Thursday, August 27, 2009

STAR WARS™ COMICS ARRIVE ON iTUNES!

LUCASFLIM, THQ WIRELESS AND DARK HORSE COMICS PARTNER TO BRING STAR WARS™ TO THE iPHONE

MILWAUKIE, OR – AUGUST 27, 2009 -- In a partnership that will echo through the cosmos, Lucasfilm, THQ Wireless, and Dark Horse Comics will release Star Wars™ comics to the iPhone mobile platform for the first time ever!

The selection of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Vol. 1 – Shipyards of Doom, Star Wars: Empire Vol. 1 – Betrayal and Star Wars: Legacy Vol. 1 – Broken represents three of the most important time periods in the history of the Star Wars galaxy. The three collections will span the time between the Clone Wars era, the Classic era and the distant future.

Star Wars: Empire Vol. 1 – Betrayal is set just weeks before the events of the original film, Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, and follows a faction of disgruntled Imperial Officers attempting to overthrow Emperor Palpatine. But the plot is complicated by the emergence of the bounty hunter Boba Fett and by the loyalty of Darth Vader to his dark master. Betrayal will be released in four chapters, written by Scott Allie and drawn by Brian Horton.

Star Wars: Legacy Vol. 1 – Broken takes place more than a century after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi and focuses on a fifth-generation Skywalker named Cade, a rogue Jedi and bounty hunter who travels the galaxy living by his own code. Broken will be released in two parts, written by John Ostrander and drawn by Jan Duursema.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Vol. 1 – Shipyard of Doom is based on the wildly popular animated series from Lucasfilm Animation and highlights events from the epic time period when Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Padawan Ahsoka Tano struggled to maintain order and peace in a war-torn galaxy. Shipyards of Doom will be release in its entirety, written by Henry Gilroy, and drawn by the Fillbach Brothers.

Working together with Lucasfilm and THQ Wireless, Dark Horse Senior Editor Randy Stradley and Senior Web Designer Mike Denning carefully reformatted each panel and page to maximize the visual grandeur while staying true to the original comic books. All parties involved ensured that the material would transition to the new medium in the best format possible, delicately considering every word balloon and background image.

Dark Horse President Mike Richardson is delighted with the new program, stating, “Lucasfilm has been a proud and longstanding partner of ours, and I’m equally excited to be working with the wonderful people at THQ Wireless on this program. The stories of The Clone Wars, Legacy, and Empire embody some of the best comics in the Star Wars universe that Dark Horse has ever released. I think it’s wonderful that these key tales will be available to fans everywhere in a new and accessible way.”

Adam Comiskey, Vice President THQ Wireless commented, “Bringing a selection of some of the finest comic books to the iPhone mobile platform is an exciting chapter in our relationship with Lucasfilm. Our partnership with Dark Horse means that for the first time, Star Wars Fans will be able to use their iPhone to view a fantastic line up of comics.”





About Dark Horse

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. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as The Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, their highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity and Domo. 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 publisher of licensed comics material.



About THQ Wireless


THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc., is a global leader in mobile entertainment, offering a wide range of wireless products, including games, personalization products, information services and messaging based on top brands such as the WWE, Star Wars and popular Nickelodeon properties. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, THQ Wireless has offices worldwide, in addition to distribution agreements through wireless carriers across the globe. Further information can be found at www.thqwireless.com. THQ Wireless is a registered trademark of THQ Wireless Inc



LucasArts and the LucasArts logo are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. © 2008 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. & ® or ™ as indicated. All rights reserved.

Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.

Lucasfilm, STAR WARS™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.
Comics on Comics Live w/ Jonathan Hickman this Saturday August 29 @ Collector's Paradise!



Comics on Comics returns with a vengeance with its first-ever show at Collector's Paradise in Canoga Park!

Host Juan-Manuel Rocha welcomes rising comics superstar Jonathan Hickman (The Nightly News, Pax Romana, Secret Warriors, Fantastic Four) along with comedians Ed Salazar (Tournament of Nerds, Portland Comedy Festival), Paul Cibis (TheAtrox.com) and Geekscape.net founder Jonathan London for another unforgettable round of comics & comedy!

After the show, Hickman will meet and greet fans in his first-ever Southern California signing appearance!

It all goes down Saturday, August 29 at Collector's Paradise in Canoga Park! The show begins at 1 p.m. and admission is FREE! Hickman's autograph session will begin at 3pm.


Also, be sure to check out our video teaser for this event!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG7uOi0ba-8&eurl

You can RSVP for this event on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145788830743

Or you can find us online at ComicsOnComics.com

Collector's Paradise is located at 7131 Winnetka Ave. in Canoga Park, CA.


For general inquiries, please email press@comicsoncomics.com.

About Comics on Comics:

Comics on Comics is a WebTV series 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 Juan-Manuel Rocha 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.
Vampirella: Second Coming #1 Ships 20,000 Copies, Knocks on the Door of Top 100!

New York (August 27, 2009) – Harris Comics, publishers of Vampirella, is proud to announce that it will ship 20,000 copies of Vampirella: Second Coming #1 to direct market comic book stores. The issue arrives on September 10. The extremely strong showing positions the comic as a possible Top 100 comic book and makes it the most shipped Vampirella comic book since 2001. Harris Comics would like to remind fans and retailers that the comic is still available for advance reorder using the codes below. With the Second Coming knocking on the door of the Top 100, additional re-orders can put it over the top.

