Mars Attacks!… Your Freshman English Class? San Diego, CA (March 29, 2013) – It’s no secret that earthlings love Mars Attacks. Topps’ crazed galactic conquerors have journeyed from the red planet to terrorize comics, trading cards, and Hollywood; but one medium has been left conspicuously uninvaded: classic literature! Moby Dick, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and Robinson Crusoe are easily some of civilization’s most accomplished and cherished works of literature. But what would it be like if frothing invaders had been holding Melville, Stevenson, and Defoe at gunpoint, forcing them to reimagine their renowned works through the bloodshot eyes of a crazed, skull-faced Martian? They’d probably be a lot cooler, right? Right! Finally, this summer, these timeless lessons on the nature of humanity will receive their long overdue invasion courtesy of writers Phil Hester, Beau Smith, and Neil Kleid and artists John McCrea, Kelley Jones, and Carlos Valenzuela in the 48-page one-shot MARS ATTACKS: CLASSICS OBLITERATED!  Experience Melville’s supreme terror as he realizes a fearsome white whale is no match for a face-to-face encounter with a Martian! Delve into true horror as the Martian High Command sets their sights on weaponizing Dr. Jekyll’s volatile serum! And find yourself exploring the deepest reaches of one Martian’s existential war when he finds himself marooned on Earth! Be sure to look out for the variant cover by living legend Earl Norem! They may seem like a mindless horde bent on destruction, but when viewed through the prism of great, enduring literature, it’s clear that we have a lot to learn from our alien overlords. You’re welcome, Earth. MARS ATTACKS: CLASSICS OBLITERATED (FC, 48 pages, $7.99). In stores 6/5/13.

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.

WONDERCON 2013: GAGERMAN & WALLER’S BLOOD BROTHERS - BEST FRIENDS…FOREVER

MARCH 29, ANAHEIM, CA–Dark Horse Comics announces Blood Brothers, a new miniseries by writers Mike Gagerman and Andrew Waller that takes friendship to an entirely new level. The comic has already found friends at MGM, where it is also being developed as a major motion picture.

With interiors by Evan Shaner (Buddy Cops, Eerie, Green Hornet Year One) and covers by Juan Doe (Legion of Monsters, Iron Man Legacy), this vampire buddy action series is sure to be the talk of the summer at local comic shops.

“Our goal with Blood Brothers was to create a comic with the feel of a classic buddy action comedy, like Lethal Weapon or Rush Hour, but with two vampires as the heroes,” said Andrew Waller. “It’s really a story about two regular guys, who just happen to be vampires. They’ve treated the last millennium like a thousand-year bender, but now find themselves having to save humanity just to keep the party going.”

More about Blood Brothers: Nick and Tree have seen everything together. They’ve smoked opium with Genghis Khan, had orgies in Michelangelo’s studio, even fronted a death metal band in the seventies. But after a millennium of friendship, these inseparable, immortal buddies are on the verge of going their separate ways. Terrible timing, as an apocalypse-obsessed vampire villain is plotting an end to humanity, and Nick and Tree are the only ones standing in his way. Can they put their baggage aside long enough to save the world?

Mike Gagerman and Andrew Waller are writers who have been friends for twenty-five years. Their Black List screenplay Search Party, about two best friends who set off on a road trip to save their roommate, who is lost and naked on a road in Mexico, is shooting this summer for Universal.

Blood Brothers #1 is on sale July 17, 2013.

About Dark Horse Comics

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.

 

A Showdown Four Decades Later:
William Shatner Faces the Alien Gorn Again in Promo for Upcoming Release of STAR TREK ^®: THE VIDEO GAME

Reprise of legendary 1967 TV battle between Shatner’s Captain Kirk and lizard-like alien puts spotlight on STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME, set for April 23 release

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (March 29, 2013) – More than four decades after they first squared off on an isolated desert planet, William Shatner comes face-to-face again with the menacing Gorn species of STAR TREK fame … but this time the battle begins on a comfy sofa with the two former foes seated in front of a video screen as they fight again in promotion for the April 23 release of STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME.  The Kirk-Gorn rematch can be found at http://youtu.be/4hnBp7x2QAE.

