Friday, November 07, 2008

DEVIL'S DUE RELEASES JANUARY 2009 SOLICITS

New year sees Humanoids launch, 'Voltron' miniseries conclusion, and premier of 'Hack/Slash Omnibus' vol. 2



Chicago, IL. (November 6, 2008) – John Cassaday's shocking masterpiece I Am Legion lays the foundation for a new wing of Devil's Due Publishing in January, as DDP proudly announces its complete solicitations for the first month of 2009. Joining DDP's first Humanoids title for the month will be the conclusion of the Voltron origin miniseries Voltron: A Legend Forged and an all-new collection of the publisher's staple horror title Hack/Slash.



2009 launches in a big way for DDP, unveiling its new catalogue of miniseries and single-volume books with the sci-fi/horror series I Am Legion from the all-star creative team of writer Fabien Nury with artists John Cassaday and Laura Martin. I Am Legion #1 begins the six-issue story of a secret experiment centering around a young girl with superpowers in the middle of World War II. The series, previously published through DC Comics, will be serialized in its entirety over 6 monthly issues, with a collected TPB due out in August.



Voltron: A Legend Forged #5 concludes the first ever telling of the origin of the Voltron robot. Written by DDP President and Mercy Sparx scribe Josh Blaylock, the final installment will surprise all followers of the Voltron saga as the Voltron Force searches for a way home, stranded over 1,000 years in the past.



January will also see the release of the hotly anticipated follow-up to 2008's sold-out Hack/Slash Omnibus. The Hack/Slash Omnibus vol. 2 collects the first 14 issues of Tim Seeley's creator-owned cult-favorite series – a finalist for "Best Comic Book" in the Spike TV's 2008 Scream Awards. The series features heroine Cassie Hack, an orphaned daughter of a deranged slasher mother, who hunts down other slashers with the help of her husky sidekick Vlad. A reprinting of Hack/Slash Omnibus vol. 1 hits stores in December.

About Devil's Due Publishing:

Proliferators of comic culture, DDP is one of the largest and most established comic book publishers in North America, carrying a diverse line-up of original, creator-owned and licensed properties. With offices in Los Angeles and Chicago, DDP has many projects in development for film and television with major studios and production arms including 20th Century Fox, ABC Family, Rogue Pictures, DiVide Pictures and Kevin Spacey's Triggerstreet Productions. DDP's titles include Drafted, Lost Squad, Sheena, Dungeons & Dragons, DemonWars, Voltron, Rest, Serpo and the cult-favorite Hack/Slash. The company recently launched a line of cutting edge designer toys and lifestyle accessories under the imprint DDPOP.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

PRESS RELEASE - SHADOWLINE WELCOMES YOU TO HEATHENTOWN! An all-new thriller from Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Sara Bechko comes this January!

6 November 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This January Image Comics' Shadowline invites you to HEATHENTOWN, a town with a horror lurking where you least expect it, courtesy of artist Gabriel Hardman and writer Corinna Sara Bechko.

"Growing up in Florida you can't help but be fascinated by swamps. Driving through the Everglades across Alligator Alley at night is enough to make anyone think that monsters still walk the earth," Bechko said ." This book is my Valentine to those places that still can't be tamed, that give us room to dream, that scare us, and that fill us with a sense of awe and mystery".

In HEATHENTOWN, Anna travels deep within the Florida Everglades to attend her lover's funeral, but finds an eerie small town where death is but a horrible beginning! In an attempt to discover the truth, she digs up her lover's coffin, starting a chain reaction which brings an ancient malevolence into the town… bent on her destruction!

Hardman added, "Atmosphere is everything. With Heathentown I set out to combine classic and modern visual styles to produce a look both fresh and timeless. The movies of Val Lewton, Roman Polanski and Mario Bava all went into the mix along with the graphic works of Gene Colan, Wally Wood, and Alberto Breccia."
HEATHENTOWN OGN, a 96-page black & white graphic novel for $9.99, will be in stores January 21st.

