Image Comics for Free at comiXology

Peices permanently slashed on 20 first issues

Berkeley, CA - August 24, 2012 -- The first issues of many of the new series launched in the first half Image Comics' iconic twentieth anniversary year are now free at the digital distributor comiXology. The issues will remain free permanently, starting on August 24.

The free issues include the first issues of some of 2012's best-selling comics, including SAGA #1 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, FATALE #1 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra, THIEF OF THIEVES #1 by Robert Kirkman, Nick Spencer, and Shawn Martinbrough, AMERICA'S GOT POWERS Jonathan Ross and Bryan Hitch, and MIND THE GAP #1 by Jim McCann, Rodin Esquejo, and Sonia Oback.

The other free first issues are ALPHA GIRL #1, CREATOR-OWNED HEROES #1, DANCER #1, DANGER CLUB #1, EPIC KILL #1, GLORY #23 (first issue of the relaunch), GRIM LEAPER #1, HELL YEAH #1, HOAX HUNTERS #1, NO PLACE LIKE HOME #1, PETER PANZERFAUST #1, PLANETOID #1, PROPHET #21 (first issue of the relaunch), and SECRET #1.

Many of these titles have been or will soon be collected into trade paperbacks, making the free issues the perfect way for readers to sample new Image Comics titles before purchasing collections.

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.

Robert Steven Rhine’s Satan’s 3-Ring Circus of Hell graphic horror anthology is available again for Halloween

Aug. 24, 2012 (Los Angeles) Frank Forte announces that Asylum Press will re-release Robert Steven Rhine’s massive graphic horror anthology Satan’s 3-Ring Circus of Hell through Diamond Comics Distributors, SCB Distributors, all major wholesalers, and Tony Shenton Distribution for a Halloween release.

This giant-sized horror anthology is loaded with tons of gore and humor that any hardcore horror fan will enjoy - especially fans of Tales from the Crypt, Eerie and Creepshow. It features 43 stories illustrated by 43 of the top horror comic book artists including William Stout, Tim Vigil, John Cassaday, Hilary Barta, Steve Bissette, Jim Smith, Frank Forte, Tone Rodriguez, David Paleo, Kevin Colden, Nenad Gucunja, John Howard, David Hartman, Eric Pigors, Tommy Castillo, Jacob Hair, Steve Mannion and Aly Fell.  Cover art by Frank Forte.

Some of the twisted tales include:  “Spare Parts,” a nasty E.C. Comics-inspired opus about a disaffected coroner whose hobby is collecting “perfect” body parts, “Separation Anxiety” delves into the jealous love affair of circus freaks, “The Adventures of Raoul, Lowlife Ex-Cop,”  takes us into the dark seedy side of  a would be P.I., “Party Clown “ is a tale about a psycho serial killer who gets off by twisting people’s intensities into balloon animals,“The Symposium” takes us on a journey to Transylvania where modern day vampires feast on more than just blood. In “Eat Me” a freakish game show pushes its contestants to the limit, “Boneyard Tours” takes on a nasty trip through Hollywood.  It’s good gory fun guaranteed to give you a nasty chuckle.

Four years in the making, this classic collection of sick and twisted short stories is a true labor of blood. It includes the first prize winner of the 2005 WORLD HORROR CON dark fiction contest, Propeller Boy.

Satan’s 3-Ring Circus of Hell preview pages can be seen here:

http://www.asylumpress.com/titles/satans-circus-of-hell

Featured in August PREVIEWS--shipping late Sept. from Diamond Comics Dist.  Just in time for Halloween.

Rating: Mature Readers
Format: Fully Illustrated, Full Color and Black and White, 280 pages, trade paperback
Price: $19.95
ISBN: 978-0976850908

Anyone wanting to pre-order Satan’s 3-Ring Circus of Hell can do so at their local comic store. To find a local comic store visit:
http://comicshoplocator.com/

Satan’s 3-Ring Circus of Hell can also be ordered at any bookstore chain or independent bookstore.

Bookstores can order from SCB Distributors, Ingram, Baker and Taylor and all major wholesalers.  U.K. bookstores can order through Turnaround U.K.

