Eternal Descent: Heavy Metal Heroes Unleashes Comic Book Fury on IOS Today Based On IDW Publishing’s Cult Comic Series And Featuring Real-World Rock Star Cameos, The 3D Scrolling Endless Brawler Is Out Now For iPad, iPhone And iPod Touch.  San Diego, CA (July 26, 2013) - The brainchild of British guitarist and comic creator Llexi Leon, the multi-media Eternal Descent phenomenon has finally been unleashed on the world of video games. Developed by London-based PLA Studios, the action-packed, 3D scrolling endless brawler Eternal Descent: Heavy Metal Heroes is now available on the App Store for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch*. Based on IDW Publishing’s cult comic book series, Eternal Descent: Heavy Metal Heroes places gamers in the role of Sirian, a nomadic warrior fighting back endless hordes of demonic creatures as they rampage through the city streets. Armed with a supernaturally charged electric guitar, Sirian must traverse the depths of the underworld and eliminate the Pit Lords within – all to a killer soundtrack. Eternal Descent: Heavy Metal Heroes also features appearances and original performances from Joe Satriani, Misha Mansoor (Periphery) and Andrew W.K. who act as heroic tag-team assists activated by power-up tokens within the game. Wayne Static and Michael Amott (Arch Enemy) take on the role of end of area boss characters, gatekeepers to the realms on Sirian’s journey to Hell. With more rock/metal music acts slated to appear in future updates for Eternal Descent: Heavy Metal Heroes, instrument brands such as ESP, Jackson and Dean Guitars have leant their support to ensure that all cameo musicians appear with their signature instruments for real shred guitar action! Easy to pickup but difficult to master, Eternal Descent: Heavy Metal Heroes is now available on the App Store for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch priced £1.99/$2.99/€2.39.  https://itunes.apple.com/app/eternal-descent-heavy-metal/id670351728?mt=8 A series of updates with new characters and additional content are planned for release throughout 2014. Watch the gameplay trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EPrmgd7F5U&feature=youtu.be * An iPad 2 or newer, iPad Mini, iPhone 4S/5, or iPod touch (5th gen) is required to play Eternal Descent: Heavy Metal Heroes on iOS. About Eternal Descent Originally a virtual band formed in 2004, Eternal Descent features regular collaborations with the biggest names in rock and metal. Expanding from comics and graphic novels into soundtracks, animation, games, and incredible cross-branded merchandise including limited edition ESP guitars, Digitech effects pedals and DiMarzio accessories featuring iconic illustrations of the most popular characters. www.eternaldescent.com About PLA Studios PLA Studios is a London-based developer dedicated to creating engaging and innovative games across web, console, mobile and social platforms. www.plastudios.co.uk

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, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; HBO’s True Blood; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, and Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, 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 ANNOUNCES

PROMOTION OF DANIEL CHABON

TO ASSOCIATE EDITOR

JULY 26, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Comics is pleased to announce the promotion of former assistant editor Daniel Chabon to associate editor!

Chabon, who celebrated his third year with the company this June, will now take on the full-time responsibility of maintaining a balance between the needs of creators, copyright holders, and the publishing company. His new position as associate editor entails project management, facilitation, and problem solving.

“It’s fitting that I first met Dan at Portland’s H. P. Lovecraft Film Fest, a few years ago. Since then, he’s become an invaluable part of the Mignola team, and more recently he’s been incredible at bringing in great artists, and running some really difficult projects on his own. We’re glad we’re not losing him off Mike’s books, and I’m excited by what he has happening on his own,” said Dark Horse’s editor in chief, Scott Allie.

As an associate editor, Daniel will continue to assist on and coedit several titles, while taking a larger role on many of them—including Hellboy, B.P.R.D., Criminal Macabre, and The Occultist.

“Dark Horse could use more good (meaning smart) young men like Daniel Chabon. I don’t know that there are any more like him so I’m very glad at least they have the one—and have the good sense to promote him. He certainly deserves it and I look forward to continuing to work with him for a very long time,” Mike Mignola noted.

