‘68: HALLOWED GROUND PRINT ON SALE IN MEMORY OF JOSH MEDORS

Special edition print to benefit the family of Josh Medors

 

The creators of the Image Comics series ‘68 are proud to present a limited collector's edition print in memory of the late comics artist Josh Medors. A courageous survivor of a rare form of spinal cancer, Josh outlived his original prognosis by years before finally passing in 2012. The print is an 11"x17" double-sided glossy reproduction of the ‘68: HALLOWED GROUND one-shot cover image by Medors, with a matching back cover illustration by Nat Jones and Jay Fotos. Printed at full production size, this print is limited to only 100 copies, and comes hand-numbered and signed in pencil by ‘68 series founders Mark Kidwell, Nat Jones, and Jay Fotos. It ships in a protective rigid Mylar sleeve and will be available worldwide. To honor their friend and colleague, the ‘68 creators are donating all proceeds from the sale of the print to Medors' wife Charlotte and son Garth.   The ‘68: HALLOWED GROUND benefit print is available for purchase at http://68zombie.acmeprints.com/josh-medors-benefit-print/ and costs $40.00.   ‘68: HALLOWED GROUND goes on-sale 11/6, and features the story of two soldiers freshly back from Vietnam and forced into a showdown against hordes of zombies while holed up in a church. ‘68: HALLOWED GROUND was one of the last projects Medors worked on before passing away. He provided a cover, layouts, and thumbnails for the book, which were used to create the final one-shot. The issue ships with a cover by Medors (Diamond Code SEP130505) as well as a special cover by Bernie Wrightson (Diamond Code SEP130506).

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.

EXTRAORDINARY MOVIE ADVENTURE APP MOVIEMAZETM NOW LIVE ON ITUNES AND GOOGLE PLAY FOR IPHONE AND ANDROID TABLET AND SMARTPHONE USERS

 

Exciting New Choose Your Own Adventure-style Mobile App Available For World Wide FREE Download For First Release “The Mechanic”

(October 18, 2013—LOS ANGELES, CA)  “The Mechanic” is the first release of MovieMazeTM, a branching storyline app for smartphones and tablets, which is now available for FREE world wide download on all mobile devices. Android users can download at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.moviemaze.com
iPhone and iPad users can get the app on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moviemaze/id717099109?mt=8

The creative collaboration of UK-based Stickmen Pictures and Hollywood’s Leomark Studios, “The Mechanic” and later MovieMazeTM releases are interactive comic multi-adventure movies aimed at the vital 13–30 demographic and designed as an app for use on all iOS and Android devices. Viewers can watch a sequence and then select from a series of choices to advance the storyline, much like those classic and wildly successful Choose Your Own AdventureTM books and games of the 1980s, but now as engaging live-action video.

MovieMazeTM is already ahead of all the competing projects including productions like Fox’s “Choose Your Own Adventure” movie, which is still in development.

“MovieMazeTM is the ultimate smartphone and tablet-based interactive movie app,” says writer-director Rishi Thaker.

“We believe in the ingenuity of this project,” says producer Erik Lundmark. “Because our team is small and focused, we’ve been able bring this to audiences fast and for free.”

Stickmen Pictures and Leomark Studios plan to release two more MovieMazeTM adventures, “The Plumber” and “The Private Eye,” in 2014, with an entire slate on the horizon beyond that. The MovieMazeTM app itself will always be free. “The Mechanic” is free for a limited time, and future titles will be available for purchase.

MovieMazeTM trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74zwsHPv9Ec

About STICKMEN PICTURES

Stickmen Pictures is a British company seeking to challenge and entertain audiences with innovative content. Since founding the company in 2004, Stickmen has produced several award-winning shorts. Their feature film, “Slaughter is the Best Medicine,” will be released in the United Kingdom by Bright Spark Productions in 2014.

 

About LEOMARK STUDIOS

Leomark Studios belongs to a new generation of film production and distribution companies. Run by filmmakers with more than 30 years combined experience in development, production, and post-production, Leomark deals directly with buyers, handling sales and distribution and partnering with other, more established companies to get maximum exposure for their projects. Entering their third year in sales, Leomark has already seen a five-fold increase in business since 2011, including their first theatrical release.