The original Kirk-Gorn duel was seen in the classic 1967 “Arena” episode of the STAR TREK series.  Millions of people have viewed the original on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SK0cUNMnMM.

In the promotional video, which debuted Thursday exclusively on Yahoo! Movies (http://movies.yahoo.com), Shatner and a stunt man in a replica Gorn suit are seen casually playing STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME when a dispute leads to a friendly fight re-enacting actual choreographed punches from the classic TV brawl blow-for-blow. This time, however, couch pillows replace what appeared to be “space rocks” that were thrown the first time around.

“What better way to spotlight the adventure and fun everyone can have actually playing as Capt. Kirk in the new game, than to team up the legendary former captain himself to play one of his old foes,” commented LeeAnne Stables, President of Consumer Products at Paramount Pictures, the studio releasing the game. “Mr. Shatner is such a great sport and that Gorn had absolutely no chance of coming out on top this time.”

After spending a day on the set with the Gorn to create the video, veteran actor Shatner, who originated the role of Capt. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series, added:   “It never ceases to amaze me how many people still ask me about that scene.  It’s 46 years later, and he hasn’t aged as well as I have.”

The highly anticipated STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME features a vastly updated version of the Gorn as the key foe to legendary duo Kirk and Spock.   Players take on the roles of Kirk and Spock, who work together to get to the heart of a mysterious attack by an enemy with unimaginable strength – a re-imagined version of the Gorn.  In an entirely original story, written by BAFTA award winner Marianne Krawczyk, the Gorn is a terrifying threat, with an army that could overwhelm Kirk, Spock and the crew of the Enterprise.

The all-new video showdown between the two STAR TREK icons can also be found online at www.startrekgame.com starting today, and highlights the co-op play that is at the heart of STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME, which will be available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.  Pre-ordering is available now.

The promotional video was produced in-house under the creative direction of Senior Vice President Brian Miller and shot on location in a ranch-style home in suburban Los Angeles.  The original 1967 Kirk-Gorn fight can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SK0cUNMnMM, courtesy of CBS Television.

STAR TREK The Video Game is under license by CBS Consumer Products and will be released April 23 in North America and April 26 worldwide by Paramount Pictures and NAMCO Bandai Games.

To learn more about STAR TREK The Video Game, visit www.startrekgame.com or follow @star_trek_game on Twitter.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT OF THE HIT SUPERNATUAL ANIME ACTION SERIES NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN

ON DVD AND BLU-RAY

When Night Falls, The King Of The Yokai Rises Up In This Thrilling Action Series About A Middle School Student With A Secret Life

San Francisco, CA, March 28, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, gives anime fans a new dose of supernatural anime action as it announces the upcoming DVD and Blu-ray release of NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN on April 2^nd.

The fantasy adventure series about a young man who is part human and part supernatural demon is rated TV-14 and will carry a DVD MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN and a Blu-ray MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN. The new 2-disc set features Episodes 1-13 presented with original Japanese (with English subtitles) and English dubbed dialogue options. DVD bonus features include production art and the official U.S. trailer. The Blu-ray edition features a color production art gallery, clean opening and the official U.S. trailer.

Rikuo Nura is an average middle school student by day and yokai (a supernatural demon) by night. He’s not just any yokai – he is the grandson of Nurarihyon, the Supreme Commander of the Nura clan!  Rikuo wants to live a normal life. However, his grandfather wants him to succeed as the rightful heir. When an inter-clan conflict threatens the stability within their organization, Rikuo must decide whether he will live his life as a human or accept his yokai heritage.

“Anime fans everywhere are going to love the action-packed storyline of NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, which incorporates elements from Japanese mythology and updates them into a kinetic new supernatural adventure,” says Charlene Ingram, Sr. Marketing Manager, Animation. “The talented cast of top U.S. voice actors, including Kyle Hebert, Grant George, Mela Lee, and Darrel Guilbeau in the lead role of Rikuo Nura, really brings the action to life. Fans won’t want to miss the entire first season of this riveting anime series!”

The NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN anime series (English-dubbed) is also featured on Neon Alley, VIZ Media’s 24/7 anime channel available for the PlayStation^®Network and the PlayStation^®3 (PS3™) system, and now also for the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live^®.

NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN is based on the bestselling NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN manga series created by Hiroshi Shiibashi (rated ‘T’ for Teens; also published by VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump imprint). Hiroshi Shiibashi debuted in Japan in Business Jump magazine with the series, Aratama. NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN is his breakout hit.

More information on NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN is available at http://www.viz.com/anime/dvd/nura-rise-of-the-yokai-clan-video.

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.

###

Art Directors Guild Set Day of Panels at
Eaton Sci-fi Conference, April 13

Los Angeles, March 28 – The Art Directors Guild (ADG, IATSE Local 800) will be a major contributor to the prestigious UC Riverside Eaton Science Fiction Conference, hosting three panels of top Production Designers and other art department members on Saturday, April 13. The conference, the largest in its 34-year history, will be held at the Riverside Marriott Hotel. This is the fourth year members of the ADG have participated.

The morning session (10:30 AM to 12:30 PM; “Building Worlds”) will explore the process of creating screen environments for films based on all types of media — books, graphic novels, games and scripts. Panelists will be Mimi Gramatky, president of the ADG and Production Designer, who began her Hollywood career in VFX on Superman I and II, Altered States and Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn.
More recently, she was Production Designer on the award-nominated digital series, 10,000 Days and is in prep on the sci-fi/fantasy thriller Bad Axe, the movie; Kirk Petruccelli, Production Designer on the soon-to-be released White House Down, The Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider; and Oliver Scholl, a Production Designer and Concept Artist whose many credits include Battleship, The Polar Express, A.I Artificial Intelligence and the yet to be released All You Need Is Kill. Sharon Sharp will moderate.

The early afternoon panel (2:00 PM to 3:30 PM; "Bringing Imaginary Worlds to Life") will be an "under-the-hood" look inside a film's creative team. Panelist Robert Stromberg is a two-time Academy Award® winner for art direction for James Cameron's Avatar (with co-winner Rick Carter) and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. He also designed the recently released Oz the Great and Powerful. Dylan Cole is an award winning Production Designer, Concept Artist and Matte Painter whose 50 some credits include the groundbreaking Avatar, Oz the Great and Powerful and Malificent. Supervising Art Director Stefan Dechant has worked on such movies as Lincoln, Alice in Wonderland, Avatar and Minority Report. The fourth panelist is Todd Cherniawsky, a Set Designer who has worked on some of the biggest tentpole pictures of recent years, including Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Oceans Thirteen, Superman Returns and War of the Worlds. Moderator is Patrick Sharp.

The Final panel (4:00 PM to 5:30 PM; "Life Imitates Art or why did the first Motorola flip phone look like a Star Trek communicator?") will discuss how items conjured up in the imagination of art department members find their way into the real world.

Panelists are Cate Bangs, treasurer of the ADG and Set Designer, whose work includes the TV series Private Practice and Desperate Housewives; Alex Hajdu a Production Designer and Art Director whose credits include the upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D., The Walking Dead and Animal Practice; Andrew Leung, a Concept Designer whose credits include Iron Man 3, Real Steel and Horton Hears a Who!; and Geoff Mandel, a Graphic Designer who started his career in the art department of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He went on to work on many projects in the Star Trek franchise and other TV shows such as NCIS and Mad Men, and movies including X-Men First Class. The session will be moderated by Howard Hendrix.

Prior to the Awards Banquet the ADG will host a reception.

Mimi Gramatky noted, "We're delighted to be a part of this important conference and to have a chance to demonstrate the expertise the Art Directors Guild members bring to the making of motion pictures and TV shows."