Chabon will also be editing more of his own titles, including Kiss Me, Satan!, Alabaster, Axe Cop, The Creep, Colder, and more to come!

“From the beginning, Daniel Chabon has been great to work with. I kept thinking, ‘This guy’s too good to be a comics editor. I wonder how long he’ll last.’ And then they go and promote him, so I’m thinking he’ll be sticking around a while—which is great news for everybody who loves the Hellboy universe,” stated John Arcudi (The Creep, B.P.R.D.).

Please join us in congratulating Daniel Chabon on his past accomplishments, and wishing him luck in his new role in the company.

 ***

Back From The Past, Samurai Jack! The epic quest to return home continues with all-new comic books from IDW!   San Diego, CA (July 26, 2013) – Battling against the forces of evil and the oddities of the future, Samurai Jack’s stoic journey is not over yet, in fact, it’s just beginning! The long wait is almost over as the fan-favorite series is set to make its IDW debut this October! Through a partnership with Cartoon Network Enterprises, IDW will create and distribute a series of comic books being released monthly.   A cult-classic and fan-favorite of the highest order, the popular and acclaimed animated series from Cartoon Network pitted a feudal Samurai known only as Jack against the ancient demon wizard, Aku. Displaced in time, Jack was made to traverse a strange landscape of the future to find his way back to his own time. “Samurai Jack is an irresistible mix of high adventure, comedy and mythic storytelling,” said series writer Jim Zub (Skullkickers) who will be joined by Andy Suriano (Character Designer on the original Samurai Jack television series) to lead Jack on his newest adventure! Suriano’s affinity for Jack will help shape his continuing adventure. He added, “returning to Samurai Jack is such a personal experience and labor of love for me. It's like stepping through a time portal back to characters I know as friends and a world that really launched my animation career." The first five-issue arc will explore the secrets of the “Rope of Eons,” In addition to the great talent already working on this book, the first arc features variant covers by the show’s immensely talented creator, Genndy Tartakovsky! “As a Jack and Genndy fan I'm thrilled to be writing new stories that continue where the TV series left off. I'm channeling my inner samurai to deliver a fun action-packed ride each and every issue,” said Zub. Along with the high quality collections of existing material that IDW will be releasing, the new publishing series promises to take Jack back to the past in new and exciting ways! 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 consistently the #1 U.S. television network among boys 6-11. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 194 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.

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, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; HBO’s True Blood; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, and Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, 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 TEAMS WITH LEGENDARY PUBLISHER RUSS COCHRAN TO PUBLISH

THE EC COMICS LIBRARY!

All-new editions to begin rolling out this fall, beginning with

Tales from the Crypt Volume 4!

MILWAUKIE, OR, JULY 25–As announced during the Diamond Retailer Lunch at Comic-Con 2013, the publishing maverick Dark Horse Comics, known for the best in both new and original material as well as archiving comics’ most important works, announced one of its biggest undertakings yet!

Without question, Bill Gaines’s Entertaining Comics produced some of the greatest works in the history of the medium, from the likes of such industry legends as Jack Davis, Wally Wood, and many, many more. EC Comics produced many of the 1950s’ most controversial and talked-about works, including such legendary anthologies as Two-Fisted Tales, Weird Fantasy, and of course, Tales from the Crypt.

Now, Dark Horse will work with comics luminary Russ Cochran, under the careful guidance of Cathy Gaines, to continue this legacy with the release of Tales from the Crypt Volume 4 in October, with Vault of Horror Volume 3 following in January!

“I have admired Mike Richardson and Dark Horse for many years and am very pleased to be working with them to bring the remainder of the EC archives to fans everywhere,” said Russ Cochran. “Dark Horse’s strength and clout in the marketplace will open new avenues of distribution for these great comic books.”

Each volume will be digitally recolored, using Marie Severin’s original colors as a guide. Tales from the Crypt Volume 4 collects issues #35–#40, featuring stories drawn by all-star comic artists Jack Davis, Joe Orlando, Jack Kamen, Graham Ingels, George Evans, Reed Crandall, Bill Elder, and Bernie Krigstein!

Tales from the Crypt Volume 4 arrives on sale at finer comic shops everywhere for $49.99 on October 30, 2013, just in time for Halloween!

***

__________________________________

Project: Rooftop Announces "Storm: All-Weather Wear" Redesign Contest  Marvel's Weather Witch Comes In For A Fashion Makeover at P:R With Guest Judges Brian Wood & Kris Anka

Project: Rooftop is proud to announce that the legendary comics character Storm will be the next in their line of redesign contests. Originally created back in 1975 by Lein Wein and Dave Cockrum, Storm is best known as an X-Man but has also spent time as a member of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and even the Hellfire Club; along the way she's become one of Marvel's top heroines and one of comics most iconic heroes. For the Storm: All-Weather Wear redesign contest, Project: Rooftop is asking artists to  submit their own renditions of the hero to be spotlighted on Project: Rooftop's website and be reviewed by the P:R staff as well as comics writer  Brian Wood (X-Men, Star Wars, Conan The Barbarian) and cover artist Kris Anka (Uncanny X-Force).

"As a writer, I often dream of having the artist's job of designing or re-designing a character's costume, because that's one of the coolest, most visible, and most challenging things you can add to the legacy of a character," says Wood. "So I look forward to judging the Project: Rooftop entries this time around, and with equal parts envy and admiration."

Anka, who has been featured on numerous occasions at Project: Rooftop and has won several previous redesign contests, recently redesigned Storm for the Uncanny X-Force title.

"Storm has the distinction of both being a street level woman, but with the personality and stature of a goddess. She is both a role model for her teammates, but is as flawed and human as the rest of them," Anka explains. "A successful Storm costume has to embrace all these facets of her character, or at the very least, be aware of them as they will inform all your decisions towards her."

Entries for Storm: All-Weather Wear should aim to create a new take on the hero that stays true to the character's concept and history and only revise their costume, as if your design was in the running to be used in current continuity. All entries must be received by September 13, 2013 at 5pm Eastern Time. As usual, check our guidelines, and save your submission as a .jpg, .,png or .gif with your full name as the file name. Send your submission as an attachment to projectrooftop@gmail.comwith the subject line being "Entry for Storm: All-Weather Wear," and make sure to include your name and website in the body of the e-mail.

Thanks to Kris Anka for designing the banner for this contest.

About Project: Rooftop 

Project: Rooftop (http://www.projectrooftop.com) is where cartoonists and illustrators bring their costume design skills to task in tribute to the superheroes and villains we've grown up with. This site is intended to promote the idea of superhero costume redesigning as a skill, specific to superhero media. We also aim to foster continued interest for these amazing characters and spotlight up-and-coming creators.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

THE MOVIE: LOST TOWER U.S. THEATRICAL PREMIERE AT JAPAN FILM FESTIVAL OF

SAN FRANCISCO

First-Ever Dedicated Japanese Live-Action And Anime Film Festival For The S.F. Bay Area Also Presents An Encore Screening Of BERSERK THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II – THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY And TIGER & BUNNY: THE BEGINNING

VIZ Media has announced its participation in the upcoming Japan Film Festival of San Francisco (JFFSF), the first annual dedicated Japanese film festival for Northern California and the S.F. Bay Area. The Festival, which is presented by the NEW PEOPLE Japanese pop culture entertainment venue at its NEW PEOPLE Cinema in conjunction with the 2013 J-POP Summit, will host the exclusive U.S. theatrical premiere of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: THE LOST TOWER on Saturday, July 28^th as well as a special encore screening of TIGER & BUNNY: THE BEGINNING, on Friday, August 2^nd, and also BERSERK THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II – THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY on Sunday, July 28^th at 3:50pm.  Films will be presented with original Japanese dialogue and English subtitles.

The Japan Film Festival of San Francisco’s week-long series of film screenings includes more than 16 acclaimed live-action and anime titles and will take place at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema beginning Saturday July 27^th and running through Sunday August 4^th. Tickets are $13.00 per film unless otherwise indicated. NEW PEOPLE Cinema is located at 1746 Post St. (cross street is Webster St.) in the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown.