Image Comics is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. There are currently five partners in Image Comics (Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino), and Image is currently divided into four major houses (Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, and Image Central). Image comics and graphic novels cover nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable, offering science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor, and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. Visit www.imagecomics.com.
New from Papercutz in January 2009

NANCY DREW AND BIONICLE® GRAPHIC NOVELS

Two of Papercutz’s most popular series are back with new issues




NANCY DREW GRAPHIC NOVEL #16: “WHAT GOES UP…”By writers Stefan Petrucha & Sarah Kinney and artist Sho MuraseNancy’s in trouble again! After stealing a million dollars in investment cash, a desperate robber commandeer s a hot air balloon at the local exposition, only to be lost in a raging storm. When Police Chief McGinnis refuses to take Nancy on the recovery effort, she stows away with the investment bankers, who are also climbing the mountain in an effort to recover their funds. But Nancy learns that she’s with the wrong group -- the bankers were in on it with the robber!Full-color paperback, 5” x 7½”, 96 pages, $7.95, ISBN 978-1-59707-134-5Also in collector’s hardcover: $12.95, ISBN 978-1-59707-135-2


BIONICLE GRAPHIC NOVEL #4: “TRIAL BY FIRE”By writer Greg Farstey and artist Randy ElliottThe heroic Toa Metru return to the city of Metru Nui to save the population, but the city they bears little resemblance to the Metru Nui of old. The deadly Visorak have taken over. When the Toa Metru confront the Visorak fighters, the Toa Metru are injected with a dark poison that radically changes them into Toa Hordika: half hero, half beast. This new dual nature forces them to fight not only their enemies, but also the dark side that within them. It is up to the Toa Metru to save Metru Nui from the Visorak -- and to save themselves from each other.Full-color paperback, 5” x 7½”, 96 pages, $7.95, 978-1-59707-132-1Also in collector’s hardcover: $12.95, ISBN 978-1-59707-133-8


SEE PREVIEWS AND MORE AT WWW.PAPERCUTZ.COM

You can order through NBM Publishing at 800-886-1223.

For previews and more, visit www.papercutz.com and http://www.myspace.com/papercutzcomics
NBM Publishing in January 2009 NEW NOTHINGS FROM LEWIS TRONDHEIMCartoonist’s popular blog gets second trade-paperback collection;Plus: Eurotica presents Neil Gaiman collaborator Dave McKean!

LITTLE NOTHINGS: THE PRISONER SYNDROMEBy Lewis TrondheimThe author of DUNGEON, A.L.I.E.E.E.N., and MR. O returns with a second collection of his comics blog. Drawing himself as a duck-headed everyman, Trondheim portrays the problems of work, travel and other aspects of modern life with warm humor. You can see samples at www.nbmpub.com/news/littlenothingblog.html.
Some reviews for the first Little Nothings collection:

• “Quirky, cute, and yet microdetailed with the inflections of a peculiar life, Little Nothings is a hoot.” -- The Onion

• “Beautifully scribbled strips center on such existential hiccups as extreme self-doubt, spontaneous superstitions and unjustified paranoia.” -- The Washington Post

• “One is left feeling comforted by the shared absurdities of life in the 21st century. A charmingly lighthearted stroll through life.” -- Publishers Weekly

• ”Extraordinary artist.” -- Booklist

Full-color trade paperback, 6” x 9”, 128 pages, $14.95, ISBN 978-1-56163-548-1 NEW from NBM’s Eurotica imprint:FIRST TIMEBy Sybilline, Dave McKean, Cyril Pedrosa, Olivier Vatine, and othersDave McKean (Neil Gaiman’s Coraline, Sandman, and The Graveyard Book) contributes one of this book’s 10 hot stories about first (sexual) times. The adventures range from simply having sex to having very different sex (e.g., going beyond a mere twosome, or the woman strapping it on for her man, or…) -- all from the woman’s point of view and all written by Sybilline, a woman with decidedly spicy ideas! The art comes from leading European artists, including Cyril Pedrosa (Three Shadows), Olivier Vatine (Aquablue) and, of course, Dave McKean. First Time is a beautifully stylish yet unabashedly hardcore collection of true erotica presented in a handsome jacketed edition.Black-and-white jacketed hardcover, 8 ½” x 11”, 112 pages, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-56163-549-8
DDP BOOKS ON THE LINE IN NEW THREADLESS CONTEST

