THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: HYRULE HISTORIA IS THE #1 BOOK IN AMERICA!

THE LEGEND OF ZELDAHYRULE HISTORIA LANDS #1 ON NIELSEN BOOKSCAN WITH 400,000 COPIES AND COUNTING

February 8, MILWAUKIE, OR—In an amazing show of demand for Dark Horse’s newest hallmark in video game art book history, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia™ soared to the top of the Nielsen BookScan charts last week, making it the #1 book in America!

In addition, the book has reached #1 on the Wall Street Journal and New York Times Bestseller list.  Dark Horse is also announcing a record print run approaching 400,000 copies, with the number continuing to grow as The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia dominates sales in the UK, China, Italy, Spain, and Canada.

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 creator 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 / Digital Noob

“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

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!

Save The Date For The Premiere Wizard World New York City Experience, June 28-29-30, 2013; 'The Walking Dead' Stars Join Stan Lee, Patrick Stewart As Early Guests

Norman Reedus, Jon Bernthal, Michael Rooker From 'TWD' To Attend Fan Extravaganza With Celebrities, Creators, Exhibitors, Sports Stars And More Set For New Riverside Location At Basketball City (Pier 36), just north of the Manhattan Bridge near South Street Seaport

NEW YORK, February 8, 2013 – Experience New York City, differently, as Wizard World brings together celebrities, creators, sports stars, music, exhibitors, parties and other attractions at the 2013 Wizard World New York City Experience, June 28-30.  Comics legend Stan Lee, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" icon Patrick Stewart and “The Walking Dead” trio of Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker and Jon Bernthal are the first stars scheduled to attend the extravaganza at Basketball City (Pier 36) in lower Manhattan, overlooking the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty and steps away from vibrant South Street Seaport.

“Fans will want to keep the last weekend of June open,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO.  “We have a star-studded affair planned and we are excited to launch with an early guest list, with more to follow. This show will have an all new look and feel that encompasses talented artists, unique shopping opportunities, specialty programming, sports heroes and much more.  It will be a true experience unlike any other for New York fans.”

Tickets go on sale for this exclusive event, with limited tickets available, on March 1 at www.wizardworld.com.  Additional guests, special receptions and events, start and end times and ticket prices will be announced shortly.

Wizard World NYC Experience will be the fourth of eight events on the 2013 calendar, which also currently includes shows in Portland, Ore. (Feb. 22-24), St. Louis (March 22-24), Philadelphia (May 30 - June 2), Chicago (Aug. 8-11), Columbus, Ohio (Sept. 20-22), Nashville, Tenn. (Oct. 18-20) and Austin, Texas (Nov. 22-24).  Wizard World has also scheduled its next New Orleans date (Feb. 7-9, 2014).

Wizard World events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, music, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

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, creators, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, workshops, and costume contests.

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

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****
February 22-24 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
March 22-24 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 30 - June 2 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
June 28-30 – Wizard World New York City Experience
August 8-11 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con

STARZ® AND VIP FAN AUCTIONS

OFFER UP OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A PIECE OF  “SPARTACUS”

Beverly Hills, Calif., February 8, 2013 – To commemorate “Spartacus: War of the Damned,” the final season of the  global smash series, STARZ has partnered with ViP Fan Auctions to offer an opportunity to own original props, sets, costumes and collector’s artifacts from the entire series.

The auctions is currently open, with new items will be offered every week at www.spartacusauctions.com. Since the launch, the auctions has generated an estimated 2.75 MM digital impressions through social media, fan sites, online promotions and eBay.  Fan reaction has been incredibly enthusiastic and a tribute to the collectible nature of the Spartacus auction items.  As a result, the “Spartacus” auction is expected to culminate as one of the premiere online television auctions to date. 

“Spartacus” has one of the most ravenous fan bases of any show on television,” says Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director of STARZ.  “Over the years we have had countless inquiries about owning a piece of the show. We decided to partner with ViP so those who love the series have something very special to remember it by.” 

“The ‘Spartacus’ Auctions will provide fans from around the world with a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve a piece of television history,” said VIP’s Managing Partner, Mark Kaminky.  “With new items offered every week, fans will have an ongoing opportunity to view and bid on key items from this ground breaking television series.”

“Spartacus: War of the Damned” is the stunning final chapter of one of cable’s most highly rated dramas. The show airs on STARZ every Friday, at 9pm ET/PT.

