William Shatner, Sean Astin, Robert Englund, Manu Bennett, Ralph Macchio Headline Celebrity Guests At Inaugural Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con, May 2-4

Gilbert Gottfried, Dean Cain, James Marsters, Laurie Holden, Michael Rooker, Top Comics Creators At Pop Culture Festival At Minneapolis Convention Center

MINNEAPOLIS, March 11, 2014 – William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “T.J. Hooker”), Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings, Rudy), Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Manu Bennett (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Arrow), Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid, My Cousin Vinny), Gilbert Gottfried (Problem Child, Beverly Hills Cop II) and Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “Stars Earn Stripes”) are among the celebrities scheduled to attend the inaugural Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con, May 2-4 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It is the 6^th of 16 events scheduled in the 2014 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known comics artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

Shatner will appear on Friday and Saturday, May 2-3; Astin will attend on Saturday and Sunday; the others are scheduled for all three days.

Other notables scheduled at press time include Laurie Holden, Jon Bernthal and Michael Rooker of “The Walking Dead,” James Marsters (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Torchwood”), Jason David Frank (“Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers”), James Hong (Blade Runner, Mulan), Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk,” “The King of Queens”), Ian Ziering (“Beverly Hills 90210,” Sharknado) and the Boondock Saints duo of Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco.

Among the superstar comics creators scheduled to attend are Eisner Award Hall of Famer Neal Adams (“Batman,” “X-Men”), Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Flash”), Mike Grell (“Green Arrow,” “Warlord”), Bob Layton (“Iron Man,” “Uncanny X-Men”), Barry Kitson (“Thor,” “Spider-Man”) and Kevin Maguire (“Justice League,” “Batman Confidential”), with more talented writers and artists to be announced.

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, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con show hours are Friday, May 2, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, May 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place all three days at the event, with celebrity Q&A's, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contest, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Sunday, May 4, is also Kids Day, with an array of activities and programming specially designed for the younger Wizard World fans.

Minneapolis Comic Con 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, often stopping by the Show Stage, the ideal place to see and be seen.

For more on the 2014 Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-minneapolis.html.

About Wizard World:

Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

Wizard World 2014-15 Schedule
March 28-30 – Wizard World Louisville Comic Con
April 4-6 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 2-4 – Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con
May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
June 19-22 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 1-3 – Wizard World San Antonio Comic Con
August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond Comic Con
September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
October 2-4 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con
November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Comic Con
January 9-11, 2015 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
January 23-25, 2015 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
June 19-21, 2015 – Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con

IDW Across The Pond: To London Super Comic-Con! International Show Spotlights Major Creators!   San Diego, CA (March 11, 2013) – The 2014 convention season gets rolling for IDW this month at the London Super Comic Convention in the U.K.! Bringing their infamous selection of great creator-owned titles, licensed comics, and stunning art books, IDW is excited to kick off their 15th anniversary year in London! Throughout the convention you’ll be able to stock up on everything from single issues you might have missed to Artist’s Editions at the IDW booth located in the Central Publisher Spotlight Arena. Join IDW CCO & Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall and VP of Marketing Dirk Wood at the booth all weekend, and don’t miss their IDW Publishing Panel, featuring Dave Gibbons of Watchmen fame! Among all sorts of other hijinx, the panel will include the grand reveal of pages from IDW’s upcoming Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen: Artifact Edition! LONDON SUPER COMIC-CON 2014 IDW EVENT SCHEDULE! Come to IDW's booth for the greatest mix of creator-owned comics, licensed comics, mind boggling art books and Artist's Editions you'll find anywhere! Signings by Stephen Mooney (Half Past Danger) and Vassilis Gogtzilas (The Adventures of Augusta Wind)! Come find an employee at the IDW booth for details! And ask about pre-signed My Little Pony comics from Katie Cook! And check the show’s Portfolio Review schedule, to get your artwork reviewed by Chris Ryall! SIGNING AT THE IDW BOOTH! Saturday March 15th 14:00 – 15:00  The Adventures of Augusta Wind – Vassilis Gogtzilas 15:00 – 16:00  Half Past Danger – Stephen Mooney Sunday March 16th 12:00 – 13:00  Half Past Danger – Stephen Mooney 14:00 – 15:00 The Adventures of Augusta Wind – Vassilis Gogtzilas And don’t miss the BIG IDW Panel! Saturday March 15th IDW Invades! 16:00 PM - 16:45 PM, Panel Room 2 Take a behind-the-scenes look at some of the amazing projects coming from IDW in 2014 with your hosts IDW Editor-in-Chief and CCO Chris Ryall, VP of Marketing Dirk Wood, and very special guest Dave Gibbons! With major announcements, an open Q&A, plenty of prizes to win, and a chance to be among the first to hear first-hand what you can expect from IDW this year, this panel cannot be missed! 2014 is set to be a huge year for IDW, come be a part of it starting with London Super Comic-Con! London Super Comic Convention is taking place on March 15 & 16, at the Excel Centre in London. http://www.londonsupercomicconvention.com