'Hack/Slash' and 'Halloween' TPB's part of prize package for new 'Threadless Loves Horror' T-shirt design contest, now up at Threadless.com



Chicago, IL. (November 4, 2008) – One great T-shirt design can net a lucky artist a motherload of great horror swag, including Hack/Slash and Halloween trade paperbacks, right now at Threadless.com. During the month of November, designers can enter the wildly popular site's "Threadless Loves Horror" contest with a chance at winning a Fender guitar, autographed treats, $2000 cash, and a host of other prizes from DDP, Threadless, Rue Morgue, Alkaline Trio, and Wacom.



To enter, entrants must design an original shirt based the concept of Horror. Previous contests have included Lollapalooza music festival shirts, Human Giant, and Bioshock-related designs.



Entries can be submitted through December 1 for the new Threadless Loves contest. Designs can be anything Horror-related, as long as they follow the contest guidelines listed. For more information, visit the "Threadless Loves Horror" page at www.threadless.com/loves/horror.




About Devil's Due Publishing:

Proliferators of comic culture, DDP is one of the largest and most established comic book publishers in North America, carrying a diverse line-up of original, creator-owned and licensed properties. With offices in Los Angeles and Chicago, DDP has many projects in development for film and television with major studios and production arms including 20th Century Fox, ABC Family, Rogue Pictures, DiVide Pictures and Kevin Spacey's Triggerstreet Productions. DDP's titles include Drafted, Lost Squad, Sheena, Dungeons & Dragons, DemonWars, Voltron, Rest, Serpo and the cult-favorite Hack/Slash. The company recently launched a line of cutting edge designer toys and lifestyle accessories under the imprint DDPOP.
Dark Horse to celebrate the 25th anniversary

of Terminator with all new comics!





In 1990, at the start of the boom of licensed comics, Dark Horse began publishing Terminator. Now, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the first Terminator film, Dark Horse is excited to announce the return of all new Terminator material for a whole new generation of fans!


With renewed interest in the property in both television and film, Dark Horse announced today its intent to begin creating new comics for release in conjunction with the film’s silver anniversary in 2009.

Rand Marlis, President of Creative Licensing Corporation who represents all Terminator tie-ins, said “I’m thrilled to be once again working with Dark Horse. They are a superb comic book company and really know the Terminator world. Our prior Dark Horse comics are classics and we look forward to more quality stories and art from the Dark Horse team.”

Dark Horse president and publisher, Mike Richardson stated “We've had great success with the ongoing saga of Sarah and John Connor in the past, and the worldwide interest in Terminator has us eager to begin a brand new series picking up where we left off.”

The publisher went on to say that the storyline is being developed and the creative team will be announced shortly.

Dark Horse’s successful Termintor Omnibus Vol. 1 & 2 are currently available at a retail price of $24.95.
GOTH CRUISE

Directed By Jeanie Finlay



Premieres on IFC FREE (VOD): November 27, 2008 at Midnight.


Grab your eyeliner, dust off your black leather trousers and prepare for IFC’s riotous black celebration.



IFC FREE is giving music lovers everywhere an alternative way of celebrating Thanksgiving with fun loving documentary GOTH CRUISE, which follows 150 British and American Goths as they sail around the Caribbean for five days on the recent 4th Annual Goth Cruise. The week long jaunt includes a masquerade ball, a fashion show, a charity art-auction, moonlight swims, ‘Club Goth at sea’ events and formal dining. More traditional cruise pursuits include shuffleboard and a shore visit to the tropical port of Bermuda.



GOTH CRUISE takes a dip into one of the only lasting subcultures coming out of the 1980’s. Treating viewers to the spectacles of the Whitby Goth Festival in the UK (the birthplace of Goth), the film also introduces them to the people behind the white makeup and black eyeliner, exploring the reasons and beliefs for their unabashed stance against the mainstream.