Satan’s 3-Ring Circus of Hell quotes:

"Good gory humor! Not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach."   -- Comic Buyers Guide

"Gross, putrid and downright offensive. Higher praise just doesn't exist."   -- Alan Katz (HBO's Tales From The Crypt)

"R.S. Rhine: Sickest Brain In The World!"   -- Steve Niles (30 Days Of Night)

“This 280 pg mega-beast of a trade paper back is loaded with tons of hilarious horror stories and fantastic artwork that any horror fan would love to have.”--Bloody-Disgusting

“Absurd, implausible, sure, but darkly funny the way it's supposed to be...this writer has some potential...”--Sequential Tart

“--something for almost any of your twisted Metalheads to enjoy, especially if you like E.C. Comics—“-- Heavy Metal Magazine

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

ABOUT ROBERT STEVEN RHINE
Robert Steven Rhine is the Founder/Publisher and Deaditor-In-Chief of Girls and Corpses Magazine, which began as a popular website for two years before growing to a newsstand magazine distributed by both Ingram and Diamond and sold all over the world.  Rhine has sold fiction to over one hundred magazines and the published anthologies: Bram Stoker Winner: "DARK DELICACIES," (Carroll & Graf) alongside Ray Bradbury and Clive Barker.  In 2005, R.S. Rhine won first prize in the WORLD HORROR CON Dark Fiction Contest for his story "Propeller Boy." The story will be published in Cemetery Dance Magazine. Rhine also received the prestigious HERMAN M. SWAFFORD Fiction Award for his story "Andros" in 1997. Robert Steven Rhine's first fiction collection, "MY BRAIN ESCAPES ME," (Sun Dog Press) was heralded by PUBLISHERS WEEKLY as "a successful mix of humor and horror." METRO LONDON was, "fascinated with the blurred boundary between reality and the darkest recesses of imagination... doused in gallons of acid black humor." Famed writer WILLIAM F. NOLAN (author "Logan's Run" and other 60 books) called Rhine a "bold new writer with powerhouse ideas and the talent to bring them to life." And EON MAGAZINE said, "Horrifying yet unbelievably compelling. You may close the book, but the memory of Rhine's words will linger."   Robert can be found on the web at: http://www.robertrhine.com/

2012 Baltimore Comic-Con Costume Contest Sunday, September 9th

Sponsored by StylinOnline.com!

 

2011 Costume Contest Winners

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 24, 2012 - This year, StylinOnline.com is bringing more than their "Tower of T-shirts" to the Baltimore Comic-Con -- they're sponsoring the highly-demanded and hugely popular Annual Costume Contest, expanding on the number and range of prizes and awards to participants.

The Baltimore Comic-Con Costume Contest is one of the most popular events at the show, attracting fans from far and wide who come to dress up as their favorite characters, show off their hard work in creating fantastic-looking costumes, or to observe and/or photograph costumed attendees -- just look at our Facebook photos sections to see where the volume of photos are!

2012's adult prize packages include:

• Overall Best Costume
• $1000 Grand Prize in Cash
• Prizes in each of the streamlined Adult Men and Adult Women categories:
• $150 StylinOnline.com Gift Certificate for 1st Place
• $75 StylinOnline.com Gift Certificate for 2nd Place
• $50 StylinOnline.com Gift Certificate for 3rd Plac
• Group category (winning groups divide prize amount between members)
• $200 StylinOnline.com Gift Certificate for 1st Place
• $150 StylinOnline.com Gift Certificate for 2nd Place 
• Fan-Favorite as voted on by those in attendance for the Costume Contest:
• $150 StylinOnline.com Gift Certificate 
• Kids Prizes in each of the Newborn to Age 11 and Age 12 to Age 17 categories:
• $75 StylinOnline.com Gift Certificate for 1st Place
• $50 StylinOnline.com Gift Certificate for 2nd Place
• $20 StylinOnline.com Gift Certificate for 3rd Place 

2011 Costume Contest Winners

Each winner will also receive free admittance to the Baltimore Comic-Con in 2013!

Adult Categories have a $5 entry fee per person and, as always, kids up to age 17 can enter the costume contest for free! So join us Sunday, September 9th at 1:00pm as StylinOnline.com proudly presents the annual Baltimore Comic-Con Costume Contest!!

"Stylinonline.com is a great friend to Baltimore Comic Con and a perfect fit to sponsor our Costume Contest!" said Marc Nathan, Baltimore Comic-Con promoter.

