NBM Is Going To SPX and Bringing Stan Mack, Brooke A. Allen and ABELARD!

Next weekend, you can find some of the most prestigious names in comics at the 2012 Small Press Expo (aka SPX).
Unlike many conventions that are geared toward pop culture or corporately owned comics, SPX was created in 1994 to promote artists and publishers who produce independent comics. SPX hosts an annual festival that provides a forum for artists, writers and publishers of comic art in its various forms to present to the public comic art not normally accessible through normal commercial channels.
It's one of NBM's favorite shows and this year we're proud to bring with us both two talented cartoonists and the debut of our newest title (six weeks before street date!)
Stan Mack will bring his new book, Taxes, The Tea Party and Those Revolting Rebels: A History in Comics of the American Revolution and will be signing throughout the weekend.

A cartoonist de-mythologizes the Founding Fathers and makes them more 'like us'"says The New York Times. Uncannily relevant to today'’s world. Learn about the original revolt against taxes: the Boston Tea Party, and the original Occupy movement: the Rebels in revolt against the status quo. A whimsical and informative pictorial history featuring a chubby, insecure King George III, rebellious and misunderstood colonists, loudmouthed and insensitive aristocrats, and more. Updated from the original "Stan Mack’s Real Life American Revolution" published by Avon books in 1994 .

Stan will be appearing at the NBM booth throughout the weekend and can also be found on Sunday at the 4:00 PM panel, Images of America: Real and Imagined
 at the White Flint Auditorium alongside Nick Abadzis Dean Haspiel and Ben Towle. Isaac Cates will lead these four artists in a conversation about images of place in comics.

Also joining the festivities is Brooke A. Allen, creator of A Home For Mister Easter, which remains one of comics' strongest debuts in the last few years.

Tesana has never really fit into anything before but her daydreams. But when making an attempt to connect to her peers by joining in a pep rally planning committee she suddenly discovers a little white rabbit that lays brightly colored eggs. Realizing that she may have found the real life Easter bunny, Tesana embarks on an epic quest in an effort to get him back to his natural habitat and into safe hands. However as she progresses on her fanciful journey she gains more and more undesired attention until the quest becomes an increasingly madcap race to stay ahead of greedy pursuers and find a safe place for her new friend…wherever that place may be. It's Tesana against the world!

If you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to pick up a copy at the show.
And finally, we will be premiering Abelard, from artist Renaud Dillies and writer Régis Hautière!

The charm of Renaud Dillies strikes again: after the mouse of Bubbles and Gondola, here is another dreamer, little chick Abelard. To lure pretty Epily, Abelard sees only one solution: to catch the moon for her! So off he goes to America, the country which invented flying machines. Armed with his banjo and his proverb-sharing hat, he launches out on the country roads, meets Gypsies, then Gaston, a grumpy bear with whom he will share a good bit of his way… As opposed to dreamer Abelard, Gaston has his feet firmly planted on the ground. With this funny animal road-movie where the absurd becomes poetry, Régis Hautière and Renaud Dillies offer us another small jewel.

Throughout SPX, NBM can be found at tables A8-A9. For further details, visit the SPX website, www.spxpo.com

 Baltimore Comic-Con Kicks Off Tomorrow!

 

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - September 7, 2012 - The 13th Annual Baltimore Comic-Con kicks-off tomorrow morning, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center! The show floor will open at 10:00 am, but box offices will be open as early as 7:30 am.