GOTH CRUISE investigates this unlikely marriage, starting in the UK at the original home of Goth, the glorious Whitby Goth Weekend Festival. It meets a gaggle of British Goths (some cruise veterans, some virgins) in their home environment, then follows them to the U.S. to meet their American counterparts. From there these two groups embark on their Caribbean tour.

However, there isn’t only tension between the 150 Goths and 2, 500 non-Goths (“Norms”) onboard this luxury cruise ship of the damned. As one Goth Cruiser says: “Cruises attract two particular types of people: the morbid, and the morbidly obese.”



Just how do you reconcile sweeping sadness, morbid fascination and the beauty of enduring pain while sipping a Pina Colada in the Caribbean? Is hell really other people, or is it just sharing a boat with Hawaiian shirt clad senior citizens? Goth Cruise answers these questions and more, carried along by a strong Goth/Calypso soundtrack, proving that with enough rum and factor 50, even Satan’s chosen ones won't spontaneously combust in the sun.



Featuring: Musicians Wayne Hussey (The Mission/ Sisters of Mercy), Voltaire, and Andi Sex Gang with a soundtrack featuring Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, The Fields of the Nephilim, Rome Burns and more.



GOTH CRUISE- DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

When I was 17 years old I threw out my pink, bought a black fringed skirt, crimped my dyed hair, bought Bauhaus’ back catalogue and gave my heart to Robert Smith (The Cure).The pop charts didn’t offer solace for my troubled adolescent heart in the same way that Andrew Eldridge of The Sisters of Mercy and Morrissey could. When he sang - “I wear black on the outside because black is how I feel on the inside” - it was like he had written it just for me.



I was a GOTH.



Growing up in the North East of England within spitting distance of Whitby, the home of Dracula, there were pretty much two choices of tribe available to me: Goth or not.



I enjoyed the easy access rebellion, the opportunity it gave me to revel in the darker side of life and the kinship I felt with my newfound brothers and sisters in black. It enabled me to assert my independence from my parents and toughened me up. I felt the dual pleasures of reveling in the attention my outrageous outfits elicited and resenting the hassle I received from people that didn’t understand my life or choice of outfit.

After two years of being a card-carrying member of the Goth community I started to tire of black, black, black and more black. Art College beckoned and I felt that there were different ways to express my individuality than wearing the cookie cutter uniform of a dark rebel. Gradually the black in my wardrobe was replaced by more and more color and less than six months later Goth was merely a phase I had gone through.



Over 15 years later I attended the wedding of an old school friend. At school she was the archetypal Siouxsie Sioux Goth with giant crimped hair and heavily kohled eyes that parents despised and I loved. Now in her early 40’s, when she walked down the aisle we were met with the proof of what happens if you never grow out of Goth. She was a vision in black, channeling Mortiticia Adams from her floor length gown to her black veil. She was so exotic that I couldn’t help but feel like a ‘mundane’ and admire her commitment and staying power.



Seeing this face from my past who really seemed to embody “Goth till I die” made me want to find other Goths who had also stayed the distance. Within a few clicks I had found thousands of them. Goth is as alive and well today as it was in the eighties when Bela Lugosi’s Dead was first released.



I wanted to know:



What is the enduring allure of Goth that people all over the world find so appealing?

Why do some people commit to Goth for life?

How do grown up Goths earn a living, raise families and have fun?



Just what the hell happens on a Goth Cruise?

Jeanie Finlay



Jeanie Finlay (DIRECTOR)

Director Jeanie Finlay is an artist and documentary-maker whose critically acclaimed film ‘Teenland’ (BBC4) profiled another British subculture – teenagers and their bedrooms. Her previous work includes award winning interactive documentary ‘Home-Maker’ and ‘Love Takes’, an international festival hit that was acquired by The Documentary Channel, Canada.