“Spartacus: War of the Damned” features Liam McIntyre (The Pacific, “Neighbours”) as the title character.  Joining McIntyre are Manu Bennett (The Hobbit, “Xena: Warrior Princess”) starring as the iconic Crixus, Dustin Clare (“McLeod’s Daughters”, “Satisfaction”) as the skilled Gannicus, and Dan Feuerriegel (“McLeod’s Daughters,” “Winners & Losers”) as the loyal Agron. A now fierce Naevia is played by Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Colombiana) and wild Saxa is Ellen Hollman (Skateland). Joining the cast this year are Simon Merrells as Marcus Crassus and Todd Lasance as the legendary Julius Caesar.

  

      

About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Channels), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com

Starz Channels is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ^® and ENCORE^® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies.  As of September 30, 2012, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 55 million subscribers, including 21 million at STARZ, and 34 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S.  STARZ^® and ENCORE^®, along with Starz Channels’ third network MOVIEPLEX^®, air over 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY.  Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television.  Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties.  Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.

TARZAN Swings Back Into Action in THE COMPLETE RUSS MANNING NEWSPAPER STRIPS!   San Diego, CA (February 8, 2013) – IDW Publishing is proud to announce that the Library of American Comics will be collecting comics legend Russ Manning’s classic run with Edgar Rice Burroughs’ King of the Jungle in 2013! TARZAN: THE COMPLETE RUSS MANNING NEWSPAPER STRIPS is a four-volume series. The first three volumes will chronologically collect all of Manning’s daily black & white and full-color Sunday strips from 1967 to 1974, while the fourth volume will collect the remaining Sunday strips, which Manning continued to do until 1979. “The addition of Tarzan to the Library of American Comics amplifies even further that the imprint is the premier archival home for comic strip reprints and collections,” says IDW’s President and Chief Operating Officer Greg Goldstein. “Russ Manning’s Tarzan run is one of the real highlights of the modern age of adventure strips and we are extremely excited to be the home of its long-anticipated return to print.” The series of hardcover volumes will commence May 29th with Tarzan: The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips, Vol. 1: 1967 – 1969. Fans will be treated to the first-ever collection of a historic turning point in Tarzan history: when Russ Manning was handpicked by the Burroughs estate to return the strip to its creator’s original vision. Manning put together a dream team of assistants in this historic endeavor, including future comics greats Dave Stevens, William Stout, and Mike Royer, creating one of the most loaded rosters in comics history, and a perfect opportunity for new fans to discover the adventures of Viscount Greystoke. In his introduction to Volume One, William Stout writes, “Russ Manning was a natural storyteller. He may also be one of the most underrated writers in comics. His beautiful art is so captivating that it’s easy to understand how it might overshadow his scripts. He was as adept with telling Tarzan tales in contemporary Africa as he was setting Ape Man stories in dinosaur-infested Pal-ul-don.” Reproduced from the Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. file copies, fans can expect TARZAN: THE COMPLETE RUSS MANNING NEWSPAPER STRIPS to receive the same critically acclaimed, award-winning treatment that Dean Mullaney, The Library of American Comics, and IDW Publishing have become renowned for. Tarzan: The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips, Vol. 1: 1967 – 1969 (HC, B&W, $49.99, 288 pages.) ISBN: 978-1-61377-694-0

About IDW 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; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Warner Brothers and Barry Sonnenfeld are attached to adapt LORE into a feature film starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot, with Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

RON RANDALL’S TREKKER RETURNS TO

DARK HORSE PRESENTS!

February 7, MILWAUKIE, OR–Returning to the pages of Dark Horse’s Eisner-winning anthology, Ron Randall’s Trekker is a high-stakes adventure!

“Trekker began her life in the very early pages of Dark Horse Presents, so it’s terrific to have her return to print happen here as well. I honestly couldn’t be happier, or feel that I’ve got a better publishing home for the continuing adventures of Mercy St. Clair,” explained Ron Randall. “The Train to Avalon Bay marks the fresh beginning of a sustained and substantial return of this character. And I know Dark Horse, with its flair for both high-voltage science-fiction comics and creator-owned comics, is a perfect fit for these tales. I’ve been away from Trekker for far too long, and I’m back for the long run now.”

