ATHENA VOLTAIRE FLIES TO SEQUENTIAL PULP ON A DARK HORSE

APRIL 13, CHICAGO, IL–From C2E2's Artist Alley E13:  Globetrotting aviatrix Athena Voltaire battles Nazis, occult science, and mythical creatures against the backdrop of the pulp era. And now she’s coming in for a landing with Sequential Pulp Comics. 

Copublishers Sequential Pulp Comics and Dark Horse Comics are pleased to announce their plans for writer/artist Steve Bryant’s 1930s heroine.

“Steve and I share a common love for all things pulp and for telling great stories. His character, Athena Voltaire, could not be a better fit for our line of graphic novels,” said Sequential Pulp president Michael Hudson. “These stories will have a beginning, a middle, and a true end to them, giving the reader a complete and fulfilling experience. The art and the writing are masterful. I can’t wait to see how Steve and his team develop this wonderful property as we move ahead.”

“I can’t think of a better home for Athena Voltaire than the Sequential Pulp imprint. Their commitment to adapting genre classics and creating new pulp icons is second to none,” said Bryant. “To be published through Dark Horse is the cherry on top. Hellboy, B.P.R.D., Buffy, Battlepug—they put out some of the best comics on the stands today. I’m flattered and humbled to see my book added to such a prestigious line!”

Athena Voltaire launched as a part of the Modern Tales family of webcomics in 2002 and was nominated for a Best Digital Comic Eisner Award in 2005. The feature was also included in St. Martin’s The Year’s Best Graphic Novels, Comics and Manga (2004 edition).

In addition to covering representational rights, the exclusive print and digital publishing agreement calls for an omnibus edition containing remastered versions of the previously published Athena Voltaire material followed by new adventures, including two graphic novels and an illustrated prose anthology.

With titles scheduled into 2015 and beyond, Athena Voltaire is sure to continue to please its existing fan base, as well as those who will be coming aboard through this relaunch. Anyone who enjoys pulp, classic adventure stories, and modern comics will fall in love with this heroine who is unlike any other in comics today.

  

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. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the third-largest comic-book publisher in the US, and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.
 About Sequential Pulp Comics:

Sequential Pulp is a new imprint and production house whose focus is on publishing graphic novels based on classic to neo pulp of all genres. Its books will include both licensed and creator-owned material.

 About Steve Bryant:

Steve Bryant began his comics career with the launch of Athena Voltaire as a webcomic, eventually earning him an Eisner Award nomination in 2005, and a nomination for the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award in 2007.  Bryant has contributed artwork to publications from Image, IDW, and Ape Entertainment, as well. Outside of comics, Steve has produced illustrations for everything from clip art and greeting cards to theme park design and roleplaying games. 

VIZ MEDIA SERVES UP SPINGTIME SMILES WITH TWO NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL RELEASES FEATURING THE MR. MEN™ AND LITTLE MISSES™!

Beloved Characters Little Miss Sunshine™ And Mr. Bump™ Star In Two New Graphic Novels from VIZ Kids

San Francisco, CA, April 12, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will delight younger readers with a pair of fun new graphic novel releases from the company’s VIZ Kids imprint. MR. BUMP™: LIGHTS, CAMERA, BUMP! and LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE™: HERE COMES THE SUN! both debut on April 17^th, are rated ‘A’ for All Ages, and will each carry a MSRP of $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN. The books are recommended for readers ages 6 and older.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE™: HERE COMES THE SUN! and MR. BUMP™: LIGHTS CAMERA BUMP! feature comic book versions of characters from the popular Mr. Men And Little Miss™ series of children’s books, originally created by author Roger Hargreaves in 1971. The loveable Dillydale residents, with names such as Mr. Tickle™ and Mr. Happy™, each have personalities and physical attributes inspired by their names. More than 80 classic Mr. Men And Little Miss™ books have been published in 28 countries and have sold more than 3 million copies in the U.S. alone. Cartoon Network broadcast two seasons of the animated Mr. Men Show between 2008 and 2009, with episodes now available on DVD. The MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS™ graphic novels created by VIZ Media are the first of their kind.

MR. BUMP™: LIGHTS, CAMERA, BUMP!