About IDW Publishing IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film, Kurtzman/Orci are producing a movie based on Locke & Key at Universal.

VIZ MEDIA ADDS TIGER & BUNNY

THE MOVIE: THE RISING SAN FRANCISCO

NEW PEOPLE CINEMA THEATRICAL SCREENING

22 Major U.S. Cities To Screen The All-New Anime Action Film From The Smash Hit Japanese Superhero Franchise

VIZ Media has announced a special theatrical screening of the new anime feature film TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING for fans based in the San Francisco Bay area on March 22^nd at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema, located inside the dynamic Japanese pop culture entertainment venue in San Francisco’s Japantown at 1746 Post St. In partnership with ELEVEN ARTS, the second and latest action-packed feature film in the smash hit Japanese superhero franchise is also debuting in a national theatrical premiere at select theaters in 21 U.S. cities Friday, March 14^th through March 26^th.

TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING, which premiered in Japan in February, will screen at the ultra-modern NEW PEOPLE Cinema on Saturday, March 22^nd at 2:30pm and again at 6:00pm. Pre-sale tickets for the special NEW PEOPLE premiere are on sale now for $15.00 each (plus service fees) and are available exclusively at the theatre box office or at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/582176. A special TIGER & BUNNY premium clear movie file card and a full-color mini double-sided poster also will be given to attendees while supplies last. Additional screening information is also available from the NEW PEOPLE website at: www.newpeopleworld.com/schedule/2014/2/14/tiger-bunny-the-movie-the-rising.

For moviegoers outside of the San Francisco area, TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING will screen in an additional 21 U.S. cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Houston, Miami and more. Tickets are currently on-sale for $15.00 each. Attendees will each receive the free 12” x 18” premium cardstock movie mini-poster and exclusive clear movie file card while supplies last. Please visit www.elevenarts.net/th_gallery/tigerandbunny-therising/ for a complete list of cities and advance ticket sales.

In TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING, the heroes are back in an all-new feature-length film! Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, a.k.a. Wild Tiger, and Barnaby Brooks Jr.’s partnership comes to a sudden end when Apollon Media’s new owner Mark Schneider fires Kotetsu and moves Barnaby back into the First League, pairing him up with Golden Ryan, a new hero with awesome powers and a huge ego to match. When the heroes are sent to investigate a string of strange incidents tied closely to the city’s Goddess Legend, they discover three superpowered NEXTs plotting to bring terror and destruction to Stern Bild.

VIZ Media is the also distributor of the TIGER & BUNNY manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens), which features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the massively popular animated series, created by the famed Tokyo-based anime studio Sunrise. VIZ Media also licenses and distributes the popular TIGER & BUNNY feature film and anime series that are available on DVD/Blu-ray.

More information on the TIGER & BUNNY anime is available at: www.facebook.com/TigerAndBunny and VIZAnime.com/tiger-and-bunny/

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

###

  PREPARE THYSELF!

PETER DINKLAGE, STEVE ZAHN AND RYAN KWANTEN

GET MEDIEVAL IN THIS ROLE-PLAYING, GENRE-BENDING COMEDY WITH A DARK (AGES) TWIST

KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM

Jousting its Way Into More Than 75 Markets, this 2014 Theatrical Release Also Starring Summer Glau ("Firefly"), Debuts on Blu-ray ($24.98srp) and DVD ($19.98srp) on April 1, 2014 with Bonuses Including Cast Interviews, Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes,

the San Diego Comic Con Panel and More

Knights of Badassdom Trailer

New York, NY - Sound the horns and prepare thyself for a most glorious tale of battling knights, spell-casting wizards, fair maidens and one blood-thirsty demon from the netherworld in KNIGHTS OF BADASSOM.  Starring Peter Dinklage ("Game of Thrones", The Station Agent), Steve Zahn ("Treme", Dallas Buyers Club), Ryan Kwanten ("True Blood", Dead Silence) and Summer Glau ("Arrow", "Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles"), this 2014 theatrical release called "a blast and a half" (Max Nicholson, IGN), marches onto extras-loaded DVD and Blu-ray editions on April 1 from Entertainment One.  Cans't thou handle it?

KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM follows three best friends (Dinklage, Zahn and Kwanten) and dedicated LARPers (Live Action Role Players) as they take to the woods to reenact a dungeons and dragons-like scenario fresh out of the Middle Ages. Trouble arises after they unwittingly conjure up some serious evil in the form of a blood-lusting Succubus from the pits of hell.  And as fantasy and reality collide on the Fields of Evermore in an all-out epic battle of make-believe wizards, demons and assorted mythical creatures, their courage and friendship is put to the test as they attempt to vanquish the evil they have summoned.  Will the group prove to simply be foam sword-wielding LARPers or true "Knights of Badassdom?"  Art thou ready to find out? 

Co-starring Danny Pudi ("Community"), Maragrita Levieva ("Revenge" Adventureland) and Jimmi Simpson ("House of Cards", Date Night), the blu-ray and DVD editions conjure up some magical extras including interviews with Peter Dinklage, Steve Zahn and director Joe Lynch, a  Behind -the-Scenes featurette, a Summer Glau: Hottie Montage and the San Diego Comic Con Panel.

KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM was produced by IndieVest Pictures' Mark Burton and Matt Wall, and by Kevin Dreyfuss. Daniel J. Heffner, Ketura Krestin, Rizwan Virk, Rich Cowan and Mike Elizalde executive produced.

About Entertainment One

Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content.  The company's comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, Spain, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea.  Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 35,000 film and television titles, 2,800 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.

# # #

KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM

Street date:  April 1, 2014

SRP:  (BD) $24.98/(DVD) $19.98

Catalog:  (BD) EOE-BD-7679/(DVD) EOE-DV-7601

Running time: 86 mins + extras

Genre:  Comedy/Horror

Rated: R

Aspect Ratio: 16x9 (2.40:1)

Audio: (BD) DTS-HDF Master Audio for Blu-ray/(DVD) 5.1 Dolby Digital

Language: English with SDH subtitles

   

For Immediate release

 

From Eisner Award Nominees Jason Aaron and Artist Ron Garney

 

MARVEL KNIGHTS ANIMATION PRESENTS

WOLVERINE WEAPON X: TOMORROW DIES TODAY

 

UNLEASHED ON HOME ENTERTAINMENT SHELVES FOR THE FIRST TIME

OWN IT ON DVD MAY 13, 2014 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY

 

This spring, Marvel fans will have the chance to witness the epically brutal battle between one of Marvel’s greatest heroes Wolverine and the ruthless cyborg villain Deathlok the Demolisher.  Eisner Award nominees Jason Aaron (Thor: God of Thunder, Wolverine) and artist Ron Garney (Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man) team up to deliver the exciting comic book action adventure WOLVERINE WEAPON X: TOMORROW DIES TODAY. This adrenaline pumping story captures Wolverine’s life as it becomes more complicated when cybernetic robots from the future embark on a Super Hero killing spree, and the only person who can help, is a young waitress who insists that she knows him - or at least, the person he will become.  On May 13, 2014, Marvel Knights Animation’s WOLVERINE WEAPON X: TOMORROW DIES TODAY DVD debuts for the first time on home entertainment shelves from Shout! Factory. 

 

This highly anticipated Marvel Knights Animation feature boasts unparalleled storytelling combined with rich visual animation and an exclusive behind-the-scenes bonus feature that provides an intimate look at the development and production process of this amazing story. This deluxe DVD is collected in a unique comic book style packaging that bridges the comic book to DVD concept.

 

Marvel Knights Animation remains true to the heritage of panel-by-panel graphic storytelling, boasting groundbreaking illustrations, sensational soundscapes, and of course, the explosiveness of the mighty Marvel universe. Behind every image and every word lies the genius of Marvel’s celebrated creators.

 

Synopsis:

 

The future is controlled by a malevolent mega-corporation known as Roxxon — which keeps its tight grip on society through the use of cyborgs, the Deathloks, whose sole purpose is to seek out current and future vigilantes — and neutralize them with extreme prejudice. Now, in order to prevent Roxxon's rise and the eventual slaughter of the world's heroes, Wolverine must join forces with a mysterious woman possessing unexplained knowledge of the coming dystopia. He won't give up until the Deathloks are stopped, but what hope is there to prevent a future that has already come to pass?