Stylinonline.com is the Premier Pop Culture Clothing Superstore on the web. With such a great selection, it is easy to pick something out to show your true passion from super-heroes, TV, or the latest movies on a t-shirt, hat, hoodie, or even a singing Soft Kitty! So stop by and see Stylinonline.com's Tower of T-shirts at the Baltimore Comic-Con or online anytime and come help them support all of the Costume Contest winners!

 This year's confirmed guests for the show including: Guest of Honor, Stan "The Man" Lee (Saturday only!); Jason Adams (Sculptor); Josh Adams (Doctor Who, Sherlock); Neal Adams (First X-Men, Batman: Odyssey); Dave Aikins (SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer children's books illustrator); Ken Bald (Golden Age Timely/Marvel artist); Marty Baumann (Pixar artist); Brian Bolland (Dial H, Cover Story: The DC Comics Art of Brian Bolland); Tom Brevoort (Avengers); Harold Buchholz (Archie Comics); Mark Buckingham (Fables, Doctor Who); Jim Calafiore (Secret Six); Frank Cammuso (Knights of the Lunch Table, Otto's Orange Day); Greg Capullo (Batman, Spawn); Richard Case (Artist Alley Comics, Doom Patrol); Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales); Bernard Chang (DC Comics Presents, War of the Green Lanterns); Jo Chen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight - Saturday only!); Sean Chen (Steel, Avengers Academy, Voltron); Jim Cheung (Avengers vs. X-Men, AVX VS., Spider-Men); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (Avengers vs. X-Men, Liberty Meadows); Mike Choi (Fantastic Four, Demon Knights, Captain Atom), Steve Conley (Bloop webcomic www.bloopstree.com); Amanda Conner (Before Watchmen:  Silk Spectre); Geof Darrow (Shaolin Cowboy); Lar deSouza (Looking For Group, Least I Could Do); Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts); Dan Didio (O.M.A.C.); Eryk Donovan (SEQAPUNCH anthology, 'Ringo Scholarship Recipient); Joe Eisma (Morning Glories); Garth Ennis (The Shadow, Hellblazer, Preacher, The Boys); Rich Faber (Roboy Red); Ray Fawkes (One Soul); Joshua Hale Fialkov (I, Vampire, Echoes, Last of the Greats); David Finch (Batman:  The Dark Knight); Anthony Fleecs (In My Lifetime); Francesco Francavilla (The Black Beetle, Swamp Thing, Captain America and Black Widow); Franco (Tiny Titans, Superman Family Adventures); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); SL Gallant (G.I. Joe); Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman); Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar); Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!); Dan Green (Amazing Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Legion of Super-Heroes); Randy Green (Artist Alley Comics, Witchblade); Brad Guigar (Evil Inc.); Gene Ha (Justice League); Larry Hama (G.I. Joe, Wolverine, The 'Nam); Cully Hamner (Action Comics); Scott Hanna (Green Lantern Corps); Dean Haspiel (Billy Dogma, ACT-I-VATE, Trip City); Eric Henson (Perhapanauts:  Danger Down Under); Greg Horn (Max Payne, Avengers DK, Avengers Academy); Jason Horn (Ninjasaur); Jamal Igle (KISS, Supergirl, The Ray); Chris Ivy (Hero Comics, Army of Darkness); J.G. Jones (Wanted, Doc Savage); Justin Jordan (Shadowman); Chris Kemple (Artist Alley Comics, Negative Burn); Denis Kitchen (Kitchen Sink Press); Barry Kitson (Captain America, Iron Man, Fantastic Four); Roger Langridge (Snarked, Popeye, The Muppets, Thor