Trekker is a retrofuturistic story of a talented, troubled bounty hunter, Mercy St. Clair. Ron Randall balances the strip’s focus among doses of smartly paced action, intriguing explorations of Mercy’s world, and the arc of her development as a thinking, feeling character immersed in a world of extreme violence, intrigue, and action.

“I have worked carefully to let readers hit the ground running with Mercy right from the first new page, whether they’ve ever encountered Mercy before this or not. If I’m doing my job right, they’ll easily get pulled into an adventure that has both heart and guts and delivers a great payoff!” Randall noted.

Praise for Trekker:

“While Mercy is on her emotional journey, she has plenty of adventures to take us on, adventures filled with strange technologies and creatures, far-flung politics, and lots and lots of action.”—io9.com

Catch Trekker appearing in Dark Horse Presents #24 on sale May 22nd, 2013!

About Dark Horse

Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, including The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton’s Tragic Toys for Girls and Boys, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

 

MOONSTONE JUNE ’13 RELEASES

 

Honey West & T.H.E. CAT#1 (of 2)

story: Trina Robbins

art: Silvestre Szilagyi

colors: Patrick J. Williams

cover: Valarie Jones

32pgs, color, $3.99

 

Two cult TV icons heat it up together for the first time!

Ex-cat burglar and aerialist Thomas Hewitt Edward Cat is back for the first time in 45 years!

He puts his skills to good use as a professional bodyguard…primitive…and in love with danger!

Now he teams up with TV’s first lead-female private eye.

In “Death in the Desert”, 1960’s mob infested Las Vegas, they investigate a series of accidents…but will the attraction between the two cause the case to overheat?

 

***for every 4 copies of the regular version ordered, retailers can order one PHOTO cover variant that retails at $3.99

 

 

PHASES of the Moon tpb

story: Steven L Frank, Earl Mac Rauch

art: Nathan Stockman, Glen Fernandez

cover: Andy Black

978-1-936814-50-3

78pgs, color, 7” x 10”, $12.99

 

Previews Exclusive!

The entire time-spanning serial-killer saga starring: Kolchak, Honey West, Sheena, The Spider, and Domino Lady!

PLUS extra features: a brand new Buckaroo Banzai story and an additional Kolchak ending story!

 

IDW Announces New DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Miniseries! CUTTER Cleaves into Comic Shops this April! San Diego, CA (February 7, 2013) – IDW Publishing is thrilled to announce another action-packed entry in their line of Dungeons & Dragons comics! This April, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: CUTTER, a five-issue miniseries written by R.A. and Geno Salvatore with art by David Baldeon and covers by Steve Ellis, weaves the tale of a family fiercely divided and at odds with itself, with a legendary sword hanging in the balance! When the battle-hardened Drow renegade Tos’un must choose an heir to his legacy, his half-Drow son Tierflin and daughter Doum’weille become locked in vicious competition. But what will the prize, the bloodthirsty sword Khazid’hea, have to say on the matter? “These comic series have become a wonderful tool for me to fill in the blanks and to crystallize my thoughts on the Legend of Drizzt novels going forward,” explains R.A. Salvatore. “The fallout from the twisting events in Neverwinter Tales not only came into play in the last couple of Drizzt books, but allowed me a strong plot line for an upcoming novel I’ve yet to pen. The same is true for Cutter – I see it already. So while these comic stories are self-contained, they open up to the wider stories going forward.” From the writing team of powerhouse Dungeons & Dragons veterans R.A. and Geno Salvatore comes a tale steeped in action and intrigue, woven into the fantastically imaginative world that can only be found in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons & Dragons. Rounded out by the vivid art of David Baldeon and Steve Ellis’ striking covers, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: CUTTER is sure to be a wildly fun ride for fans of Dungeons & Dragons and comics everywhere, not to mention an unexpected tie-in to this summer's blockbuster R.A. Salvatore novel! Dungeons & Dragons: Cutter (FC, 32 pages, $3.99). In stores 4/17/13. Diamond Code: FEB130303

About IDW 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; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Warner Brothers and Barry Sonnenfeld are attached to adapt LORE into a feature film starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot, with Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

DARK HORSE COMICS & NICKELODEON TEAM UP TO PUBLISH LEGEND OF KORRA SERIES ART BOOK!

