VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES BISCO HATORI’S NEW SHOJO MANGA SERIES BEHIND THE SCENES!!

Comedy Series About A Social Misfit And College Movie Effects Club Is The Latest From The Acclaimed Creator Of OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB And MILLENNIUM SNOW

San Francisco, CA, January 27, 2016 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, proudly brings creator Bisco Hatori’s dramatic new manga (graphic novel) comedy to English readers with the launch of BEHIND THE SCENES!! on February 2^nd.

The new shojo series by the famed creator of OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB and MILLENNIUM SNOW will be published in print and digital editions under the Shojo Beat imprint. BEHIND THE SCENES!! is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. The series also launches digitally on February 2^nd via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. Subsequent volumes of the continuing series will be published in English twice a year.

In BEHIND THE SCENES!!, Ranmaru Kurisu comes from a family of hardy, rough-and-tumble fisherfolk and he sticks out at home like a delicate, artistic sore thumb. It’s given him a raging inferiority complex and a permanently pessimistic outlook. Now that he’s in college, he’s hoping to find a sense of belonging. But after a whole life of being left out, does he even know how to fit in?!

As Volume 1 opens, it’s two months into Ranmaru’s college career, and if he’s learned one thing, it’s that he’s really uncomfortable around other people. But when he stumbles into a zombie mob attack, he’s totally forced out of his comfort zone! Of course it’s just a movie shoot, but when he wakes up from his ignoble faint, he’s been whisked away behind the scenes with the Art Squad! Could this group of weirdos be what Ranmaru’s been looking for all his life?!

“Creator Bisco Hatori continues to demonstrate her skill at capturing all of the complexities, cliques and daily dramas of student life in BEHIND THE SCENES!!,” says Pancha Diaz, Editor. “Ranmaru Kurisu has been a social misfit all of his life but he may have finally found a place to fit in after a chance encounter introduces him to a very unique, and slightly quirky, group of potential new friends.”

Bisco Hatori made her manga debut with Isshun kan no Romance (A Moment of Romance) in LaLa DX magazine. Her first full-fledged series was MILLENNIUM SNOW (published by VIZ Media) and she gained widespread acclaim for the comedy, OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB (published by VIZ Media), which became her breakout hit.

For additional information on BEHIND THE SCENES!! or other manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

###

Urakata!! © Bisco Hatori 2015/HAKUSENSHA, Inc.

THE BEAUTY, VOLUME 1 IS AN INFECTIOUSLY GOOD READ
The first story arc in the high-concept mystery drama is collected into trade paperback

“This is a beauty of a book!”—Comic Crusaders

Writer/artist Jeremy Haun (Constantine, Batwoman) teams up with co-writer Jason A. Hurley for the engrossing drama, THE BEAUTY, VOLUME 1. This collects issues #1-6 into trade paperback and will be available this March.

In THE BEAUTY, VOLUME 1, a sexually-transmitted disease aggressively spreads across the world. But this is one disease people actually want to catch: a disease that makes those infected physically beautiful. Two years after the Beauty burst onto the scene, over half of America is infected. Now, it looks like the downside may be far worse than anyone suspected. Detectives Vaughn and Foster find themselves on the front line of the battle against the Beauty, embroiled in a conspiracy they never knew existed.

THE BEAUTY, VOLUME 1 (ISBN 978-1-63215-550-4) hits comic book stores on Wednesday, March 23rd and bookstores on Tuesday, March 29th, and will be available for $9.99. It can be ordered by retailers from Diamond Book Distributors with Diamond code JAN160633. It can be preordered now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Indiebound.

Praise for THE BEAUTY:

“Like the basic human urge that's at the focal point of this comic, The Beauty is a pleasurable experience that fans will want to come back and enjoy again.”—CBR

“Imaginative, creepy and coincidently beautiful.”—Rick Remender, writer of Black Science

“Everything you thought about beauty is about to be turned on its pretty little head.”—Comicosity

"High concept sci-fi meets gritty crime in The Beauty. And this one is just that, a beauty; smartly written and amazing illustrated, this is the book you need to read."—Justin Jordan, writer of Spread and Luther Strode

“The Beauty is a gorgeous looking comic, but its beauty is in the grotesque details of the artwork.”—Multiversity

 

  

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.