the Mighty Avenger); Greg LaRocque (Web of Spider-Man, The Avengers, Legion of Super-Heroes); Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon); Janet Lee (Return of the Dapper Men); Norman Lee (Uncanny X-Men, New Mutants, Wolverine and the X-Men); Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Justice League Dark, Animal Man, Essex County); Paul Levitz (DC Comics, Legion of Super-Heroes); Joe Linsner (Dawn); David Mack (Kabuki); Kevin Maguire (World's Finest); Mark Mariano (Happyloo); Laura Martin (Avengers vs. X-Men, Captain America, 100 Penny Press:  The Rocketeer); Ron Marz (Artifacts, Voodoo); Bob McLeod (DC Comics Presents: Wonder Woman); Carla Speed McNeil (Finder); Pop Mhan (Gears of War, Blank, Ender's Game); Mark Morales (Avengers vs. X-Men); Dave Nestler (Salem's Daughter:  The Haunting, Grimm Fairy Tales); Jamar Nicholas (Leon: Protector of the Playground); Cary Nord (X-O Manowar, Conan); Jimmy Palmiotti (All-Star Western); Dan Parent (Archie, Veronica, Kevin Keller); Dan Parsons (Star Wars artist); Andrew Pepoy (Fables, The Simpsons, Simone & Ajax); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brandon Peterson (Uncanny X-Men, Ultimates Comics Ultimates); Khoi Pham (X-Men); Paul Pope (THB, Adventure Time); Eric Powell (The Goon); Brian Pulido (Lady Death); Frank Quitely (All Star Superman, Batman & Robin); Mike Raicht (Stuff of Legend, Infestation:  G.I. Joe, Dark Shadows); Tom Raney (Suicide Squad, Incredible Hulk, Avengers Academy); Joe Rivera (Daredevil); Paolo Rivera (Daredevil); John Romita, Jr. (Avengers Vs. X-Men); Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge); Craig Rousseau (Perhapanauts, Marvel Super-Heroes); Joe Rubinstein (Agent Marc Sanders, Green Hornet Golden Age Remastered); Andy Runton (Owly); Christopher Ryder (Dames in the Atomic Age); Scott Christian Sava (The Dreamland Chronicles); Alex Saviuk (STAN LEE's MIGHTY 7); Stuart Sayger (Infestation 2: 30 Days of Night One-Shot); Matteo Scalera (Secret Avengers, Irredeemable, Valen the Outcast, Wolverine & the X-Men); Louise Simonson (Rocketeer Adventures, Power Pack); Walter Simonson (Thor, Legion of Super-Heroes, Avengers); Ryan Sohmer (Looking For Group, Least I Could Do); Scott Snyder (Batman, Severed, Swamp Thing); John K. Snyder III (Zorro Rides Again); Nicky Soh (LIQUID CITY, 'Ringo Scholarship Rceipient); Mark Sparacio (Liberty Girl, Omega Paradox, Jonah Hex); Jim Starlin (Infinity Gauntlet, Dreadstar, Captain Marvel); Brian Stelfreeze (ICE); Roger Stern (Hulk Smash Avengers, The Captain America Corps); Paul Storrie (Twisted Journeys, Sheena:  Queen of the Jungle); Karl Story (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9); Peter Tomasi (Batman and Robin); Herb Trimpe (G.I. Joe, Wolverine); Tim Truman (Hawken, Grimjack); Billy Tucci (A Child Is Born, Shi); Fred Van Lente (Archer & Armstrong); Robert Venditti (X-O Manowar, Surrogates); Neil Vokes (Flesh And Blood, The Dark Forest); Dave Wachter (Night of 1000 Wolves); Matt Wagner (Tower Chronicles, Mage, Grendel); Mark Waid (Daredevil, Incorruptible, Irredeemable); Matt Webb (Flesh And Blood, John Byrne's Next Men, Zombie Tales); Matt Wieringo ('Ringo Scholarship Fund); Rich Woodall (Artist Alley Comics, Johnny Raygun); Bernie Wrightson (Frankenstein); Kelly Yates (Dr. Who:  A Fairytale Life, Amber Atoms); Thom Zahler (Love and Capes); Chrissie Zullo (Cinderella, Fables).