The combination of a buck-the-trend $1.99 price, four spectacular covers and a decorated and talented creative team have propelled Vampirella: Second Coming to becoming one of the most successful independent comic books of 2009. The issue kicks off a game changing Vampirella miniseries that will redefine the character for the 21st Century. The miniseries also marks Vampirella’s 40th Anniversary.

Written by Eisner Award nominee Phil Hester (The Darkness) with art by red-hot newcomer Daniel Sampere, the Second Coming will fundamentally alter Vampirella, her universe and her stories forever. Here is the provocative solicitation in this month’s Previews:

“Vampirella is not real. Like Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page she’s a cultural phenomenon now woven into society’s DNA, a symbol of sensuality and power. So thinks a group of women who become increasingly and inexplicably fascinated with her, getting Vampi tattoos, researching her story and seeking each other out to celebrate her. But as a virus ravages Washington, possessing any man it comes across and liberating their darkest desires, these women feel a call from something… or someone… to battle this new threat. Who is doing this to them? Is Vampirella real after all?”

Vampirella: The Second Coming #1 is 20 pages of full color story with no interior ads. It features covers by best selling artist Arthur Suydam (Marvel Zombies), fan favorites Joe Jusko, (Tomb Raider) and Ryan Stegman (Grimm’s Fairy Tales) and the final Vampirella cover by the legendary Jose Gonzalez.

All four covers can be ordered with the following codes:

Vampirella: The Second Coming #1 Suydam Edition JUL09 0648

Vampirella: The Second Coming #1 Gonzalez Edition JUL09 0649

Vampirella: The Second Coming #1 Stegman Edition JUL09 0650

Vampirella: The Second Coming #1 Jusko Edition JUL09 0651

A special retailer incentive is also offered: for every forty copies ordered retailers can also order one Arthur Suydam Museum Edition.

Vampirella is published by Harris Comics. Celebrating her 40th Anniversary in 2009, Vampirella still stands as a universally recognized icon of horror comics and culture. Fans can follow her exploits online at Vampirella.com, at Facebook.com/Vampirella and on Twitter, @realvampirella.
ONI PRESS AT PAX West 2009!

Oni Press is in Seattle for this year’s Penny Arcade Expo West! September 4th - 6th we will be strutting our stuff at booth #3004. Come by and check out our eclectic library of video game inspired titles including the RPG meets real life graphic novel series North World!

Oni Press creator Lars Brown will be on hand throughout the weekend singing copies of North World volumes 1 & 2. He'll also have North World t-shirts, button packs, and original sketches. Stop by and have a chat, grab a sketch, and before you leave don't forget to get your copy of the all new Scott Pilgrim Poster!

Premiering at PAX West, the new poster is an homage to the classic 1997 Capcom poster for Gem Fighter. The best part about it: comic creator, video game fanatic, and Scott Pilgrim scribe Bryan Lee O'Malley has asked that 100% of the poster's proceeds earned at PAX West 2009 be donated directly to Child's Play Charity www.childsplaycharity.org. As a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of hospitalized children since 2003, Child’s Play has provided millions of dollars worth of toys and games to a network of over 60 hospitals worldwide.

So come by and support Child's Play charity, your favorite video games, and independent comics all in one fell swoop!
Harvey Awards Voting Deadline for Comics Professionals



Baltimore, Maryland - August 26, 2009

Dear Comics Professional,

Please vote for the Harvey Awards! Take this opportunity to honor those in the field that deserve recognition before the deadline of Friday, August 28th.

The Harvey Awards, recognizing outstanding work in comics and sequential art, are nominated and selected exclusively by the full body of comic book professionals - those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit, or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field. This e-mail distribution has been built from a number of resources as an outreach mechanism to ensure the opportunity exists for maximum participation in the voting process. Many of you have already participated in the nomination process of honoring outstanding comics achievements for the year 2008, and we strongly encourage all of you to submit votes on the final ballot.

The ballot is available as an Adobe PDF document or text from www.harveyawards.org.

The detailed links for the ballots are :
PDF: http://www.harveyawards.org/2009ballot/Harvey_2009_final_ballot.pdf
Text: http://www.harveyawards.org/2009ballot/Harvey_2009_final_ballot.txt

Email ballots, using the text file, can be emailed to harveyballots@hotmail.com.

Final ballots are due by midnight, Friday, August 28, 2009.

After you vote, we would also encourage you to use social media to spread that the voting is due for comics professionals and that you voted, regardless of who you vote for. By using our networks of Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and message boards, we have the best chance to encourage participation, and continue to create a better award process.

The Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet will be held for the 4th consecutive year, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, on Saturday evening, October 10, 2009. The Master of Ceremonies will be Scott Kurtz. Keynote speaker and ticket announcements will be made

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

2009 is almost over and Lionsgate Home Entertainment is pulling out all the stops with DVD Collections from comic book fans’ favorite characters including 2 new DVD offerings each from Wolverine and the X-Men and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s a jam-packed fall and winter line-up but take particular note of our Halloween release of the cult classic Mad Monster Party (a brand new Special Edition!). And guaranteed to be the biggest holiday gift of the season for your fans will be the Marvel Animation: 6 Film Gift Set – it’s the very first time that the entire collection of Marvel Animated DVD releases have been packaged together and made available.