Caliber Comics Revives Two Anthology Titles
CALIBER PRESENTS and CALIBRATIONS return in trade paperback size

January 27, 2015. Caliber Comics is proud to announce it will be
re-launching two of its titles from the days of the original Caliber
Comics, when it was one of the leading independent comic companies of the
1990s. CALIBER PRESENTS was one of the first titles when the company
debuted in 1989, joining other inaugural releases such as Baker Street
from Gary Reed and Guy Davis that received two Harvey Award nominations,
and The Crow from James O’Barr which went on to become a cult favorite,
not only in comics but also feature film.

The second title to come back is CALIBRATIONS. The original Calibrations
from Caliber was a one shot that featured all new stories of ongoing
Caliber series such as Deadworld, The Realm, Sinergy, and Kilroy. It also
had interviews and previews of other upcoming Caliber series such as Bruce
Zick’s Zone Continuum which has just re-released from Dark Horse Comics.
It was later relaunched as a limited series for sale under a dollar and
featured a new story with a preview of an existing title.

According to publisher Gary Reed, the new CALIBER PRESENTS will be similar
but have some differences to the original. “The biggest change is that
the new version will be trade paperback size and run anywhere from 100-140
pages,” said Reed. “Like the original, it will feature a lot of new
creators but will also have a mix of established professionals. I also
plan to keep the idea of doing a short preview of an existing title as
well as an artist sketchbook.”

CALIBER PRESENTS, like Caliber itself, was a beginning for many of today’s
top creators where they honed their skills and for some, it was their
first publications. Names such as: Michael Allred, Mark Andreydo, Brian
Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Jim Calafiore, Laurence Campbell, Mike Carey, Dave
Cooper, Michael Gaydos, Dean Haspiel, Phil Hester, Stuart Immomen,
Georges Jeanty, Michael Lark, Jason Lutes, David Mack, Mike Perkins,
Brandon Peterson, Matt Smith, Paul Tobin, Patrick Zircher and others.

The initial plan is to release CALIBER PRESENTS about every six weeks
starting in March but Reed admitted that the schedule will be dictated by
the submissions that come in and are accepted. The first issue will debut
at the Caliber Comics booth (#730) at C2E2 and Reed said that Caliber will
be accepting submissions at the convention.

The new CALIBRATIONS will come out in February and be a low priced sampler
book. It will consist of usually four first issues of current Caliber
titles so that readers can check out the stories without making a huge
commitment. “We’re going to price it as low as we can…something like
$5.99 for a 112 page book,” Reed said.

About Caliber Comics:

Caliber Comics re-launched in February of 2014 after a hiatus and is part
of Caliber Entertainment. During the 1990’s, Caliber Comics was one of the
leading independent comic companies that helped to launch the careers of
dozens of today’s top comic creators. Today, Caliber offers its vast
library of 600+ comics and graphic novels in either print or digital
formats, with new book releases rolling out that feature a wide diverse
line of subject genre with the emphasis on creator owned titles.

For more information please visit the Caliber Comic website at
www.calibercomics.com

The Daily Bugle Reports that Bif Bang Pow! will Make Marvel Collectibles!

LOS ANGELES, CA: January 27, 2016

JLA Direct, LLC (d/b/a Bif Bang Pow!) is thrilled to collaborate with Marvel Entertainment, LLC to produce an exclusive line of memorabilia for Marvel fans and collectors.

"From Asgard to Midgard and everywhere in between, we're thrilled to have the opportunity to create a new line of collectibles from the Marvel Universe," said Jason Labowitz, Co-Founder of Bif Bang Pow! and President of Entertainment Earth. "With such a vast library and history of characters, we're excited to get started bringing a few fresh ideas to this amazing brand!"

Coming to market in 2016, this new line of collectibles will feature exciting merchandise spanning a wide range of character permutations from classic comic books to modern-day style from television and film. These diverse offerings will include various product types, such as license plate frames, car flags, jack-in-the-boxes, tin windup toys, and wooden figures from Bif Bang Pow!. Additionally, under the Entertainment Earth^® brand, JLA Direct, LLC is set to expand its highly popular line of patent-pending Chair Capes^™ and release an all-new line of Marvel-themed mixed martial arts (MMA) gear and accessories.