Story by Matthew Britton, Art by John Hardman · Rated ‘A’ for All Ages ·

MSRP: $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN · Available April 17^th!  

Mr. Bump is must-see TV! Poopity poop! Mr. Bump is stuck inside his TV! With every change of the channel, he finds himself in the middle of a different show. Whether he's dancing with the Little Misses, surviving on a desert isle, or ghost hunting, Mr. Bump is must-see TV! But will he ever get home again?

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE™: HERE COMES THE SUN!

Story by Michael Kenny, Art by Victoria Maderna · Rated ‘A’ for All Ages ·

MSRP: $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN · Available April 17^th!  

Take a magical musical tour of Dillydale with Little Miss Sunshine™! Good morning, Dillydale! What does Little Miss Sunshine™ do when she finds a bus on her lawn? Leads a singing tour through Dillydale, of course! She's also riding horses, throwing parties and judging Dillydale's favorite talent show, "Dillydale's Got Talent!" Is there anything Little Miss Sunshine™ can't do?

“It’s really exciting to be partnered with such a revered children’s brand as MR. MEN and LITTLE MISS,” says Traci Todd, Senior Editor, Children’s Publishing. “As parents who grew up with the classic books introduce their children to Mr. Happy™, Mr. Tickle™, Mr. Bump™, Little Miss Sunshine™, and the other residents of Dillydale, we hope they’ll find room on their shelves for our new adventures! With bold illustrations and easy-to-read tales, MR. BUMP™: LIGHTS CAMERA BUMP! and LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE™: HERE COMES THE SUN! are sure to delight readers of all ages.”

For more information about MR. BUMP™: LIGHTS, CAMERA, BUMP!, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE™: HERE COMES THE SUN, and other VIZ Kids titles, please visit www.VIZKids.com.

ARCHAIA ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE “DIGITAL FIRST” DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH COMIXOLOGY

Multiple Award-winning Graphic Novel Publisher to Debut All-New
Content via comiXology Digital Comics Platform

April 14th, 2012 - Chicago, IL/C2E2 – Eisner Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment today announced an exclusive “digital first” and same day as print distribution agreement with comiXology — the world’s largest digital comics platform available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and the Web with over 60 million comic and graphic novel downloads to date — that will see Archaia debuting all-new and previously unreleased content on comiXology. Beginning today, in conjunction with the start of Chicago’s C2E2 ‘12 expo, Archaia will release never-before-available digital materials, with new content to be made available weekly exclusively via comiXology. Brand new and upcoming digital first and same day as print exclusive titles include RUST, a ForeWord Book of the Year finalist currently in pre-production as a feature film at Fox, Ben Caldwell’s DARE DETECTIVES!, Jeremy Bastian’s acclaimed CURSED PIRATE GIRL, and several previously unavailable titles from Archaia’s critically-lauded Jim Henson library, including THE DARK CRYSTAL, THE STORYTELLER, and this year’s multiple-Eisner-Award nominated blockbuster, TALE OF SAND.
In the coming months, Archaia will debut new titles digitally before print with such titles as Yehudi Mercado’s PANTALONES, TX, Charles Soule’s STRANGE ATTRACTORS, Saurav Mohapatra’s MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL, and Andrew Gaska’s revisioning of the classic Sci-Fi series SPACE: 1999.
“MOUSE GUARD has always been a favorite of mine and I had personally quested to bring it to comiXology, but I’ve been blown away by the top quality and wide diversity of Archaia’s titles since we launched,” said comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger. “So, comiXology offering digital firsts from Archaia excites me on a personal level.”
“We are dedicated to bringing our library of award-winning content into the digital forefront, and comiXology has proven the demand for digital content in the marketplace, providing readers with a simple and immediate means of accessing the latest graphic novel content. We’re excited to offer readers some of our hottest content weeks, and in some cases months, before it sees print.” Says PJ Bickett, CEO of Archaia.
Launching Friday, April 13th, as part of the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), fans new and old will be able to download brand new content via the Comixology storefront, accessible online and via iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and the Web.