About the Art Directors Guild:The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) represents nearly 2,000 members who work throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world in film, television and theater as Production Designers, Art Directors, Assistant Art Directors; Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Illustrators and Matte Artists; and Set Designers and Model Makers; and Previs Artists. Established in 1937, the ADG's ongoing activities include a Film Society; an annual Awards Banquet, a creative/technology community (5D: The Future of Immersive Design); a bimonthly craft magazine (Perspective); and extensive technology-training programs, figure drawing and other creative workshops and year-round Gallery 800 art exhibitions. The Guild's Online Directory/Website Resource is at www.adg.org. Follow ADG on Twitter: @ADG800

 BOOM! STUDIOS UNVEILS FINAL REGULAR SHOW #1 COVERS 

 

 

 

March 28, 2013 - Los Angeles, CA - BOOM! Studios is thrilled to reveal the final covers for REGULAR SHOW #1, an all-new, all-ages ongoing comic book series based on Cartoon Network’s Emmy® Award-winning series created by J.G. Quintel. Initial orders for the first issue, which ships in April, were the highest of any KaBOOM! series to date.

Cartoon Network’s powerhouse series will debut its first comic book series next month,hot on the heels of KaBOOM!’s smash hit adaptation of another popular Cartoon Network comedy series, ADVENTURE TIME!  The new comics will follow the antics of Mordecai, a blue jay, and Rigby, a raccoon, a couple of best bros in their twenties just tryin’ to chill for a bit, man. But when you’re livin’ in as crazy a world as they are, no day can be called...regular!

The highly-anticipated series will be written by web cartoonist KC Green (GUNSHOW) and illustrated by newcomer Allison Strejlau. REGULAR SHOW #1 ships with main covers by Nick Edwards (ADVENTURE TIME), Nathan Fox (X-MEN: SECOND COMING), Phil McAndrew (CRYING IN FRONT OF YOUR DOG AND OTHER STORIES, ADVENTURE TIME), John Allison (BAD MACHINERY, ADVENTURE TIME: MARCELINE AND THE SCREAM QUEENS), Brian Butler, and Chuck BB (BLACK METAL). Ask your retailer about the pre-order variant by Chris Houghton (ADVENTURE TIME, REED GUNTHER) and the incentive variant by Dustin Nguyen (BATMAN, LI’L GOTHAM)! Additionally, a commemorative boxed set of all six main covers will be available for collectors.

REGULAR SHOW #1 is a 32 page, full color issue that retails for $3.99 and is available for order under Diamond Code FEB130826. The REGULAR SHOW #1 COMPLETE COVER BOX SET contains REGULAR SHOW #1 Covers A-F in a shrink-wrapped commemorative box that retails for $24.99 and is available for order under Diamond Code FEB130829.

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 Mark Waid's IRREDEEMABLE, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning’s HYPERNATURALS, new HELLRAISER comics written by Clive Barker, PLANET OF THE APES, and Sam Humphreys’ 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. BOOM!'s lit comix-focused imprint, BOOM! Town, recently won the 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.

About Cartoon Network Enterprises

Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) is responsible for building consumer products and merchandising programs for a wide range of brands by securing and supporting long-term licensing partnerships across all categories. As the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, the division manages the consumer product programs for the networks’ award-winning original programming, brands and characters including Ben 10, Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, The Powerpuff Girls, Adult Swim and more. CNE also serves as the exclusive global licensing agent for LazyTown Entertainment and the PGA of America for the youth marketplace.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com) is the #1 U.S. television network among boys 6-11. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 168 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY ANNOUNCES FRIDAY NIGHT LINE-UP FOR “CAPETOWN FILM FESTIVAL”
SPONSORED BY TNT’s FALLING SKIES AT THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE

Film Legend Kurt Russell to Make Rare Appearance for May 3^rd Q&A and
Exclusive Screening of Escape from New York

Six Day Festival to Run April 30^th – May 5^th in Los Angeles

(NEW YORK, NY) - March 27, 2013 - Entertainment Weekly today announced the coveted Friday night slot for the recently announced EW CapeTown Film Festival (CapeTown ) in Los Angeles. The inaugural film festival, in conjunction with American Cinematheque and sponsored by TNT’s Falling Skies, will bring a new print of John Carpenter’s 1981 futuristic sci-fi cult classic Escape from New York back to the big screen. In a rare on-stage appearance, Kurt Russell will join fans for a 40-minute Q&A with Entertainment Weekly senior writer Geoff Boucher to discuss his role as the gritty, one-eyed Snake Plissken; a role that helped change the course of his career. It also began a feature film partnership between Russell and Carpenter that lead to additional classic genre feature films that included The Thing (1982), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), and Escape from L.A. (1996).

Escape from New York will be one of the six days of programming and will be accompanied by a special free big-screen preview presentation of the season three premiere of Falling Skies, the TNT sci-fi series that stars Noah Wyle and Moon Bloodgood and traces the post-invasion struggles of humanity to fight against the invaders -- and to fight against extinction. The Friday night program of the Falling Skies preview and Escape from New York screening will begin at 7 p.m with a brief intermission in between the two.

The EW CapeTown Festival will run from Tuesday, April 30th through Sunday, May 5^th at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA.  The film fest will offer sci-fi, super-hero, and fantasy fans the opportunity to see their favorites on the big screen, and hear from the visionaries and biggest stars from the genre who have brought them to life. 

The complete festival line-up with dates, times and ticket sales information will be announced on April 4^th and tickets will go on sale April 8^th.

IDW Limited Announces First G.I. JOE Title to Get Limited Treatment G.I. JOE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION Vol. 1 Will Be Released in Deluxe Hardcover Limited Edition With More G.I. JOE Books to Follow. 3/28/13 Today IDW Limited announced its plans to release the first in a squad of limited -edition G.I. JOE offerings under license from Hasbro and based on its iconic G.I. JOE brand. Starting with G.I. JOE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION Vol.1 (www.idwlimited.com/series/gijoe), IDW Limited will be preparing several fan-favorites for deployment. Featuring a blend of original art from classic artists and modern fan-favorites, these books are the elite of the elite when it comes to collectibility and presentation. The Black Label edition (limited to 50 copies) of G.I. JOE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION Vol. 1 will be paired with original art from one of the most recognizable artists in G.I. JOE publishing history, Herb Trimpe. Trimpe is widely known for his run on the title during the ‘80s, much of which is collected in these pages ,and he’s brought his timeless style back to this book in the form of full-color original art pieces. “G.I. JOE is a book that’s close to my heart,” said Trimpe. “It’s great to see how IDW’s handled the title. Their run’s been excellent, and when they decided to launch this limited line collecting the early work that we all worked so hard on, I was thrilled to be chosen to provide art for this special edition. G.I. JOE is a timeless tradition, and drawing these pieces took me back to a different time, when I was a fan and artist who loved these characters deeply.” Fans of G.I. JOE will have two tiers to choose from when ordering this title. The Red Label is limited to 250 copies and signed by Larry Hama and Herb Trimpe. Presented in a special cover and custom slipcase, the book will collect more than 300 pages of Trimpe and Hama’s historic run on the series. That’s sixteen issues collected in a way designed to introduce new fans into the series and reward long-time fans with proper reading order and collection. The 50-copy Black Label will feature original art from Trimpe and a limited-edition tray case to house the book. This is the first of a robust line of G.I. JOE offerings scheduled for the coming months. Look out for G.I. JOE: COBRA, THE LAST LAUGH, DANGER GIRL/G.I. JOE and G.I. JOE: IDW COLLECTION soon. The talent roster for these books ranges from John Royle to Russ Heath to Mike Hawthorne, with signatures from several key writers. There’s never been a better time to say “Yo!” AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW: G.I. JOE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION DELUXE LIMITED EDITION (RED-$125.00; BLACK- $300 300 pages; 11” x 7”; hardcover)

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. About Hasbro Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company's world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Company’s Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for markets around the world. The Hub TV Network is part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), in the U.S. Through the company's deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens.”Learn more at www.hasbro.com.

EAST OF WEST #1 SELLS OUT
First issue of Hickman/Dragotta series gets new printing

EAST OF WEST #1, the premiere issue of the apocalyptic Western by Jonathan Hickman (THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS) and Nick Dragotta, has sold out the same day as its release on March 27. It will receive a second printing (Diamond Comics code FEB138443), going on shelves in stores on April 24, the same day as EAST OF WEST #2.

The best-selling debut of Hickman-penned Image Comics series to date, EAST OF WEST #1 introduces readers to a world on the verge of collapse where incarnations of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse roam a sprawling landscape and all signs point to an inglorious end.

In contrast to the spiraling fate of humankind depicted in its pages, the beginning of EAST OF WEST has been a critical triumph:

"East of West is astonishing. Something that may reset the bar by which all other comics are tested.”

    - Crave Online (10/10 review)

"Hickman accomplishes here what other writers might spend a whole series building up, which leaves the door wide open for this imaginative story to go east and west and then north and south, to boot.”

    - IGN

"The series is still new, but I wonder whether it's a glimpse at our nation's sins made manifest. A bald depiction of the scarlet letter forever branded on America, not for adultery, but for human bondage and derision. Or maybe it's just a cool, nihilistic revenge saga.”

    -  iFanboy (Pick of the Week)

"...this is a comic that could just possibly blow your mind.”

    - Comic Vine (5/5-star review)

Decorate your Easter Eggs LEGO® STAR WARS® Style!

Ask Yoda-bunny for The Empire Strikes Out^TM
Available on DVD March 26^th

 

 

 

 

Easter is just around the corner, so we thought we would help out Star Wars fans by providing you with a guide to how you can decorate your own LEGO Star Wars-inspired Easter eggs. With our step-by-step guide you will be able to re-create all your favorite LEGO Star Wars characters including Yoda, Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker.

STEP #1 Hard boil your eggs

To save a lot of mess and wasted time make sure you hard boil your eggs before decorating them.

STEP #2 Choose your characters

There are plenty of Star Wars characters to choose from, favourites of ours include Yoda, C-3PO, Darth Vader, R2-D2 and Darth Maul.

STEP #3 Prepare your paint and colors

To decorate your LEGO Star Wars inspired eggs it is best use either poster or acrylic paint and to use the right colors for each character. Here is a helpful color guide for you:

Darth Maul: black, red, white                       Yoda: green                                 Darth VADAR: black, grey

Stormtrooper: white, black                          C-3PO: yellow, gold, white            R2-D2: blue, white, black

 

STEP #4 Prepare your brushes

Eggs are pretty small so it is best to use very small brushes for your eggs. For the really detailed ones like R2-D2 a felt-tip pen is advised.

STEP #5 Use a pencil first

Some of you more experienced decorators may want to dive straight in but if you are unsure of your artistic ability then use a pencil to trace where your paint will go before you begin with the brush.

STEP #6 Start decorating – take your time

You are now ready to get going. Don’t rush straight in, take your time and make sure that each colour is dry before you add any extra details

STEP #7 Coat your egg with glue

To protect the paint and give a cool shine to your egg you can coat your themed Easter egg with PVC glue.

STEP #8 Don’t stop at one

So you’ve now got a kick-ass LEGO Star Wars inspired Easter egg character, but why stop there? Don’t let your character get lonely, make a whole bunch and begin re-creating your favorite scenes.

STEP #9 Make your eggs 3D

To make your LEGO Star Wars inspired Easter eggs even better why not add extras to each character. Maybe you could add some cotton wool to make Yoda’s white hair, or some colored Play-Doh as Darth Maul’s horns.

STEP #10 Show off your LEGO Star Wars-inspired Easter eggs

You now have an awesome set of LEGO Star Wars inspired Easter eggs to show-off to all your friends. If you want you can even share this guide with them as well, so you can compare your LEGO Star Wars-inspired creations.

NERDIST INDUSTRIES AND LUCASFILM’S

COURSE OF THE FORCE RETURNS FOR

AN EPIC SECOND JOURNEY

JULY 9-16

Lightsaber Relay Strikes the California Coast

From Skywalker Ranch To San Diego Comic-Con International

SAN FRANCISCO (MARCH 27, 2013) – On the heels of last year’s monumental, first-of-its-kind event, Course of the Force, the lightsaber run that captivated the attention of Star Wars^™ fans around the world, is returning July 9^th – 16^th, 2013.  Kicking off at the famed Skywalker Ranch, participants will continue the relay run down through San Francisco with several stops along the California coastline before reaching the finish line— arriving just in time for the start of the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con^® International convention. Nerdist Industries’ founder Chris Hardwick will be back to host the event, with city-stops along the way featuring “Conivals” where fans can celebrate their love of the Saga with live entertainment, expo booths, giveaways and much more.