Bif Bang Pow! products are available at Entertainment Earth and other fine retailers. For updates on product releases and pre-orders, visit entertainmentearth.com.



About JLA Direct, LLC (d/b/a Bif Bang Pow!)
Bif Bang Pow!^™ designs and develops first-rate merchandise from well-known licenses such as Marvel, The Big Lebowski^™, DC Comics^™, KISS^®, Flash Gordon^™, Penny Dreadful^™, Mike Tyson Mysteries^™, The Big Bang Theory^™, Star Trek^™, and The Twilight Zone^™. Co-founders Jason Labowitz and Jason Lenzi are the ultimate fans of cultish pop culture, so when they created this company in 2005, they took the fan's perspective. Their idea was to bring items to the marketplace that they themselves would want to own. Cultivated from TV, movies, books, comics, music, and more, the Bif Bang Pow! mission is to provide high-quality action figures, toys, and collectibles to the massive cult audience (and any kid at heart) that wishes these toys were already in their collection.

About Entertainment Earth^®
Entertainment Earth^® - entertainmentearth.com - is the preeminent pioneer and innovator in the worldwide online retail and wholesale toy, gift, and collectibles industry, offering unparalleled expertise and an ever-expanding selection tens of thousands of licensed products. Founded in 1996 and based in Simi Valley, California, Entertainment Earth is renowned for its popular website and print catalog, and its groundbreaking best practices that include a Mint Condition Guarantee^™, Risk Free Shopping, and Hassle Free 90-Day Returns.

About Marvel Entertainment, LLC
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information, visit marvel.com. ®MARVEL

VIZ MEDIA CELEBRATES THE 4^th ANNIVERSARY OF WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP WITH SPECIAL ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP OFFER AND SWEEPSTAKES

Limited Time Promotion Delivers Special Subscriber Pricing On The World’s Most Popular Weekly Manga Magazine And The Opportunity To Win A Wide Variety Of SHONEN JUMP Premiums

San Francisco, CA, January 26, 2016 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, marks the 4^th anniversary of the official digital English edition of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP, the world’s most popular weekly manga magazine, with a special subscription offer for readers.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is published digitally every week by VIZ Media and features the latest chapters of a wide variety of serialized fan favorite manga (graphic novel) titles presented in English and released on the same day as the magazine’s general print release in Japan.

For a limited time until January 31^st, special 4 Year Anniversary promotional pricing will offer annual WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP memberships for only $19.99 (U.S. / CAN) through shonenjump.viz.com. In addition, fans that subscribe by February 8^th will have the opportunity to win a variety of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP premiums and collectibles including jackets, t-shirts, and more! More information on the sweepstakes is available here: http://bit.ly/1K1rqzx (*Note: this sweepstakes is available only to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec))

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP annual members receive 48 weekly digital issues as well as special premiums such as Yu-Gi-Oh! Collectable Trading Cards, rare one-shot manga releases, digital-only promotions, and access to additional subscriber-only content including creator interviews and insightful promo videos. Current subscribers can also access their accounts via VIZManga.com, the VIZ Manga App, and shonenjump.viz.com or with the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP App on iOS and Android devices.

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

“WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is essential reading for manga fans and we invite both new and current readers to take advantage of this special promotion. This is a great opportunity to dive into the latest chapters of some of the hottest series each week and receive a variety of other cool premiums throughout the year!” says Andy Nakatani, Editor in Chief of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is also available to readers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa via ShonenJump.VIZ.com and the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Newsstand App available for the Apple iPad^®, iPhone and iPod touch or the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP App on the Google Play Store for Android devices. International issues debut each Monday at 10:00am (PST) and monthly subscriptions are available with automatic monthly renewals. Additional information on international subscriptions is available at: http://shonenjump.viz.com/international-wsj-app.

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

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

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family- friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

###

BLACK CLOVER © 2015 by Yuki Tabata/SHUEISHA Inc.