About Archaia
Archaia is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 50 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Return of the Dapper Men, Gunnerkrigg Court, Awakening, The Killer, Tumor, Syndrome, Artesia, The Engineer, and an entire line of The Jim Henson Company graphic novels. Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds, building one of the industry’s most visually stunning and eclectic slates of graphic novels. Archaia was named Graphic Novel Publisher of the Year according to Ain’t it Cool News, Graphic Policy and Comic Related, and was honored with nine 2011 Eisner Awards nominations and two Awards for Best Graphic Album and Best Anthology. Archaia has also successfully emerged as a prolific storyteller in all facets of the entertainment industry, extending their popular brands into film, television, gaming, and branded digital media.
About comiXology
Founded in 2007 with the mission of bringing comics to people everywhere, comiXology — in just five short years — has revolutionized the comic book and graphic novel world. From creating the industry leading platform for digital comics to tools and services for brick and mortar retailers, comiXology has lead the charge in exposing new audiences to the rich history and culture of comic books. With the development of the Comics by comiXology digital comics platform — available across iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and the Web— comiXology provides the easiest way worldwide for people to enjoy comics at just the click of a button! Regularly ranking as the top grossing iPad app in the entire iTunes App Store, Comics by comiXology was recently selected as a preloaded app on Amazon’s Kindle Fire. Providing digital comics across multiple platforms, comiXology will not stop until everyone on the face of the earth has been turned into a comic book fan.

A Message for Creators and Comic Industry Professionals:

Harvey Award Nomination Ballots Due in 4 days!

Ballots Due April 16, 2012! 

As a creator within the comics and graphic novel industry, you are eligible to nominate works and vote for the Harvey Awards.  We encourage all professionals to vote, whether you choose 1, 5, or all categories.  Every vote counts!  Ballots can be found in PDF or text format from www.harveyawards.org.

Please vote and submit a nomination ballot for the Harvey Awards. The deadline for nominations is this coming Monday, April 16th.  While we are down to the final weekend, we assure you there is still time to get your votes in and to influence the votes of others.  Plenty of ballots will be sent in this weekend and even Monday!

The Harvey Awards work hard every year to insure that we have a ballot that makes the entire industry proud.  The combination of social networking as well as ballot distribution at comic book conventions around the country has enabled participation by the entire industry and, as a result, ballots have been a great representation of the best works published in the previous year.  We have once again distributed ballots in Seattle, Chicago, and Orlando, as well as directly to publishers.  Thank you for your efforts!

If you think there is a piece of work, including yours, that deserves the votes of others, please spread the word.  We encourage voters, publishers, and journalists to e-mail, blog, tweet, and otherwise promote works that deserve recognition.  Here are some ideas for promoting your works to other creators, as well as determining for what you should vote:    

• Not sure what was published in 2011 and want ideas? Google "best comics 2011".
• Use Twitter to show your support for a given work and use hashtag #harveys2012 on your tweet.
• Blog about the work you want to promote.
• Please spread word to your peers that they can vote!

Complete and email ballots to harveyballots@hotmail.com.  Mailing address information is on the PDF copy of the ballot.

We look forward to hearing from you. Should you require any assistance or have any question, please contact us at baltimorecomiccon@yahoo.com

Sincerely,

Brad Tree & Paul McSpadden

The Baltimore Comic-Con &

The Harvey Awards Committee

Jericho Rises Again This Summer! Season 4 premieres in comic form this July!   San Diego, CA (April 12, 2012) – IDW Publishing is pleased to announce another series of Jericho comics hitting shelves this summer! The fan-favorite returns with a story picking up after the events of Jericho: Season Three. Overseen by the original television series’ writing staff and written by Kalinda Vazquez with art by Andrew Currie and covers by Tim Bradstreet, this five-issue series will be an absolutely essential piece of Jericho’s sprawling post-apocalyptic story. “The greatest fans in the world came out strong for Jericho Season Three: Civil War and we are so thrilled to announce another installment of the comic book series," said Dan Shotz, Executive Producer of Jericho. “Jake and Hawkins have finally come home to Jericho and we want to personally thank those fans and IDW for allowing that to happen.” “Working so closely with the creators of the TV show has been a blast, their love of the material is contagious, and one of the reasons I think fans relate to it so fervently,” said Senior Editor Scott Dunbier. Jericho’s engrossing plot and rabid fan base have kept the show alive in different forms, seemingly against all odds. For long-time fans of the television series, or those discovering it for the first time, the enduring tale of survival against a backdrop of compelling suspense has proven to be an engrossing experience that’s not to be missed! Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books. IDW can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/#!/idwpublishing and http://tumblr.idwpublishing.com/ and on Twitter at @idwpublishing. Jericho: Season Four is a licensed product of CBS Consumer Products. JERICHO: SEASON 4 #1 will be available in stores in JULY 2012. Diamond order code: MAY12 0353.