 

Special Bonus Content:

Brand-New Exclusive DVD Featurette that takes viewers into the creation of the Marvel Knights Animation title, Wolverine Weapon X: Tomorrow Dies Today.

 

 

About Marvel Entertainment

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 years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit marvel.com.

 

About Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD and Blu-Ray™ offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials in lavish packages crammed with extras.  Shout’s audio division boasts GRAMMY®-nominated box sets, Broadway cast albums, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations.  In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast digital distribution network which delivers video and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America.  Shout! Factory also owns and operates Timeless Media Group, Biograph Records, Majordomo Records, HighTone Records and Video Time Machine. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention.  Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com

#              #              #

Pre-order Marvel Knights Animation’s WOLVERINE WEAPON X: TOMORROW DIES TODAY DVD at :

Walmart.com

http://www.walmart.com/ip/35175728

Shout Factory: http://www.shoutfactory.com/product/wolverine-weapon-x-tomorrow-dies-today

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Knights-Wolverine-Weapon-Tomorrow/dp/B00HRUQ8S4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394213484&sr=8-1&keywords=Marvel+Knights+Weapon+X+Tomorrow

 

CARTOON NETWORK ENTERPRISES AND BOOM! STUDIOS INK GROUNDBREAKING FIRST LOOK DEAL

March 10, 2014 - Los Angeles, CA – Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of the network, and BOOM! Studios are proud to announce a groundbreaking first look deal, the first agreement of its kind that the network has done in publishing. The partnership will give the award-winning comic book publisher the first option to license all-new Cartoon Network original comedies for adaptation into comics and graphic novels.

BOOM! Studios began its relationship with Cartoon Network Enterprises in 2012 with the release of the ADVENTURE TIME comic book series through its KaBOOM! imprint in February of that year. Since then, BOOM! has developed the franchise into a series of top-selling monthly releases, successful spin-off limited series, original graphic novels, trade collections, and collector hardcovers. Based on the top-rated Cartoon Network animated series of the same name, the ADVENTURE TIME comic has gone on to win an Eisner Award, multiple Harvey Awards, Shel Dorf Award, and back-to-back Diamond Gem Awards. In addition to widespread critical acclaim, the series has been a runaway commercial success with multiple ADVENTURE TIME collections debuting on the New York Times Bestsellers list, the first two collected volumes placing in the top 25 graphic novels and trades through Diamond Comic Distributors for 2013, and the ADVENTURE TIME VOL. 1 PLAYING WITH FIRE original graphic novel debuting in the #1 spot through Diamond Comic Distributors in May 2013.

BOOM!’s second launch of a Cartoon Network property, REGULAR SHOW, debuted in April 2013 as the highest-selling title in the publisher’s eight-year history. Based on the Emmy® Award-winning Cartoon Network original series, the franchise includes a monthly comic series and a spin-off mini-series currently in progress, and collections and original graphic novels are planned for future release.

The new expanded partnership will allow BOOM! to work with Cartoon Network Enterprises to introduce new animated comedy properties to the comic book and book markets closer to the debut of each show.

“The ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW comic book series have become all-ages successes as a direct result of our strong partnership with BOOM! and its ability to tap talented artists that bring our brands to life into comics,” said Pete Yoder, vice president of consumer products, North America for Cartoon Network Enterprises. “As we grow our roster of original comedies, it’s a great opportunity to expand our relationship with BOOM! and allow us to build on this strong success with additional brands debuting later this year.”

The first property to be encompassed by this new partnership is STEVEN UNIVERSE. Created by Rebecca Sugar, STEVEN UNIVERSE is Cartoon Network’s newest original comedy series about a boy named Steven and a team of magical Guardians of the Universe, and it will debut as a monthly comic series in August. A sneak peek of the new title premiered within the ADVENTURE TIME 2013 SPOOOKTACULAR in October 2013. Additional properties along with creative team details will be announced at a further date.

“Our partners at Cartoon Network have a stellar lineup of new shows that we are looking forward to publish as equally stellar all-ages comics, following the tremendous success of ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW,” said BOOM! Studios Founder and CEO Ross Richie. “STEVEN UNIVERSE has that same edginess that will resonate with readers—and that’s just the beginning. Wait until you see what else is in the pipeline!”