Here are a few last-minute reminders for attendees: 

•  Be sure to arrive early, as lines to enter when the show floor opens will begin to form early.
• If you want to buy a paper ticket, line up and enter outside of the doors facing Charles Street.
• If you already have a ticket, line up and enter outside of the doors facing Pratt Street.
• If you are a VIP ticket holder, enter through the doors facing Pratt Street and proceed to the VIP ticket holder booth.
• If you are an exhibitor, retailer, or guest, enter the lobby through the doors facing Pratt Street and proceed to your respective registration booth.
• All attendees need to bring their receipt from their online ticket purchase and a photo ID and follow directions of staff members to guide them to the proper lines where their receipts will be collected and wristbands issued.
• Those who purchased the Stan Lee VIP Packages should go the Will Call booth to attain their packages.
• The 4th Annual Costume Contest will be held on Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 1:00 pm. Registration will begin as soon as the show opens at 10:00 am. Contest Registration forms will be handed out at all ticket booths for all patrons interested in entering the costume contest to further speed the registration process. Over-17 registration will cost $5. Under-17 registration will be free.
• Be sure to follow us on Twitter (hashtag #bcc2012) and Facebook for all the latest updates and announcements throughout the show.

Regretfully, we have to announce that a few of our guests have had to cancel their trip to the show. Michael and Laura Allred, Keith Giffen, Mark McKenna, Sean Gordon Murphy, Scott Kurtz, Alex Saviuk, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Connor, and Laura Martin will all unfortunately be unable to make it this year's event.

Full Guest List

A complete list of confirmed guests for this year's Baltimore Comic-Con can be found here.

Fourth Annual Costume Contest at the Baltimore Comic-Con - UPDATED
The 4th Annual Costume Contest will be held on Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 1:00 pm. With $1,000 up for grabs for the best overall costume and prizes for each of the 10 categories, this is one event all of you cosplayers don't want to miss! For more information and a complete list of categories, visit our website's Costume Contest page.

Harvey Tickets Still Available

Time is running out, but there is still an opportunity to attend the party! Join our MC Phil LaMarr, nominees, presenters, Stan Lee, and other fans at the Harvey Awards Banquet! Tickets available until Wednesday at baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards.
 

Save the Date! Baltimore Comic-Con 2013!

That's right! Mark your calendars now for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con, which will take place the weekend of September 7-8, 2013 at the Baltimore Convention Center, and we'll see YOU in Baltimore!

Twitter Hashtag
 Will you be tweeting this year from the show floor? Make sure you use the #BCC2012 hashtag! See what the latest news and excitement at the 2012 Baltimore Comic-Con is about by tracking #BCC2012!

Attending the Baltimore Comic-Con? Show your support online!

Simply change your social network (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.) avatar pictures to the "See You in Baltimore!" image and let the world know you're attending the show!

  

The latest developments can always be found at 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 7 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 8th.

ONI PRESS PROMOTES GEORGE ROHAC TO DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Critically acclaimed, creator-centric graphic novel publishing house Oni Press, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of George Rohac to Director of Business Development.

“George has pushed the company since the day he arrived,” said Publisher, Joe Nozemack. “He spearheaded our scheduling initiative that hasn’t missed a ship date in over a year and helped work with every team to help revolutionize how we operated. He was also a key factor in establishing our relationships with Penny Arcade, Inc. and Double Fine Productions, Inc.”

“In mid 2011 he [George] started approaching me with ideas for titles and partners to reach out to. I let him go at it and he came back with creators and companies that we’re overjoyed to be working with.” said Editor-In-Chief, James Lucas Jones.

The promotion includes a relocation to the East coast in order to facilitate further opportunities the company is working on. This will take place in mid-November.

“Working at Oni Press has been a dream come true. The company and it’s staff are dedicated to seeing creators earn from their work, more than anyone else in the industry,” said the newly promoted Oni Press Director of Business Development. “While I will miss Portland, moving back to the East Coast will better assist my duties in developing new ways to make our creators and the company more profitable in the long term.”

Founded in 1997, Oni Press, Inc. is a leading publisher of creator-owned comics and graphic novels. No content to focus on any one genre or format, Oni Press believes that sequential art is for everyone and that there’s a comic out there for every type of reader.