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‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

AMERICA'S GOT A SELL OUT

Jonathan Ross & Bryan Hitch's new series gets 2nd printing

The first issue of Image Comics' AMERICA'S GOT POWERS, by TV personality and comic book scribe Jonathan Ross (TURF) and the legendary artist Bryan Hitch (The Authority, The Ultimates), has sold out at the distributor level. 

The first issue of this colorful new hit series that combines the entertainment world's make-or-break reality show zeitgeist with the colorful, action-packed superhero genre is already being reprinted to meet demand. The second printing (FEB128169) will be on shelves May 9th, with AMERICA'S GOT POWERS #2 following just one week after on May 16th.

"AMERICA'S GOT POWERS marks a huge turning point for me as my first creator owned series," Hitch commented. "The response has been overwhelming and there are so many other people to thank for helping to make the book such a success. I'm truly grateful to be telling the stories I'm passionate about and immensely proud that AGP has been greeted so warmly and so many have responded so kindly to Tommy and his fellow powered teens. Believe me, in this series and beyond, the best is still to come!"

AMERICA'S GOT POWERS is the story of the most successful TV show on Earth, a reality show of super-powered proportions. In AMERICA'S GOT POWERS, a generation of super-powered teens struggle to prove their worth while the whole world watches.

ABOUT JONATHAN ROSS

Jonathan Ross is one of the highest profile broadcasters in the UK. He has hosted talk shows on all the major British Channels, and currently hosts The Jonathan Ross Show on prime time Saturday nights. He has also worked in Radio and has won lots and lots of pretty awards, none of which he knows quite where to put. He received the Stan Lee Best Newcomer Award for TURF. That made him very happy. In a career that spans over twenty years Ross has often been associated with cult entertainment. His award winning series The Incredibly Strange Film Show and it’s sequel, The Son of the Incredibly Strange Film Show won a fan following that remembers them fondly to this day. He was responsible for the first western television interview with Jackie Chan, Tsui Hark and many other leading Hong Kong stars. He has authored programmes on subjects as diverse as Korean Cinema, Drive-Through Funeral parlours in Louisiana, and Steve Ditko. He has a collection of comics and original comic book art so large that he now has to sleep in the garden. He hopes to have several new series out with image soon, starting with Golden Age in the fall. 

ABOUT BRYAN HITCH

Bryan Hitch is best known as co-creator and artist of The Authority (with Warren Ellis) and The Ultimates (with Mark Millar). The two series have been hugely influential both in comics and film, and Hitch is widely recognized as the originator of the so-called "widescreen" approach to comics. One of the most sought-after artists of his generation, Russell T. Davis invited him to design the relaunch of The BBC's Doctor Who in 2005, and he repeated that success for J.J. Abrams on 2010's hugely successful Star Trek feature film. Hitch's trademark cinematic approach has been seen across numerous Marvel projects over the last decade, but AMERICA'S GOT POWERS is his first creator-owned work.

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.

RICHARDSON & SAKAI TEAM UP FOR 47 RONIN!

APRIL 12, MILWAUKIE, OR–Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce a historical comic adaptation of the tale of the 47 ronin: A story of loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor. 

Written by Dark Horse president Mike Richardson and drawn by multiple Eisner Award winner Stan Sakai, 47 Ronin tells the tale of a daimyo (feudal lord) who was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) and his samurai-turned-ronin who avenged his wrongful death.  

 “I’ve been fascinated with this story from the earliest days of Dark Horse, visiting the significant locations and doing research during my trips to Japan. For years I’ve been looking for just the right artist and it finally dawned on me that he was right here at Dark Horse,” said Mike Richardson. “Stan Sakai is a master storyteller who knows the material, and his artistic interpretation is perfect for the story. What’s more, my friend, legendary manga writer Kazuo Koike (Lone Wolf and Cub), has served as editorial consultant for the project.”