BOOM! STUDIOS DOUBLES DOWN
AT ALAMO CITY COMIC CON
AND DETROIT FANFARE COMIC CON

  

    

 

 

October 18,  2013 (Los Angeles, CA) - Two conventions…two states…one weekend! BOOM! Studios splits the country in half and continues its 2013 convention tour during the weekend of October 25-27 by exhibiting at both the Alamo City Comic Con in Texas and the Detroit Fanfare Comic Con in Michigan!

The Alamo City Comic Con 2013 will take place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, located at 200 East Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205. The hours on Friday, October 25th are from 11am to 8pm, Saturday the 26th from 10am to 7pm, and Sunday the 27th from 11am to 6pm. 

BOOM! Studios is thrilled to host Ian McGinty (ADVENTURE TIME: CANDY CAPERS) and Travis Hill (ADVENTURE TIME, CARS) at the KaBOOM! booth (#B41) all weekend long. Fans of all-ages comics won't want to miss the opportunity to get an original sketch by these terrific artists!

Fans also won't want to miss their chance to pick up the hottest BOOM! Studios comics, trades, and variant covers, including the ACCC exclusive for ADVENTURE TIME #21, available only at the KaBOOM! booth (#B41).

For tickets and more information about Alamo City Comic Con, visit the official website at www.alamocitycomiccon.com.

The Detroit Fanfare Comic Con 2013 will be held in the West Building at the Adoba Hotel Dearborn, located at 600 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI 48126. On Friday, October 25th the show will run from 6pm to 9pm, on Saturday the 26th from 10am to 7pm, and on Sunday the 27th from 12pm to 6pm.

BOOM! Studios is excited to host Brian Joines (IMAGINE AGENTS), Jeff Stokely (SIX-GUN GORILLA, THE REASON FOR DRAGONS), and Eric Esquivel (FREELANCERS, BRAVEST WARRIORS) at the BOOM! Studios booth all weekend long.

BOOM! Studios is also proud to welcome "Balls of Fury," "Fanboys," and "Take Me Home Tonight" star Dan Fogler (MOON LAKE) at the Archaia booth, where fans can purchase his newest graphic novel, MOON LAKE VOL. 2, before it hits the streets and have it signed by Dan.

Allison Strejlau (REGULAR SHOW) will be on hand at the KaBOOM! booth all weekend long, sketching original covers for fans of all ages!

IMAGINE AGENTS #1 Orange Variant and ADVENTURE TIME #21 are two DFCC exclusives sold through the convention that fans are not going to want to miss!

For tickets and more information about Detroit Fanfare Comic Con, visit the official website at www.detroitfanfare.com.

 

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS

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

VIZ MEDIA RELEASES A DELUXE, HARDCOVER OMNIBUS EDITION OF JUNJI ITO’S CELEBRATED

HORROR MANGA UZUMAKI

An Isolated Seaside Town Spirals Into Madness As A Mysterious Infestation Grows

San Francisco, CA, October 17, 2013 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the release of the UZUMAKI Deluxe Edition. The new 3-in-1 hardcover version of creator Junji Ito’s inventive horror manga (graphic novel) about the gradual decent into madness of a seaside town overrun with spirals features a new cover design as well as 12 pages of new full-color interior artwork.

The UZUMAKI Deluxe Edition, now available is published under the VIZ Signature imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and carries an MSRP of $27.99 U.S. / $32.00 CAN.

Kurouzu-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of teenager Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person or being but by a pattern: uzumaki, the spiral, the hypnotic secret shape of the world. It manifests itself in everything from seashells and whirlpools in water to the spiral marks on people's bodies, the insane obsessions of Shuichi's father and the voice from the cochlea in our inner ear. As the madness spreads, the inhabitants of Kurozu-cho are pulled ever deeper into a whirlpool from which there is no return!

“Junji Ito takes one of the most ubiquitous designs found in nature, the spiral, and uses it as the foundation for a truly terrifying story,” says Masumi Washington, Senior Editorial Director. “This beautiful new hardcover UZUMAKI Deluxe Edition is a wonderful showcase for Ito’s unique, eye-catching art style and also makes a fun and frightening addition to this year’s Halloween season. Readers will never look at the world around them in the same way ever again after reading this masterpiece from one of the most acclaimed creators of horror manga!”