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

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.

Please take a moment to help us spread this message using the social media links embedded, reposting, or retweeting!

FREEHAND LAUNCHES A NEW DIGITAL MANGA BIOGRAPHY OF FAMED JAPANESE COMEDIAN/ACTOR ROME KANDA AT J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL 2012

The Amazing Life Story Of The Host Of “MAJIDE!? I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW” Debuts As A New Manga App For iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch And Android Devices

San Francisco, CA, August 23, 2012 – The 2012 J-POP Summit Festival welcomes FreeHand Inc. (http://www.f-hand.co.jp/), a leading Tokyo-based comic/manga production companies that specializes in comics planning, production and advertising, to release Samurai Spirit: The Story of Rome Kanda, a new biographical digital manga series about the life of Japanese actor/comedian Rome Kanda. The annual pop culture celebration, now in its fourth year and presented in association with the Japantown Merchants Association, will be held across San Francisco’s Japantown district on Saturday, August 25^th and Sunday, August 26^th.

Samurai Spirit: The Story of Rome Kanda is available NOW for Android-enabled devices (Download at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freehand.SamuraiSpiritEN_01). The First chapter will be available for free download and the following chapters are available for only $1.25 each. Additional chapters will debut in coming weeks. An iTunes version will also debut imminently.

Rome Kanda will also appear as a Guest of Honor at the 2012 J-POP Summit Festival, taking place across San Francisco’s Japantown district on Saturday and Sunday, August 25^th and 26^th. Kanda is scheduled to take the Main Pagoda Stage, located in Japantown’s Peace Plaza, on Saturday, August 25^th at 2:30pm, and Sunday August 26^th at 1:00pm, to be followed by an autograph session at the NEW PEOPLE Tent. Kanda will also do a fun samurai performance on the stage with audience members. For more details, please visit: www.j-pop.com.

“I’m very honored by the U.S. release of my new digital manga biography, Samurai Spirit,” says Rome Kanda. “The digital manga format is a compelling way to tell my life story and experiences working in both the U.S. and Japanese entertainment industries on hit international shows like MAJIDE!?: I Survived a Japanese Game Show and Unbeatable Banzuke. I hope readers will enjoy my insights and have some laughs at the many funny experiences I’ve had.”

Rome Kanda started in show business as an actor and went on to appear in numerous films and T.V. shows in Japan before eventually moving to the United States. He gained further notoriety after he began doing comedy routines at venues like LA’s iconic Comedy Store. Kanda was later cast as the MC for the reality series, I Survived a Japanese Game Show, which ran in the United States in 2008 on ABC and followed a group of American contestants as they tried their luck on a quirky Japanese TV game show. The show ran for two seasons and was awarded The Rose d’Or (Golden Rose) at The Global Entertainment Television Festival, which is one of the most important international events for entertainment television. Kanda was also known as the manic host of the hit G4 television series, Unbeatable Banzuke, and he has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Saturday Night Live and was featured in films including Takeshi Kitano’s Sonatine and The Informant, which was directed by Steven Soderbergh and starred Matt Damon.

Kanda’s amazing life experiences are depicted in Samurai Spirit: The Story of Rome Kanda. The series features artwork by Sho Wakasa and is produced by Ryo Kurashina, who is well-known in the Japanese manga industry for bestselling series such as Jo-Tei (Empress), Ya-Oh (King of Night) and Jo-Oh (Queen of Queens).

About FreeHand, Inc.
Based in Tokyo, Japan, FreeHand Inc. (http://www.f-hand.co.jp/) is one of the leading comic/manga production companies that specializes in comics planning, production and advertisement. The company is owned by Ryo Kurashina, a creator and producer of bestselling manga series such as Jo-Tei (Empress), Ya-Oh (King of Night) and Jo-Oh (Queen of Queens). Samurai Spirit: The Story of Rome Kanda is FreeHand’s first manga title to be released in English for the worldwide market.

About J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL

The J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL is an annual Japanese Pop Culture celebration that features live bands and artists from Japan, pop culture panel discussions, film premieres, fashion and DJ dance events, and celebrity appearances. The Festival is hosted by NEW PEOPLE in cooperation with the Japantown Merchants Association. In 2011, the two-day event attracted 55,000 attendees. More information about the J-Pop Summit Festival is available at J-Pop.com

###

IMAGE COMICS REPRINTS IN SEPTEMBER

Issues of HARVEST, REVIVAL, and SAGA get new printings

HARVEST #1 Sells Out

Image Comics/Shadowline debut issue gets 2nd printing

The debut issue of HARVEST by A.J. Lieberman (COWBOY NINJA VIKING, TERM LIFE) and Colin Lorimer, a new mini-series from Image Comics/Shadowline depicting the underworld of the illegal organ market, has sold out and will be reprinted. The second printing of HARVEST #1 (JUL128128) will be in stores on September 19.

Originally released on August 1, HARVEST #1 follows disgraced surgeon Benjamin Dane as he falls under the power of the criminal syndicate that runs the organ black market and then decides to fight his way out — by taking back one organ at a time.

HARVEST #2 will be in stores on September 5.

REVIVAL GETS TWO MORE REPRINTS

New printings of issues #1 and #2 in stores in September

REVIVAL, the new "rural noir" Image Comics series by Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH) and Mike Norton (Battlepug), has the second issue has sold out at the distribution level the week of its release. A second printing (JUL128006) will be in stores on September 19.