You can check out the official announcements for all 6 of our upcoming DVDs below:

September 1st
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 8
Bodacious! The 25th Anniversary of everyone's favorite martial arts master Turtles continues with the first-time ever DVD release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 8 from the classic TV series. Grab some pizza and watch as Leonardo™, Michelangelo™, Raphael™ and Donatello™ take adventure to the max in these eight shredding episodes from the classic TV series. $14.98

September 8th
2. Mad Monster Party: Special Edition
Mad Monster Party, the beloved animated Halloween classic, comes to Special Edition DVD this September from Lionsgate. Mad Monster Party: Special Edition is a hilariously spooky classic that includes a brand-new retrospective featurette and two fun sing-a-longs, and is encased in frighteningly fun neon O-card DVD packaging - making it the perfect treat for Halloween this year! $14.98

October 13th
3. Marvel Animation: 6 Film Gift Set.
Marvel Enterprises and Lionsgate unveil the most exciting new gift of the holiday season with the very first compilation of the mightiest super heroes in the Marvel Universe with the DVD release of the Marvel Animation: 6 Film Gift Set. This complete collection is a must-have for comic fans everywhere as it includes all six of the Marvel full-length animated features currently released on DVD: Ultimate Avengers: The Movie, Ultimate Avengers 2, The Invincible Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow and Hulk Vs. $49.98

November 3rd
4. WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN: BEGINNING OF THE END - Enemies from the Past and Future Collide In The Third Volume of The Hit Animated TV Series
AND
5. WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN VOLUMES 1-3 - Witness the Launch of a Legendary Series with the Three DVD Set!
This November, Marvel Animation and Lionsgate will bring fans the ultimate showdown between humans and mutants with the eagerly awaited third volume of the hit animated series Wolverine and the X-Men, as well as a boxed set containing the first three volumes of this fan-favorite show. Wolverine and the X-Men: Beginning of the End follows Wolverine and the X-Men as they face potential demise in five apocalyptic episodes featuring audio commentary from the show’s creators, and a glossed/embossed O-card. With the release of the third volume, new fans can jump on board in time for the holiday season with the release of the new box set Wolverine and the X-Men Volumes 1-3. The set is encased in bookcase sleeve packaging and comes complete with a unique collectible WXM Laser Cel (while supplies last) sure to appeal to collectors everywhere. $14.98, while Wolverine and the X-Men Volumes 1-3 is available for $29.98 -- an incredible value vs. buying each DVD individually!

6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Complete Season 7 Set in one awesome DVD package for an incredible value just in time for the holiday. The 25th Anniversary of everyone’s favorite crime-fighting amphibians continues with this collection, now available for the first time together in one complete set for half the price of buying each of the four volumes individually. The previous four volumes of the classic TV Series comprising the collection sold over 160,000 units. Leonardo™, Michelangelo™, Raphael™ and Donatello™ fight the likes of Shredder™ and his evil Foot Clan through all 27 episodes from Season 7, packaged in a glossy O-card with four discs inside. Lionsgate is offering the collection as part of a year-long shell-ebration for the heroes-in-a-half-shell just after the franchise announced plans to release a live-action film in 2011. $29.98.
Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 Hotel Rate Deadline, Panel Sneak Peek, More Guests!


Baltimore, Maryland - August 19, 2009 - The 10th Annual Baltimore Comic-Con is building to an amazing 2009 show! We're working on panels, show exclusives, and even more guests!

Tickets
Coming to the show? Buy your tickets now to avoid lines! Go on-line to http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets.htm and ensure you're not waiting outside to purchase your tickets when you could be inside enjoying the show! If you were with us last year, you know what we're talking about!

Hotel Rate Deadline
The Baltimore Comic-Con has worked with the City of Baltimore to reserve a limited number of discounted rooms at hotels convenient to the show. The deadline for this offer is September 9, 2009, so make sure you take advantage of the offer while it is still valid and rooms are still available -- go to http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/hotels.htm to reserve yours now.


Panels
We're not quite ready to announce our show programming yet, but we can let you know of a few that have already been arranged: an Act-I-Vate panel, a DC Nation panel (Saturday), and a Spotlight on Ian Sattler panel (Sunday)! We'll be putting out more information as it solidifies, but keep an eye on the guest list and you'll undoubtedly be able to figure out some of the other panels that will be scheduled before we announce it!

Guests
It seems that the moment we hit "Send" on our press releases, we pile on yet more guests!

The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to welcome back to the show Eisner Award winner and 2009 Harvey Award nominee, Terry Moore! Terry has received accolades for his extensive Strangers in Paradise series, the 1996 Best Serialized Story Eisner winner, has written numerous titles for Marvel Comics, including Runaways and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, and is back with his latest endeavor, the Eisner and Harvey nominated Echo.

In addition to Terry, we are pleased to announce the following guests: Paul Azaceta (Amazing Spider-Man), Jerry Carr (Cryptozoo Crew), Michael Dolce (Descendant), Michael Golden (Spider-Man 1602), Marc Hempel (Absolute Sandman), Greg Horn (Cover Stories: The Art of Greg Horn), Van Jensen (Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer), Karl Kesel (Marvel Apes), Michael Lark (Daredevil), Andy MacDonald (NYC Mech), Andy Runton (Owly), Richard Starkings (Elephantmen), Robert Tinnell (EZ Street), Mark Wheatley (Lone Justice), Renee Witterstaetter (Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira -- The Artist's Great Escape), and Kelly Yates (Amber Atoms).

