ARCHAIA AND THE JIM HENSON COMPANY ANNOUNCE
‘THE POWER OF THE DARK CRYSTAL’
COMIC BOOK SERIES

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of ‘The Dark Crystal,’ return to the world of Thra in an official sequel to the beloved fantasy film

Los Angeles, Calif. (November 21, 2016) – Archaia, an award-winning imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, and The Jim Henson Company, an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years, are excited to announce The Power of the Dark Crystal, a new comic book series that serves as a sequel to the beloved 1982 film.

Based on the screenplay by David Odell, Annette Odell, and Craig Pearce that was written for a planned feature film, the 12-issue monthly limited series is adapted by Eisner Award-nominated writer Simon Spurrier (The Spire, Six-Gun Gorilla) and illustrated by rising artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews (Toil and Trouble, Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy). The first issue of The Power of the Dark Crystal debuts on February 15, 2017.

“The Power of the Dark Crystal is an all-new chapter in the world of Jim Henson's classic film,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “We’re thrilled to bring aboard series artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews, a spectacular art team who will pay homage to Brian Froud’s incredible designs of the Skeksis, Gelflings, and a new cast of characters/creatures called the Firelings. Writer Simon Spurrier, a longtime fan of Henson—and one of our favorite writers—brings new life, color, and intrigue to this beloved world. We’re proud to announce that The Dark Crystal saga continues this February!”

Countless decades have passed since the events of the original film. Though Jen and Kira have ruled Thra from the Crystal Castle peacefully as King and Queen, bringing Gelfling back to the land, they have become distracted by power and can no longer feel or see the needs of the world and its people the way they once did. Enter Thurma, a young Fireling girl tasked with obtaining a shard of the Dark Crystal—by any means necessary—to restore power to her realm. This sets in motion an incredible adventure in which Thurma will attempt to steal a crystal shard, befriend the young Gelfling Kensho, and accidentally bring back the Skeksis and Mystics.

“Like the ending of The Dark Crystal, in which the duality of good and evil is collapsed and reconciled, the story of The Power of the Dark Crystal is that of reconciling the inner and the outer worlds—perhaps even the unconscious and the conscious. This is an amazing and original theme,” said Lisa Henson, President and CEO of The Jim Henson Company. “The creativity that went into writing and designing the feature film was such that we wanted our fans to be able to see and enjoy it now through this comic book series. We are very proud of the story that the screenwriters David Odell, Annette Odell, and Craig Pearce wrote. Our partners at Archaia and BOOM! Studios are the only people we could trust to expand and illustrate the story, and we are thrilled that it will soon see the light of day!”

The main cover to issue #1 is illustrated by Eisner Award-winning artist Jae Lee and June Chung. Variant covers are illustrated by Sana Takeda (Monstress) and David Petersen (Mouse Guard).

Print copies of The Power of the Dark Crystal #1 will be available for sale at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find the nearest one) or at the BOOM! webstore. Digital copies will be available to purchase on all major digital marketplaces including comiXology, iTunes, Google Play, and Kindle.
 

The Power of the Dark Crystal #1 Main Cover by Jae Lee and June Chung

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS
Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates New York Times best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic books and graphic novels. BOOM! Studios is comprised of four distinct imprints: the "Studios" imprint is home to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Grant Morrison's Klaus, and The Woods; imprint "BOOM! Box" publishes Lumberjanes, Steve Jackson Games' Munchkin, and Giant Days; All-Ages imprint "KaBOOM!" publishes Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts, Jim Davis’ Garfield, and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time. And the "Archaia" imprint is home to Mouse Guard, Cow Boy, and numerous Jim Henson Company properties. Since 2013, BOOM! Studios has had a unique first-look feature film relationship with 20th Century Fox and since August 2014 BOOM! has had a similar first-look relationship with Fox's television studio to develop properties for the small screen.

ABOUT THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for 60 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world-famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy®-nominated Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, and Pajanimals, as well as the CG-animated preschool series Doozers and the upcoming digital citizenship series for preschoolers Dot, and the Netflix series for young preschoolers Word Party. Features include Disney’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, as well as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and MirrorMask. Television productions include Fraggle Rock, the sci-fi cult series Farscape, Henson Alternative’s No, You Shut Up! and the TV film Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character- building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of- the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand is currently touring Puppet-Up! – Uncensored, a live puppet improvisational show.
http://www.henson.com
https://www.facebook.com/darkcrystal
www.facebook.com/hensoncompany
 

A Double Feature of Holiday RiffTrax Events Dashes Into Cinemas Nationwide With Two Times the Jokes on December 1 Only

 

Joined by Comedy Legend ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic,

the RiffTrax Crew Takes on Two Yuletide Favorites for One Night This December

 

DENVER – October 27, 2016 – The RiffTrax guys (Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, Bill Corbett) are back and, in the spirit of the holiday season, are gifting fans two funny features for the price of one. “RiffTrax Holiday Special Double Feature” includes “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,” a beloved classic from the days of Mystery Science Theater 3000 – completely reworked by RiffTrax for the 2013 broadcast. In the second feature, “Rifftrax Live: Christmas Shorts-straveganza,” the guys take you all the way back to 2009, when they were joined by multiple Grammy Award-winning comedy legend “Weird Al” Yankovic for a night of Christmas shorts. Plus, a special gift to fans, audiences will see the most-requested bonus short, Parade of Aquatic Champions, and Michael, Kevin and Bill riffing on hilarious fan-submitted holiday family photos. Presented by Fathom Events and RiffTrax, this event will play in movie theaters across the country on Thursday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. local time.

 

Coming to movie theaters before the holiday special, “RiffTrax Live: Carnival of Souls,” will be broadcast live on Thursday, October 27 8:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. CT and tape delayed to 7:00 p.m. MT/ 8:00 p.m. PT with an encore showing on Monday, October 31 7:30 p.m. local time.

 

Tickets for “RiffTrax Holiday Special Double Feature” can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 600 movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

 

 "Come on, we know you don't like roasted chestnuts -- nobody does, they're gross -- so why not make our RiffTrax Holiday Double Feature your new Christmas tradition? Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, and a Christmas Shorts-stravaganza, plus all new riffing on yours and our Christmas photos is just what the Santa ordered," Michael J. Nelson of RiffTrax said.

 

Originally broadcast in 2013, “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,” riffed by the RiffTrax crew, helps ring in the Christmas season. The (only slightly fictional) story follows an evil Martian who comes to earth to capture Santa Claus and take him back to Mars. “RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-straveganza” originally broadcast in 2009, wraps up this holiday’s double feature with tales that range from the bizarre to the sublime, and features the bonus commentary of Weird Al. For those still in a summer mood, there’s the special bonus short Parade of Aquatic Champions – the most popular and requested RiffTrax short ever.

 

“The RiffTrax crew always delivers literal laugh-out-loud content that has audiences coming back event after event, and their Holiday Special Double Feature is certain to make this the funniest time of year,” Fathom Events CEO John Rubey said.

 

“RiffTrax: Holiday Special Double Feature” is the 23^rd RiffTrax title for Fathom Events since the 2009 start of the companies’ partnership. Some of the most popular titles in the RiffTrax Live lineup include “Anaconda,” “Starship Troopers,” “Night of the Living Dead,” and the “MST3K Reunion Show.”

 

 

About Fathom Events

Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema, and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) (known collectively as AC JV, LLC), Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions such as the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live’s Hamlet, sporting events like FS1 Presents USA v Mexico, concerts with Roger Waters and One Direction, the TCM Presents classic film series and faith-based events such as The Drop Box and Four Blood Moons. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 887 locations and 1,354 screens in 181 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

 

About RiffTrax

RiffTrax is an entertainment company featuring the stars of the Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning show “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” Comedians Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy (Tom Servo) and Bill Corbett (Crow T. Robot), bring their funny running MST3K-type commentary to movies of all kind. From riffs on the biggest Hollywood blockbusters to the worst B-movies, RiffTrax has a library of over 500 titles available at RiffTrax.com and on digital platforms everywhere. RiffTrax has also produced five prime time television specials for the National Geographic Channel. RiffTrax releases a newly riffed movie, short film or TV program each week, and performs the RiffTrax Live comedy series four times a year where a movie is riffed live and simulcast into over 700 theaters across North America. Our brand-new RiffTrax app on iOS and Android magically syncs our Riffs to the biggest blockbuster movies like Star Wars, Twilight and Harry Potter. RiffTrax was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in San Diego, CA. To find out more about RiffTrax, visit www.rifftrax.com/aboutus.

 

RIDE OFF INTO THE SUNSET WITH SCOOTER GIRL 
The screwball comedy classic collected in full-color trade paperback this January
 

Chynna Clugston Flores (BLUE MONDAY, IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS) will release her dark comedy classic SCOOTER GIRL, with all-new colors by George Kambadais, in trade paperback this January from Image Comics.

"I'm thrilled about the release of the remastered, color version of SCOOTER GIRL!” said Clugston Flores. “Editor Ian Shaughnessy and I have gone over the book meticulously and are proud to be able to present it in its most polished form to readers in the new year.”

A love letter to mod and scooter culture, SCOOTER GIRL is the story of Ashton Archer: the Vespa-riding, swanky suit-wearing man-about-town who has it all. That is, until lightning strikes when the girl of his dreams motors right past him on her Lambretta—causing him to lose it all. Convinced that her presence and antagonization has ruined his life, Ashton sets out to end the black curse put upon him by any means necessary.

“It's a clearer peek into the perils of dating while being a jerk,” added Clugston Flores, “set against a backdrop of a retro 1960s feel in Southern California with its glossy new standard comic book size, complete with an introduction from original editor Jamie S. Rich. I hope new readers and revisiting fans will find its dark comedy as refreshing and fun in technicolor as we do!"

SCOOTER GIRL TP (ISBN: 978-1-63215-942-7) hits comic book stores Wednesday, January 11th and bookstores Tuesday, January 17th, and will be available for $14.99. It can be ordered by retailers with Diamond code OCT160667, and is available for preorder on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and Indigo.
 

Select praise for SCOOTER GIRL:

"Whenever it comes to the mod stylings of Chynna Clugston Flores, count me in! Everything she writes and draws pulses with energetic charm and must not be missed." —Michael Allred (Madman, Silver Surfer, iZombie) 

"Scooter Girl tells a story that is complete and magical unto itself, with characters that grow and change, a structurally pleasing concoction that echoes the best of [Billy] Wilder, with perhaps a dash of Heathers and maybe a little Kill Your Boyfriend." —Jamie S. Rich (THE DOUBLE LIFE OF MIRANDA TURNER, 12 Reasons Why I Love Her)

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.

VIZ MEDIA EXPANDS DIGITAL ACCESS TO

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ISSUES ON GOOGLE PLAY

Weekly Manga Magazine Featuring the World’s Most

Popular Series Now Available Directly From

Google’s Digital Media Platform!

San Francisco, CA, November 21, 2016 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, adds a new way for readers to access the latest issues of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP as it announces the launch of the popular weekly manga (graphic novel) publication on Google Play (NASDAQ: GOOG).

Previously, readers could only access WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP on the Google Play store via the VIZ Manga App or through the Android-based WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP App. Manga fans can now purchase single issues of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP directly from Google Play/Google Books for $0.99 (USD) each. A backlist catalog offering 1 month of previously released issues will also be available.

“WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is the world’s most widely read manga publication for both emerging as well as established hit series and it has helped launch scores of the genre’s greatest series in the world,” says Andy Nakatani, Editor-in-Chief of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP. “Google Play is one of the web’s most popular destinations for a wide variety of digital entertainment and we invite readers to explore all of the exciting fresh manga content contained in each week’s new issue.”

Manga series currently featured in WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP include ONE PIECE, MY HERO ACADEMIA, ONE-PUNCH MAN, BORUTO, BLACK CLOVER, BLUE EXORCIST, FOOD WARS!, THE PROMISED NEVERLAND, RED SPRITE, SERAPH OF THE END, WORLD TRIGGER and YU-GI-OH! ARC-V. WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP also regularly gives readers an advance peek at other hot new series debuts in Japan with special JUMP START features throughout the year.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is published digitally each week by VIZ Media and features the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga series released to English readers across North America as well as the U.K., Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, the Philippines and Singapore on the same day as the magazine’s general print release in Japan. International issues debut each Monday at 10:00am (PST) and monthly subscriptions are available across all territories.

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit viz.com/shonenjump.

For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.

METAL ON METAL: DARK HORSE COMICS’ “SLAYER: REPENTLESS” #1 TO HIT JANUARY 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MILWAUKIE, Ore., (November 21, 2016)—Legendary heavy metal band Slayer has teamed up with Metalocalypse writer Jon Schnepp and Twilight Zone artist Guiu Vilanova for a three-issue Dark Horse Comics series, Slayer: Repentless, with covers by Eisner Award–winning British comics artist Glenn Fabry. The first issue, with a variant cover by Eric Powell (The Goon), is scheduled for release on January 25, 2017. “It’s been my honor to chronicle the bloody road trip that is the Slayer comic series from Dark Horse/Nuclear Blast,” said writer Jon Schnepp. “Using the band’s music and lyrics from their three decades of albums, while crossing over and through the Repentless music videos by BJ McDonnell, I have woven a tale of betrayal, hate, perspective, loyalty, family, and murder that will need to be experienced through the comic books’ pages.” With its story of a raging road trip down a bloodstained highway, a tale of the doomed and the damned, the Slayer: Repentless series is an expansion of Slayer’s Repentless videos, written and directed by BJ McDonnell (Hatchet III). The band made an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con 2016, with a subsequent sold-out performance at the House of Blues, in support of the Dark Horse Comics series. Slayer: Repentless #1 (of 3) is available for preorder at DarkHorse.com. For all press queries, please contact the Dark Horse publicity department.  ### -- ABOUT DARK HORSE   For thirty years, 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. Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, 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 Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers. ABOUT SLAYER    For more than three decades, Slayer's onslaught has proven the band to be the supreme thrash-metal band on the planet, the band that other heavy acts are measured against and aspire to. The two-time Grammy-winners have also accumulated an abundance of certified Gold Albums along with "Best..." awards from media outlets all over the world, including Kerrang!, SPIN, Metal Hammer, Revolver, and Esquire. Throughout Slayer's history, the band has never faltered in unleashing its extreme and focused sonic assault, and, unlike many of its contemporaries who "commercialized" their sound, Slayer has remained crushing and brutal, steadfastly refusing to cater to the mainstream. Slayer's founding member, guitarist Jeff Hanneman passed in 2013, and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has been filling in for him since. Paul Bostaph, who was Slayer's drummer from '94 - '01, has rejoined bassist/vocalist Tom Araya and guitarist Kerry King, and is back behind the kit. In September 2015, Slayer released Repentless, the band's 12th studio album, the first without Hanneman and first with producer Terry Date, to widespread rave reviews and the highest chart debut of the band's career. The band also teamed up with director BJ McDonnell for two high-concept and brutal music videos for the album's "Repentless" (8.3-million views) and then for "You Against You." (2.4-million views).

Slayer: Repentless #1 Cover Art by Glenn Fabry

Slayer: Repentless #1 Interior Sneak Peek

VARIANT COVERS FOR
‘PLANET OF THE APES/GREEN LANTERN’ #1
REVEALED
 

Los Angeles, Calif. (November 18, 2016) – BOOM! Studios, DC, and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products are pleased to reveal variant covers for Planet of the Apes/Green Lantern #1, a six-issue, monthly limited series debuting on February 1, 2017 by writers Robbie Thompson (Silk) and Justin Jordan (Green Lantern), and artist Barnaby Bagenda (The Omega Men).

Variant covers include a movie poster homage cover by Steve Morris (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a Silver Age-themed cover by Paul Rivoche (Batman ‘66), a foil-stamped cover by Felipe Massafera (Wonder Woman), and a vintage action figure cover by David Ryan Robinson (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers).

Print copies of Planet of the Apes/Green Lantern #1 will be available for sale at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find the nearest one) or at the BOOM! webstore on February 1, 2017. Digital copies will be available to purchase the same day on all major digital marketplaces, including comiXology, iTunes, Google Play, and Kindle.

Planet of the Apes/Green Lantern #1 Movie Poster Variant Cover by Steve Morris



Planet of the Apes/Green Lantern #1 Silver Age Variant Cover by Paul Rivoche



Planet of the Apes/Green Lantern #1 Spectrum Foil Variant Cover by Felipe Massafera



Planet of the Apes/Green Lantern #1 Action Figure Variant Cover by David Ryan Robinson

About BOOM! Studios
Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates New York Times best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic books and graphic novels. BOOM! Studios is comprised of four distinct imprints: the "Studios" imprint is home to Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Grant Morrison's Klaus, and The Woods; imprint "BOOM! Box" publishes Lumberjanes, Steve Jackson Games' Munchkin, and Giant Days; All-Ages imprint "KaBOOM!" publishes Charles Schulz’ Peanuts; Jim Davis’ Garfield; and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time. And the "Archaia" imprint is home to Mouse Guard, Cow Boy, and numerous Jim Henson Company properties. Since 2013, BOOM! Studios has had a unique first-look feature film relationship with 20th Century Fox and since August 2014 BOOM! has had a similar first-look relationship with Fox' television studio to develop properties for the small screen.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to the iconic brands DC (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, the Flash, etc.), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables, etc.) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is one of the largest English-language publishers of comics in the world.

About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products
A division of 21st Century Fox and recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, the flagship studio leading the industry in supplying award-winning and blockbuster primetime television programming and entertainment content.

RAT QUEENS RETURNS, DELIVERS MORE SASS AND ADVENTURE 
The New York Times bestselling series welcomes a new artist

Image/Shadowline Comics is pleased to announce that the New York Times bestselling, fan-favorite series RAT QUEENS, written and co-created by Kurtis J. Wiebe, will return this March with a new series artist—Owen Gieni (MANIFEST DESTINY).

“Cat Kings and Other Gary’s: Part One” begins a fresh, soft-reboot and the Rat Queens are back in action! Everybody’s favorite butt-kickers—Betty, Violet, Dee, Braga, and Hannah—return in RAT QUEENS, VOL. 2 #1. Palisade is still a rat-infested troll’s ass and everyone still hates Gary. It’s been awhile since the Queens have done a good slaughter, so join them as they get back to the basics of killing monsters and drinking away the profits.

"Owen's style brings a real return to high adventure, insane action and character comedy,” said Wiebe. “He has an amazing talent for crafting a world and when his characters act, they feel genuine and real. Writing scripts for Owen is the most fun I've had on the series in a very long time. Our new start with Rat Queens is getting back to the basics. Four friends who kill monsters for money. Except it's even weirder."

Gieni added: “Having this opportunity to bring these loved characters to life is a dream come true. I've been a fan of Rat Queens since its first issue, so it’s such an awesome experience to play in this massive world. It's the ultimate collaboration, breaking story with Kurtis, laughing the whole time as we create new adventures really comes through in the final product. I can't wait for readers to discover Rat Queens again.”

RAT QUEENS, VOL. 2 #1 will ship with two covers and will hit stores on Wednesday, March 1st.

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.

Dave Bautista (WWE® Superstar Batista™), Finn Bálor™ Blast Into Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans

‘Guardians of the Galaxy, GOTG Vol. 2’ Headliner Batista (Saturday, Jan. 7) And Rising WWE Star Bálor Added To Standout Celebrity Roster At Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

NEW ORLEANS, November 16, 2016 – WWE® Superstar Batista™ (Dave Bautista ), who stars as “Dax the Destroyer” in the blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, and WWE® Superstar Finn Bálor™ will attend the 2017 Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans. Bautista will appear on Saturday, January 7, while Balor will visit on Sunday, January 8. They will join a star-studded roster of top celebrities, including Bautista’s fellow GOTG standouts Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn, scheduled to attend the pop culture extravaganza at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Both hugely popular guests at previous Wizard World appearances, Bautista and Bálor will separately greet fans, pose for photo ops and sign autographs. Bautista will also conduct an interactive Guardians-themed Q&A panel on Saturday alongside Rooker and Gunn at the first Wizard World Comic Con of the year. Bálor will participate in a Q&A panel on Sunday.

Batista’s other credits include supporting roles in the James Bond film Spectre (2015) and Marauders (2016) and the lead in House of the Rising Sun (2011). Prior to his role as “Dax” in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (due out in theaters in May), Bautista left his mark in the ring as one of the WWE’s top Superstars.

Taming wild animals is best left to trained professionals. Taming “The Animal” is another matter entirely. If Batista always appeared in control of his meteoric rise through the ranks of WWE, that’s because you’re not counting his tempestuous formative years. That what would ultimately bring the six-foot-six, 290-pound brute to the top was his ability to avoid the perils and violence all around him in his troubled youth.

Batista departed WWE in 2010, but returned in January 2014 and immediately won the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match to earn a WWE World Heavyweight Title opportunity at WrestleMania 30. The Animal tapped out to Daniel Bryan in the Triple Threat main event, but the loss did little to curb his ego. In the weeks that followed, the arrogant Batista realigned himself with Triple H and The Viper in a reformation of their Evolution grouping. Together, the trio looked to take out The Shield.

Later, frustrated that he never got the one-on-one WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match he earned by winning the 2014 Royal Rumble Match, Batista abandoned his Evolution associates and quit WWE.

Athletic, charismatic, occasionally demonic, Bálor has become a bona fide worldwide sensation. The WWE Universe may know Bálor for his exploits in NXT or his first-round status in the 2016 WWE Brand Extension Draft, but the mysterious Irishman’s legend spanned across countries and continents long before he ever stepped onto the WWE stage. After competing in his first match at 18 and achieving success in his homeland, Bálor relocated to Japan to hone his skills in the notorious dojo system of the Far East. Unsurprisingly, he thrived, winning multiple championships and marshalling several foot soldiers to support him (some even called him a prince). With The Land of the Rising Sun annexed to the Bálor Club, he relocated to America to ply his trade in NXT.

Choosing to honor his heritage by taking the names of two Irish myths — the warrior Finn MacCumhail and the Fomorian king Bálor — the dynamic Superstar quickly rose in the ranks of NXT, achieving a record-setting run with the NXT Championship as well as becoming one of the first winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic along with Samoa Joe.

The duo join an all-star lineup at Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans which already includes Carrie Fisher (Star Wars), Tom Felton (Harry Potter franchise), Christopher Lloyd (Back To The Future ), Stephen Amell (“Arrow”), Michael Cudlitz (“The Walking Dead”), Nichelle Nichols (“Star Trek”), David Ramsey (“Arrow”) and others.

New Orleans (January 6-8) will also launch an exciting array of activities at Wizard World Comic Con shows in 2017. Fans will experience non-stop live entertainment throughout extended evening hours, Kick off the Con and After Parties, gaming, exclusive Q&A sessions with top celebrities, movie screenings hosted by stars and directors and more. Details to follow soon.

Wizard World comic and gaming con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

Wizard World is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed –  will roam the convention floor. The famed Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans Costume Contest will take place on Saturday night.

For more on the 2017 Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans, visit http://wizd.me/NewOrleansPR .

About Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD)

Wizard World, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com ) produces comic, gaming and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, gaming, graphic novels, toys, sci-fi, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also launched ComicConBox™ ( www.comicconbox.com), a premium subscription-based monthly box service and Wizard World Rewards among its initiatives. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

The Wizard World 2017 schedule is available at: http://wizardworld.com/searchby/city/ .

ENTER THE FRAY WITH MECHANISM 
The first five issues collected into trade paperback this January

Writer/artist Raffaele Ienco (SYMMETRY, EPIC KILL) will release the first trade paperback collection of his sapient sci-fi series MECHANISM this January from Image Comics and Top Cow Productions.

In the aftermath of an alien invasion, a prototype military robot is rushed into the field before it is combat-ready. Now, attached to a group of survivors, it studies them to learn what it means to be human. Will it come to see humanity as worthy, or will it conclude that the human race isn’t worth saving at all?

MECHANISM TP VOLUME 1 (ISBN: 978-1-5343-0032-3) hits comic book stores Wednesday, January 18th and bookstores Tuesday, January 24th. It can be ordered by retailers with Diamond code NOV160689, and is available for preorder on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and Indigo.

Select praise for MECHANISM:

“Mechanism is my book of the year! This has the potential to be one of the biggest releases that Image has had since The Walking Dead.” —Comic Crusaders

“An intriguing premise, gorgeous art and tantalizing mysteries... I look forward to seeing Raffaele Ienco’s story unfold.” —J.M. DeMatteis (Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt)

“Beautiful art and taut, no-nonsense storytelling.” —SlackJaw Punks

“Mechanism is quite simply the coolest story I’ve seen in quite some time and the art will blow your mind.” —Kevin Eastman (co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

“Raffaele Ienco is writing, drawing, painting and lettering a thrilling story that will suck you into its vortex from the first page. Mechanism is a winner.” —Viktor Bogdanovic (Batman: Arkham Knight, New Superman)

“Whether it’s the cinematic transition between panels or the raw emotion (or lack thereof), [Raffaele Ienco] gives us a sense of great depth and atmosphere, highlighting the futuristic landscape perfectly.” —Snap Pow

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.