 47 Ronin marks the first time Stan Sakai has collaborated extensively with another writer. He promises stylized artwork in the vein of traditional Japanese woodblock prints—one of the most popular depictions of the 47 ronin. 

 “I have known the 47 Ronin story about all my life, and I paid a pilgrimage to their gravesite when I was in Japan in 2009. This is a significant event in Japanese history, and when Mike asked me to illustrate the story I jumped at the chance. I’m known for the research I do, but I was amazed at the research and knowledge Mike already had. I’m having a blast with this,” said Stan Sakai.

 47 Ronin will be on comic stands November 2012. Watch solicitations for more details!

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.

IDW Brings Genghis Khan To Comics A standalone graphic novel based on the greatest military commander in world history   San Diego, CA (April 12, 2012) – This July, IDW Publishing will bring you Secret Battles of Genghis Khan, the story of how a boy named Temujin became the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. Adapting Khan’s engrossing life to graphic-novel form are writer Daryl Gregory, award-winning novelist of The Devil’s Alphabet and Pandemonium, and artists Alan Robinson (Weekly World News, Phoenix Without Ashes) and Jay Fotos (Locke & Key). The all-new, 104-page graphic novel will also feature a special painted cover by Sam Shearon as well as back-up material detailing Khan’s life and battles. “My job,” Gregory said, “was to comb through his history to find the key moments in his life and discover what drove him. Alan had the toughest job, though. He had to show not only the emotional lives of a huge cast of characters, but deliver the epic sweep of the story, with one bloody battle after another. People are going to be blown away by what he's done.” To this day, Khan is known as one of the greatest leaders by conquering lands one military victory after another. By the end of his life, the Mongol Empire occupied a large percentage of Central Asia and China. Although famous for being heartless, Khan was a man that was both brutal and fair. He was cruel to his enemies, but even-handed to those that were loyal, no matter what their tribal background or ethnicity. Secret Battles of Genghis Khan outlines the history and experiences of the man that is regarded as the founding father of Mongolia. SECRET BATTLES OF GENGHIS KHAN ($21.99, 104 pages, full color) will be available in stores in July 2012. ISBN: 978-1-61377-283-6. Visit IDWPublishing.com to sign up for updates and 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‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

NAMCO BANDAI GAMES ANNOUNCES ACTION ADVENTURE

ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS FOR PLAYSTATION^®3 SYSTEM

The Number One Best-selling Manga of All Time, ONE PIECE, Embarks on its Maiden Voyage Aboard the PlayStation^®3 system

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, (April 11, 2012) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS exclusively available as a digital title on the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.  ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS is developed by Omega Force / TECMO KOEI GAMES CO., LTD., and brings together the world’s most popular manga franchise with non-stop action of the DYNASTY WARRIORS franchise to create a ONE PIECE perfect storm.  ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS will be available in North America in 2012.

The first nautical outing for the ONE PIECE series on the PlayStation 3 system, ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS will immerse players in the Straw Hat Pirates’ grand voyage around the globe, letting them face hordes of pirate and Marine enemies as well as experience all the great moments from the anime from Orange Town through Marineford. Faithful to the original ONE PIECE manga by Eiichiro Oda, players will relive their favorite scenes controlling many of the beloved Straw Hat Pirates including; Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and others, each with their signature moves, including Luffy’s Gum-Gum attacks.

ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS will invite players to do battle with a massive amount of opponents using the simple controls from the DYNASTY WARRIORS series to wreak havoc on the battlefield.   The story mode will drop players right into the heart of the rich ONE PIECE universe filled with treasured characters, powerful enemies, touching moments and memorable scenes.

ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS for the PlayStation 3 system will be welcoming ONE PIECE fans on board in 2012. For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. and ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS please visit http://www.namcobandaigames.com, and http://www.facebook.com/namco.

ONE PIECE the animated series is available for purchase on the PlayStation®Store. For more information about the animated series please visit http://www.onepieceofficial.com.

