Players can train their heroes to unlock unique abilities, and further customize abilities. Players can also square off against each other in player-versus-player combat, challenging their social graph to super-powered showdowns.

Marvel: Avengers Alliance takes place in the wake of a galaxy-wide disaster, known as the Pulse, which exposes Manhattan to attacks by Marvel’s most deadly Super Villains.  Players are recruited as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., the secret espionage and peace-keeping organization of the Marvel Universe, to assemble and lead teams of Super Heroes with a mission to keep New York City safe from the clutches of such enemies as Loki, Doctor Doom and Magneto, as well as sinister criminal organizations like Hydra and AIM.

In the coming months, Marvel: Avengers Alliance will continue to expand with ongoing content releases.  Players can look forward to new missions and storylines, additional Super Heroes, and upgraded abilities, plus new equipment, weapons, powers and costumes for unlock and purchase.

Social gamers and Marvel fans can join S.H.I.E.L.D and begin the adventure immediately: http://www.facebook.com/avengersalliance. 

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit www.marvel.com. Super Hero(es) and Super Villain(s) is a co-owned registered trademark.

Disney Interactive Media Group

Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) is one of the world’s largest creators of high-quality interactive entertainment across all current and emerging digital media platforms. Products and content released and operated by DIMG include blockbuster mobile and console games, online virtual worlds, and #1-ranked web destinations Disney.com and the Moms and Family network of websites.

Disney Interactive Media Group is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NSYE: DIS).

STORE SHELVES NO PLACE FOR NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Debut issue of new series, sells out, gets reprint

Berkeley, CA — NO PLACE LIKE HOME #1, the first issue of a new Image Comics series by Angelo Tirotto and Richard Jordan has sold out after being released on February 22. A new printing (JAN128166) has immediately gone to press and will be in stores the same day as NO PLACE LIKE HOME #2 (JAN120598), March 21.

A re-imagining of The Wizard of Oz, NO PLACE LIKE HOME tells the story of Dee, a young woman who returns home to Kansas from L.A. after the deaths of her parents. The deaths were attributed to a tornado, but a few people in Emeraldsville seem to know something more. Dee will have to uncover the small town's dark secrets to solve the mystery.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME #1 has been warmly received by reviewers:

"No Place Like Home has all of the elements of a classic. There’s a vibrant cast of characters, a rural setting, suspense, mystery, a decent amount of gore, and even a prophetic drunkard to ice the cake."
— Bloody Disgusting

"For readers looking for something fresh and fun, yet deadly and mysterious, look no further than No Place Like Home.  Angelo Tirotto’s take on The Wizard of Oz is unlike any adaptation seen before."
— Broken Frontier

"The story and the art all come together in an effective, suspenseful package that’s well worth a read."
— Newsarama

NO PLACE LIKE HOME is a monthly, full-color comic book, 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.