REVIVAL #1 also sold out of its first and second printings, and a third printing (JUL128088) has also been scheduled to be in stores on September 19, the same day as REVIVAL #3.

Called "an unexpected windfall that evokes an uncomfortable feeling, piques interest and taunts curiosity" by Comic Book Resources, REVIVAL explores what happens in a small Wisconsin town after the dead rise — not to devour the living, but to simply return to their lives.

SAGA CONTINUES TO SELL OUT

Issue #6 gets second printing in September

The sixth issue of SAGA closes the runaway bestseller's first arc on a strong note, as it has sold out and will receive a second printing. Every issue of the science fiction/fantasy epic by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples has sold out and received at least one reprint; SAGA #1 is on its fifth printing.

SAGA #6's second printing (JUL128120) is available for pre-order now and will be in stores on September 12. The series' first trade paperback (AUG120491), collecting the first six issues, will be in stores on October 10.

# # #

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.

A CITY OF TERROR IN BEDLAM

New series by Spencer and Rossmo from Image Comics

Berkeley, CA - August 23, 2012 -- BEDLAM, the new Image Comics series by Nick Spencer (MORNING GLORIES, THIEF OF THIEVES) and Riley Rossmo (GREEN WAKE, DEBRIS), is set in a city that has been terrorized by a maniacal killer and crime boss called Madder Red.

The killer has been rehabilitated and has reclaimed his given name, Filmore Press, but the city of Bedlam is still soaked with the blood and madness he left in his wake.

"It's a scary world these characters live in. A desperate one. It's brutal what we put them through," says writer Spencer. "The shocks aren't confined to the last page, they're peppered throughout. There are a lot of 'shift in your seat uncomfortably' moments. You don't get Riley Rossmo to draw your book and not heap on the horror and violence."

Rossmo's art is in a moody wash of muted tones, with shocks of stark red.

"Bedlam's art is pulling a bit stylistically from my last three books," said Rossmo. "I'm trying for a cleaner line, lots of spotted blacks, and strong well-designed color palettes. The Film 'M' and David Mazzucchelli are big visual influences. I'm super-happy with the pages I've finished so far."

BEDLAM's first issue is to be released on Halloween, and the creative team anticipate that it will be the first of many.

"There's a long-form, big commitment story here, that we will hopefully tell for years to come," said Spencer. "It's like Morning Glories in that sense. The book's not going to be around a little while then vanish. The goal here is to build a mythology around a modern American metropolis, with Madder Red as our guide. It's exhilarating, starting down the path of something like this."

At 48 pages, BEDLAM #1 (AUG120461) is a double-sized introduction to a cityscape of murder, mayhem and mystery with a cover by Frazer Irving (Xombi) . It is available for pre-order now.

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.

Steve Conley Kickstarts his BLOOP Webcomic Graphic Novel at the Baltimore Comic-Con

  

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 23, 2012 - Cartoonist and friend of the Baltimore Comic-Con Steve Conley (Star Trek, Escapist, Astounding Space Thrills) has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help produce the first print collection of his webcomic graphic novel BLOOP. 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steveconley/bloop-part-one-deluxe-oversized-hardcover

 

BLOOP is the all-ages story of a little green space monkey who is looking to find the perfect tree. Along the way, he makes some friends and finds that not only his tree but the entire planet is threatened by robots bent on tearing the world apart.

 

Attendees of the Baltimore Comic-Con will be able to see preview art from the book and a Baltimore Comic-Con exclusive print will be available.

 

In addition to being an accomplished cartoonist (Steve has won an Eagle Award and received nominations for the both the Eisner and Harvey Awards), Steve has been a longstanding contributor to the Baltimore Comic-Con since its very first year. Steve designed the Baltimore Comic-Con's initial logo and helps with the design and graphics of the show to this day. Steve's space monkey BLOOP was even the mascot of the Baltimore Comic-Con for a few years.

 

Steve has been a good friend to the Baltimore Comic-Con and we hope you'll take a look at his Kickstarter and consider backing it.

 

The Kickstarter launched on August 14, 2012 and will run until 8pm ET on September 17, 2012.

 

The BLOOP collection will showcase the first chapter of the story and will be a giant 10 inches x 15 inches. The book will have a case-bound, hardback cover with a golden foil stamp and a full-color, wraparound dust jacket. The interior will be 28-pages of full-color printing on thicker, 100# satin text paper.