EL REY NETWORK RELEASES FIRST OF FOUR FREE ORIGINAL COMIC BOOKS BASED ON ITS ADRENALINE-CHARGED ORIGINAL SERIES

‘LUCHA UNDERGROUND’ WITH NEVER BEFORE SEEN CONTENT FOLLOWING SOME OF THE SHOW’S MOST POPULAR PERSONALITIES BEYOND THE TEMPLE DOORS

SEE WHAT REY MYSTERIO JR., VAMPIRO, MIL MUERTES, AND CATRINA WERE ALL UP TO SINCE WE LAST SAW THEM IN ADVANCE OF THE SEASON TWO PREMIERE

ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 AT 8PM ET/PT

Read the first comic book here:

https://www.scribd.com/book/296497798/Peace-Keeper

Austin, TX – January 26, 2016 – El Rey Network has released the first of four one-shot comic books in advance of the season two premiere of “Lucha Underground” the addictive, lucha libre wrestling series from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett, MGM, Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures.  The issue follows the international wrestling legend Rey Mysterio Jr.’s voyage to the “Lucha Underground” temple.  The comic, scripted by Fabian Rangel Jr. with art by A.C. Osorio was released for free download today leading into the season two premiere of the EL Rey Network original on Wednesday, January 27^th. 

Next three comics will be released bi-weekly and will help bridge story lines in between seasons and offer new information into the lives of Vampiro, Catrina, Mil Muertes, and notorious owner and promoter Dario Cueto among others.  Once all comics have been released they can be found on Scribd.com (https://www.scribd.com/book/296497798/Peace-Keeper)  

Ancient tradition, extraordinary athleticism, and a flare for theatrics combine in El Rey Network’s wrestling series, “Lucha Underground”.  The riveting original introduces American audiences to the high-flying aerial maneuvers, slingshot moves, dramatic masks, intricate, rapid-fire combinations and distinctive wrestling techniques of lucha libre, one of Mexico’s most popular sports. Fans will have a ringside seat as masked villains and heroes face off to battle for wrestling supremacy.  It provides enthusiastic viewers with an incredibly visceral and explosive experience with a focus on the artistry, originality, intense action and over-the-top characters that have come to define this phenomenal fan-favorite.  A celebration of lucha libre’s long-standing Mesoamerican heritage and culture dating back to 1863, this is programming that must be seen to be believed.

“Lucha Underground” is produced by MGM Television in association with FactoryMade Ventures for El Rey Network.  Executive producers are Mark Burnett, Eric Van Wagenen (also showrunner) and Brian Edwards of MGM Television; Dorian Roldán from Lucha Libre AAA; Alejandro Garcia and Antonio Cué Sánchez-Navarro; El Rey Network co-founder Robert Rodriguez; FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa and Skip Chaisson of Skip Films and El Rey Network. The series airs on El Rey Network and is distributed internationally by MGM Television.

“Lucha Underground” Social Media

facebook.com/LuchaUnderground      

twitter.com/LuchaElRey

instagram.com/luchaunderground

youtube.com/elreynetwork

About El Rey Network

El Rey Network is a 24-hour English language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.  Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network unites "the new mainstream" through badass content that awakens the renegade in everyone.  El Rey's action-packed slate is anchored by signature series including the original drama, "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" which will return for a third season, the one-on-one interview program, "El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair" and "Lucha Underground," a freestyle wrestling series from Mark Burnett. El Rey Network's lineup also showcases a wide range of iconic feature films and TV series including genre, cult classics, action, and horror/sci-fi.  El Rey Network LLC is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Networks & Studios, Inc.

About Lucha Libre AAA

Lucha Libre AAA is a media and entertainment company founded in 1992 by Antonio Pena Herrada and manages the IP of the "AAA" brand and another 250 characters in its league. The company produces Lucha Libre events globally including venues such as Palacio de los Deportes, Arena Monterrey, HP Pavilion, Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles Sports Arena and Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to working with sponsors such as Corona, Hershey's, Comex and Unilever, the league has released an animated movie and videogame in the Mexican market. Lucha Libre AAA develops 5 hours of content per week that is aired on three television channels in Mexico: Galavision and Televisa Deportes Network.