SPECIMEN: When the experiment ends, the terror begins!
Kickstarter campaign to fund the game is launched
(Chicago, IL- September 4^th 2012) RPG sound effect pioneers Toxic Bag Productions announced today the beginning of their Kickstarter campaign focused on the creation of their unique horror board game SPECIMEN. The small business began as a way to bring a more cinematic experience to tabletop gaming via sound effects; this new creation is the next stage of evolution for the company. In that same vein, live action photos are now accenting their fright filled card-driven ride into Deep Space where players can take the role of crew or space alien. Rewards range from basic copies of the game to naming the rival corporation in the story. Visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/toxicbag/specimen-board-game to donate to the kickstarter. “This was a game that I really wanted to play, and it wasn't out there. So we decided to make it,” explained Steve Baldwin, creator of SPECIMEN. “The game has been extensively playtested for three years. Fans from all over love it and people have routinely asked to buy our demo copies. The game is ready. It's time to unleash SPECIMEN onto the world. And with your help, we can do that!”
The Story of Specimen:
Deep Space – Echo Quadrant 3H-8– The fully loaded commercial freighter TCS Brown, its seven-member crew in suspended animation, is making the return run to Earth. In the cargo hold lies Dr. Viktor, also in suspended animation, and the mysterious specimen containers that came on board with him.  Awoken from their slumber to repair the damage caused by a meteor collision, the crew discover to their horror that Dr. Viktor has been killed and one of the mysterious specimens has been let loose as a result of the damage…and it is a life form that will stop at nothing to survive. The seven astronauts have only the tools and resources on board to subdue and kill an organism never before encountered. An organism that evolves quickly into a nearly-unstoppable predator. Now, a simple repair job becomes a desperate struggle for survival.
SPECIMEN is a card-driven two-player game. Each turn comprises four action rounds, where each player can perform one of several possible game actions. The Specimen’s movements are hidden from the Crew player behind a game screen, and the Specimen’s location is only revealed when the Specimen attacks…or if the crew is lucky (or unlucky) enough to find it!

Watch the teaser trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm5GBzjVjjo
Follow us on twitter at https://twitter.com/Toxicbag_GamesFriend us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/toxicbagDonate to our kickstarter at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/toxicbag/specimen-board-game
About Toxic Bag Productions: It was the mid-90s. We were playing our games. We had the visual aids – the maps, the props. We had the soundtrack to the GM’s favorite horror movie playing in the background, when it suddenly hit us: hey, we’re sound designers, we oughta be able to make this game more cinematic with some sound effects. So, after all the characters were dead or insane, we headed down to the studio to see what we could come up with. In 1996 our groundbreaking line of sound effects CDs introduced game masters across all role-playing genres to the possibilities of adding ambience to their games with sound and music. Toxic Bag- PL►YTIME is here.

Wizard World To Debut Oregon Comic Con, February 22-24, 2013, In Portland

‘Boondock Saints’ Stars Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery, David Della Rocco, Superstar Artist Greg Horn First Guests Announced for Premiere Wizard World Event At Oregon Convention Center

NEW YORK and PORTLAND, Ore., September 6, 2012 – Wizard World, Inc. (PK.WIZD) today announced the latest addition to its schedule of pop culture conventions as Wizard World Oregon Comic Con will debut, February 22-24, 2013, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.  The trio of Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco, who starred in the cult classic The Boondock Saints, and superstar artist Greg Horn (“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” “X-Force”) are the first special guests scheduled to attend.

Additional celebrities, artists, exhibitors and other attractions will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We are thrilled to be adding Wizard World Oregon Comic Con to our 2013 schedule of events and introduce a new region to our exciting shows,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO.  “The city of Portland and Oregon Convention Center are a great fit, and the timing is ideal on the convention calendar.”

Wizard World Oregon Comic Con is currently the first event on the 2013 Wizard World slate, which also includes shows in Philadelphia (May 30 - June 2) and Chicago (August 8-11), with dates for others to be determined.  The 2012 schedule continues this month in Columbus, Ohio (Sept. 28-30), Austin, Texas (Oct. 26-28) and New Orleans (Nov. 30 – Dec. 2).

