Friday, December 06, 2013

ENJOY $1 OFF YOUR IMAGE COMICS DIGITAL PURCHASE TODAY
Image Comics thanks fans for a great 2013 with one day discount
 
As the end of 2013 draws to a close and the holiday season goes into full swing, Image Comics has been topping the charts on many “Best of 2013” lists. So to thank our fans for all their support, we wanted to do something extra special in honor of all our fantastic readers! 
 
From 10 a.m. to midnight PST on Friday Dec. 6, enjoy $1 off your entire cart purchase at www.imagecomics.com when you use the promo code 1OFFDEC13. 
 
We hope 2014 proves to be just as amazing! 
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.
Mask Of The Red Panda Leaps From Digital
Monkeybrain’s pulp adventure comes to IDW!
 
San Diego, CA (December 6, 2013) – The story of “the two-fisted masked guardian” is set in Depression-era Toronto where gangsters, gunmen, and even super villains run rampant…or they would be if it weren’t for the city’s protector, the Red Panda and his trusty sidekick, the “fearless fighting female”, the Flying Squirrel.  The characters where originally introduced in the award-winning radio drama series, The Red Panda Adventures, created by Gregg Taylor and were done in the style of a 1930’s radio show.

Taylor continued the adventures of the Red Panda in a series of novels, Tales Of The Red Panda and then in the 3-issue digital comic miniseries, Mask Of The Red Panda, which are being collected and printed into one volume for the first time by IDW Publishing.  Following in the tradition of the original radio show, Mask Of The Red Panda is written in the style of classic pulp fiction stories of the 1930’s and 1940’s and combined with the stunning artwork by Dean Kotz, making it essential reading for fans of the Golden Age.

Red Panda: Mask Of The Red Panda joins the cavalcade of digital successes from MonkeyBrain Inc. and IDW welcomes the addition of the acclaimed series to its publishing slate.  Red Panda: Mask Of The Red Panda will be the fifth MonkeyBrain Inc. series to make the leap from digital to print publication through IDW Publishing.

“Because these characters started out in the radio serial, they've literally just lived as voices in my head for years now,” said Gregg Taylor, “To actually see them spring to action-packed life in Dean's beautiful artwork has been a tremendous joy, and to have them find a home with Monkeybrain and IDW Publishing is absolutely a dream come true."

As the home of premier digital titles, MonkeyBrain Inc. continues to produce unique and exciting material, which has found a home with IDW!
share on Twitter Send MASK OF THE RED PANDA LEAPS FROM DIGITAL to friends on Facebook


About IDW Publishing

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; Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film, Kurtzman/Orci are producing a movie based on Locke & Key at Universal. 

Thursday, December 05, 2013



Alter Ego magazine bids farewell to Comics Buyer's Guide in a special tribute issue

(RALEIGH, NC) On December 11, TwoMorrows Publishing's ALTER EGO #122 goes on sale in comics book shops worldwide, presenting a tribute to the late, great Comics Buyer's Guide, offering CBG's founders and past contributors a chance to pay their respects to the long-running newszine. This 80-page full-color magazine, retailing for $8.95, is available for immediate shipping from TwoMorrows' website (www.twomorrows.com), in both print and digital formats, and on the Apple Newsstand/App Store and Google Play storefront through the new Alter Ego App. 


cid:0f11ffde-7674-4d12-9f8c-f91eace2ed2b@local

Comics Buyer's Guide was founded in February 1971 by Alan Light, originally as a monthly tabloid newspaper called The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom. An entire generation of comics fans in the 1970s looked to TBG for its comics news and as a marketplace for buying and selling comics in those pre-Internet days. TBG was purchased by Krause Publications in 1983, and the company changed its name to Comics Buyer's Guide, and installed Don and Maggie Thompson as editors. Throughout the 1980s, CBG was a prime source for comics journalism and insights, but the changing landscape of the 1990s comics industry brought in other publications that, along with the Internet, gradually ate away at the publication's popularity. CBG was eventually cancelled in early 2013 at issue #1699, without offering contributors a final issue to say "goodbye" to the long-running industry icon.