Already announced guests, new and returning, include: Jason Aaron (Wolverine), Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Dick Ayers (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos), Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers), Ryan Bodenheim (Red Mass for Mars), Doug Braithwaite (Wolverine: Origins), Pat Broderick (Vincent Price Presents), Buzz (Atomika), Jim Calafiore (Batgirl), Eric Canete (Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin), Nick Cardy (Aquaman), Bernard Chang (Wonder Woman), Jo Chen (New Avengers: The Reunion), Sean Chen (Dark Reign: Fantastic Four), Jimmy Cheung (New Avengers: Illuminati), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Frank Cho (Ultimates 4), Chris Claremont (X-Men Forever), Steve Conley (Star Trek: Year Four), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), J.M. DeMatteis (Metal Men), Todd Dezago (Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man), Evan Dorkin (Beasts of Burden), Jan Duursema (Star Wars: Legacy), Sarah Dyer (Superman Adventures), Steve Englehart (Avengers), Jay Faerber (Noble Causes), David Finch (Ultimatum), Bob Fingerman (Recess Pieces), Matt Fraction (Uncanny X-Men), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), Ron Garney (Wolverine: Weapon X), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Sanford Greene (Marvel Adventures Spider-Man), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Tony Harris (Ex Machina), Dean Haspiel (The Alcoholic), Adam Hughes (Power Girl), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Kathryn Immonen (Runaways), Stuart Immonen (New Avengers), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), J.G. Jones (Final Crisis), Joe Jusko (Kolchak: Tales of the Night Stalker), Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man), Scott Koblish (Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Greg LaRocque (Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man), Jerry "The King" Lawler(Headlocked), Norman Lee (GeNext), Steve Lieber (Underground), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Tom Mandrake (The Outsiders), Larry Marder (Beanworld), Laura Martin (Thor), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans), Mark McKenna (BananaTail), Mike McKone (Amazing Spider-Man), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Pop Mhan (World of Warcraft), Mark Morales (Secret Invasion), Doug Murray (Jungle Girl Season 2), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Batgirl), Kevin Nowlan (The Spirit), Mike Oeming (Mice Templar), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Agents of ATLAS), Dan Parsons (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Guest of Honor George Perez (Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Comics Armor Wars), Khoi Pham (Mighty Avengers), Whilce Portacio (Spawn), Eric Powell (The Goon), Buddy Prince (Night), Brian Pulido (Lady Death), Mike Raicht (Army of Darkness), Tom Raney (Dark Reign: Hawkeye), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten), James Robinson (Superman), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Iron Man & The Armor Wars), Stephane Roux (Amazing Spider-Man), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Tim Sale (Heroes), Ian Sattler (Final Crisis: Aftermath), Scott Christian Sava (Dreamland Chronicles), Alex Saviuk (The Phantom Generations), Marc Silvestri (Witchblade), Walt Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (Dean Koontz's Nevermore), John K. Snyder III (Doctor Mid-Nite), Allison Sohn (Star Wars trading card artist), Taki Soma (Rapture), Jim Starlin (Strange Adventures), Brian Stelfreeze (Final Crisis Aftermath: Ink), Paul Storrie (Worlds of Dungeons & Dragons), Karl Story (Batman: Streets of Gotham), Mark Texeira (Punisher), Peter Tomasi (Blackest Night: Batman), Herb Trimpe (Hulk), Billy Tucci (Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion), Jim Valentino (Shadowline Comics), Rob Venditti (The Surrogates), Dexter Vines (Wolverine), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest), Doug Wagner (The Ride), Matt Wagner (Grendel), Mark Waid (The Incredibles), Len Wein (Justice League of America), Brian Wood (sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics, Northlanders), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), and Thom Zahler (Love & Capes).

"I'm very pleased to see Terry returning to the show," said Baltimore Comic-Con promoter, Marc Nathan. "His work is great, as the accolades prove, his new series Echo is nominated for the Best New Series Harvey Award this year, and his fans love him!"

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

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held October 10-11, 2009. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, October 10th.

As we continue to get ready for this year's show, we would like to remind you to mark your calendar for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con dates: August 28-29, 2010.

About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 10th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held Oct 10-11, 2009. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 4 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.
PRESS RELEASE - FRANK CHO AND DOUG MURRAY TEAM UP WITH IMAGE COMICS AND NEWSARAMA TO FIND THE NEXT COMIC SUPERSTAR WITH 50-GIRLS-50!
LIBERTY MEADOWS' Frank Cho and THE NAM legend Doug Murray announce talent search with Newsarama!


26 August 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - As announced at this year's San Diego Comic Con, LIBERTY MEADOWS creator Frank Cho and THE 'NAM writer Doug Murray are teaming up with Newsarama to seek out new talent for their upcoming Image Comics project, 50-GIRLS-50!


"When creating 50-GIRLS-50, Doug and I knew we wanted to go with a very different look than we've had on any previous collaboration," Cho said. "Given the immense wealth of talent online, we decided an open call would be the best way to find someone. We're open to seeing all styles for our prospective illustrator and look forward to the results."


50-GIRLS-50 will be a science fiction, action adventure miniseries conceived and written by Cho and Murray with the artist working off Cho's designs. Newsarama and Image Comics will keep contenders updated on their respective sites, with Newsarama giving you an exclusive inside look at the process and Image Comics' brand-new 50-GIRLS-50 message board playing host to the submissions. Artists will also have the opportunity to get one-on-one feedback from Murray at this year's Baltimore Comic Con, October 10th & 11th.


Murray added, "I can't say we have a definitive style in mind, which is what makes this whole process all the more exciting. We're eager to see what the emerging artists of the world have to offer."


For full details and rules on The 50-GIRLS-50 Talent Search please see www.newsarama.com and www.imagecomics.com/messageboard.


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.
MONTE SCHULZ TOURS WEST COAST IN SEPT.-OCT.