"Our plan to run at Comic-con screaming with a lightsaber worked beyond our wildest dreams. People showed up! Lots of them! In cosplay! And we were able to grant more than 1000 wishes for Make-A-Wish!" said Chris Hardwick. "Last year we started in Santa Monica, this year, Marin, and hopefully next year Tatooine.”

 Course of the Force has reteamed with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® chapters of Greater Bay, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego with 100 percent of all runner registration proceeds benefiting the charity.  In 2012, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® had a strong presence during the inaugural event, with Make-A-Wish kids participating in the opening and closing ceremonies of Course of the Force and running in the event.

Given the overwhelming response to the 2012 relay, this year’s event is expanding and will cover nearly 500 miles; at the end of the route, Course of the Force will be hosting activities at the Chuck Jones Gallery in San Diego during San Diego Comic-Con International from July 18^th - 20th.

Highlights from last year’s 136-mile Course of the Force lightsaber run featured a caravan of costumed runners, Jabba the Hutt’s Sail Barge and two Yoda-fied RVs traveling down the Pacific Coast Highway. 

In addition to helping grant wishes, participants of Course of the Force will run quarter-mile segments down the California coast, passing off the official Course of the Force lightsaber. Registration is now open at http://www.starwars.com/courseoftheforce. Each relay spot is $150, which includes a customized Hasbro lightsaber, exclusive Course of the Force swag bag and the experience of a lifetime.  Runners are encouraged to be creative and wear their best Star Wars gear.  

All Course of the Force video content will be distributed via Starwars.com  at http://www.starwars.com/courseoftheforce and hosted on the Nerdist YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/Nerdist. 

For more information on Course of the Force, visit http://www.starwars.com/courseoftheforce. 

RESOURCES

Website – starwars.com/courseoftheforce

Facebook – facebook.com/courseoftheforce                       

Twitter – @CourseOtheForce

Google + – plus.google.com/103291298159790820268

Pinterest – pinterest.com/courseotheforce/

YouTube – youtube.com/nerdist & youtube.com/courseoftheforce

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

ABOUT NERDIST INDUSTRIES

Nerdist Industries is a multi-platform creator of genre and popular culture content. Its online presence includes a website at Nerdist.com, a premium YouTube channel (youtube.com/nerdist), Nerdist News daily e-newsletters, 1.8 million Twitter followers, and a Podcast Network including the flagship Nerdist Podcast, also produced as a TV show on BBC America.  Nerdist also hosts live events around the country such as The Nerdist Podcast Live! and Course of the Force, an annual lightsaber relay in partnership with Lucasfilm LTD and Octagon which leads up to San Diego Comic-Con International.

Nerdist Industries was founded in 2008 by comedian, author, podcaster and AMC's The Talking Dead host Chris Hardwick.  Hardwick serves as Founder & Chief Creative Officer and digital media entrepreneur Peter Levin serves as Chief Executive Officer.  In July 2012, Legendary Entertainment, the company behind such genre films as Inception, Watchmen, 300, Man Of Steel and The Dark Knight Trilogy, acquired Nerdist Industries.  Hardwick and Levin serve as Co-Presidents of Digital for Legendary, in dual roles with their Nerdist positions. Nerdist Industries is headquartered at Meltdown Comics in Hollywood, CA.

ABOUT OCTAGON

Octagon, (IPG: NYSE) is the world’s largest sponsorship consulting practice, managing and influencing some $3 billion in sponsorship-related spending annually.  Octagon also is a pioneer and leader in athlete & personality representation and management.  With more than 800+ employees worldwide, Octagon works with hundreds of blue-chip corporate clients and more than 800 athletes & personalities clients and manages more than 5,000 events per year.  Octagon’s Events & Hospitality team operates four professional golf tournaments, a professional bass fishing tournament and numerous first-class corporate hospitality events. To learn more about Octagon, visit: http://www.octagon.com.

ABOUT LUCASFILM LTD.

Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production.  In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, Lucasfilm's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual effects and audio post-production; LucasArts, a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide; Lucasfilm Animation, which produces cutting-edge digital entertainment; and Lucas Licensing which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises.   Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.