Dragon ball Z® for kinect to transform players into super saiyans this OCTOBER

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announces newest evolution in the beloved fighting series

SAN JOSE, Calif. (April 11, 2012) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that Dragon Ball Z® for Kinect™ will be coming to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this October.  All of the classic action and intensity of the Dragon Ball Z universe will be felt with an unprecedented sense of immersion when players learn to deliver over 100 moves, including the legendary Kamehameha with their own fists as they charge their way to victory in this ultimate evolution of the classic franchise.

Developed by Spike Chunsoft Co. Ltd, players will be entering the Dragon Ball Z universe in an entirely new way. Featuring iconic characters, famous attacks, and epic battles authentically created from the original manga series, Dragon Ball Z® for Kinect lets players unleash their inner Super Saiyan with no controller in the way! Fans will also be treated to new anime footage debuting in the US and Europe for the first time, along with over 50 playable characters and an entirely new character. Leveraging the Kinect sensor, Dragon Ball Z® for Kinect will also support QR code functionality, allowing fans to hold up special QR codes to unlock characters and power-ups in the game.

“There’s going to be no better feeling in the world for fans of the Dragon Ball Z series than standing in front of their screens and unleashing their own fists and raging blasts upon enemies with this game,” said Carlson Choi, Vice President of Marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America.  “The Kinect sensor has truly enabled the development team to finally realize the dreams of millions of fans of both the classic games and the timeless original anime.  This game will truly represent the next generation of interactive entertainment in the Dragon Ball Z universe.”

Choosing between ‘Story Mode’ and ‘Score Attack’ mode, players will enjoy battles and events following the story of Dragon Ball Z in first-person view for the first time.  Dramatic battles use anime-style camerawork and require the player to move in the same way as their character and perform the same attack or movement from a particular famous scene, combining CG demo scenes and battle controls to experience giant boss battles like never before! In ‘Score Attack’ mode, defeat opponents in 1-on-1 battles to get the highest score!

Dragon Ball Z® for Kinect will be available throughout North America and Europe this October.  For more information on the game, please visit: http://dragonball.namcobandaigames.com and www.facebook.com/NamcoBandai.

Dragon Ball Z the animated series is available for purchase on the Xbox LIVE Video Store. For more information about the animated series please visit http://www.dragonballz.com.

NAMCO BANDAI GAMES ANNOUNCES ‘TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT™ 2’

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 2012

Franchise that Created the Tag-Fighting Genre Returns to the Arena

on PlayStation®3 system and Xbox 360® this Fall

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, (April 11, 2012) – NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today delivered a knockout blow with the announcement that TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT™ 2 will be coming to the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system this September.

With the largest player roster in TEKKEN history, TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 will feature more than 50 characters with expanded fight arsenals and move sets to do battle in new stages set in different countries from around the world. In addition to the tag-based battle that TEKKEN pioneered, TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 will feature both one-on-one fighting and solo fighter vs. a tag-team battle, upending the current fighting game standards and making the game accessible for fans and newcomers alike.

In Pair Play mode, up to four players can each control a character in the ultimate team battle, while in the all new Fight Lab mode, players can customize the moves and appearance of new training character, Combot. Players that clear the innovative Fight Lab will have mastered the complexities of TEKKEN and own their own customized Combot.
“TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT is one of the most beloved entries in the TEKKEN series – not just among fans but also for myself and the entire development team, so crafting the sequel has been a labour of love for everyone here,” said Katsuhiro Harada, TEKKEN Project Director at NAMCO BANDAI GAMES Inc.  “To truly make this game stand up to the high benchmark set by the original, we have injected some exciting features and modes that will revolutionize the online fighting game community and allow new players to enjoy and master the game – so there will be something for everyone.”

The original TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT created the entire tag-based fighting genre when it released in arcades in 1999, and the highly-anticipated sequel will bring unique features to the fighting game community with innovative online functionality that will be revealed in greater detail during E3 in June.

“There is so much packed into TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 that we can’t wait to reveal to fans of both fighting games and fans of all games,” said Carlson Choi, vice president of marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. The latest entry into the iconic series will have the level of depth expected of the highest-selling fighting game franchise of all time, but also the accessibility for new fans and gaming noobs alike.”