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

ABOUT CARTOON NETWORK ENTERPRISES
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) is responsible for building consumer products and merchandising programs for a wide range of brands by securing and supporting long-term licensing partnerships across all categories. As the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, the division manages the consumer product programs for the networks’ award-winning original programming, brands and characters including Ben 10, Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, The Powerpuff Girls, Adult Swim and more. CNE also serves as the exclusive global licensing agent for LazyTown Entertainment and the PGA of America for the youth marketplace.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com) is regularly the #1 U.S. television network in prime among boys 6-11 & 9-14. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 194 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
 

RED CITY IS A HIGH STAKES CRIME NOIR...

ON PLANET MARS

Femme Fatales and rival alien mobs collide in this new series

Brimming with political conspiracy and raging with rival alien mobs, nothing is ever as it seems on the streets of RED CITY. Writer Daniel Corey (MORIARTY) and artist Mark Dos Santos bring you a whole new take on American crime noir, coming this June to Image Comics.   In the wake of a system-wide civil war, hard-nosed interplanetary investigator Cal Talmage is given a simple mission to find a missing ambassador’s daughter in Mars Central City. It all seems routine at first, but an experienced vet like Cal knows when trouble is brewing.   Coming off a run on the acclaimed series MORIARTY, also published by Image Comics, writer Daniel Corey brings you a new mystery that combines femme fatales and hard-boiled heroics with classic science fiction. Federal Security Officer Talmage just wants to be left alone, but with a girl in danger, a corrupt mayor in power and the lives of an entire race at stake, he’s got some tough choices ahead, because no one comes out clean in this town.   “You might say RED CITY is like L.A. Confidential on Mars,” said Corey. “Ellroy and Chandler shaking hands with Bradbury. We’ve got a likable-but-troubled cop who tackles a complex case in the midst of a vast criminal conspiracy, and it happens to take place on Mars. The really exciting thing is that we’re building an entire world, and the art of Mark Dos Santos brings a retro-futuristic vibe that will make RED CITY the most dangerous place in the New Solar System.”   The first of four issues of RED CITY arrives in stores 6/11, and can be pre-ordered using Diamond code APR140490.

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.

Epic Fantasy Web Series Launches Kickstarter Campaign March 8

“The Rangers,” a new fantasy web series from the award-winning producers of “The Rise of the Fellowship” and one of the major creative forces behind the award-winning documentary “Darkon,” launches a Kickstarter campaign on March 8. They’re calling all fantasy fans to join their team of successful filmmakers, creative minds and talented craftsmen and actors to make this quality, fan-supported fantasy entertainment possible. The campaign rewards are enviable; the resulting series will be epic.

The series will follow an elite band of borderland protectors known as Rangers and their efforts to save their kingdom Olaran—and their entire world—from its greatest challenge. Even while they fight a mythic evil, they must overcome their own personal demons. Can the Rangers save their world without losing themselves?
“We’re developing a fantasy world of broad scope and depth that will be an immersive fan experience,” says Ron Newcomb, project creator and executive producer. “We’ve put together an incredible, successful team to bring fans the best fantasy content possible.”
Ranger Creed
We are the watchers in the woods,
The protectors of the realm.
We are the heralds of warning,
The beacon lighters of hope,
Violence prowls the land,
And hard men must meet it.
We are the judges…
We are the executioners…
Never will we fail,
Never will we give in.
The first to stand,
And if need be, the first to die.
We are the guardians.
We are the iron hand of the King.
The Body that fights,
The Mind that guards,
The Soul that endures.
We are the Rangers.

 “The Rangers” team asks fantasy fans to:

• Check out the campaign and learn more about the series at www.therangersfilm.com
  
• Make a donation to put their name in the series and earn rewards
  
• Encourage others to donate
  
• Spread the word about the series to friends, bloggers, forums and social media influencers
  
• Follow them on Twitter  (#TheRangersFilm) and Facebook
  

If the creators surpass their goal, they’re even considered making “The Rangers” into a feature-length film.  "We want fantasy fans to join their blades with ours and become part of this adventure,” Newcomb adds.

Zeck, Golden, and Witterstaetter come to Baltimore Comic-Con in 2014!

  

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - March 10, 2014 - The Baltimore Comic-Con makes its annual return to the Inner Harbor the weekend of September 5-7, 2014 at the Baltimore Convention Center for its first 3-day event!