Wizard World Oregon Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Show hours are Friday, February 22, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, February 23, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, February 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-oregon.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2012-13 DATES *****
September 28-30, 2012 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 26-28, 2012 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
November 30 - December 2, 2012 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
February 22-24, 2013 – Wizard World Oregon Comic Con
May 30 - June 2, 2013 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 8-11, 2013 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

The British Embassy Joins Forces with the Baltimore Comic-Con to Celebrate 'The British Invasion'

  

 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - September 6, 2012 - Ever wondered where the genius behind many of the favourite comic books in the 1980s came from? Captain America and many other of your favourite comic books were actually enhanced by 'The British Invasion' of the comic book world. The British Embassy in Washington will be celebrating this theme at Baltimore Comic-Con, this weekend, showcasing what is great about the comic book, science-fiction, and creative industries in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
 

The team from the British Embassy will be exhibiting in the lobby of the Baltimore Comic-Con, and its booth will feature images of characters portrayed during the long history of creativity in the UK - from the early days of Doctor Who to the present, to Game of Thrones and British contributions to American creative arts. Come experience why Creativity is GREAT in the UK and to take a fresh look at the longstanding British Invasion of American comics.

James Barbour, Press Secretary, British Embassy, says:

 

"Comic books have long been a part of our culture. We are thrilled that a "British Invasion" theme was chosen for this year's Baltimore Comic-Con, adding to the excitement that the Queen's Jubilee and the London Olympics have brought to the UK this year. Spider-Man, which was one of my favourite comics growing up, is currently and has previously been drawn by British artists, adding to the celebration of American and British comics this weekend."

In the 1980s, a number of British writers and artists started producing work for American comics and brought a fresh take that appealed to fans and critics alike. This has been coined the 'British Invasion'. British creativity in the industry is kept alive today by creators including Brian Bolland, Mark Buckingham, and Barry Kitson. All three will speak on a panel themed around the 'British Invasion.'

 

Notes to Editors

About the British Embassy

The Embassy and our other posts in the US work to develop and sustain the important and long-standing relationship between the UK and the USA. This involves dealing with a wide range of political, commercial, security and economic questions of interest to the UK and the US.

 

The Baltimore Comic-Con has lined up a number of Brits to attend, many speaking on panels about their work and the strength of the British creativity.

 

Scottish comic book artist Frank Quitely will also be taking part in the convention, speaking in his own spotlight panel. In addition, Northern Irish comic book writer Garth Ennis will be the featured participant in a special discussion.

The UK has the largest creative sector per head in the world, and British artists have excelled in the areas of music, computer games, fine art, and film.

TICKETS

Tickets are now available for VIP GOLD, VIP, and General Admission at the Baltimore Comic-Con!

Buy your convention tickets and save time at the show! - http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/
For Harvey Award Tickets - http://baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards/

ComicWow! to Debut at Baltimore Comic-Con

Launch of New Social Media Site Designed With Comic Fans in Mind

  

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - September 6, 2012 - Premiering at this year's Baltimore Comic-Con is ComicWow! This brand new social media site has been created specifically for comic book collectors and enthusiasts. With direct links to industry experts, ComicWow! will provide its users with up-to-the-minute comic news and reviews. Additionally, ComicWow! will feature original content, such as weekly webisodes and exclusive interviews by ComicWow!'s John Qatsha (John Q) with comic artists, writers, and creators.

Signing up is simple and information will be available at the Baltimore Comic-Con exhibit booth. The process begins with creating your own profile page and then connecting with additional users to create your own personal network. With Facebook interfaces, ComicWow! allows its users to share links, videos, and photos with the click of a button. ComicWow! content is uncensored and allows users to sound off their opinions via their own posts, videos, and blogs.

"This is our hometown, so Baltimore Comic-Con is the perfect place to launch ComicWow!.  We are thankful to Marc Nathan and his staff for putting on such a great event," says CEO & Founder Josh Geppi. "As comic lovers ourselves, we have put great thought into exactly the type of fan forum that the industry needs and wants."

With over 3,000 fans on their Facebook page even prior to the official launch, ComicWow! is gaining momentum rapidly with industry professionals already offering their support.