Alter Ego #122 took on the task of giving comic book fans an idea of what CBG #1700 might've looked like, through history and remembrances from founder Alan Light and Murray Bishoff about the original TBG, and Maggie Thompson and Brent Frankenhoff about CBG. The issue also presents new “final” columns by CBG stars Mark Evanier, Tony Isabella, Peter David, Fred Hembeck, John Lustig, plus classic art by Don Newton, Mike Vosburg, Jack Kirby, Mike Nasser, and many other professionals who graced the newszine's pages over its more than 40 years of publication. The cover features an illustration by fan-favorite artist John Fantucchio which originally appeared on the cover of TBG #1, in color for the first time.

This issue also features a special FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America) section spotlighting CBG's fondly-remembered "Goodguy" parody of Captain Marvel, as well as Michael T. Gilbert reminiscing about Mr. Monster's roots in CBG, plus historian Bill Schelly's overview of fandom before TBG came alongAlter Ego is edited by former Marvel Comics editor in chief and top writer Roy Thomas.

Readers can view a free preview and order the print edition (at 15% off with a free digital edition) or digital edition only (just $3.95) at:


The print edition can be ordered at any comic book shop using DIAMOND ORDER CODE: SEP131536

Since 1994, TwoMorrows Publishing has been bringing a new day to comics fans, through its award-winning line of magazines and books.

IDW Limited Unlocks the Mysteries of Keyhouse
Deluxe limited-edition hardcover collects Locke & Key: Head Games in ultra-exclusive format

San Diego, CA (December 4th, 2013) The story of Locke & Key may be coming to a close, but IDW Limited is just getting started. Available today from IDWLimited.com, fans can pre-order Locke & Key: Head Games in a new deluxe, limited-edition format (http://idwlimited.com/series/locke-key.html). This oversized hardcover comes packaged in an exclusive tray case and cover only available through this release. Each book is packed with extras, including: an exclusive photo portfolio, a Head or Echo Key produced by Skelton Crew Studios just for this edition, and a secret compartment containing pages from the Locke family journal!

“As a writer, the IDW Limited Head Games is the stuff of daydreams, the kind of thing that seems like couldn’t exist in the real world,” said series writer and creator Joe Hill. “It’s a glorious presentation of Gabriel Rodriguez’s art, wrapped up in a giant, jaw-dropping, heart-breakingly beautiful hardcover. And that doesn’t even get into the extras.”

"It's both an honor and a pleasure to see what IDW Limited is doing with these special editions of Locke & Key. The series went beyond our wildest dreams,” added Eisner award-winning series artist, Gabe Rodriguez. “To see these books made with such care and love, in this spectacular format, and with contributions from top-of-the-line artists, contributing their own fantastic and beautiful visions of Locke & Key's mythology is a blessing. I hope readers will enjoy them even more as both Joe and myself are receiving this as a gift."

Black and Blue Label editions of this limited-edition collection will feature original art from an impressive group of artists, including David Petersen, Langdon Foss, Alan Robinson, and Jim Mahfood. Black Label books (10 copies available per artist) will feature artists working on a sketch plate with a background by Gabriel Rodriguez, while Blue Label books (3 copies per artist) will come with a cover interpretation by the guest artist.

“Locke & Key has been a triumph of masterful storytelling on the part of Joe Hill and amazing visuals by Gabriel Rodriguez,” said IDW Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief and Locke & Key Editor Chris Ryall. “So for us to offer an IDW Limited edition of Locke & Key with art by someone other than Gabe, who has been the sole artist on the series for its entire run, we wanted to make sure we had a stellar line-up in place. And it’s been a blast to see these characters and the world Gabe’s created come to visual life in other talented artists’ hands. Add to that the deluxe package created around the art and it’s a great showpiece for passionate Locke & Key fans.”

Locke & Key: Head Games is available now on idwlimited.com – pre-order now before you’re locked out. 

 
share on Twitter Send IDW Limited Unlocks the Mysteries of the Key House. to friends on Facebook


About IDW Publishing

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; Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film, Kurtzman/Orci are producing a movie based on Locke & Key at Universal. 

VELVET SHOOTS TO KILL
Overwhelming praise for the dark spy thriller sends VELVET #2
back to print
 
The second issue of VELVET from creators Ed Brubaker (FATALE), Steve Epting, and Elizabeth Breitweiser is setting comic racks on fire and has sold out completely at the distributor level. 
 
Issue #2 picks up right after #1 ends, jumping straight into the action as Velvet Templeton flees her own agency and races to uncover why Agent X-14 was killed. Dead bodies, ruined lives, and angry soldiers block her path toward discovering the truth.
 