  

In addition to adding the much-requested Friday to our pop culture weekend of comic book goodness, we are excited to welcome back Michael Golden and Renee Witterstaetter to the show, and present the premiere appearance of Mike Zeck at the Baltimore Comic-Con!

  

Mike Zeck began his storied career in comics with Charlton Comics with their animation-related line of titles before moving to Marvel Comics to leave an indelible mark.  Zeck provided art to unforgettable characters and titles such as 1987's "Kraven's Last Hunt" in the Spider-Man titles, "Circle of Blood" in The Punisher, and the classic Secret Wars featuring Zeck's design on the classic black costume for Spider-Man (and later adopted by Venom). Zeck's work has graced the pages and covers of Aquaman, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Green Lantern, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe: Special Missions, Lobo, Deathstroke The Terminator, The Eliminator, and too many titles to mention here.  His creator-owned project Damned , recently appeared from BOOM! Studios. And a new sketchbook is in the works from Eva Ink Publishing.

Artist/writer/creator Michael Golden is a legend in the comic book industry, but one that has never stopped adding to his legacy as a storytelling professional. Co-creator of the X-Men's Rogue character, Spartan X, and Bucky O'Hare, Michael is known worldwide for his groundbreaking work on Marvel's The 'Nam, Micronauts, G.I. Joe Yearbook, and Dr. Strange, and is counted as one of the best cover designers and illustrators in the business. Golden's work can be seen on the covers of Spawn, Nightwing, Iron Man, Heroes for Hire, Exiles, Demon's Regret, Spider-Man, Vampirella, Captain American, The Punisher, and The Hulk. Recent books covering the colorful life and amazing art of Michael Golden include a Manga version of the Bucky O'Hare series, as well as the top-selling art retrospective Excess: The Art of Michael Golden, written by Renee Witterstaetter, which sold out and has gone into a second printing, as well as his recent sketchbooks Heroes and Villains, MORE Heroes and Villains, and Michael Golden: Alchemy. His upcoming book is entitled Michael Golden: Dangerous Curves.

Renee Witterstaetter, author of Excess: The Art of Michael Golden, Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira, the critically-acclaimed Nick Cardy: The Artist at War, and Nick Cardy: Wit-Lash, began the comic phase of her career working on such titles as Superman at DC Comics and Silver Surfer, Conan the Barbarian, and Conan Saga at Marvel, and then went on to spearhead the reintroduction of She-Hulk at Marvel. She then moved over to Topps Comics where she was the editor on X-Files, Jurassic Park, Xena and Hercules, and the co-creator (with artist Michael Golden) of the successful series, Spartan X.  In addition, Renee has also been the colorist on hundreds of comics from The Avengers to Spider-Man to Captain America, among many, many others.  Her newest books include Santa Confidential, by Hagar the Horrible artist Chris Browne and the sketchbook James O'Barr: Uncoffined.

 

"We're so pleased that Mike Zeck has opted to join us in a rare convention appearance," commented Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con.  "Along with Michael Golden and Renee Witterstaetter, we have some titans of industry coming to our show this year, and we're excited to present them to their fans!"

This year's previously confirmed guests for the show include: Marty Baumann (Pixar artist); Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl); Dave Bullock (Batman Black and White); Greg Capullo (Batman); Bernard Chang (Green Lantern Corps); Sean Chen (Amazing Spider-Man); Jimmy Cheung (Infinity); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (X-Men:  Battle of the Atom); Richard Clark (House of Gold & Bones); Steve Conley (Bloop); Alan Davis (Wolverine); Tommy Lee Edwards (Star Wars); Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys); David Finch (Forever Evil); Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (All-Star Western); Dave Gibbons (Watchmen); Bryan JL Glass (Mice Templar); Michael Golden (The Ravagers); Cully Hamner (Animal Man); Dean Haspiel (The Fox); Fred Hembeck (Garfield); Adam Hughes (Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan); JG Jones (Green Lantern Corps, Batman Black and White); Justin Jordan (Luther Strode, Green Lantern: New Guardians); Barry Kitson (Empire); Aaron Kuder (Action Comics); David Mack (Shadowman); Kevin Maguire (Guardians of the Galaxy); Alex Maleev (Moon Knight); Ron Marz (Witchblade); Bob McLeod (X-Men: Gold); Tradd Moore (Deadpool Annual); Mark Morales (New Avengers); Dan Parent (Archie, Veronica, Kevin Keller); David Peterson (Mouse Guard); Joe Prado (Justice League); Brian Pulido (Lady Death); Tom Raney (Incredible Hulk); Ivan Reis (Aquaman and The Others); Budd Root (Cavewoman); Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man); Andy Smith (Superman #23.1: Bizarro); Allison Sohn (sketch card artist); Charles Soule (Thunderbolts); Jim Starlin (Thanos: The Infinity Revelation); Ben Templesmith (The Memory Collectors); Peter Tomasi (Batman and Two-Face); John Totleben (Swamp Thing); Herb Trimpe (GI Joe:  A Real American Hero); Billy Tucci (Shi); Rick Veitch (Saga of the Swamp Thing); Mark Waid (Daredevil); Bill Willingham (Fables); Renee Witterstaetter (Joe Jusko: Maelstrom); and Thom Zahler (My Little Pony).   