Goth Cruisers

Heath Woodson, Lobster McFall, Mike and Amanda Gamsby, Ian Sturrock,

Bridie Przibram and Kyle Sturrock, Sean T Lewis, Angel and Bob Westphal, Steph Dayo, Kenneth Ray Lloyd Junior, Heather Browning, Laura Bienz, Chrishelle Ferraro.



Featuring

The Wicked Lady, Andi Sex Gang, Wayne Hussey, Rome Burns, Christine Emery, Paul Davidson and the Great Desiree, Voltaire, Melora Creager, Jimmy Webb , Ashbet, Kylie and Kelsie Lewis, The family of Michael and Amanda Gamsby.



Directed by Jeanie Finlay, Produced by Natasha Dack and Nikki Parrott, Executive Produced for IFC by Christine Lubrano, Debbie DeMontreux Evan Shapiro, Edited by Phil Reynolds with Original Music written and performed by Fyfe Ewing and Steve Nolan.



About IFC

Operating under the mantra "always uncut," IFC (The Independent Film Channel) uncovers and champions alternative content and makes it available to audiences across multiple platforms: on-air, online and On Demand. In pursuit of what's new, next and relevant, IFC presents clever, offbeat original series like "The Whitest Kids U' Know" and "Z Rock" alongside thought-provoking original documentaries such as At the Death House Door and This Film Is Not Yet Rated. The network also offers exclusive web series, shorts, animation, and a comprehensive independent film library of award-winning titles and cult classics. IFC broadens the audience for independent culture through its exclusive live coverage of notable film and music events like the Independent Spirit Awards and South by Southwest. The network's on demand offering, IFC Free, gives audiences the opportunity to watch premieres of all of IFC's original series before they air on the linear network. IFC Media Lab offers financing, professional development and distribution opportunities for aspiring film makers. IFC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.
DEVIL’S DUE PUBLISHING TAKES IT TO THE LIMIT

WITH NEW COMIC SERIES BASED ON THE LIFE OF ROCK BAND HINDER



Devil’s Due Becomes First Comic Publisher to Offer Tour Book in Comic Form





CHICAGO, IL (November 4, 2008) – Devil’s Due Publishing announced today that it has partnered with multi-platinum rock act Hinder to produce a limited-edition comic-themed tour book, and is in talks to produce a monthly comic series based on the band’s upcoming “Take It to the Limit” tour. The first “Take It to the Limit” book will serve as the band’s tour book, which will accompany their 2009 tour.



Hinder fans recently got a preview of images from the book at the band’s exclusive Las Vegas album party at the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa located in the Fantasy Tower at Palms Casino and Resort.



DDP has long been known for their licensed books, including holding the rights for the Halloween and Chucky franchises. In recent years, DDP has made a name by developing original comic crossovers and series built around existing stars. Most notably DDP developed, produced and published Heroes star Milo Ventimiglia’s “Rest,” which fans first got a look at in San Diego at this year’s Comic-Con.



“Growing up every kid dreams about being in a comic book, or being a super hero, we have a new and exciting opportunity to be portrayed in a comic book series of our own,” said Hinder front-man Austin Winkler. “We are going to have a blast with this, it will be a lot of fun, this is for our fans, and they will be heavily involved in this, we think they will love it. All in the name of rock n roll!”





For more information and the latest updates on the Hinder comic series, please visit www.devilsdue.net.



About Hinder
Channeling the spirit of 80s arena rock, Hinder released their Universal Records debut, Extreme Behavior, in September of 2005 going triple platinum and spent 2 ½ years on the road in support remaining on Billboard’s Top 200 for more than 70 weeks. Their first single, the anthemic “Get Stoned,” crowned them as rock’s new bad boys taking them to #4 at Mainstream Rock. The band’s second single, the monster hit “Lips Of An Angel” reached #1 at Mainstream Top 40 radio as well as becoming the first rock band to reach 3 million in ringtone sales making them the biggest selling rock artist in the history of the mobile formats. The hit song was also recognized as Active Rock Radio’s most popular rock single of 2006. Following up with “Better Than Me,” Hinder once again had a Mainstream Top 40 radio hit peaking at #21. Hinder were recently honored with three BMI Awards including Pop Song of the Year and Internet Song of the Year for “Lips Of An Angel.” Hinder’s sophomore release, Take It To The Limit, will be in stores November 4 on Universal/Republic.