"This was an idea years in the making but now is the perfect time for it to happen," says co-founder Michael Kacala. "And we are really excited to be a Silver Sponsor for this year's Harvey Awards."

ComicWow!'s exhibit at Baltimore Comic Con will allow visitors the opportunity to sign up and be among the first to explore the site.

 Launching later is year will be ComicWow! Marketplace where users can buy and sell items.

For more information visit ComicWow!'s booth #1909 at Baltimore Comic Con and Like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ComicWow.

 

TICKETS

Tickets are now available for VIP GOLD, VIP, and General Admission at the Baltimore Comic-Con!

Buy your convention tickets and save time at the show! - http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/
For Harvey Award Tickets - http://baltimorecomiccon.com/harvey-awards/

TRADING RETAIL HELL FOR ARTISTIC NIRVANA
Sina Grace's NOT MY BAG from Image Comics in October

Berkeley, CA - September 6, 2012 — In October, readers will get a chance to see a little piece of Sina Grace's own personal hell in NOT MY BAG, a new original graphic novel coming from Image Comics on October 10.

Grace is the artist on the indie comics favorite THE LI'L DEPRESSED BOY, written by S. Steven Struble, and was editor of Robert Kirkman's comics until stepping down to pursue a full-time art career. In NOT MY BAG, he chronicles the six months of his life that he spent as a sales associate in an upscale department store. Grace tries to cater to both customers' taste and the demands of his management, all while the ghosts of relationships past haunt him and his artistic dreams wait for the bills to be paid.

"Not My Bag is a celebration of all of my passions: comic books, fashion, and the gothic genre," said Grace. "Image Comics sees what I see in this book, and I'm excited to share something that is my unabashed love letter to funny books... by way of retail hell."

In advance support of his graphic novel, Grace has done interviews with the L.A. Times and Comic Book Resources, and pieces will also be running in The Hollywood Reporter and Newsarama. A preview of NOT MY BAG appears in THE WALKING DEAD #102.

A 96-page, black-and-white graphic novel, NOT MY BAG (AUG120476) will be in stores on October 10. It is available for pre-order now from the August issue of Previews. Review copies are available upon request; please email Jennifer de Guzman at jenniferdeguzman@imagecomics.com.
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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.

IDW, Topps Unveil New York Comic-Con Exclusive Edition of MARS ATTACKS THE HOLIDAYS   San Diego, CA (September 5, 2012) – Commemorating Topps' return to New York Comic-Con, IDW Publishing and Topps today unveiled a New York Comic-Con cover variant of MARS ATTACKS THE HOLIDAYS, a one-shot special spun from the pages of the hit new series! This exclusive edition will be the centerpiece of several exciting promotions planned at the Topps booth (#1761). Other events will include creator signings, promo card giveaways and free live sketch card events with official Topps artists (to be announced). The New York Comic-Con Exclusive Edition of IDW's 48-page holiday special will feature a "Mini-Martians" Groundhog's Day cover by fan-favorite artist Chris Giarrusso. Best known as the creator of Image Comics' G-Man and the Marvel Comics series Mini-Marvels, Giarrusso will also be stopping by the Topps booth throughout the weekend to sign and sketch for fans. This NYCC edition of MARS ATTACKS THE HOLIDAYS will be limited to just 1,000 copies and available only from Topps at booth #1761. To stay up to date on Topps' plans for New York Comic-Con, visit www.facebook.com/MarsAttacks and follow ShopTopps on twitter @shoptopps. 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.

DARK HORSE UNVEILS TYRION STATUE

THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE

GAME OF THRONES^® COLLECTIBLES LINE!

SEPTEMBER 5, MILWAUKIE, OR—When looking for a key moment to immortalize as the second sculptural piece in Dark Horse’s highly coveted line of Game of Thrones collectibles, Dark Horse turned to none other than writer/producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for the most “statueworthy” moment in the then-unaired second season.