Junji Ito debuted as a horror manga artist in 1987 with the first story in his successful Tomie series. UZUMAKI, drawn from 1998 to 1999, was adapted into a live-action movie, which was also released in America by VIZ Films and Tidepoint Pictures. Junji Ito’s influences include the classic manga artists Kazuo Umezu and Hideshi Hino, as well as authors Yasutaka Tsutsui and H.P. Lovecraft. Ito is also the creator of the celebrated horror manga story, GYO, which is published in North America by VIZ Media.

For more information on UZUMAKI, or other manga titles available from 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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UZUMAKI © 2010 Junji ITO /SHOGAKUKAN

The Chilling Archives Of Horror Comics Halloween Giveaway!  Many Chances to Win Many Horror Comic Classics From Yoe Books & IDW Publishing   San Diego, CA (October 18, 2013) – Attention Fright Fans!  You have five places where you could win Yoe Books/IDW's complete Chilling Archives of Horror Comics! These spine-tingling collections of banned comics from the 1950s include Dick Briefer's Frankenstein, Bob Powell's Terror, Zombies, the brand new, Jack Cole's Deadly Horror and the soon to be released Haunted Horror hardback! Enter your name each place for five chances to win! The scary sponsoring blogs and Facebook page are The Horrors of it All, Four Color Shadows, The Fabulous Fifties, Yoe Books Facebook page and the IDW Publishing Facebook page. Go here to each of them to win... 1. http://thehorrorsofitall.blogspot.com 2.  http://fourcolorshadows.blogspot.com/‎ 3. http://allthingsger.blogspot.com/‎ 4. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yoe-Books/157174217659112 5.  https://www.facebook.com/idwpublishing/   Follow each blog's individual instruction on how to enter your name in the contest. Gory details: Contest closes on the stroke of MIDNIGHT October 29th. Winners will be announced on the above URL''s on Halloween so check in each place!  (Only continental U.S. residents eligible, you can enter the contest all five places, but you can only win one set of books. Void where prohibited by law. Judge's decision final. YO! Are you not feeling lucky because a black cat crossed your path?! You can still have a Happy Halloween: fearlessly order the books for yourself (and everyone on your Halloween gift list) at the Yoe Books site... http://yoebooks.com

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; 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, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; and Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

LETTER 44 #1 Sells Out!

Charles Soule and Alberto Jiménez Alburqurque’s inaugural issue has sold out at the distributor level!

Portland, OR (October 18, 2013) – A new President, freshly inaugurated and faced with an impossible scenario, a spaceship full of American heroes flung far across our solar system, unsure of whom or what will greet them, and a lone structure of unknown origin floating untouched in the vacuum of space. These are but a few of the elements that have led to the maiden voyage of Charles Soule and Alberto Jiménez Alburqurque’s LETTER 44 #1 to sell out of its initial 22,000 copy print run! "I am thrilled that so many people are finding and enjoying the first issue of Letter 44!” said Soule. “This is a series that is going to some amazing places–literally–and it's fantastic to have folks along for the ride. Go Space!" Riding high atop its unique premise and eye-catching art, LETTER 44 #1 premiered in a special black and white variant edition at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this year, fueling fans’ desire for the series to finally premiere with Guy Major’s vivid colors. Fans and retailers responded thunderously, depleting Diamond Comics Distributors’ stock of the specially priced $1 issue in less than a day. “Letter 44 is a fun and original concept and is this week’s Challengers Choice book,” said Challengers Comics’ Patrick Brower. “Not just because it’s from Oni Press, whom we love, and not just because it’s written by Charles Soule, who is on fire, but also because it is a good book, worth way more than $1.00. As a retailer, this book is a wonderful addition to Challengers’ shelves. As a fan, I cannot wait for issue #2. Thanks, Oni!” Holding its introductory price of $1, LETTER 44 #1 will be receiving a second printing with a new cover by superstar artist Javier Pulido (Daredevil, Hawkeye), scheduled to hit shelves on November 27th, the same day as LETTER 44 #2!

BOB FINGERMAN RETURNS TO MINIMUM WAGE

Celebrated cartoonist brings award-winning series to Image Comics

One of the most celebrated alternative cartoonists of all time, Bob Fingerman, is returning to his roots this January with the return of his comic book series MINIMUM WAGE. The refreshingly honest comic, based loosely on Fingerman’s own life, follows the life of the main character Rob as he stumbles through life in New York City. Praised by critics and celebrities alike, MINIMUM WAGE set the standard for cringe comedy, with fans ranging from Robert Kirkman and Patton Oswalt to Marc Maron and Trey Parker.     Earlier this year, Image Comics released the definitive hardcover collection of the series, MAXIMUM MINIMUM WAGE, which received critical acclaim, including placement on Entertainment Weekly’s Must List and rave reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and The New York Times. With such an overwhelming response to the collection of previously-released issues, Fingerman felt the time was right to return to his definitive series.   "Working on the massive MAXIMUM MINIMUM WAGE, just going through all that material, stoked my desire to return to these characters,” said Fingerman. "I'd deliberately given that chunk an open ending, thinking someday I'd come back and do more. Now seemed the perfect time and Image Comics seemed the perfect place."   Launching in January, 2014, MINIMUM WAGE #1 will pick up the story of Rob three years later, where much has changed in his life. When we last saw him, he was exchanging vows with his girlfriend Sylvia. Now he's single, owns a cell phone, lives with his mother again, and is giving some thought to diving back into dating. What could go wrong?   MAXIMUM MINIMUM WAGE HC is still available at finer bookstores and comic book stores, and available for order (ISBN 1607066742 and Diamond Code JAN130488)   MINIMUM WAGE #1 releases on January 8, 2014 and is available for pre-order now using Diamond Code NOV130413.

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.

BIG IDEAS SCI-FI MEETS MID-LIFE CRISIS IN EGOs #1

Galactic heroes vs. cosmic forces—and their own worst impulses

This January, writer Stuart Moore and artist Gus Storms unveil EGOs #1, a twisted far-future epic. Years ago, The Earth/Galactic Operatives defeated Masse, a sentient, hungry galaxy—but now Masse has returned, consuming entire planets and killing millions of people. Deuce, an aging hero, decides to reform his old team and go into battle to save the day. But in order to do that, he must cross a line with Pixel, his wife and former teammate, an act that threatens to tear apart the life they've built together. EGOs sits at the intersection of a mid-life crisis, a galaxy-spanning threat, and the incredibly creative ideas that make sci-fi tales so compelling.   "There are obviously echoes of other space-based super-teams here, but with darker, HBO-style characterization, and a twist at the end of issue #1 that hopefully comes as a surprise AND sets everything else in motion," says Moore. "I'm really proud of it—I think it's the best thing I've ever done."   Moore has a long history in the comics industry, having written acclaimed runs on Namor, Firestorm: The Nuclear Man, and Wolverine Noir. He has also served as editor on several groundbreaking and classic comics series, including Hellblazer, Preacher, Daredevil, and Transmetropolitan. Storms contributed his fine line and attractive palette to 12 Reasons to Die before joining Moore on EGOs and defining the vibrant, ultra-high-tech look of the series.    Creators throughout the industry have praised EGOs ahead of its release:   "I've known Stuart Moore since his days at Vertigo, and I always thought he was one of the very smartest minds in our industry. I'm delighted that he's writing a new book for my friends at Image, especially because EGOs is his best story yet." -Brian K. Vaughan (SAGA, The Private Eye)   "Stuart Moore was one of comics' greatest editors precisely because he's a great writer. Everything he writes demands attention." -Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Planetary)   "With EGOs, Stuart Moore's thoughtful writing style really comes into its own. I look forward to following this one as it develops—very highly recommended." -Garth Ennis (Preacher, Fury MAX)   “EGOs sets up house at the junction of superhero stories and big-ideas sci-fi—then trashes the junction and builds its own huge, insane theme park.” -Mike Carey (The Unwritten, Lucifer)   A preview of EGOs #1 will be appearing in SAGA #15, in stores on October 30th. EGOs #1 can be pre-ordered from the November issue of Previews (Diamond Code NOV130415) and will be in stores on January 15.

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.

GHOSTED SCARES ITS WAY TO 4TH CONSECUTIVE SELL-OUT

Supernatural heist comic continues streak of sell-outs with fourth issue

Four sell-outs in a row is no easy feat, but Joshua Williamson and Goran Sudzuka have achieved it with the release of GHOSTED #4, the latest series from Robert Kirkman's Skybound imprint to sell out at the distributor level. Williamson and Sudzuka have crafted a supernatural heist comic that readers simply can't get enough of, and a quadruple sell-out is proof positive of that fact. GHOSTED #4 will be reprinted to meet demand.   The press are very impressed with GHOSTED, as well:   "Ghosted is a horror/caper story that goes beyond its concept to entertain, surprise, and humor you. I never know where it’s going next and that’s what I love about it so much." Joshua Yehl, IGN   "Williamson continues to craft an intriguing series that is not afraid to take chances and Sudzuka’s art is so perfectly fitting to the book." Jreemy Matcho, All-Comic   "Joshua Williamson continues to impress me with this series. It takes a steady hand to craft a horror story that not only feels original, but pays homage to what came before it and Ghosted pulls it off beautifully." Jake Tanner, Following The Nerd   "Sudzuka’s art continues to do a wonderful job of capturing every dark and frightening corner and aspect of the mysterious Trask mansion, making even empty rooms feel as though they could incite fear and panic." Matt LeMaire, The MacGuffin   The second printing of GHOSTED #4 can be pre-ordered now using Diamond Code SEP138114 and will be in stores on 11/20. GHOSTED #5, the last issue of this story arc, arrives in stores on 11/6 and can be pre-ordered with Diamond Code SEP130621.

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.

 

ABOUT SKYBOUND

Skybound is the home of Robert Kirkman's creator-owned work including his Eisner Award-winning comic book series, The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, Thief of Thieves and Clone as well as Witch Doctor and Invincible Universe. Since its inception, Skybound has created television shows, merchandise and a wide spectrum of platforms, games (The Walking Dead: Assault iOS app), and entertainment events (The Walking Dead Escape). Skybound's successes include the comic behind the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC's The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages. Skybound/Kirkman frequently top the hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. Your destinations for all news and merchandise from Robert Kirkman,The Walking Dead and all Skybound titles are www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com

LAURA DONNELLY CAST AS JENNY FRASER IN STARZ & SONY PICTURES TV’S “OUTLANDER”

From “Battlestar Galactica” Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore

Beverly Hills, Calif., October 17, 2013 – Starz in association with Sony Pictures Television has announced today that Laura Donnelly (“The Fall”) will play the role of Jenny Fraser in the original series “Outlander.” The series, adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books by Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”), is currently filming on location in Scotland and is set to premiere on STARZ in 2014. For more information go to the official Outlander Facebook Page and follow @Outlander_Starz on Twitter and Instagram.  Join the conversation with #Outlander and #STARZ. 

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.

Jenny Fraser Murray is Jamie Fraser’s older sister, and surrogate mother in many ways. She shares Jamie’s stubborn and quick-tempered character, which causes the siblings to butt heads from time to time. Jenny is also smart, experienced and skilled, running Lallybroch (the Fraser ancestral home) when Jamie is away.  Jenny is married to Jamie’s best friend, Ian Murray. When the series begins they have one child and a second child on the way.

                                                                                                                      

Laura Donnelly grew up in Belfast, Ireland before moving to Glasgow to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Since graduating from Royal Scottish in 2004, she has worked extensively in film, television and theater. Donnelly’s film credits include Hello Carter, the lead role of ‘Abby’ in Dread, and the lead role ‘Rachel’ in Insatiable.  Her credits in television and theater include ‘Sarah Kay’ in “The Fall” (BBC), ‘Violet Heath’ in “Missing” (ABC), ‘Katie Doogan’ in “Philadelphia Here I Come” at the Donmar Warehouse, and ‘Anna’ in “Judgment Day” at the Almeida Theatre.

Donnelly is represented by Jonathan Arun.

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

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.

The first two episodes of the series will be written by executive producer Ronald D. Moore 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.

               

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. 

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COMIC BOOK POWERHOUSE IDW PUBLISHING LAUNCHES NEW DIVISION,
IDW ENTERTAINMENT, TO FUND, DEVELOP AND PRODUCE TELEVISION PROPERTIES 

David Ozer Appointed President of IDW Entertainment

Circle of Confusion to Guide New Division’s Development and Production

San Diego, CA (October 17, 2013) – IDW Publishing, one of the largest publishers of comic books and graphic novels with over 300 original properties, has launched a new division, IDW Entertainment, to fund and develop new television properties based on IDW Publishing’s extensive catalog.  Entertainment industry veteran David Ozer has been named President of the new division. The announcement was made today by Ted Adams, CEO & Publisher, IDW Publishing.      
 

An accomplished global television executive, David Ozer brings his extensive experience in sales and financing to IDW Entertainment.   In his new role, Ozer will work with Adams to identify, develop and oversee brand extensions across IDW Publishing’s portfolio of comics and graphic novels for the global television market. A key focus for the division is the financing, development and production of television series with the goal of securing straight-to-series commitments from networks. Ozer’s background includes executive level roles at Sonar Entertainment, Starz Media/IDT Entertainment and DIC Entertainment.

“IDW Publishing’s significant growth over the past several years, particularly in the theatrical arena with a number of properties currently in development at major studios, together with the ever increasing popularity of our creator-owned titles, have provided us with the ideal opportunity to expand into multi-platform entertainment,” said Adams in making the announcement. “David’s depth of distribution and finance expertise in television, coupled with his production knowledge and his extensive relationships within the entertainment community, make him the perfect choice for spearheading our aggressive move into television.”

“IDW Publishing’s properties have a proven track record and built-in appeal with today’s sophisticated entertainment consumer,” said Ozer.  “Given the Company’s growth and subsequent financial success, investing in the development and production of its projects into television programming is the next logical and strategic step in growing IDW’s media empire, and further solidifies IDW as a key player in both the theatrical and television entertainment arena.”

Circle of Confusion, Executive Producer of the hit AMC series The Walking Dead, will oversee packaging and creative development of the division and will executive produce the company’s projects.  Rick Jacobs will continue to run point on these efforts.

“The timing couldn’t be better for IDW Publishing to invest in television production,” added Jacobs.  “IDW is a powerhouse of creativity, and the film studios recognize that potential. By financing its own television projects, the company is now poised to become a major player across all media platforms.  We’re very excited to continue to help expand IDW’s reach beyond publishing.”

The initial focus will be on the development of a slate of properties from the company’s catalog including: Life Undead, to be co-executive produced by Chris Pollack, with showrunner Paul Zbyszewski (S.H.I.E.L.D., Hawaii Five-O, Lost) who wrote the comic book, attached to the project; Brooklyn Animal Control, based on the darkly thrilling comic which was released in March 2013 from writer/director J.T. Petty (Splinter Cell, Hellbenders) and artist Stephen Thompson (Star Trek: New Frontier); and V Wars, edited by New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry, for which IDW Entertainment is already in discussions with a soon- to-be-named network.  IDW Entertainment is represented in all areas by CAA.

IDW Publishing already has several active theatrical projects in development.  Lore, from writer T.P. Louise and acclaimed artist Ashley Wood is in development at Warner Bros. with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson set to star in a script written by Corey Goodman and Jeremy Lott.  David Green (Echo) is set to direct with Mad Chance's Andrew Lazar and Circle of Confusion’s David Alpert and Rick Jacobs producing.  Barry Sonnenfeld will executive produce.  World War Robot, created by Ashley Wood, is in development at Disney. Jon Spaihts is writing the screenplay with Jerry Bruckheimer producing.  Zombies vs. Robots, created by writer and IDW Publishing’s Chief Creative Officer Chris Ryall and artist Ashley Wood is in development with Sony with Platinum Dunes and Circle of Confusion producing. Adams is an Executive Producer on all three projects.