About MGM Television Group

MGM Television Group is a leading producer and global distributor of premium content for television and digital platforms, with distribution rights to original productions and a robust catalog of television episodes and feature film titles including such premiere entertainment franchises as James Bond, Rocky, Stargate and “The Hobbit” trilogy.  Current scripted and unscripted multi-platform projects include "The Voice" (NBC); "Survivor" (CBS); "Shark Tank" (ABC); "Beyond the Tank" (ABC);"Celebrity Apprentice"(NBC); “Fargo” (FX);  “Vikings” (HISTORY); “Teen Wolf” (MTV); “500 Questions” (ABC); "The People's Choice Awards” (CBS); America’s Greatest Makers (INTEL/Turner) and Lucha Underground (The El Rey Network).  In addition, MGM Television serves as the syndicator for “Right This Minute” and “Let’s Ask America.” Through its finance and distribution entity, Orion TV Productions, the syndicated courtroom series “Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court” is currently airing its third season. MGM television programming regularly airs in more than 70 countries worldwide.  For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

  

About FactoryMade Ventures

FactoryMade is an incubator for entertainment businesses and was founded by John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.  The company builds IP-based franchises and production and distribution platforms by leveraging its strong ties to the Hollywood creative community and partnering with global brands and investors. Its ventures include El Rey Network and Tres Pistoleros Studios with Robert Rodriguez and a joint venture with the leading Mexican wrestling league Lucha Libre AAA. In addition to working with corporate partners such as Telefonica and JCP, they previously spearheaded the creation of Hasbro's film business (Transformers, G.I. Joe, Battleship) and television business (Hasbro TV Studios, the Hub Network with Discovery Communications), and developed retail's first integrated digital gaming and commerce platform with HSN (HSN Arcade).

THE FIX—PERFECT FOR CRIME GENRE LOVERS
An all-new series from Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber 

The Eisner-award nominated team of bestselling writer Nick Spencer (MORNING GLORIES) and artist Steve Lieber (Detective Comics, Whiteout) are in cahoots again for an all-new, ongoing crime series, THE FIX, which will be launching from Image Comics this April. 

"After working with Steve on Superior Foes of Spider-Man, and having so much fun there—it's an absolute thrill getting to work together again here at Image on a book that's creator-owned, and being able to push the envelope of our humor to new, um, lows,” said Spencer. “The Fix is us at our most demented, and it's a blast.” 

THE FIX is a story of the crooked cops, scheming mobsters, and corrupt politicians that run Los Angeles—and the sex toy that can bring them all down. Oh, and the hero is a drug-sniffing beagle named Pretzels. Bad people do bad things to each other in this frenetic, outrageous, sometimes off-putting new caper that gives nod to classic crime comics like CRIMINAL and 100 Bullets. 

Lieber added: "I'm happy to say that The Fix is a truly funny story about truly awful people. Nick Spencer, Ryan Hill, Nic Shaw and I are all working hard together to create an endlessly surprising tale full of shining moments of self-centered garbage humanity." 

THE FIX #1 (Diamond Code FEB160465) will hit comic book stores on Wednesday, April 6th. The final order cutoff deadline for comic book retailers is Monday, March 14th. 

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.

BITCH PLANET IS BACK WITH A NEW STORY ARC
Featuring expanded community pages

Eisner Award-nominated writer KELLY SUE DeCONNICK (PRETTY DEADLY, Captain Marvel) and VALENTINE DE LANDRO (X-Factor) will launch a new story arc in their viciously satirical ongoing sci-fi series this February.

Previously in BITCH PLANET, a new crop of non-compliants settled in for their stay on the Auxiliary Compliance Outpost. When a small group was offered a chance to earn their freedom, they took it, knowing the odds would be stacked against them at every turn.

In BITCH PLANET #7, PRESIDENT BITCH: PART 1 (OF 4), Operative Whitney has to answer for Meiko’s death and Kam gets a critical clue to the whereabouts of her sister.

"We’re back to the main narrative with this issue,” said DeConnick. “Meiko’s dad arrives on the outpost, we learn more about Josephson’s plan and Penny’s grief. Oh, and Kam gets a new cellmate. She’s a corker."

"There's a shower scene in this issue, and I only had to lay it out once,” said De Landro. “Enjoy, friends!"

BITCH PLANET #7 (Diamond code: DEC150546) hits stores Wednesday, February 17th. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, January 25th.

  

  

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.