 

 

The KICKSTARTER URL:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steveconley/bloop-part-one-deluxe-oversized-hardcover

 

THE BLOOP WEB SITE:

http://bloopstree.com/

 

This year's confirmed guests for the show including: Guest of Honor, Stan "The Man" Lee (Saturday only!); Neal Adams (First X-Men, Baman:  Odyssey); Jason Adams (Sculptor); Josh Adams (Doctor Who, Sherlock); Dave Aikins (SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer children's books illustrator); Ken Bald (Golden Age Timely/Marvel Artist); Marty Baumann (Pixar artist); Brian Bolland (Dial H, Cover Story: The DC Comics Art of Brian Bolland); Tom Brevoort (Avengers); Harold Buchholz (Archie Comics); Mark Buckingham (Fables, Doctor Who); Jim Calafiore (Secret Six); Frank Cammuso (Knights of the Lunch Table, Otto's Orange Day); Greg Capullo (Batman, Spawn); Richard Case (Artist Alley Comics, Doom Patrol); Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales); Bernard Chang (DC Comics Presents, War of the Green Lanterns); Jo Chen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight - Saturday only!); Sean Chen (Steel, Avengers Academy, Voltron); Jim Cheung (Avengers vs. X-Men, AVX VS., Spider-Men);Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (Avengers vs. X-Men, Liberty Meadows); Mike Choi (Fantastic Four, Demon Knights, Captain Atom); Steve Conley (Bloop webcomic www.bloopstree.com); Amanda Conner (Before Watchmen:  Silk Spectre); Geof Darrow (Shaolin Cowboy); Lar deSouza (Looking For Group, Least I Could Do); Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts); Dan Didio (O.M.A.C.); Eryk Donovan (SEQAPUNCH anthology, 'Ringo Scholarship Recipient); Joe Eisma (Morning Glories); Garth Ennis (The Shadow, Hellblazer, Preacher, The Boys); Rich Faber (Roboy Red); Ray Fawkes (One Soul); Joshua Hale Fialkov (I, Vampire, Echoes, Last of the Greats); David Finch (Batman:  The Dark Knight); Anthony Fleecs (In My Lifetime); Francesco Francavilla (The Black Beetle, Swamp Thing, Captain America and Black Widow); Franco (Tiny Titans, Superman Family Adventures); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); SL Gallant (G.I. Joe); Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman); Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar); Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!); Dan Green (Amazing Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Legion of Super-Heroes); Randy Green (Artist Alley Comics, Witchblade); Brad Guigar (Evil Inc.); Gene Ha (Justice League); Larry Hama (G.I. Joe, Wolverine, The 'Nam); Cully Hamner (Action Comics); Scott Hanna (Green Lantern Corps); Dean Haspiel (Billy Dogma, ACT-I-VATE, Trip City); Eric Henson (Perhapanauts : Danger Down Under); Greg Horn (Max Payne, Avengers DK, Avengers Academy); Jason Horn (Ninjasaur); Jamal Igle (KISS, Supergirl, The Ray); Chris Ivy (Hero Comics, Army of Darkness); J.G. Jones (Wanted, Doc Savage); Justin Jordan (Shadowman), Chris Kemple (Artist Alley Comics, Negative Burn); Denis Kitchen (Kitchen Sink Press); Barry Kitson (Captain America, Iron Man, Fantastic Four); Roger Langridge (Snarked, Popeye, The Muppets, Thor the Mighty Avenger); Greg LaRocque (Web of Spider-Man, The Avengers, Legion of Super Heroes); Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon); Janet Lee (Return of the Dapper Men); Norman Lee (Uncanny X-Men, New Mutants, Wolverine and the X-Men); Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Justice League Dark, Animal Man, Essex County); Paul Levitz (DC Comics, Legion of Super Heroes); Joe Linsner (Dawn); David Mack (Kabuki); Kevin Maguire (World's Finest); Mark Mariano (Happyloo); Laura Martin (Avengers vs. X-Men, Captain America, 100 Penny Press: The Rocketeer); Ron Marz (Artifacts, Voodoo); Bob McLeod (DC Comics Presents: Wonder Woman); Carla Speed McNeil (Finder); Pop Mhan (Gears of War, Blank, Ender's Game); Mark Morales (Avengers vs. X-Men); Dave Nestler (Salem's Daughter: The Haunting, Grimm Fairy Tales); Jamar Nicholas (Leon: Protector of the Playground); Cary Nord (X-O Manowar, Conan); Jimmy Palmiotti (All-Star Western); Dan