The two chose the memorable scene when Tyrion, as portrayed by Peter Dinklage, charges into battle, leading the defense of King’s Landing against an assault by King Stannis Baratheon in the Battle of the Blackwater. They further assisted with special photographic reference taken during filming, expressly for use as sculpture reference for the piece.

“When Dark Horse Deluxe began developing a new line of collectibles based on the HBO^® adaptation of Game of Thrones, we were pleased to discover we had the full attention of all involved, from the team at HBO Global Licensing to the principals steering in the production,” said Dark Horse’s VP of Product Development, David Scroggy. “The Tyrion statue is a benefit of that communication, and we know the fans and collectors will recognize the quality that is the result.”

Dark Horse is currently offering the statue to the trade for advance order. The Tyrion statue will be issued in a limited run, with the final edition size undetermined at press time.

This detailed figure measures approximately 10 inches in height and 9.5 inches across its base, which features Tyrion’s cast-aside helmet and other painstakingly re-created details.

 Hand painted and numbered, the Game of Thrones Tyrion statue will come packaged in a deluxe full-color box.

 Fans of the series can view a “Making of the Tyrion Lannister statue” video on the Dark Horse Blog.

 Look for these statues to arrive in stores on February 20, 2013, with a suggested retail price of $199.99.

 

ADVENTURES IN PLYMPTOONS!

"BILL PLYMPTON IS GOD!" - Matt Groening, Creator of the ‘The Simpsons‘

"IF BILL PLYMPTON IS GOD, “ADVENTURE IN PLYMPTOONS!” IS HEAVEN!” - Morgan Spurlock, Director "Super Size Me" and "Comic Con: A Fan's Hope."

INSIDE THE METHOD AND MADNESS OF THE KING OF INDIE ANIMATION!!

AVAILABLE ON DVD AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

LOS ANGELES (August 21, 2012) – Dubbed as the King of Indie Animation, Bill Plympton is a true innovator. “Bill has an impossible ability to carelessly marry the absurd with the profound,” says actor and “Robot Chicken” creator Seth Green. Internationally recognized for his outrageous and sometimes grotesque style, his distorted characters with bizarre metamorphic transitions combined with loads of adult humor. Plympton still uses the pain-staking process of drawing each of his films by hand, frame by frame with colored pencils. With six animated feature length films under his belt, the only artist to ever conquer that feat, the world of animation would not be the same without the creative mind of Bill Plympton. On September 25, 2012, Cinema Libre Studio will release on DVD and VOD platforms, ADVENTURES IN PLYMPTOONS!, a wild ride with the cult animator and his friends.

A Portland Oregon native, Plympton fell in love with drawing at a young age. As a child he would draw campaign ads for his classmates who were running for student office, which ignited his desire to pursue a career in animation. After graduating college, Plympton moved to New York City where he became an illustrator and had his art featured in publications such as the New Yorker, Playboy, Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. He has continued to create unique images for over 25 years. Plympton is a two-time Academy Award® nominee for his films YOUR FACE in 1987 and for GUARD DOG in 2005.  In 2010, Plympton was also an Oscar contender for two animated films, IDIOTS AND ANGELS and his animated short, THE COW THAT WANTED TO BE A HAMBURGER. Some of his most recognized work includes the morphing heads which appeared on MTV in the late 80s. Plympton has animated music videos for some of the biggest names in music including Kanye West’s Heard Em Say video and Weird Al Yankovic's Don't Download This Song. Plympton has also created the opening sequence for “The Simpsons” episode Beware My Cheating Bart which aired on April 15, 2012.

Directed by Alexia Anastasio, who was a Tribeca Film Institute Grant Recipient, ADVENTURES IN PLYMPTOONS! also won "Best Documentary" at the Indie Talent Awards. Anastasio first met Plympton while volunteering at the Golden Trailer Awards, Plympton flashed his tie at her, which had a picture of a naked lady hidden inside of it. From that point on, Anastasio was hooked, “He really stands out, as someone, who doesn't compromise his vision or, his dream and does what he loves to do everyday. I hope this will inspire others to make their art no matter what!”