  

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

 

New Kill Shakespeare Comic Series Coming June The Bard is Back!   San Diego, CA (March 10, 2014) – In May, Kill Shakespeare will make the leap from comic series to board game to the delight of fans of both mediums. This June, fans will have even more to rejoice about as the award-winning comic series returns with Kill Shakespeare: The Mask of Night. “We’re excited to announce The Mask of Night, our pirate adventure,” says series co-creator, Anthony Del Col, “Not only does it include characters from our previous books but incorporates one of Shakespeare’s most famous heroines, Viola, who we have refashioned into one of the coolest female pirates ever. I think fans – both new and old – are going to find this homage to classic pirate tales a real treat.” In The Mask of Night, we will see Hamlet, Juliet, Othello, and Shakespeare become pawns in a deadly game of survival between legendary masked pirate Captain Cesario, his first mate Viola, and the new terror on the water, Titus Andronicus’ forbidding war ship, the Lavinia. Fans familiar with the Kill Shakespeare board game will recognize that this cast of characters is tied directly into the playable character list for the tabletop adventure. To further the excitement for both the game and this new series, IDW Games is announcing that everyone who backs the Kill Shakespeare Kickstarter at the game level or higher will receive all four issues of The Mask Of Night free from comiXology as they are released. (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/idwgames/kill-shakespeare) Andy Belanger, the series artists says, “Shari Chankhamma (colorist) and I have sharpened our pencils, made black our brushes and are ready to paint the high seas red in this next chapter of Kill Shakespeare! Get ready for BLOOD!” The series’ return will be chock-full of pirate battles, vengeance, and lost love (pretty much everything you could ever want!) so don’t miss out on the high seas tales featuring your favorite Shakespearean characters!

About IDW Publishing IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film, Kurtzman/Orci are producing a movie based on Locke & Key at Universal.

THE SHADOW OF OZ TAROT DECK KICKSTARTER NEARING FINISH LINE

[Santa Clara] In mid February, Illogical Associates, publishers of the critically acclaimed comic Dorothy, started down a yellow brick road of their own, with a Kickstarter project to fund a full color 78 card tarot deck featuring characters from the beloved Oz series by L. Frank Baum. The Shadow of Oz : A Tarot Deck Kickstarter period ends on Sunday, March 16, 2014, and the tarot deck will only be produced if full funding is achieved.  

“With such incredible artists lined up, and such passionate support from our backers, we can’t wait to move forward with the deck in this final week,” commented Anna Warren Cebrian, who is also Illogical Associates Co-Owner and Publisher.  “It’s been great fun so far, seeing the support of people from the tarot and Oz communities that we don’t get to meet in the comics shop. Their input over the past month has made a beautiful deck even better.”

“The theme of our deck is imagination,” said Mark Anthony Masterson, Co-Publisher. “People from all over the world want to get their hands on this delightful mash-up of Baum, the occult, and comics.”

The art on the cards will be provided by some of the comic industry’s biggest names: Ben Templesmith, Chandra Free,  Christopher Jones, Darick Robertson, Drew Johnson, Emonic, Eric Shanower, Gaz Gretzky, Giles Crawford, Greg Espinoza, Jay Fabares, Jimmie Robinson, Kori Thompson, Olympia Maxenchs, Paul Gulacy, Ray Snyder,  Steve Leialoha, and Trina Robbins.