TO PROMOTE THE RELEASE OF THE NEW NOVEL, THIS SIDE OF JORDAN



SEATTLE, WA, AUGUST 20, 2009 --- This September, Fantagraphics Books will publish This Side of Jordan, a novel by Monte Schulz. To support the release, the author will tour thirteen cities on the West Coast in September and October:



Fri., Sept. 25, 8PM • Southern California Writers Conf., Irvine, CA

Mon., Sept. 28, 7PM • Chaucer’s Books, Santa Barbara, CA

Wed., Sept. 30, 7PM • Mysterious Galaxy Books, San Diego, CA

Thurs., Oct. 1, 6PM • Laguna Beach Books, Laguna Beach, CA

Sat., Oct. 3, 5PM • Skylight Books, Los Angeles, CA

Sun., Oct. 11, 11AM • Wordstock Festival, Portland, OR

Tues., Oct. 13, 7PM • Third Place Books, Seattle, WA

Wed., Oct. 14, 7:30PM • Tsunami Books, Eugene, OR

Tues., Oct. 20, 7PM • Modern Times Bookstore, San Francisco, CA

Wed., Oct. 21, 7PM • Copperfield’s Books, Santa Rosa, CA

Thurs., Oct. 22, 7PM • Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA

Sat., Oct. 24, 2PM • The Bookseller, Mill Valley, CA

Wed., Oct. 28, 7PM • Time Tested Books, Sacramento, CA



“Monte Schulz's novel This Side of Jordan shows that Like Father Like Son —both superb!”

— RAY BRADBURY

“Schulz proves himself to be a handy wordsmith in this literarily ambitious novel of pre-Depression America. Hand this straight-faced and multifaceted almost-satire to fans of the southern gothic tradition, all the way from Flannery O’Connor to John Kennedy Toole.”

— BOOKLIST, Sept. 2009

"I just finished reading a review copy, and I think this is a truly great American novel. Certainly I have not read anything by a modern American (white male) that I have so thoroughly enjoyed in my 13+ years at Tsunami Books. I won’t go into the tale; suffice to say those who read this book will bear witness to the beginnings of a great new (American) voice, that upholds for the power of innocence in a long, dark era."


— SCOTT LANDFIELD, TSUNAMI BOOKS (Eugene, OR)
ABOUT THIS SIDE OF JORDAN:

In the idyllic last American summer before the great stock market crash of ’29, nineteen year-old farm boy Alvin Pendergast somehow decides he can escape a fatal relapse of tuberculosis by accepting the offer of a job across the Mississippi River from a slick-talking stranger who seems everything poor Alvin is not: smart, sharply-dressed, well-acquainted, and without a worry in the world. But beneath appearances Chester Burke is also a gangster and a sociopathic killer. On their traveling road through the small towns of the Midwest, Alvin quickly discovers how ignorant he is of life beyond the farm.

Fortunately, he finds another companion for this harrowing journey, a curious and clever dwarf whose own pathetic life has offered little resistance to fate, until the circumstances of Chester’s cruel itinerary forces both him and Alvin to seek another path, if they hope to survive.


This Side Of Jordan is a story of another America, eighty years distant yet familiar, too, a vibrant and scandalous tapestry of eccentric characters from a nation embroiled in criminal liquor traffic, thrilled by Jazz Age fads and frolic, drunk amid the glittering showgrounds of a booming circus whose flag-topped tents are about to come down. Through mayhem and merriment, past the violence and hypocrisy of Prohibition, along miles of dirt roads and busy Main Streets, we see in this wonderfully evocative narrative a simple yearning for love and hope. This Side Of Jordan is about the distance we travel in America to find our rightful place.

This Side of Jordan is Monte Schulz’s second novel. His first, Down by the River, was published by Viking in 1991. Library Journal raved that it compared to Stand by Me and Twin Peaks, and seemed "ready-made for Hollywood." He spent ten years writing Crossing Eden, from which This Side Of Jordan is drawn as the first of three interconnected novels; the second and third, Fields of Eden and The Big Town, will be published in 2010 and 2011.

Schulz received his M.A. in American Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He lives in Northern California.


THIS SIDE OF JORDAN

By Monte Schulz

$22.99 Hardcover • 320 pages

ISBN 978-1-60699-296-8

PUBLICATION DATE: September 23, 2009



Monte Schulz


COMPLETE TOUR LISTINGS:


Friday, Sept. 25, 8PM

Southern California Writer’s Conference
Crowne Plaza Hotel
17941 Von Karman
Irvine, CA 92614
http://www.writersconference.com/

Monday, Sept. 28, 7PM

Chaucer’s Books
Loreto Plaza

3321 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Tel: 805.682.6787

http://www.chaucersbooks.com/

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7PM

Mysterious Galaxy Books
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
Suite #302

San Diego, CA 92111

Tel: 858.268.4747

http://mysteriousgalaxy.booksense.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Thursday, Oct. 1, 6PM

Laguna Beach Books
1200 South Coast Highway, Suite 105
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Tel: 949.494.4779
http://www.lagunabeachbooks.com/

Saturday, Oct. 3, 5PM

Skylight Books
1818 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Tel: 323.660.1175
http://www.skylightbooks.com

Sunday, Oct. 11, 11AM
on the Big Stage
Wordstock Festival
Portland Convention Center
777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR
Tel: 503.546.1012
http://www.wordstockfestival.com

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7PM

Third Place Books
17171 Bothell Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
Tel: 206.366.3316
www.thirdplacebooks.com

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7:30PM

Tsunami Books

2585 Willamette Street

Eugene, OR 97405

Tel: 541.345.8986


Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7PM

Modern Times Bookstore
888 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110-1739
Tel: 415.282.9246
http://www.mtbs.com/