 

Fred Van Lente, Michael Golden, Geof Isherwood, Phil Ortiz Among Top Comics Creators To Attend Wizard World Comic Con Cleveland, February 26-28

Shawn Coss, Clinton Hobart, Jose Delbo, Andrew Griffith, Greg Horn, James O'Barr Also Headline Artist Alley At FirstMerit Convention Center of Cleveland

CLEVELAND, January 25, 2016 – Fred Van Lente (“Marvel Zombies,” “Incredible Hercules”), Michael Golden (“Batman,” “Spider-Man”), Geof Isherwood (“Conan,” “Silver Surfer”) and Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons,” “Muppet Babies”) are among the leading comics artists and writers scheduled to attend Wizard World Comic Con Cleveland, February 26-28 at the FirstMerit Convention Center of Cleveland. It is the third event on the 2016 Wizard World calendar and second year for the show in Cleveland.

Other top Wizard World Comic Con Cleveland Artist Alley guests include Marc Sumerak (“Power Pack,” “Franklin Richards”), Shawn Coss (“Cyanide & Happiness”), Clinton Hobart (“Disney”), James O’Barr (“The Crow”), Jose Delbo (“Superman,” “Batman”), Stuart Sayger (“Infestation 2: 30 Days of Night,” “Machete”), Greg Horn (“Marvel: War of Heroes” iPhone app, “Guardians of the Galaxy”), Andrew Griffith (“Transformers,” “G.I. Joe), Joe Corroney (“Star Wars,” “Star Trek”), Tony Isabella (“Captain America,” “Daredevil”), Danny Fingeroth (“Spider-Man” group editor) and many others.

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Cleveland show hours are Friday, February 26, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, February 27, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, February 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Wizard World Comic Con Cleveland 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 and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday night.

For more on the 2016 Wizard World Comic Con Cleveland, visit http://wizd.me/ClevelandPR .

About Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD)

Wizard World, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, 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 Wizard World Store ( www.shopwizardworld.com), CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM), and ComicConBox™ ( www.comicconbox.com), a premium subscription-based monthly box service. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

Wizard World 2016 schedule available at: www.wizardworld.com/wizcon.html .

TOKYO GHOST, VOLUME 1: ATOMIC GARDEN SHOOTS UP OUR TECH-ADDICTIONS
The first story arc in the dystopian adventure is collected into trade paperback

“Tokyo Ghost is for fans of hard and fast action, harder and faster dialogue, and heart-stopping moments of insanity.”—Comicosity

Bestselling writer RICK REMENDER (BLACK SCIENCE, DEADLY CLASS) teams up with superstar art team SEAN MURPHY (CHRONONAUTS, Punk Rock Jesus) and MATT HOLLINGSWORTH (WYTCHES, Hawkeye) for a bleak and poignant reflection on the consequences of tech-addiction in TOKYO GHOST, VOLUME 1: ATOMIC GARDEN. This collects issues #1-5 into trade paperback and will be available in March.

TOKYO GHOST, VOLUME 1: ATOMIC GARDEN welcomes readers to the isles of New Los Angeles, 2189. Humanity has become nothing more than a sea of consumers: ravenous and starving wolves, sick from toxic contamination, who have to borrow, beg, and steal for the funds to buy, buy, buy their next digital fix. Getting a thrill, a distraction from reality, is the only thing left to live for. Entertainment is the biggest industry—the drug everyone needs—and gangsters run it all. And who do these gangsters turn to when they need the "law" enforced? Led Dent and Debbie Decay, constables of the law, which is a nice way to say “brutal killing machines." The duo are about to be presented with an assignment that will force them out of the decay of LA and into the mysterious lost nation of Tokyo.

TOKYO GHOST, VOLUME 1: ATOMIC GARDEN (ISBN 978-1-63215-663-1) hits comic book stores on Wednesday, March 9th and bookstores on Tuesday, March 15th, and will be available for $9.99. It can be ordered by retailers from Diamond Book Distributors with Diamond code JAN160652. It can be preordered now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Indiebound.

Praise for TOKYO GHOST:

“Arrives with style and panache, an entertaining ride across a bleak future.”—CBR

“A great read. It’s fast and frenetic, driven by a strong narrative pulse and some amazing art.”—IGN

“Visually stunning with a topical narrative that takes a stance without feeling pretentious, all wrapped in a fun steampunk adventure…”—Comic Bastards

 

  

  

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.

Sequart's Image Comics Documentary Released Through Shout! Factory

Sequart Organization and Respect Films are proud to announce that Shout! Factory has picked up their documentary, The Image Revolution, for distribution!