Praise for VELVET:
 
Velvet should move to the top of any reading pile immediately.” --Kelly Thompson, Comic Book Resources
 
“Stylish, exciting, and smart, Velvet is another win for the unstoppable force of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting." --Iann Robinson, Crave Online
 
“If you're a fan of 24 and the Jason Bourne movies, you're definitely going to enjoy the hell out of Velvet.” --Jorge Solis, Bloody Disgusting
 
“What else is there to be said? Velvet is a hell of an arresting personality negotiating a deadly and complicated landscape. There's no telling where she's going next, but good lord does this reviewer want to find out.” --Michelle White, Multiversity Comics
 
VELVET #2 has completely sold out at the distributor level, but may still be available in comic stores, and is currently available digitally on the Image Comics website (imagecomics.com) and the official Image Comics iOS app, as well as on Comixology on the web (comixology.com), iOS, Android, and Google Play.
 
Image Comics is pleased to announce that this second issue will be going back to print to meet customer demand. The second printing of VELVET #2 (Diamond Code OCT138253) will release on 1/8. 
 
VELVET #3 releases 1/8 and will be available for pre-order with Diamond Code OCT130631. 
 
VELVET
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.
DRAGOTTA, SPENCER, KEATINGE, AND CRAIG JOIN RED-HOT LINEUP AT IMAGE EXPO
Fan excitement builds for Image Comics’ premiere media event
 
The rumors are true! Image Comics is pleased to reveal several additional all-star creators who will attend this year’s Image Expo on January 9, 2014 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The additional guest creators include Nick Dragotta (EAST OF WEST), Nick Spencer (MORNING GLORIES, BEDLAM), Joe Keatinge (GLORY), and Wes Craig (DEADLY CLASS). More exciting surprise guests will be revealed at the Expo, making it a must-see event for comic book fans.
 
Previously announced guests include Robert Kirkman (Image Comics partner and the creator of THE WALKING DEAD), Matt Fraction (Eisner Award winner and writer of SEX CRIMINALS & SATELLITE SAM), Rick Remender (writer of BLACK SCIENCE and DEADLY CLASS), Kelly Sue DeConnick (writer of PRETTY DEADLY), and Brandon Graham (Eisner Award-winning writer/artist of PROPHET & MULTIPLE WARHEADS). Unfortunately, Marian Churchland (Russ Manning Award winning creator of BEAST) will be unable to attend as previously announced.
 
Stay tuned for more buzz-worthy news about the event, fans won’t want to miss out on the latest. Tickets are still available, but selling out fast, so act quickly. Don’t miss your chance to meet creators, attend panels and signings, receive exclusive swag, and get the scoop on all that Image Comics has in store for 2014.
 
Image Comics fans can follow the latest Image Expo updates and to purchase tickets at: imagecomics.com/expo. We hope to see you there!  
 
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.
SEX CRIMINALS #3 TURNS UP THE HEAT
The third issue of Time magazine’s #1 comic series of the year
goes back to print
SEX CRIMINALS
 
The third issue of the wildly popular series SEX CRIMINALS, created by Matt Fraction (SATELLITE SAMHawkeye) and Chip Zdarsky (Prison Funnies), has sold out at the distributor level. Critics and readers alike have flocked to the fresh new series that Time magazine dubbed the #1 comic series of 2013 and actor Wil Wheaton calls “one of the best things I’ve ever read, period.” 
 
Praise for SEX CRIMINALS:
“This R-rated romp (about a bank-robbing couple whose orgasms can stop time) is his best work yet.” --Douglas Wolk, Time magazine
 
“It’s the kind of story that isn’t being told anywhere else in comics, and the perfect read for anyone looking for a captivating, unique title by two creators at the top of their game.” --Oliver Sava, A.V. Club
 
“They have given us a wildly original, wholly engaging delightful comic that keeps us howling just as much as it keeps us feeling.” --Justin Partridge III, Newsarama
 
“Easily my most anticipated book every month. Don't wait any longer and pick it up ASAP. You wont regret it.” --Jimbus_Christ, Bloody Disgusting
 
Sex Criminals is one of the least predictable--and most entertaining--series in print right now.” --Jen ‘Miss J’ Aprahamian, Comic Vine
 
“The tone is one of my favorite things about the series so far… I'm excited for the next issue, and I hope it stays as wacky as the first three.” --Marykate Jasper, Comic Book Resources
 
SEX CRIMINALS #3 has completely sold out at the distributor level, but may still be available in comic stores, and is currently available digitally on the Image Comics website (imagecomics.com) and the official Image Comics iOS app, as well as on Comixology on the web (comixology.com), iOS, Android, and Google Play.
 
Image Comics is pleased to announce that this third issue will be going back to print to meet customer demand. The second printing of SEX CRIMINALS #3 (Diamond Code OCT138244) will release on 1/8. 
 
SEX CRIMINALS #4 releases 1/8 and will be available for pre-order with Diamond Code OCT130623. 
 
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.

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES DAVID LAPHAM’S JUICE SQUEEZERS TO BE FEATURED IN
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2014!

To celebrate, Dark Horse Digital offers the #0 issue of this highly anticipated series free for the next week!

DECEMBER 4, PORTLAND, OR—David Lapham, the Eisner Award–winning creator of the smash hit Stray Bullets, is writing and drawing his own series again for the first time in five years, debuting next month! Now, on the eve of Final Order Cutoff for the first issue, Dark Horse announces an original story to be featured in next year’s FCBD offerings!

Called “a perfect start to an addictive new serial” by Newsarama after its run in the Eisner and Harvey Award–winning anthology Dark Horse Presents, Juice Squeezers follows a covert group of tweens who form the main line of defense for the residents of Weeville against an army of giant bugs. The only ones who can fit into the cramped subterranean battlefield, the aptly named Juice Squeezers keep the endless swarm of bugs from overrunning the city. That is, until a new kid moves to town and threatens to awaken a dormant bug population. The exterminators may become the exterminated in this all-ages adventure story!

Available for download today, and free for the next week, is the critically acclaimed storyline from the series debut in Dark Horse’s flagship anthology, so fans will have the chance to see for themselves what everyone is talking about! Read the first chapter and tell your retailer that you are on board for this fun new series in the vein of The Goonies and Stand by Me!


Praise for Juice Squeezers:

How the hell can I ignore David Lapham writing and drawing again! My god that was a nice treat to discover and upon reading . . . I’m really looking forward to the next chapter and Lapham’s art was fantastic.”—Comic Bastards

“It’s a modern take on the innumerable monster movies of the 1950s that featured enormous bugs . . . The character dynamics are still in play, even as the group contends with maggots the size of corgis.”—Unleash the Fanboy

Juice Squeezers #1 (of 4) is on sale January 1, 2014, in comic shops everywhere!


Free Comic Day 2014 will take place on May 3, 2014!

Retailers: Make sure your shelves will be well stocked with Juice Squeezers #1, and up your orders today! Diamond code: NOV130063

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

NEW PEOPLE ANNOUNCES DATES FOR

2014 J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL AND THE RETURN OF THE JAPAN FILM FESTIVAL OF SAN FRANCISCO


The Bay Area’s Largest Japanese Pop Culture Festival Will Return For
6th Consecutive Year To Showcase The Best In Modern Japanese Film, Food, Fashion, Music And Entertainment At Weekend-Long Celebration Scheduled For July 2014

San Francisco, CA, December 3, 2013 – NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, and the J-POP Summit Festival Committee have announced the dates for the 2014 J-POP Summit Festival.

The popular annual celebration of Japanese pop culture, music, art, anime, fashion, and film will return to San Francisco’s Japantown and will also present another special J-Pop concert in Union Square the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, July 19th and 20th, 2014.

The J-POP Summit Festival is the Bay Area’s premier annual Japanese pop culture celebration featuring a variety of live bands and artists, pop culture panel discussions, film premieres, fashion shows, DJ dance events, interactive games, celebrity appearances, and much more. Many of the attractions are free to attend. The Festival is hosted by J-POP Summit Festival Committee in cooperation with the Japantown Merchants Association. Additional details will be forthcoming at www.J-POP.com.

In 2013, J-POP Summit welcomed more than 80,000 people to Japantown and nearly 10,000 more music fans to the Festival’s first-ever concert held in Union Square that featured Japan’s Ambassador of Kawaii, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, as well as Kylee, Daichi, and LoVendoЯ. The downtown San Francisco Union Square stage will host a compelling line-up of J-Pop artists again next year.

Also returning as part of the 2014 J-POP Summit will be the second annual Japan Film Festival of San Francisco, the only full-fledged Japanese film festival held in the Bay Area. The week-long series of live-action and anime film theatrical premieres will run Saturday, July 19th through Sunday, July 27th at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema and will be highlighted by red carpet events featuring appearances by prominent Japanese directors and actors, as well as several lecture presentations, workshops, autograph sessions, and film industry networking opportunities. Additional information will be available at: www.JFFSF.org.

Showcasing cutting edge Japanese fashion has always been a popular aspect of the J-POP Summit. 2013’s theme of “Making Kawaii Universal” resonated with thousands of attendees that savored leading brands as well as live shows featuring top models from the bustling Harajuku fashion scene including Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. Next year’s programming will present even more brands and icons to highlight a wide selection of exclusive designs, apparel, and accessories only available for a limited time during the Festival.

The 2014 J-POP Summit Festival also will present the return of the POP GOURMET Food Festival, which will delight attendees with a scrumptious array of innovative Japanese and Asian-influenced cuisine along with Japanese sake and teas. Festival-goers will be able to enjoy popular local gourmet food trucks and exclusive sake tasting by premier sake distillers/distributors on an even bigger scale.

“The growth of the J-POP Summit Festival has been phenomenal since our very first one in 2009 that also marked the Grand Opening of the NEW PEOPLE complex,” says Seiji Horibuchi, the President/CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. and Chairman of the J-Pop Summit Festival. “The J-POP Summit Festival has become an integral part of San Francisco’s summertime fun and after 2013’s tremendous success we are planning even bigger and more exciting programming for 2014. Stay tuned for news and updates as we begin announcing artists and events early next year!”

About J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL
The J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL is an annual Japanese Pop Culture celebration that features live bands and artists from Japan, pop culture panel discussions, film premieres, fashion, food, art, and celebrity appearances. The Festival is hosted by NEW PEOPLE in cooperation with the Japantown Merchants Association. In 2013, the two-day event attracted 80,000 attendees.

About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (www.newpeopleworld.com) offers the latest films, art, fashion, and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America.

###

J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL Fashion Comp

J-POPSUMMITFESTIVAL_UnionSquareComp
THE WALKING DEAD’S NEW ACTION-PACKED STORY ARC IS INFECTIOUS
 
Issue #116, the second chapter of All Out War,
goes to second printing to meet demand
 
The long-running, critically-acclaimed series that inspired the hit TV show just keeps drawing in readers with every new story arc. ALL OUT WAR explodes in THE WALKING DEAD #116, by creator Robert Kirkman and artist Charlie Adlard, when the first shots are fired between Rick's army and Negan's Saviors. Fans of the TV show who were left hanging on the mid-season finale can jump into the comic series' action as it picks up momentum. 
 
Praise for THE WALKING DEAD #116:
 
“So far, this bi-weekly event is living up to its name and expectations.” --Augie De Blieck, Jr., Comic Book Resources
 
“Gaudiano's inks bring a newfound level of sharpness and clarity to Charlie Adlard's pencils. The action hits harder and the storytelling flows better as a result.” --Jesse Schedeen, IGN
 
“So far this arc is truly unlike anything Kirkman has done before. Which is no easy feat after writing the same series for ten years. With any luck the fantastic pacing will keep up and we'll be treated to a new gold standard of zombie story by years end.” --Jimbus_Christ, Bloody Disgusting
 
Image Comics is committed to keeping all issues of THE WALKING DEAD: ALL OUT WAR available, and is pleased to announce that THE WALKING DEAD #116 will be going back to print to meet customer demand. The second printing will release on 1/8/14 and will be available for order with Diamond Code OCT138242
 
THE WALKING DEAD #115 2nd printing, featuring a stunning gatefold cover, is still available in stores and can be ordered with Diamond Code AUG138407.
 
THE WALKING DEAD #116
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 Ghosted, 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.

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

THE FIFTH BEATLE DEBUTS IN TOP 5 ON
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS!

December 3, NEW YORK, NY—After an amazing show of demand for Vivek J. Tiwary’s breakout graphic novel, The Fifth Beatle sailed to number five on the New York Times bestseller list in its first week on sale!
Written by multiple Tony Award–winning producer Vivek J. Tiwary (Green Day’s American Idiot, The Addams Family, Mel Brooks’ The Producers) and painted by fanboy favorites Andrew C. Robinson (Dusty Star, King Conan, Starman, Superman) and Kyle Baker (The Shadow, Plastic Man.) The Fifth Beatle is the untold true story of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager who discovered and guided the Beatles—from their gigs in a tiny cellar in Liverpool to unprecedented international stardom.

Yet more than merely the story of "The Man Who Made The Beatles," The Fifth Beatle is an uplifting, tragic, and ultimately inspirational human story about the struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Brian Epstein was homosexual when it was a felony to be so in the United Kingdom, Jewish during a period of pervasive anti-Semitism, and from Liverpool when it was considered just a dingy port town. He helped spread the Beatles’ message of love to the entire world, yet died painfully lonely at the young age of thirty-two, consumed by staggering ambition and the endless struggles that came with it.

Praise for Vivek Tiwary’s The Fifth Beatle
:

Tiwary and Robinson break new ground by spotlighting the Beatles’ discoverer and manager, Brian Epstein, telling his story in graphic novel form. Robinson and Baker’s artwork is colorful and fluid, with rich, deep color palettes capturing the mod energy of the ’60s.” - Publishers Weekly

“It's captivating, brilliant, funny, and tragic, and it artistically captures every mood and locale associated with this era of Beatlemania. It's a must-have for Beatles fans and fans of great storytelling.” – Comic Book Resources

Emotionally powerful and visually breathtaking, The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story is one of the best graphic novels you’re going to read this year.” - Newsarama

Both heartbreaking and uplifting, The Fifth Beatle not only reveals an important, unsung chapter in the history of the Beatles—but it will inspire anyone who’s ever dared to believe in a dream. For more information and to view the trailer for the graphic novel, visit FifthBeatle.com.

The Fifth Beatle is available in bookstores everywhere. 

Tiwary is represented by David Alpert and Lawrence Mattis at Circle of Confusion.

About Dark Horse
Founded in1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, Guillermo Del Toro and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE: Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

ABOUT VIVEK J. TIWARY
Vivek J. Tiwary is an award-winning producer, writer, and financier for film, television, theater, music, and graphic novels. He is the producer and writer of “The Fifth Beatle,” a feature film and graphic novel based on the life of Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein. “The Fifth Beatle” has secured unprecedented access to Beatles’ music and is in development to shoot in 2013. In television, Vivek sold a sitcom pilot “Punk Rock Dad” to CBS, based on the bestselling memoir/parenting manual by Pennywise lead singer Jim Lindberg, and he is developing a number of additional series including “Ascension,” a historical fiction / thriller juxtaposing the history of astronomy with mankind’s future in the stars. On Broadway, Vivek’s productions have won a combined 25 Tony Awards from 44 Tony nominations—every single one of his shows have been decorated. They include “The Addams Family,” Green Day’s “American Idiot” (the groundbreaking adaptation of the superstar rock band’s multi-platinum album), Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” (the most Tony Awards ever) and “Young Frankenstein”, “A Raisin In The Sun” (starring Sean Combs), and “A Little Night Music” (starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury). Off-Broadway, Vivek produced a theatrical collaboration between electropop/performance artists Fischerspooner and avant-garde theatre collective The Wooster Group (founded by Willem Dafoe, Spalding Gray, and others) that launched the 2008 Sao Paulo Art Bienal. Vivek also serves on the Board of Directors for Valiant Entertainment (www.valiantentertainment.com), a multi-platform company that boasts the third largest and most-loved universe of comic book characters and has been hailed by the New York Times as “Marvel 2.0”. Prior to founding Tiwary Entertainment Group (www.tiwaryent.com) and online music education/empowerment company StarPolish, Vivek held a number of major label music-industry positions, including launching and heading the Alternative Marketing Department at Mercury/PolyGram Records, and managing Video Promotion for Mercury/PolyGram, where he worked closely with MTV and VH1. Vivek has worked with artists covering the entire musical spectrum including Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Kiss, LL Cool J, John Mellencamp, Allen Ginsberg, Oasis, Hanson, 311 and The Mighty Mighty BossTones to name but a few. Among many charitable pursuits, Vivek is the Co-Founder of Musicians On Call (www.musiciansoncall), a nonprofit organization that uses music and entertainment to complement the healing process. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of both the Wharton School of Business and the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences. Vivek also holds a filmmaking certificate from The New York Film Academy and is an acting student of Susan Batson/Black Nexxus Acting Studio.

 ***
__________________________________