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7PM

Copperfield’s Books
2316 Montgomery Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Tel: 707.578.8938
http://copperfieldsbooks.com/

Thursday, Oct. 22, 7PM

Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Corte Madera, CA 94925
Tel: 415.927.0960 x239
http://www.bookpassage.com/

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2PM

The Bookseller
107 Mill St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Tel: 530.272.2131

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7PM

Time Tested Books
1114 21st Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Tel: 916.447.5696
http://www.timetestedbooks.net
Bad Kids Go to Hell
Issue 3 Release and Signing
Issues 1 and 2 Already Sold Out!
Copies of all 3 Issues Available Only At:
Madness Games & Comics
Comic Book Signing By Co-Creator
Barry "Bazza" Wernick
TODAY
Wednesday, August 26th
10:30 am - 2:00 pm
4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
*FREE Issue 1 Foil Laminates for those who dress up in private school uniforms.


Madness Games & Comics
Comic Book Signing
TODAY: Wed., August 26
TIME: 10:30 am - 2 pm
4 pm - 8:30 pm
LOCATION: 3131 Custer Rd.
Ste 125
Plano, TX 75075
MORE: Issues 1 and 2 are already sold out! But a limited supply of copies are being made available along with the release of Issue 3. Meet Co-Creator, Barry "Bazza" Wernick and get Issues 1,2, and 3 signed. Dress up in a private school uniform, and get a free Issue 1 Foil Laminate. A lot of other cool BKGtH licensed merchandise will be made available at the signing, as well.


Join Our Mailing List!
Follow the Bad Kids on Twitter @BadKidsGoToHell
Check out the official webpage: http://www.badkidsgotohell.com
DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES THE NEXT WAVE OF DOMO COLLECTIBLES!



DOMO QEES ARRIVE IN SELECT TARGET STORES IN ALL-NEW COLORS, AND A NEW COLOR IS ANNOUNCED IN THE

DARK HORSE DELUXE EDITION OF 4” FLOCKED VINYLS



AUGUST 25, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse makes two announcements today in relation to their highly successful Domo program. The first announcement follows on the footsteps of the company’s recently launched blind-box Qee program, created in conjunction with Toy2R and featuring the likeness of Japanese NHK television’s mascot, Domo.

As part of a new vinyl toy test initiative by the Target retail chain, new packaging solutions and colorways have been created of this popular character with the mass-market audience in mind. For collectors, these special Qees have been produced in four new, exclusive colors that were previously unavailable. Domos in the new colors are now available in a special blind-box two-pack. These new colors include solid yellow and solid orange, as well as translucent black and translucent blue.

“We have tried to introduce the ‘mystery box’ genre to a more casual consumer, with an equally weighted ratio of four different colors packed in a blind box and paired with a visible brown Domo Qee,” said Dark Horse’s vice president of product development, David Scroggy. “The customer has an equal shot at one of four possible surprise colors. The blister-carded package for the single Domo Qee choices are something new for both Toy2R and Dark Horse. None of these colors is a part of our regular mystery-box assortment, so we hope this will be of interest to collectors as well as the general public.”

“Obviously these are new outlets for designer toys, so you must step back and see what works best for them while still capturing the essence of the designer-toy genre,” said Toy2R founder and president Raymond Choy.

These exclusive Domo releases are available now at select Target locations. A complete list can be found here:

http://www.darkhorse.com/Zones/DHDeluxe

In addition, Dark Horse also announces a color change in the upcoming Dark Horse Deluxe line of 4” flocked Domo vinyls. The previously announced Raging Red color has been changed to Mint Green. The edition size will remain at five hundred pieces.



About Qee

Qee (pronounced "key") is a collection of designer toys created by Hong Kong-based company Toy2R, which was founded by Raymond Choy in 1995. Qees are produced in limited numbers and are highly collectible. Many contemporary artists and designers from Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America have designed figures. Domo is the mascot of NHK television in Japan, and is breaking out worldwide as animation, toys, publishing and apparel.

About Big Tent Entertainment LLC

Big Tent Entertainment, LLC (www.bigtent.tv) is an entertainment company specializing in the integrated development and management of media brands. Formed in 2002, the company manages a portfolio across both traditional and new media while focusing on brand strategy, community building, viral marketing, licensing and retail merchandising. Big Tent currently serves as the worldwide (ex Asia) marketing and licensing company for viral sensation Domo and the North American agency of record for a number of children’s properties including: Discovery Kids, the leader in real world, educational content for children; The Wiggles, the world’s most popular pre-school entertainers; and Miffy & Friends, one of the largest brands for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with an all-new tween/teen program. Additionally, Big Tent serves as the U.S. licensing agent for the masters of freestyle motocross, the Crusty Demons, and the world’s most popular series about girls and horses, The Saddle Club. The Company is also the worldwide management company for renowned art licensing agency Alaska Momma.

About Dark Horse

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. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. 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.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Jennifer Love Hewitt's New Comic Book Series
Coming in November
IDW to publish The Music Box



San Diego, CA (August 25, 2009) - Award-winning actress Jennifer Love Hewitt has joined with IDW Publishing and created Jennifer Love Hewitt's The Music Box, a new comic series. Currently starring in CBS's The Ghost Whisperer, Hewitt's ten-issue anthology series details a mysterious music box that causes strange occurrences for the people who possess it.

“Jennifer created a really interesting premise for a comic book series and is carrying it through with great skill,” said IDW Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Chris Ryall. “Each story tells a standalone tale and they are all linked together by this mysterious music box."