Hinder is Austin Winkler (vocals), Mark King (guitar), Blower (guitar), Mark Rodden (Bass), Cody Hanson (drums).



For more information on Hinder, please visit www.hindermusic.com.




About Devil’s Due Publishing
Proliferators of comics culture, DDP is, one of the largest and most established comic book publishers in North America, carrying a diverse line-up of original, creator-owned and licensed properties. With offices in Los Angeles and Chicago, DDP has many projects in development for film and television with major studios including 20th Century Fox, ABC Family, and Rogue Pictures. DDP's titles include Drafted, Lost Squad, Sheena, Dungeons & Dragons, DemonWars, Voltron, Rest, Serpo and the cult-favorite Hack/Slash. The company recently launched a line of cutting edge designer toys and life accessories under the imprint DDPOP, found in specialty stores this summer.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

R2-D2 Takes Center Stage in All-New Episode

of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS





R2-D2 is lost during a fierce space battle, and Anakin must find him before the Separatists discover the Jedi military secrets locked in his memory banks, in“Downfall of a Droid,” an all-new episode of the hit animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Nov. 7, on Cartoon Network.



Directed by Rob Coleman and written by George Krstic, “Downfall of a Droid” is the first episode to feature the beloved astromech droid – who Krstic, creator of Cartoon Network’s “Megas XLR,” says is his favorite STAR WARS character.



“Artoo is very childlike and inquisitive -- there’s no subterfuge to Artoo,” Krstic says. “He’s got loyalty and bravery and, while he doesn’t speak English, I think everyone understands what he’s saying. The wonderful sound design work and the incredible characterizations for Artoo have made it so that it doesn’t matter what language you speak, or where you’re from -- you can relate to Artoo and what he’s about.”



A native of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and current resident of Los Angeles, Krstic has written three episodes for STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. He says his ultimate “nerd moment” came when he discovered there would be merchandising on some of the characters he’s worked on for the series.



“A few of the characters I wrote for on the series are being made into action figures and, as a fan, that’s pretty much the pinnacle of my career,” Krstic said with a laugh. “I can die happy now because it’s not going to get better.”



Dave Filoni is the supervising director of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. George Lucas is executive producer and creator of the series, and Catherine Winder is producer.
ReelArt Studios Mixes It Up With Sequential Pulp Comics

Signs Sales, Marketing and Distribution Deal With Dark Horse Comics



For well over a year now, Dark Horse Deluxe has been distributing the beautiful work of ReelArt Studios. From the stunning Snow Giants statue, inspired by the work of Frank Frazetta, to Frank Cho’s beautiful Babe & Ape, ReelArt studios has brought some of the most beautiful works to life with painstaking attention to detail. With the help of Dark Horse, ReelArt Studios has carved out a place in the marketplace amongst of the top producers of collectable statues. Now, the company ventures to move into the publishing world, utilizing an already established relationship with one of comics’ top brands.

ReelArt president, Michael Hudson came to Dark Horse with a proposal for a new imprint under the Dark Horse umbrella to transition well known pulp properties into traditional American comics. Fredric Brown’s Martians Go Home and Otis Adelbert Kline’s Swords of Venus will be the first two properties to receive this treatment. Both properties are licensed directly from the author’s estates and will feature contribution from such industry stalwarts as Bruce Jones, Martin Powell, Mike Ploog, Eduardo Barreto and Thomas Yeates. Longtime comics writer and editor, Christopher Mills will serve as Sequential Pulp’s Editor-in-.Chief.

ReelArt’s president, Michael Hudson is a life long comics fan and collector whose interests have always been outside the mainstream of super heroes. His passions have been lost civilizations, detective noir, sword and planet, science fiction, horror, jungle tales and even western stories.