The Image Revolution examines one of the most important and daring moves in comic book history. In 1992, a group of top-tier artists left Marvel Comics to create their own company… a company that continues to influence mainstream comics and culture to this day. Image Comics was more than just a publisher, it was a response to years of creator mistreatment, and it changed comics forever.

The Image Revolution tells the story of Image Comics, from its founders’ work at Marvel, through Image’s early days, the ups and downs of the ’90s, and the publisher’s new generation of properties like The Walking Dead. It’s the amazing account of a dynamic group of upstart comics entrepreneurs battling against not only major companies, but sometimes each other.

Click HERE to order the DVD from Amazon.

What the critics have said:

• “An absolute MUST WATCH for comic book fans and, in my opinion, one of the best documentaries of the year. Director Patrick Meaney absolutely crushes it, and I think tells the definitive story.” – Latino Review
• “A must have documentary for anyone that is a fan of comics.” – The Examiner
• "Impressive. Well shot. Memorable and honest.” – Comic Book Resources
• “It will stay with you.” – Bleeding Cool
• “It captures the near-hysteria that surrounded the creators.” – Newsarama

Also available from Sequart’s film division:

Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods – This master of comics psychedelia is one of the medium’s most popular writers, and one of the most controversial. Equal parts philosopher, rock star, and chaos magician, Grant Morrison has used his comics to change both himself and his audience. He is a man living on the border between fiction and reality, and this is his story.

Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts – This documentary focuses on the career and worldview of comics’ very own Internet Jesus, Warren Ellis. The film also features interviews with many of Ellis’s artistic collaborators. (If you’re interested in digging deeper into Ellis’s life/work than an 80-minute documentary can go, check out this book Sequart published that is transcribed from nearly ten hours of interviews with the man!)

Diagram for Delinquents – In 1954, psychiatrist Dr. Fredric Wertham wrote a scathing indictment of comics called Seduction of the Innocent. His book’s central premise is that comic books were the leading contributing factor to juvenile delinquency. That same year, Wertham testified at special hearings on comic books at the Senate Subcommittee to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency in the United States. Comics were on trial! Diagram for Delinquents captures the zeitgeist of late 1940s and early 1950s America and investigates how the funny books found themselves on the fire.

Comics in Focus: Chris Claremont’s X-Men – During his 17-year run with the X-Men, Chris Claremont took the title from the brink of cancellation to it being the best-selling comic of all time. He co-created more iconic characters than any comic book writer since Stan Lee. Today, the “X-books” remain a massive franchise that spans comics, movies, video games, and TV. But unlike most properties, the X-Men we know and love is mostly one man’s vision. Using high-profile interviews, Comics in Focus: Chris Claremont’s X-Men explores the behind-the-scenes development of notable characters like Wolverine, Storm, and Phoenix, as well as the challenges of creating art within a corporate system.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!
THE KING AND QUEEN UNITE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT'S LORDS OF THE JUNGLE

JANUARY 22, 2016, MT. LAUREL, NJ: Edgar Rice Burroughs' original jungle hero Tarzan joins the comic industry's first leading lady, Sheena, for the first time ever! Dynamite Entertainment, known for bold, modern interpretations of classic pulp characters, bring together wilderness royalty in Lords of the Jungle, a thrilling miniseries slated to debut on March 16, 2016. Written by Corinna Bechko (Aliens/Vampirella, Star Wars: Legacy, Planet of the Apes) with interior art by Roberto Castro, Lords of the Jungle features two covers for its first issue, by series artist Castro and industry legend Alex Ross respectively.

Tarzan has long been the protector of his jungle stronghold, but this time the fight has to be taken to his enemy's territory, deep in the heart of London. Half a world away and nearly a century later, Sheena is battling foes of her own when she is mysteriously swept through time and space to 1930's Africa, leaving her own land unprotected. Will these two Lords of the Jungle find enough common ground to join forces? Or will the resulting culture clash lead to mutual destruction?

"When writing characters like these, it's always best to be mindful of their history. If they don't feel like the same people, what's the point? The flip side of that is remembering that they need to feel fresh and relevant," says zoologist-turned-comics writer Corinna Bechko. "The Sheena we're introducing here is a bit younger than some of the iterations there have been over the years, but she can definitely take care of herself. She's not someone you'd want to be on the wrong side of in a fight."

Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of Lords of the Jungle with their local comic book retailers. The first-ever Tarzan / Sheena crossover will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital.

About Dynamite Entertainment:

Dynamite was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including The Boys, The Shadow, Red Sonja, Warlord of Mars, Bionic Man, A Game of Thrones, and more.  Dynamite owns and controls an extensive library with over 3,000 characters (which includes the Harris Comics and Chaos Comics properties), such as Vampirella, Pantha, Evil Ernie, Smiley the Psychotic Button, Chastity, and Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt.  In addition to their critically-acclaimed titles and bestselling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Kevin Smith, Alex Ross, Neil Gaiman, Andy Diggle, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Jae Lee, Marc Guggenheim, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Matt Wagner, Gail Simone, Steve Niles, James Robinson, and a host of up-and-coming new talent.  Dynamite is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their titles - including Alex Ross and Jim Krueger's Project Superpowers - have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors.  In 2005, Diamond awarded the company a GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%) and again in 2011.  The company has also been nominated for and won several industry awards, including the prestigious Harvey and Eisner Awards.

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/

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT'S ARMY OF DARKNESS
MARCHES DOWN A FURIOUS ROAD THIS SPRING!

JANUARY 11, 2016, MOUNT LAUREL, NJ: Hot on the heels of Ashley "Ash" Williams' return to pop culture prominence on the small screen, Dynamite Entertainment releases the next chapter of its flagship title in Army of Darkness: Furious Road.

Nancy A. Collins casts the square-jawed hero of Army of Darkness twenty years into the future, where The Deadites and their Army of Darkness have succeeded in bringing down Western civilization. An unexpected upshot of the demons taking over? Supernatural species such as vampires, witches, and werewolves forming an uneasy alliance with humanity in order to survive. The only hope for both mankind and monsters alike is a ritual that will send the Deadites back to the hell that birthed them. But first, a rag-tag crew that includes the Frankenstein Monster and Eva, the Daughter of Dracula, have to track down the fabled spell book known as the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis and deal with its guardian, a certain Ashley "Ash" Williams.

"I think Ash's biggest appeal is that he's just an Ordinary Joe thrust into some serious Lovecraftian high weirdness" says Collins. "He is doing his best to be a hero, even though he really doesn't want the job."

"Nancy Collins has crafted the perfect Army of Darkness story, putting Ash squarely into a post-apocalyptic world over-run by Deadites, where his only allies are horrific. Plus: Dracula," says Dynamite Entertainment editorial director, Joe Rybrandt.

Army of Darkness: Furious Road features art from Kewber Baal (Jennifer Blood), and will host multiple variant covers by Tyler Crook, Gabriel Hardman, Francesco Francavilla, and Tony Fleecs! Consult your retailer for details on how to attain yours! Look for Army of Darkness: Furious Road at your local comic shop on March 2!

About Dynamite Entertainment:
Dynamite was founded in 2004 and is home to several best-selling comic book titles and properties, including The Boys, The Shadow, Red Sonja, Warlord of Mars, Bionic Man, A Game of Thrones, and more.  Dynamite owns and controls an extensive library with over 3,000 characters (which includes the Harris Comics and Chaos Comics properties), such as Vampirella, Pantha, Evil Ernie, Smiley the Psychotic Button, Chastity, and Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt.  In addition to their critically-acclaimed titles and bestselling comics, Dynamite works with some of the most high profile creators in comics and entertainment, including Kevin Smith, Alex Ross, Neil Gaiman, Andy Diggle, John Cassaday, Garth Ennis, Jae Lee, Marc Guggenheim, Mike Carey, Jim Krueger, Greg Pak, Brett Matthews, Matt Wagner, Gail Simone, Steve Niles, James Robinson, and a host of up-and-coming new talent.  Dynamite is consistently ranked in the upper tiers of comic book publishers and several of their titles - including Alex Ross and Jim Krueger's Project Superpowers - have debuted in the Top Ten lists produced by Diamond Comics Distributors.  In 2005, Diamond awarded the company a GEM award for Best New Publisher and another GEM in 2006 for Comics Publisher of the Year (under 5%) and again in 2011.  The company has also been nominated for and won several industry awards, including the prestigious Harvey and Eisner Awards.

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/