The Music Box will be co-written by Hewitt and veteran comic scribe Scott Lobdell. As each issue is an entirely new story, each will feature art tailored to that story's premise. The first issue, debuting in November, will showcase painted art by Michael Gaydos (Alias). Subsequent issues will feature other talented artists, such as Casey Maloney (G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra), Adam Archer (Friday the 13th), as well as industry living legend, Joe Rubenstein.

"I'm really enjoying creating my very own comic. The Music Box is like a very fun nightmare," said Hewitt. "It's a frightening premise to have so much malevolent energy in an inanimate object, especially something that's typically as benign as a music box. I'm so proud of The Music Box and can't wait for people to read it."

The Music Box presents a new story in each issue, as different people come into contact with the music box and have unique experiences. Be it time travel, alternative realities or just plain evil, Jennifer Love Hewitt's The Music Box masterfully weaves new and compelling stories with every issue.

"Who knew that behind that sweet, million dollar smile of hers was a mind capable of coming up with suck dark and dangerous stories?" said Lobdell. "Fans of Love will be dancing to a new tune . . . one that's played by this mysterious music box from who only knows where."

Jennifer Love Hewitt's The Music Box #1 debuts in November 2009. Diamond order code SEPT09 0868.




About IDW
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. As a leader in the horror, action, and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry including: Hasbro's The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; the BBC's Doctor Who; and television's #1 prime time series CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for ComicMix.

IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.
PRESS RELEASE - JONATHAN HICKMAN MAKES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SIGNING DEBUT WITH CANOGA PARK'S COLLECTOR'S PARADISE!
NIGHTLY NEWS & PAX ROMANA creator to sign in Southern California for the very first time!


25 August 2009 (Berkeley, CA) - NIGHTLY NEWS and PAX ROMANA's Jonathan Hickman will be making his Southern California signing debut this Saturday, August 29th at Canoga Park, CA's Collector's Paradise!


"Coming down to Southern California for a signing has been a long time coming," Hickman said. "There's an amazing amount of great stores in Southern California and I'm very excited about my first signing. Edward and the crew at Collector's Paradise have already gone a long way to make me feel welcome."


Collector's Paradise has been a mainstay of the Southern California retail community for over fifteen years and featured signings with some of comics biggest names. Like all their signings, Collector's Paradise adds a twist to the event, with famed comic book podcast ComicsOnComics.com recording their first-ever live show at Collector's Paradise, featuring Hickman and several well known comedians.! From there, Hickman will begin a signing session for his legion of Collector's Paradise fans.


Collector's Paradise owner Ed Greenberg added, "We've been home to a great roster of signings over the years, especially in recent months, but Jonathan is a creator we've been hoping to have since NIGHTLY NEWS was initially released. All of his Image work is constantly in our top ten sellers, so we're highly looking forward to the event."


Jonathan Hickman will be signing at Collector's Paradise Saturday, August 29th from 3:00 - 6:00 PM, preceded by the Comics on Comics taping 1:00 - 3:00 PM. More information is available at http://comicsandcards.net.


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.


Collector's Paradise has been a mainstay in the Southern California Comic Book scene since 1994. In recent years, the store has focused on offering their customers an exceptional experience that goes beyond collecting comic books, from monthly creator appearances, to the proprietary online subscription manager software, to the recently-opened Art Gallery. The store's future plans include many new and very different ways to experience the comic book culture. Last year, Collector's Paradise was picked by fans as the Best Comic Book Store in Los Angeles County, according to an online poll done by Fox LA.
PHANTOM DOUBLE SHOT : KGB NOIR!

Coming this December from Moonstone, a mini-series that pits the Phantom against The Hammer, a group of ex-KGB agents intent on restoring the USSR to its place as a world super-power. Each of the six issues will feature a chapter from the Phantom’s tale, as well as stand-alone stories spotlighting characters you’ve come to know and love from Moonstone Books.

In the main feature, The Phantom uncovers The Hammer’s plot to destroy the United States in retaliation for the downfall of their former empire. The Ghost Who Walks, trailing what he believes to be an ordinary arms dealer, finds himself embroiled in a nuclear weapon purchase. If The Hammer succeeds in detonating the device, the entire US eastern seaboard will pay the ultimate price. It’s up to The Phantom to see that they don’t.

In the second feature, issue one spotlights the debut of Moonstone’s newest pulp hero, straight from the mind of Phantom writer Mike Bullock: Death Angel! Armed with sonic and tachyon emitters, DA creates a hypnotic state in the mind of those feeling the Angel’s judgment. This time, it’s members of The Hammer, trying to coerce a defense contractor to give up state secrets they can use to further cripple America. But, they certainly didn’t count on the Angel of Death!

Issues two through six will bring related stories featuring Kolchak, Captain Action, Buckaroo Banzai, The Spider and fan favorite femme fatale Domino Lady.

Santa won’t be the only red man coming for Christmas, The Hammer is falling, don’t miss out!

24pgs, $2.99

Moonstonebooks.com

Monday, August 24, 2009

COHEED AND CAMBRIA'S
CLAUDIO SANCHEZ
INVADES
MILFORD, CONNECTICUT
SIGNING FOR ONE DAY ONLY

LIMITED EDITION
KILL AUDIO ACTION FIGURE

Free SDCC Exclusive
KILL AUDIO Preview Book
from BOOM! Studios
with Every Purchase!

In-Store Appearance!
Thursday, August 27th
2-3 pm


LOS ANGELES- August 20th, 2009 - Come meet Claudio Sanchez, frontman of the acclaimed rock band Coheed and Cambria and comic book author, at the official signing for his toy, KILL AUDIO, and THE AMORY WARS comic.