States Hudson, “Aside from the very few big names such as Doc Savage, The Shadow, Conan and Tarzan I’ve just never understood why so many of these, in my opinion, wonderfully exciting tales have never been transitioned into comics. ReelArt has not been a company that follows the same path as others in collectibles and I thought why not follow that same path in publishing. There are a lot of stories I want to tell.”

The books will be released as full color 22 page stories on a bi-monthly basis. “Our plans at this time are to introduce our line in San Diego next year” states Hudson. The books will be marketed by Dark Horse Comics as a specialty imprint in late 2009. In addition, Dark Horse Entertainment will represent these projects to Hollywood studios for big screen adaptation.

Hudson says, “I’m amazed at the number of calls we’ve received from folks wanting to be a part of this.” States Hudson, “After we get these first two books up and running our plans are to venture into other genres. I love a good story and there are so many waiting to be told. Dark Horse is an amazing company, well managed and staffed with people who love what they do. The company has stood the test of time and has never forgotten its roots. With a sales and marketing staff that is second to none, unparalleled product quality, like-minded business principles and a matching love for pop culture, I couldn't imagine a better union for our new venture.“

Dark Horse president Mike Richardson states, “Michael Hudson and ReelArt Studios have produced some of the finest products in the business. We’ve been very pleased with our existing relationship and are excited by the prospect of expanding our partnership to the printed page. Comic fans are going to see a slate of amazing original projects.”



About Dark Horse Comics:

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the third-largest comic-book publisher in the U.S., and is recognized as one of the world's leading publishers of licensed comics material.



About ReelArt Studios/Sequential Pulp Comics

Since 2003 ReelArt Studios has been a growing enterprise producing high end collectibles of comic and pulp related character statues. The company is known for its quality licensed products created by top industry talent which meet the demands of a very demanding niche market. ReelArt Studios' statues and busts are distributed exclusively by Dark Horse Deluxe, a subsidiary of Dark Horse Comics. Sequential Pulp Comics is an extension of ReelArt specializing in adapting the works of pulp writers into comics for the new millennium.

Monday, November 03, 2008

GOOD GRIEF! LINUS AND CHARLIE BROWN ARE THROWN INTO ELECTION 2008 WITH NEW SHORT FORM VIDEOS AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME AS A FREE DOWNLOAD ON ITUNES



First Two Episodes of Warner Premiere’s Peanuts Motion Comics Offered as Free Download; Series is First Fully Animated Motion Comic from Warner Premiere



Burbank, Calif., November 3, 2008 – Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution today announced “Peanuts” has become the first fully animated series in the Warner Premiere Motion Comics digital content category. Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang star in three to four minute digital shorts that are based on the popular comic strip created by Charles Schulz. For a limited time, fans can download the first two episodes of Peanuts Motion Comics for free on the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com). In these episodes, Linus runs for class president with Charlie Brown as his running mate. Despite being far ahead in the polls, Linus and Charlie Brown eventually ruin their chances of winning by referencing a famous, yet mysterious holiday entity during a final speech.



The initial episodes of Peanuts Motion Comics are based on comic strips drawn in the year 1964. The stories are pulled from these strips and developed into three to four minute videos containing all-new flash animation by the award-winning Studio B. In addition, a new cast of children bring to life the voices of our favorite characters and jazz music created by Randall Crissman gives the Motion Comics that familiar Peanuts feel. Warner Premiere created and formatted the Peanuts Motion Comics with the digital consumer in mind for easy on-the-go viewing.



“Our Motion Comics lineup continues to expand with the addition of the highly entertaining Peanuts series to our slate,” said Diane Nelson, President Warner Premiere. “We’re proud to be the Studio selected by the Schulz family to take these classic strips and create all-new content for the next generation of Peanuts fans."



The Peanuts Motion Comics consist of 20 episodes bundled in pairs with each short consisting of a different theme culled from the classic comic strip. These include the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’s baseball team, A Christmas story, Valentine’s Day, Charlie Brown’s first crush, Snoopy survives a flood and others. Fans will be able to enjoy these timeless classics anytime and anywhere they want via their iPod, iPhone, PC or mobile phone.



Peanuts Motion Comics are now available exclusively on iTunes. The cost of two bundled episodes is 99 cents or a full Season Pass for $7.99.



###



About Warner Premiere



Warner Premiere is Warner Bros. Entertainment’s production company focused on the development, production and marketing of feature-length-DVD and short-form digital content. Warner Premiere is committed to being at the creative forefront in the evolution of quality product in the direct-to-consumer business, creating material that exemplifies the commitment to story, production and brand equity for which Warner Bros. is known.



About Warner Bros. Digital Distribution



Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) manages Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group’s electronic distribution streams over existing, new and emerging digital platforms, including pay-per-view, electronic sell-through, transactional video-on-demand, subscription video-on-demand, wireless and more. WBDD also oversees the WBHEG’s worldwide digital strategy, partnerships in digital services and emerging new clients and business activities in the digital space.



About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group



Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVD production, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and transactional VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame titles.
Hey Guys,
Please check out HossBoss's new short film "HuH?"
A comedy about how two friend's discover the word "huh" while watching "GoodFellas"
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c070bb8755



Thank you,
HossBoss Productions
www.hossbossproductions.com
Comics on Comics (http://www.comicsoncomics.com/ ) returns to Dream World Comics Nov. 5 for our eleventh electrifying episode!

Host Juan-Manuel Rocha welcomes superstar comic book writer Paul Dini (Detective Comics, Batman: The Animated Series, Madame Mirage) and magician Misty Lee as they match wits with legendary comedians Dean Haglund (The X-Files, The Lone Gunmen) and Rick Overton (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm) for an unforgettable night of comics and comedy!

Dream World Comics is located at 12400 W. Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles. The show begins at 8 p.m., so show up early to grab a good seat!


About Comics on Comics:

Comics on Comics is a video podcast where "The Greatest Comic Minds Meet The Greatest Minds In Comics." The show, which gathers three professional comedians and one comic book creator for a round-table discussion of the latest comic book news, is hosted by Robbie Peron (The Best Damned Sports Show) and is taped in front of a live audience. Comics on Comics is produced and distributed by Retcon Media.

About Retcon Media:

Retcon Media is a dynamic production company that is dedicated to exploring the full potential of new media. Several web concepts are currently in the works along with feature film and animated projects in development. Retcon Media is located in Los Angeles, CA.
TRONDHEIM’S BACK WITH MORE NOTHINGSNBM puts cartoonist’s blog on its website as an advance peek at his new trade paperback


Lewis Trondheim, author of the best-selling DUNGEON, A.L.I.E.E.E.N., and MR. O, is bringing his comics blog back to NBM Publishing’s website. The ongoing blog, available at www.nbmpub.com/news/littlenothingblog.html, presents selections from the new LITTLE NOTHINGS: THE PRISONER SYNDROME -- the sequel to the popular LITTLE NOTHINGS: THE CURSE OF THE UMBRELLA. Drawing himself as a duck-headed everyman, Trondheim portrays the problems of modern life with warm humor.



The response to the first volume of Trondheim’s blogs has been rapturous. For instance:

• “Quirky, cute, and yet microdetailed with the inflections of a peculiar life, Little Nothings is a hoot.” -- The Onion

• “Beautifully scribbled strips center on such existential hiccups as extreme self-doubt, spontaneous superstitions and unjustified paranoia.” -- The Washington Post

• “One is left feeling comforted by the shared absurdities of life in the 21st century. A charmingly lighthearted stroll through life.” -- Publishers Weekly

• ”Extraordinary artist.” -- Booklist



LITTLE NOTHINGS: THE PRISONER SYNDROME will be on sale in January. It’s a 128-page, full-color, 6” x 9” trade paperback with a cover price of $14.95 and ISBN 978-1-56163-548-1. LITTLE NOTHINGS: THE CURSE OF THE UMBRELLA (ISBN 978-1-56163-523-8) is still available.



SEE PREVIEWS AND MORE AT WWW.NBMPUBLISHING.COMFor more information and to interact with us, visit our MySpace page, www.myspace.com/nbm_publishing.