MILWAUKIE, OR, February 7, 2013–Following the incredible success of the New York Times best-selling series of Avatar: The Last Airbender comics and the Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Art of the Animated Series art book, Dark Horse and Nickelodeon are collaborating on a gorgeous new art book that reveals previously unpublished art from the Legend of Korra animated series.

The Legend of Korra animated television series premiered four years after the conclusion of the Avatar: The Last Airbender series, elevating the Airbender franchise to a whole new level. Ever since the conclusion of season one, its insatiable fan base has been hungry for more!

This beautiful hardcover contains hundreds of pieces of never-before-seen artwork created during the development of season one of the show. With commentary from show creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko throughout, this is an intimate look inside the creative process that brought the mystical world of bending and a new generation of heroes to life!

The Legend of Korra: The Art of the Animated Series—Book One: Air is a must-have for any Airbender fan! This is the latest release in an ongoing partnership between Nickelodeon and Dark Horse to bring you the very best in Airbender books.

The Legend of Korra: The Art of the Animated Series—Book One: Air will be available for purchase on July 24.

Look for Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Art of the Animated Series now at a bookstore near you.

The Legend of Korra takes place seventy years after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender and follows the next Avatar after Aang—a girl named Korra who is from the Southern Water Tribe. With three of the four elements under her belt (earth, water, and fire), Korra seeks to master air. Her quest leads her to Republic City, the modern Avatar world that is a virtual melting pot where benders and nonbenders from all nations live and thrive. Korra quickly discovers that the metropolis is plagued by crime as well as a growing antibending revolution that threatens to rip the city apart. Under the tutelage of Aang’s son Tenzin, Korra begins her airbending training while dealing with the dangers at large.

For an exclusive sneak peak at some interior pages from The Legend of Korra: The Art of the Animated Series-Book One: Air, check out Kotaku!

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.

VIZ MEDIA TO PREMIERE ANIPLEX’s SUPERNATURAL ACTION SERIES FATE/ZERO

ON NEON ALLEY ANIME CHANNEL THIS SPRING

Aniplex Of America Adds New Content For The Innovative Console-Based 24-Hour Anime Channel Available On PS3 And Playstation^® Network, As Well As Xbox 360^® And Xbox Live^®

San Francisco, CA, February 6, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced that Aniplex of America, Inc. has become a content partner for the recently-launched Neon Alley 24-hour anime channel.  VIZ Media will premiere the hit Aniplex anime action series, FATE/ZERO, on Neon Alley this Spring.

Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s new 24-hour, subscription-based anime channel available for the PS3 game console and Playstation^® Network, and soon to be available for the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live^®. The platform features the world’s best titles (dubbed in English and uncut), presented in HD (when available), for a low monthly subscription rate of only $6.99.

FATE/ZERO is based on a Japanese light novel, written by Gen Urobuchi and illustrated by Takashi Takeuchi. This is the story that goes back to zero, back to the beginning.  The ultimate battle royal, in which seven Masters vying for control of the miracle-granting Holy Grail summon seven Servants and fight until only one remains... The Holy Grail War!

“We’re very excited to welcome Aniplex of America as a premiere content partner for Neon Alley,” says Brian Ige, Vice President of Animation for VIZ Media. “The Neon Alley platform represents the next stage of the evolution of anime in North America and utilizes an innovative, console-based digital delivery model. The debut of the supernatural action series FATE/ZERO will be a wonderful addition to the channel’s programming roster and we know fans everywhere will not want to miss this exciting premiere later this Spring!”

“Aniplex of America initially teamed with VIZ Media to bring the hit anime series BLUE EXORCIST to Neon Alley and we are now looking forward to fans tuning in for the upcoming launch of FATE/ZERO,” says Hideki Goto, President of the Animation Business of Aniplex of America. “This legendary tale of the Fourth Holy Grail War will thrill fans with its sophisticated story and captivating animation. We look forward to cultivating our relationship with VIZ Media and to licensing additional content for Neon Alley in the near future!”

Neon Alley’s schedule includes a dynamic mix of action, adventure, sci-fi, supernatural, fantasy, and horror anime, including weekly exclusive episodes of BLUE EXORCIST, INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, and TIGER & BUNNY, as well as blockbuster favorites DEATH NOTE, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, ONE PIECE, VAMPIRE KNIGHT plus more. Neon Alley is also designed to be studio agnostic, offering a diverse array of titles from several leading anime studios and distributors. Complete details on Neon Alley and its programming are available at NeonAlley.com.

