Mike Baron, Dennis Calero, Katie Cook, Gene Ha, Michael Golden, Konstantin Komardin, Tony Moore, James O'Barr, Wendy and Richard Pini, Chris Roberson and Renee Witterstaetter to Join PHXCC 2014

Phoenix Comicon is proud to announce that comic book artists and writers Mike Baron, Dennis Calero, Katie Cook, Gene Ha, Michael Golden, Konstantin Komardin, Tony Moore, James O'Barr, Wendy and Richard Pini, Chris Roberson and Renee Witterstaetter will be attending Comicon 2014.

Marketing Direcetor Jillian Squires says that, “It is a goal to continue bringing new comics guests year-after-year and we are very happy with this group for Phoenix Comicon 2014.”

Mike Baron is the creator of comic books Badger and Nexus. Published in 1981, Nexus, a superhero and science fiction genre comic book earned Baron two  Eisner Awards and with penciler Steve Rude, six total Esiner Awards for their work on Nexus. Baron had also responsible for The Badger, Ginger Fox, Spyke, Feud, and many other comic book titles.

Dennis Calero is an American comic book artist and illustrator, known for his work on titles X-Factor, Legion of Superheroes and Kolchak. During his time working on Marvel Comics' X-Factor, the title was nominated for the Harvey Award for Best New Series in 2006. In 2009 Dennis Calero received an honorable mention from the Society of Illustrators West for his work on X-Men Noir. Recently, Calero also begun illustrating a webcomic, The Little Green God of Agony for author Stephen King in the 2011 anthology, A Book of Horrors.

Katie Cook is an American comic artist and writer who is best know for her writing for My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Cook has worked on licensed properties for DC and Marvel Comics and is also known for her webcomic, Gronk. She acted as writer behind issues $1-4 of the bestselling My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic comic.

Gene Ha is an American comics artist and writer best known for his work on books such as Top 10 and Top 10: The Forty-Niners. In 1999, Ha began illustrating Top Ten and would draw the series; twelve issues, which ran until 2001. In 1994, he was awarded the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award and has also won four Eisner Awards in 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2008.

Michael Golden is an American comic book artist and writer best known for his work on Marvel Comics' The Micronauts. While his career started in 1977 working for DC Comics on titles Mister Miracle and Batman Family, Golden's is widely known for his work with Marvel Comics in 1978's Micronauts. Other notable titles he has work on at Marvel include Doctor Strange, Howard the Duck and Marvel Fanfare. In the 2000s, Golden would return to DC Comics and draw covers for Superman: The Man of Steel, Vigilante and others.

Tony Moore is an American comic book artist, whose work consists of notable horror and science fiction such as Fear Agent, The Exterminators and The Walking Dead. For his work on the first six issues of The Walking Dead, Moore was nominated for two Eisner Awards in 2004 and 2005.

Konstantin Komardin is an award-winning Russian sequential artist, graphic artist and animator known for his story, Siberian Dreams. His other works includes comics Agent Z, Sit-o-city, Gate of Alice, and Mechanics of Senses. He has also published Veles, Hacker, Max Cooler, Moulin Rouge and Timof for BD magazines. In 2003, Konstantin was awarded the Grand Prize for The Site of Polis at the Moscow Comics Festival.

James O'Barr is an American graphic artist best known for the graphic novel series, The Crow. O'Barr started working on The Crow in 1981 and after several years, the first book in the series was finally released in 1993. The book was adapted into the successful film of the same name in 1994. O'Barr was the second American to be awarded the "Storyteller Award" by the International Comic Festival. Fans will be able to see O'Barr's new graphic novel, Sundown, which will be delivered through the digital medium of the iPhone and iPad.

Wendy and Richard Pini are a husband-and-wife team responsible for creating the well-known Elfquest series of comics, graphic novels and prose works. After Wendy and Richard married in 1972, she started a career as an illustrator, while he took a position at Boston's Charles Hayden Planetarium. In 1978, Wendy launched Elfquest with Richard as co-writer and editor. Elfquest won the 1979 Ed Aprill Award for Best Independent Comic. In addition to Elfquest, Wendy Pini also created two graphic novels based on the TV series Beauty and the Beast and has adapted the Masque of the Red Death into both a graphic novel and web comic in 2007.

Chris Roberson is a science fiction author known in the comics world for his miniseries, Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love, which was released in 2009. Roberson has been a three-time finalist for the World Fantasy Award and twice for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. He won the Sidewise Award for Alternate History Long Form in 2009 for The Dragon's Nine Sons.

Renee Witterstaetter is a writer, editor and publisher known for her work on DC Comics' titles Silver Surfer and Conan the Barbarian as well as Conan Saga for Marvel Comics. She is also the author of "Dying for Action: The Life and Films of Jackie Chan," "The Art of the Barbarian" and "Nick Cardy: The Artist at War." Witterstaetter is currently the President of Little Eva Ink Publishing and Little Eva Ink Toys.

Phoenix Comicon is the signature pop culture experience of the southwest. Comicon is presenting guests and programming for hobbyists by attracting the top segments of the comics, anime, sci-fi, film, tv, and gaming industries. Entering its twelfth year, Phoenix Comicon is expected to draw over 65,000 attendees to its June 5-8, 2014 convention held at the Phoenix Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Downtown Phoenix.

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

ARCHAIA ANNOUNCES ALYSSA MILANO'S CYBER-THRILLER LIMITED SERIES, 'HACKTIVIST'

Cover by Marcus To

December 30,  2013 - Los Angeles, CA - Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, is excited to announce that Alyssa Milano’s HACKTIVIST will debut as a new, four-issue limited series in January. Set in the world of tech entrepreneurs and social media, HACKTIVIST is the story of two friends who operate one of the largest social media firms by day, but by night, use their hacking skills to help important social causes all over the world. That is, until the U.S. government finds out!

“HACKTIVIST brings Archaia back to its roots as our first 2014 series in the imprint to debut in single-issue form,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Imagine if the head of Twitter was also Anonymous. That's the intriguing concept that Alyssa Milano brought to us. We're very excited to bring readers this thriller and deliver Archaia's excellence in production design to the single-issue format. Writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly have crafted a dynamic and authentic story. And it’s fantastic to be working with Marcus To and Ian Herring again. Their work on CYBORG 009 was absolutely incredible.”

“HACKTIVIST combines my love of tech, social media, and philanthropy,” said actress and producer Alyssa Milano (“Charmed,” “Mistresses”). “This idea sprang from my friendship with Jack Dorsey, the creator of Twitter, and my fascination with how one person can single-handedly bring about positive change in the world. It’s a concept I felt Archaia was the right publisher to help me develop. They understood the potential and assembled a great team in Jackson, Collin, Marcus, Ian, and [letterer] Deron [Bennett] to create a story that had no limits. I can’t wait for people to read it!”

WHY WE LOVE IT: From the creative mind of Alyssa Milano, with artist Marcus To (CYBORG 009, HUNTRESS, RED ROBIN), and writers Jackson Lanzing (FREAKSHOW) and Collin Kelly, HACKTIVIST is a fast-paced cyber-thriller about friendship and freedom in a time of war.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT: Fantastic characters and stunning action set pieces, beautifully illustrated by Marcus To and Eisner Award-nominated colorist Ian Herring (JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND).

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Ed Hiccox and Nate Graft are young, brilliant, and the co-founders of YourLife, a social networking company that has changed the way the world stays connected. In secret, these best friends are also “.sve_Urs3lf,” the largest, white-hat hacking group on the planet, exposing information and sparking revolutions across the globe.

HACKTIVIST #1 arrives in comic shops on January 22nd with a cover price of $3.99 under Diamond order code NOV130890. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.

 

ABOUT ARCHAIA ENTERTAINMENT
Archaia (archaia.com) is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 75 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as MOUSE GUARD, RUST, COW BOY, CURSED PIRATE GIRL, GUNNERKRIGG COURT, and ARTESIA. Archaia has also published an entire line of graphic novels in partnership with The Jim Henson Company, including the multiple award-winning JIM HENSON'S TALE OF SAND and such beloved tales as THE DARK CRYSTAL, THE STORYTELLER, and FRAGGLE ROCK. In addition to its partnership with Henson, Archaia has forged creative partnerships with storytellers in all facets of the entertainment industry, resulting in print and digital expansions of such noted properties as BLEEDOUT and HAWKEN (video games), IMMORTALS and PLANET OF THE APES (film), and SPACE: 1999 (television). Alongside these celebrated titles, Archaia has released English translations of numerous renowned foreign titles to much fanfare, including THE KILLER, Sergio Toppi’s SHARAZ-DE: TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS, and THE SECRET HISTORY. In June 2013, Archaia was acquired by BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com). Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent.

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS
Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent. BOOM! Studios is the home of Mike Carey’s SUICIDE RISK, Clive Barker’s NEXT TESTAMENT and HELLRAISER, Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos’ FAIRY QUEST, PLANET OF THE APES, Max Bemis’ POLARITY and Mark Waid’s IRREDEEMABLE. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 GUNS was recently released as a feature film from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ PEANUTS, Jim Davis’ GARFIELD, Cartoon Network’s ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW, Mike Kunkel’s HEROBEAR AND THE KID, and Roger Langridge’s Eisner Award-winning SNARKED. In June 2013, BOOM! acquired Archaia Entertainment (archaia.com). Archaia is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel publisher of MOUSE GUARD, COW BOY, GUNNERKRIGG COURT, RUST, SPERA, JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND, RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN, and many other great titles. In October 2013, BOOM! Studios entered into a unique first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox, giving the studio access to its library of titles and giving the publisher access to Fox's vast catalog of films.

 

BO, PLUSHY GANSTA #1 (of 4)
Writer(s): Pavel Balabanov, Vasily Terentiev
Artist Name(s): Pavel Balabanov
** Cover Artist(s): Pavel Balabanov

Are the legends of Bo, the “teddy bear” gangsta, true?  And, did we just say teddy bear gangsta?! You’re about to find out--when Bo’s girls get nabbed by a rival gang boss, the mysterious and fearsome plushy gangsta is forced into action!  It’s Scarface meets Ted in this over-the-top video game style urban epic.  Also ships with a variant cover by Balabadov!
Bo features an amazing superstar artist in the making, in this first comic work from a Russian video game artist, Pavel Balabanov! From Russia with thug!!
FC/ 28 pgs./2.99 US        On sale Jan. 16th

ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT- Formed in 2010 with the purpose of pooling their collective talents into a single, powerful entity, the members of Action Lab Entertainment have countless years in multimedia publishing, design, and business.  Their first release, Fracture, was successfully funded through Kickstarter and since then they have continued their mission to produce high quality, genre-spanning entertainment.  Since its formation, the accolades for A.L.E continue to build on a daily basis.  Among its more popular titles are all ages material like the Eisner, Glyph, Shel Dorf Award nominated series PRINCLESS, NFL RUSHZONE (based on the Nickelodeon Television series), Jamal Igle's MOLLY DANGER, Artist/ Writer Jeremy Dale’s hit series SKYWARD, and Gale Middleton’s (My Little Pony, The Littlest Pet Shop) monstrously adorable VAMPLETS. Action Lab’s Mature Readers imprint ACTION LAB DANGER ZONE continues to push the envelope of comics entertainment with titles as varied as EHMM THEORY and Dan Mendoza’s over the top horror-comedy ZOMBIE TRAMP, THE FINAL PLAGUE and BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA.

Rocky & Bullwinkle Are Back!

All New Adventures Featuring Your Favorite Moose and Squirrel Team
 

San Diego, CA (December 30, 2013) – Jay Ward’s The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show™, was known for its wry humor, quality writing, and appeal to both adults and children.  Now, in partnership with Bullwinkle Studios and DreamWorks Animation, IDW Publishing will keep that tradition alive through the magic of comic books with the release of Rocky & Bullwinkle this March.

This Rocky & Bullwinkle series will be brought to life by a creative team that is truly one for the books!  Best known for his humor work, Eisner-winner Mark Evanier (Groo the Wanderer, Garfield and Friends) is a natural fit as the series writer, while the incomparable Roger Langridge (The Muppet Show, Popeye) provides pitch-perfect interior art, and fan-favorite Stephanie Buscema (My Little Pony, Powerpuff Girls) brings her unique style to the not-to-be-missed variant covers.

“I grew up, to the extent I grew up, on these characters,” says Mark Evanier, “I watched ROCKY AND HIS FRIENDS™ the first day it was on and I got a lot of my sense of humor, such as it is, from those cartoons.  (I was going to say, ‘I was watching it before I was old enough to get all the jokes, but I'm still catching on to what some of them mean.’)”

"Rocky and Bullwinkle wasn't shown in New Zealand when I was growing up, but I was familiar with the comics,” says Roger Langridge, “I particularly love the newspaper strip work of Al Kilgore—his design sense and crisp line are just breathtaking to look at. I'm having to work hard to make sure my art doesn't suffer too much by comparison. It's been a real education to go back to the source and find out where those connections lie."

“My dad, Jay Ward, would be delighted as he was always a huge comic book fan,” says Tiffany Ward daughter of Jay Ward and President of Ward Productions Inc. “It is so exciting to work with IDW Publishing on these new and wonderful releases that will carry on the comic legacy of his characters! It is certainly a special treat for myself and the fans.”

Each issue will be a self-contained story featuring your favorite Rocky & Bullwinkle characters in all-new antics, as well as contain a supporting Dudley Do-Right story, just like the original show. Get ready, because the madcap adventures are about to start!!! But beware, Snidely Whiplash, Boris Badenov, and Natasha Fatale are always lurking…

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: HYRULE HISTORIA IS TOPS FOR 2013!

ZELDA LANDS #6 ON AMAZON’S YEAR-END LIST

December 26, MILWAUKIE, OR—In a monumental year for entertainment, Dark Horse Comics has secured its place in video-game-art history with The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia™, which charted in the top ten as one of 2013’s best-selling books globally. 

In February, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia soared to the top of the Nielsen BookScan charts, making it the #1 book in America.

In addition, the book reached #1 on the Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestseller lists. Dark Horse announced a record print run, with the number continuing to grow as The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia dominated orders in the UK, China, Italy, Spain, and Canada.

“We knew this book was going to be one of the highlights of the year before it even hit catalogs,” said Dark Horse’s president and publisher, Mike Richardson, “but no one could have predicted the unprecedented success and acclaim this book has received. Hyrule Historia has earned a place in the Dark Horse history books!”

This handsome hardcover contains never-before-seen concept art, the full history of Hyrule, the official chronology of the games, and much more! Starting with an insightful introduction by the legendary producer and video-game designer of Donkey Kong™, Mario™, and The Legend of Zelda™, Shigeru Miyamoto, this book is crammed full of information about the storied history of Link™’s adventures from the creators themselves! As a bonus, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia includes an exclusive comic by the foremost creative team of The Legend of Zelda manga—Akira Himekawa!

The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia is a must-have for any Legend of Zelda fan!

Praise for The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia:

“Perfect for Zelda fans and appealing to gaming historians, Zelda: Hyrule Historia is a shelf worthy piece of non-fiction about a great fiction.”—Newsarama

“With the full gamut of chronology on full display and a nearly ridiculous amount of history and artwork to sift through, this collection is huge and exhausting. It’s also well worth it, as this guide is the only one in its existence that could gather so many facts about such a beloved series and make it as terrific looking as it is.”—EGM Now

“Hyrule Historia fulfills on its premise: a history of Hyrule, the wonderful, legendary world we’ve been falling in love with again and again since 1987. If you’re looking for the latest collector’s piece to celebrate your love for the franchise, look no further: Hyrule Historia is it.”—IGN

“The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia is a work of love for all Zelda fans. The creative team really wanted to give something back to the people on the 25th Anniversary of the franchise and with this book they nailed it. With tons of concept art, an official timeline, insight into the creative process, and a wonderful comic, this book is one that any Zelda fan will find worthwhile. If you like Zelda, buy it.”—Weekly Crisis

Look for this highly sought-after release at your local comic shop or bookstore today! Order online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Things From Another World!

 ***

ARCHAIA CASTS A SPELL WITH
'AN AURORA GRIMEON STORY:
WILL O' THE WISP'

 
  

December 26,  2013 - Los Angeles, CA - Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, is thrilled to announce AN AURORA GRIMEON STORY: WILL O’ THE WISP, an original graphic novel debuting in January. From the creative team of writer Tom Hammock and artist Megan Hutchison (who both work as film production designers) comes an eerie mystery filled with danger, Hoodoo, and murder, and featuring a beautiful package design that includes a diary-like clasp.

“We’re very happy to debut Archaia’s 2014 line of original graphic novels with WILL O’ THE WISP,’ said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Tom and Megan have created an engaging, supernatural tale complete with a smart protagonist, a spooky setting, and even a pet raccoon named Missy! Combined with Archaia’s high production values, we’re very proud to start the new year with such a beautiful title.”

After her parents’ accidental death by mushroom poisoning, young Aurora Grimeon is sent to live with her estranged grandfather on Ossuary Isle, a fog-covered island of graves set deep in the southern swamps. There she will meet the sinister residents who care for the tombstones and mausoleums, living out their lives by the strange rules of Hoodoo magic. When ghostly things start happening out in the swamp and island residents start disappearing, Aurora thrusts herself into the middle of the mystery, uncovering secrets that might be better left buried!

AN AURORA GRIMEON STORY: WILL O’ THE WISP arrives in comic shops on January 22nd with a cover price of $24.95 under Diamond order code SEP130877. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.
 

About Archaia Entertainment
Archaia (archaia.com) is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 75 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as MOUSE GUARD, RUST, COW BOY, CURSED PIRATE GIRL, GUNNERKRIGG COURT, and ARTESIA. Archaia has also published an entire line of graphic novels in partnership with The Jim Henson Company, including the multiple award-winning JIM HENSON'S TALE OF SAND and such beloved tales as THE DARK CRYSTAL, THE STORYTELLER, and FRAGGLE ROCK. In addition to its partnership with Henson, Archaia has forged creative partnerships with storytellers in all facets of the entertainment industry, resulting in print and digital expansions of such noted properties as BLEEDOUT and HAWKEN (video games), IMMORTALS and PLANET OF THE APES (film), and SPACE: 1999 (television). Alongside these celebrated titles, Archaia has released English translations of numerous renowned foreign titles to much fanfare, including THE KILLER, Sergio Toppi’s SHARAZ-DE: TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS, and THE SECRET HISTORY. In June 2013, Archaia was acquired by BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com). Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent.

One Day Only 12/26!  $3.99 Digital Sale on BETTY BLUES and MADISON SQUARE TRAGEDY

As a holiday gift to you, we've discounted two of our newest titles for one day only for just $3.99 each. It's the perfect opportunity to try out some of the great books that we publish.
MADISON SQUARE TRAGEDY: The Murder of Stanford White by Rick Geary

Stanford White is one of New York’s most famous architects having designed many mansions and the first Madison Square Garden. His influence on New York’s look at the turn of the century was pervasive. As he became popular and in demand, he also became quite self-indulgent. He had a taste for budding young showgirls on Broadway, even setting up a private apartment to entertain them in, including a room with… a red velvet swing. When he meets Evelyn Nesbit, an exquisite young nymph, cover girl, showgirl, inspiration for Charles Dana Gibson’s “The Eternal Question” and for the later movie “The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing,” he knows he’s on to something special. However, Evelyn eventually marries a young Pittsburgh decadent heir with a dark side who develops a deep hatred for White and what he may or may not have done to her, setting up the most scandalous murder of the time.

BETTY BLUES by Renaud Dillies

Little Rice Duck has built himself quite the reputation around the West Wood, playing his trumpet in bars with their smoky, sweaty ambiance, tequila sunrises, and jazz. But between his trumpet and his flame Betty, things are going astray. Betty is drowning her need of him in expensive champagne, something someone else is more than happy to provide... something he'd much prefer, like her, would just stay chilled.

MADISON SQUARE TRAGEDY: The Murder of Stanford White
On sale today at:

• Amazon
  

BETTY BLUES by Renaud Dillies
Amazon

Mark Sheppard to Join PHXCC 2014

Phoenix Comicon is proud to announce that actor Mark Sheppard will be attending Comicon 2014.

Mark Sheppard is is an English actor and musician best known for his roles in the TV series' Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica and Firefly..

“We are very excited to welcome Mark Sheppard and his extensive acting experience to Phoenix Comicon 2014,” says Convention Director Matt Sorberg.

Sheppard became a professional musician at age 15 and enjoyed many years as a recording and touring artist. He recorded albums for many groups throughout Europe and eventually moved to the United States. After some Stage work, Sheppard began his career in Television. His notable roles include the demon Crowley on Supernatural, lawyer Romo Lampkin on the Battlestar Galactica reboot, Interpol investigator James Sterling on Leverage and small-time crime lord Badger on Joss Whedon's Firefly.

For film work, Sheppard has appeared in notable movies, In the Name of the Father, Unstoppable and Megalodon. Currently, you will still continue to see Sheppard on Supernatural. His latest movie, Sons of Liberty is currently in post-production as well.

Phoenix Comicon is the signature pop culture experience of the southwest. Comicon is presenting guests and programming for hobbyists by attracting the top segments of the comics, anime, sci-fi, film, tv, and gaming industries. Entering its twelfth year, Phoenix Comicon is expected to draw over 65,000 attendees to its June 5-8, 2014 convention held at the Phoenix Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Downtown Phoenix.

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

Don Rosa to Join PHXCC 2014

Phoenix Comicon is proud to announce that comic book artist Don Rosa will be attending Comicon 2014.

Don Rosa is an American  comic book writer and illustrator known for his stories about Scrooge McDuck, Donald Duck and other Disney characters..

“We are super happy to welcome Don Rosa to Phoenix Comicon 2014,” says Marketing Director Jillian Squires.

Rosa's career started in 1969 while still college when he won an award as "best political cartoonist in the nation in a college paper." After working for various newspapers for a number of years, he discovered a Gladstone Publishing comic book in 1986. It was the first American comic book that contained Disney characters since the 1970s. Always interested in Disney characters, Rosa drew his first Donald Duck story, Son of the Sun. Son of the Sun, Rosa's first professional comic story was nominated for a Harvey Award for "Best Story of the Year."

In 1991, Rosa started creating The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, a 12 chapter story about his favorite character. The series was a success, and in 1995 he won an Eisner Award for best continuing series. Rosa is currently happily retired.

Phoenix Comicon is the signature pop culture experience of the southwest. Comicon is presenting guests and programming for hobbyists by attracting the top segments of the comics, anime, sci-fi, film, tv, and gaming industries. Entering its twelfth year, Phoenix Comicon is expected to draw over 65,000 attendees to its June 5-8, 2014 convention held at the Phoenix Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Downtown Phoenix.

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

Mark Bagley to Join PHXCC 2014

Phoenix Comicon is proud to announce that comic book artist Mark Bagley will be attending Comicon 2014.

Mark Bagley is an American comic book artist known for his work with popular Marvel Comics and DC Comics titles.

“We are very excited to welcome Mark Bagley and his years of comic book artist experience to Phoenix Comicon 2014,” says Convention Director Matt Sorberg.

Bagley got his start in the comics industry in 1983 after finishing first place at the Marvel Try-out Book competition. After some work with Marvel, he was assigned to the new teenage superhero series, New Warriors in 1990. From there, Bagley became penciller for Spider-Man's flagship title, The Amazing Spider-Man. He would go on to be considered the definitive Spider-Man artist of the mid-1990's.

In 2000, Bagley was assigned to Ultimate Spider-Man and would enjoy the longest continuous run of any creative team on a mainstream Marvel superhero comic. This would help him earn recognition in Wizard Magazine's top ten artists of the 00's. In 2008, Bagley signed an exclusive deal with DC Comics and worked on notable titles Batman and Justice League of America. Bagley is currently back at Marvel Comics and has taken over penciling duties on Fantastic Four.

Phoenix Comicon is the signature pop culture experience of the southwest. Comicon is presenting guests and programming for hobbyists by attracting the top segments of the comics, anime, sci-fi, film, tv, and gaming industries. Entering its twelfth year, Phoenix Comicon is expected to draw over 65,000 attendees to its June 5-8, 2014 convention held at the Phoenix Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Downtown Phoenix.

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

Patrick Rothfuss to Join PHXCC 2014

Phoenix Comicon is proud to announce that author Patrick Rothfuss will be attending Comicon 2014.

Patrick Rothfuss is an American fantasy writer best known for the series The Kingkiller Chronicle.

Marketing Director Jillian Squires says that, “We are very please to welcome Patrick Rothfuss and his fans to Phoenix Comicon 2014.”

In 2007, Rothfuss published The Name of the Wind, which is the first part of the projected three-part The Kingkiller Chronicle series. The second part of the series,The Wise Man's Fear was published in 2011. The Name of the Wind was name one of the "Best Books of the Year" for Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror in 2007 by Publishers Weekly. Rothfuss has also been a #1 The New York Times Best Seller as well.

In addition to writing, Rothfuss has also been a college lecturer at his alma mater, the Unviversity of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The third part of The Kingkiller Chronicle, The Doors of Stone is currently in progress now.

Phoenix Comicon is the signature pop culture experience of the southwest. Comicon is presenting guests and programming for hobbyists by attracting the top segments of the comics, anime, sci-fi, film, tv, and gaming industries. Entering its twelfth year, Phoenix Comicon is expected to draw over 65,000 attendees to its June 5-8, 2014 convention held at the Phoenix Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Downtown Phoenix.

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

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES AN ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL FROM NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHORS MATT KINDT AND BRIAN HURTT!

MILWAUKIE, OR, DECEMBER 23—Matt Kindt, the award-winning, New York Times best-selling author of MIND MGMT and Red Handed, and Brian Hurtt, the award-winning, New York Times best-selling artist of The Sixth Gun and The Damned, are soon to publish Poppy! and the Lost Lagoon, the first in a new graphic novel series for children. The book follows the story of Poppy Pepperton, a ten-year-old girl with a typographic memory who goes on globe-spanning adventures with her sidekick Colt Winchester (who thinks he’s her legal guardian). Publishers Weekly announced last week that Poppy! and the Lost Lagoon will be published in 2015 by Dark Horse Comics.

  

When Poppy is summoned by Ramses MV, a reincarnated Egyptian king now cursed to remain in his lavish Manhattan penthouse (long story), she knows to expect something strange. Ramses doesn’t disappoint! He shows her Mummy Mouth, a shrunken mummy head that speaks a riddle once a year. Mummy Mouth gives her a clue that sends Poppy, Colt, and Ramses’s cat Krums to Old Macadamia to investigate the Lost Lagoon and an ancient civilization that lived on the back of a gigantipus (a giant octopus). Along the way she will find mysteries, adventures, friends, and family in the unlikeliest of ways. But a sinister robot is dogging their steps—is it programmed to help them or to stop them from learning an ancient secret?

  

“It’s been so exciting to see Matt thrive at Dark Horse, and I’m thrilled that he’s continuing that relationship with Poppy! and the Lost Lagoon,” said Dark Horse editor Brendan Wright. “He and Brian are bringing just the right light touch and level of imaginative detail to make a truly fun children’s book. It’s hard to believe this is their first graphic novel in the genre!”

Dark Horse president and publisher Mike Richardson has acquired world English rights from Charlie Olsen of InkWell Management.

Matt Kindt is the New York Times best-selling and Harvey Award–winning writer and artist of the comics and graphic novels MIND MGMT, Red Handed, Revolver, 3 Story, Super Spy, 2 Sisters, and Pistolwhip. Brian Hurtt is the New York Times best-selling artist of the hit fantasy-western series The Sixth Gun. He burst onto the comic scene with the second arc in Greg Rucka’s critically acclaimed series Queen & Country and has since worked on the Queen & Country spinoff Declassified, Skinwalker, and DC’s critically acclaimed Gotham Central, as well as the DC series Hard Time and The Damned. Both authors live and work in the St. Louis metro area.

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GLOBAL YAOI MANGA PUBLISHER SuBLime LAUNCHES EXTENSIVE DIGITAL YAOI MANGA CATALOG ON

AMAZON KINDLE STORE

North America’s Most Diverse Digital Yaoi Manga Collection Is Now Available For The World’s Best-selling e-Reader!

San Francisco, CA, December 23, 2013 – SuBLime, the global yaoi manga publishing initiative between VIZ Media and Japan’s Animate, Ltd. (Animate), has announced the launch of its extensive manga (graphic novel) catalog for Amazon Kindle devices, including Kindle Fire tablets and the new Kindle Paperwhite. Global users of the world’s best-selling e-reader already have instant access via the Amazon Kindle Store to 53 titles by some of the top creators in the yaoi genre. 

Volumes are generally available for purchase and immediate download directly from the Kindle Store for $5.99 (U.S. / CAN) each (subject to Amazon’s own discount). Individual volumes are generally rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers. New series debuts and updates for ongoing titles will be added regularly as part of SuBLime’s regular digital release schedule throughout 2014.

Among the many SuBLime digital releases in the Kindle Store that are sure to capture the attention of fans are several highly acclaimed titles such as AWKWARD SILENCE, by Hinako Takanaga, EMBRACING LOVE, by Youka Nitta, DEVIL’S HONEY, by Isaku Natsume, OKU-SAN’S DAILY FANTASIES, by Noboru Takatsuki, and TABLEAU NUMÉRO 20, by est em, in addition to many more. Please visit the Amazon Kindle Store for a complete list of launch titles. 

“The launch of the SuBLime catalog on the Amazon Kindle Store arrives just in time for the holidays and gives readers a new way to enjoy a diverse selection of fun and sexy yaoi manga with the crisp resolution, compact portability, and affordability the Kindle devices are renowned for,” says Jennifer LeBlanc, Editor, SuBLime. “We look forward to expanding our catalog substantially in the coming year and to utilizing the Kindle Store to deliver even more of the best the yaoi genre has to offer!”

The SuBLime website at www.SuBLimeManga.com will also continue to offer downloadable PDFs for each title that are interoperable with all Kindle devices, with no region restrictions.

For more information on SuBLime’s print and digital titles, please visit www.SuBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga, Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga, or Tumblr at sublimemanga.tumblr.com.

For more information on Amazon Kindle devices, please visit https://kindle.amazon.com.

About SuBLime

SuBLime is a global yaoi/boys’ love manga publisher, and is a partnership between VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, and Japan’s Animate, Ltd. (Animate). This bold, global publishing initiative will present English-speaking fans everywhere with a broad selection of high quality titles. SuBLime will offer titles digitally worldwide available at www.SuBLimeManga.com, with many available in Download-to-Own format, and selections in print also available in English-language editions worldwide.

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EMBRACING LOVE: 

© 2012 Youka Nitta/Libre Publishing

TABLEAU NUMERO 20: 

© 2009 Esutoemu/LibrePublishing

'DAY MEN' #2 SELLS OUT,
BOOM! STUDIOS RUSHES TO
A SECOND PRINTING

  

   DAY MEN #2 Second Printing cover by Brian Stelfreeze

December 23,  2013 (Los Angeles, CA) - BOOM! Studios is proud to announce that DAY MEN #2, the critically acclaimed vampire noir series from writers Matt Gagnon (FREELANCERS) and Michael Alan Nelson (SUPERGIRL, HEXED) and featuring Brian Stelfreeze’s (WEDNESDAY COMICS) first sequential storytelling work since 2005, has sold out at the distributor level. This follows the quick sellout of the first printing of issue #1. The publisher has rushed to a second printing.

DAY MEN is the latest BOOM! Studios original series to see success beyond the first issue. Comic book fans should bear in mind that first printings of DAY MEN #2 may still be found at the local comic shop nearest you. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one!

“I couldn’t be more grateful and appreciative to the comic book industry for embracing this series like it has,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief and DAY MEN writer Matt Gagnon. “We love telling these stories. From all of us on DAY MEN—and at BOOM!—thanks for your overwhelming support.”    

For thousands of years, the world has been controlled by the “50 Families”—a secret network of vampire covens engaged in a timeless struggle for power. But when the sun rises, the vampires are forced to employ the services of a human who acts as their daytime fixer and protector. Trained for centuries to be the mortal soldiers of their vampire employers, the Day Men go forth at sunrise, alone into the world, to do the bidding of their sleeping benefactors.

In issue #2: Virgo Family Day Man David Reid is not having a good day. A full-blown war has erupted between the Virgo and Ramses families, and David is left to pick up the pieces while his vampire employers sleep. But with the Ramses’ legendary Day Man Jacob the Burner on his tail, will David even make it to sundown?
 

Praise for DAY MEN #2:

“…DAY MEN has a lot of potential and exceeds initial expectations. Matt Gagnon and Michael Alan Nelson write a great multidimensional plot that balances well with Brian Stelfreeze’s detailed artwork. DAY MEN is a great read for any vampire fan.” - Major Spoilers

“This book is a perfect example of how the script and the art working together can make for some pretty magical storytelling.” - Comic Bastards

“There isn’t one panel that won’t just ‘wow’ you, whether it’s filled with attack dogs defending a distillery or a Virgo family meeting. Between Stelfreeze’s pencils and Darrin Moore’s colors you will be hard pressed to find a book that looks better than this.” - Comic Attack

DAY MEN #2 second print ships with a new cover by Brian Stelfreeze and carries a retail price of $3.99 with a Diamond Code of NOV138111. It is anticipated to be in stores on January 15, 2014.

 

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS

Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent. BOOM! Studios is the home of Mike Carey’s SUICIDE RISK, Clive Barker’s NEXT TESTAMENT and HELLRAISER, Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos’ FAIRY QUEST, PLANET OF THE APES, Max Bemis’ POLARITY and Mark Waid’s IRREDEEMABLE. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 GUNS was recently released as a feature film from Universal Pictures starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ PEANUTS, Jim Davis’ GARFIELD, Cartoon Network’s ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW, Mike Kunkel’s HEROBEAR AND THE KID, and Roger Langridge’s Eisner Award-winning SNARKED. In June 2013, BOOM! Studios acquired Archaia Entertainment (archaia.com). Archaia is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel publisher of MOUSE GUARD, COW BOY, GUNNERKRIGG COURT, RUST, SPERA, JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND, RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN, and other many great titles. In October 2013, BOOM! Studios entered into an exclusive partnership with 20th Century Fox, giving the studio access to its library of combined titles, and giving the publisher access to Fox's vast catalog of films. 

For immediate release

THE FINAL PLAGUE ATTACKS THE HORROR COMIC AWARDS
Action Lab: Danger Zone miniseries nominated for three awards

Pittsburgh, P.A.-The Final Plague, Action Lab’s story of a rural Iowan family attempting to survive the initial onslaught of crazed, rabid animals, presumably the product of a mutated super-virus, has taken the world by storm. The series, written by J.D.Arnold (Top Shelf’s BB Wolf and the 3 LPs) and artist Tony Guaraldi-Brown (Tales of Red Hot Horror) has been nominated in three categories, Best Mini Series and Best Scene, while series letterer Chris Fenoglio  was also nominated for Best Letterer  in the 2013 Horror Comic Awards.


"A huge THANK YOU to everyone on the nominating board, all the great people at Action Lab, and to my fellow creators Tony Guaraldi-Brown and Chris Fenoglio! We are very honored to be nominated alongside so many fantastic books and top notch creators.” Said writer/creator J.D. Arnold “ And a special big thanks to all the fans out there. We hope you are enjoying the book, and we hope you stay along for the ride. It's about to get crazy!”

The staff of the Horror News Network has selected the nominees, and voting is currently open and will remain open until December 30, 2013. The 2013 Horror Comic Awards will be determined by fan voting via the following link:
http://www.comicmonsters.com/horror-comic-awards.html

To see the full list of nominees at: http://www.comicmonsters.com/item-8165-2013_Horror_Comics_Awards_Are_Here.html.


ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT- Formed in 2010 with the purpose of pooling their collective talents into a single, powerful entity, the members of Action Lab Entertainment have countless years in multimedia publishing, design, and business.  Their first release, Fracture, was successfully funded through Kickstarter and since then they have continued their mission to produce high quality, genre-spanning entertainment.  Since its formation, the accolades for A.L.E continue to build on a daily basis.  Among its more popular titles are all ages material like the Eisner, Glyph, Shel Dorf Award nominated series PRINCLESS, NFL RUSHZONE (based on the Nickelodeon Television series), Jamal Igle's MOLLY DANGER, Artist/ Writer Jeremy Dale’s hit series SKYWARD, and Gale Middleton’s (My Little Pony, The Littlest Pet Shop) monstrously adorable VAMPLETS. Action Lab’s Mature Readers imprint ACTION LAB DANGER ZONE continues to push the envelope of comics entertainment with titles as varied as EHMM THEORY and Dan Mendoza’s over the top horror-comedy ZOMBIE TRAMP, THE FINAL PLAGUE and BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA.