Batista Set to Appear at Rhode Island Comic Con

PROVIDENCE, RI, April 13, 2017: Following an exciting two months' worth of guest announcements, organizers of Rhode Island Comic Con, Altered Reality Entertainment, announced that Dave Bautista, Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy and the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy 2, as well as Infinity Wars coming in 2018, will be a headlining guest at Rhode Island Comic Con 2017.

For eleven collective years, Bautista signed to WWE under the name Batista, where he became a six-time world champion, winning WWE's World Heavyweight Championship four times and the WWE Championship twice. He holds the record for the longest reign as World Heavyweight Champion, and has also won the World Tag Team Championship three times and the WWE Tag Team Championship once.

Bautista is the latest among an exciting list of guests for the Biggest Show in the Smallest State, including Power Rangers' Blake Foster, Catherine Sutherland, Hilary Shepard, Nakia Burrise, Steve Cardenas, Selwyn Ward, and RJ Cyler. Voice actors Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Moana, Rogue One) and Steve Blum (Cowboy Bebop, Legend of Korra, Ben 10) will also be appearing.
 

In a very rare appearance, Rhode Island Comic Con also welcomes Beverly D'Angelo from the National Lampoon's franchise.
 

Tickets are currently on sale through the Rhode Island Comic Con website at www.ricomiccon.com, and the Dunkin Donuts Center Arena box office. The 6th Annual Rhode Island Comic Con arrives November 10 to 12 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, and the Dunkin Donuts Center arena.
  

About Altered Reality Entertainment, LLC

Altered Reality Entertainment, LLC is an event entertainment company based in New England. It currently produces multimedia, multi-genre events in the New England area including their flagship event, Rhode Island Comic Con, and Southcoast Toy and Comic Show. In 2016, Altered Reality Entertainment expanded its footprint to include ComiCONN and Colorado Springs Comic Con. Comic book publishing, and the 2017 return of Terror Con, are their latest ventures.

Colorado Springs Comic Con Moves to New Venue
 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, April 13, 2017 – Colorado Spring Comic Con returns August 25 to 27, 2017. After a very successful inaugural year, organizers at Altered Reality Entertainment have decided to move the event to the Colorado Springs Event Center, a new and larger venue offering over 90,000 square feet.

Thousands of fans will converge on the Colorado Springs Event Center, located at 3960 Palmer Park Boulevard, to meet guests such as Power Rangers' stars RJ Cyler, Blake Foster, Catherine Sutherland, Hilary Shepard, Johnny Young Bosch, and Steve Cardenas, as well as talent from The Walking Dead, including Elizabeth Ludlow and Josh McDermott.
 

Headliners announced so far include Billy Dee Williams from the Star Wars franchise, Chris Sarandon from the Nightmare Before Christmas, James Marsters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Lou Diamond Phillips from Young Guns and La Bamba. Many more guests will be announced each week leading up to the event.
 

Tickets are currently on sale through the event's website at www.cscomiccon.com. Ticket prices start at $25 for adults and $10 for kids between the ages of six and twelve. VIP passes are also available.
 

About Altered Reality Entertainment, LLC
Altered Reality Entertainment, LLC is an event entertainment company based in New England. It currently produces multimedia, multi-genre events in the New England area including Rhode Island Comic Con, Terror Con, and Southcoast Toy and Comic Show. In 2016, Altered Reality Entertainment expanded its footprint to include ComiCONN and Colorado Springs Comic Con.

BILL MANTLO AND BUTCH GUICE'S SWORDS OF THE SWASHBUCKLERSLAUNCHES AS KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

After 30 Years Out-of-Print, Beloved Creator-Owned Series Will Be Preserved
as Fully-Remastered Collection Thanks to Fan Support 

April 13, 2017, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite Entertainment, Butch Guice, and the family of Bill Mantlo will be launching a Kickstarter campaign supporting the restoration of the Swords of the Swashbucklers comic series, a creator-owned pirate adventure published by Marvel from 1984 to 1987, as a high-quality collected edition. The support of backers will not only give the long-lost, groundbreaking series the complete and fully-remastered treatment that it deserves, but will preserve the prized work of Bill Mantlo, an industry great whose career was tragically derailed by a vehicular accident.

The Swords of the Swashbucklers Kickstarter campaign will run from April 13 until May 12 and can be found at:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dynamiteent/bill-mantlo-and-butch-guices-swords-of-the-swashbu

Swords of the Swashbucklers, blending elements of Guardians of the Galaxy with Pirates of the Caribbean follows spirited teenager Domino Drake, a normal girl who stumbles upon an alien artifact, acquires uncanny power, and becomes a beacon for intergalactic trouble. With her tabby cat in tow, Domino joins the motley crew of the Starshadow,a spacefaring pirate ship captained by the charismatic and fearless Raader. Upon successful completion of the Swords of the Swashbucklers Kickstarter, Dynamite will publish the series as a full-color, fully remastered volume over 400 pages in length, containing the complete story from the original graphic novel, plus the 12-issue maxi-series.

Backers who support the Swords of the Swashbucklers Kickstarter have the opportunity to receive rewards, including t-shirts, digital editions, collectible prints, hardcover upgrades, and hand-drawn illustrations by Butch Guice.

Artist Butch Guice, who launched his comics career in the 1990s with Rom and Micronauts and became a perrenial favorite at Marvel and DC Comics, reflects on his time working with Mantlo on the series: "I had the enormous pleasure of working with Bill Mantlo at the beginning of my own career, and I know from personal experience the vibrant infectious enthusiasm and joy Bill had for Swords of the Swashbucklers, and the stories we told together. This project is a wonderful way to honor Bill Mantlo's creative legacy. I hope fans, both old and new, support this effort, and I for one very much look forward to seeing the swashbuckling crew of the Starshadow fly once more."

Bill Mantlo rose through the Marvel ranks in the 70s and 80s to become one of their Bullpen's most dependable writers. He scripted over 500 Marvel comic books including Spectacular Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Micronauts, and Rom: SpaceKnight. Known for his far-flung cosmic adventures and colorful personalities, Mantlo would be partly responsible for bringing to life Rocket Raccoon, the star of the 2014 blockbuster film, Guardians of the Galaxy and this coming May's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. At the height of his career, Bill Mantlo was the victim of a hit-and-run accident in New York City. He suffered a closed-head brain injury that severely impaired his memory, mobility, and fine motor skills. For twenty years, he has resided in a rehabilitation center, where staff assist with nearly all of his physical activities.

Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite, says, "I could not be prouder of our upcoming Kickstarter project, dedicated to help bring Bill Mantlo and Butch Guice's long out-of-print classic, Swords of the Swashbucklers, back into print. The series struck a chord as a young fan and is a personal favorite of mine from childhood. Having the chance to reintroduce it for everyone to enjoy is a dream come true. It's hard to believe that it's been 30 years and this incredible body of work has not been in print before now, and I couldn't be prouder to be publishing this seminal series."

Ultimately, backers who support this Kickstarter will not only grant one of comics' earliest creator-owned projects new life with the premium treatment it deserves, but they'll help get Swords of the Swashbucklers back in print so revenue from its continued sales can improve the quality of life for Bill Mantlo, a beloved writer and heavy influence on the next generation of comic creators.

Follow Dynamite Entertainment:
Dynamite Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dynamitecomics
Dynamite Twitter: http://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
Dynamite Official Website: http://www.dynamite.com/
Comic Shop Locator Service: 1-888-comicbook, or visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com/

Moonstone AUG ’17 releases

Sherlock Holmes/The Green Lama: The Heir Apparent

Author: Adam L. Garcia

Cover art: Mike Fyles

6” 9”, 120pgs, $10.99, squarebound

978-1-944017-10-1(51099)

After decades in retirement, a wave of kidnappings from London's immigrant quarters brings Sherlock Holmes back to Baker Street. With a Tibetan symbol as the only clue, Holmes is joined by Jethro Dumont, an American recently returned from a decade in Tibet. 

 Together, these detectives work to capture the man known only as the Heir, a faceless villain that has built his own personal kingdom in the forgotten shadows of London's underground.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: The Further Crossovers of Sherlock Holmes

Authors: David Stuart Davies, Nancy Holder, David Gerrold,

Cover art: Timothy Lantz

250pgs, 6” x 9”, $15.95, squarebound

ISBN: 978-1-944017-11-8(51595)

Moonstone is proud to present this original anthology featuring never before seen tales of the world’s first consulting detective, as he teams up with other investigators and adventurers of his era!

Craig Kennedy, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde Gertrude Bell, Sgt Cuff, Lady Molly, and many more.

Stories by: Pat Barletta, David Stuart Davies, Nancy Holder, Bradley H. Sinor, Julie Barret, David Gerrold, Jean Rabe,

Greg Gick, Matthew V. Clemens, Martin Gately, and Bill Crider.

Thank You from BCC Spring Fling and Upcoming Easter Sale

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - April 13, 2017 - The Baltimore Comic-Con would like to thank all of our fans and attendees for making last weekend's first annual Baltimore Comic-Con Spring Fling a huge success. We had a great turnout, our vendors and guests had a great day, and we intend to return again next year! And of course, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be back for our 18th year on the weekend of September 22-24, 2017 at the Baltimore Convention Center and can't wait to see you there!

In the meantime, we wanted to let you know that the store that brings you the Baltimore Comic-Con, Cards, Comics & Collectibles, will be hosting its Annual Easter Sale this Friday, April 14th through Sunday, April 16th.

Come for amazing savings of 20% to 80% all weekend! Fill in those missing back issues or pick up that paperback, hardcover, or action figure you've been meaning to buy! This is the weekend to shrink that want list!

70% OFF: Modern & Bronze Age Back Issues, Cards 1980-Present! 50% OFF: Paperbacks & Hardcovers, Cards Pre-1980, Action Figures, Toon Tumblers, and more! 30% OFF: Gold & Silver Age Comics! 20% OFF: Card Packs & Boxes, New Comics, "New This Week" Paperbacks & Hardcovers!

Sunday Only Specials: 80% OFF: Modern Back Issue Bins! 60% OFF: Paperbacks & Hardcovers!

Our address: 100 A Chartley Dr., Reisterstown, MD 21136 Our Hours: Friday, 11am-7:30pm; Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday, 12am-5pm For more information, call Cards Comics and Collectibles: 410-526-7410 www.cardscomicscollectibles.com! www.facebook.com/Cards-Comics-and-Collectibles-105966149473844/!

Visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com for more information on the Baltimore Comic-Con and www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/ to purchase your advanced tickets!

 

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

THE SPAWN LEGACY SPREADS IN IMAGE COMICS’ MAY VARIANTS FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY 

PORTLAND, OR, 04/13/2017 — Image Comics is pleased to reveal the first nine of the variants planned for May’s 25th anniversary theme month—SPAWN. Image Comics’ creators bring their interpretation of the iconic antihero by Todd McFarlane to life all month long. Black and white versions of a selection of the covers will also be available.

Each month of Image’s 25th year will boast a theme for special anniversary variants.

Available in stores on Wednesday, May 10th:

• BLACK CLOUD #2 by Ivan Brandon and Jason Latour, cover by Greg Hinkle (Diamond Code FEB178673)
• REGRESSION #1 by Cullen Bunn and Danny Luckert, cover by Danny Luckert (Diamond Code FEB178672)
• RENATO JONES: SEASON TWO #1 by Kaare Kyle Andrews, cover by Kaare Kyle Andrews (Diamond Code FEB178668)

Available in stores on Wednesday, May 17th:

• GOD COUNTRY #5 by Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw, cover by Gerardo Zaffino (Diamond Code FEB178676)
• GRRL SCOUTS: MAGIC SOCKS #1 by Jim Mahfood, cover by Jim Mahfood (Diamond Code FEB178669)
• HORIZON #11 by Brandon Thomas, Juan Gedeon, Frank Martin, cover by Juan Gedeon and Mike Spicer (Diamond Code FEB178677)
• INJECTION #13 by Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey, cover by Declan Shalvey (Diamond Code FEB178678)
• ROSE #2 by Meredith Finch and Ig Guara, cover by David Finch (Diamond Code FEB178670)

Available in stores on Wednesday, May 24th:

• DEADLY CLASS #28 by Rick Remender and Wes Craig, cover by Wes Craig (Diamond Code FEB178680)
• MAGDALENA VOL. 4 #3 by Tini Howard, Ryan Cady, Christian DiBari, cover by Stjepan Sejic (Diamond Code FEB178869)
• THE OLD GUARD #4 by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández, cover by Chris Samnee (Diamond Code FEB178674)
• PLASTIC #2 by Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard, cover by Daniel Hillyard (Diamond Code FEB178675)
• SEVEN TO ETERNITY #6 by Rick Remender and Jerome Opeña, cover by Jerome Opeña (Diamond Code FEB178671)

Available in stores on Wednesday, May 31st:

• MANIFEST DESTINY #29 by Chris Dingess, Matthew Roberts, Owen Gieni, cover by Matt Roberts and Owen Gieni (Diamond Code FEB178679)
• BLACK SCIENCE #30 by Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera, cover by Matteo Scalera (Diamond Code FEB178681)

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ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of bestselling 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 Comics, Skybound Entertainment, 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.

BLUEFIN ANNOUNCES PARTICIPATION AND CONVENTION EXCLUSIVES FOR STAR WARS CELEBRATION 2017

Leading Collectibles Distributor Heads To North America’s Biggest Star Wars Fan Event With New Products From Bandai Hobby, Tamashii Nations, And Beast Kingdom; Sneak Peeks Of Special Upcoming Releases Also To Take Place In Bluefin Booth

Anaheim, CA, April 12, 2017 – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, announces its participation in Star Wars Celebration 2017, the largest dedicated Star Wars convention in the United States.

Star Wars Celebration 2017 takes place April 13-16, 2017, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The annual event presents a vibrant, interactive show featuring costumes, exhibits, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panel discussions, and autograph sessions celebrating all things Star Wars related. Details on Star Wars Celebration 2017 are available at http://www.starwarscelebration.com.

Bluefin will exhibit an impressive array of Star Wars products from leading collectibles brands such as Bandai Hobby, Tamashii Nations, and Beast Kingdom. Previews of several exclusive upcoming releases will be shown to attendees throughout the convention and a unique collection of products will be available for purchase. Bluefin will be located in Booth 3110.

Bandai Hobby

Star Wars Celebration attendees will be treated to a pair of realistic displays by Bandai Hobby in the Bluefin booth that recreate the iconic Death Star Trench scene from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope in an impressive 5-foot long diorama, as well as a nearly 5-foot long model of an Imperial Star Destroyer.

Attendees are invited to participate in a Bandai Hobby raffle daily in the booth for a chance to win a free Star Wars model kit as well as surveys that will help shape future releases.

Catch a special display of Bandai Hobby’s latest Star Wars model kit – Jango Fett’s Slave 1. A comprehensive collection of Bandai Hobby kits from the Star Wars line also will be available for purchase.

Manufactured in Japan by Bandai Hobby, the Star Wars Plastic Model line are available in 1/48, 1/72 and 1/144 scale and feature notable vehicles from the classic Star Wars films as well as from Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Bandai’s Star Wars Plastic Model kits feature trademark color injection molding techniques resulting in intricately detailed vehicles consistent to their on-screen counterparts. Select kits include themed display bases that can be combined with display stands from other Bandai Hobby Star Wars vehicles to create expansive battlefield dioramas. A nipper or sprue cutter (sold separately) is highly recommended for assembly, but the following kits do not require glue.

Tamashii Nations

Bluefin will showcase the impressive upcoming release of Tamashii Nations’s Chogokin x 12”PM R2-D2. Depicted as it appeared in Star Wars: Episode VI: A New Hope this screen accurate diecast figure of the famed astromech droid is the second Star Wars character to join the Chogokin product line alongside the earlier C-3PO release.

A dream collaboration between Star Wars and Chogokin, the hatches open to reveal manipulator arms, it can transform between bi-pedal and tri-pedal modes, and eight LEDs illuminate to capture R2-D2's trademark expressions. The plastic and diecast figure also includes a cover for use when in bipedal mode, a stand, and a droid control bolt. R2-D2 stands approximately 7 inches tall and weighs over 2 lbs.

The Chogokin x 12”PM R2-D2 will be released in August 2017; Pre-orders will be available during the convention. News on additional Tamashii Nations Chogokin Star Wars releases will be announced during Star Wars Celebration 2017.

Be among the first to catch an exclusive reveal of the newest figures to join Tamashii Nation’s Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars line – Darth Maul, Jango Fett and the Imperial Shadow Trooper! These figures are scheduled for release in North America later this year.

Tamashii Nation’s Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars line pays homage to the Samurai aesthetic in a fun new way and artfully reimagines key Empire characters from the iconic films with feudal-style Japanese armor and weaponry. Each figure is exquisitely constructed with hybrid materials and features up to 15 points of articulation to create endless posing possibilities.

A variety of currently released Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars figures will be available for purchase during Star Wars Celebration 2017.

In addition, on Friday, April 14^th Lucasfilm’s Brian Merten joins Bandai Hobby and Tamashii Nations will tease and reveal new announcements on upcoming products not on display in the booth as part of the Star Wars Collectibles Update. An art gallery featuring both Bandai Hobby and Tamashii Nations Star Wars product in eye-catching dynamic scenes will be on display also within the booth.

Beast Kingdom

Browse a comprehensive stock of Egg Attack Star Wars releases, including statues and poseable action figures, available for purchase throughout the convention including:

Egg Attack Stormtrooper "Star Wars"

Egg Attack Action First Order Storm Trooper "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"

Egg Attack Action Kylo Ren "Star Wars"

Egg Attack C-3PO "Star Wars"

Egg Attack R2-D2 "Star Wars"

Egg Attack Action Darth Vader "Star Wars"

Also catch the innovative Beast Kingdom Egg Attack Star Wars Episode V: Millennium Falcon Floating Version in a special chrome edition; the world’s first floating Millennium Falcon! The product uses electromagnetic attraction and repulsion to make this meticulously detailed Millennium Falcon float on air! Catch this Limited Edition chrome variant exclusively at Star Wars Celebration.

Bluefin also will offer Beast Kingdom’s newest light-up umbrellas featuring Star Wars-themed designs for Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Anakin Skywalker.

About Bluefin:

Based in Anaheim, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Bandai Shokugan, and Capcom, and is also the sole provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products, and is also the exclusive and official distributor for Blitzway Studios, Mr. Hobby, SEN-TI-NEL, Storm Collectibles, and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES HOME MEDIA RELEASE OF SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE

First Feature Film Of The Legendary Anime Series Makes

North American Home Media Debut On Blu-Ray And DVD Sets

San Francisco, CA, April 12, 2017 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, prepares to thrill magical-girl fans across the nation with the home media release of SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE on April 18^th.

The film, which premiered theatrically to rave reviews in North America earlier this year, will be released as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack as well as a Standard Edition DVD Set. Fans can expand their SAILOR MOON personal home media collections with this must-see feature film that is presented for the first time in 1080p High Definition on Blu-ray and filled with notable never-before-seen extras.

Uncut English dubbed as well as Japanese subtitled dialogue options are available on both formats. SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE features a notable English dub cast that includes Stephanie Sheh (Usagi/Sailor Moon), Robbie Daymond (Mamoru Chiba/Tuxedo Mask) and Ben Diskin (Fiore).

In the film, long before Mamoru found his destiny with Usagi, he gave a single rose in thanks to a lonely boy who helped him recover from the crash that claimed his parents. This long-forgotten friend, Fiore, has been searching the galaxy for a flower worthy of that sweet gesture long ago. The mysterious flower he finds is beautiful, but has a dark side - it has the power to take over planets. To make matters worse, the strange plant is tied to an ominous new asteroid near Earth! Faced with an enemy blooming out of control, it’s up to Sailor Moon and the Sailor Guardians to band together, stop the impending destruction and save Mamoru!

The SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack will carry an MSRP of $29.98 U.S. / $34.99 CAN. Notable bonus content includes voice cast interviews, Los Angeles Premiere Event Q & A, the exclusive SAILOR MOON anime short, MAKE UP! SAILOR GUARDIANS! and more!

The SAILOR MOON R: THE MOVIE Standard Edition DVD Set will carry an MSRP of $19.98 U.S. / $24.99 CAN and also includes the SAILOR MOON anime short, MAKE UP! SAILOR GUARDIANS!

“We invite SAILOR MOON fans to join the Sailor Guardians in their very first feature film adventure,” says Charlene Ingram, VIZ Media’s Director of Animation Marketing. “Witness how the power of friendship forever changes the lives of Mamoru and Fiore, and Sailor Moon and the Sailor Guardians in this not-to-be-missed release!”

The SAILOR MOON anime series is inspired by the bestselling manga series created by Naoko Takeuchi. In the series, Usagi Tsukino is a clumsy but kindhearted teenage girl who transforms into the powerful guardian of love and justice, Sailor Moon. Meeting allies along the way who share similar fates, Usagi and her team of planetary Sailor Guardians fight to protect the universe from forces of evil and total annihilation!  

Fans are also invited to enjoy the classic SAILOR MOON and the all-new SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL anime series, which are available from VIZ Media on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs as well as multi-disc Standard Edition DVD Sets.

For more information on SAILOR MOON or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields 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 VIZ.com.

DISCOVER BURIED TREASURE IN NEW

COVER LINEUP FOR BOOM! STUDIOS'

MISFIT CITY #1

Plus, Colored Preview Pages by Artist Naomi Franquiz Revealed
 

Los Angeles, Calif. (April 12, 2017) - BOOM! Studios is excited to unveil a new cover strategy for MISFIT CITY #1, the upcoming original BOOM! Box series by Legally Blonde and 10 Things I Hate About You creator Kiwi Smith, Kurt Lustgarten, and Naomi Franquiz. The realignment comes before the Final Order Cutoff (FOC) date of April 17 for retailers to adjust their final orders for the issue. The issue goes on sale May 10.

The main cover by series artist Naomi Franquiz remains unchanged and is open to order. The Movie Poster variant cover by Ester Zejn is now open to order as well at a retail price of $3.99. Additionally, fans can discover the Treasure Map variant cover by Paulina Ganucheau (Zodiac Starforce, Another Castle), which will now ship as a 1-in-5 intermix in each of the main covers—retailers will receive one copy for every five they order of the Franquiz and Zejn covers.

        Misfit City#1 Main Cover A by Naomi Franquiz

 
      Movie Poster Homage Main Cover by                Treasure Map Intermix Cover by
                       Ester Zejn                                               Paulina Ganucheau

In addition, the publisher released the first four colored pages from Misfit City #1 by Franquiz and colorist Brittany Peer. 

 
 

The solicitation information for Misfit City #1 is below.

Misfit City #1
Publisher: BOOM! Box, an imprint of BOOM! Studios
Writers: Kiwi Smith and Kurt Lustgarten
Artist: Naomi Franquiz
Cover Artists:
     Main Cover: Naomi Franquiz
     Movie Poster Homage Main Cover: Ester Zejn
     Treasure Map Intermix Variant: Paulina Ganucheau
Synopsis: 

• Nothing’s happened in Wilder’s hometown since they filmed that cult kids’ adventure movie there in the 80s...but that’s ancient history.
• Until one day, she and her friends come upon a centuries-old pirate map drawn by someone named Black Mary...and find out there might be some REAL adventure in their tiny town after all!

Format: 32 pages, full color
Price: $3.99
On sale: May 10, 2017 (Final Order Cutoff: April 17, 2017)

About BOOM! Studios:
BOOM! Studios was founded by Ross Richie in 2005 with the singular focus of creating world-class comic book and graphic novel storytelling for all audiences. Through the development of four distinct imprints—BOOM! Studios, BOOM! Box, KaBOOM!, and Archaia—BOOM! has produced award-winning original work, including Lumberjanes, The Woods, Giant Days, Klaus, and Mouse Guard, while also breaking new ground with established licenses such as WWE, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Adventure Time and Jim Henson Company properties. BOOM! will also bring their original series to life through unique first-look relationships with 20th Century Fox in film and with Fox Television. Please visit www.boom-studios.com for more information.

NEW BITCH PLANET SERIES COMING THIS JUNE
Featuring stories set in the world of BITCH PLANET from
up-and-coming creators
 

PORTLAND, OR, 04/13/2017 — Image Comics is thrilled to announce BITCH PLANET: TRIPLE FEATURE, a new anthology series featuring satirical stories born from the pages of BITCH PLANET and brought to you by talent from across the comics industry.

Ripped directly from the world of BITCH PLANET, a crack team of creators spin three teeth-clenching tales of rage, revolution, and ridicule—plus essays, a letter column, and more!

BITCH PLANET: TRIPLE FEATURE #1 includes Windows, by Cheryl Lynn Eaton and Maria Fröhlich; Without and Within, by Andrew Aydin and Joanna Estep; and The Invisible Woman, written by Conley Lyons with art by Craig Yeung; all with lettering by Clayton Cowles.

100% Grade-A satire. Accept no substitutes.

“For me, the most fascinating thing about working on the anthology has been that very few of the initial pitches that came in were satirical,” said DeConnick. “Most were heavy (tonally) and very straight-forward, which made me reconsider our approach to the main title—because these young people were pitching based on what they perceived our tone to be. We got there—some of them are so on point that I’m jealous!—but the fact that we had to develop to get to satire tells me that we haven’t been hitting our mark on the main title and that we will need to push harder going forward.

“Satire is difficult,” DeConnick continued. “And it’s particularly tough to sustain long-form. So that’s at the forefront of my mind right now. I love this book. I wish we’d done it sooner.”

“I've been enjoying the energy that our new collaborators have been bringing to our anthologies,” said De Landro. “It's cool seeing new creators and friends getting together and adding some terrifying and heart-wrenching perspectives to BITCH PLANET.”

“As a fiction writer, this is my first time working in comics,” said The Invisible Woman writer Conley Lyons. “Writing for the BITCH PLANET universe is thrilling, especially since I get to team up with such a hands-on, experienced crew. Kelly Sue, Val, Craig, and the Milkfed team have been so welcoming. I can't wait to show off our hard work.”

“I'm honored and excited to be able to play in this wonderful sandbox that Kelly Sue, Valentine and the Milkfed team has created,” said The Invisible Woman artist Craig Yeung. “Conley has crafted and brought to life a wonderful character in this short that I hope the fans will come to enjoy and love as well!”

BITCH PLANET: TRIPLE FEATURE #1 (Diamond code: APR170731) hits stores Wednesday, June 14. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, May 22nd.

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ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of bestselling 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 Comics, Skybound Entertainment, 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.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MYSTERY ROCKSTARS HITS PAPERBACK THIS JUNE
Unraveling rock ‘n’ roll’s secret histories and collecting issues #1-5

PORTLAND, OR, 04/13/2017 — Fan-favorite writer Joe Harris (SNOWFALL, X-Files) and mega-talented artist Megan Hutchison (An Aurora Grimeon Story: Will O’ the Wisp) will release the first trade paperback collection of their ongoing musical mystery series ROCKSTARS this June.

When a pattern of unsolved groupie murders from the 1970s resumes in present-day Los Angeles, nobody makes the connection except Jackie Mayer, a rock nerd with a strange connection to music’s urban legends and a mysterious ability to “see” what most people miss. Together with a muckraking music writer named Dorothy Buell and his loyal cat Skydog, Jackie uncovers an underground conspiracy involving a legendary band, demonic possession, and sacrifices to the dark gods of rock.

“This is the first in what I hope will be multiple volumes of ROCKSTARS as we explore rock 'n' roll mysteries and secrets over its many decades and genres,” said Harris. “While I love playing in this world between the colorful lines of music history, what I enjoy even more in digging out these urban legends and lost conspiracies is that they illuminate what's timelessly common among bands and artists, and shared by different fandoms of whatever kinds of music they love and support.”

ROCKSTARS VOL. 1: NATIVITY IN BLACKLIGHT (ISBN: 978-1-5343-0190-0, Diamond code: MAR170832) hits comic book stores Wednesday, June 14th and bookstores Tuesday, June 20th. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, May 1st.

ROCKSTARS VOL. 1: NATIVITY IN BLACKLIGHT is available for preorder via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and Indigo.

Select praise for ROCKSTARS:

“If you are a fan of Buffy, The X-Files, conspiracies and, of course, rock ‘n’ roll, READ THIS NOW, and there is no doubt you will be dancing madly backwards.”
—Josh Berwanger, founding member of The Anniversary

“ROCKSTARS is heady stuff—as dangerous and exciting as the great rock records that inspired it. They don't make comics (or albums) like this anymore!”
—Vivek J. Tiwary (The Fifth Beatle, Green Day’s American Idiot)

“The fascinating premise—that every music conspiracy is indeed true, and tied to dark, otherworldly forces—has us hooked right away.” —Comic Book Resources

“ROCKSTARS is an atmospheric occult mystery, steeped in rock lore, brilliantly told, rich in detail.” —Paul Cornell (Dr. Who, This Damned Band)

“ROCKSTARS is for anyone who has an appreciation for good music, good mystery, and good science fiction.” —Comics Verse

“ROCKSTARS is a deliciously intriguing read, scintillating enough to linger with you long after you’ve taken it in, like last night’s final shot of tequila. And it burns just as thoroughly. Pair it with the most immersive and scuzzy album you own. You’ll find it fits perfectly.” —Doom Rocket

“This is one of those rare comics that successfully transcends genre classification—blending police procedural with dark fantasy and 1970s rock music in a way that will attract a variety of readers.” —Rogues Portal

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ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of bestselling 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 Comics, Skybound Entertainment, 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.