For more information on Neon Alley, please visit NeonAlley.com.

For more information on FATE/ZERO, please visit FateZeroUSA.com.

For more information on Aniplex of America, please visit www.aniplexusa.com.

For more information on VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About Aniplex of America, Inc.

Aniplex of America Inc. (Santa Monica, California) is a subsidiary of Aniplex Inc. (headquartered in Tokyo, Japan), a group of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and leading provider of anime content and music production and distribution in Japan. Aniplex of America has launched fan-favorite DVD and Blu-Ray releases such as Gurren Lagann the Movies, Durarara!!, R.O.D series, The Garden of Sinners and Baccano! The company's ever-growing line-up of shows includes our most recent titles, Blue Exorcist, Rurouni Kenshin OVA and Movie, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica. More information on Aniplex of America is available at: http://www.aniplexusa.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

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

###

A MESSAGE FROM FRANK BEDDOR, CREATOR OF HATTER M
This is a call to Arms!
The forces of Dark Imagination are gathering. They threaten our future. But there is a way to stop them. Followers of the Glow and fans of the Hatter M graphic novel series must band together. Your continued support and interest in Hatter's search has truly empowered me as writer.
I want to return the favor and empower you as a fan, allowing you more control over the material you get from me. And how and when you get it. That's why I've decided to place you in greater charge of the next part of this saga.  And the people at Kickstarter have given me just the tool to do that.
This book does not exist without you. It has been awhile since Volume 3 was released, and the time has come for me to ask for help. I wish to collaborate with you. Become co-publishers. Help us print Volume 4, Hatter M: Zen of Wonder. The dark forces will be halted in their tracks. The damage they’ve done rolled back. Together we can do this.

 http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/149372651/hatter-m-zen-of-wonder

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER COMICS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH DARK HORSE DIGITAL!

MILWAUKIE, OR, February 6–The wait is over! Since the release of Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Promise and the recent announcement of The Search, both of which directly follow the hit animated series, the anticipation of thousands of digital-comics fans has been high. Now these fans can follow Aang, Sokka, and Katara as they embark on exciting new adventures, direct from the Dark Horse Comics app!

Avatar: The Last Airbender is the newest addition to Dark Horse Digital. Combined, The Art of the Animated Series, The Lost Adventures, and The Promise have sold well over one hundred thousand copies. The digital release of the New York Times best-selling graphic novels is the latest development in an ongoing partnership between Nickelodeon and Dark Horse to bring fans the very best in Airbender books.

Dark Horse Comics launched its standalone comic-reader app and digital store on April 27, 2011, and has received incredible support from the continuously growing digital-comics fan base.

Since then, Dark Horse Digital has grown significantly in numbers and readership, featuring its most popular, best-selling titles, including Star Wars, Buffy, Serenity, Hellboy, Conan, and Mass Effect, as well as exclusive, digital-only comics, such as Falling Skies, Prototype 2, and Dragon Age. Dark Horse Digital also provides sales and discounts for its reader base on a weekly basis. It currently offers thousands of comics and is continuing to increase the digital availability of the Dark Horse back catalog.

Dark Horse Digital is available through all modern web browsers and features cloud storage in both the Android and iOS apps.

About Dark Horse Digital

Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has grown to become the third-largest comics publisher in the United States and is acclaimed internationally for the quality and diversity of its line. In 2011, the company that revolutionized the comic industry proudly presented its groundbreaking digital-publishing program, Dark Horse Digital.

Dark Horse Digital offers its most popular titles at an unprecedented value, while providing the highest-quality reading experience possible. Single-issue comics are priced as low as just $0.99, and there is also an extensive list of free introductory #1 issues. Additionally, DH Digital’s “bundles” group together story arcs spanning multiple issues into affordable packages, allowing readers to get all the issues that comprise a complete narrative, starting at just $3.99 and up. And through cloud-based technology, Digital Store purchases can be read and enjoyed on your laptop, desktop, mobile browser, and Dark Horse Bookshelf app, available now on iTunes.

To get started, simply log on to Digital.DarkHorse.com or download the app to create an account, and begin building your collection today.

STARZ Unveils Key Art for Upcoming Original Series "Da Vinci’s Demons”

Series from David S. Goyer Premieres Friday, April 12 at 10pm ET/PT

Today, Starz released the first official key art for its upcoming original series, “Da Vinci’s Demons,” premiering Friday, April 12 at 10pm ET/PT. The series, created by David S. Goyer, the mind behind The Dark Knight Trilogy and upcoming feature film, Man of Steel, presents a never-before-seen portrayal of one of the most infamous historical figures of all time…Leonardo da Vinci. 

The key art features da Vinci (played by Tom Riley), an artist, inventor, swordsman, dreamer and idealist, with one of his famed inventions sketched behind him.  Da Vinci's flying machines have fascinated and inspired people for centuries and are a symbol of his genius and iconoclasm. 

"Leonardo was a transformational figure—the original Renaissance man and the kind of genius that only emerges every thousand years or so,” said series creator David S. Goyer.  “What I like about this image is that it embodies a lot of the show's themes.  It's aspirational.  The triumph of the human spirit over ignorance and repression—the audacity of imagination."

While the da Vinci depicted in the history books was renowned for his works of art and inventions that included the calculator, army tank, diving suit, solar power and many more, “Da Vinci’s Demon’s” depicts a 25-year-old da Vinci on the cusp of greatness, with intellect and talents that are almost superhuman. In the series, he struggles to live within the confines of his own reality and time, tortured by his unsurpassed intellect. He begins to not only see the future, but invent it. 

David S. Goyer, known for co-writing The Dark Knight Trilogy, the upcoming Man of Steel and serving as story editor for “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” and “Black Ops II”, the most successful video game franchise of all time, also served as showrunner on “Da Vinci’s Demons” and directed the first two episodes.

After its premiere on Friday, April 12^th at 10pm ET/PT, following the finale of “Spartacus: War of the Damned,” “Da Vinci’s Demons” will air Friday nights at 9pm ET/PT on STARZ.  Join the conversation at: #DaVincisDemons.

 

About BOOM! Studios

Founded by Ross Richie, 2009 and 2010's "Best Publisher" BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of bestselling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic books and graphic novels with the industry's top talent, including Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning’s HYPERNATURALS, new HELLRAISER comics written by Clive Barker, PLANET OF THE APES, and Sam Humphries’ HIGHER EARTH. BOOM!'s all ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz' PEANUTS, Jim Davis’ GARFIELD, Cartoon Network's ADVENTURE TIME, and 20th Century Fox’ ICE AGE. KaBOOM! recently won an Eisner Award for its first original series Roger Langridge's SNARKED. BOOM!'s lit comix-focused imprint, BOOM! Town, won an Eisner Award for its first book, Shannon Wheeler's I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER, and just released SPACE DUCKS, the first comic book from indie musician legend Daniel Johnston.

Luring Arthur to Impending Doom,

Morgana Abducts Gwen from Camelot in MERLIN

Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby Reunite for Powerful Scenes

  

Once upon a time … Morgana was ward to the King, and Gwen was her loyal servant. What a difference a few seasons of MERLIN make.

As the series’ lauded fifth season continues, Morgana is now a diabolical sorceress and arch-enemy to Camelot, where Queen Guinevere now sits on the throne that Morgana covets. The two lead female characters go head-to-head in “The Dark Tower,” an all-new episode premiering Friday, Feb. 8, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Syfy.

In the episode, Gwen is snatched from Camelot without warning – and Merlin knows there can be only one person responsible: Morgana.  Arthur is determined to rescue his queen – but it's not going to be easy, for she is locked in the Dark Tower, a place that haunts the dreams of men.

Arthur and his Knights embark on a quest like no other, battling through a landscape riddled with hidden dangers, perilous obstacles and magical beings. As they near their goal, Merlin's sense of dread reaches a breaking point. What twisted game is Morgana playing? And more importantly, just what is the final test that awaits them in the Dark Tower?

The lead actresses in MERLIN – Katie McGrath as Morgana and Angel Coulby as Gwen – shared a great deal of screen time during the series’ initial two seasons. But when Morgana turned villainous, the pair parted. “The Dark Tower” brings McGrath and Coulby happily back together for a not-so-gleeful story arc that keeps them linked in a fascinating turn.

“We’ve always said we wanted to work more together, and finally they’ve given us the chance,” Coulby said. “With the entire change in the dynamics of the Gwen-Morgana relationship now being opposing forces, it’s made working together that much more exciting.”

For McGrath, their time together tops anything that’s come before. “These new scenes have been our best scenes of the whole five years,” says McGrath. “We’re no longer ward to the king and her maid, we’re no longer the friends we were – there’s an adversarial aspect to it all now. That’s made for some real, meaty scenes for us. It’s great.”

MERLIN fans will witness the unsettling reunion of Morgana and Gwen when “The Dark Tower” debuts Friday, February 8, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, only on Syfy.

All four previous seasons of MERLIN are now available on DVD, on iTunes and on Netflix. Be sure to follow the latest news on MERLIN at the Official Merlin page on Facebook.

PULP SMASH! FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA’S

BLACK BEETLE #1 HAS SOLD OUT AT DIAMOND!



DARK HORSE TRANSFERRING COPIES TO DISTRIBUTOR

TO FILL DEMAND!



FEBRUARY 4, MILWAUKIE, OR–The response has been unanimous! Eisner Award–winning artist Francesco Francavilla’s new series at Dark Horse is already being called one of the year’s best! Francavilla’s pulp sensation, The Black Beetle: No Way Out, has received overwhelming praise from media, retailers, and fans around the country!

As of today, just two weeks before the release of the series’ second issue, Diamond Comic Distributors has completely sold out of issue #1, and Dark Horse will be transferring stock from other channels to ensure retailers can capitalize on the series’ success!


This new series introduces the mob-busting costumed supersleuth as he investigates a bombing that has killed off some of Colt City’s notorious criminals! Steeped in pulp noir with modern sensibility, this is one new series you need to read!



Praise for the first issue:


“Any pulp and classic noir fan will tell you, there are only a handful of books out on the market that really do the job. An original concept like The Black Beetle will surely give fans of the genre something to cheer for. It’s been a long time coming for this title and it was worth the wait. 10 out of 10.”—Newsarama

“This is a fun, adventure-filled, mystery-tinged story as welcoming to new readers as possible for a comic book. Quite simply, this is good stuff. I may not be the biggest fan of pulp adventures, but I am a self-proclaimed fan of all things good and this is very good indeed. Hopefully, as promised in the text piece at the back of this issue, this is just the beginning. I, for one, cannot wait to get more.”—Comic Book Resources



“The Black Beetle #1 is one of the most exhilarating, stunning superhero comics on the stands . . . This miniseries presents a high-stakes mystery realized through Francavilla’s intensely graphic style, full of innovative layouts and spectacular splash pages.”—The Onion A.V. Club



Retailers, The Black Beetle #1 is available for reorder in limited quantities now.



Fans, make sure to grab your copy while you can! Look for The Black Beetle: No Way Out #2 at your local comic shop on February 20

The Indigenous Narrative Collective joins Phoenix Comicon 2013

Phoenix Comicon is proud to announce the Indigenous Narrative Collective will be joining us for 2013.

The Indigenous Narrative Collective is a group of Native American comic book writers, artists, designers, and creators dedicated to the creation of native American superheros and comic books. Guests representing the Indigenous Narrative Collective will be  Ryan Huna, Theo Tso, Jacques La Grange, Marty Two Bulls, Arigon Starr and Janet Miner.

Ryan Huna is a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes in Parker, AZ. He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM and received his BFA from the University of Arizona in Tucson. In 1996, Ryan illustrated “Tribal Force” which was the first mainstream comic book created by both a writer and illustrator that were Native American. 

Theo Tso born and raised on a tiny thirteen-acre parcel in Nevada. His credits include “Masked Men” and Phil Yea’s “Winged Tiger.” Tso has also served his community as a Tribal Council member, while raising his family. His character “Captain Paiute” will soon be a full-length comic series.  

Jacques La Grange is a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and is the creator/artist of “Shadow Wolf.”

Marty Two Bulls Sr. is an Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Spanning a twenty-nine year career Marty has worked in the commercial design sector in television, print technologies, daily newspapers and new media.

Arigon Starr is a multi-talented and multi-award winning musician, actor, playwright and artist based in Los Angeles. She wrote, penciled, inked and colored  the webcomic  Super Indian.

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 eleventh year, Phoenix Comicon is expected to draw over 40,000 attendees to its May 23-26, 2013 convention held at the Phoenix Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Downtown Phoenix.

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