ADVENTURES IN PLYMPTOONS! features candid conversations with actors such as Academy Award® winner Keith Carradine (DEXTER), Ed Begley, Jr. (ST. ELSEWHERE), recording artist Moby and Weird Al Yankovic and animated feature film directors, Chris Wedge (ICE AGE) and David Silverman (THE SIMPSONS MOVIE).

SYNOPSIS:

When it comes to independent animators, Bill Plympton is the undisputed king. His illustrations have been featured in The New York Times, The Village Voice, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Penthouse, and National Lampoon. Since 1981, when his political cartoon Plymptoons was syndicated nationally, he has become a major force and inspiration in the animation world. His work is recognized instantly:  he's the guy behind the animated morphing heads, which became famous on MTV, as well as the opening credit sequence for “The Simpsons” episode Beware My Cheating Bart.

Moving into motion pictures, Plympton earned two Academy Award® nominations, has directed and animated over sixty animation shorts, live action features, music videos, commercials and documentaries including: ONE OF THOSE DAYS, HOW TO KISS, 25 WAYS TO QUIT SMOKING, PLYMPTOONS, THE TUNE and MUTANT ALIENS He’s the only artist who has animated six feature length films …all by himself.

ADVENTURES IN PLYMPTOONS! goes deep inside the method and madness of America’s most independent animator, creatively incubated in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.  Interviews with many of Plympton’s collaborators, such as Tom Kenny (voice of SpongeBob SquarePants), David Silverman (Director THE SIMPSONS MOVIE), Terry Gilliam (Writer, MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL), Martha Plimpton (THE GOOD WIFE), Matthew Modine (FULL METAL JACKET), Ed Begley, Jr., Peter Jason, Moby and Weird Al Yankovic, offer candid and comic insights into the irreverent man who has become an international success by not selling out.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

WEBSITE: http://www.plymptoons.com/

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/adventuresinplymptoons

DVD DETAILS:

SRP: $19.95 | TRT: 85 Minutes | Street Date: 9/25/12

UPC: 881394116320 | Catalog: CLS 1163 | Genre: Documentary, Animation

DVD EXTRAS:

• Trailers
• Bill Plympton Day
• “The Toonist”
• Deleted Scenes

ABOUT CINEMA LIBRE STUDIO: Cinema Libre Studio is a leader in distributing social-issue documentaries and features by passionate filmmakers.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, the Cinema Libre team has released over one hundred films including the Sundance Audience Award‐Winning FUEL, THE END OF POVERTY?, and Oliver Stone’s SOUTH OF THE BORDER. The studio is developing John Perkins’ best‐selling memoirs, CONFESSIONS OF AN ECONOMIC HIT MAN, into a major motion picture. For more information and updates, please visit: www.cinemalibrestudio.com| Updates | Facebook | Twitter .

“It’s the best Spider-Man yet.  A brilliant reimagining of an epic franchise. 

I can’t wait to see it again.” – Marlow Stern, Newsweek

“Emma and Andrew are wonderful together.” – Carrie Keagan, VH1

$700 Million Worldwide Box Office Hit Swings onto

Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack and DVD with UltraViolet^™ on Friday, November 9^th

 

Directed by Marc Webb

Starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone

 

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN^™

Loaded with Hours of Bonus Features, Including

90 Minutes of Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries, Deleted Scenes,
Audio Commentary, and More

Blu-ray Exclusive “Amazing Spider-Man Second Screen App” Featuring Full Movie Sync Option with Director’s Notebook Including Additional Interviews, Pre-Visualization Sequences, Production Timeline, and More

Blu-ray 3D^™ Disc Exclusive Bonus Content Includes Interactive

3D 101 with Marc Webb and 3D Scene Progression Reel

 

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (September 4, 2012) – One of the most beloved and iconic super heroes of all time reemerges in THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN^™, debuting on Blu-ray^™/DVD Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D^™ Combo Pack, DVD, and a Limited Edition Gift Set with collectible Spider-Man and Lizard figurines, all with UltraViolet^™, on Friday, November 9^th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  Presented for the first time in at-home 3D, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN tells the story of teenage Peter Parker, who grapples with both high school and amazing super-human crises as his alter-ego Spider-Man battles The Lizard.

Directed by Marc Webb ((500) Days of Summer), THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN stars Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) as Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man, and Emma Stone (The Help) as Gwen Stacy.
The film also features Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) as Dr. Curt Connors, a.k.a. The Lizard, Denis Leary (TV’s “Rescue Me”) as Captain Stacy, Campbell Scott (TV’s “Damages”) as Richard Parker, and Irrfan Khan (Slumdog Millionaire) as Rajit Ratha. Rounding out the all-star cast are Martin Sheen (TV’s “The West Wing”) as Uncle Ben and two-time Academy Award^® winner for Best Actress, Sally Field (Norma Rae, 1979; Places in the Heart, 1984), as Aunt May.

The Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack comes with three discs:

·        Disc one is a Blu-ray containing the feature film, as well as the “Amazing Spider-Man Second Screen App,” which can be used with the Sony Tablet™ S, Xperia Tablet™ S and iPad. The App syncs with the film as it plays in “Timeline” mode and features “Production” mode allowing users to “sling” content from their tablets to the TV screen for a greater and more interactive HD experience. Content includes interviews, storyboards, concept art, pre-visualization sequences, stunt rehearsals, and more.

·        Disc two is a Blu-ray featuring 90 minutes of behind-the-scenes documentaries, taking viewers behind the scenes of the development and direction of the film, casting, costumes, location shoots, visual effects, and more.

·        Disc three is a DVD that includes the feature film, as well as stunt rehearsals and deleted scenes,
The Oscorp Archives, an image gallery featuring production art stills, and audio commentary with director Marc Webb, and producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach.

In addition to the three discs of content in the Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, the Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack contains a fourth disc featuring the film in 3D.  Exclusive to the Blu-ray 3D is also an image progression reel and the “3D 101 with Marc Webb” featurette, providing a look at the 3D techniques used for the film and allowing viewers to toggle through three scenes from the film at different levels of 3D.

The Limited Edition Gift Set, available at select retailers, comes with collectible Spider-Man and Lizard figurines, in addition to the 4-disc Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack.

Synopsis: 

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN™ is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. When Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

Based on the Marvel comic book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN was directed by Marc Webb from the screenplay by James Vanderbilt and Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves, and a story by James Vanderbilt. Stan Lee, Kevin Feige and Michael Grillo served as executive producers, with Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach as producers.

Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Special Features:

Disc 1: 2D Blu-ray feature film

Special Features:

·        The Amazing Spider-Man Second Screen App, including interviews, storyboards, alternate takes, costume tests, pre-visualization sequences and more.  Allows you to “sling" content from your tablet to the TV.

Disc 2: 2D Blu-ray featuring 90 Minutes of Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries, including:

o   Development and Direction

o   Casting

o   Costumes

o   On Location: LA

o   On Stage: Sony Studios

o   On Location: NY

o   Post Production and Release

·         16 Pre-Visualization Sequences

Disc 3: DVD feature film

Special Features:

·        Deleted Scenes

·        Filmmaker Audio Commentary

·        The Oscorp Archives – Production Art Gallery

·        Stunt Rehearsals

Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack Special Features:

All of the 3-Disc Combo Pack Special Features plus…

Disc 1: 3D Blu-ray

·        3D versions of the film

·        3D 101 with Director Marc Webb

·        3D Image Progression Reel

Disc 2: 2D Blu-ray feature film

Disc 3: 2D Blu-ray featuring 90 Minutes of Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries

Disc 4: DVD feature film

Limited Edition Gift Set Special Features:

All of the 4-Disc Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Special Features plus…

·        Collectible Amazing Spider-Man Figurine

·        Collectible Lizard Figurine

The Amazing Spider-Man has a running time of 136 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence.