Krel Komix Announces the Publication of an Exciting New Title:

ARGENT STARR — TALES FROM THE ARCHIVES

WISE-CRACKING ACTION-ADVENTURE IN A SCI-FI NOIR SETTING
By Altemus & Lyn T. Byrd

Our striking full color 36-page premiere issue, Commencing Countdown, is the first chapter of an ongoing series that will be available on Comixology as a digital first and on IndyPlanet.com for print-on-demand copies. Issue one will be available for sale as of mid-Sept., 2013. The digital version will sell for a special introductory price of 99¢, and the print version for $3.99.

About ARGENT STARR — Tales From the Archives

The year: 2062. "They" have a plan for Earth and they're not going to ask if we like it or not. Only one man on the planet, technopath Argent Starr, half human, half alien, can deflect the coming threat. His team; the ravishing badass commando Mrs. Thorne, and a trouble-making, brain-enhanced talking cat. The trio are swept into an off-world adventure pitting shape-shifters, alien gamblers, interstellar mobsters and a mysterious galaxy-controlling sect, against Argent's hyper-tech powers of magic and super science.

Chapter one follows Argent and company into the dead of night as they investigate the seemingly unconnected actions of a rogue super spy, and a couple of out-of-control aliens, all pursuing wildly different secret agendas on Earth.

The sci-fi noir scenario of Argent Starr is adult entertainment combining hard science, soft sex and satire, for the geeky and not-so-geeky masses; a mix of action-adventure with elements of fantasy and comedy, featuring sabotage, assassins, sex, drugs, high-stake casinos, and espionage. Fans of properties such as Farscape, The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai, Fifth Element and Men In Black will enjoy this work.

Three issues are currently completed and two more are in production. The story has a finished script for a run of at least 24 issues. Current plans are for bi-monthly releases.

See our 12-page preview on the official website:

http://www.argentstarr.com/previews

Join us on Facebook.com/ArgentStarr or follow @argentstarr on Twitter.

 The Creators

 Altemus, life-long comics and sci-fi fan, is a New York based illustrator, graphic designer and type designer, recipient of well over a 150 national design, illustration and typographic awards. He has created artwork for broadcast networks, advertising and movie posters. He has art directed numerous magazines including Penthouse and US, and the official souvenir magazines for fantasy and sci-fi films including; Blade Runner, Back To The Future, Gremlins, Goonies, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Mad Max, the first three Batman films, and The X-Files TV show. He was a partner and COO of the late ’90′s Silicon Alley internet development corporation, Interocity. He has designed and currently markets a series of over 50 dingbat fonts sold world-wide.

Lyn T. Byrd is a native New Yorker born in Manhattan, and attended New York City's High School of Art & Design, before being recruited by one of the '80s first wave of synth-pop bands, Comateens. The band was also among the first in the industry to record solely with a drum machine, joining the ranks of the burgeoning electropop avant garde along with bands such as The Normal, Suicide, and Kraftwerk. She is a writer, artist, designer, singer, and song writer, with over fifteen years experience in designing for the internet.

Learn more about Argent Starr’s exciting universe and motley crew of characters at our Web portal argentstarr.com.

GLOBAL YAOI MANGA PUBLISHER SuBLime RELEASES TETUZOH OKADAYA’S DANCE-FLAVORED

LOVE STORY, THE MAN OF TANGO

“Life Is Like Tango; There Are Infinite Steps.” A Hot Dancer Is Drawn To A Handsome But Reluctant Salaryman In This Fiery Manga Set To The Moves Of The Sultry Argentine Dance

SuBLime, the global yaoi manga (graphic novel) publishing initiative between VIZ Media and Japan’s Animate, Ltd. (Animate), turns on the passion and heats up the dance floor Latin-style with the release of Tetuzoh Okadaya’s, THE MAN OF TANGO. This new single-volume edition is now available, is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers, and carries a print MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN. The digital version is available simultaneously at an MSRP of USD $5.99 and offers fans digital access to two versions of each manga volume on www.SuBLimeManga.com – a DRM-free downloadable PDF that is viewable on any enabled eReader device and computer, and via the online manga viewer found on the web site.

Although hailed as “The Man of Tango,” Angie has never truly felt the deep, fiery passion of the dance until he met Hiro, a half-Latin, half-Japanese office worker who’s in no way interested in men. Slowly, Hiro finds himself drawn to the Latin dancer and the seductive beat of the tango, opening his body and soul to their smoldering heat. This revised special edition of Tetuzoh Okadaya's debut volume also includes previously unpublished content.

“We’re very excited to release the eagerly anticipated THE MAN OF TANGO in a complete edition, including previously unpublished content, bringing this passionate love story to a satisfying conclusion,” says Jennifer LeBlanc, Editor, SuBLime. “The celebrated Argentine Tango was originally called ‘the Tango of the Compadron’ and was danced by two men, whose flamboyant and masculine style expressed a symbolic mortal combat. The confident and smooth Angie and the beautiful but reluctant Hiro become locked in a battle of hearts in this sultry story yaoi fans and dance aficionados won’t want to miss!”

Tetuzoh Okadaya made her debut in 2007 with THE MAN OF TANGO, which quickly became a critical and fan favorite. She has gone on to produce several volumes of manga, independent comics, and illustrations. You can find out more about Tetuzoh Okadaya at her website, http://okdy.sakura.ne.jp/, or follow her on Twitter, @_OKDY.

For up-to-date news and release information, please visit the SuBLime website at www.SuBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga and Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga.

About SuBLime

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

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THE MAN OF TANGO © Tetuzoh Okadaya 2013

 HIT #1 SELLS OUT
GOES TO SECOND PRINT

 

  
  

 

September 12th, 2013 - Los Angeles, CA - BOOM! Studios is proud to announce that HIT #1, the debut original comic from writer Bryce Carlson (ADVENTURE TIME) and newcomer artist Vanesa R. Del Rey, has sold out at the distributor level so the publisher has rushed to a second printing.

 

Comic book fans should keep in mind first printings of HIT #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!

 

HIT #1 sold out of its 10,000 copy print run within a week of its release.

 

"We're thrilled to announce HIT #1 has sold out of its first print," says BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. "HIT is one of the series I'm most proud of this year. It's always a great feeling when something you believe in is embraced by comic book readers."

 

WHY WE LOVE IT: We’re suckers for classic film noir, crime comics, and pulp detective novels. We love the secret history of law enforcement in our hometown, Los Angeles. Mostly, we love stories about good men making hard decisions in unforgiving circumstances.

 

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: HIT is a dark crime drama filled with murderers, rapists, and drug lords…and the men who will stop at nothing to bring them to justice. If you’re a fan of CRIMINAL, PARKER, or TUMOR, then HIT is the series for you.

 

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Los Angeles. It’s 1955. It’s dark. It’s sexy. It’s dangerous. Everyone has an angle. And while infamous gangster Mickey Cohen rots in a prison cell, Los Angeles ignores the blackest parts of the city’s heart…where clandestine groups of LAPD detectives moonlight as sanctioned hitmen knows as “Hit Squads.”

 

“Taking its name to heart, ‘Hit’ #1 proves to be a wonderfully surprising read with a compelling plot and complex characters, courtesy of Bryce Carlson in the writer's chair and Vanesa R. Del Rey on art.” - CBR

 

“It’s mightily impressive – return to the comic shop and buy.” - Geeks Unleashed

 

“‘Hit’ #1 is a dense story with some great twists that will appeal to any noir crime fan.” - Newsarama

 

“As you can probably already tell, ‘Hit’ is noirish done right. The art looks great, the narration rings true, and the plot goes in the darkest of directions.” - Multiversity

 

HIT #1 second print ships with a striking new cover by Vanesa R. Del Rey with a retail price of $3.99 through Preview Plus and should arrive in stores alongside issue #2 on October 2nd.

 

 

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS

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

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces 2013 Costume Contest Winners

  

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - September 12, 2013 - The Baltimore Comic-Con is happy to announce the winners of the 5th Annual Costume Contest. The contest took place this past Sunday, September 8, 2013 and saw a myriad of incredible and creative costumes. With costumes ranging from classic superheroes to video game characters and beyond, the contest has proven to be one of the most anticipated events at the show.

 

The grand prize winner for Best Overall Costume, and the recipient of the $1,000 cash prize, was Aaron Thompson for his "Jake Sully from Avatar" costume.

  

Winners for this year's contest include:

Best Over-all Costume: Aaron Thompson, Jake Sully from Avatar

Fan Favorite:  Adam Close, Mannly Cyrus

Male Contestants

1st Place - Paul Day, Iron Man Hulkbuster

2nd Place - Dale Horey, Pain from Warhammer

3rd Place - Robert Tongue, Steam Punk Fett

Female Contestants

1st Place - Caroline Jones, Princess Daisy

2nd Place - Crystal Trezza, Steampunk Iron Maiden

3rd Place - Carlin Gayer, Aragorn

Youth Over 12

1st Place - Dominic, Gordan Freeman

2nd Place - Maryse, Storm

3rd Place - Duncan, Psycho-Borderlands

Youth Under 12

1st Place - Owen, Robin Hood

2nd Place - Tristin, Captain Rex from Star Wars Clone Wars

3rd Place - Arielle, Poison Ivy

Best Group

1st Place - Exiles

2nd Place - Tintin

3rd Place - Castle Crushers

Special thanks go to everyone who entered the contest and showed their support, as well as to our sponsor, StylinOnline.com!

  

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, because we can't wait to start making announcements for next year's show, our biggest yet, which will be held the weekend of September 5-7, 2014!

  

Please take a moment to help us spread this message using the social media links embedded, reposting, or retweeting!

 

THE LONG WAIT FOR FANS IS OVER!

CAITRIONA BALFE CAST AS CLAIRE RANDALL IN STARZ AND SONY PICTURES TV’S “OUTLANDER”

New STARZ Original Series Based on Diana Gabaldon’s International Blockbuster Novels

From “Battlestar Galactica” Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore

Beverly Hills, Calif., September 11, 2013 – Starz in association with Sony Pictures Television has announced today that Caitriona Balfe will play the role of Claire Randall in the original series “Outlander,” adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books, which will premiere on STARZ in 2014. The quick-witted, stubborn but lovely, English “sassenach” Claire Randall, has been adored worldwide by fans since the first of the seven-book series appeared in 1991.  The series has since sold more than 25 million copies and graced the New York Times best-seller list six times.  In the two months since casting the first lead character of Jamie Fraser, thousands of Outlander fans have started online campaigns, “Claire Watch 2013” and “Free Claire” in anticipation of today’s announcement.

Diana Gabaldon said, "Hard to believe lightning can strike twice, but it surely did.  The moment Caitriona Balfe came on screen, I sat up straight and said, ‘There she is!’  She and Sam Heughan absolutely lit up the screen with fireworks."

“The casting of Claire Randall was a long and difficult one because the role is so crucial to the success of our show.  Outlander is told from Claire's point of view and we experience the entire story through her eyes, so it was vital that we find exactly the right actor to play her,” said Executive Producer, Ronald D. Moore.  “Caitriona wasn't on anyone's radar, she wasn't on any list, but when we saw her audition tape, we immediately knew she was someone special.  Then, after we had her read with Sam, we knew we'd found our Claire.  At its heart, Outlander is the story of two people -- Claire and Jamie -- their loves and losses, their adventures and tragedies, and now we finally have them both."

The “Outlander” series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history and adventure in one epic tale. It follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Caitriona Balfe can next be seen in Escape Plan for Summit/Lionsgate, starring opposite Arnold Schwarznegger and Sylvester Stallone.  Her other credits include J.J. Abrams’ Paramount feature Super 8 as well as Bryan Singer and Jason Taylor’s digital series “H+.”  Balfe is repped by Kim Callahan at Industry Entertainment, Emptage Hallett in the UK and attorney Darren Trattner.

Balfe joins previously announced cast members Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), Tobias Menzies (Frank Randall/Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall), Graham McTavish (Dougal MacKenzie), Gary Lewis (Colum MacKenzie), Duncan Lacroix (Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser), Annette Badland (Mrs. Fitzgibbons) and Stephen Walters (Angus Mhor).

The first two episodes of the series will be written by executive producer, Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”) and directed by John Dahl (“Dexter,” “Breaking Bad,” “Justified”). Ronald D. Moore and Jim Kohlberg are executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television.

The series will begin filming in Scotland in September 2013.

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 Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks 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 June 30, 2013, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.9 million subscribers, including 21.8 million at STARZ, and 35.1 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S.  STARZ^® and ENCORE^®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX^®, air more than 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.

About Sony Pictures Television

Sony Pictures Television (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com), a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, is one of the television industry’s leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, around the world and for a multitude of platforms.  In addition to one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) boasts a current program slate that includes top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT has 18 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 15 countries outside the U.S. and also maintains offices in 32 countries. SPT’s worldwide television networks portfolio includes 124 channel feeds available in 159 countries, reaching more than 800 million households worldwide.  SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE’s premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns production company Embassy Row and is a part owner of cable channel Game Show Network (GSN), 3D channel 3net, premier horror/thriller website and VOD service FEARnet and national U.S media sales company ITN Networks, Inc.  SPT advertiser sales is one of the premier national advertising sales companies and handles the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as in U.S. digital businesses including FEARnet, DrOz.com and PlayStation. 

-More-

“Outlander” Online

Facebook: www.facebook.com/outlandertvseries.starz

Twitter: @Outlander_Starz - join the conversation with #Outlander and #STARZ

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE CLASSIC SERIES RANMA ½ TO NORTH AMERICA

Legendary Martial Arts-Action-Adventure-Comedy Manga Created By Rumiko Takahashi Debuts In 2-in-1 Editions Spring 2014; Anime Launches Today On VIZAnime.com; Neon Alley, Blu-ray And DVD Debuts Coming Soon

San Francisco, CA, September 11, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced the return of one of the genre’s most celebrated manga and anime properties – RANMA ½.

RANMA ½ is a renowned martial arts action-adventure manga (graphic novel) series created by Rumiko Takahashi. The manga series was a staple of the VIZ Media catalog for over 14 years and remains one of the company’s longest-running titles and one of the longest-running manga series in North America. VIZ Media plans to begin publishing the RANMA ½ manga series (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) in new 2-in-1 omnibus editions featuring the original right-to-left reading format for the first time ever in early 2014.

VIZ Media today also launches the smash-hit RANMA ½ (subtitled, rated TV-14) anime series on its VIZAnime.com streaming service as well as on Hulu. The series will debut on its Neon Alley anime channel this fall (dubbed), and will be available on DVD and, for the first time ever, Blu-ray box set editions next year.

To celebrate the return of RANMA ½, VIZ Media is planning a variety of booth activities and special programming scheduled for the 2013 New York Comic-Con, taking place October 10-13 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. More details will be announced shortly.

Ranma Saotome never thought a martial arts training mission to China would turn out like this! Due to an unfortunate accident at the cursed Chinese training ground Jusenkyo, when Ranma and his father get splashed with cold water, papa turns into a giant panda and male Ranma becomes a buxom young woman! Hot water reverses the effect, but only until the next time! Constantly chased by battle-happy martial artists and lovesick suitors of both sexes, what's a half-boy, half-girl martial artist to do?

“A groundbreaking story with eccentric characters, martial arts mayhem, and quirky romantic subplots, RANMA ½ is a zany adventure that has thrilled generations of fans with its colorful mix of action, romance and screwball comedy,” says Leyla Aker, Vice President, Publishing. “We’re delighted to deliver this classic manga series to a new legion of North American fans this spring in 2-in-1 editions presented in right-to-left format for the first time.”

“RANMA ½ also introduced many influential artists to manga and anime fandom, and it remains a celebrated piece of the genre’s history,” adds Brian Ige, VIZ Media Vice President of Animation. “The addition of the anime series to our extensive digital catalog will present these acclaimed episodes in an entirely new way and allow fans to take advantage of the convenience and flexibility that VIZAnime and Neon Alley offer. Fans can also look forward to the hi-definition Blu-ray and DVD release this spring!”

Rumiko Takahashi is one of Japan’s most prolific and respected manga artists and is the creator of several long running series including MAISON IKKOKU, RANMA 1/2, and INUYASHA – all published in North America by VIZ Media. The spotlight on her prolific career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and also spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another— MAISON IKKOKU ran from 1980 to 1987, RANMA ½ from 1987 to 1996, and INUYASHA from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include MERMAID SAGA, RUMIC THEATER, ONE-POUND GOSPEL, and RIN-NE (all also published in North America by VIZ Media).

For more information on Rumiko Takahashi titles by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.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.

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DARK HORSE TAKES HOME THREE HARVEYS!

MILWAUKIE, OR, September 11—This past Saturday, Dark Horse Comics, the premier independent publisher in the industry, took home an impressive number of awards at this year’s Harvey Awards ceremony.

The Harvey is one of the comic book industry’s oldest and most respected awards. Held annually at Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over twenty categories, ranging from Best Artist to the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.

Below is a list of Dark Horse’s wins.

Best Anthology

Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson. A multiple Eisner Award (2012, 2013) and 2012 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 American Edition of Foreign Material

Blacksad: A Silent Hell, by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido. A multiple Eisner Award (2011, 2013) and 2011 Harvey Award winner, the first Blacksad collection is already in its sixth printing and approaching 20,000 copies sold! In A Silent Hell, 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 Online Comics Work

Battlepug, by Mike Norton. An epic tale of blood and drool from the artist of The Answer! and Revival.

Congratulations to all winners and nominees!

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 ARCHAIA ANNOUNCES
'HAWKEN: MELEE' MINISERIES, EXPANDING THE WORLD OF THE
AWARD-WINNING ONLINE
VIDEO GAME, 'HAWKEN'

Follow-up to the original graphic novel
'HAWKEN: GENESIS' debuts as a five-part Digital First title, then ships bi-weekly in print starting in December
 

  
Cover to HAWKEN: MELEE #1 illustrated by Tim Bradstreet   

 

September 11, 2013 (Los Angeles) - Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, and free-to-play video game publisher Meteor Entertainment, have teamed up with comiXology to debut the Digital First title HAWKEN: MELEE, a five-part miniseries based on the celebrated online, free-to-play mech combat video game, HAWKEN. Featuring original stories from some of the top names in comics, the first digital issue is now live on comiXology. It can be accessed at this link: http://bit.ly/13LnxaD.

The five Digital First issues will be released four weeks apart, and will be followed by the bi-weekly release of single-issue print editions starting in December. The print issues will contain additional backmatter that will appeal to gameplayers, such as mech and map schematics, combat strategies, and a peek behind the development curtain to enhance the gameplaying experience.

Following the success of HAWKEN: GENESIS, the previously released hardcover graphic novel that established the world history for the game, HAWKEN: MELEE focuses on high-stakes action and fast-paced combat in five standalone stories, each presented by a different creative team. The premiere issue features work by Tim Bradstreet (The Punisher), Dan Abnett (Legion of Super-Heroes), Federico Dallocchio (Suicide Squad), and Chris Northrop (The Reason for Dragons), while subsequent issues will feature work by Jim Mahfood (Grrl Scouts), Jock (The Losers), Nathan Fox (DMZ), Mike Kennedy (Bleedout), Andrew Gaska (Space: 1999 - Aftershock and Awe), Dan Dussault (Critical Millennium: The Dark Frontier), Michael O’Hare (Birds of Prey), Bagus Hutomo (HAWKEN: GENESIS), Francisco Ruiz Velasco (Thunderbolts), and Bengal (Flight Vol. 1).

“We really wanted to amp up the adrenaline factor for this second volume,” says Mike Kennedy, editor of the series, “and went after an A-list of amazing storytellers to bring their unique, individual vision to this rich universe.  Following the lush, painted concept style set by [game creator] Khang Le, we’re really excited by the quality of each standalone story.  We really think gamers and non-gamers alike are going to find this series pretty thrilling.”

The first two print issues of HAWKEN: MELEE will ship in December and will be available for pre-order through comic book shops starting Sept. 25.

HAWKEN is a free-to-play, online, multiplayer, mech combat shooter developed by Adhesive Games and published by Meteor Entertainment. It creates an intense and immersive battle experience that captures the feeling of piloting a heavy war machine while keeping the action fast-paced and strategic. Called one of the most anticipated games of 2012, HAWKEN won more than 22 press awards at industry events. For more information, visit playhawken.com.
 

 

About Archaia Entertainment

Archaia (archaia.com) is a multi-award-winning graphic novel publisher with more than 75 renowned publishing brands, including such domestic and international hits as Mouse Guard, Rust, Cow Boy, Cursed Pirate Girl, Gunnerkrigg Court, and Artesia. Archaia has also published an entire line of graphic novels in partnership with The Jim Henson Company, including the multiple award-winning Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand and such beloved tales as The Dark Crystal, The Storyteller, and Fraggle Rock. In addition to its partnership with Henson, Archaia has forged creative partnerships with storytellers in all facets of the entertainment industry, resulting in print and digital expansions of such noted properties as Bleedout and HAWKEN (video games), Immortals and Planet of the Apes (film), and Space: 1999 (television). Alongside these celebrated titles, Archaia has released English translations of numerous renowned foreign titles to much fanfare, including The Killer, Sergio Toppi’s Sharaz-De: Tales from Arabian Nights, and The Secret History. In June 2013, Archaia was acquired by BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com). Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent.

About Meteor Entertainment

Based in Seattle, Meteor Entertainment is focused on successfully publishing free-to-play games globally, with an emphasis on compelling content and setting the standard for customer service and community engagement. Meteor Entertainment’s first title, HAWKEN, developed by Adhesive Games, entered Open Beta on December 12, 2012 (12.12.12). To learn more about Meteor Entertainment, visit meteor-ent.com.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE
Written by #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author Ryan North
With Full-Color Illustrations by 65 Artists – Including Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant), Andrew Hussie (Homestuck), Kazu Kibuishi (Harry Potter), and Mike Krahulik (Penny Arcade)
What if Hamlet. . . .
In Ryan North’s To Be Or Not To Be, you, the reader, make the choices that determine Hamlet’s destiny.  Will he end up dead . . . or ruler of Denmark . . . or maybe he should really go off and have piratical adventures instead?  It’s up to you!  Your Hamlet can play out Shakespeare’s classic drama . . . or make some more sensible decisions instead that might leave him less dead at the end of the book.
“I love Hamlet, but the guy takes his time to make a decision,” says author Ryan North.  “I thought it'd be fun to see what happens if he made better choices – or, if not better choices, then at least different.  We've added little Yorick skulls marking the choices Shakespeare made throughout the story, so the original Hamlet is included too!”
With over 110 possible endings, your trip through Shakespeare and Ryan North’s delightfully wacky To Be Or Not To Be could feature Hamlet, Hamlet’s father, or Ophelia (now a 21st century-style strong female character!), and is 100% guaranteed to end in a full-color illustration – and probably death.
This hilarious, fun-filled adaptation of the classic Shakespeare play is the perfect holiday gift for all the people you know. 
With over 15,000 backers and funding over half a million dollars, To Be Or Not To Be is the #1 publishing projected crowdfunded by Kickstarter. 
RYAN NORTH is the co-editor of the #1 Amazon Best-Selling anthology Machine of Death and the creator of the seminal, wildly popular webcomic Dinosaur Comics.  He is also the author of the #1 New York Times Best-Selling, Eisner Award-winning Adventure Time graphic novels. 
To Be Or Not To Be / by Ryan North / ISBN: 9780982853740 / $28.95 USOn Sale September 2013 / 768 pages / B&W Prose with Full Color Illustrations
Published by Breadpig and distributed by PGW / a portion of the proceeds of this book will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society

'Harry Potter,' 'Star Wars,' Superheroes, Cosplayers Among Fan Communities At Wizard World Ohio Comic Con

Local Groups Join Noted Cosplayers Eric 'The Smoke' Moran, Ivy Doomkitty And Famous Replica Batmobile, DeLorean Time Machine In Entertaining Fans At Greater Columbus Convention Center Next Weekend

NEW YORK and COLUMBUS, Ohio, September 11, 2013 – Many of the most avid fans of popular cult movies, TV shows, comics and other characters will be roaming the floor as members of fan communities during Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, Sept. 20-22 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.  Followers of Harry Potter, Star Wars, Star Trek, and others will join famed cosplayers Eric “The Smoke” Moran and Ivy Doomkitty in a celebration of ultimate fandom all weekend.

Additionally, replicas of the famous Batmobile from the 1966 TV series and the DeLorean Time Machine from the hit movie Back to the Future will be on hand for photo ops for fans, along with the “Zombie Killer Motorcycle,” when fans are ready to battle zombies (or at least look that way).

Groups scheduled to show their devotion at Wizard World Ohio Comic Con include:

• Ohio 501st Legion, a regional chapter of the 501st Legion, a worldwide Star Wars costuming club, with over 5,000 members in 21 countries, and six continents. The 501st wears the costumes of the “bad guys” from the Star Wars movies.
• Airship Archon, a diverse group of entertainers, tinkerers, and business people hailing from Columbus, who focus on fashion, character creation, prop building, sewing and being thrifty.
• Heroes Alliance, an all volunteer group of superhero costumers for charity which has chapters in 10 states, often making appearances at community and children-oriented charity events.
• International Quidditch Association (IQA), dedicated to governing the sport of quidditch and inspiring young people to lead physically active and socially engaged lives.
• Jedi Knights of Columbus, dedicated to all Science Fiction & Fantasy. This “merry band of misfits” discuss all things fiction and fantasy and organize viewing parties for favorite films and TV shows.
• Local cosplayers like Chelsea Cosplay and Michael Maurice “Knightmage” who will both wear a variety of costumes all weekend.
• Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, the world's premier custom Mandalorian costume organization, with 35 chapters in 7 countries around the world.  Members attend conventions, charity events and fan gatherings.
• Ohio Star Wars Collectors Club, a resource to discuss new items that are arriving, toy and collectible show dates and generally anything else Star Wars related.
• Rebel Legion, the premiere Heroes costuming group of the Star Wars Galaxy, with 2400 active members. It accepts over 200 hero costumes; from Han Solo and Princess Leia to the Imperial Knights and Deliah Blue.
• USS Asgard, a chapter of Starfleet International. Members go to movies, museums, restaurants, cookoffs, murder mysteries, picnics, and other fun events, and participate in community events.
• USS Columbus has been a member of Starfleet International for the past 22 years. It conducts an annual school supply drive for a local school, helps in the Firefighters Toy Drive, and collects food for Mid Ohio Food Bank along with other local clubs.
• USS Lagrange, an important chapter in Starfleet for 29 years, has raised hundreds of dollars for the Akron Children’s Hospital and for various food banks in the state and has made numerous appearances in parades throughout the year in a “shuttlecraft” built by the club.

Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee, pop culture icon William Shatner, Summer Glau (Serenity, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) and WWE® Superstar Sheamus® are among the top celebrities scheduled to attend Wizard World Ohio Comic Con.  The standout roster will also include Michael Rooker, Laurie Holden, Steven Yeun and Chandler Riggs of “The Walking Dead” and Ernie Hudson of Ghostbusters.  It is the sixth in the 2013 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

Additionally, all full price attendees will receive a free copy of the Exclusive Variant Cover of The Walking Dead #1 comic, drawn by Mike Zeck, available only at Wizard World Ohio Comic Con.

Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend include Zeck (“Spider-Man,” “Punisher”), CAFU (“Teen Titans,” “Superboy”), Eisner Award Hall of Famer Neal Adams (“Batman,” “Green Lantern”) and Eisner Award Nominees Darick Robertson (“HAPPY!,” “Transmetropolitan”) and David Marquez (“Ultimate Spider-Man”, “Fantastic Four: Season One”).

Wizard World Comic Con 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, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Ohio Comic Con show hours are Friday, Sept. 20, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ohio.html.

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

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

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****
September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
January 24-26, 2014 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
April 4-6, 2014 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
June 19-22, 2014 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 21-24, 2014 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

STARZ AND SONY PICTURES TV ADD DUNCAN LACROIX TO THE “OUTLANDER” CLAN

Duncan Lacroix Joins Cast of Anticipated Original Series as Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser

Beverly Hills, Calif., September 10, 2013 - Starz in association with Sony Pictures Television has announced today that Duncan Lacroix (“Game of Thrones,” “Primeval”) will play Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser in the highly anticipated original series “Outlander.” The series will be adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books, with the first two episodes written by executive producer Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”) and directed by John Dahl (“Dexter,” “Breaking Bad,” “Justified”). “Outlander,” which is set to premiere on STARZ in 2014, will begin filming in Scotland this fall.

The “Outlander” series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history and adventure in one epic tale. It follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Murtagh, Jamie's godfather, is a taciturn man, but very loyal to Jamie.  Mysterious and dark, like a vulture lurking in the background.  Murtagh doesn’t say a lot, he doesn’t have to; his reputation, and if need be, his fists, do the talking.  At first skeptical of Claire, like his fellow clansmen, Murtagh eventually warms to her –whatever is best for Jamie.  

Lacroix is a native of Welling in Kent, South East Greater London, but has been living in Ireland for the past 14 years. He spent ten of those years in Galway City in the West of Ireland, and the last four in Dublin.  Duncan holds a Bachelors Degree in Drama and Theatre Studies from Roehampton Institute in London, and a Masters Degree in Drama and Theatre from The National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG).

Some of Duncan’s more notable screen credits to date include Sky Television's Science Fiction Television Drama Series 'Primeval' , RTE Television’s ‘Cromwell In Ireland’,  HBO's 'Game of Thrones' Season 2, Tile Films 'A Terrible Beauty' and 'REIGN' a Television Series for the CW network in Canada. Duncan recently wrapped working on season two of ‘VIKINGS.’  He plays the part of a Saxon noble called ‘Ealderman Werferth ‘. 

Duncan is also very passionate about his theatre acting. He performed in AC Productions’ production of Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin’s Templebar earlier this summer which followed his work on their award-winning production of 'Pinter x 4' at Dublin's Pearse Centre.  Some of Duncan’s other theatre credits include ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ at Du Players in Trinity College, Dublin, ‘Macbeth’, the Librarian in ‘Underneath the Lintel’, Ben in ‘The Dumb Waiter’,  James in ‘The Morning after Optimism’ and Max Schimmelfenig in ‘The Ones Who Kill Shooting Stars’.

Diana Gabaldon’s seven-book series has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and has graced the New York Times best-sellers list six times. The eighth installment of the “Outlander” series is slated to be released in the spring of 2014.

               

Ronald D. Moore and Jim Kohlberg are executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television.

“Outlander” Online

Facebook: www.facebook.com/outlandertvseries.starz

Twitter: @Outlander_Starz - join the conversation with #Outlander and #STARZ

REST IN PIXELS:
R. STEVENS BECOMES THE INTERNET

September 10, 2013 (Portland, OR) - Shocking fans, battery wholesalers, and his many cats, pioneering web cartoonist R. Stevens disappeared last Monday from the art-deco mineshaft he famously confined himself to since starting the world’s most popular webcomic DIESEL SWEETIES in 2000.

Neighbors began to worry when Stevens’ daily shipments of live goats began to pile up undevoured outside his door, prompting a call to the police and the discovery that the enigmatic genius had simply vanished. Those on the scene described the smell as “copperish” and “vaguely heavenly.”

The first clue of Stevens’ transhumanist folk heroics reaching their zenith came from a suitably esoteric origin. The valiant hordes that still maintain Nintendo Virtual Boys were alerted to their red-soaked migraine generators having picked up a strange LTE signal last week. Representatives from Nintendo of America indicated that under no circumstances were Virtual Boys equipped with even the most rudimentary technology capable of interpreting such a signal, but alas.

Through the blinding electronic din, those steadfast and lucky few were met by an image of their new pixilated messiah, cradling a cat in each arm and beckoning them forth.

Usenets across the globe reported seeing a similar image, followed by a mysterious message: “Awesome. I AM ALL. RS3.”

The reaction from the public was remorseful and swift. Coffee stocks plummeted, cats gathered from around the world at Stevens’ favorite donut shop to hold a round-the-clock vigil, and many of the world’s record store owners simply set their shops ablaze and moved back in with their parents.

Vice President Joe Biden attempted to soothe a grieving planet Monday night, but was overtaken by his emotions, saying “I’m gonna need a few weeks, you guys. This is really messed up. I know it’s silly, but in my heart of hearts, I really hope this is some kind of bizarre stunt. I just don’t know what I’m gonna do without Indie Rock Pete.”

Stevens was remembered as a beautiful enigma. Many claimed he was a time traveler trapped in our unsophisticated time and that his comics were coded attempts to dispatch an S.O.S. to his time traveling brethren. Multiple universities across the globe began graduate programs to try and unravel these theories, but most that undertook the course of study were simply driven mad by the caffeine prerequisites.

Many people have come forward over the years to try and shed some light on Stevens’ life before DIESEL SWEETIES. A number of bears across Canada and parts of Alaska had reached out to the public in 2003, claiming that on a backpacking trip, Stevens had faced them all in mortal combat, besting them with minimal damage to himself and hitting them all so hard they were granted the power of speech. True to form, what Stevens began as a primal ritual resulted in a thunderous gift of knowledge.

There are spotty accounts of Stevens serving aboard pirate galleons, mastering shadowy control over ancestral Eurasian dynasties, introducing modern domesticated cat breeds to the world’s farthest reaches, steering pivotal historical decisions like the annexation of Hawaii, and more.

It’s a record that is at best, unbelievable, and at worst, calls into question nearly everything modern civilization has come to believe about its origins. An unidentified researcher at CERN recently claimed to have seen Stevens’ family crest after successfully colliding two subatomic particles at the speed of light. The researcher claimed that after considerable buffering time, the particles yielded the story of a long lineage of curious travelers hailing from a distant, long-dead world, seeking their place among the stars.

At press time, there’s no way to be certain what’s true and what isn’t. Though he seems to be a benevolent digital deity, Stevens has assumed control of all digital sources of knowledge. A representative from the NSA was quoted as saying “It’s like Wikipedia, IMDB, or the Fed. There’s no way to be sure some guy didn’t just make that all up.”

Seeing no viable long-term solution, global agencies are urging citizens to simply comply, act as if nothing has changed, and ignore the roving bands of red robots being spotted worldwide. “Hey, those robots could be cool. We don’t know. I’m just gonna post up for a high five and see what happens,” Vice President Biden said through hopeful tears in a later interview.

“All we can do now, is hope that Stevens uses his infinite power to remake this turd of a planet in his own image, ya know?” Biden continued. “More donuts and cats. Stuff like that. I don’t know, man. That sounds pretty awesome to me. We could all use a little more DIESEL SWEETIES in our lives as far as I’m concerned.”

In response to this global maybe-crisis, Oni Press is pleased to announce the peaceful, possibly mandatory offering of DIESEL SWEETIES: I’M A ROCKER. I ROCK OUT, the first in a series of now-sacred tomes chronicling the firing neurons of our new God. “It may only be a book, but I’m sure some doucher said that about The Bible, too,” said Biden.

DIESEL SWEETIES: I’M A ROCKER, I ROCK OUT will be in stores September 11, 2013 in a full-color softcover and available as a deluxe, clothbound hardcover from OniPress.com.