 

Illogical Associates is a comic book publishing company run by Anna Warren Cebrian and Mark Anthony Masterson. Anna Warren Cebrian also owns Illusive Comics & Games, the Silicon Valley’s largest comic book store.

SXSW INTERACTIVE 2014:

Comixology’s Submit Self-Publishing Platform Celebrates One-Year Anniversary With Special Offer: 100 Books For 10 Bucks

ComiXology also unveils the data behind Submit’s first year of transforming the comic book industry

ComiXology SXSW Gaming Expo Booth #125

March 8, 2014 - New York, NY, /Austin, TX – Celebrating the one-year anniversary of comiXology Submit at SXSW today, comiXology co-founders David Steinberger (CEO) and John D. Roberts (Director of Submit) announced the availability of the top 100 books from the Submit program for only $10 – a savings of over $300. The announcement was made from the Geek Stage at the SXSW Gaming Expo, where comiXology officially unveiled Submit last year in 2013.
“ComiXology Submit lets readers experience a broad range of content from creators who deserve exposure but may not be able to get the attention of print publishers, and what better way to celebrate our first anniversary than to make the top 100 Submit books available for only 10 bucks?” said John D. Roberts, Director of Submit & Digital Storytelling and comiXology co-founder. “SXSW has long been known as the place to discover new indie music and films, and today fans can now discover indie comics and graphic novels as well.”
ComiXology’s Submit platform has transformed the comics industry by allowing independent creators and cartoonists to upload their comic book and graphic novels for sale at no cost. Once approved, comiXology does the rest, from transforming the work with comiXology’s immersive Guided View™ reading technology to making it available on comiXology’s buy once, read anywhere cloud-based digital comics platform, which includes an top grossing apps on iPad and iPhone, Android, Kindle Fire and Windows 8, and the web at www.comixology.com. “Submitters” and comiXology equally split profits, with submitters maintaining full ownership of their work.

In addition to debuting the promotion on the panel, comiXology revealed some key metrics behind the Submit platform from its first year (March 6, 2013 - March 6, 2014):

• #3 in overall content released for the past year
• #6 in all downloads released for the past year
• #10 in gross revenue among all releases for past year
• 1007 submission available for sale
• 47,347 in pages released
• 26 countries represented
• 6 out of 7 continents represented; including Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, & Australia except Antarctica.

“It speaks volumes to the hunger readers have for diverse content that – when viewed in aggregate like a single publisher – Submit content ranked #10 in gross revenue among new releases in its first year,” said Chip Mosher, comiXology’s VP of Communications & Marketing who moderated the panel at SXSW. “We look forward to the day we finally get that submission from Antarctica!”

Also during the panel, Steinberger and Roberts were joined by native Texan submitter Fabian Rangel, Jr., creator of Doc Unknown – a new hit comic that debuted this year on Submit – who spoke to the benefits of the Submit platform. Rangel’s appearance follows a tradition of spotlighting Texas-based comic creators that started last year with the appearance on stage of Shannon Wheeler, who created his seminal indie comic hit Too Much Coffee Man in Austin and which was part of Submit’s debut.

"Self-publishing is a constant struggle. But now, thanks to comiXology Submit, that struggle has gotten a lot easier,” said Fabian Rangel, Jr. best known for writing and creating the series Doc Unknown. “Submit is one of the newest and most effective weapons a comic creator can add to their arsenal. People from all over the world are now reading the adventures of Doc Unknown.

ComiXology Submit enables independent comics creators and cartoonists, from promising new talent to established veterans, to reach a global audience of comic book and graphic novel fans for whom comiXology already created the first viable digital marketplace for leading publishers.

Creators and cartoonists interested in submitting works for approval can visit http://submit.comixology.com.
Comic book and graphic novel fans interested in finding works by independent creators and cartoonists now available on comiXology are invited to visit http://www.comixology.com/submit.
About comiXology
ComiXology has revolutionized the comic book and graphic novel industry by delivering a cloud-based digital comics platform that makes discovering, buying, and reading comics more fun than ever before. ComiXology’s Guided View™ reading technology transforms the comic book medium into an immersive and cinematic experience, helping comiXology become one of iTunes top grossing iPad apps in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Offering the broadest library of comic book content from the top 75 publishers, and including independent creators as well, comiXology will not stop until everyone on the face of the planet has become a comic book fan. A privately held company, comiXology is based in New York City, with offices in Los Angeles and Paris. For more information, visit www.comixology.com.