NARUTO advance tickets are available at: http://jffsf.org/2013/naruto-shippuden-the-lost-tower/

BERSERK THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II – THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY advance tickets are available at: http://jffsf.org/2013/berserk2/

TIGER & BUNNY advance tickets are available at:  http://jffsf.org/2013/naruto-shippuden-the-lost-tower/

Complete film schedules and advance ticket information for other screenings are available on www.jffsf.org.

VIZ Media will also offer free manga samplers that highlight a bevy of its top graphic novel series to each ticketholder. Each ticketholder will receive a bag and of full-color promo posters.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: THE LOST TOWER - U.S. Premiere!

Saturday, July 28^th, 1:30pm (During 2013 J-POP Summit Festival!)

Monday, July 29^th, 4:30PM

The Rogue Ninja Mukade is about to be caught by Naruto's team when he summons forth the power of the LeyLine - an ancient underground channel of chakra. Naruto gets caught up in the chakra and is sent back in time to the city of Loran, known for its thousand towers. There he encounters the future Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, on a top-secret mission, and the Queen of Loran, Sarah, whose rule is threatened by Mukade. Will Naruto be able to return to his own time, and can a chance encounter in the past save the future? Additional information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at www.Naruto.com.

BERSERK THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II – Special Encore Presentation!

Sunday, July 28^th, 3:50pm (During 2013 J-POP Summit Festival!)

Wednesday, July 31^st, 4:30pm

The exciting second film in the BERSERK GOLDEN AGE ARC TRILOGY, based on the bestselling manga series. For three years, Guts believed his mission was to pursue Griffith’s dream together with him. But in order to become Griffith’s equal and truly be called his friend, Guts realizes he will have to leave the Band of the Hawk. At the same time, a bloody battle to capture the impenetrable Fortress of Doldrey from the Empire of Chuder is about to begin. The Band of the Hawk will face an army 30,000 strong!

TIGER & BUNNY: THE BEGINNING – Special Encore Presentation!!!

Friday, August 2^nd, 4:00pm

The hero-inspired big screen action of the smash hit anime property – Tiger & Bunny – returns to the Bay Area for one-night-only! The city of Sternbild is protected by corporate superheroes known as NEXT, who fight crime while promoting their sponsors on the popular show “HERO TV.” Veteran hero Wild Tiger relies on his years of experience and instincts to fight crime, but his tendency to destroy public property for the sake of protecting the lives of the innocent has earned him the nickname “Crusher for Justice.” Now, under orders from his new employer, Wild Tiger finds himself forced to team up with Barnaby Brooks Jr., a rookie with an attitude. Will the two unlikely new partners find a way to work together? Please visit the official TIGER & BUNNY Facebook page for more information http://www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny.

The Japan Film Festival of San Francisco is presented in conjunction with the 2013 J-POP Summit, taking place Saturday July 27^th and Sunday July 28^th across the city’s historic Japantown district to celebrate the phenomenon of Japanese pop culture with a colorful array of live bands and artists, panel discussions, film premieres, edgy fashion shows and DJ dance events, celebrity appearances and more. The J-POP Summit Festival is hosted and organized by NEW PEOPLE in cooperation with the Japantown Merchants Association. In 2012, the two-day event attracted nearly 65,000 attendees.

More information is available at www.J-POP.com.

NEW PEOPLE Cinema is a 143-seat cinema located in the underground floor of NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco. Equipped with a cutting-edge HD digital projection and THX^®-certified sound system, NEW PEOPLE Cinema is home for local film festivals and entertaining events.

###

RAT QUEENS BRINGS THE BOOZE AND BRAWLS TO HIGH FANTASY

New Image Comics comedy adventure series by PETER PANZERFAUST creator in September

They’re not your typical band of high fantasy adventurers: Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric, and Betty the Hippy Hafling Thief. These women are the stars of the new Image Comics/Shadowline series RAT QUEENS, and they’re the deadliest grog-guzzling, death-dealing, battle-maidens-for-hire in Palisade.   In this new series by Kurtis J. Wiebe (PETER PANZERFAUST) and Roc Upchurch, starting in September, the Rat Queens are taking on the quest of a lifetime... or at least the quest that’s going to get them out of the latest jam they’ve found themselves in: clearing out some pesky goblins from a cave. But these aren’t just any goblins, and Hindman Cave isn’t just any cave.   “I suppose it’s obvious at this point that this is a love letter to my years of Dungeons and Dragons and fantasy but tweaked ever so slightly with a modern twist,” said writer Wiebe, who collaborated with Meg Dejmal to round out his characters in an interview with IGN. “Rat Queens is a title I’m super excited about. This is a series I’ve wanted to write for years but never felt quite ready to do it.”   Wiebe met his collaborator on RAT QUEENS, Roc Upchurch at Comic-Con in 2011.   “A fantasy setting with female leads is pretty much the dream for me, so I'm having the time of my life with Rat Queens,” said Upchurch, who has previously drawn the Image series VESCELL, written by Enrique Carrion. “Creating these characters was both fun and challenging. The girls have very different personalities, so I wanted them to have very distinct and unique costumes to reflect that. The world itself is so fun to draw. I want this to be a place that fans of fantasy would want to live in with characters that they would want adventures with.”   A RAT QUEENS webcomic by Wiebe, Dejmal, and Upchurch will run each week on the Image Comics tumblr until the release of the first issue on September 25. Wiebe has also spoken to the L.A. Times and USA Today about the upcoming series.   RAT QUEENS #1 — including a special variant edition with a cover by SAGA artist Fiona Staples — can be pre-ordered now from the July issue of Previews (Diamond Code JUL130404).

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

DARK HORSE ROCKS THE EISNERS

WITH FIVE WINS!

MILWAUKIE, OR, JULY 24—This past Friday, Dark Horse Comics, the number-one independent publisher in the industry, took home an impressive number of awards at this year’s Eisner Awards ceremony.

Below is a list of the company’s wins.

Best Anthology

Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson. A 2012 Eisner and Harvey Award winner, this legendary, premier anthology is back and here to stay! The eighty-page spectacular Dark Horse Presents returns with all-new stories.

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

Blacksad: A Silent Hell, by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido. A 2011 Eisner and Harvey Award winner, the first Blacksad collection is already in its sixth printing and approaching 20,000 copies sold! Detective John Blacksad returns, with a new case that takes him to a 1950s New Orleans filled with hot jazz and cold-blooded murder!

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

Juanjo Guarnido, Blacksad. The hardcover collection features an extensive making-of section, with tons of preliminary sketches and watercolor studies.

Best Coloring

Dave Stewart, Batwoman (DC); Fatale (Image); B.P.R.D., Conan the Barbarian, Hellboy in Hell, Lobster Johnson, The Massive (Dark Horse)

Best Digital Comic

Bandette, by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover. A costumed teen burglar by the nome d’arte of Bandette and her group of street urchins find equal fun in both skirting and aiding the law. The hardcover collection features guest art by Steve Lieber, Jonathan Case, Alberto J. Alburquerque, and Jennifer Meyer and will be released on November 6.

Congratulations to all winners and nominees!

Named for acclaimed comics creator Will Eisner, the Eisner Awards are in their twenty-fifth year of highlighting the best publications and creators in comics and graphic novels.

 ***

COMIC LEGEND STAN LEE UNVEILS TWO NEW BOOKS FROM STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE-

REGGIE THE VEGGIE AND ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A PIG

July 24, 2013 Los Angeles---Comic icon Stan Lee, Founder/ Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of POW! Entertainment, made a special appearance this past weekend at the 1821 Comics booth during San Diego Comic Con during a special book-signing event for fans where he unveiled two new books from his label STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE (SLKU), REGGIE THE VEGGIE and ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A PIG by Dani Jones. SLKU is a family-friendly multiplatform children’s books label that POW! co-founded with 1821 Comics.

Since kicking off with a celebration event for children earlier this year, STAN LEE’S KIDS UNIVERSE has unleashed a slate of picture books, graphic novels, mobile games, interactive books, and animation for children ages 1-10. The slate includes both fun and educational books and was created to support childhood literacy and arts education. During this morning’s signing, Lee greeted fans while signing copies of the acclaimed first release from SLKU---MONSTERS VS. KITTENS. He also signed SLKU’s latest creations: REGGIE THE VEGGIE and ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A PIG by Dani Jones, and copies of the NY Times Best seller from 1821 Comics ROMEO AND JULIET: THE WAR.

Following the successful release of Dani Jones’ acclaimed book MONSTERS VS. KITTENS, Stan Lee’s Kids Universe is releasing her second book ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A PIG, a fun tale of a little pig who wants to tell a story but keeps getting interrupted by a cast of eclectic animals. Also this week, REGGIE THE VEGGIE, a fun rhyming picture book featuring a crocodile who loves vegetables and encourages kids to eat a well balanced diet, will hits stores nationwide. The book was created in association with Viper Comics and written by Inspector Gadget writer Dale Mettam. The artwork for Reggie the Veggie was created by Ivan Escalante (Johnny Test).

Lee took pictures with his SLKU co-founder and 1821 Comics CEO Terry Dougas during the signing.  Patrick Wilson, drummer for the popular alternative band Weezer stopped by the 1821 Comics booth to also take a few photos with Stan Lee during the signing.

About 1821 Media

1821 Media produces and finances feature films, TV series, graphic novels and children’s books. The company was founded by Paris Kasidokostas Latsis and Terry Dougas in 2005.1821 Media partnered with comic book legend Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment to create and publish the New York Times bestselling graphic novel, ‘Romeo and Juliet: The War’. The company’s successful partnership with Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment was extended to create a new children’s imprint called Stan Lee’s Kids Universe. 1821 Media and Stan Lee’s Kids Universe are highly devoted to story, content, and artwork that will inspire readers of all ages.
For further information visit www.1821media.com and www.stanleeskidsuniverse.com

POW! Entertainment, Inc. (OTCQB: POWN), a multi-media entertainment company, was founded by noted comic book writer Stan Lee, together with award-winning producer Gill Champion and the late intellectual property specialist Arthur Lieberman. POW!’s principals have extensive backgrounds in the creation and production of original intellectual properties, including some of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. POW! is utilizing Stan Lee’s historical background by perpetuating his legacy while creating and developing all new live-action films, television, digital games, merchandising, licensing and related ancillary markets, all of which contribute to global expansion. POW! partners with third parties and strategic alliances, including studios and networks, in the production and distribution of new POW! character franchises.

 DAY MEN #1
SELLS OUT
GOES TO SECOND PRINT


 

  
   

 

July 24th, 2013 - Los Angeles, CA - BOOM! Studios is proud to announce that DAY MEN #1, the first BOOM! project drawn by industry legend Brian Stelfreeze, has sold out at the distributor level and the publisher has rushed to a second printing.

 

Comic book fans should keep in mind first printings of DAY MEN #1 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!

 

Created by Matt Gagnon (FREELANCERS) & co-written by Michael Alan Nelson (DC’s SUPERGIRL, HEXED), DAY MEN is a vampire noir that brings modern master Brian Stelfreeze (WEDNESDAY COMICS, HARDCORE) back to drawing monthly comics for the first time since 2005!

 

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.

 

“Breathing new life in what has felt like an overplayed concept, DAY MEN shows us there is plenty more to the idea of vampires and the world they live in.” - Comicvine

 

“[Stelfreeze’s] high-contrast shadows and outlines suit the story's themes of power and wealth and day vs. night, too.” - Comic Book Resources

 

“If Gagnon and Nelson can add their own bite to Stelfreeze's supernatural levels of talent, DAY MEN could be BOOM! Studios' next big hit.” - Newsarama

 

"DAY MEN #1 is a slick new series that suggests there's still room for another vampire comic on the market." - IGN

DAY MEN #1 second print ships with a striking new cover by Brian Stelfreeze with a retail price of $3.99 and ships with Diamond Code MAY138392.