Parent (Archie, Veronica, Kevin Keller); Dan Parsons (Star Wars artist); Andrew Pepoy (Fables, The Simpsons, Simone & Ajax); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brandon Peterson (Uncanny X-Men, Ultimates Comics Ultimates); Khoi Pham (X-Men); Paul Pope (THB, Adventure Time); Eric Powell (The Goon); Brian Pulido (Lady Death); Frank Quitely (All Star Superman, Batman & Robin); Mike Raicht (Stuff of Legend, Infestation: G.I. Joe, Dark Shadows); Tom Raney (Suicide Squad, Incredible Hulk, Avengers Academy); Joe Rivera (Daredevil); Paolo Rivera (Daredevil); John Romita, Jr. (Avengers Vs. X-Men); Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge); Craig Rousseau (Perhapanauts, Marvel Super-Heroes); Joe Rubinstein (Agent Marc Sanders, Green Hornet Golden Age Remastered); Andy Runton (Owly); Christophe Ryder (Dames in the Atomic Age); Scott Christian Sava (The Dreamland Chronicles); Alex Saviuk (STAN LEE's MIGHTY 7); Stuart Sayger (Infestation 2: 30 Days of Night One-Shot); Matteo Scalera (Secret Avengers, Irredeemable, Valen the Outcast, Wolverine & the X-Men); Louise Simonson (Rocketeer Adventures, Power Pack); Walter Simonson (Thor, Legion of Super-Heroes, Avengers); Ryan Sohmer (Looking For Group, Least I Could Do); Scott Snyder (Batman, Severed, Swamp Thing); John K. Snyder III (Zorro Rides Again); Nicky Soh (LIQUID CITY, 'Ringo Scholarship Recipient); Mark Sparacio (Liberty Girl, Omega Paradox, Jonah Hex); Jim Starlin (Infinity Gauntlet, Dreadstar, Captain Marvel); Brian Stelfreeze (ICE); Roger Stern (Hulk Smash Avengers, The Captain America Corps); Paul Storrie (Twisted Journeys, Sheena: Queen of the Jungle); Karl Story (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9); Peter Tomasi (Batman and Robin); Herb Trimpe (G.I. Joe, Wolverine); Tim Truman (Hawken, Grimjack); Billy Tucci (A Child Is Born, Shi); Fred Van Lente (Archer & Armstrong), Robert Venditti (X-O Manowar, Surrogates); Neil Vokes (Flesh And Blood, The Dark Forest); Dave Wachter (Night of 1000 Wolves); Matt Wagner (Tower Chronicles, Mage, Grendel); Mark Waid (Daredevil, Incorruptible, Irredeemable); Matt Webb (Flesh and Blood, John Byrne's Next Men, Zombie Tales); Matt Wieringo ('Ringo Scholarship Fund); Rich Woodall (Artist Alley Comics, Johnny Raygun); Bernie Wrightson (Frankenstein); Kelly Yates (Dr. Who: A Fairytale Life, Amber Atoms); Thom Zahler (Love and Capes); Chrissie Zullo (Cinderella, Fables).

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

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.

Please take a moment to help us spread this message using the social media links embedded, reposting, or retweeting!

THE WALKING DEAD #100 & 101 GET NEW PRINTINGS

Fans of Robert Kirkman's THE WALKING DEAD will get more of the unfolding image that spreads across the covers of the six issue of the "Something to Fear" story arc, as issues #100 and #101 get new printings with new covers by Charlie Adlard.

The second printing of THE WALKING DEAD #101 (JUL128121), which follows the survivors' reactions to the shocking events of the landmark hundredth issue of the series, is available to order now, as the first printing of the issue has sold out. The second printing will be in stores on September 12.

A third printing of THE WALKING DEAD #100 is being prepared to go to press as remaining copies second printing quickly sell through.

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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 and he formed his own imprint there, Skybound, in 2010.  Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, The Astounding Wolf-Man, 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 and in April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. 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. AMC is developing Thief of Thieves as a  potential series with Kirkman serving as creator/executive producer and writer. www.Skybound.com is your destination for all news and merchandise for Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles.

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.