FREE SDCC EXCLUSIVE KILL AUDIO preview comic with toy purchase!

WHEN: Thursday, August 27th, 2-3 pm

WHERE: Hot Topic
1201 Boston Post Road
Milford, CT, 06460
203-877-7335
www.hottopic.com

DIRECTIONS: Google Map


KILL AUDIO follows the adventures of an immortal little troll who struggles to find purpose in a land where creativity is a controlled substance. When musical creativity spirals into chaos, KILL AUDIO discovers his life mission.

Supported by a wildly eccentric posse and a nemesis hell-bent on proving his mortality, KILL AUDIO takes on non-sensical musical sub-genres while traipsing across a vivid landscape, all of which could only come from the intense mind of Claudio Sanchez.

About BOOM! Studios:
BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) is a unique publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents, including Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, The Henson Company's FARSCAPE, and the original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. BOOM! recently launched its youth imprint, BOOM! Kids, with Pixar's THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY STORY, as well as Disney's THE MUPPETS. This year, BOOM! Studios celebrates its fourth anniversary.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tales of Monkey Island (TM) episodes join Amazon's Game Download Store

SAN RAFAEL, CA. August 24, 2009 -- Tales of Monkey Island games are now available at Amazon's new channel as the first episodic series available for the company's recently launched Game Download Store. Each chapter of Tales of Monkey Island sells for $8.95, beginning with the first two chapters available for immediate download at www.amazon.com/GameDownloads in the United States. This also represents the first time that the Tales of Monkey Island episodes for PC have been available for purchase as individual episodes. Steering the intrepid Guybrush Threepwood through a grand pirate adventure has never been so easily accessible!

"Opening this distribution relationship with Amazon.com introduces Tales of Monkey Island to new audiences of game players of all ages who can fulfill their aspirations of becoming adventurous, swashbuckling pirates," said James Lamorticelli Telltale's Vice President, Publishing.

Tales of Monkey Island has been Telltale's most successful digital episodic series launch to date, with critics and gamers finding their sea legs and responding positively to the first new original Monkey Island storyline in nine years. In the tradition of the great old movie serials with cliffhanger endings, the Tales of Monkey Island will unfold as an adventure over five months, with each episodic chapter raising the stakes on Guybrush Threepwood's quest to eradicate the insidious voodoo pox threatening the Caribbean, reunite with his wife and vanquish his arch rival the pirate LeChuck. The story deepens through interweaving threads in each chapter building to surprising twists in the grand finale coming this fall!

So sharpen your cutlass and get ready for a thrilling quest to solve the mysteries of Tales of Monkey Island and defeat your enemies to become a true pirate hero today.

About Telltale, Inc.

Telltale is the first and only company to release interactive episodic content on a monthly schedule. Their landmark Sam & Max series, based on the independent comics by Steve Purcell, paved the way for episodic gaming with two award-winning seasons on PC, Wii, and Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade. Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, based on the Homestarrunner.com web cartoons, soon followed as the first episodic series for WiiWare(TM). Telltale's Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures has just released the finale episode for PC, concluding a four-month escapade that took the famous inventor and his faithful pooch through a madcap series of wild and engaging new stories. The full series will release for Xbox LIVE Arcade in the coming months.

Telltale's other games include two installments in Ubisoft's CSI series, based on the most popular television franchise in the United States, and two games based on the best-selling Bone comics by Jeff Smith. Telltale's games have won numerous awards, including Adventure Game of the Year accolades from publications such as IGN, PC Gamer, GameSpy, and Adventure Gamers, and have been recognized by mainstream outlets ranging from The New York Times to Variety. USA Today ranked Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures among five downloadable games to watch for in 2009. Telltale currently develops and publishes episodic series on PC, Wii, and Xbox 360, with plans to expand to additional platforms and channels in the coming year. For more information, visit http://www.telltalegames.com.
DARK HORSE GETS DEADLOCKED

CHRISTOPHER KROVATIN’S VENOMOUS ARRIVES IN COMICS THIS FALL!



AUGUST 19, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse is partnering with 72 Productions to release Deadlocke, a special one-shot comic tie-in to Christopher Krovatin’s Venomous. Venomous, a Simon & Schuster young adult novel, is also currently in the works as a feature film produced by the Los Angeles–based company 72 Productions, run by Jen Chaiken and Sebastian Dungan.

Deadlocke mixes real life and young adult themes with escapist comic book fantasy to tell the story of a Manhattan teenager, Locke Vinetti, whose world is turned upside down when the dark alter ego who exists in his drawings threatens to take over his life. Locke must learn to control his newfound strength at the risk of losing Renee, the darkly beautiful girl of his dreams. This internal struggle eventually culminates in a brutal rooftop battle where the characters’ lives, and souls, hang in the balance.

Novel author and screenwriter Chris Krovatin’s other credits include 2005’s Heavy Metal and You. He is currently working on his first adult novel for Broadway Books, expected to be finished within the next year. This special comic tie-in is written by Rex Mundi writer Arvid Nelson and illustrated by Nick Stakal, artist on the recent Criminal Macabre series Cell Block 666.

“The film script for Deadlocke is just great,” says Nelson. “The dialogue crackles, and so does the plot. There's a fantastic tension between reality and fantasy. I think we really captured that in the comic, and I’m so excited for people to read it!”



About 72 Productions:

Founded by producers Jen Chaiken and Sebastian Dungan, 72 Productions is a feature film production company that launched in January 2007 with a private equity fund dedicated to the development of feature films.



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. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. 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.