For more information on the TEKKEN® universe, please visit: www.namcobandaigames.com     www.tekken.com http://www.facebook.com/Tekken; http://www.twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN; or http://www.twitter.com/FilthieRich.

IDW’s Dirk Wood Named Vice President of Marketing     San Diego, CA (April 11, 2012)—IDW Publishing, an award-winning leader in graphic novel and book publishing, announced today that Dirk Wood has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing. “Since Dirk joined IDW, we've seen increased sales and exposure in comic book specialty stores and he's overseen revolutionary marketing campaigns such as the Godzilla "Smash Your Store" cover promotion,” said Greg Goldstein, IDW President and COO. “His new title reflects the bigger overall role he's taken in shaping all of IDW's marketing and promotional efforts and is well deserved.” Mr. Wood started his career with the retail chain Things From Another World, before a long run in Marketing at Dark Horse Comics, capped by several years as that company’s Marketing Director. He joined IDW as director of retail marketing in 2010, and has nearly 20 years of combined experience in the comic book industry. As a company, IDW has grown exponentially in recent years, expanding both its comics and book catalogs, and continuing its leadership in the digital space. As Vice President of Marketing, Mr. Wood will play a key role in driving continued growth in all these areas, and lead the company’s public relations, and tradeshow efforts as well. “I could not be happier about where I am,” said Mr. Wood. “The whole crew at IDW is amazing. Every day I get to work with great people at the best comic publisher there is. The only problem is that I have to buy more bookshelves, because the books we’re putting out are unreal. I look forward to new challenges, and continuing to expand IDW’s presence everywhere.” Mr. Wood also plays guitar for The Woodford Brownley Band, and is right wing for the IDW soccer team, where he spends most of his time injured. Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

About IDW Publishing 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’s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

MEDIA ADVISORY ­ MEDIA ADVISORY ­ MEDIA ADVISORY

Reminder Date: Fan Expo Vancouver April 21-22

What:       Fan Expo Vancouver  & Canadian Videogame Awards 2012

Where:     Vancouver Convention Centre; 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC

When:      April 21-22, 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)

Star Trek: The Next Generation to True BloodŠthey are all going to be at Vancouver's first comic and fan expo. The all-ages Comicon Hollywood North will unite over 12,000 fans of comics, gaming, anime, horror, and sci-fi to enjoy a weekend of costume roleplaying to artist alley and author panels.

Over 100 special Guests, including: Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin), Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk), Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, John Delancie, (Star Trek: TNG), Billy Campbell (The Killing), Colleen Clinkenbeard (Fullmetal Alchemist), Veronica Taylor (Pokemon), Richard Cox (Inu Yasha) Trevor Deval (Mobile Suit Gundam), Mike McFarland (Dragonball Z), Brian Froud (Bakugan & Jimmy Two Shoes), Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller), Spider Robinson (Legendary Sci Fi Author), Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Kristen Bauer (True Blood)Š and more!

MIKE OEMING’S WILD ROVER RIPS THROUGH DARK HORSE PRESENTS!

APRIL 11, MILWAUKIE, OR—The latest apologue to debut in Dark Horse Comics’ legendary anthology brings out the darker side: Michael Avon Oeming’s Wild Rover! 

Wild Rover premieres in Dark Horse Presents #14 (a 104-page giant issue!). The two-part tale provides a very intense and interesting look through the comic medium at addiction and dealing with alcoholism.

“I’ve been a fan of Dark Horse Presents since I was a kid—it’s where I learned about artists like Moebius and my first exposure to creator owned works, which exploded later with the Legend line,” said Oeming. “I’m proud to launch the first of my ‘true-fiction’ stories with Wild Rover in Dark Horse Presents. Though told through fantasy, much of it is based on my experiences or those that my mother has gone through. I could only trust Dark Horse Presents with such things.”

Oeming received the Eisner Award for Best New Series in 2001 for his work on Powers. He also received the Eagle Award in 2006 for Favorite Writer/Artist. In addition to Wild Rover, Dark Horse has announced Oeming will be writing and drawing a very adult superhero adventure series, The Victories, to be released later this year.  

Check out Wild Rover in Dark Horse Presents #14, on sale July 18!

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.