 

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 will be released as a feature film from Universal Pictures August 2nd, 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.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NAOKI URASAWA’S

20^th CENTURY BOYS 2013 WILL EISNER AWARD WIN

Acclaimed Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Manga Series Wins Comic Industry’s Most Prestigious Award For The Second Time In Three Years

San Francisco, CA, July 23, 2013 – VIZ Media, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced that NAOKI URASAWA’S 20^th CENTURY BOYS won the 2013 Eisner Award in the category of Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia during award ceremonies held this past weekend at the 2013 Comic-Con International in San Diego, CA. NAOKI URASAWA’S 20^th CENTURY BOYS (rated ‘T+ for Older Teens) is published under the VIZ Signature imprint.

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are considered the "Oscars" of the comic book industry and named for renowned cartoonist Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit and several award-winning graphic novels). The awards are handed out annually during a gala ceremony held at Comic-Con International in San Diego, the largest comic book and pop culture convention in the United States.

This is the second time that NAOKI URASAWA’s 20^th CENTURY BOYS has won the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material – Asia; the acclaimed manga (graphic novel) series also won in the same category in 2011.

“We are tremendously proud to see NAOKI URASAWA’S 20^th CENTURY BOYS recognized by the comics publishing industry for the second time in three years with a Will Eisner Award,” says Leyla Aker, Vice President, Publishing. “Urasawa is a master storyteller and manga artist whose work has been widely lauded by readers, critics and industry professionals for years. We hope that this award will help bring his work to the attention of an even wider international audience.”

NAOKI URASAWA’S 20^th CENTURY BOYS is the story of a group of boys who try to save the world. Humanity, having faced extinction at the end of the 20th century, would not have entered the new millennium if it weren't for them. In 1969, during their youth, they created a symbol. In 1997, as the coming disaster slowly starts to unfold, that symbol returns. For Kenji, a simple convenience store manager who once dreamed of becoming a rock 'n' roll musician, a host of memories from his past come rushing back when one of his childhood friends mysteriously commits suicide. Could this new death be related to the rise of a bizarre new cult that's been implicated in several other murders and disappearances? Determined to dig deeper, Kenji reunites with some of his old buddies in the hope of learning the truth behind it all.

Naoki Urasawa's career as a manga artist spans more than twenty years and has firmly established him as one of the true manga masters of Japan. Born in Tokyo in 1960, Urasawa debuted with Beta! in 1983 and hasn't stopped his impressive output since. Well-versed in a variety of genres, Urasawa's oeuvre encompasses a multitude of different subjects, such as a romantic comedy (Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl), a suspenseful human drama about a former mercenary (Pineapple Farm; story by Kazuya Kudo), a captivating psychological suspense story (Naoki Urasawa's Monster), a sci-fi adventure manga (NAOKI URASAWA’S 20^th CENTURY BOYS), and a modern reinterpretation of the work of the God of Manga, Osamu Tezuka in Pluto: UrAsawa x Tezuka. Many of his books have spawned popular animated and live-action TV programs and films, and 2008 saw the theatrical release of the first of three live-action Japanese films based on NAOKI URASAWA’s 20^th CENTURY BOYS. Director Guillermo del Toro is currently developing Naoki Urasawa's Monster (also published by VIZ Media) into a live-action mini-series for HBO.

No stranger to accolades and awards, Urasawa is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award, a two-time recipient of the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize, and has received the Kodansha Manga Award. Urasawa has also become involved in the world of academia, and in 2008 accepted a guest teaching post at Nagoya Zokei University, where he teaches courses in, of course, manga.

For more information on NAOKI URASAWA’S 20^th CENTURY BOYS and other VIZ Media manga titles, please visit www.viz.com/manga.

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.

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20 SEIKI SHONEN © 2000 Naoki URASAWA/Studio Nuts

Story Coproduced with Takashi NAGASAKI 

Original Japanese edition published by SHOGAKUKAN